"Four words almost always bring forth a smile and a knowing nod.

Gordie Howe hat trick.

That would be a goal, an assist and a fight in one game, and Kings left wing Kyle Clifford pulled off the feat in a 4-1 victory Monday against Ottawa at Staples Center, not even needing two full periods to do so.

Maybe somewhere, someplace, the great man himself was kicking back with his remote control, watching and smiling. Then again, Howe mostly lives with his kids in the Eastern time zone, so it would be a little late for him to be watching the Kings and Senators."