History of the Los Angeles Kings
Welcome to the history of the Los Angeles Kings, a franchise that has captured the hearts of hockey fans since its inception in 1967. In addition, they are part of the NHL’s Pacific Division. From Gretzky’s arrival in the late 1980s to the team’s two Stanley Cup championships in the 2010s, the Kings have cemented their place in hockey lore.
The Kings were one of six teams added to the NHL in 1967 as part of the league’s expansion into the United States. In their first season, they struggled to find their footing. Eventually, they finished last in the league with a record of 31-33-10. Yet, the Kings began to turn things around in the late 1960s and early 1970s. With the addition of stars like Marcel Dionne and Rogie Vachon they began to impove. In 1974-75, the Kings reached the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. Yet, in the end, they were swept in the first round by the eventual champion Philadelphia Flyers.
Challenges Continue
Throughout the 1980s, the Kings fielded some talented teams but were never able to make a deep playoff run. That all changed in 1988 when the Kings made one of the biggest trades in NHL history. They acquired Wayne Gretzky from the Edmonton Oilers. The trade put the Kings on the map and overall helped turn Los Angeles into a hockey town. Gretzky would go on to win the Hart Trophy (MVP) in his first season with the Kings. Then, he led them to the Stanley Cup Finals. However, they eventually fell to the Montreal Canadiens.
Despite the disappointment of that loss, the Kings continued to be a competitive team in the 1990s and early 2000s. This was because of notable players such as Luc Robitaille, Jari Kurri, and Rob Blake. However, it wasn’t until the 2010s that the team would experience its greatest success. Led by captain Dustin Brown, goalie Jonathan Quick, and the dynamic duo of Anze Kopitar and Jeff Carter, the Kings won the Stanley Cup in 2012. Finally, they also won it again in 2014. In the end, they established themselves as one of the league’s elite teams.
Today, the Kings continue to be a popular team in the NHL. Overall, they have a passionate fan base that has remained loyal throughout the ups and downs of the team’s history. With a new generation of stars leading the way, the future looks bright for the Kings. In the end, there’s no doubt that their legacy in the NHL will continue to grow for years to come.
* All odds provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.