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The Los Angeles Kings are rolling strong as Jonathan Quick, Anze Kopitar and others start readying the engines for the third act of the 2014 NHL season the NHL Playoffs.

kopitar-3rd-jersey.jpegThe Kings have won six of their last seven games, the first five against the Eastern Conference, and are showing the grit necessary to win close games when the frantic pace of hockey goes into turbo-drive. The Kings have six games left, and following Monday night’s 3-2 loss to the hungry Minnesota Wild, they close out the regular season by playing every team in the Pacific Division one last time – starting with the Phoenix Coyotes Wednesday night.

There are concerns for the Kings and their 13-3 post-Sochi revival that should garner the majority of the fans interest moving forward.

Contests against the: Wild, Coyotes, San Jose Sharks and Anaheim Ducks are pivotal – not just for the standings, as the Kings are locked into the third position in the Pacific – but because they have losing records against the Coyotes (1-3-0) and Ducks (1-3-0) and were even with the Wild until Monday night. Their 3-1-0 mark against the Sharks should have most rooting for San Jose to finish second in the Pacific – as that would dictate a matchup versus the Kings to open the playoffs.

Will they have the strength to maintain the stellar defense that has lead this crusade since the Olympics? The fan’s faith rests on the legs of Drew Doughty, Robyn Regehr, Slava Voynov and Willie Mitchell. These four average between 19-26 of defensive ice time a contest since the break. Their ability to protect Quick and kill penalties will be the catalyst for momentum in either direction.

Quick is playing as lights out as a playoff contender can ask from their marquee net-minder. Quick is 10-2 since the Olympic hiatus and has a 2.08 GAA/.915 SV% on the season. If he needs a rest or gets injured, the main concern – besides Quick himself not being in net – would be Martin Jones’ lack of playoff experience, not that Ben Scrivens had any to speak of either. Jones (11-5; 1.91 GAA; .933 SV%) is a solid backup. Gleaning knowledge and gamesmanship from a Stanley Cup  champion, Conn Smythe winner and Olympic silver medalist has surely expedited his learning curve in the NHL.

marian gaborik kingsA few weeks ago – after Marian Gaborik joined the team and the Kings gained three in the loss column – I was busying myself figuring out if Gaborik was a good addition. Thats’s been put to rest as Gaborik (3g, 6a, 9pt, 13gp) has assimilated into the first line as quickly as a player whom had been injured since mid-November could be asked.

Now everyone should, the Kings included, focus their attention on the Pacific gauntlet that lay ahead. The Oilers await as the penultimate contest before the freeway series and the hated Ducks close out the second act. Let’s hope there is a respite – and four victories via the Sharks – before the Kings have to face the Ducks again.

Are the #Lakers doing what we think they're doing? http://t.co/wYsoxiowJz @georgemiddlet0n & the "T" word. #LakeShow http://t.co/SiVoTGoeOY
RT @LakersTV: Julius Randle looks back on his first non-contact practice since suffering his injury. VIDEO: http://t.co/XlqENuuiYy http://…
Are the #Lakers doing what we think they're doing? http://t.co/wYsoxi6VkZ @georgemiddlet0n & the "T" word. #LakeShow http://t.co/cXDgkh9hns
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Pt. 4 of our greatest #Lakers title teams w/ a stamp on a dynasty. http://t.co/QJf5vDcy33 by @georgemiddlet0n. http://t.co/bl3LAc072R
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