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With the Stanley Cup Finals about to begin tonight out at the Staples Center in LA, I'd thought it'd be a good idea to run down the music selections of the Western Conference Champions, the Los Angeles Kings. The Kings have managed to survive 3 Game 7's this NHL postseason, including overcoming a 3-0 deficit to win in 7 games over the San Jose Sharks in the first round, cementing their status as the perennial underdogs and are seeking their 2nd Stanley Cup in the last 3 years. With this music special, I'll be picking individual songs that best characterize the personalities of the players on the team, along with some personal playlists curated by the players themselves. And without further ado, here is my list:
Anze Kopitar - Spoon "The Underdog"
No better song characterizes the centerman for the Kings than this number from Spoon. The Slovenian born player has been with the Kings organization since 2005, and has had an amazing postseason thus far, so far accumulating 24 points in 21 games this year and elevating his name to an almost superstar status around the City of Angels. A terrific player and a model player that young aspiring players look up to and for general observers to marvel at his skill set.
Dustin Brown - Kings of Leon "Dusty"
This appropriately named number for the Kings right winger comes courtesy from Kings of Leon. The Ithaca, NY native has been a strong component of the Kings offense during the regular season and into the playoffs as well, contributing in any way he can to the overall success and durability of the team that will also carry them to victory in the long run. He has a tremendous skill set that will come in handy during this Stanley Cup Finals series.
Jonathan Quick - Thrice "Kill Me Quickly"
The heroic goaltender deserves some intense, hard edged rhythms to get him going, and what better band to help him get into the zone than Orange County's own Thrice. Quick has some New England ties as well as he was born in Hamden, CT and went to school at UMass Amherst where he honed his skills and has now developed into the tremendous goalie that he is now, stopping shots while laid out on the ice like a scorpion that has led to tight victories night in and night out.
Drew Doughty's Personal Playlist
The defenseman has some terrific music taste with this indelible collection of tunes. The London, Ontario native has been a rock solid defenseman that has kept his team in the hunt all along, while preventing opposing team's offense from closing in on Quick and keeping them on their own end on the ice. A tremendous presence on the ice due to his muscular build, Doughty will be a huge force to be reckoned with in this series.
will.i.am - Check It Out
Sugarland - Stuck Like Glue
Cali Swag District - Teach Me How To Dougie
Hoodie Allen - January Jones
Afrojack - Take Over Control
Black Eyes Peas - The Time (Dirty Bit)
Deadmau5 - Raise Your Weapon
Eminem - 25 To Life
Lupe Fiasco - The Show Goes On
Taylor Swift and Wiz Khalifa - Mean Planes and Taylor Gangs
Alec Martinez's Personal Playlist
The hero who scored the OT goal in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals against the Blackhawks has some country leaning tunes to keep his head in the game during this series. The player who has gotten them to this point this far is reveling in his success that he's obtained over the course of the season, but he must keep his head forward and his eyes on the prize that is almost visible down the road.
Gary Allen - Smoke Rings In The Dark
Travis Tritt - Great Day To Be Alive
Jonathan Ferguson - Sunshine
John Mellencamp - Walk Tall
Alan Jackson - Chasin' That Neon Rainbow
Billy Currington - Pretty Good At Drinkin' Beer
Tom Petty - Learning To Fly
Freedy Johnson - Bad Reputation
Trevor Lewis' Personal Playlist
The only player on the team to hail from the city of Utah is also a big country fan, and he has mixed in with some other members to present the most diverse playlist featured here so far. The centerman can be depended upon to deliver in clutch situations and is sure to be a crucial part of this Kings team moving forward as they move ahead in this thrilling and captivating NHL postseason thus far.
Eric Church - Hell On The Heart
Eric Church - Lightning
Sugarland - Stuck Like Glue
Flo Rida - Club Can't Handle Me Now
Jason Aldean - My Kinda Party
50 Cent & Jeremiah - Down On Me
Kings of Leon - Notorious
Mr. Big - To Be With You
Paul Brandt - Alberta Boung
Eminem - Not Afraid