Center Mike Richards picked up two assists in the Los Angeles Kings' 4-3 triumph over the visiting St. Louis Blues in first-round playoff action Monday night. The victory allowed the Kings to tie their best-of-seven series with St. Louis at 2-2. For Richards, the assists were his second and third of the playoffs. Richards assisted on goals by Justin Williams, his second of the series, and Jeff Carter, his first. Also scoring for the Kings were Anze Kopitar (first) and Dustin Penner (first). The Kings had trouble scoring in the earlier games of the series but their gunners came alive Monday. The Blues took a 2-0 lead in the first period before Carter and Penner tied the game at 2-2. The Blues went ahead 3-2 in the second period on T.J. Oshie's second goal of the night. Then Kopitar tied the game and Kopitar stuffed in the game winner at 8:30 of the third period.

The Los Angeles Kings have won only 40.2% of the draws so far in their playoff series against the St. Louis Blues, and that's well below their regular-season success rate of 52%. "That's where it starts, with puck possession," center Mike Richards said, "and when we have that puck possession I think we're a better hockey team. And hopefully [Saturday] night we can start with the faceoffs and go from there."

Mike Richards registered an assist in Game 2 on Thursday. Richards had no points and was limited to just one shot on goal in Game 1. His efforts Thursday night weren't enough to save the Kings, who are now 2-0 in their first-round series.

Mike Richards did not play in the first period of Saturday's win over San Jose due to an illness. Coach Darryl Sutter stated clearly after the game that Richards had been slowed by a bug of late, saying "He struggled before the game. He's been sick." The hard-nosed center will be ready for Game 1 of the playoffs.

Mike Richards had an assist on Thursday. Richards has recorded at least a point in seven of his last eight contests. He has 11 goals and 30 points in 44 games this season.

Mike Richards extended his point streak to six games with a goal on Saturday. "I think he has gotten stronger for sure," Kings Coach Darryl Sutter said. "And as is typical with Mike, that is the bigger it gets, the better he plays. I think it's on record that he had a tough start and he's certainly played well lately. We need those centermen to complement each other, that was one of the real strengths of our team last year." Richards has three goals and seven points during his six-game hot streak.

Mike Richards scored his 10th goal of the season and added an assist in the LA Kings 3-2 shootout win over the Colorado Avalanche. Richards has suffered from consistency issues this season, taking eight games to score his first goal and then having a 10 game stretch in March where he only had three points. But in his last seven games he has seven points and has looked a little bit more like the player the Kings thought they were getting when they gave up Brayden Schenn and Wayne Simmons for the ex-Flyers captain. He plays in all situations so keep riding him while he's hot.

Mike Richards netted a power-play goal on Tuesday. Richards now has seven goals and 18 points in 25 games this season. Look for him to roughly maintain that pace for the rest of the campaign.

Mike Richards returned to action on Tuesday March 12.

Mike Richards left Saturday's game after being hit in the second period by Tim Jackman but later returned. It seemed that Richards was injured after the game but no word yet from the Kings. Stay tuned for more information.