Culver City Observer -

LA Kings veteran right-winger Dustin Brown was hoping to go out with a bang with a better result in the NHL postseason, but his final game of his illustrious 18-year career (all as a King) will be a 2-0 shutout loss in Game 7 of the first round against the Oilers in Edmonton.

Nobody expected the underdog Kings to beat the Oilers, but they fought mightily and respectfully, so Brown and his team can hold their heads up high with their valiant effort.

With Brown's long-time teammate Drew Doughty on the shelf for the playoffs, they were going against all odds and surprised everybody battling to a Game 7. In the end, Conner McDavid, with a goal and assist, and the Oilers were too much a mighty foe.

The Kings needed more offense but just couldn't deliver. They failed to support the highly-talented veteran goaltender Jonathan Quick who made 39 saves, obviously bringing his "A-game."

During the postgame traditional handshake ritual, it wasn't surprising that Brown was the first in line to shake hands with the Oilers players. He is one of the faces of the franchise and he wanted to go out with a touch of class and carry the lantern for all of his other teammates, like he's done for many years.

Another poster boy for the franchise and captain, Anze Kopitar, during his postgame press conference said that the team should be proud of their effort. When asked about Brown, his longtime teammate and good friend, Kopitar said, with tears in he eyes - "I'm going to miss him a lot."

Dustin Brown

"The hurt in the locker room was deep, team-wise," head coach Todd McLellan said. "But it was very deep for Brownie. It's very rare in this world, sporting world, forget about hockey, that one individual spends that many years, wins championships and finishes the night with his team."

At the end of his career, Brown finishes with 1,296 regular-season games, 92 playoff games, and two Stanley Cup championships (2012, 2014). The fans will miss seeing "The Hit Man" up on the Jumbotron as the player with the best hit of the game, which he's been know for since the beginning.

The Kings will regroup over the summer, and Brown, 37 years young, can now enjoy spending time with his wife and four kids in retirement.