1968–69 Los Angeles Kings season



The 1968–69 Los Angeles Kings season was the franchise's 2nd season in the National Hockey League. The Kings finished 4th in the West Division and won in the Division Semi-finals over the Oakland Seals 4 games to 3 before losing in the Division Finals to the St. Louis Blues 4 games to 0.

Off-season
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 jerseys were the same design as in the 1967-68 season.

Pre-season
The team held its training camp in Barrie, Ontario and had three pre-season games in Barrie:

September 18, 1968 vs Oakland Seals September 20, 1968 vs Minnesota North Stars October 2, 1968 vs Pittsburgh Penguins

Regular Season
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.

After last playing in the NHL for the New York Rangers in the 1957-58 season, Gerry Foley played one last game, on December 21, 1968 in a 2-1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. Gary Croteau played his first NHL game during the 2-2 tie with Philadelphia on March 1, 1969.

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 West Division.

Attendance for the season exceeded 300,000 for the first time over a 38-game home schedule.

Playoffs
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.

Forwards
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes

Defencemen
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes

Goaltending
Note: GP = Games played; MIN = Minutes; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals against average

Awards and Records

 * The Kings did not win any awards this season.

Transactions

 * May 20, 1968 – Acquired Skip Krake from Boston for a first-round choice in the 1970 NHL Amateur Draft.
 * June 11, 1968 – Acquired Myron Stankiewicz from St. Louis for Terry Gray.
 * June 11, 1968 – Acquired Gerry Desjardins from Montreal for a first-round choice in the 1969 NHL Amateur Draft (later transferred to Minnesota) and the 1972 NHL Amateur Draft.
 * July 1, 1968 – Acquired Larry Cahan from Montreal for Yves Locas and Brian Smith.
 * October 10, 1968 – Acquired Jimmy Peters from Detroit for Terry Sawchuk.
 * October 15, 1968 – Acquired Gary Croteau, Brian Murphy and Wayne Thomas from Toronto for Lou Deveault and Grant Moore.
 * November 12, 1968 – Acquired Ron Anderson from Detroit for Poul Popiel.

Draft Picks
Goaltenders:

• •

Defensemen:

• • • • • •

Forwards:

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Trivia

 * Kings who recorded a Hat trick this season include:
 * Eddie Joyal during the 3-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on December 4, 1968.
 * Bill Flett during the 6-3 win over the Detroit Red Wings on December 11, 1968.
 * Eddie Joyal during the 7-4 loss to the Minnesota North Stars on February 19, 1969.
 * Ted Irvine during the 3-2 win over the Oakland Seals on March 18, 1969.