The unofficial spin generated by the Kings was that missing the playoffs last season might be a blessing in disguise for a team that was battered and exhausted after three playoff runs that resulted in two Stanley Cup championships and, in between, a trip to the West finals.
If there's a blessing to be had, it was still well disguised after the Kings' season-opening 5-1 loss to the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday before an unhappily restless crowd at Staples Center.
Players were supposed to be rested and refreshed after a season that ended in early April instead of late June.