Ratings were down for last year's finals with the Los Angeles Kings and New Jersey Devils despite having two teams from large markets after the first three rounds of the playoffs attracted the largest average audience since 1997.

NPR: NHL Has Work To Do To Win Back Fans After Lockout

This also explains why Anschutz's hockey team, the Los Angeles Kings, jumped 18% in value.

FORBES: Score!

The NHL hosted two fixtures between the Anaheim Ducks and the Los Angeles Kings at London's 02 Arena in 2007, but French bemoans the fact the English capital is not represented in the GB professional league.

CNN: Ice hockey's David faces Goliathan challenge

Chicago also played without defenseman Brent Seabrook, sidelined by a lower-body injury after he was hurt in Sunday's 3-2 victory over the Los Angeles Kings.

NPR: Blackhawks Match Record For Opening Point Streak

Those back on the ice included the Los Angeles Kings, nine months removed from winning the franchise's first Stanley Cup championship despite being one of the two lowest-seeded squads in the playoffs.

CNN: After long labor standoff, NHL players finally back on ice

Bryant scored 19 points and tied a season high with 14 assists despite a nagging left foot injury, and the Los Angeles Lakers kept pace for the Western Conference's final playoff spot by outlasting the Sacramento Kings 103-98 on Saturday night.

NPR: Kobe Bryant Leads Lakers Past Kings, 103-98

The Los Angeles Staples Center, home to the NBA's Lakers and Clippers, the NHL's Kings, and the WNBA's Sparks--together those clubs ensure 140 playing dates per year, not including playoffs.

FORBES: Sports Business

Everybody from fans to arena workers to the team's broadcasters shed tears on the court after the Kings lost 116-108 in overtime to the Los Angeles Lakers on April 13, 2011, thinking it would be Sacramento's farewell.

WSJ: Sacramento, Seattle? Kings' fate remains undecided

The Staples Center in Los Angeles, which opened in 1999 and is home to basketball's Lakers and Clippers and hockey's Kings, for instance, is controlled by billionaire Philip Anschutz, who owns the Kings and has a minority interest in the Lakers.

FORBES: Name Games