The show must go on… First of all, Manchester is playing Worcester in Game 2 of their second-round AHL playoff series (the Monarchs lost Game 1), so I’ll give results after the game. On the NHL side, Montreal and Washington are playing Game 7 of their first-round series right now, after which the second-round series will be set. Given the disappointment that just took place this week, will the Kings be watching the rest of the playoffs? Do they care who wins? Do you care? Terry Murray, Anze Kopitar, Michal Handzus, Jack Johnson, Dustin Brown and Brad Richardson answered…
MURRAY: “I definitely will watch the playoffs very closely. I think it’s a great time for coaches to see what works there, how important the detail part is. So I’m hoping the players also will watch. Do I have a preference? No, I really don’t. It’s more about just watching good hockey, good playoffs. I think we’re going to have a great semifinal and final. There’s good teams, exciting teams. Man, what a comeback Chicago had against Nashville the other night. So that kind of play is out there, and the league is encouraging that kind of skill to be out there in the forefront. It’s going to be fun to watch.”
KOPITAR: “No, I don’t care (who wins) anymore. I’ll definitely watch some games, yeah. It’s hard not to.”
HANDZUS: “I might later on. I didn’t have the stomach to watch it (Monday), and I’m sure not going to watch it this week or so. Later on, it’s great hockey and it will be fun to watch it.”
JOHNSON: “I’ll be watching. I don’t necessarily care who wins, but I’ll be watching because I enjoy watching hockey.”
BROWN: “I don’t think I’ll watch. I’m not going to make a point of sitting down and watching them. It’s always been hard for me. It’s one of those things where you throw the game on in the background. I’ve got two small kids, so if I’m playing with them and there’s a game on, I’ll probably just have it on in the background, and you’ll watch when there’s a goal scored. That’s kind of the extent of it.”
RICHARDSON: “I really don’t care, if it’s not us, but I have a lot of friends that are playing. Even on Vancouver, I have a couple of good friends, so you always want your friends to do well. So I’m just going to cheer that they do well, but I’m probably not going to be watching a lot until the Cup Final.”
I think Brown’s response is the kind you’d want from your captain
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SoftDumpnChase Reply:
April 28th, 2010 at 5:03 pm
@Mike L, How come?
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Anonymous Reply:
April 28th, 2010 at 5:04 pm
@SoftDumpnChase, my mistake…thought it read “isnt”
My bad
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SoftDumpnChase Reply:
April 28th, 2010 at 5:06 pm
@SoftDumpnChase, My bad….thought I read “isnt”
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Anonymous Reply:
April 28th, 2010 at 8:09 pm
@Mike L, sarcasm? It is the off season, and he does have 2 young kids.
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Zeus really had a hard time with the loss! He played his heart out and sacrafices everything for the team! He really is my sentimental favorite!!
I hope he enjoys his summer!
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Scot Reply:
April 28th, 2010 at 5:49 pm
@kq949,
word
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King John Reply:
April 28th, 2010 at 10:49 pm
Zeus may keep tabs on Halak, his fellow Slovakian, and how well he continues to do in the playoffs in goal for Montreal. They were together in the Olympics when Slovakia played really well.
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I like the attitude and the undercurrent of bitterness these guys are showing. Now they really know what it’s like to be in the playoffs and lose, and they don’t like it. This can only lead to better play next year.
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wow. im a little surprised they were so honest in their answers. i was expecting something more generic.
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question for Rich, are these the only guys being interviewed or are they the only ones ‘fans care about’?
i personally want to hear from greener, simmonds, scuderi
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Rich Hammond Reply:
April 28th, 2010 at 5:18 pm
@michelle,
Those were the players made available for comment by the Kings. It was not an open-locker-room situation on Tuesday…
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Cynic Reply:
April 28th, 2010 at 6:17 pm
@Rich Hammond,
But I thought you were the ‘Insider’. I figured Luc might get you a special pass or something.
I could only hope for as many exclusives as you can get.
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I love the answers! I’m glad that this loss hurt, and hurt bad. It’s the best thing that could have happened to them. They know in their hearts they had a chance to take the series but missed oppourtunities at key times. If they would have been swept, I think their confidence may have suffered and they would have been at a bit of a loss on where they could improve.I can’t wait to see a hungry Kings team with a killer instinct next season!
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I’m a little disappointed in most of their
responses. I would think they would be watching
to see how the winning teams play. If they
watched the Detroit/Phoenix game last
they might be saying ‘Oh, that’s the kind of
heart and determination we need to play with
to win in the playoffs.’
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mrbrett7 Reply:
April 28th, 2010 at 5:36 pm
@Anim8tr, I think they know darn well what they need to do…knowing and doing are two completely different things.
