Kings Stars for games 31-40

I am about to hand out three stars for the ten games (31-40 of the season), which brings us to the conclusion of the first half (almost). Bear in mind that this has been a relatively poor season for the Kings goalies so far (most notably Dan Cloutier) and not a strong one for our defence. Therefore every time a defensman or goalie gets a star or is honored just out of the top three, it's a rare ocassion to celebrate ;).

Ok, you've patient enough - here they are:

*** Derek Armstrong, C - the sneaky second line center, has quite comfortably replaced Anze Kopitar on the first line (just to give the Slovienian youngster a breather). Planted between Frolov and Cammalleri will get you points, but Army has mostly caught my eye in the puck handling department, accurate passing and fighting in the corners. Apart from Kopitar, he's the best possession forward that we have. Not that the Kings really finish games with a lead... ;), but it's not Army's fault. At least not the last ten games.

** Lubo Visnovsky, D - Lubo has really taken it to another level in his last ten (he did miss two games, offhand, to minor injury, though). Scoring five goals and getting six assists gets him on pace for 66 points for a season, just one shy of his personal best from a year ago. In a contract year that Lubo finds himself in, it means he will, and rightfully, get big bucks either in LA (preferably) or on the open market. Keystone of power play, due to Lubo's assists from the point even Rob Blake's name started being a frequent show at the scoreboard.

* Alex Frolov, LW - even though he went on an eight game scoreless streak for most of the period, he did keep over one assist (on average) every other game and then finished the year 2006 (and the period in question) with the amazing four goals and four assists in the final three games. In the absence of consistent scoring from the likes of Michael Cammalleri (lately) and Craig Conroy (throughout), Frolov remains the only viable scoring option (apart from Kopitar), who's capable of hitting the net both at home and on the road. Suffice it to say, that Alex is on pace for 88 points now, which would have surpassed his previous career best by 34 points. Wow.

Other recognized: Barry Brust, AHL and NHL backup goaltender, who suddenly rose to the ocassion when called upon after Cloutier and Mathieu Garon had gone down his injuries. Though not spectacular and perhaps still not nearly a long term solution for the Kings, he did give the team a boost with his very solid play. Easily the rookie of the period, so to say.