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Defending champion Kings seek “confidence boost” against team they smoked in the playoffs

Los Angeles Kings v Vancouver Canucks - Game Two

VANCOUVER, CANADA - APRIL 13: Dustin Brown #23 of the Los Angeles Kings celebrates with Drew Doughty #8 after scoring aginst the Vancouver Canucks during the first period in Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Arena on April 13, 2012 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)

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Drew Doughty remembers what happened in April, right? When the Kings beat the Canucks in five games? Ring a bell?

We only ask because this is what Doughty said today prior to tonight’s Vancouver-Los Angeles game at the Staples Center:

“There’s nothing more rewarding than beating a team that’s won the (Presidents’ Trophy) the last couple of years in a row. So we’re really looking forward to hopefully do that tonight. A big win tonight against a big team like them would definitely give us a confidence boost.”

To be fair, the Kings are off to a sluggish 1-2-1 start, so we can see where Doughty’s coming from. Plus, there’s no sense giving the Canucks any more motivation than they should already have against the team that bounced them so unceremoniously last spring.

Of note, Roberto Luongo is expected to get the assignment in Vancouver’s goal. The 33-year-old started the first two games of last year’s Kings series before being replaced by Cory Schneider for the final three games -- a move that many thought would lead to Luongo playing elsewhere by now.