from Pierre LeBrun of ESPN,

... What I do remember, though, is how the Kings felt in September, buoyed by the feeling they were getting, players showing up early for camp with the sense their focus was different than the last time they had to defend a title. Well, just like almost every other team that's won a Stanley Cup over the past 15 years or so, the hangover is in full effect.

As Scott mentioned, the Kings limp into the break sitting one point out of a playoff spot. I fully expect the defending champs to make the playoffs, but it's just eating at management to see how it's played out so far this seeason. The rope-a-dope thing, where the Kings turn it on just in time late in the season, is getting old for the L.A. front office.

Let's be fair, though, and note that losing Slava Voynov was impactful, because top-four blue-liners don't grow on trees. I suspect you'll see a trade or two before the March 2 deadline from GM Dean Lombardi, who's never scared to tweak his roster. Should be an interesting final two and a half months of the regular season in L.A.

read on for Custance on Penguins/Blackhawks, Strang on a ASG replacement for Bobrovsky and Burnside on the Avalanche...