The Stanley Cup playoffs move to the second round tonight, with San Jose hosting Detroit in the first round. It’s fair to say that, at least in the Western Conference, expectations were met. At the start of the season, if we had to guess a “final four” from the West, I would have picked San Jose, Chicago, Vancouver and Detroit, in some order. So, given that things pretty much have gone the way they were expected to, at least in the West, Terry Murray was asked whether or not he was satisfied with this season…
MURRAY: “No, I’m not satisfied. I’m not satisfied at all. I thought we would be more consistent. I thought we would be better. i thought we could upset that (Vancouver) team. I thought we could win the series. I’m really proud of the guys, and what they did. The regular season, the playoffs, I’m really proud of the effort. They paid attention, they worked hard, they competed, they took it to a level that some of them had never been to before, but we’re not satisfied with it. I’m not satisfied with it. We have a lot of work to do, and we can’t take our foot off the gas pedal for too long here. Now that it’s over, it’s important to understand that the summer program is critical to success.”
On a similar note, players were asked about the end of the season, and the different feeling from previous years. For the past few years, the Kings haven’t even been in the playoff race in April or late March. This time, the season had an abrupt end, and there really was no time to emotionally prepare for it. What was the difference? Anze Kopitar and Jack Johnson answered…
KOPITAR: “It’s a big difference, definitely. Obviously when you get knocked out of the playoffs, it’s no fun and it’s frustrating. The season ends just like that. When you’re out of it in December, you know when the season is going to end and when the last game is going to be. If I have to compare it, I’d take the playoffs over 82 games, every time. It’s a little more frustrating and it’s harder, but you know you’re in the mix pretty much right until the last minute. That’s definitely a better feeling.”
JOHNSON: “It’s a little bit more of an abrupt ending when you lose in the playoffs, just because you don’t know exactly when it’s going to be over. I suppose you could say it’s better to lose in the playoffs, but it sucks no matter what. But you have to expect to make the playoffs. Half of the league makes the playoffs. You should be in the playoffs. Losing after 82 is tough, especially when you know, before those 82 games are over, that your season is over. It’s tough losing a Game 6, especially when you’re expecting to take it to a seventh game and expecting to move on.”
TM has the right mind set. Paying your dues during the summer only helps getting off to a strong start to the season. Just ask the Ducks. I believe they had a similar record to our the last 60 games, it was the first 20-25 that cost them a playoff spot.
And people like to say “its a long season”. Yes it is, but every game counts.
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luc20rules Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 7:44 pm
@Jeff,
That was the Ducks own fault when they started to let Scott and Teemu have until mid-season to sign. I know they didn’t last off season, but it set a bad example if you are an all star level player you can coast. Problem is all the Duck premodonas decided they were allstars or atleast divas.
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TM said: “No, I’m not satisfied. I’m not satisfied at all. I thought we would be more consistent…”
Well, part of coaching is making sure your team plays consistently up to its potential, so you failed there big time.
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Sam Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 2:20 pm
@deadcatbounce, I’d say that’s a bit harsh. Murray didn’t fail any more than any of the players or the management. He took the team farther than anyone guessed they would go. I think he should be up for a Jack Adams this year, honestly. He did as good of a job as Trotz.
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poe Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 3:31 pm
@deadcatbounce, perhaps Murray should look in the mirror when it comes to consistency. Changing lines as frequently as he did
failed to give the kids any sort of comfort with one another.
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KC23 Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 4:13 pm
@deadcatbounce,
That isn’t a bit harsh. Its absurd.
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neil Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 6:29 pm
@KC23, Rich…maybe you can ask Murray if he was satisified with his coaching and consistency?
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Did you guys notice all of the seeds(1-8) made it to the second round.
No. 1 San Jose
No. 2 Chicago
No. 3 Vancouver
No. 4 Pittsburgh
No. 5 Detroit
No. 6 Boston
No. 7 Philadelphia
No. 8 Montreal
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Jason Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 2:14 pm
@UglyinLA,
Ha that is incredibly cool actually.
