LOS ANGELES -- Those two Stanley Cup title banners in the Staples Center rafters dont have dust on them just yet.The Los Angeles Kings think theyre too good to go without a playoff series victory over the last two years, and theyre determined to find new ways to have the same success that made them champions.After blowing the Pacific Division title in their final game of their 102-point regular season and then getting routed in the first round by San Jose, the Kings went back to work this fall with a new captain and a renewed belief they can contend for NHL titles with essentially the same core that won it all in 2012 and 2014.Training camp has been lively in Los Angeles, where coach Darryl Sutter has returned with the same deliberate mentality about building a championship team around a tough two-way style of play. Its not an easy way to play, but their 2012 playoff rampage is the only thing the Kings ever made look easy.I dont think its any secret that the theme is competition, veteran defenseman Rob Scuderi said. This team has had tremendous success in the past. Missing the playoffs (in 2015), and then having a first-round exit and maybe not playing the way we would have liked to, I think its a fresh start. Youve got to earn your spot. No matter what your position was or what you hope it to be, youve got to earn your time.Anze Kopitar is the Kings new captain after the club stripped the C from underachieving forward Dustin Brown, who didnt exactly like the way it was all handled. Browns meager production and massive contract have kept him tethered to Los Angeles, but general manager Dean Lombardi hopes fewer responsibilities will rekindle Browns skills.The Kings will be led by Kopitar and Drew Doughty, who added his first Norris Trophy to his overflowing awards case this summer. After long stretches at the World Cup of Hockey, Kopitar and Doughty are expected to play in preseason games this week in Las Vegas, and theyll be ready to roll for the season opener in San Jose next week.Here are more things to know about the Kings:GABORIK DOWN: Oft-injured forward Marian Gaborik will be out until late November with a broken foot suffered at the World Cup, depriving the goal-hungry Kings of another offensive playmaker after Milan Lucic left for Edmonton as a free agent. At least the 34-year-old will be fresh when he returns to the lineup. Until then, the Kings hope Jeff Carter, Tyler Toffoli -- who is heading into a contract year -- and others will pick up the pace in an already top-heavy lineup.MUZZINS MOVE: Sure, Jake Muzzin watched most of the World Cup from the press box. Just making Canadas roster was an honor for the late-blooming Kings defenseman who averaged 40 points over the past two seasons. He could be ready to take another step forward in prominence on the Kings defensive corps, which still hasnt fully recovered from Slava Voynovs NHL flameout and Robyn Regehrs retirement. Muzzin will likely have to anchor a defensive pairing with newcomer Tom Gilbert or the winner of a camp competition for a final roster spot.AINT THAT A QUICK IN THE HEAD: Jonathan Quick returned from his World Cup stint with Team USA to post a shutout in his Kings preseason debut. He finished third in the Vezina Trophy voting last season, and the unorthodox veteran appears ready for another year of heavy workload. Few teams success is as tied to its goalie as the Kings with Quick -- and few goalies create as many conflicting opinions as the Conn Smythe Trophy winner.TEDDY THERE: The cap-strapped Kings closest thing to an impact addition is Teddy Purcell, the 31-year-old left wing who played 91 games for the Kings over three seasons more than a half-decade ago. He scored a career-high 43 points last season between Edmonton and Florida, and he could fit in nicely on Kopitars left wing with Brown on the other side.TANNERS TURN: The Kings would desperately love a step forward by Tanner Pearson, the 24-year-old forward who has appeared ready for stardom at times. He scored 36 points in 79 games last season, but didnt score a goal in January during an inconsistent campaign. With few blue-chip prospects ready to help the Kings, its a good time for Pearson to reach his potential. Bobby Phills Jersey . The Dutchmans tenure got off to a poor start when referee Guido Winkmann awarded a penalty within two minutes for Niklas Starks clumsy challenge on Alexandru Maxim. Percy Miller Jersey . It was the second consecutive win for the Pacers (2-5), who lost their first five preseason games. Jeff Teague led the Hawks (1-5) with 17 points and eight assists and Al Horford had 12 points and seven rebounds. Mike Scott scored 15 of his 17 points in the second half. https://www.cheaphornets.com/455l-muggsy-bogues-jersey-hornets.html . Philadelphia is 2-0 against the Senators this season and scored five goals in each victory. The Flyers recorded a 5-0 win in Ottawa on Nov. 12 and then earned a 5-2 home decision on Nov. 19. The Flyers have claimed three straight and four of the last five encounters with the Sens overall and Philly has won two in a row and three of its past four tests in Canadas capital city. Anthony Mason Jersey . Ferrer, trying to win his fourth title on Mexican soil, will next play South Africas Kevin Anderson, who eliminated American Sam Querrey,7-6 (2), 6-4. Also Wednesday, Gilles Simon (6) of France beat Donald Young of the United States 6-4, 6-3, Ukraines Alexandr Dolgopolov downed Frenchman Jeremy Chardy 6-3, 6-4 and Croatias Ivo Karlovic defeated Dudi Sela of Israel 7-6 (4), 6-2. Rex Chapman Jersey . The team said Saturday that Lopez was hurt during its 121-120 overtime loss at Philadelphia on Friday. The Nets said they would issue another update next week after consultation with their doctors. NEW YORK -- The already short-handed New York Mets saw their playoff chances dealt another significant blow when left-hander Steven Matz was scratched from his scheduled start Friday because of shoulder soreness.Matz, 9-8 with a 3.40 ERA, hasnt pitched since Aug. 14 because of tightness in his left shoulder but threw a bullpen session Wednesday and was set to return.General manager Sandy Alderson said the rookies shoulder again felt sore, one day after the bullpen session.Well see where this takes us, Alderson said. But for the next several days, that shoulder issue has to resolve itself before we would consider pitching him again.Right-hander Gabriel Ynoa, in line to follow Matz on Friday, will instead make his second major league start. The Mets had tweeted an advertisement featuring a returning Matz on Thursday, but it was quickly deleted.New York began the night tied with St. Louis and San Francisco for the two NL wild card spots. They already are missing pitchers Matt Harvey (thoracic outlet syndrome), Jacob deGrom (ulnar nerve), third baseman David Wright (neck surgery) and second baseman Neil Walker (back surgery).ddddddddddddoah Syndergaard is pitching with a bone spur in his pitching elbow and Asdrubal Cabrera (knee) and Yoenis Cespedes (quadriceps) are playing with lingering injuries.Im feeling some symptoms, Matz said. At this point, I dont have an answer. ... I know the difference between soreness and pain, he continued. This is a little different than regular soreness.Manager Terry Collins said it would be difficult to select Matz for a playoff start.It would be hard to get him enough innings that you could consider starting him in the postseason, Collins said. Well just have to wait to see what the next few days have in store. When youre talking about the shoulder, youre talking about serious territory, so its got to really calm down before wed consider getting him back out there. ' ' '