Los Angeles Kings 2009 Season Preview, Picks & Odds

With the NHL Hockey season just around the corner, we are providing season previews for all 30 teams to give you the betting edge. Follow the best NHL Hockey Handicappers as they analyze their teams in this 2009 season preview. Use our comprehensive and insider info to bet successfully on the NHL in our recommend sportsbooks. View the rest of our 2009 NHL Season Previews here.

Los Angeles Kings 2008-’09 record:
34-37-11, 79 points (5th in Pacific, 14th in West)

Los Angeles Kings 2008-’09 playoffs:
Did not qualify

Last season was another bad year for the Kings. Los Angeles’ final record was 34-37-11, good enough for 79 points, which tied them with the Coyotes for last in the division. The Kings’ youthful squad did have some bright spots, especially with a strong group of young defenders who managed to allow the 11 th lowest number of goals in the league despite not having a clear-cut number one goalie. However, there’s no way to sugarcoat a season that saw the Kings picking in the top five in the NHL draft.

Los Angeles Kings 2009 Preview

Los Angeles Kings General manager: Dean Lombardi (332-360-128, 11th NHL year, 2nd team)

Los Angeles Kings Coach: Terry Murray (404-325-100, 12th NHL year, 4th team)

Los Angeles Kings Captain: Dustin Brown

Los Angeles Kings Top Returning Scorer: C Anze Kopitar (27 goals, 39 assists, 66 points)

Los Angeles Kings Top Returning Goalie: Jonathan Quick (21-18-2, 2.48, .914)

Los Angeles Kings Key Additions: D Rob Scuderi; LW Ryan Smyth; D Brandon Segal.

Los Angeles Kings Key Subtractions: C Derek Armstrong, LW Kyle Calder; D Denis Gauthier; C Brian Boyle; D Kyle Quincey; D Tom Preissing; C Derek Armstrong.

Los Angeles Kings Top Line: LW Ryan Smyth, C Anze Kopitar, RW Justin Williams

Los Angeles Kings Top Defensive Pairing: Rob Scuderi, Drew Doughty

For the Kings to have any success this season, they have to score more goals. The Kings scored the 3 rd lowest total in the entire league last season! While acquiring Smyth will give them a boost, L.A. will need further improvement from young stars Alexander Frolov (32 goals, 59 points) and last year’s leading scorer Anze Kopitar (27 goal, 66 points). Along with underrated winger Dustin Brown and solid centers Michal Handzus and Jaret Stoll, there is enough talent in place to form two solid lines but the Kings have to hope for perfect health and a major step forward from their young guns to ice an average offense.

The defense is a complete different matter. Drew Doughty was really impressive as a rookie last season after the Kings took him with the 2 nd overall pick in the draft and the acquisition of Scuderi should allow his offensive talents to really shine. Along with Doughty, former top pick Jack Johnson is beginning to come into his own as a shutdown defender and Matt Greene was so strong in his own end that he was the only King to finish with a positive plus/minus rating last season. This is a young but extremely talented group of defensemen whose collective ceiling is stratospheric.

The Kings also have some young but exceptional talent in net. Jonathan Quick posted a winning record in 44 games last season and appears to have the 3 rd goalie spot on Team USA’s Olympic roster locked up. However, star prospect Jonathan Bernier, who is only 21, appears ready for the National Hockey League, leaving the Kings with a very intriguing battle in goal because Quick only established himself in the second half of last year. Either way, there should be some solid keeping in the City of Angels.

2009 Los Angeles Kings Goaltending:

Quick stepped into the breech when Erik Ersberg, who’d already usurped former No. 1 Jason LaBarbera, went down with groin and knee injuries in December. Started 41 of the Kings’ last 52 games and finished third among rookie goalies in wins. Sees puck well and will battle for position to make saves. Wide stance covers plenty of net.

2009 Los Angeles Kings Player To Watch:

D Thomas Hickey. Nearly earned a spot with the Kings at 19, but returned to Seattle (WHL) and posted career-high 16-35-51 totals. Captained Canada to gold medal at world juniors. Doesn’t do anything spectacular, but is calm with the puck, possesses solid skills, skates well and is a determined competitor.

2009 Los Angeles Kings Offense:

The Kings made pair of big moves with the addition of Scuderi from the championPenguins and Smyth from the Avalanche. Scuderi was first on the Penguins with a plus-23 and 164 blocked shots. Smyth scored 40 goals in two seasons with the Avalanche, including 26 last season.

Los Angeles Kings 2009 Season Predictions

Even with all the Kings young stars beginning to blossom, they still don’t have enough horses to corral a playoff spot.

We predict that the Los Angeles Kings will finish 4th in the NHL Pacific, 10th seed in West: 91 points.

Los Angeles Kings Betting

Los Angeles Kings Stanley Cup Odds: +6000
Los Angeles Kings Western Conference Odds: +3000
Los Angeles Kings Pacific Odds: +1000

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