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Tyler Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 2:25 pm
@UglyinLA, haha what an observation! i wish it was us instead of boston
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Newf Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 2:48 pm
@UglyinLA, the big observation here is that the only team with home ice advantage that didnt’ make the 2nd round was Phoenix. and the only team that had home ice advantage that DID make it in the east, was Pittsburgh.
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wavesinair Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 3:31 pm
@UglyinLA, Very cool. I also like that Montreal was the overall 16th seed beating the number 1 seed. 33 points less than the Caps!
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KC23 Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 4:14 pm
@wavesinair,
Yeah great goal tending makes up for a lot.
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A team that is satisfied with a first round playoff exit is like a salesman who does just enough to reach his draw each month. Nothing more nothing less. Next year, disappointment will be not winning the cup. Now this team is ready to take it to the next level. There are no more excuses. Just fill the holes that need to be filled and retain the personnel. There’s only one mindset next year; that is to win the Stanley Cup and be immortalized. What greater accomplishment and motivation is there in professional hockey?
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“Well, part of coaching is making sure your team plays consistently up to its potential, so you failed there big time.”
Only partly true but the players have to own up to it as well. The coach can push you so much and it’s up to the player to bring it every night. Saying the TM failed is far off…Just like a parent pushing their kids to do better in school, in the end, it’s up to the kid to figure out. You can’t hold their hand forever.
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Dan H. Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 2:23 pm
@Mike,
You hit it. How many times has TM said “net presence” and “shot mentality” and how many times have we been screaming at the TV “Shoot the puck!” and “Get traffic in front of the net!”
You can coach it but if the players don’t do…it’s hard to bench 20 guys.
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Tyler Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 2:26 pm
@Dan H., i totally know that feeling…you watch the game and its like COME ON!!!! SHOOT IT!!!
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UglyinLA, good eye! What a fascinating statistic. I’ll bet that has never happened before.
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Anyone out there think that the Kings shouldn’t go after Patrick Marleau in F/A? It seems to me that he disappears during the playoffs, and since we’ll be going back there every year now, why would we want a guy who disappears during the most important time of the year? He’s not as bad as Joe Thornton, but still……
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Tyler Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 2:26 pm
@MIK3Ysfv, yeah im not sure if that would be a good move either
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blah blah Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 5:58 pm
@Tyler,
iginla…?
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Tim Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 9:18 pm
@MIK3Ysfv, totally agree. On a line with Thornton, he does well, but has stretches of disappearing. Remember how well, Bernie Nicholls did on the Gretzky line (70 goals) but 32 the year before and 27 the year after. If healthy, Marleau would score 25 with the Kings, less when TM got dissatisfied with his reduced performance and less-than-stellar defensive play. Cherry picker.
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29 teams fail every season. The Kings are just one of those teams this year.
That’s the mindset you’ve gotta have. It’s not a successful season unless you win the Cup. THAT’S why you play.
I don’t blame TM for losing the series. Vancouver was a better team, although the Kings COULD’VE been better. Nobody’s fault that they weren’t. They’ll be better next year, and this is a series they’d win next year.
Also, as bad as the Kings fans feel, you know Caps fans feel worse. So we should be happy at that… awesome fact.
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shades Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 11:11 pm
@Kevin Y,
I disagree, aside from the fact that the Caps fans are probably much more disappointed than we are.
The reason I disagree is that there have been 11 different teams who’ve won 24 CUPS who came into the league at the same time, or after the Kings.
So, I just feel that even though they didn’t win the cup, and that 29 teams don’t…the Kings should be much more competetive by now.
There’s much else that goes into this, including how they just brought in DL, etc…but to not make it for 8 years and then not get past the first round is still uncacceptable.
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Last time I checked the goal is to win the title!
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When you become satisfied with your performance, any chances of improvement begin to disappear.
