Tonight’s game story (March 30)

Posted by Rich Hammond on 31 March 2010, 1:03 am

Here’s my LAKings.com game story for tonight, with stats and video included. Thanks for reading!

Kings beat Predators 2-0

The Kings are scheduled to practice in El Segundo at 1 p.m. tomorrow.

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92 Comments

Cynic says:

March 31, 2010 at 1:14 am

Nice work tonight Rich!

**REPOST** since this was buried on the last thread and I’m still awake to get it on this one***

So much has already been said, so I’ll probably just repeat all of it, but I’ll just state a few things:

1) Our team came back! I thought we played a real good game. It looked shaky in the 2nd, but we maintained composure. The confidence seems to be back and if we can beat Vancouver Thursday, that will prove it really IS back. VAN has had our number this season.

2) I give Jones FULL credit for Parsey’s goal. A real nice play to keep the cycle going and keep the puck in. Great read. Halpern kept his wits and made a beauty dish. Parse is going to be a SICK player in this league. He’ll be a top 6 next year if he keeps gaining confidence. Dude can FINISH! Serious talent!

3) JB looked like he’d been in the league for 10 years. No overreaction, total rebound control, He just looks like a guy who WANTS to play and WIN for this team. You MUST let him start against VAN. He won and played solid in Dallas and he got a plane ride to Manchester, so I won’t put anything past DL at this point, but I just can’t see how you deny this kid after that performance! The team fed off him and that confidence tonight. He better stay and start Thursday. Ride that pony until he falls.

4) Sean O’Donnell. Corner picking sniper. LOL! How clutch was that! Nice work O’D!

Simple game, shot mentality, pucks in deep, hard board work = win. What a TOUGH game to have to win. If this doesn’t pretty much fix the confidence issue, nothing will. Nice win boys!

[Reply]
Paul from Oxnard Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 4:03 am
@Cynic, I know it’s just 2 games, but if I’m Terry Murray I keep starting Bernier. He looks better and fresher then Quick right now. But I’m sure DL will say it’s too much too soon for Bernier and that he wants him to have an AHL playoff run and he’ll send him back down.

[Reply]
Cynic Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 1:11 pm
@Paul from Oxnard,

You’re probably right, but I’m hoping DL sees the lilght a little here. I think having JB here is giving us the best chance to win right now. When Quick gets that fire back, let him back in. Meanwhile JB get some great experience to prep him for the Calder run with the Monarchs.

[Reply]
Little Willy Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 6:19 am
@Cynic, Exellent points and observations!!!

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oldthunder Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 6:31 am
@Little Willy, I agree too, at this point Bernier is doing very well, Ersberg is still strained (I think), let Quick get a rest and regroup and ride Bernier.

Paul is probably right that DL will still send Bernier down again.

[Reply]
Anjin Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 8:09 am
@Cynic,

This was a playoff game. Both teams had to really fight for every opportunity. I think keeping Bernier in there will give him the best possible high pressure scenario he’s ever had and if this game was any indication then I say he’s ready.

I know it’s still very early to judge but to me he seems to have more raw talent than Quick.

[Reply]
sstephen17 Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 9:08 am
@Anjin, My only concern with starting Bernier again is how it affects Quick? With his body of work this season, I would still consider him the #1. Do we really want to cast doubt with the playoffs approaching?

[Reply]
Anjin Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 9:28 am
@sstephen17,

I would still by all means call Quick our #1 for the remainder of the year because he deserves it. I just think Bernier should be rewarded for coming in, playing a solid game and getting the shutout. I think he deserves another game and I think Quick could use a couple of games off to refocus.

Cynic Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 1:14 pm
@Anjin,

GREAT point. THis WAS a playoff game for sure. JB was SO calm, if anything, it might have taught Quick a lesson just watching him. It looked like JB had been in the NHL all year. Quick is still our #1 since he’s done it all year, but maybe knowing a guy like JB is right there to support him will take a little of the pressure off and alow him to play better.

