37 Comments

1. roadtripper says:

   December 31, 2009 at 2:02 am

   I didn’t see the game (damn work again!), but I can tell you… this is exactly why if your power-play is working, teams can’t take cheap shots at you! Get the special-teams clicking and you also help protect your super-stars, and they in-turn win us games and also earn THEIR paychecks!!!

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2. Cristobal says:

   December 31, 2009 at 5:58 am

   RT’er makes a great point.
   Where is the accountability, Kompon?
   Maybe someone can ask Rich.

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3. c-nut says:

   December 31, 2009 at 6:29 am

   ATTENTION EVERYONE!!! THIS IS THE NUMBER ONE PROBLEM!!! Goals for-112 Goals against-114. We will NEVER make the playoffs at this rate! This timid, weak style the Kings are playing SUCKS! Every once in a while you HAVE to take a chance! Obviously the Defense first approach IS NOT WORKING!!! Yeah we out shoot alot of teams, but when the shots come from beyond the circles with NO bodies in front. EASY STOPS, NO REBOUNDS!!! I’m not even going to call out individuals. I simply do not have the time! It feels like 05/06 all over again. In the imortal words of Billy Ray Cyrus “Oh my Achey Breaky Heart” Yes this team is slowly driving me insane

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4. CS13 says:

   December 31, 2009 at 7:00 am

   c-nut ….. Would have to agree with many of your points here but do you really think that TM would put a system in place without having guys crash the net, or to be able to have the players be able to connect two or more passes to make it through the neutral zone still maintaining possession of the puck.

   Personally I think the players really need to stick to the system and stop trying to go out on a limb on ever single play. Yes I agree that chances need to be taken but not on every shift. The guys will turn it around I’m sure and when they do (which I hope is tonight) I think the scoring floodgates will open.

   Go Kings!!

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5. Ben says:

   December 31, 2009 at 7:11 am

   Seems like every game against Calgary is a VERY physical game. And this time, when the Phenuef (sp?) hit occured, the team went after him to protect Kopi. Last Year?? Remember the Malkin hit? Almost no response.

   I think they can build on this…and will help them become a grittier team.

   GO KINGS!

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6. nykingfan says:

   December 31, 2009 at 7:17 am

   I just got finished reading the doomsday posters a couple of articles down.
   Too funny. I guess there’s no need to tune into any moe games, we’re done!

   Ersberg is a backup goalie who hasn’t played much. He played well, I though last night. He made some huge saves. Both goals he let in, I’m sure he would want those back, but we shouldn’t be playing 2-1 games. We need to score some goals.

   I felt bad for Brownie on the penalty shot. That typifies what we’ve been going thru lately. Things haven’t gone our way. when we make good plays, the goalies have come up big against us. It’s ok, these things even themselves out over the course of the season.
   We knew coming in it would be a battle for a playoff spot. Well guess what? We’re in a battle for that spot. We’ll come out of this and we’ll be right there in the end. I have confidence in the guys and the coaching staff.

   I already made my thoughts known on Phaneuf, that oversized pussy in an earlier post. No need to go back there again.

   The refs were atrocius last night. That was probably the worst officiated game all season. They called a double minor on OD..fine. When Ivan got their guy and another guy jumped into the fray. We get the double minor and they get nothing? total BS!

   Also, was that the same Charlie Simmer..the former King great doing the color on the Flames broadcast?
   If so, he’s an a**hole. After listening to him, I would hope the Kings management and fans would NEVER allow him to be involved in anything Kings related.
   It’s one thing to be a homer, he was over the top..especially if it was a game involving the team he made his fame with. It wouldn’t hurt to be a little imapartial.

   Whatever. Let’s go get em tonioght guys. Another big 2 points has our name on it tonight.

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7. DLB says:

   December 31, 2009 at 7:17 am

   I don’t care about the emo, I just want revenge.

   Thanks for the article, Rich. Go Kings!

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8. Mean Machine says:

   December 31, 2009 at 7:47 am

   How about a trade, gee to me Percell is sure not putting Ovechkin like numbers or Kovi, Gabi. So Dl needs to make a trade very soon, it was a big waste of time for the Kings to be in that top 8.

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9. txkingsfan says:

   December 31, 2009 at 7:55 am

   Lets discuss Purcell for a minute … through 2 1/2 periods I saw nothing out of him. Only with a few minutes left in the 3rd did he start doing what he is supposed to do! take the puck to the net, battle in the corners, take and give hits, and work hard. for most of the game he simply was a liability on the first line, breaking momentum, losing the puck on the cycle, not going to the front of the net, losing battles on the boards. What do we do? TM and DL cannot keep giving him more opportunities when his ice time can go to Parse and Segal who – despite having different skill sets and roles – are making the most of their opportunities. Am I missing something? What do you guys think?