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a little tired of all the articles pointing out how Quick was tired , over used blah blah. Didnt I see Loungo swipe an OT goal away from the net, didnt i see Loungo roll over and make a save on Ryan Smyth and make a desperate save (stacking the pads is desperate save on a frolov breakaway). Just tired of them (Helen from the LAtimes ) pointing out how he was done burned out down the stretch….
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PurpleNGold Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 3:26 pm
@Rudedogg, The thing is he is a rookie goalie.. first time in the playoffs. And he is NOT Loungo, or Brodeur or Miller. Next year he will battle it out with Bernier and the best goalie will get the opportunity to prove themselves. He now knows what it takes mentally and physically so come prepared. Next season should be good.
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Dan H. Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 3:28 pm
@Rudedogg,
Helene has taken shots at the Kings for years. Having her coverage only in the Times besides those all informative AP paragraphs is why I cancelled.
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poe Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 3:35 pm
@Dan H., I,too, cancelled my Times subscription after many, many years. I got tired of Helene’s nasty swipes at the Kings while lauding the Ducks.
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LUCKYLUC13 Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 4:53 pm
@Dan H., I have never been a fan of Helene Idiot
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LUCKYLUC13 Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 4:57 pm
@LUCKYLUC13, I have never meet her and I really don’t know what she is like as a person.This is just what I call her
shades Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 11:17 pm
@Rudedogg,
Problem with this IMO, is that there are many other commentators and analysts, and even TM now saying the same thing. It’s not just her…but if she continually says it then it only points out how little she has to say about anything else.
Say it once and be done with it.
Now, some may ask why I kept pointing it out. And the answer is that it’s because there were so many people denying that was the case.
Enough said…I expect a battle between Bernier and Quick for 1 next year despite TM saying that Q is #1 and that Bernier must fight for # 2. He had to say that for obvious reasons.
I’ve also been questioning her general knowledge of hockey for many years. I don’t really think she knows too much.
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I honestly would go after Hamhuis, and a guy like Plekanec.. Plekanec with 7 points in 7 playoff games not bad… hes been pretty consistant over the yrs in regular season as well. I dont see him getting more then 3.2 mill.. then sign hamhuis for bout 3.5 mill.. and fill in the rest of the holes with voinov and moller/loktinov etc.. and we should be good. Do it DL… After next yr handzues is off the books and you can shift stoll to fourth line.. shenn and plekanec could fight for #2 center spot.. more kids will come up.. we extend JJ and DD and we keep rolling… GO KINGS!!
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Hey I like that our coach is not satisfid…That’s good.
We need some serious changes and a lot of improvments.
REMEMBER THIS,The compitation for 2010-11 would be even harder,because Ducks ,Dallas…Oilers and specialy Calgary will come back much stronger and harder.
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not satisfied…?
good…don’t be…!
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Terry Murray wasn’t satisfied because he had four more line combinations he had never come up with before, ready for Game 7.
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variable Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 4:22 pm
@Marc Nathan,
lol…a point for you, sir…:)
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Slapshot Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 4:27 pm
@Marc Nathan, HAAAA too funny, yet true!
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Old Man Reply:
April 30th, 2010 at 8:58 pm
@Marc Nathan,
Very funny,and true
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re: la times/helene elliot…
if you read anything they produce re: the kings of late…there always seems to be a palatable sense that they are coming from a negative or an “same ol’, same ol’…” perspective…especially elliot…
i don’t know…i thought that type of journalistic predisposition was reserved and exclusively for the clippers…
to be fair, a reporter and/or a paper’s responsibility doesn’t include being nice to the local sports teams…but i don’t think i’m reaching here to suggest that there’s some sort of “ism” going on between the paper and the team…
the team has clearly turned things around and is heading in the right direction…they don’t have to embrace it…but they also shouldn’t automatically assume that our future is still mired from our past…
if the times/elliot are guilty of anything, it’s not seeing the past season for what it was – a breakthrough from the same ol’, same ol’…and a change for the better…
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Not satisfied TM ?? favoritism is your game that’s why the guys like Jones and Quick are not motivated against the Nucks because you keep telling the whole world that they will play no matter how bad they are. Our goalie Quick,yeah he’s a big part why we made the playoffs but when he’s not playing to his potential there’s no need to kepp him there,you made a statement that Bernier is not part of the team but the kid gave your team six points(dallas,preds and the Nucks) a big reason why you made to the postseason. If you recall Quick have hard time beating teams like Preds, Vancouver, Calgary and Detroit because of his lack mental toughness he can be great in a period and always allow soft goal when is napping in the crase. If i’m Lombardi he should fire you now .
