1972–73 Los Angeles Kings season



The 1972–73 Los Angeles Kings season was the franchise's 6th season in the National Hockey League. The Kings finished 6th in the West Division and did not qualify for the playoffs.

Regular Season
Bob Pulford became full time head coach and instituted a disciplined defense oriented system. Consequently, the Kings allowed 60 fewer goals than in 1971-72. Their penalty killing, once the worst in the NHL, was led by Jimmy Peters and Real Lemieux and was the best in the league. Offensively, the Kings were led by "The Hot Line," which consisted of Juha Widing, Bob Berry and Mike Corrigan who combined for 89 goals and 112 assists.

After starting 1-6, the Kings went on a club record 8 game winning streak. But from early January through February, they endured a 4-13-5 stretch that saw them fall from 4th to 7th place. They got hot again in March, going 6-4-2 to get within 2 points of the 4th place St. Louis Blues, who held the final playoff spot with 3 games to play. But L.A. suffered two straight disastrous losses to the last place California Golden Seals, and fell to 6th, missing the playoffs by 3 points.

Playoffs

 * The Kings did not qualify for the post season.

Awards and Records

 * The Kings did not win any awards this season.