LA KINGS OUTSIDER 2.0

Mattias Norstrom: A Class Act The Kings really know how to throw a party.  Nothing says, "Thank you Matty!" like a Swiss Coffee Maker.  Did you know that Matty was a two-time All-Star?!?!  It was great to see fan favorites like Ian Laperriere and Rob Blake (I kid...I kid) back at Staples Center.  Ilya Kovalchuk haters filled the arena as he was booed every time he touched the puck.  Kovalchuk had his moments but the Kings took the game 3-1.

My 2010-11 Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Wings With the season starting tomorrow; it's prediction time...   EASTERN CONFERENCE The Capitals and Devils are head and shoulders above the rest.  The Penguins added some nice pieces to their blueline but forcing Sidney Crosby to spend another season playing with Pascal Dupuis and Chris Kunitz on his wings should be against league policy.  If Philly can acquire a proven goaltender like Tim Thomas or Tomas Vokoun; they should be recognized as legit contenders as well.

Teemu Selanne will be back at least one more season with the Ducks and he's still trying to lure Kariya to Anaheim .  Kariya doesn't owe anything to those fans in the O.C but I think the thought of reuniting with Teemu intrigues him especially after their disappointing reunion in Colorado.  I think Kariya is a Duck by the end of the week.  I think both guys stay healthy and terrorize the Kings.  Both Kariya and Selanne have been Kings Killers their entire careers (check out the career numbers versus L.A.). Kariya: 63 GP, 34G, 38A, 72 PTS, +13, 26 PPP, 5 GWG Selanne: 86 GP, 47G, 57A, 104 PTS, +26, 40 PPP, 9 GWG So the dream of having Kariya and Selanne reunite in Los Angeles is dead.  The dreams of Kariya finishing out his career in a Kings uni are most likely dead.  I'm clinging to Willie Mitchell right now.  The Selanne/Kariya story was a bigger deal to me than the arbitrator ruling in favor of the NHL in the Ilya Kovalchuk case but here's a quick...

Kovalchuk Looks Good In A Kings Jersey You can read Helen (Not Helene..ha) Elliot, Rich Hammond or any of the other NHL Insiders for up-to-the-minute coverage.  I just figured I better give my two cents on the entire situation in Sparknotes form.

5-0 Roadtrip: All Smiles For The Kings What a weekend for the Kings with two comeback wins in Boston and New Jersey. Deja vu in Boston where the Kings squeaked out a 3-2 victory in the shootout.  Quick outplayed his Team USA teammate Tim Thomas for the second time in two weeks.  Got a scare when Mark Stuart absolutely destroyed Anze with an open-ice check (Thanks Petey).  But Simmer stepped right in and took care of business; Stuart broke a finger during the fight.  Kopi got the last laugh with the game-tying goal and a 'Forsberg-esque Deke' in the shootout.  Rich Hammond's Recap No Bob Miller & Jim Fox on Sunday but caught the game on DirecTV's Center Ice.  Had to settle for New Jersey's broadcast with Chico & Dano.  No seriously.  Poor Chico didn't know a single Kings player. The Devils game was a snoozer...at least to start.  Seemed like the Kings just wanted to go home.  The first couple goals given up by Brodeur were two I...