“Don’t let them win Game-4.”

This was what I said to myself as the Kings found themselves facing a seemingly insurmountable three games to none deficit. Even though the Sharks looked dominate in the series to that point, there was something about this Kings team that showed that they weren’t going down that easy. 

As Game-4 came to a close, the Sharks were not shaking hands at center ice with their defeated opponent. Instead, they were heading back to the locker room with a still impressive 3-1 lead, but with a big problem on their hands – they had let the Kings win Game-4. As we all know, that one win became 16 and with three consecutive Game-7 wins just to get to the Stanley Cup Finals. Once there they trailed all three home games and needed overtime to secure the victories. The road the Cup was not an easy one, as every series required a comeback and the Kings were more than up to the challenge. 

What does this have to do with the Dodgers? The Stanley Cup Champs paid a visit to Dodger Stadium on Tuesday night and while the Dodgers still have more than half of their season left, they find themselves in a similar predicament. 

The Dodgers currently find themselves five games behind the first place Giants. Now five games may not seem insurmountable but a week ago it did as it was closer to 10 games. The Giants have lost four in a row while Dodgers have won five of their last eight. They are starting to heat up as the Giants seem to be cooling down.

The Dodgers can learn a great deal from the Kings.
(Photo credit – Jon SooHoo)

Trailing by five games isn’t nearly as bad as 9.5 games though. As you may recall, the Dodgers found themselves in that very situation last year – trailing the D-Backs by the nearly impossible number of 10 games back as late as June 22nd. On that day the Dodgers beat the Padres in San Diego and basically never lost again. We celebrate the anniversary of that day this Sunday.

NL West standings on June 22, 2013

The day was June 12 of last year and I sat in a Las Vegas steakhouse with my girlfriend watching the Dodgers lose yet another game to Arizona. It was around this time that a lot of Dodger fans had decided to throw in the towel. Even though it was only June, it was understandable. Moral was low and the team looked lifeless and as if they had themselves thrown in the towel. Well, we all know how things turned out.

NL West standings on September 30, 2013

Here we go again. The Dodgers are looking up at a substantial lead and even though it’s only June, some fans have reached for their towels. Add to that the frustration of the Time Warner Cable deal, or lack their of, and it’s not hard to see why. 

However, not all fans feel this way and will stand by their beloved Boys in Blue until the very end, win or lose. That’s not to say that those who have felt let down this season are bad fans. It’s understandable to have thought that the team with the highest payroll in MLB history would perform better than what they have shown so far this season. Nobody can say this season hasn’t been beyond frustrating. Two things to keep in mind, though. This team has had more than it’s share or injuries to it’s starting line up and pitching staff. The second? It’s only June.

The Dodgers need to remember what this felt like.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

Hopefully the Kings visit to Dodger Stadium on Tuesday night with the Stanley Cup will inspire the Dodgers to turn things around like they were able to last season. If a team that came back from a three games to none deficit and completed three consecutive Game-7 wins on the road can’t light a fire under them, than nothing will.

I for one believe this team will continue to improve and overcome the Giants. I’m going to put my name on it and say they will be in first place by August 1st. And just to give some weight to that date, the Dodgers final road trip in July ends with a weekend series… in San Francisco.