LA Kings History: Twelve days of Christmas, number 10
As part of the twelve days of Christmas, the LA Kings have a rich history pertaining to each number. Up next is number 10.
The number ten brings a lot of interesting facts and polarizing figures when associated with the LA Kings. Let’s take a look at trades, records, and draft picks that provide a good composition of history pertaining to the number ten.
Mike Richards, number 10
There was no player more interesting during the LA Kings’ Cup years than Mike Richards. The immediate impact of leadership and playoff experience paid dividends for a team looking to climb to the top of the NHL pyramid.
Acquired from the Philadelphia Flyers for Wayne Simmonds and the former owner of the number ten in Brayden Schenn, Richards became an immediate fan favorite. Kings fans will always remember the hit he laid on Alexandre Burrows in Game 1 of the 2012 Stanley Cup Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Vancouver Canucks.
With the 10th overall pick, the Los Angeles Kings select
The LA Kings have unfortunately become quite familiar with top 10 picks in the NHL Entry Draft the last few years. But they have only drafted 10th overall twice in their history. In the 1985 draft, the Kings selected Dan Gratton with the 10th pick.
Gratton only played seven games for the Kings during the 87-88 year, scoring one goal. The Kings had much better luck five years earlier when they had the 10th overall pick in the 1980 NHL draft, taking none other than current color commentator Jim Fox.
Los Angeles Kings defeat the Edmonton Oilers 10-8 in Game 1 of the 1982 Smythe Division Semi-Finals
The 1982 playoff series between the Los Angeles Kings and the Edmonton Oilers was one of the best playoff series in franchise history. Game 3 featured an epic comeback and was dubbed the “Miracle on Manchester.” Game 1, however, had some fireworks of its own, with LA defeating the Oilers 10-8.
Daryl Evans and Dave Taylor each had 4 points, with Bernie Nicholls capping the win with an empty-net goal with just under a minute left. At the time, it was the most goals the Kings scored in a playoff game until they broke that record in 1990, defeating the Calgary Flames 12-4 in Game 4 of the Smythe Division Semi-Finals.