[Reply]
Lepper says:

March 31, 2010 at 1:20 am

I loved how Parse when into the slot and shot that thing!! I’ve been wanting to see that this whole season.

[Reply]
King John Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 10:28 pm
@Lepper,

Maybe he’s the kind of forward we’ve been missing on the team. I hope he gets to play more and develop into a solid player and a sniper. He gives a different look to the Kings.

[Reply]
Some fan says:

March 31, 2010 at 1:22 am

What does Scott Parse have to do to gain Terry Murray’s trust?

[Reply]
KingRob Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 1:36 am
@Some fan,
play for the flyers

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gcheng Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 2:42 am
@KingRob,

good one. HAHAHAHA

[Reply]
src Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 4:31 am
@KingRob,

And history of Cup experience

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mrbrett7 Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 9:27 am
@Some fan, He can start by playing his position, i.e. defense. He can also start by passing the puck to his own team on breakouts (for instance, against Edmonton at home a while back, on one shift alone, he had 4 giveaways ON ONE SHIFT, and then proceeded to get benched).

Ever heard the saying, drive for show and put for dough? That’s what is going on here.

Scoring is pretty and gets you the women, playing defense and your position actually wins games and championships.

[Reply]
Bob Bobson Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 9:33 am
@mrbrett7, Maybe now we know what Parse is after.

[Reply]
Cynic Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 1:16 pm
@mrbrett7,

I love Parse but I totally agree with you Brett. His defense is pretty bad at times. Last night it wasn’t thought. Problem is that it is spotty. When he can show consistent D-work, he’s a solid top 6 for us, no doubt. Maybe he should hand out with Drew Doughty in the offseason.

[Reply]
Some fan Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 5:44 pm
@mrbrett7, So his position is defense? I assume you’re trying to say that his positioning in the defensive zone isn’t good, not that Parse is a defenseman.

I actually believe that Parse is a pretty responsible defensive player. He plays Murray’s system to a T in terms of d zone coverage and he battles hard on the boards. Maybe he makes the occasional puck management mistake. But I’d have to disagree with you if you’re saying that Parse isn’t positionally sound in the defensive zone.

I think the criticism of his defensive play is overblown by Murray. The team could use his offensive abilities for more than the 7 minutes of ice time a game he’s been getting lately when he isn’t scratched. Its a joke he isnt in Brown’s spot on the powerplay. Talk about a guy that can finish and a guy that can’t.

[Reply]
King John Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 10:31 pm
@Some fan,

I agree. And his +/- is tied for 3rd highest on the team in spite of the fact that he doesn’t play too many minutes. At least when he’s on the ice, they’re not allowing the other team to score hardly at all.
bbb7 says:

March 31, 2010 at 1:31 am

Great team effort, even Jones was good. The first line was just a LITTLE off from really clicking, so leave them alone and let them play! Modin is just too slow, so if you are playing a skating team he needs to sit out; otherwise, 20 guys pulling as one!
Now beat Vancouver and have both monkeys retired from your backs before the playoffs!
Thanks for your efforts, Rich, as always.

[Reply]
32Eggum says:

March 31, 2010 at 1:33 am

had we kept JB on the team after his last game we had already been safe in the playoff. Quick hasent been the same since his kid arrived.

[Reply]
MR King Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 2:05 am
@32Eggum,

Yeah well Quick got us here with the rest of the team so don’t give up on him yet. A little rest and a little Bernier hot streak should get him in good form for the playoffs.

[Reply]
32Eggum Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 2:34 am
@MR King, I’m with U! we need Quick’s A game in the playoffs! but next year will be intresting to watch. Quick and Bernier together at the big club.

[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 6:39 am
@32Eggum,

Makes you wonder how good we can actually be with both on the team.
Presidents Trophy/Stanley Cup will become synonomous with the Kings.

lenman Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 7:43 am
@MR King, Thank you for that. Without Quick the Kings would probably be headed for the golf course real soon!