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10. src says:

    December 31, 2009 at 8:03 am

    Agree txkingsfan. Even Segal would serve a better purpose with Kopi and Smyth. But what I would really like to see is Moller get a shot. Yeah, he is small and gets knocked off the puck, but he goes to the house! Gets in those diffacult areas, etc. Night Train was also good on the first, but with He, Richie and Parse going strong, I would leave that line alone.

    Problem with moving up Oscar is who will center the 4th?

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11. src says:

    December 31, 2009 at 8:05 am

    And how about the innept line of Fro, Brownie and Zues last night. They had alot of trouble.

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12. Sebastian says:

    December 31, 2009 at 8:13 am

    I think Murray needs to shake up the lines. The fist line with Purcell is NOT working, and as much as I like the Parse, Richie, Simmonds line, we need to put focus on our first line and get them to produce again. Why not put Simmonds on the first, and Brown with Parse and Richie.

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13. Sebastian says:

    December 31, 2009 at 8:19 am

    Smyth – Kopitar – Simmonds
    Parse – Richardson – Brown
    Frolov – Handzus – Purcell
    Ivanans – Moller – Segal

    I would Keep giving Smyth some of Ivanans shifts, and maybe give Moller some of Purcell’s shifts.

    I really miss Stoll!

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14. src says:

    December 31, 2009 at 8:36 am

    I can live with that Sebastian.

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15. Quisp says:

    December 31, 2009 at 8:39 am

    You really think the problem with the first line is Purcell? Then what was the problem the previous 20 games?

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16. txkingsfan says:

    December 31, 2009 at 8:47 am

    my point was to examine Purcell’s play more generally. Personally i think the 1st line has its own issues but my concern is Purcell’s play on any of the lines. What is your take Quisp? I know that you have some views on this. what do you see with his play? is he improving? is he pressing too much? is their hope?

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17. P90X says:

    December 31, 2009 at 8:47 am

    Thank you NYKingfan, I was trying to find a nice way to comment about the mass majority of negativity without getting thrown off this site, but you just did it for me. The only thing more I would like to add too what you said would be when the boys start winning again and do make the playoffs, whether it be 1st or 8th, don’t come back…… It’s one thing to think you’ve watched or seen enough hockey to know about it. But since the majority of you are typing at one,two,three o’clock in the morning leads me too beleive you’re not in the hockey business. Don’t get me wrong, you have a right as an American to voice your opinion. But some of you are just ridiculous. Now that I’m done ranting, I’ll go about my daily business,forget about last night,look forward to tonight’s game, possible playoff run, and future cup run. Knowing that the Kings will be there, without a doubt in the next couple of years…..

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18. Sebastian says:

    December 31, 2009 at 8:55 am

    What are you suggesting Quisp?

    when Smyth went down, nobody was able to step in and get it going on the left wing. When Williams went down the first time, Simmonds stepped in and did a great job, Kopi and Smyth were also doing great and the line produced. Kopitar NEEDS to get it going for the line to be successful, that is for sure, but Purcell isnt going to help him out.

    Stick Purcell on the 4th line, or bench him, hes had his chances and has done nothing. Bottom line, we need to start winning games again.

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19. Ben says:

    December 31, 2009 at 8:57 am

    I agree w/P90X (enough!) … there has been plenty of problems with all 4 lines, and some d-turnovers along the way. Having TP play better or be trade is NOT going to fix everything … I still think there were some positives to last nights game!

    I am looking forward to a win tonight and the quick return of Stoll…

    GO KINGS GO!

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20. Player-X says:

