In the annals of Los Angeles Kings history, certain names and moments resonate with a unique brilliance, none perhaps as brightly as the "Triple Crown Line" of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Composed of Marcel Dionne, Dave Taylor, and Charlie Simmer, this line not only captivated fans but also etched its name as one of the most prolific scoring trios in NHL history.
The seeds of this iconic line were sown during the 1978-79 season when Kings coach Bob Berry sought to shake up the team's offensive dynamics. He paired the already established star Marcel Dionne with two relatively unheralded players: Dave Taylor, a second-year right winger known for his playmaking abilities, and Charlie Simmer, a gritty left winger with a nose for the net who had spent considerable time in the minor leagues.
The chemistry between the three was immediate and undeniable. Simmer's ruggedness along the boards, Taylor's adept playmaking, and Dionne's natural goal-scoring prowess formed a synergistic blend that defenses struggled to contain. By the end of that season, despite Simmer only playing 38 games on the line, Dionne posted 59 goals and 130 points, Taylor recorded 43 goals and 91 points, and Simmer contributed 21 goals and 48 points.
The 1979-80 season saw the "Triple Crown Line" reach its zenith. Dionne captured the Art Ross Trophy as the league's leading scorer with 137 points. Simmer tied for the league lead in goals with 56 and accumulated 101 points, while Taylor added 37 goals and 90 points. Although the Kings' defense was lacking, the foundation for future success had been laid.
The following 1980-81 season was arguably the line's most historic. For the first time in NHL history, all three members of a single line recorded over 100 points. Dionne led the way with 135 points, Taylor had 112, and Simmer tallied 105 in only 65 games. Simmer also topped the league in game-winning goals with 10 and boasted an incredible 32.7% shooting percentage. Their combined total of 328 points underscored their dominance.
Unfortunately, the Kings' playoff aspirations were repeatedly thwarted. In 1981, an injury to Simmer derailed their chances, and in 1982, despite an upset victory over the Edmonton Oilers in the "Miracle on Manchester" game, they fell short of a deep playoff run.
As the years passed, the rigors of the NHL began to take their toll. While Dionne and Simmer remained productive, Taylor's numbers declined due to injuries. By the 1984-85 season, the "Triple Crown Line" was dismantled when Simmer was traded to the Boston Bruins.
While their time together was relatively short, the "Triple Crown Line" left an indelible mark on the Los Angeles Kings and the NHL. They brought excitement and offensive firepower to a team that had long struggled to gain traction in the Los Angeles market. Their record-breaking achievements and captivating style of play earned them a place among the greatest lines in hockey history, ensuring that their legacy would endure for generations of Kings fans to come. Even now, Kings fans still remember and discuss the Triple Crown Line fondly.
The individual members of the line also continued to make news. Anze Kopitar, a modern-day Kings legend, recently announced that the 2025-26 season will be his last. Dustin Brown, while not a member of the Triple Crown Line, retired from professional tennis after the 2024 Moselle Open. Ryan Smyth, who joined the Kings much later, was known as "Captain Canada" for his international achievements and was inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame in 2024.
