Los Angeles Kings Time to Follow the Leader: Dustin Brown

It’s crunch time in Los Angeles.

The All-Star break is over and it’s time for the Kings to make their big push.

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The Los Angeles Kings are notorious for being a fringe team all throughout the regular season, then getting hot and making a big push into the playoffs.

It’s become so regular it’s almost natural.  It’s almost expected.

It can’t be.  The attitude of expectation breeds laziness.

Laziness; something the Kings can’t afford and something their captain won’t tolerate.

Kings Captain Dustin Brown spoke with L.A. Kings Insider Jon Rosen after Mike Richards was waived by the team.  Brown words, while forlorn at the loss of Richards, expressed the drive the Kings need to start embodying:

“I think at the end of the day we understand it’s a business. But at the same time, in here we’re family so it’s really hard to see Rick go on waivers.  I think we all understand it, but it’s not something you take lightly as a group of guys, especially as a group of guys that have won together.  It’s a harder thing to deal with, but it’s also what management feels is best for the team.  As players we deal with a lot of things and it’s just not very often that you see a player of Rick’s statue go on waivers.  But it is what it is.  It’s up to us in this room to kind of forget about it and play.”

Translation: shut up and get up!

Dec 29, 2014; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Los Angeles Kings right wing Dustin Brown (23) reaches for the puck against the Calgary Flames during the second period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

In a number of games this season Brown’s leadership has been on display.  At certain points in games, when the Kings are down Brown can be seen desperately running around, taking shots from everywhere, throwing his body at every opponent that touches the puck.

In 48 games this season Brown has 8 goals, 11 assists, 19 points, and a -8 plus/minus.  Brown’s on pace for career lows in all scoring categories.  Brown can start showing his teammates the way by stepping up his own game.

Brown knows he’s not a point leader.  He understands his skill set, limitations and role on the team.  Still, he does what he can to put the team on his back and inspire tougher, smarter, stronger play.  Brown’s effort and heart are unquestionable.

A player who sacrifices himself in body and energy can motivate his teammates better than any Herb Brooks speech.

Brown is aware of this fact.  It’s how he’s motivated the troops to come back around in the past.  If this team is set to make history, a resurgence has to be a part of the future.

Brown has been through it all.  A rebuilding Kings team, a good Kings team struggling to make the playoffs (2006-2009), a Kings team trying to win in the playoffs (2010-2011), an international team that came within a shot of a gold medal (2010), and a Stanley Cup Champion (2012, 2014).

The Kings fearless leader knows what it takes to win, and just how precious and rare winning can be.

Los Angeles Kings

Winning can no longer be scarce.  The Kings need to collect two points every chance the get.  According to SportsClubStats.com the Los Angeles Kings have a 55.5% chance of making the playoffs.

Calculations put the Kings in 9th out of Western Conference teams; with 55.5% being the least likely to make the cut.

The Kings are no strangers to having their backs against the wall.  Everyone remembers what happened when L.A. was down 3-0 against the San Jose Sharks in the first round of the playoffs last year.

Despite L.A.’s experience it’s going to be an uphill battle.  The Kings play 20 of their final 34 games on the road, where they are 5-9-6, or 3rd worst in the NHL.

To reach into history, Brown and the Kings need to show some fortitude and personify the words of United States Army Major General William C. Lee.  To paraphrase his speech at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana on August 19, 1942:

“The 101st Airbourne Division has no history, but a rendezvous with destiny.   . . .The history we shall make, the record of high achievement we hope to write in the annals of the American Army and the American people, depends wholly and completely on the men of this division.”

That’s all it comes down to.  The Kings.

L.A.’s next game is the first of a five-game road trip.  The Kings will be at TD Garden to take on the Boston Bruins on Saturday, 4:00 p.m. PST.

Next: Top 5 Players Suited For the Kings

January 8, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings right wing Dustin Brown (23) during a stoppage in play in the third period at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports