Oh, sure, we can talk about yesterday’s win—the Kings did exactly what they’re supposed to do against another mediocre team, and that’s find a way to win. Sure, they shouldn’t have spotted the Blues a two-goal lead in the first place, but at least that way, we all got to experience the feel-good magic of a comeback win.
And with the All-Star break, followed by the Kings’ bye week approaching, we could kick things off with a look at the season to date, or an examination of what went wrong, or a sneak preview of some coaching options the Kings have in the future that aren’t named Willie Desjardins. We could look at possible trading partners or discuss the kinds of players the Kings should be targeting in the draft.
Or.
We could look at Adrian Kempe’s hair.
When you’re about to get off the ice but then you notice that Adrian Kempe is about to do a hair flip. pic.twitter.com/01OxAtLHG3
— LA Kings (@LAKings) January 21, 2019
Now, you may not know me for my hard hitting statistical analysis, but every so often I like to surprise you all, and so today, I’ve done the work of reviewing hours and hours of game tape to come up with an important new statistic: Hair Flips/60.
The games have been reviewed and the numbers are in. Adrian Kempe leads the Kings in Hair Flips/60 by a significant margin. See, look, I even have a chart to back me up, and charts never lie:
Tyler Toffoli may have the curls, but since he’s started keeping them at a manageable, less flip-able length, someone’s had to come in strong for the Los Angeles All Hockey Hair Team, and that someone has been Adrian Kempe.
Adrian Kempe has flipped his hair, which means this game can officially begin!https://t.co/rcOeaH1gJN#GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/gWXhMCiyuN
— LA Kings (@LAKings) November 14, 2018
The subtle hair flip from Adrian Kempe and the stoic pose from Tyler Toffoli must mean this game is ready to start!
💻 https://t.co/rcOeaH1gJN#GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/9j2cJxHlTA
— LA Kings (@LAKings) December 19, 2018
He could have had strong competition from fellow Swede Carl Hagelin, who’s no stranger to rocking some epic hair flips of his own, but the injury that kept Hagelin off of the ice also meant that he hasn’t had the same opportunity to show off his flow to capture the hearts and minds of the people.
PUCK NIGHT! Oh just another huge game that has enormous playoff implic…
*gets lost staring at Adrian Kempe’s hair*
…sorry, sorry.
Yeah, it’s a big game!>> https://t.co/rcOeaH1gJN pic.twitter.com/eJjFFwuscF
— LA Kings (@LAKings) April 3, 2018
Honestly, Adrian Kempe’s hair should be on display at a museum so everyone can visit and marvel. pic.twitter.com/Kp3XfnH9r5
— LA Kings (@LAKings) March 30, 2018
“Been here once. It was a good day.” – Adrian Kempe on returning to Wells Fargo Arena for first time since being drafted here in 2014 by LA Kings pic.twitter.com/QVPEfcRVPJ
— LA Kings (@LAKings) December 18, 2017
Something we’ve all been waiting for…
…the flow off between Adrian Kempe and Tyler Toffoli.@EASPORTSNHL #NHL19 pic.twitter.com/s46aexiDDO— LA Kings (@LAKings) December 19, 2018
The Kings may not be making the playoffs this year, but if they wanted to get real wild, they could all try to challenge Adrian Kempe for his significant lead in Hair Stats.
I’m putting my money on dark horse Derek Forbort, who seems just weird enough to be able to be goaded into growing his hair out.
Come on, Derek, take up the challenge.
Kings Things
Yesterday’s win showed that the Kings can, in fact, come back from a goal deficit. [Jewels from the Crown]
And some disappointment from the other side of the ice. [St. Louis Game Time]
Post-game notes and reactions from Willie Desjardins, Anze Kopitar, Brendan Leipsic, and Paul LaDue. [Kings Insider]
Is it time for more transparency from the Kings front office? [The Athletic]
A look behind the scenes at the Snoop Dogg Experience. [The Athletic]
The final installment from the Kings in their look at the Iafallo family:
It takes a village to raise a professional athlete. Alex and Julianna Iafallo know that they couldn’t be where they are now without the support of their mom and dad.
Watch the last part of their story now! pic.twitter.com/XVPVXwx3TR
— LA Kings (@LAKings) January 21, 2019
Elsewhere
Winnpeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck has always been a little bit of a weird kid but he’s making it work. [Sportsnet]
Despite banking some points early, the Detroit Red Wings have come crashing back down. Should coach Jeff Blashill worry about his job security yet? [Winging It In Motown]
The Anaheim Ducks welcomed some of the original Mighty Ducks to a game. [Bardown]
Think trading underage players in major juniors is weird? Here’s a possible solution to some of the weirdness. [Arctic Ice Hockey]
Peter Van Buskirk, who has coached Holy Cross’s women’s hockey team since 2000, raising them up from D-III competition to D-I, is retiring. [Telegram.com]
A Calgary Flames prospect has created an app to let players rate their agents and coaches. [The Athletic]
As always, the subject of a merger between the CWHL and NWHL came up at the CWHL’s All-Star Game. [TSN]
Martin St. Louis is joining the Columbus Blue Jackets as a special teams consultant. [Columbus Blue Jackets]
Joe Pavelski isn’t your typical seventh-round draft pick. [NHL]
Brandon Saad is basically the poster child for the Blackhawks’ struggles this season. [Second City Hockey]
At this year’s CWHL All-Star Game, players of color took center stage at the festivities. [The Color of Hockey]
Evening Entertainment
The New York Islanders actually being good has to be one of the biggest surprises of the season. They take on the Chicago Blackhawks tonight at 5:30 pm Pacific. And while the Blackhawks aren’t particularly good, Alex DeBrincat continues to be one of the most exciting players to watch. The game will stream for free on NHL.com.