Michal Handzus’ postgame thoughts…
(on coming back after the late night…)
HANDZUS: “It was desperation, mostly. We lost four in a row, and we want to get back in the race. Obviously we lost three close games, and we knew we didn’t play that bad. We just had to step it up a little bit more, and everybody has to give a little bit more. That’s how we were talking, and we were feeling that we are coming out of it. Everybody just has to give a little bit more, and obviously we showed it in the first. That was a big event for us.”
(on whether it’s impressive to be in a playoff spot halfway through the season…)
HANDZUS: “For sure. We wanted to gave a good start, for sure, and set ourselves up for the second half, to compete for the playoffs. And we are right there, so it’s good. I think it shows that if we play the game the way it’s supposed to be played, we’re right on the top and we can play with anybody. So I think that’s what shows in the first half, that if we play our game, our system, our structure, we can beat anybody and we can be a very good team. It’s a learning process, going through it, especially these last couple games. We got away a couple times, and it shows. Sometimes not even the whole game, just a couple shifts, and they score against us. That’s the way it’s going to be over the (next) half season and the playoffs. Those little things matter most. We are sitting good, but now we have to step up even more.”
(on his new line…)
HANDZUS: “It was good. Seegs is really good. He’s really fast and physical. He’s got good skill too. We were talking a lot. We were talking on the bench and talking on the ice, and I think that’s the key for us. He fit really well.”
when alls said and done
8-5-1 in december. not shabby. could be worse.
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20 games till olympic break. 13 wins would be nice??
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Thanks to the Kings for ending things on a possitive note.Thanks to all the fans.Thanks to you Rich.Happy New Year.
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Happy New Year, Rich! Thanks for running the best hockey website out there!
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OK, here we go, last place again, Lottery pick here we go—-waaahhhh!
Oh wait we won?!?!?! Stanley Cup here we come!
What happened to all the sky is falling posters?
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Easy There NMKingsFan…
Chicken Little Has Not Come By Yet
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Happy New Year Rich!
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Very happy with tonight’s nearly-60-minute effort (there were about 5 minutes in the middle of the third period where it got away from them a bit, but no one seemed to panic.)
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All I’m saying is when stoll is ready, tm better send moller down instead of parse. In a year or two parse will have the hands and moves to be a 20 goal scorer.
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Great effort tonight. I gotta say that the player who catches my eye more and more is Richardson. He is just playing really solid, and I think his days on the 4th line are over. I hope Kopi learns something from watching him….
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Good effort overall and a great way to end the year!
uscg – When Stoll is ready, I would keep both Moller and Parse up and either trade or waive Purcell. He just doesn’t fit on this team. I think it’s time to let him go and wish him success elsewhere.
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btw, Happy New Year everyone!
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Well, TM has an 86 point team on a 100 point pace. I don’t think anyone could get more out of this team than he is right now. I know Symth says there is room for growth and we started the year with 3 new defensive pairings, but 100 points is unbelievable with the experience level. If we stay on this pace TM has to get coach of the year.
Thanks coach for being so patient with the youth.
Thanks players for working so hard.
Thanks Rich for bringing us closer to the team.
Proud to be a Kings fan.
Thanks to all the posters who contribute. Enjoy New Years. Don’t be a Heidi.
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@Rick…. I agree about Richardson. As I live on the east coast don’t get to see many games, but am currently in LA for the holidays. I personally was almost amazed by Simmonds. Not only does he play with huge heart and passion (which I know from all the blogs and watching highlights) but his decision making was to me of the highest order. It seems like he’s constantly making things happen. That’s why I felt like Kopi would do well to watch him. I am really impressed by that guy.
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Happy New Year everyone!
For those who will be blacked out for awhile on Time Warner Cable, my sympathy. Remember, this is the result of the death throes of a dying paradigm–advertising driven television. Hopefully somewhere down the line Cable will be A-La-Carte programming…
I can only dream. Besides, it’s about to be a New Year, and the Winter Classic is not on Versus OR Fox: A Wonderful Thing!
Cynic: See you on Saturday!
-peace-
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Great way to end the Year..
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!
Sat. Bako!
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Happy new year!
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Really liked the Handzus-Frolov-Segal line. Puck control, big bodies, body checks – good move by Murray.
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Simmer-Richardson-Parse looks really good too. All around good effort comming off the plane at, what, 3:00 in the morning? Happy New Year.
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brownie on the first line was clicking. I hope we keep all the lines just the way they are for a bit
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All in favor of Handzus being the most consistent player for the Kings so far this year? I am at least. All in favor of Kopitar being the most inconsistent this year. If he keeps it up I will be soon.
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Kopi, hat trick… in a game coming to your town soon.
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Kopi hat trick ? Only if he is wearing David copperfields hat!
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