    December 31, 2009 at 8:59 am

    Last night was super hard to take, but after sleeping on it, I feel much better.
    Penalty kill was awesome. Absolutely awesome. I think we spent nearly a third of the game, probably added up to almost a full period, on penalty kill. And we stoned ‘em. F the Flames.
    The result was more that of having reduced chances than not playing well. When you are on PK, you get less chances offensively, when you play that much on PK, you get ALOT less chances.
    While trying to avoid, but at the same time as admitting to bias, I have to say the refs were one-sided in the calls, against the Kings. Kopi gets drilled and O’Donell stands up, and we get 1 minute of PP out of it. One of their guys gets drilled by Ivanans, and really not even successfully, and even though one guys attacks Ivanans and then another guy comes in, too, the Flames get 4 minutes of PP. No even-up call for roughing, no third guy in to reduce it to two minutes, nothing. That was bullchit.
    We had chances; Simmonds at the goalmouth chipping it up over the net, Smyth had a couple of loose pucks in the crease but just couldn’t bang it home, and Moller and Richardson also had some good looks with shots on net.
    The Kopi line is flawed, and it was something that Terry Murray addressed in his own quotes when the decision to put in Purcell was announced. Murray was talking about Purcell needing to develop the ability to make tight little passes in close quarters, around the faceoff dots.
    Anyway, the flaw in that line is this: Smyth scores his goals from in front of the net, but Purcell is not getting the puck in the corners so the puck never gets to the net when Smyth is there waiting.
    Add to that the lack of passing ability on the rush from Purcell, and you are going to get exactly what we have been getting.
    Purcell is going to be on that line for a few more games, get used to it.
    I just hope he can have some epiphany, or drink gatorade, or find a magic ring or something, because there has never been any indication whatsoever that he is able to produce at the NHL level.
    This season has 3 mini-seasons. We are in the 2nd of 3 now. We have to do well until Olympic break, our schedule favors us now, and we have lots of conference and division games. We end this month with a 5 game road trip, and we absolutely must do well at home before and after that trip.
    People here are so emotional, and it’s great to see a fan base that cares, but wow, this is an 82 game season and fans would do well to think “big picture”. Sometimes it reads like a hen-house when the wolf has just left.
    Today is game 41. Halfway point. We have 47 points, maybe 48 or 49 after tonight. 94 points and better gets you in the playoffs. We got the 47, 48 or 49 points with some stretches where we had alot of key guys hurt, as well as an imbalance in scheduling with many games close together and most of those compressed games on the road.
    Now, we are getting key guys back, but they are trying to play their own personal way back into game shape. It takes a little time.
    We play alot of one goal games and have an excellent record in them.
    We have an excellent record when playing with a lead. We have an imbalance in remaining games shceduled that now favor us with more home games than road games.
    We have a goalie. Seriously, check it out: WE HAVE A GOALIE. Quick is very good, and getting better.
    We lost last night, we play today.
    ****Reality check, people, big picture, and if you are fans of the Kings then root for success.****

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21. Sev The Kings Fan From Montreal says:

    December 31, 2009 at 9:03 am

    Frankly, as much as I would like to blame purcel or ersberg it wasn’t their fault. It wasn’t anyone’s fault specifically.

    What the kings need to learn to do is shoot the puck at the damn net. AGAIN, 3-4 opportunities where kiprusoff was down and the puck was shot OVER the net. In each of the last 4 losses, this was done at least 2-3 times. They are trying to roof the puck every time and missing the net. SHOOOT AT THE CENTER OFF THE NET. Yes, the goalie will stop some of the shots but at least they have a chance of going IN the net vs going OVER the net. It is so frustrating to watch this again and again in one goal games

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22. nykingfan says:

    December 31, 2009 at 9:04 am

    SRC

    I guess you weren’t able to see the game last night.
    Segal had a golden opportunity to score into an open net and missed. That’s why he serves his purpose playing 4th line. he’s not a goal scorer.

    Right now, nobody is scoring for us. There are very few options we have right now, other than letting the guys work themselves out of the funk they’re in.
    Let’s relax and give them the opportunity to show us what they can do..Purcell included!

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23. Sev The Kings Fan From Montreal says:

    December 31, 2009 at 9:04 am

    Oh, and happy new year guys.

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24. Player-X says:

    December 31, 2009 at 9:06 am

    And by the way, I posted this last night an hour before the game…
    “For sure Phaneuf will take his rejection out with a dirty hit. Whenever the guy “ups” his game, it goes dirty. Hope the Kings can take advantage of it and goad him inot a stupid penalty, without letting Phaneuf hurt somebody.”
    It just about makes me puke to think that our #1 guy can get run and we end up with 1 minute of PP from a major penalty. Risk-reward imbalance, thanks to the lame zebras…

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25. fsd1 says:

    December 31, 2009 at 9:23 am

    ok, doomsdayers aside, I actually thought that this was a very well played playoff style game. Very Intense, hard hitting etc. What i really liked about it was Kopi not EVER backing down from getting checked after that ugly intent to injure from pussy Dion. Team reacted exactly how they should have. Bogus that not one penalty was called on any of the 3 guys that went after Raitis. Not one. I still like our “rebulid”. I like our grit. I like our determination. I like our never give up. I like this team. Please TM, keep the lines the same, stay the course and don’t listen to most of the bandwagon comments. The team spoiled us with showing us how good they are going to be on a regular basis for years to come. Dont make silly trades, the goals will start going in again and then all the wagon riders will think you are genious again. We asked TM (the teacher of youth and a defensive style coach) to take this team to the next level. He has and I have faith that he is doing the right job. Stay the course guys, Stay the course. And to the idjits who say trade Kopi, trade Brown, trade frolov, trade purcell, trade ivanans, fire tm, fire kompon, get rid of ersberg…..GTH, you dont know what you are talking about. These Kings Rule!

