Here are some notes from last night’s game…
– The Kings got goals from Justin Wiliams, Michal Handzus and Jarret Stoll and beat the New Jersey Devils 3-1 on Saturday night.
– The Kings, with an 8-3-0 record, awoke this morning with the most (16) in the NHL this season. They also improved to 4-0-0 at home and 3-0-0 against Eastern Conference teams.
– The Kings’ eight wins after 11 games is tied for the second-most in team history. The 1980-81 team had nine wins in its first 11 games.
– The Kings went 1-for-3 on the power play and 2-for-2 on the penalty kill. The Kings have killed 35 of their last 38 penalties.
– Jonathan Quick had a season-high 39 saves and improved his record to 7-1-0. Quick now has a .936 save percentage. Quick has allowed two or fewer goals in three consecutive starts and in six of eight starts this season.
– Jarret Stoll had one goal and two assists and has 10 points (four goals, six assists) in his last nine games.
– Justin Williams had one goal and one assist and has 10 points (four goals, six assists) in his last nine games. Williams has a five-game point streak.
– Jack Johnson recorded an assist and has seven assists in his last five games.
– The Kings improved to 5-0-0 when scoring the first goal, 4-0-0 when leading after two periods and 5-1-0 when they are outshot by opponents.
– Willie Mitchell played a team-high 23 minutes, 5 seconds. Anze Kopitar led all Kings forwards in ice time at 20:55.
– Anze Kopitar and Jarret Stoll tied for the team high with four shots on goal. Alexei Ponikarovsky was credited with a team-high five hits and Willie Mitchell was credited with a team-high three blocked shots.
– The Kings won 23 of 56 faceoffs (41 percent).
– Ilya Kovalchuk did not record a point in 20 minutes, 18 seconds, and had two shots on goal.
These postgame stat sheets keep looking more and more beautiful.
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Hey Rich,
I noticed that not only Bob and Jim were wearing purple ties last night, but also all four members of the Hockey Night in Canada panel. Do you know if there is a specific reason for this, other than sense of style?
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Lentzie Reply:
October 31st, 2010 at 10:23 am
@DenshaOtoko,
Those are special Hockey Fights Cancer ties if I’m not mistaken. They are being worn league-wide
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DodgersKings323 Reply:
October 31st, 2010 at 6:23 pm
@Lentzie, Dang, i was thinking they were just wearing Kings color ties, like the one i have
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coach M. is doing a great job on keeping his lines intact….He even had confidence in his 4th line last night to play them in the third period…and they did great!!!! When Parse comes back, he can go on the 4th line with either Schenn or Lopi and Clifford…What a great 4th line that would be!!!
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AZ King Reply:
October 31st, 2010 at 10:43 am
@neil,
Agree about the 4th line. I think it was a great game for them. I’ve been very critical of Schenn, but he was very good laat night.
I’m really curious what TM is going to do when Parse comes back. I’d like to see him on Kopi’s line, hoping it a spark. Richie is good up there though, but doesn’t put points up consistently enough to keep him up there in my opinion. The plan was to use Parse on the top six, so I have a feeling TM is going to try that out. Richie can play RW, so I wouldn’t mind seeing Clifford-Schenn-Richie with Westgarth coming in when we need a tough guy.
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Stagger Reply:
October 31st, 2010 at 11:49 am
@AZ King,
Great points all-around. The fourth line did look really good last night. I think they had as good of a third period as any line on the team. They really held on and controlled the puck well when they were out there.
Moving forward, I think that this should be our fourth line, with minor tweaks depending on match-ups.
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luc20rules Reply:
October 31st, 2010 at 3:04 pm
@neil, I think TM felt the game was under control and also played the 3rd D-man Pair (DD2 & Muzzin) a lot even in the 3rd. Usually the leader in minutes would be a D-man with 24+ minutes, but verse NJ it was Kopi with 20:55 Mins. Another reason for this is with DD and Parse coming back 2 players need to be sent to Manchester or back to Junior. We are going to be sending 2 very solid NHL ready player to Juniors or Manchester. Wow how nice it is to be on top of the NHL with an overflow of talent.
Thanks, DL.
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Anybody notice how much our two off season pick ups are always seem to be tops in stats.
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I think its in DL. we trust again.
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Keep it up Kings. Got to love those stats!
Great win last night. Even in the third period last night when we had nothing going, I had no sense of panic, none at all. I have so much confidence in this team right now. None of those familiar feelings, worried about them blowing a lead. It feels so good to enjoy the game with great expectations for the outcome. We have a great team this year. Although I have always been a proud Kings fan, this year it just feels wonderful.
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puck73 Reply:
October 31st, 2010 at 11:06 am
@KFII, Great point about no sense of panic in the 3rd. I gotta admit that I was frustrated that the Devils were pressuring us and keeping clearing attempts in at our blue line but with our 3 great stay at home defensemen ann Jon Quick back there you just had a feeling that those guys would frustrate New Jersey and thats exactly what happened.
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If it weren’t for the inhuman, psychotic, scorned-woman-like tear that Tim Thomas is on, Quick would be the best goalie in the NHL right now.
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tuan jim Reply:
October 31st, 2010 at 12:11 pm
@harglebargle,
Let Tim and the Bruins have their moment in the sun. Last season has crushing, bitter memories for both of them.
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Dominick Reply:
October 31st, 2010 at 6:17 pm
@tuan jim, well said!
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I know that team plays good and all, I’m wondering is there any presure around Kopitar to score or add some points to his stats.