[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 8:24 am
@MR King,
I agree with you. He’s what has gotten us here..he’ll be the guy to lead us in the playoffs.
Next year, thinkgs might be different.

[Reply]
stillkingly Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 5:11 am
@32Eggum,

Just like Dustin Brown, hasnt been the same since the baby came. Changes your perspective and focus in life. Plus new baby=No sleep=No recovery=BAD PERFORMANCE

[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 8:43 am
@stillkingly,

A bigger sample than 2 might help

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Kingsfanone says:

March 31, 2010 at 2:10 am

Great read, Rich.

Very nice game by the entire team. Bernier’s calm demeanor in goal gives the team confidence, something Quick has seemingly misplaced since not only the Olympics but the baby. Just the reason to have a solid backup goalie.

Nice game for Jones, OD, Fro. The entire team played solid. Nice to see it!!

Bring on the Nucks now.

[Reply]
Little Willy says:

March 31, 2010 at 6:16 am

Frolov should be put back with the only linemates that he showed any kind of consistency with,Hanzus and SIMMER!!ship Modin with stolly and Brown..We d have our scoring line back kopi, smitty and willy and our checking line back!! When FROLOV gets his cycling game back ,then he ll be valuable to the kings again!! Everytime we rely on him to be a scorer again , he s failed miserably!!!

[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 6:37 am
@Little Willy,
Fro is 1 of 20 guys dressing. He needs to play with who the coach decides he should play with, and play the way he’s capable of playing.
Just like Kopi, Fro should be able to play with any of the 11 other forwards dressed. If he can’t, he’ll have a new address next year.
This is no longer about Fro..it’s about the TEAM.

[Reply]
Little Willy Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 12:23 pm
@nykingfan, Don t get me wrong here, i am far from being a Frolov fan!!! And by the way , i was thinking of what s best for the Team!!

[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 1:16 pm
@Little Willy,
I was pissed at work this morning without any coffee..sorry bro
I re-read what you saidd..You’re right…When Fro is cycling and not just backing away from the puck, he can be effective. His days of being a big goal scorer on the Kings are over.
nykingfan says:

March 31, 2010 at 6:34 am

What a huge win last night.
Everyone on the team played great.
Not much I can say about Bernier that hasn’t already been said, but he looks like he’ll be big time stud goalie for many years. Glad he’s ours.
As far as whether he should start next game, TM can’t really go wrong with the choice. Personally, I’d like to see Bernier start again, but Quick has gotten us to this point. This is no time to bury him on the bench.
Tough,tough decision for TM but one I’m sure every coach in the league would love to have.

Strange, but I really did expect this type of performance from these guys last night. When I read how many guys showed for the optional practice after a long night and flight, it showed this team really does care about winning. Great job by the leadership on this team getting the guys to realize whats at stake. Don’t underestimate how important that was.

It took a while but finally Halpern did something constructive. That was a great pass he made to Parse. Great play as well by Jones.
Also, anyone ever want to doubt the importance of Greener on this team? He is the definition of a hockey player.
Total team effort last night. Let’s carry it over against Vancouver and get back to becoming the team everyone fears playing in the playoffs.

[Reply]
sstephen17 Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 9:15 am
@nykingfan, Good point on Greene. I attended the meet the players event after the home game vs Columbus. Greene is absolutely hilarious and I can see how he can really help a team develop camaraderie. At the same time, he’s a solid stay at home guy who will always have his teammate’s back and doesn’t make excuses. Notice how he didn’t cry about getting hurt vs Colorado, resulting in a suspension for Tucker.

[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 10:00 am
@sstephen17,
I agree. I love Greene. He’s so underrated and under-appreciated, it’s not funny.
He is the real defensive glue on this team.

