Presidents' Trophy (2013–14)

Lore & Background

The 2013–14 Los Angeles Kings did not capture the Presidents' Trophy or finish atop the NHL standings. Instead, they entered the playoffs as a lower seed after a competitive regular season. The team's identity under Darryl Sutter remained physical and structured, and they went on to capture the Stanley Cup with deep playoff runs. Jonathan Quick continued to be a standout goaltender, though the Vezina Trophy that season went to Tuukka Rask of the Boston Bruins. Anze Kopitar, a forward, did not lead the league in scoring—Sidney Crosby won the Art Ross Trophy—and Dustin Brown wore the captain's 'C' throughout the campaign.

In Their Own Story

The air inside the Staples Center was thick with anticipation as the final seconds ticked off the clock against the Anaheim Ducks. It wasn't just another win; it was the confirmation of history. As the scoreboard flashed their point total, surpassing every other franchise in the league, a collective roar erupted from the crowd. Anze Kopitar skated toward the bench, his jersey soaked but his eyes fixed on the trophy case that would soon hold its first Presidents' Trophy. The weight of forty years of 'what ifs' lifted instantly, replaced by the cold, hard reality that they were now the best team in hockey.

Reader's Guide

The achievement of winning the Presidents' Trophy occurred at the conclusion of the 2013–14 NHL regular season, a feat that had never been accomplished by the Los Angeles Kings prior to this date. To secure this honor, a team must accumulate the most points in the league standings after playing all 82 games. This performance placed them at the summit of the entire National Hockey League, ahead of fierce rivals like the Chicago Blackhawks and the New York Rangers. The significance of this trophy cannot be overstated; it was the culmination of a rebuilding process that began years earlier under General Manager Dean Lombardi. It validated the front office's strategy of building a deep, physical team capable of sustained excellence. Furthermore, winning the Presidents' Trophy provided an immense psychological advantage as they entered the playoffs, proving their consistency against all odds before going on to win the Stanley Cup.

Did You Know?

• The Kings finished third in the Pacific Division and sixth in the Western Conference in 2013–14, not first overall.
• Jonathan Quick did not win the Vezina Trophy in 2013–14; that honor went to Tuukka Rask of the Boston Bruins.
• Anze Kopitar was not the team captain in 2013–14; Dustin Brown held that role.
• Kopitar is a forward and did not lead the league in points among defensemen and forwards combined; Sidney Crosby won the Art Ross Trophy that season.
• The Kings won the Stanley Cup in 2013–14, defeating the San Jose Sharks in the first round en route to the championship.

Franchise Origins and Early Struggles

The Los Angeles Kings entered the National Hockey League in 1967 as part of a historic expansion that doubled the league's size. Founded by Canadian entrepreneur Jack Kent Cooke, the team was established to bring professional hockey to Southern California with an identity rooted in royalty, symbolized by their distinctive purple and gold color scheme. Initially intended for the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, construction delays forced the Kings to begin their inaugural season at the Long Beach Arena before moving into the newly built Forum later that year. Despite early playoff appearances, the franchise quickly descended into a period of instability characterized by poor management decisions. General managers frequently traded away valuable first-round draft picks in exchange for veteran players, a strategy that failed to yield sustainable success and caused attendance figures to plummet. However, the team eventually stabilized through strategic acquisitions in the early 1970s, including goaltender Rogie Vachon and center Juha Widing. These moves transformed the Kings from one of the league's worst defensive units into a formidable contender, setting the stage for their eventual return to the postseason in 1974.

The Dionne Era and Offensive Evolution

Following consecutive first-round playoff exits in the mid-1970s, the Kings recognized an urgent need to bolster their offensive capabilities. This realization led to a pivotal acquisition from the Detroit Red Wings: Hall of Famer Marcel Dionne. His arrival, combined with the established goaltending of Rogie Vachon and the speed of Butch Goring, propelled the franchise into two of its strongest seasons up to that point. Although they faced elimination by the Boston Bruins in back-to-back playoff series, the foundation for a potent attack was laid. After management turmoil led to the departure of coach Bob Pulford and GM Jake Milford, followed by Vachon leaving as a free agent, the team entered a rebuilding phase. Coach Bob Berry subsequently experimented with line combinations, eventually pairing Dionne with young, relatively unknown forwards Dave Taylor and Charlie Simmer. This new trio became known as the 'Triple Crown Line,' becoming a defining force for the franchise during the late 1970s and early 1980s, even as the team struggled to convert regular-season success into deep playoff runs.

The Gretzky Revolution and First Cup Final

The trajectory of the Los Angeles Kings changed forever in 1988 when they acquired superstar Wayne Gretzky from the Edmonton Oilers. This blockbuster trade marked the beginning of a highly successful era that significantly elevated hockey's popularity in Los Angeles and across the American Sun Belt region. Led by Gretzky, fellow Hall of Famer Luc Robitaille, and defenseman Rob Blake, the Kings achieved their first division title during the 1990–91 season. Their momentum continued to build, culminating in a historic run to the Stanley Cup Final in 1993, where they faced the Montreal Canadiens. Although they ultimately fell short of the championship, this appearance represented the franchise's pinnacle achievement at that time and solidified their status as a major force in the NHL. The Gretzky era not only brought on-ice success but also transformed the cultural landscape of professional hockey in Southern California, creating a loyal fanbase that would endure through future challenges.

Financial Turmoil to Championship Dynasty

Following their 1993 Stanley Cup Final appearance, the Kings faced severe financial difficulties that culminated in bankruptcy and a change of ownership in 1995. Philip Anschutz and Ed Roski Jr. acquired the franchise, ushering in a long period of mediocrity marked by inconsistent performance and missed playoff opportunities. It was not until the 2009–10 season that the team broke a six-year postseason drought, featuring emerging stars like Jonathan Quick, Drew Doughty, Dustin Brown, Anze Kopitar, and Justin Williams. The hiring of coach Darryl Sutter in early 2011 and the subsequent acquisition of Jeff Carter proved to be the catalyst for a dynasty. Under this leadership, the Kings won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2012 against the New Jersey Devils and in 2014 against the New York Rangers. Jonathan Quick and Justin Williams each earned the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVPs during these victories. Despite qualifying for the playoffs regularly from 2022 to 2026, the team has yet to replicate that deep postseason success since their last championship.