The Los Angeles Kings conclude their six-game Grammy road trip on Sunday afternoon, facing the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center in Dallas. The Kings lost 2-1 in overtime on Saturday to the New York Islanders to fall to 1-3-1 in the first five games of the trip. Los Angeles has scored six total goals during those five games.
Quisp at Jewels From The Crown examines the Kings' recent struggles as they relate to the upcoming NHL trade deadline.
The issue of patience isn't restricted to fans or ownership. In fact, at this time of year, the person whose patience is being tested more than anyone's, is [team president and GM] Dean Lombardi. A handful of games before the trade deadline. The team can't score. Expectations are at an all-time high. Lombardi knows what he does now will very likely determine the fate of the team, and of course, his own fate, the fate of his Grand Scheme.
The Kings (26-19-11) begin play on Sunday in seventh place in the Western Conference, one point ahead of Phoenix for eighth place and four points ahead of Dallas (28-23-3), currently in 11th place in the west. The Kings are two points behind Chicago for the sixth seed and four points out of first place in the Pacific Division.
This is the sixth and final meeting this season between the two teams. The Kings are 2-1-2 in the first five games.
Sunday afternoon's 3 p.m. PST game will be televised by Fox Sports West. For more news and information on Kings hockey, be sure to read Jewels From The Crown.