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NHL Playoffs 2016: 5 reasons Los Angeles Kings can win Stanley Cup

By Dave Stevenson

Jun 13, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; The Los Angeles Kings mascot Bailey hoists the Stanley Cup after defeating the New York Rangers in second overtime during game five of the 2014 Stanley Cup Final at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 13, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; The Los Angeles Kings mascot Bailey hoists the Stanley Cup after defeating the New York Rangers in second overtime during game five of the 2014 Stanley Cup Final at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Centers of Attention

The Los Angeles Kings won their two Stanley Cups on the back of impressive depth at the center position. While they will not have Mike Richards this time round, Los Angeles still has Anze Kopitar, Jeff Carter, Nick Shore, and Vincent LeCavalier.

Kopitar is the Kings shutdown center. He is annually in the discussion for the Selke Trophy and he has finished in the top four in each of the past three seasons. Kopitar faces his opposition’s top forward lines and shuts them down while remaining productive. His 74 points and 53.5 percent face-off win percentage this season are his highest since the 2011-2012 season.

Jeff Carter is the scoring line center. He’s about as streaky as they come and his points tend to come in bunches. It’s encouraging that he comes into the playoffs with a point in four of his last five games. Carter proved during the 2013-2014 playoffs that if he gets hot, there isn’t much that teams can do to stop him.

Vincent Lecavalier will be the wild card of this group. He has been reasonably productive with the Kings, with 17 points in 35 games for them. Considering he has been their third line center, Los Angeles would happily take that kind of production from him in the playoffs. Nick Shore helps everyone by taking tough face-offs and still maintaining respectable puck possession stats.

Next: Defense wins Championships

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