VIDEO: Kyle Clifford hit in Phoenix leads to non-suspension

Besides how or why the Kings were defeated by the Coyotes last night, after being up 3-0 in the first period, the other hotly debated issue coming out of the game was the legality of Kyle Clifford's hit on Gilbert Brule. Opinions on social media sites ranged from it was a hockey play to penalty-worthy on up to he should be suspended.

Today, the ultimate judge and jury ruled when the NHL opted to not even hold a hearing on the matter (per Helene Elliott of the LA Times).

Here's the play...

If Brule's name sounds familiar to you for some reason, it's probably because he was the initial (injured) player the Oilers tried sending to LA in the Ryan Smyth deal. Of course, he was later replaced by Colin Fraser.

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VIDEO: Mike Richards hit by Bergenheim, no suspension

The NHL has announced there will not be any suspension or fine for the hit Florida's Sean Bergenheim put on LA center Mike Richards late in the second period of last night's game.

It's been ruled a full body hit.

Judge for yourself...

More notes and quotes coming soon, including an update on the extent of Richards' injuries.  He did not play in the third period, held out for precautionary reasons.

Here was the overall reaction from the Florida locker room last night.

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VIDEO: Roenick breaks down Doughty's hit on Oshie

Earlier today, the National Hockey League let it be known that Kings defenseman Drew Doughty will not be suspended for his hit on the Blues' TJ Oshie in the final seconds of last night's game.

As a first time offender, the $2,500 fine levied against him was pretty much as expected.

In the clip below, Jeremy Roenick and Pierre McGuire show they play and then discuss why it was such a dangerous hit.

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To see more video of the incident, here's the VERSUS feed in full (link).

For more from Roenick, here's his MayorsManor interview last season, where we preview the Kings-Coyotes game and here is his preview of Canada-USA at the World Junior Championship.

Yesterday, Doughty talked about not being sure what's wrong with him this season in an article posted here.

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Jarret Stoll Wants to See Some Push Back

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.

I think I've read that somewhere before.

And it certainly applied to Jarret Stoll on Saturday night.

He was in the press box watching the Kings take on the San Jose Sharks. Not exactly what he had in mind when the team officially qualified for post-season a few weeks ago.

However, his teammates dominated the 60-minute game and left for home with a 4-0 win - but more importantly, a 1-1 spilt in the opening two games.

After serving his one-game suspension, Stoll returns to the line-up tonight at Staples Center. In the conversation below he breaks down what's gone down so far and looks ahead to game three...

MM: What are you doing to help keep some of the younger guys calm, especially after things like that early goal in game one?

JS: On the bench you're just talking, saying 'settle down, get the puck in deep, try to get the puck in and get on the forecheck.' Obviously, spending time in your own zone, eventually it's going to hurt you. It's good they didn't get that second goal right away too, then the fire drill would have really been on. But, we settled it down right away. Quickie made a couple of big saves after that and we just kinda got our game going slowly, slowing got our feet going, got on the forecheck and started cycling their 'D' and getting chances ourselves. By doing that, you could tell on the bench, we got our confidence going and knew we could play with those guys.

MM: Talk about what you saw off the ice in game two. It's a rare chance for you to get a different perspective on the team's performance.