The Los Angeles Kings team information

Los Angeles Kings tickets were first gained by loyal fans who clamored in 1967 to watch the Pacific Coast Hockey League. Several years later, when bottled water started to cost $8 and tofu burgers stopped being part and parcel to passing jokes, the Kings established themselves in L.A.'s Staples Center, lining up in the Pacific Conference.

THE COACH

Former Canuck chief and all-around paragon of warm-and-fuzziness Marc Crawford became the Kings' 21st head coach in May 2006. Plagued by regular season success and consistent post-season mediocrity, LA fans can look forward to having their hopes built up by the man who lead the 1996 Colorado Avalanche to their first Stanley Cup victory in the same year the franchise left Canada as the Quebec Nordiques. However plagued the man may be for failing to deliver in Vancouver, Crawford's stats speak for themselves-Crawford took the 1995 Jack Adams Award as the Coach of the Year and was the 2nd-youngest head coach to chalk up 400 wins after the great Scotty Bowman.

THE STAR

When people speak of NHL defensemen, one name comes to mind-Rob Blake. While he started his NHL career and cut his pro-hockey teeth in Los Angeles, the 6'4 blueliner made it big with Colorado, contributing to the Avs' reclamation of the Stanley Cup in 2001. Superior passing, handling, and of course defense all contribute to what some consider the next chapter in Los Angeles' famous history of superstars. Look for a superior pairing with fellow defenseman and rising star Brent Sopel.

THE TEAM

Having retired names such as Wayne Gretzky, Luc Robitaille, Marcel Dionne, and Paul Coffey, Los Angeles enters this season off the heels of a mediocre 42-35 '05-'06 season. A lackluster offense comprised of newcomers like Dustin Brown and Michael Cammalleri leaves the front end susceptible to heavy damage. The acquisition of former Canuck goalie Dan Cloutier and first-round draft pick Justin Bernier makes for an interesting season to watch. The lethal defensive combo of Blake and Sopel could lead to some formidable special teams and impressive power-play kills. 

THE ARENA

The $375 million Staples Center can seat up to 18,110 hockey fans. Also home to the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers, Clippers, and the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks, Staples Center is chock-full of amenities and special fix-ins. The arena is located at 1111 S. Figueroa Street in the heart of Los Angeles.

 

Past L.A. Kings ticket info

Los Angeles Kings tickets will offer a mix of some old and some new in the 2005-06 NHL season. Kings General Manager Dave Taylor has made some great moves in the off-season and is hoping to gives Los Angeles hockey fans in The Staples Center a team loaded with playoff savvy seasoned veterans that will give the Kings a needed push come playoff time. The overhaul of the Kings roster has created an atmosphere of excitement surrounding Los Angeles Kings tickets.

The Kings have added Pavol Demitra, a top scorer with the St. Louis Blues, and Jeremy Roenick, the very talented and outspoken center from the Philadelphia Flyers. If there were anybody who would fit into playing in the great city of Los Angeles, it would have to be Roenick. With his great personality and excellent demeanor, Roenick will become an instant celebrity. Even though Roenick has a side of him that loves to have a good time, he is very fast to back up his words and action with ample talent and leadership, which will come in handy when the Kings make their drive to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Demitra, on the other hand, is a total opposite of Roenick off the ice. He keeps out of the limelight of Los Angeles, but will be one of the Kings in the spotlight on the ice at Staples Center. Demitra has shown his talent over the past seven years with the St. Louis Blues. In 579 regular season games, Demitra has scored 216 goals and 303 assists. Add these two great skaters, along with Luc Robitaille, and the Kings are a formidable foe for any team in the NHL.

Over the past 3 years, the Stanley Cup Playoffs have eluded the Kings. In their first year as residents of the Staples Center in 2000, the Kings finished second in their division but were ousted quickly from the NHL Playoffs by the Detroit Red Wings. The following year, the Kings again had a good regular season, securing 47 wins, but, oddly enough, that was only good for 7th place in their division. They were forced to face the powerful Colorado Avalanche in the opening round of the NHL Playoffs. The Kings took the Avalanche to seven games but fell 4-0 in Game 7.

For the 2003 and 2004 seasons, the LA Kings were ravaged by injuries and failed to make the post season in either year. The 2004 season did have a high note, as the Kings brought back long time favorite Luc Robitaille for his 3rd tenure with the Kings.

Los Angeles Kings tickets and an evening at the Staples Center will definitely be on the list this year for the citizens of Los Angeles. With a roster filled with a great mix of veterans and youth on both the offensive and defensive lines, the Kings should be in the thick of the hunt come playoff time. The idea of a return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, coupled with the renewed interest in a team with a new look, has LA hockey fans stocking up on Los Angeles Kings tickets.