In Dallas, Kings’ Drew Doughty and Jack Johnson reunite as teammates, post-Olympics

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Drew Doughty and Jack Johnson aren’t going to forget their Olympic experiences. But there wasn’t a lot of time for Doughty to celebrate Team Canada’s gold-medal victory or Johnson to lament Team USA’s loss. On Monday, a day after that unforgettable gold-medal game, the two were on the same direct flight from Vancouver to Dallas for Tuesday night’s game against the Stars. They were also paired together at the morning skate.

Doughty, whose gold medal is in his hometown of London, Ontario (‘I didn’t want to lose it or anything, you know?’), said he’s ready to refocus on the Kings’ playoff positioning.

‘It would’ve been nice to have a little break but obviously we’d rather win the gold medal,’ Doughty said. ‘The Kings haven’t been in the playoffs for a while, so it’d be kind of nice to get them there.’

Johnson said the Olympic experience, especially that last game, was ‘more emotionally exhausting than anything. We put a tremendous amount of effort into those games, so that last one was a devastating loss.

‘Tough or not now, we don’t have a choice,’ Johnson said about switching gears back to the NHL schedule. ‘But I’ll be ready to go.’

Meanwhile, center Marc-Andre Cliche was experiencing his own emotional roller coaster. Tonight will mark his NHL debut, as the Kings’ fourth-line center.

‘When you’re young it’s a dream. And now it’s coming true, coming to reality. I still can’t put it into words,’ the 22-year-old Cliche said. ‘I’m going to be nervous, and I’m going to have a hard time getting in a nap this afternoon.’

Coach Terry Murray said Cliche made an impression with the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League, especially with his defensive play.

‘We hear good things from his game,’ Murray said. ‘He’s a very good penalty killer in the American League. Here as a fourth-line player, I’m clearly looking for an energy player. He’s a good special teams player, and he’ll likely get an opportunity on the penalty kill. It’s a great opportunity for him.’

-- Tracey Myers from Dallas