Really enjoyable read from Eric. I still remember Kopitar’s first camp, watching him and talking to him, and realizing, even with my minimal hockey-evaluation skills, that he would be something special.

And Kings/Oilers is here! theathletic.com/nhl/game/edmon…

Intermission reading on the three-point player.

Kings got punched in the mouth in the first period and won a playoff game on the road against the hottest team around. Not too bad there.

Game 3 needs to be different for the Kings. Home ice has not been much of an advantage across these playoffs, but Los Angeles need to create an energy where they and their fans can feed off each other. Eric Stephens explains what else must change: theathletic.com/4431932/2023/0…

Blue checkmarks were unlucky anyway. However, Bone checkmarks…

It’s the “broken” check that makes it perfect.

Arvidsson is tenacious again tonight for the Kings. Eric Stephens told you about him a couple of days ago. theathletic.com/4427660/2023/0…

All LA-EDM penalties will now be reviewed by independent arbitrator Connor McDavid instead of Toronto office.

I know Eric Stephens will have more on this later, but it shouldn’t go unnoticed how well Korpisalo has been playing, and how Rob Blake deserves credit for making that trade.

Rapid thoughts from Daniel Nugent-Bowman and myself on the LA Kings winning their second overtime game of the series, this time a 3-2 Game 3 decision over Edmonton Oilers. theathletic.com/4438909/2023/0…

Playoff hockey is still the best. I will get out to a Kings game ASAP and would love to see anyone who remembers the old days!

High stick? No high stick? Here’s one thing that’s certain: Joonas Korpisalo is giving the Kings exactly what they need in goal. From Eric Stephens theathletic.com/4439251/2023/0…

The Kings will look back and rue their lost 3-0 and 4-3 leads in Game 4. But this is a matchup of 100-plus point teams, writes Eric Stephens. Should we be surprised? No. Heck no. The series seems destined to go seven again. theathletic.com/4444279/2023/0…

New uniform set? Fun fact: “Shocking emotions” is an anagram of “Something’s cookin.”

Not that James Charles Fox Jim Fox is anywhere near the finish line in his excellence, but Jarret Stoll is really growing nicely in his role. Smart, insightful (and paired nicely with Patrick O'Neal). Liked how Jarret expressed his dissatisfaction without being heavy-handed.

There’s a little chatter tonight — perhaps you’ve heard? — about how the NHL draft lottery went down. Our Aaron Portzline was inside the room when the ping-pong balls got drawn (well before the broadcast). Here’s how it all went down, in fascinating detail: theathletic.com/4500971/2023/0…

I’m very sad to see this. Rick Sadowski was one of my predecessors on the Kings beat at the Daily News and he was very kind and supportive when I covered the NHL years later.