Thx Bud Podcast

Kings vs Sharks: Game 1 of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs was about weird bounces, special teams and one amazing Trevor Lewis shorthanded goal.

Playoffs are here! The LA Kings are playing the San Jose Sharks in the first round! Again. We grumble about how the season ended for LA, figure out what to expect from their first round series, and try to name the Kings' biggest challenge this postseason. Then we get bold and try to make picks for the rest of the NHL. SPOILER: Neither of us thinks the Washington Capitals are making it to the Final...

One week 'til playoffs! The Kings have done a frustrating amount of losing lately, but there's still time to make Tyler Toffoli a 30-goal scorer. Anze Kopitar is already celebrating another 70-point season! We review the disappointments but find all of the silver linings. (NOTE: This was recorded before last night's games ended, so the Kings are no longer 1st in the Pacific for the moment.)

The Kings are back in the playoffs!!! Now that the postseason is officially happening for LA, Chanelle and Diane focus on the milestones they want individuals Kings to hit before the regular season ends. (Toffoli! 30 goals! Please!) Plus, the nonsense to look forward to come mid-April and why Darryl Sutter made it weird with Dustin Brown and Anze Kopitar.

As the trade deadline approaches, the Kings may either have to give up their best prospect or stand pat. A bunch of 2-1 games right before the cut off leaves them with an interesting dilemma. On the brightest side, Anze Kopitar is not injured long term. Hurray! Oh, and Jeff Carter is alive and scoring. ?

The Kings aren't totally skidding yet, but going 4-6-0 in their last 10 isn't inspiring either. Injuries to Jonathan Quick and Marian Gaborik caused some shakeup in the lineup, and Tyler Toffoli and Jeff Carter aren't scoring as much. Luckily, Anze Kopitar continues to dominate (hello, hat trick!) while Dustin Brown has been quietly collecting points! Besides, even when the Kings are slightly disa...

Chanelle and Diane are back after a winter break! We catch up on the Kings' recent inconsistent play and what they may be looking for heading toward the trade deadline. We also take time to gush about top players on other teams, including Sidney Crosby's offensive outburst, the return of Connor McDavid and why Chanelle's salty about the rookie race.

Anze Kopitar has regained the scoring leads on the Kings! Tyler Toffoli has scored 20 goals! Jonathan Quick is an all star! Several Kings are killing it right now, and we just want to love on everyone. Now, if only Lombardi could get that deal done for LA's best center.

After a short slip, the LA Kings are back on track! They've won three in a row and have a chance to close out the year strong. Tyler Toffoli gets his second career hat trick, Dustin Brown's picking up points now, and we've got a little more insight into what the Kings are rumored to be looking for on defense.

1-3-1 in their last five games? Yikes. The Kings are sliding at the end of December, but there's still a chance to finish 2015 off as heroes. That '70s Line has been reunited, Trevor Lewis is healthy, and we even have a new ideal worst cast scenario for Dustin Brown!

Though the Kings have finally lost in regulation again, they've still got a 9-point lead on second in the Pacific Division. Michael Mersch makes his NHL debut, Lewis and Clifford go on IR, and -- hey -- remember that one time Phil Kessel twirl tackled Anze Kopitar?

The Kings aren't just winning, they're creating significant separation between themselves and the rest of the Pacific Division. Chanelle and Diane are flying high on the smell of success. Anze Kopitar's still stellar, defensemen are scoring goals, and Jordan Weal finally gets to play in multiple games. Everything's coming up Thx Bud!

The San Jose Sharks' six-game winning streak means they're now challenging the Kings for the top spot! Ahh, the return of California rivalry. LA's finishing up a road trip that has had its ups and bizarre own-goal downs. Meanwhile, the NHL prepares to switch up the All-Star Game format (3! on! 3!) and players will get more time off next season.

Ahh, the air continues to smell nice atop the Pacific Division. While other teams around the NHL are starting to express frustration, things are chill in LA. Meanwhile, what's up with Jonathan Quick's dark magic?

The LA Kings break their win streak but bounce back to lift the spirits quickly. Anze Kopitar may have been a casualty, joining a couple other players in a weird rash of big injuries hitting all at once. Meanwhile, more sad news about Mike Richards.

Kings of the Pacific! After a rocky start, the LA Kings are now on a six-game win streak. Jonathan Quick has rebounded, including earning a shutout against the Hurricanes, and with the help of inconclusive video review, he's also done a number on new NHL phenom Connor McDavid. Meanwhile, Jeff Carter and Tyler Toffoli make us believe in magic.

Finally! Wins! The LA Kings managed to avoid starting the season with four straight losses, which would've set a franchise record, so Chanelle and Diane are celebrating. By the way, have you heard about Tyler Toffoli and Anze Kopitar?

This is definitely not the start to the season that anyone wanted from the LA Kings. At least they worked out a settlement with Mike Richards, and that was all good... until Dean Lombardi made it weird. AGAIN.

New year, new Kings! Sort of. The Kings have seen a little more roster shake-up than fans are used to seeing the last few seasons. They're also trying to rebuild trust after a slew off-ice missteps. Chanelle and Diane are back to evaluate the fresh faces, dig into the questions we still haven't seen asked about off-ice initiatives, and get stoked for the regular season. Hockey's back!

Shana Naomi Krochmal joins Chanelle and Diane to help vent all frustrations with Dean Lombardi and the Kings organization for the 2014-15 season. But after knocking 'em down, it's still fun to bask in the reasons it seems worthwhile to continue to have hope for LA's team.

Diane calls from the road to talk about the end of the LA Kings' playoff win streak. Thursday night, the Kings lost 3-2 at home to the Anaheim Ducks. They won't sweep round two, but Chanelle and Diane still think they can win it.

The King is dead! Long live the King! Despite earning the exact same record as 2011-12, the Kings miss the playoffs this year instead of sneaking in. Diane and Chanelle talk about why fans can still be excited, ponder that silly NY Post story, and then uncover which Kings player is secretly a superhero. Summer's here! But don't be sad.

The Kings played two great games, taking full advantage of weaker teams the way they should have. With one week left in the NHL's regular season, we start to examine which players have been awesome in 2014-15 and look ahead to whether the Kings will be part of the postseason.

A 3-2-0 record on their latest road trip means the Kings absolutely need to win most of their last six games. The week wasn't without highlights, though. Nick Shore scored his first NHL goal, Anze Kopitar hit 60 points, and Tyler Toffoli did what he does best when shorthanded. Also, some top prospects in this year's draft compare themselves to Kings players!

He's baaaaaack. Mike Richards returns from the AHL, and the Kings promptly win a game. (These two things may not actually be related.) Andrej Sekera scores his first as a King, Anze Kopitar makes dominance look easy, and Tyler Toffoli reaches his terrible twos.