NHL - latimes.com

Kings defenseman Slava Voynov likes to go on the offense

By David Wharton — Sat, 25 May 2013 19:01:00 PDT

Young Russian has four goals in the playoffs, helping L.A. take a 3-2 lead in best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series with San Jose.

Just watch Slava Voynov drift toward the goal, holding the puck on his stick, waiting.

Jeff Carter is playing killer hockey for the Los Angeles Kings

By Lisa Dillman — Sat, 25 May 2013 18:59:00 PDT

Known mainly as a scorer, Jeff Carter has played a key role on Kings' penalty-kill unit in series against Sharks. They've struggled in games at San Jose, though.

The hockey world knew the Kings were getting a proven goal scorer when they traded for Jeff Carter in 2012, and a healthier Carter ranked among the league's goal-scoring leaders throughout this lockout-shortened season.

Matt Greene is back and the Kings are more than happy to have him

Helene Elliott — Fri, 24 May 2013 21:02:00 PDT

The veteran defenseman, who has missed most of the season with injuries, has made his presence felt in the last two games against the Sharks. And his contributions aren't limited to just the ice.

Matt Greene's return has increased the Kings' physicality and lifted their collective mood, and there's no saying which is more vital to a team that has clawed its way into position to clinch its second straight tense, punishing playoff series on Sunday.

Let the gamesmanship begin as Kings, Sharks call each other for diving

By David Wharton — Fri, 24 May 2013 19:04:00 PDT

It's not uncommon for opponents to accuse each other of faking penalties. San Jose's TJ Galiardi says the Kings' Jonathan Quick flops. Drew Doughty says Galiardi flops. It's all part of the playoffs.

Boos rained down from the Staples Center crowd as Anze Kopitar headed for the penalty box.

James Neal's hat trick helps Penguins advance past Senators

Associated Press — Fri, 24 May 2013 21:26:00 PDT

Pittsburgh will face the New York Rangers in the conference finals after defeating Ottawa, 6-2.

Eight playoff wins down, eight to go for Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Anze Kopitar puts slump aside and puts Kings closer to West finals

Helene Elliott — Thu, 23 May 2013 23:25:00 PDT

Kopitar snaps out of his one-goal-in-26-game dry spell, breaking scoreless tie late in second period against San Jose to propel Kings to 3-0 win, 3-2 series lead.

Sometime after the Kings' season ends — and that might not be for a while — it wouldn't be surprising to hear that center Anze Kopitar had been hampered by an injury from mid-March onward.

Kings deliver at home again, 3-0

By Lisa Dillman — Thu, 23 May 2013 23:20:00 PDT

They stay perfect at home in the playoffs by shutting out Sharks and take a 3-2 lead in the conference semifinals.

Drew Doughty fires back at TJ Galiardi, defends Jonathan Quick

By Lisa Dillman and Mike Bresnahan — Thu, 23 May 2013 23:11:00 PDT

Kings defenseman calls the Sharks' Galiardi 'the biggest diver on their team' and says Quick 'is an honest hockey player … tough as nails.'

Red Wings in control against Blackhawks

Associated Press — Thu, 23 May 2013 21:28:00 PDT

Detroit takes 3-1 lead with 2-0 victory. Rangers stay alive against Bruins.

Kings to try a new mix-and-match approach

Helene Elliott — Wed, 22 May 2013 20:09:00 PDT

Coach Darryl Sutter rearranges lines at practice in an effort to spark the offense for Game 5 of playoff series against San Jose on Thursday at Staples Center.

Anze Kopitar suspected something might be up. In two games at San Jose the Kings had scored two goals and lost twice to the Sharks, dropping into a 2-2 tie in the teams' Western Conference semifinal playoff series. The Kings perfected the art of playing taut, low-scoring games last spring but that scoring pace probably won't get them out of this round.