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Old Codger Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 9:13 pm
@Erwin, At one stretch during the season JQ went 13-2.
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Old Man Reply:
April 30th, 2010 at 9:01 pm
@Erwin,
I would like to secound that.
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Why can’t we get guys like Mike Cammalleri?
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Old Codger Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 9:09 pm
@MK Ultra, We had Cammalleri. Unfortunally, he put himself above the team and went to arbitration. This is a “me first”attitude” and not I want to be part of a rebuilding effort. He was toast at that point so Dean realized his value was to take the optional 2 year award and market him. He was going to FA anyhow after thatanyhow.
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shades Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 11:20 pm
@Old Codger,
I disagree with this. It seems that anyone who wants more than what the Kings offer is not a “team guy”. Also, his stats and playoff success this year prove that he deserved it IMO.
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DougS Reply:
May 1st, 2010 at 1:14 am
@shades,
Correction. Cammy wanted much more than what comparable players of his age and achievement had been paid in the past. That was why he and the Kings couldn’t reach an agreement and went to arbitration. His stubbornness in clinging to unprecedented salary demands is why DL had no confidence that he could re-sign him, and why he was traded. If you’re going to be revisionist, at least get the history straight.
If the Kings had given Cammy exactly what he was asking for, it would have wrought havoc with trying to lock in a core of young players while staying within the salary cap at all, much less retaining the flexibility to bring in veterans to plug holes right away.
Plus, you should note Rich’s hint that of talk that he wasn’t exactly the best teammate. When someone as discreet as him will say that for the record, it’s probably the tip of the iceberg. The old phrase “a cancer on the team” comes to mind.
This learning experience stuff is bull. Offensively – No Immagination to manufacture goals. Luckilly the PP was working. Physically – to many missed oppertunities. Defensively – Too puck focused, Vancoover should have been on their backs and punished infront of the net. The players watched the game as much as I did. Don’t get me wrong, there were some good plays, but for the most part, boring playoff hockey. This kid stuff, is bull, battle like a man. I would rather see Parse and Clune given more ice time for their hockey sense and creativity. Kopi is good but could be better. Brown I love but could be better. Frolov is a joke. Ziggy, for a small guy, hammerd when he hit, skated, shot, deeke, just special, Kings will never replace him. He realized the object of the game is to score goals…. John Quick… can you stop anything over the shoulders? This guy is just lucky.. Where’s Bernier… is there anyone out there? Flelix. When tippet was on the market we should grabbed him up. Now that we’ve learned the defensive side lets focus on offense please and stop playing dump and chase.
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hey, any of you guys hae facebook? go to vancouvers page and help me talk smack to them. I started talkin and i got bombarted with canuckheads. When we were in round one, they were all on the kings facebook page running their mouths. now that im on there as a honorary blackhawks fan now, just till they beat em, I need some back up. Im making fun of their green weirdos they have, and just talking trash. come join me cause on the kings page, i was the only one really standing up for our Kings!!! thanks
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The team is only as strong as its weakest player Quick had a few weak ones in front of him.
Its hard to play when the weather is perfect and the money is great and there is no better land.
Thats why they do so well on the road.
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Kings were only ‘one Bernier’ away from the conference semi-final and TM is the only one to blame!
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