The Los Angeles Kings were established in 1967 as part of the NHL's expansion, making them one of the league's original six expansion teams. Early in their history, the Kings struggled to find consistent success, though they gained prominence in the 1980s after acquiring superstar Wayne Gretzky in 1988, which sparked increased attention to hockey in Southern California. The team reached their first Stanley Cup Final in 1993 but fell short. After years of rebuilding, the Kings finally claimed their first Stanley Cup in 2012, followed by another championship in 2014, solidifying their legacy in the NHL.