Individual accolades finally started to materialize for the Kings after last season. Drew Doughty won his first Norris Trophy, an award given to the NHL’s best defenseman, and center Anze Kopitar took home two awards, the Selke Trophy (best defensive forward) and the Lady Byng Trophy (best combination of sportsmanship and ability). Plus Jonathan Quick was a Vezina Trophy (top goaltender) finalist.
Now, the trick is to merge the individual with larger team success. Since winning the Stanley Cup in 2014, the second time in three seasons, the Kings have played five playoff games, winning one in last season’s first-round loss to the San Jose Sharks.