From every interview I’ve ever seen with him, I’m not surprised by your assessment of him being a funny dude. He always comes across that way. You need people like that whether it’s sports, hockey, or our mundane jobs.

[Reply]
Little Willy Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 12:29 pm
@nykingfan, sense of humour is needed EVERYWHERE!! To bad a lot of people don t have any! I feel sorry for them, their missing out!!

nykingfan Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 1:17 pm
@nykingfan,
Little Willy

You are 100% right about that. too many people taking themselves too seriously.
I enjoy laughing at them though lol
dirtmover says:

March 31, 2010 at 6:48 am

Solid game all around last night – the effort we need day in and out – esp nice coming against a team that has owned us this yr and considering 2nd of back to back – esp as poorly as we had played in minn – this was a real treat to watch – Greene makes a huge diff on the back end – fros play to shoot the puck from the half boards instead of rimming it around caught the nas D off guard and let SOD slide down to finish – great play by fro – what else in new – the guy is so smart and skilled – JB was smooth in net – that was the best of him since vs fowl in 02 arena to start season couple of yrs ago – big test coming against van -

[Reply]
Sydor25 says:

March 31, 2010 at 7:10 am

Bernier has earned a home start with his play. Quick better get his head out of his ass and step up or he may be the one riding the bench next season.

I wouldn’t be surprised if it is 60/22 (games) in favor of Bernier next season. The Kings have only scored 3 goals in front of Bernier and he is 2-0.

[Reply]
Dave in Torrance says:

March 31, 2010 at 7:15 am

Good morning everyone. I certainly don’t have anything new to add to whats been said by everyone already, but do want to chime in and say how refreshing it was to watch Bernier. I missed the Dallas game so it was my first chance to see him this year and man is that kid smooth. Like the guy on Sports Center said years ago, cooler than the underside of the pillow. It was great getting to see so few rebounds, how in control he was. Great team effort, Greene putting 2 Preds on their ass was awesome. Some guys (or gals) earlier were complaining about the bad passes through the neutral zone but to me it looked like both teams were having a tough time of it because both teams played such good defense last night. All in all, I am very pleased with the entire team effort last night. As far as the Nucks, if it were me, I’d play JB just because of our failure against them this year and last, whats the harm in giving him a shot? Play the hot hand, I say.

[Reply]
hipcheck says:

March 31, 2010 at 7:28 am

Since March 12…
Bernier 2 Starts 2 Wins
Quick 8 Starts 2 Wins 1 OTL

Quick has yet to post better then a .880 sv% in his last 5 games.

[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 7:35 am
@hipcheck,
to be fair, you should include Quick’s numbers prior to that as well.

[Reply]
Sydor25 Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 7:55 am
@nykingfan,

You mean the stats that have Quick 27th in the league in SV% and 17th in GAA? All of Quicks numbers are worst this season than last except for wins, which is a result of the better Kings offense.

Let’s give Bernier at least 3 more starts this year.

[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 8:02 am
@Sydor25,

ok so you didn’t watch many of the games this year. I didn’t realize that…sorry.
Forget the stats and watch the games and see what he does when the game is on the line. See how many times he was able to hold onto 3rd period leads and make incredible saves doing so. Stats don’t tell you the whole story.
Bryan Agee says:

March 31, 2010 at 7:38 am

Quick might have ‘gotten us here’ LOL…but…you speak like he is this amazing goaltender with all this playoff experience! They both have no playoff experience! And between the two…I trust a nervous Bernier over a nervous Quick…who knows where we would have been right now had Bernier played 70+ games but it doesn’t matter. All you have to do is watch tape to see who has the better fundamentals at this point. We have been searching for years to find a high caliber goaltender. What do we do with him now that we found him?

Ottawa had something similar happen this year with a goalie by the name of Mike Brodeur. I was surprised when they sent him down…awesome numbers early on like Bernier. I look forward to a future of Brodeur vs. Bernier for the Vezina!