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Christian t Reply:
April 28th, 2010 at 7:54 pm
@mrbrett7,
You ask most players in the NHL they are not actively watching the games like we would. It’s not unhealthy to step away after 82+ games. While the majority of players enjoy the game it is still a job and that makes viewing different. So I find Browns comment to be like most players I have known. JJ seems to be a hockey nerd like most of us reading Rich’s blog.
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Anonymous Reply:
April 28th, 2010 at 8:13 pm
@Anim8tr,
They know first hand what it takes to win by playing Vancouver. I dont think I would want to watch the playoffs untill the finals if my team got eliminated.
And they also are learning what it feels like to lose in the playoffs.
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I don’t really feel like watching the rest of the playoffs either. But I will eventually, for fun.
But these guys need to understand they are going to learn from watching! Even if they have to watch 10 games to learn one thing!
Especially disappointed the 25 year old captain (with 6 playoff games under his belt) is not going to STUDY what goes down from here on out. Should encourage teammates to do the same.
The coach understands you can never know too much.
Take a well deserved week off, then spend some time with Tivo.
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Christian T Reply:
April 28th, 2010 at 8:00 pm
@tron,
Sorry but that is not how an NHL’er learns hockey. They’ll be better for it. The reason we can watch is because we didn’t just leave our heart out on the ice. They can catch highlights and the experts. 7-8 months not including the workouts that start 3-4 weeks after the season? I don’t mean to sound rude but let them step away without ripping them for not being “more” dedicated.
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Anonymous Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 12:19 am
@Christian T,
I have know idea how they feel. But the the easiest way to learn something is to watch it. And look at the ages on the roster. Our so called core players average 22.5 years old. They don’t have to watch it live, they can keep it on their Tivo for summer time viewing or even before training camp. But they need to watch.
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tron Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 9:20 am
@Christian T,
They don’t have to watch it live. They can watch it in the summer or before camp starts.
The easiest way to learn something is watching it be done. The so called core of this team is 22.5 years old. They still have a lot to learn. And if they are exhausted as you suggest, they better figure out how they can get through 3 more rounds. They would need to win 14 more playoff games to capture the cup!
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Are you serious!? These last losses hurt me too, I have not watched hockey since. I have not even been able to come here and comment. I keep replaying the Frolov breakaway in game 4. I am starting to get over it, about to go on vacation to another part of the world so that will help.
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Remember folks the long long off-season months, where all we want is to watch hockey.
Think about all the baseball,..and during summers how badly we all want to watch a hockey game.
I personally will watch classics or taped games because i miss the sound of goals being scored, and hockey being played.
I will be watching all hockey. Every second of it, because when its gone its gone and its a long off-season.
Enjoy these playoffs,..they’ll be gone soon!
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AND BYT HE WAY (off topic)
Am i the only person who was getting tired ofThe Briggs and that song “This is LA”?
Every game they play that song..can that band play anything else?
I would rather hear Randy Newman “I love LA”
Every commercial,.every 10 mins,..”This is LA,.our city our home..” blah blah blah,.
how embarrasing..Vanncouver must have thought “what a bunch of clowns”
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blah blah Reply:
April 28th, 2010 at 7:04 pm
@contreras79,
i agree. when heidi asked them in how many games they want the kings to win, they didnt know what to say. then one of them answered “two”.
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Dominick Reply:
April 28th, 2010 at 7:06 pm
@contreras79,
I like it.Leave it alone.
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Good game on!
3rd period just underway. Monarchs down 2-1. Elkins scored with an assist from Moller and Voynov.
Radio feed…
http://deepinsidethekings.com/2010/04/28/live-manchester-radio/
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wavesinair Reply:
April 28th, 2010 at 6:08 pm
Tied 2-2! Justin Azevedo tips in a shot from Alec Martinez.
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wavesinair Reply:
April 28th, 2010 at 6:25 pm
End of regulation. Sudden death overtime coming up.
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BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
April 28th, 2010 at 6:45 pm
@wavesinair,
…And they seem to be the aggressors in OT so far!
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BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
April 28th, 2010 at 6:47 pm
There ya go!
3-2 Monarchs/Bud Holloway!
#5 GWG for Holloway in five wins!
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wavesinair Reply:
April 28th, 2010 at 6:47 pm
Bud Holloway wins it!!! Series tied at 1 apiece.
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Murray is watching and figuring out his line changes for the frozen fury game….
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I have been bummed for a few days now but if you want to see a true legend watch Kane. I know he is not a King but that dude has a game all his own.
One moment it seems he is just floating around and not doing anything and then, BAM, puck in the net.
His whole playing-skating style and “surfer dude” look reminds me of Bobby Clarke.
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hey quick are you watching the wash/mont game? u see a guy named halak?… well, take notes and maybe u’ll understand. if you could do half of what halak is doing u’d be in the 2nd round.
