alt="LA Kings Insider with Rich Hammond" />Here’s what Sharks coach Todd McLellan said about the Kings this morning..
MCLELLAN: “They’re very impressive. They’re obviously playing with a tremendous amount of confidence. When they got to the start line this year, they felt good about themselves. Kopitar, Ryan Smyth (is) as good a pair as there is in the league right now. But I like their commitment in the D zone. They don’t give up very much. Goaltending has been very good. They’re not — and this is said with ultimate respect to their organization — they’re not the L.A. Kings from three or four years ago. They have a tremendous amount of youth that has grown a long way. Coach Murray has done a tremendous job with them, and they really believe right now. So they’re as good as any team in the league.”
McLellan was asked about the key to getting a better result against the Kings than in their previous meeting, on Oct. 6 at Staples Center, when the Kings took a 4-0 lead in the second period and held on for a 6-4 win…
MCLELLAN: “One, you better be ready. If your mindset isn’t prepared to play against an elite team in the National Hockey League, which they are, you’ll fall behind three, four, five goals. I’d like to think the players will adjust. They’ve had the first test, in L.A., and certainly didn’t pass when it came to it. I’d like to think they’re better prepared when they step on the ice tonight.”
Here’s how the Sharks are expected to skate up front tonight…
Heatley-Thornton-Clowe
Malhotra-Marleau-Ferriero
Ortmeyer-Nichol-McGinn
Shelley-Couture-Staubitz
As previously posted, the Sharks are without Devin Setoguchi, Ryan Vesce, Joe Pavelski and Torrey Mitchell. For more about the Sharks, including a note about Dan Boyle playing with a broken thumb, check out the San Jose Mercury News blog item by David Pollak here.
http://wp.me/ptucv-FD
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Not often the word “elite” and “LA Kings” appear in the same sentence.
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I’m looking forward to seeing Logan Couture play for the first time.
I hope the Kings dress Ivanans tonight. They’ll need someone out there to thump on the Sharks big guys. HULK SMASH!!
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I share the exact same sentiments Quisp, beauty link BTW! ;)
McLellan is blowing smoke up the Kings……….
He says the goaltending has been very good? C’mon dude, we all know Quick has been solid but could be a lot better, especially if we get into tight games where the # Kopi line doesn’t bail us out.
Nice try there pal, but we’re still gonna come out and try light you up for 6!
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I’m not sure if they are really a “elite” team yet, but I am sure glad they aren’t the “lowly Kings” anymore.
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elite and los angeles…????
i have heard that lead several times discussing the two with the third (and more operative) word being the ‘make or break’ one in the statement…
in the case…fully saying ‘national hockey league’ vs.’nhl’ stirs the machination pot a bit…
look…
his team is SUPPOSE to be an elite team and is not playing the role…
our team is NOT SUPPOSE to be an elite team and is playing like one after a dozen games…
i think he’s trying to ensure some type of motivation for players early on that are fighting the “early season blues”…i also think mclellan is trying to go out of his way in making sure everyone knows that his team cannot take any other opponent for granted, regardless of past successes…he doesn’t want to make any mistakes motivating his team for each game and is probably very aware of his team fragility, especially in lieu of his line up card tonight…
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Tonight’s fight predictions:
Ivanans vs Shelley and/or Stabitz
or
Simmonds vs Clowe
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Wonder if Staubitz will turtle again behind the ref tonight if things get physical?
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I hate the sharks…GO KINGS GO
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Not really looking forward to that tired “Beat LA” chant in the background tonight…/ Go kings! Kick their teal arses!!
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I really just want to se Staubitz run like a little girl behind the ref again as Ivan speeds toward him with foam coming from his mouth and evil in his eyes.
That was SO classic!
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I’ll be representing in the crowd tonight, the Shark tank is a tough place to be visitors with all the meatheads, so maybe I’ll commenting for bail money later tonight.
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I don’t have as big a problem with the Kings four years ago as three. Under Crawford, they sucked bad (I hated that move.) Under the other Murray, they were intimidating, but often-injured (a trend that continues to follow Murray–I got heat for making the claim before, and I’ll make it again–Andy Murray’s teams get injured a lot because of the style they play.) No one wanted to play that team, and they got results, but it was a response to having a lot of “plumbers” in the McNall hangover. This Kings team doesn’t have to play that kind of game, and the future looks bright.
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Regarding the inflated impression of the Kings overall, I think that’s becoming more and more common, not just in hockey. Coaches are so concerned about “bulletin board material” (as are veteran players) that they feel free to over-compliment teams. No, the Kings are not “elite” yet, but they’re closer to that than “lowly,” as someone else put it, and there’s every reason to have faith they’ll keep going in the right direction.
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I can’t believe Malhotra is on their second line. They must really be hurting. That guy couldn’t hit the side of a barn. Reminds me of Steve Heinze.
Watch him net one or two. LOL
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For those looking for a Staubitz fight, check out the shellacing he gave Jordin Tootoo last season.
http://www.hockeyfights.com/fights/63478
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Della..i live in San Jose too. I wore my kings jersey to a preseason game last year and had my 2 year old daughter with me and still got some meathead comments. Call me if you need back-up ;)
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Say what you will but that’s a good first line.
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Interesting Tidbits from The Jumping Shrimp
Are you aware that Teddy Purcell and Ryan Clowe are best mates?
Besides their playing styles I wouldn’t have thought they would have had anything in common.
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Staubitz pwned 22, but 22 is no Ivanans.
Speaking of which, here’s Staubitz v Ivanans last year. Notice Brad with the instant clutch-n-grab and the head cover at the end. Brad wants NO PART of Drago.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPJXePpLGlA&feature=related
Hoping for a rematch tonight.
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This would be a good game for the Kings to win, take a 2-0 series lead against the Sharks and hope Todd McLellan is a prophet! Kings are not an elite team … yet, but they are learning to win games when they are leading in the third period.
Hopefully the goaltending will improve, but so far as the team goes, I like what I’ve been seeing.
Go Kings Go!!
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