Anze Kopitar

The 2012 NHL All-Star Game signifies crunch-time for teams, and these underachieving NHL stars must be better down the stretch if they hope to help their teams. With roughly 33 games remaining for each team, it's nearing the desperation point for these men. 

Whether it be a big contract or even bigger expectations, these players must play their best if their team is to make anything of themselves over the next four months. 

Few players have stood out in the mess that is the Los Angeles Kings this season.

The Kings have posted a record of 14-13-4 on the season, but despite their mediocre start to the season, it is not all bad news for the team that was supposed to contend for the Stanley Cup.

The list of players having a poor season is much longer than the list of players having a fine season for the Kings. Nevertheless, let’s look at three players who have played well in LA.

For a team that held the Western Conference lead for a bit of the regular season, it's a surprise to think they would make such an early exit out of the postseason, especially when they are playing against the Sharks, a team notorious for being seemingly cursed in the playoffs.

As exciting as the matchup seemed to be—who doesn't enjoy two teams from the same state duke it out—it has been quite lopsided in favor of the San Jose team. 

The Playoffs and golf courses are almost upon us. While I am curious which member of the Florida Panthers (my bet is on Stephen Weiss since he has never played hockey in May) has the best tee shot, I am more interested in who is most primed for a long post-season run, and what aspects of each team's game may help or hinder their pursuits.

Heading into today's game against the Colorado Avalanche the L.A. Kings had points in eight of their last 10, and found themselves in a tie for fifth in the Western Conference with the Nashville Predators. The Avs had points in just two of their last 10, finding themselves next to last in the West.

The Stanley Cup playoffs are right around the corner.

This slideshow is dedicated solely to the LA Kings fans.

The Kings have had their ups and downs this year on their way to getting into the top eight of Western Conference but now seem to be gunning to locking up a position.

Currently, in the tight Western Conference playoff race, the Kings sit in fifth place of the Conference at 41-26-6 for 88 points.

They haven't quite locked up a playoff spot as the 10th place team, the Calgary Flames, sit just three points away from them.

When it comes to the final weeks of the NHL schedule there are several things to take into consideration when deciding who to dress. 

Two of the hottest teams in the NHL collide tonight in Columbus, Ohio as the Blue Jackets host the Los Angeles Kings. 

Columbus (28-23-5) has been on a roll lately, winning five of their last six games. LA (31-22-3) has a 9-game unbeaten streak, going 7-0-2 during that stretch. The Kings are on a brutal 10-game road swing but are finding success, going 4-0-2 in the first six games of their longest road trip of season.

The two Western Conference rivals have their goalies to thank for their recent winning streaks.

Sports Betting Overview

LOS ANGELES AND EL SEGUNDO, CA—With the 2011 National Hockey League All-Star festivities in Raleigh, North Carolina now just a fading memory, players are returning to their teams facing the uphill climb that is otherwise known as the stretch drive to the playoffs.