The Los Angeles Kings are having quite a year. Many picked them in the preseason as a team on the rise and a play-off contender. As of the time of this post they’ve won 17 games and lost 10 with one over time loss. Though they sit in third place with 35 points, they are only one point behind the first place tie between the Anaheim Ducks and the Dallas Stars. The 2010-2010 Kings currently are just two losses behind the Detroit Red Wings who lead the Western conference with 41 points. Monday night the Kings shut out the Red Wings on their home ice, scoring five goals over the span of the game, three of which were scored in the final quarter, to show the prognosticators that the Kings are for real this year.

I am an optimist and a long time Kings fan. I’ve gone to games at The Forum, the Shark Tank in San Jose, the Pond at Anaheim, and here at Staples Center in Los Angeles. It is not always easy being a Kings fan, though I’d never turn down an opportunity to see a game live no matter how bad the Kings were playing at the time.

I also understand the realistic side of sports and know that things take time to gel. This young group of Los Angeles hockey professionals is looking like they are starting to come together and play at that high level that all sports fans wish the team they support would compete. I am looking forward to a fun 2011 and the prospect of great things for the Los Angeles Kings. Wins like this one against the perennial powerhouse Detroit squad give me a good reason for my optimism.