The 2010s produced three notable dynasties in the NHL. First, there was the Chicago Blackhawks, who won three Stanley Cups in 2010, 2013, and 2015. Then there were the Pittsburgh Penguins, who won back-to-back cups in 2016 and 2017 and also added one in 2009. Lastly, there's the Los Angeles Kings. They won the cup in 2012 and 2014, and also made the Conference Finals in 2013 where they lost to the Blackhawks.
Their win in 2012 is probably the more impressive of the two cup runs that the Kings had during their time as a top team in the league. They entered the playoffs as the No. 8 seed and made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Final, where they won, finishing the playoffs with an outstanding 16-4 record. They were the first eighth seeded team to ever win the cup.
Their cup run in 2014 wasn't as dominating as 2012, but it was just as entertaining. Their first three series all went seven games, but thanks to 'Mr. Game Seven' Justin Williams, they were able to come out on top each time. They then went on to beat the New York Rangers in five games to secure their second cup in three years. Their first round match up against San Jose featured the Kings going down 3-0 in the series, but coming back and winning four straight games to take the series in seven games. They were just the fourth team ever to comeback and win the series after trailing 3-0.
However, times haven't been so great in Los Angeles since those two impressive cup runs. Since winning the cup in 2014 they have only made the playoffs twice and both were first-round exits where they were easily beaten. In 2016 they lost to the Sharks in five games and they effortlessly swept by the Vegas Golden Knights in 2018. They finished last in the Pacific Division with 71 points last season and they currently sit last in the Western Conference with 41 points through 50 games.
Drew Doughty, who is a veteran and a leader on the team has been quite vocal about the team's struggles in the past, didn't really hold back when he sat down with Lisa Dillman of the Athletic to talk about the team's rebuild and struggles over the last few seasons.
"It's frustrating. Being one of the top guys, I never expected to be (in this position). I always expected that I would be able to help push my team to a playoff spot every single year," Doughty said. "But back-to-back years, being in last place, it's been stressful and depressing a little bit."
"Sometimes you got to sit back and realize you don't have the same team you once had."
"There are times when you see really good things and you can see we're getting better," said Doughty
However, there does seem like there's a bit of light at the end of the tunnel, as they have one of the most talented prospect pools in the entire league, and theyy are almost guaranteed to have a lottery pick at this year's draft. The prospect pool is led by Alex Turcotte, who was selected fifth overall by the Kings in 2019, he's in his first season of collegiate hockey with the University of Wisconsin where he has six goals and 16 points in 20 games.
It will be a few seasons before we see what kind of impact those players will have on the roster, so it looks like the Doughty and the Kings will remain a bottom-five team for the next couple of seasons unless they can land a big name player through either trade or free agency.
Doughty is in the first season of an eight-year, $88 million contract. In 50 games this season he's registered six goals and 27 points.
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