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Mike L Reply:
April 28th, 2010 at 6:42 pm
@jofa6000,
So could everyother goalie in the playoffs still. That was an UNBELIEVABLE performance.
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BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
April 28th, 2010 at 6:46 pm
@jofa6000,
Quick had a previously undisclosed shouder injury…
Jest Sayin’…
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Murray is watching while he makes his line changes for the Frozen Furry….
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Wow. Talk about an epic choke.
Washington = the new San Jose
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LUCKYLUC13 Reply:
April 28th, 2010 at 6:38 pm
@wavesinair, WOW.Presidents trophy and Done…ouch
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BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
April 28th, 2010 at 6:44 pm
@wavesinair,
I thought none of these scores could make me feel better.
This score makes me feel MUCH better!
Any bozos who might’ve thought the Kings choked will have this massive upset to contend with! Mike Green, whose huge body check left the puck alone in front of Varlamov to set up the winner, is going to take a huge hit to his rep!
A team/player cannot be annointed.
A team/player must EARN his/its status.
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BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
April 28th, 2010 at 6:52 pm
Given the Monarchs OT winner, I feel MUCH BETTER!
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BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
April 28th, 2010 at 7:11 pm
–Cavemen everywhere, REJOICE!–
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wow… top 3 seeds in the east are gone… interesting.
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Anonymous Reply:
April 28th, 2010 at 6:56 pm
@zdfun,
I thought Washington had a good chance to win the Stanley Cup! It was their year.
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King John Reply:
April 28th, 2010 at 7:04 pm
I thought Washington had a really good chance to win the Stanley Cup this year. It was theirs to win it!
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luc20rules Reply:
April 28th, 2010 at 9:29 pm
@zdfun, Its the East thats happened about other 2 times in the last 15 years.
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bbb7 Reply:
April 28th, 2010 at 10:34 pm
@zdfun, Amazing that before the playoffs, everyone said how tight the West was and how there would/ could be many ‘upsets’ and yet it was the East where all the upsets took place and in the West, I would argue (since Detroit was the best team in the West over the final 20 games) that there were NO upsets.
Just shows you can never tell, and the experts are usually wrong.
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Darrell Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 2:44 am
@zdfun, And in Philly, Pronger lurks…
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Wow!
Quick or Bernier to Washington? LOL!
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WOW.
First ever #8 team to beat #1 after being down 3-1.
OV really needs to use his team mates more. He drives with the puck too often not looking around at all…he’s a spectacular player but look at the results history.
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wavesinair Reply:
April 28th, 2010 at 6:53 pm
@18,118,
If you take all teams in the playoffs, it was actually the 16th seed beating the #1 seed!
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I hope the Kings noticed what happened tonight.
Since I am thinking about it, it also reminds me that if we decide to go with the 8 or 9 million dollar a year player, he better be someone who is tough enough to show up in the play-offs.
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See what great goaltending can do?
Halak of Montreal kept high-powered Washington at bay the last three games and now Montreal advances.
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Mike L Reply:
April 28th, 2010 at 6:50 pm
@King John,
Great? Thats EPIC Goaltending. Halak literally eliminated the Caps by himself.
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Anonymous Reply:
April 28th, 2010 at 8:40 pm
@Mike L,
Mike, Exactly! You hit it on the screws!!!!!!! There is no guarantee that the Kings will be in the playoffs next year. I’m a 30 year silent suffering Kings fan who is not going to be silent any longer. As far as disrupting Manchester by giving Bernier one start as someone else suggested, that is pure garbage. The Kings are the #1 team here. They’re going for the Stanley Cup, and had an obvious problem with Quick in goal. Sure Bernier could have fallen on his face, but he also could have performed brilliantly. I believe he would have based on the fact he went to Nashville and beat the Preds with a shutout. The Kings hadn’t beaten them in two years dudes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This was accomplished in the middle of playoff push desperation. Then Bernier comes back and beats Vancouver for the fist time in two years. Management then responds by saying “wow, we better get this guy back to the minors”. Huh? Quick then proceeds to lose 5 more in a row. I’m sorry, but this was idiotic! You people who think the program is going to get better and better, keep drinking the Lombardi and Murray Koolaid. My gut tells me that Leiweke feels like I do. How can he not! Your hottest goaltender in the organization at the moment the playoffs are happening is safely sequestered in the minor leagues. This organization has such a rich losing history that it continues to stumble over itself. In summation, the only point I’m making is they should have given Bernier one start. Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!
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Darrell Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 3:06 am
@, Which game would you have started Bernier? You bring him in for game 1 or 5 and you send the message that you have no confidence in Quick. No way they’d bring him in for game 2 given the way Quick played and how close the first game was. Games 3 and 4 were after huge wins. Game 6 was MUST win. It just wouldn’t have made any sense. The only way it would’ve worked is if they had carried three goalies from the Olympic break forward, allowing Quick and Bernier to push each other, and then rode whoever had the hot hand into the Playoffs. Heck, I wouldn’t have minded them doing that with Quick and Ersberg! But since we were committed to Quick, we had to take the consequences. My only question is, did he TELL anyone about this injury, or was he “playing with pain” as DL likes to say? If he was really hurt, and it affected his play (and the trainers/brass knew about it), then I don’t get why Bernier wasn’t kept up.