[Reply]
lenman Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 7:53 am
@Bryan Agee, Quick has gotten us here. End of story. He has been used way TOO much and probably is just plain tired. We have a backup for a reason and TM refused to use him so now Quick is showing signs of exhaustion and everybody wants to throw him under the bus. Take a good look at the WHOLE team not just the goalie.

[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 7:57 am
@Bryan Agee,

I’m not going to deny Bernier looks like the real deal, but careers are not made over 2 games.
Quick did get us here and that counts for a whole lot. When was the last time a Kings goalie won 39 games in a season? when was the last time a Kings team hadn’t blown a 3rd period lead and lost in a season?
When was the last time a Kings goalie got us to the brink of making the playoffs?
These things were done over the course of a full season..not a couple of games.
Don’t dismiss what Quick has accomplished for us this year.

[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 8:52 am
@nykingfan,
Good morning (going on noon). Liked your thread up top a lot. Good one last night eh? Totally agree w you about Bernier (in terms of the bigger picture) and absolutely not bailing out on Quick. Now that Would be problem. He got us here as you say. btw, saw the highlights. Gorgeous goals both of them weren’t they?!
bye for now……

[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 9:08 am
@number 6,
whats up man

Awesome game last night. They played the f1st period with incredible intensity. They deserved to have a lead after the period.
2nd period Nashville took the play, but Bernier came up huge.
3rd period was ours again.
Carol Vadnais says:

March 31, 2010 at 7:57 am

I’ve had a man-crush on Bernier since the start of the year. This happens in hockey: a hot goalie replaces a tired goalie — if nothing else, the Kings have to be thinking of the change. Quick has looked good, not great, since the break, but the simple fact is the kings have scored three goals in two bernier starts and he has won them both. That is what the playoffs will be about and I think they have to consider riding Bernier for a bit, if nothing else than to give Quick a breather and a different perspective.

[Reply]
Shakes says:

March 31, 2010 at 8:02 am

I’m not quite sure about the exhaustion/ nervous Quick argument. I guess we’ve all forgotten that while a goalie can steal us a few games his success is also a function of the team in front of him. Our tank job on specialty teams the last few games hasn’t really been super fair on Quick – especially when we take into account that by most observers, we’ve been pretty alright 5 on 5.

I would rather takes a known commodity (Quick) than an unknown one (Bernier in the playoffs). His demeanor aside, we haven’t been losing games because of goaltending, if anything it’s prevented us from being blownouts a ton.

[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 8:04 am
@Shakes,

Exactly!!!!!!

[Reply]
Shakes Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 8:48 am
@nykingfan,
it must be something in our NY tap water which causes us to see eye-to-eye so often

[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 8:54 am
@Shakes,
Exactly – Ditto – Agreed….

[Reply]
Kingsfanone Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 3:11 pm
@Shakes,

You are right on the button!!

(But I’m not against seeing Bernier play some of the remaining games either.)

[Reply]
lenman Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 4:31 pm
@Shakes, Exactly right. And don’t forget the goals the Kings have put into their own net.

[Reply]
backchecker says:

March 31, 2010 at 8:39 am

Hi Rich
Who gets the start vs Vancouver Bernier or Quick
I am betting Bernier until we clinch then we will see

[Reply]
Shakes Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 9:30 am
@backchecker,
I’ll take the other side of that bet. Loser has to dress up like Bailey and go to a Duck game after they’re mathematically eliminated (i.e. in a game or two)

[Reply]
Mark1967 says:

