1968–69 Los Angeles Kings season
| 1968–69 Los Angeles Kings | |
|---|---|
| Division | 4th West |
| 1968–69 record | 24–42–10 |
| Home record | 19–14–5 |
| Road record | 5–28–5 |
| Goals for | 185 |
| Goals against | 260 |
| Team information | |
| General Manager | Larry Regan |
| Coach | Red Kelly |
| Captain | Bob Wall |
| Team leaders | |
| Goals | Eddie Joyal (33) |
| Assists | Real Lemieux (29) |
| Points | Eddie Joyal (52) |
| Penalties in minutes | Dale Rolfe (85) |
| Wins | Gerry Desjardins (18) |
| Goals against average | Gerry Desjardins (3.26) |
The 1968–69 Los Angeles Kings season was the second ever for the Los Angeles Kings in the National Hockey League. After finishing a surprising second place during the 1967–68 season, the Kings stumbled in their second regular season, finishing with a 24–42–10 record, good for 58 points and fourth place in the six-team Western Division. The Kings made the playoffs, losing in the West Division Final to the St. Louis Blues.
The Kings acquired goaltender Gerry Desjardins from the Montreal Canadiens in June, giving up two first-round picks. Goaltender Terry Sawchuk was traded to the Detroit Red Wings in October for Jimmy Peters, Jr.. On the same day the Kings picked up goaltender prospect Wayne Thomas of the University of Wisconsin from the Toronto Maple Leafs. Desjardins would play the majority of games with Wayne Rutledge his main backup.
The Kings second season began with playoff expectations following a second-place finish in their inaugural season. The Kings played well enough at home to be competitive for a playoff spot, but they only won 5 road games all season.
Attendance for the season exceeded 300,000 for the first time over a 38-game home schedule.
The Kings pulled off a first round upset, knocking off their in-state rivals the Oakland Seals in seven games in the NHL Quarter-finals. The Kings would then be swept by the St. Louis Blues in the West Division final. Bill Flett led all Kings playoff scorers with 7 points, while Eddie Joyal and Ted Irvine had 6 points each. Irvine had 5 goals to lead the club.
...
Wikipedia