from Chris Johnston of Sportsnet,

It is hours after the opening game of the Stanley Cup and the chatter inside Noah’s Bagels on Thursday morning is all about how strong the Los Angeles Kings looked in the third period and how exciting Justin Williams’s winner in overtime was. Signs of support can be found in storefronts all along Manhattan Beach Blvd. and other neighbouring streets.

One at the Pitfire Artisan Pizza invites customers to come in for the game … and there’s no confusion over what game they’re referring to.

Yes, this is becoming a Kings town now — far more than it was even two years ago during the run to the franchise’s first championship. The support is particularly strong in Manhattan Beach, a 30-minute drive from the Staples Center if you’re blessed with good traffic, in part because so many members of the organization make their homes here.

Numerous players, both past and present, are among the 35,000 lucky souls that occupy this suburb of Los Angeles. As are general manager Dean Lombardi and head coach Darryl Sutter.

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