The Kingdom can breathe a collective sigh of relief because the champs have their first win of the season.
Not like there was a doubt, as the Los Angeles Kings are a near-identical team to the one that hoisted the Stanley Cup a few short months ago, but it was a little bit of a slow start. Sunday night at the Staples Center, it was the kids (and their big kid, Jeff Carter) that sped things up a little in a 4-1 win over the Jets.
Of the Kings' six goals this season, the second line, or more well-known as "That 70's Line" or the "Kid Line", is responsible for five of them. Tanner Pearson and Carter each have two after Sunday's game while Tyler Toffoli has one goal with two assists.
"We just created lots of chances off the rush but then down low we were making plays," Toffoli said.
Carter, Pearson and Toffoli have picked up right where they left off in June.
"I think it clicked right from camp," Pearson said. "Chemistry is such a big thing in this league and you want to get it as quick as possible and I think we're doing that."
Last year, Kings inexplicably scored the fewest goals in the regular season and the most in the postseason. But Pearson only played 25 regular season games last year and Toffoli spent time time in Manchester in the AHL as well. Meanwhile, Carter rotated through lines, even seeing some time as a winger, before finally centering a line with the kids in the postseason.
INTERVIEW: Tyler Toffoli of the @LAKings spoke with @Alex_Curry following the game against the @NHLJets. http://t.co/L2dhfminyQ
— Kings Vision (@KingsVision) October 13, 2014
With the creation of that line, a true second line, and the addition of Marian Gaborik, the goals that never came in the regular season were coming in droves in the playoffs. A full season with both Gaborik and That 70's Line may bring a different look to the typical low-scoring hockey the Kings are known for in the regular season.
"I think the chemistry comes with a lot of hard work," Toffoli said. "Jeff is very easy to play with and he's one of the best players in the league, I think, and Tanner and myself read off of him and we've got to skate hard and make plays and score goals."
It's not a position that a lot of veterans like Carter would want to be in and not an assignment that many would even accept, but it's Carter that makes that line go.
"I think Jeff helps us out in a lot of ways," Toffoli said. "He's really vocal and when we're struggling he's making sure he's getting on us. Making sure that we get better as we go along. He wants to do well and so do we."
"I think they really respect him," said head coach Darryl Sutter. "They know he's got that speed up the middle that allows those guys to get open because he draws a lot of covers."
INTERVIEW: Justin Williams of the @LAKings stopped by @FoxSportsWest Kings Live following the game on 10/12/14. http://t.co/pdLtEvnkj4
— Kings Vision (@KingsVision) October 13, 2014
There was another key kid Sunday night as well in Martin Jones, who nearly shut out the Jets -- allowing only one goal on 30 shots. Don't expect to see Jonathan Quick cede his position anytime soon but with a serviceable backup it will allow the Kings to spell Quick more often.
"It felt good, I was able to get some pretty good time in the preseason, but it felt good in the game situation," Jones said. "It comes down to practice habits, making sure you're doing the right things to get prepared. There's going to be stretches this year where I may not play for a week or two and I have to make sure I have the right habits and I'm preparing in the same way."