March 31, 2010 at 8:46 am

Quick was the goalie that got us here… That is the main response we keep hearing. He has been a good goalie and with improved team play it has been a better year for the Kings. Has his play been amongst the top 10 goalies in the league? Probably not, but that does lessen the fact that he has won more games than any goalie in Kings history and his play has been a factor. But since the Olympic break it has been a struggle. That doesn’t make him a failure. TM and DL have not wanted to address the fatigue factor at all but it is clear that it has been a long season and getting some time off to snap out of the slump I spoke about for the last month is not the end of the world. If EE had played more we would not of been burning up the blogs with all this talk about Bernier. But Bernier has been having a good year in Manchester, playing alot and we are lucky he can step in and help. If Quick continues to struggle and Bernier does the same than we have a problem.. And two games doesn’t make him #1 when Quick has been there all year but when Quick plays again, and he will, I believe having a stronger backup will help. This is crunch time and will soon see who has what it takes to help the Kings go to the next level.

[Reply]
Shakes Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 8:54 am
@Mark1967,
I totally agree. I’ll probably repost this thought but I’ve started to read “The Game” by Ken Dryden (written during his last season before retiring), and two things which has stuck out:

1) Scotty Bowman felt you needed 2 goalies to win the Cup..something with a 55/25 to maybe even 50/30 split (yes i know that adds up to only 80 games)

2) Dryden admits that having a very good backup who could possibly start on other teams (Bunny Larocque) only pushed him to stay on his game and stay sharp and not complacent.

I’m not saying it’s the time of season for DL & TM to start playing mindgames but I bring it up for two reasons (1) we can have a world where Quick & Bernier co-exist to some degree in the future, and (2) let’s not underestimate JQ’s mental toughness and ability to step it up with pressure… he is an Olympian after all

[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 10:09 am
@Shakes,

I read that book years ago. Great read.

[Reply]
Mark1967 Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 2:58 pm
@Shakes,

I brought up the Ken Dryden history and how it affected the Kings of the 70′s several weeks ago.. it was how we got Rogie. Rogie had Gary Edwards who was a excellent back up.I believe for pure talent Bernier is the better goalie. Quick got his chance and now he will have to fight to hold the #1 position. And that will be a good thing.

[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 9:14 am
@Mark1967,

I agree with what you’re saying.
For whatever reason, TM had no confidence in Ersberg. Since he’s the coach and has the pulse of the team on an everyday basis, it makes no sense to disagree with him.

Having 2 solid goalies going into the playoffs gives TM options in case of trouble. I would be beyond shocked if Quick didn’t get the starts, but once the playoffs begin its all or nothing, so if Quick is not on his game, I doubt TM would hesitate to put Bernier in.

Also you would hope competition would bring out the best in Quick. Sometimes the guy looking over your shoulder brings your game up to another level. We’ll see soon enough.

[Reply]
Little Willy Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 12:40 pm
@nykingfan, You would think being in danger of missing the playoffs would ve achieved that no??? His ship was sinking and was pulling the whole team with him!!! I don t beleive that he s fatigued or tired, it s called choking under pressure!!! BERNIER IS THE REAL THING, HE S NOT!!! DEAL WITH IT!!!

[Reply]
Little Willy Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 1:36 pm
@Little Willy, Posted earlier,srry !!!My turn to apolagize…Iwas getting u back for that Fro comment earlier!! LMFAO….sense of humour ,right…right????? LOL

nykingfan Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 1:49 pm
@Little Willy,

I disagree. I can’t say you’re right or wrong until after seeing him in the playoffs first.
He’s been so good for so long, not to expect a slump was probably unreasonable.
Bernier certainly looks like the real deal, but there have been others that looked as good in a few games and disappear from the league.
You can’t say a guy, who has won 39 games for his team, is choking before we even get to the playoffs. At least give him the benefit of the doubt.

nykingfan Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 1:50 pm
@Little Willy,

I probably should have read your next response first.

alright…we’re even..I think lol
Dayman says:

March 31, 2010 at 8:50 am

Something needed to change. TM tried changing linemates, no dice. Change goalie on a team Kings couldn’t beat all year, wammie. Maybe Kings need to keep JB in to beat the teams we couldn’t before (Van).
Ahhh hell what do we know. We are all fanboys of the same team with crushes on different players.