Disgruntled Kings Fan Reply:
April 28th, 2010 at 8:44 pm
@Mike L,
Mike, Exactly! You hit it on the screws!!!!!!! There is no guarantee that the Kings will be in the playoffs next year. I’m a 30 year silent suffering Kings fan who is not going to be silent any longer. As far as disrupting Manchester by giving Bernier one start as someone else suggested, that is pure garbage. The Kings are the #1 team here. They’re going for the Stanley Cup, and had an obvious problem with Quick in goal. Sure Bernier could have fallen on his face, but he also could have performed brilliantly. I believe he would have based on the fact he went to Nashville and beat the Preds with a shutout. The Kings hadn’t beaten them in two years dudes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This was accomplished in the middle of playoff push desperation. Then Bernier comes back and beats Vancouver for the fist time in two years. Management then responds by saying “wow, we better get this guy back to the minors”. Huh? Quick then proceeds to lose 5 more in a row. I’m sorry, but this was idiotic! You people who think the program is going to get better and better, keep drinking the Lombardi and Murray Koolaid. My gut tells me that Leiweke feels like I do. How can he not! Your hottest goaltender in the organization at the moment the playoffs are happening is safely sequestered in the minor leagues. This organization has such a rich losing history that it continues to stumble over itself. In summation, the only point I’m making is they should have given Bernier one start. Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!
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Bud “fn” Holloway does it again. Monarchs win in O.T.. I feel alot better now that Manchester continues on, and the Caps choke job.
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BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
April 28th, 2010 at 6:55 pm
@Buckster,
–AMEN, BROTHER…–
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I’d rather watch Manchester. At least I’d have a rooting interest.
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wavesinair Reply:
April 28th, 2010 at 7:04 pm
@nykingfan,
Can’t you make it to a game? Not that far a drive is it? Man, I’d love to go to one. Come to think of it, maybe I will!
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nykingfan Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 5:59 am
@wavesinair,
You know, I hadn’t thought of that. That’s a possibility. thanks Waves
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I saw Montreal beat the NYR about a month ago and they seemed the same as they did these last two games. Not huge O presence but super organized. Hal Gill, Gionta, Cammy and Gomez making Bob Gainey look very good right now. I had a feeling the Habs would win it too. It’s weird though being a Kings fan. I don’t hate the Habs or anything but I sure can’t root for em thanks to ’93.
Actually it didn’t even take ’93 for that to be the case.
Anyway, talk about structure! To me the Caps never looked much like scoring. Talk about a huge amount of talent but not really being built for the playoffs. Doesn’t seem that way to me anyway.
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Number 6 said it, I hate the habs STILL because of 93. And I live on Vancouver Island so I hate the Canucks too. Sounds like we coulda used this Bud Holloway kid in the playoffs, 5 game winners!! Crazy. And why do I feel like everyone has forgotten that without Quick we wouldve missed the playoffs again, sure he wasn’t perfect but he was the best goalie we’ve seen since the Almighty Hrudey. I’m still watchin the playoffs, mostly to root against the remaining Canadian teams, and I’m Canadian. Wat a d*ck I am haha
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Re: “Are they watching” I agree TM should be watching, and the team too, but I also understand the guys attitudes. Winning meant a lot to them and it will hurt for awhile. I haven’t actually watched any more playoff games, but like their responses, I will eventually. I’m just reading the coverage right now, my emotions are still sort of raw. But the points made earlier in this post, about how they should all be watching to learn and soak it all in, are very valid, that’s exactly what they should be doing…and will be doing soon I’d expect.
Oh and way to go Rich on the site being back to normal..oh yeah and just checked, the forward slash is still with us. It’s grown on me. (smile)
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I’m probably the only person that posts stuff on here that has been a professional athlete. Call me a has been, but i’m not a “never was.”
I don’t know why you guys rag on the players and coaches about how they should watch and learn. They just finished a very physically and emotionally draining season. Most if not all of them played with at least two injuries for most of the year. They will only admit to the injuries they feel are serious injuries.
When your season is done, you don’t want to watch somebody else win the championship….it just makes you feel more anger and disappointment inside. It does motivate you to work hard, but not any harder than you already work. The team nutritionist, the development coaches, and the physical trainers (strength and conditioning coaches) give you a program for the offseason, and you report to them and meet with them during the offseason. Maybe hockey players are treated different than baseball players, but the players’ mindset about the approach to self improvement can’t be too different.
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