"It has been described as a jolt or even a little shock to the system.

But that is probably underselling the recent arrival, and subsequent impact, of Darryl Sutter as Kings coach. That would be too subtle. In fact, the Sutter effect has been more like a grenade rolling through the Kings' dressing room.

Try seven games without a loss in regulation in the first two weeks of Sutter's coaching regime. The surging Colorado Avalanche defeated the Kings, 2-1, in a shootout Monday night at Staples Center."