[Reply]
Gizmo says:

March 31, 2010 at 8:53 am

Stumbled upon this article and have to agree.

http://www.viewfrommyseats.com/2010/03/how-to-lose-your-game-in-9-months/

[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 9:00 am
@Gizmo,
Excellent article…. and essentially what I’ve been saying when everyone says ‘aw, he’s young, he shouldn’t be tired’. That’s easy to do taping keys on a computer, but try doing it and see how it goes.

[Reply]
KingsFan in OC says:

March 31, 2010 at 9:01 am

I defnitely think Bernier should get a home start Thursday. However, lets not start the coronation process just yet. Quick has arguably been our most valuable player. His SV% and GAA are not earth shattering, but the only stat I care about is wins.

Quick won plenty of games, but he also did well enough to keep a large number of games at least close – games that would have been blowouts in previous years. How many more games would we have won had our offense been able to find the back of the net just a little more often? The Detroit game at Staples comes to mind where we put 50-some shots on Howard and couldn’t put it past him. That game last year would have been a rout, but Quick tightened his chin strap and kept us in it.

We also don’t know much more about Ersberg’s status. He may not be full go yet, so the discussion about Bernier going back to MAN or staying put is a little premature. I think you give Bernier a start at home against VAN and maybe even give him the rivalry game against the Quacks on Saturday. By that time, Quick should be rested and salivating to get back on the ice. Let Quick get the last 4 as a tune up for the playoffs and let him lead us the rest of the way.

[Reply]
Buster says:

March 31, 2010 at 9:03 am

Looks like we have a new addition to the Kings roster: Ray Kaunisto.

http://www.uppermichiganssource.com/sports/story.aspx?id=436989

[Reply]
dMan says:

March 31, 2010 at 9:29 am

What’s this nonsense that Bernier has ‘earned’ the starting job against Vancouver? After one (maybe two) game(s)!?

How about playing a couple of games in the NHL was a reward for Bernier’s great work in Manchester?

Quick has backstopped this team brilliantly all year. The last few games were part of a cycle that happens to all teams (and players) throughout the year. I think the few days rest will do him good. It was an odd set of circumstances but may have been a blessing in disguised. Bernier gets a chance to play. Quick gets some rest and the bitter taste of what it’s like sitting on the bench.

Speaking of which, hasn’t Ersberg ‘earned’ a start by sitting on the bench and working hard in practice all year? Is earning a start based on a goalie’s last performance?

Bernier will be with the Kings next year – I have no doubt. Along with Quick. But this year, Lombardi and Murray will continue with the same team they have iced all year and with the idea that Bernier gets valuable playoff time/experience with the team he led in the AHL.

[Reply]
dMan Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 9:47 am
@dMan,

Having said that, if Ersberg is still out Thursday, it’ll be interesting to see who Murray picks.

There is an argument to be made that knowing Bernier has limited time in L.A., Murray might want to give him another look. Tough decision.

But I think in the end, Quick has to get the start heading into the playoffs.

[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 10:03 am
@dMan,

When was the last time a Kings team had the personnel to make a tough choice like this?
It seems like a win-win for the Kings and the fans.

[Reply]
Little Willy Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 12:48 pm
@nykingfan, I don t see a hard choice at all!! Bernier is the one that has all the right stuff at exactly the right time!!!Quick is going backwards ,Bernier is going forward!! What s the problem?????
slovenian fan says:

March 31, 2010 at 9:32 am

My personal opinion is: in sport you can not play on your previous achivements, it is just that game on that day. You can be superior in all season but if you fall on the most important game you are still a sort of loser at the end.
Regarding goaltender: Kings need to confirm their playoff status asap. If CGY lose today Kings magic number will be 2.
Like Nashville till yesterday, we also didn’t win Vancouver this season.
So if Bernier is hot he should play against Canucks and possibly take a team win. The team will start to believe that they can beat everyone and then he can leave the post for JQ to see how will he function.

