Los Angeles Kings Tickets

Los Angeles Kings 2010 Playoffs Preview The Los Angeles Kings have clinched one of the final 2010 NHL playoff spots in the Western Conference, marking the first time since 2002 that the team has reached the postseason.

For much of the decade, the attention on hockey in California was on the rivals just to the south in Anaheim, but all that seems to be changing this season.

The Kings have made it a point of emphasis to finish the season strong, and they have followed through on that goal. They come into the playoffs as one of the hottest teams in the conference.

As the No. 6 seed, the Kings will face off against the No. 3 seed Vancouver Canucks in the first round of the playoffs. Vancouver is a high-powered offensive club that plays pretty loose on both ends of the ice. The Kings will be challenged to keep the puck out of the back of their own net, but they could have plenty of scoring opportunities themselves.

Los Angeles has one of the top 10 offensive attacks in the league. Anze Kopitar is as good as they get and finished the regular season with more than 80 points. He recorded a team-high in both goals and assists.

The Kings have a solid goaltender in Jonathan Quick, and if he can get hot at the right time, watch out. A hot goaltender come playoff time can be the ultimate equalizer, and Los Angeles is hopeful that Quick can get into a zone.

For a team that hasn't been to the playoffs in so long, inexperience could certainly be a factor. That said, sometimes the team that is young and unafraid doesn't know any better and they can use that to their advantage.

The Western Conference is a wide open race, but given their seed, it would be hard for this Kings team to expect any more than a trip past the first round.