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26. edwood2 says:

    December 31, 2009 at 9:27 am

    I agree that lines need shaken. Here is my idea. Give Kopi a night off, and put Oscar in his spot. Guys usually respond well after being a healthy scratch. That would also give Oscar a shot at something better than 4th line. And move Simmonds back to the top line.Also, Segal has a much more rounded game than Ivanans. If a game is not expected to be real physical, Harrold would be a better choice to go with Oscar and Segal.

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27. kingsfan2316 says:

    December 31, 2009 at 9:44 am

    I love the way molls plays, he deserves a decent opportunity up on the top line, he really brings the skill and energy we need there, even if he gets knocked around alot he just gets back up and keeps going

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28. src says:

    December 31, 2009 at 9:45 am

    Saw the game, not trying to pretend that he will score. But seems to have a nack for the board play and is heavy on the puck. Nothing more to read into than that.

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29. emada1 says:

    December 31, 2009 at 9:49 am

    All teams go through tough times througout the year. Some of you are acting as if we are out of the playoff race. The year is still very early, and i believe we be in the playoffs. First seed, or last, does not matter. As far as the first line not producing much, i do not believe it lies on the shoulder of purcell. I think kopi needs to pick it up. Star players need to be star players. He has shown he has that ability. I think we have a good team here, but we need to pick up the sloppy play. Too many turnovers (bad line changes, not getting the puck deep, defensive end give aways etc…), lead to goals the other way. Some of them are small, but can make or break a game. Anyhow, this is just a rough patch that will hopefully make us a stronger team. We will overcome. Lets Go Kings!

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30. D B COOPER says:

    December 31, 2009 at 9:59 am

    i left a similar post in the Ersberg comment: the story of last nights game is: the 1st line, and dustin are not producing any scoring; it can be assists, even.
    it wasn’t EE’s fault. just look at some teams that ARE struggling. the kings are Not chaotic. there is form, and structure to their game. they are close to being on the other side of these close loses. Just Imagine, for a minute, that Kopi and Dustin were their usual self. Do You think we would be in our current freefall from the win column.
    also, i want to add, some of the comments remind me the French Revolution could happen all over again! some of you, i really apprciate your PASSION, but some of us must take your pitchforks and tourches away from you before you hurt yourself. some bad things happen to the team, and i see and feel them like you do, and it’s “Off With Their Heads!” and it’s different victims of venom daily! DL and TM, DL BUILT the SHARKS!, see alot of what we complain about, too numerous to mention all the revisions us commenters are demanding, but they have given us what we didn’t have for alot of the 30 years i’ve followed the team. there is positive development going on. remember, the WEST is the toughest division: don’t expect domination the 2nd and 3rd year of DL and TM. Ok, off with my Head!

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31. nykingfan says:

    December 31, 2009 at 10:36 am

    SRC

    that’s good enough for me!

    Happy New Year

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32. What's the frequency, Kenneth? says:

    December 31, 2009 at 11:30 am

    Ben is right. Every game against Calgary, they try to out-hit the Kings, and go over the line of sportsmanship. If it’s in Calgary, they usually get away with stuff and the Kings get called for trying to match the intensity. The two games in Calgary are by far the angriest I’ve been all season–not for the loss, but for the inequity of the officiating and the attitude that it’s the way things are supposed to go down.

    WRT Kopitar and company, I’d say it’s time to let the scrubs who are scoring take their place in the lines and sit each of the guys who aren’t producing out for a game each in rotation.

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33. What's the frequency, Kenneth? says:

    December 31, 2009 at 11:41 am

    I was one of the people lashing into the emo people a couple weeks ago–you know–before the Kings lost four in a row, but people have a legitimate bitch at this point.

    “It wasn’t EE’s fault.” Of course not. He just gave away the game-winning goal, is all.

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34. d b COOPER says:

    December 31, 2009 at 12:51 pm

    if you think scoring 1 goal a game is enough to win, then it is EE’s fault. most of us realize it takes more than 1 goal a game. a pitcher in baseball isn’t expected to pitch a shut-out every game and it is expected his mistakes will be hit. what about the lack of tight coverage on the 1st goal, where it was stick to stick on the pass, across the goal mouth? goalies make mistakes, scoring more than 1 goal should be expected, especially with our #1 line contributing like they should.

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35. Dominick says:

    December 31, 2009 at 12:58 pm

    I’ve always maitaned that a goallie has to stop at least 1 out of every 10 shots.More than that is a bonus.In Calgary EE did that.The 2 that went in were tuff but he did his job.If we scored 3 he would be a hero,or at least adiquit.

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36. KC23 says:

    December 31, 2009 at 1:49 pm

    I don’t like Kopitar at the point on the PP. His strenght is down low so why on earth is he playing point?

    Purcell is clearly not the answer to filling in for Willy, but the Parce line looks too good to break up.

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37. What's the frequency, Kenneth? says:

    December 31, 2009 at 10:53 pm

    Ersberg had given up two goals after about 15 shots–not good enough–especially the 2nd goal.

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