[Reply]
Little Willy Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 12:57 pm
@slovenian fan, Good point!! But BERNIER is the real future for this franchise,he s made from the same stock as the ROY S AND BRODEUR S!!! Quick is spectacular when he s on his game but that style is full of holes in pressure games!!!!

[Reply]
Rainman says:

March 31, 2010 at 9:46 am

Big win last night. Let’s keep up the momentum and finish strong heading into the Playoffs.

Early in the first period, Anze Kopitar scored a goal for the Kings. Pekka Rinne stopped Kopi’s initial shot, but Kopi picked up the rebound and did a wrap around from behind the net.

You could see on the replay that Rinne was reaching behind the goal line with his glove, pulling the puck back. The puck had clearly crossed the goal line.

We seem to be getting the raw end of these calls lately with Nashville (see Mar. 14th game @ Staples).

My beef is with the NHL. Plays such as Kopitars non-goal last night should automatically be reviewed. If there’s any doubt that the puck may have gone into the net, then please go to video review.

I don’t think the Referee near the Nashville net could see the puck because he was screened by the goaltender Rinne.

Thank goodness that play didn’t cost the Kings the game, or allow Nashville to send it into overtime.

In fairness to all teams, the NHL needs to go to video review on any questionable goal or non-goal.

[Reply]
VanKingsFan Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 10:00 am
@Rainman,
Im glad I am not the only one who caught that … i was jumping up and down screaming that it was in, it was in!! I was shocked that they didn’t even think to review it, and the announcers didn’t even mention that it looked in on the replay (which they only showed once)

[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 10:05 am
@Rainman,

I caught the same thing as well.
It was weird because the replay they showed didn’t show him moving his glove at all and I know I saw that.

[Reply]
neil Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 11:09 am
@nykingfan, i beleive that they do reviews in Toronto automatically…And if the reviews show a goal they actually go back in time..can anyone confirm this..Rich?? or anyone??

[Reply]
Nitrohockey Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 11:25 am
@neil, you are correct, however, Gertrude the mule got out of her pen and chewed on the phone lines, so the call didn’t get through.

nykingfan Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 1:54 pm
@neil,

I don’t think that’s true. I thought once the puck is dropped on the enusing faceoff, replay ias out the window.
They sure didn’t give it any time to be considered for a review. That was the quickest I’ve seen a puck dropped in a long time. As soon as the first replay was shown, the puck was dropped.
mrbrett7 says:

March 31, 2010 at 10:12 am

Regarding Frolov…he played one of his best games of the season last night.

Why? He was great in his own end the entire night.

Playoff hockey means playing the enitre sheet of ice…everyone needs to learn this.

[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 1:55 pm
@mrbrett7,

See Kopitar. that’s why I voted for him as team MVP

[Reply]
Schoeny says:

March 31, 2010 at 10:20 am

Didn’t TM predict a Western Conf team would need 94 points to make the playoffs? He’s going to be pretty damn close w/ that prediction.

Man I really can’t decide who’d I’d rather see the Kings play in the first round. Tomorrow’s game is going to be a big teller (if we can hang against Vancouver or not). We’ve stood our ground against all the other teams…

Think we can climb back up to 5th? Or would we even want to face the mysteriously good ‘Yotes?

[Reply]
VanKingsFan Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 1:31 pm
@Schoeny, I would pick the Yotes first, Chicago second (goalie issues) San Jose third, and vancouver fourth

One of these days San Jose will wake up and figure it out in the playoffs. We cant ignore how good of a team they have

[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 1:56 pm
@VanKingsFan,

SJ would have been my choice, but its the old saying
Be careful what you choose, you just might get it.

[Reply]
neil says:

March 31, 2010 at 11:12 am

i would like to know how many wins Quick has in regulation.

[Reply]