Kings vs Avalanche: The Kid Comes Up Big

Most successful people will tell you to have a plan for what you want to accomplish in life. Set goals, write it down, execute the plan, make adjustments when you get off track, etc. But the really honest ones will also tell you that sometimes the biggest successes come from being in a moment where you see an opportunity, and you throw out the plan and just go for it. And in that moment, a combination of talent, vision and divine intervention come together and create something amazing.

If a hockey player's plan for success is a play book, Drew Doughty picked exactly the right moment tonight to throw it out and just go for it.

Much has been written about Drew's hockey sense, that instinctual ability to read plays that you just can't teach. And after an up and down game against the Colorado Avalanche, that instinct led him to disregard a planned power play strategy and score the game winning goal, in overtime, in the midst of a tight play-off race. Talk about coming up big at just the right moment. Especially after getting the wind knocked out of you in an open ice collision with your own teammate late in the third period -- Jeff Halpern, I'm looking at you. Check your blind spot before you change lanes next time!

So Drew was the big hero of the night, and was awarded a well-deserved #3 Star. But Drew is also the consummate teammate, and wouldn't want the whole game discussion to be about him. So he won't mind me taking a minute to talk about the #1 Star of the Night - Ryan Smyth.

Prior to being traded to the Kings this summer, Smyth was a member of the Avalanche squad, and my most hated Avs player. When he became a King, I understood after a few games why I couldn't stand playing against him - he will outwork ANYONE. In practice and game warm-ups, he's the last guy off the ice. He's got the most amazing hands around the net, and he'll hold his own against bigger guys in the crease until he gets that desperately needed "garbage goal" on an ugly scrum or rebound. So it was nice to see him score 2 of the Kings 4 goals against his old team. And he also did the coolest thing I've ever seen - sign his stick as he was skating out to give it away to a fan after being awarded his star. He is as classy a guy as you will find in the NHL, and I'm glad he's one of ours.

Aside from the game, tonight was also special because I got to share it with one of my oldest friends - Mike Lindsay.



He lives in Virginia and was in town on business, and in the ultimate case of divine intervention, the seat next to Nadine and I was open, so we bought it. Mike is a tremendously knowledgeable fan about all kinds of sports, so it was a pleasure to bring him to see my team. Thanks for showing him some great hockey, boys!

Now Mike is off to finish the rest of his business trip in Southern CA, and the Kings fly out to Denver for a rematch with the Avs Wednesday night. And even though the Kings are solidly in it, the play-off race is still going to come down to the wire. Let's just hope Drew keeps throwing out the play book, and success will take care of itself.

GO KINGS GO!