For me he looks good specially in the D-zone, i’m just asking if TM thinks he needs to step up in the O-zone?
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roadtripper Reply:
October 31st, 2010 at 10:56 am
@Agame, I think you’ll see him start to shoot that sick snapper a bit more here soon. Right now he’s dishing it off a little too much in spots where he should just let it fly and let the net-crashers go to work…
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Agame Reply:
October 31st, 2010 at 11:07 am
@roadtripper, But I have seen shots stats, that he has most shots by Kings. He is shooting, or what?
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AZ King Reply:
October 31st, 2010 at 11:04 am
@Agame,
Keep in mind that he does have 9 points in 11 games. Not too shabby by any means. That being said, I’m sure Kopi will be harder on himself than anyone else could be.
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Agame Reply:
October 31st, 2010 at 11:16 am
@AZ King, I’m aware of that fact, I’m just asking is there any demand or something. He’s capable to be much more than a point per game player. With all defensive duty’s and special teams PK, PP, you get a tired guy, who doesn’t contribute when he’s line is on. Maybe it’s a guy infront of a goaile a bigger difference maker, Smyth is more of a screener, than Brown who is hitter, Power Forward.
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AZ King Reply:
October 31st, 2010 at 11:23 am
@Agame,
I understand what you’re saying. I doubt anyone putting pressure on Kopi right now because things are going well. If the second line wasn’t producing or if we were struggling more it would be a different story. Althogh I doubt TM would ever come out a say anything directly to Kopi.
puck73 Reply:
October 31st, 2010 at 11:11 am
@Agame, Right now I think the whole league is taking note on what a great 2 way center this guy has become. What a pleasure it is to see this guy kill penalties, backcheck, and never give up on a play. Funny thing is, we have a lot of players on this team that play with that same attitude and that is why we are so hard to beat in 3 periods of hockey.
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Agame Reply:
October 31st, 2010 at 11:21 am
@puck73, I’m glad to hear that! You can see from an airplane, that this team has chemistry. Maybe something good can happen sooner than we all expect!
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Great win, great not signing IK, plus I think Devils will loose more games due to parise injury from last night. GO Kings GO !
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Completely off topic. But Brian Boyle (remember him?) got breakaway goal yesterday. It was beautiful backhand shot tho.
On the interview after the game, he said his skating speed gets better bacuse of this figure skater who coached him in the summer. She looks alot like a hobbit, standing by big Boyle (funny thing is her name is Underhill).
I’m sure this would be a very different approach but if it’s really effective like Boyle said, maybe the Kings should send some players to her?
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– The Kings got goals from Justin Wiliams, Michal Handzus and Jarret Stoll and beat the New Jersey Devils 3-1 on Saturday night.
It’s not a lot but, the way we’re built, it can be enough. Nice to see everyone contributing. I agree with someones earlier point…how nice to have a bunch of different 20+ goal scorers!
– The Kings, with an 8-3-0 record, awoke this morning with the most (16) in the NHL this season. They also improved to 4-0-0 at home and 3-0-0 against Eastern Conference teams.
I almost want to keep wiping my eyes and take another look, lol…
– The Kings went 1-for-3 on the power play and 2-for-2 on the penalty kill. The Kings have killed 35 of their last 38 penalties.
This is so huge, not only for the obvious but, also for how much it can dictate momentum swings during a game.
– Jonathan Quick had a season-high 39 saves and improved his record to 7-1-0. Quick now has a .936 save percentage. Quick has allowed two or fewer goals in three consecutive starts and in six of eight starts this season.
Give JQ and our shut-down D a ton of credit. JQ lost that weight, and got his focus ready to go from the start. Give the goalie competition some credit here too, not to mention TM realizing that he overplayed him a bit last year. I don’t see this changing – how nice to have a fairly fresh JQ, backed up by an adjusted and fairly fresh JB, going in to the playoffs
– The Kings improved to 5-0-0 when scoring the first goal, 4-0-0 when leading after two periods and 5-1-0 when they are outshot by opponents.
A sure sign that they’re learning to play a full 60-minutes. I also think they know that, with our goaltending, if they just keep going they have a really good chance to win thanks to the fact that we’re just not gonna give up a whole lot of goals.
– Willie Mitchell played a team-high 23 minutes, 5 seconds. Anze Kopitar led all Kings forwards in ice time at 20:55.
King Willie was a HUGE pick-up!!!
– Anze Kopitar and Jarret Stoll tied for the team high with four shots on goal. Alexei Ponikarovsky was credited with a team-high five hits and Willie Mitchell was credited with a team-high three blocked shots.
Nothing against Fro, but IMHO Poni brings so much more.
– The Kings won 23 of 56 faceoffs (41 percent).
We still need improvement here.
– Ilya Kovalchuk did not record a point in 20 minutes, 18 seconds, and had two shots on goal.
Knucklechuk should be why the NHL goes back again and redoes these ridiculous lengthy contract rules. It’s not all his fault as to why they’re struggling, but did he really think he could do it all alone?
ATTN: NHL – Just wait ’til Drew comes back, lol, whahahahahaha!!!
Happy Halloween everybody!!!
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SplattDaddy Reply:
October 31st, 2010 at 11:32 am
@roadtripper, On Poni… been keeping an eye on him lately. He has really picked his game up, getting more comfortable and playing like a mad man. Really looking forward to him getting more and more confident…could create real issues for our opponents as the season progresses. As noted earlier our two of season picks Willie and Poni doing GREAT.
Kudos to JJ for picking up his game, what a beast this team is looking like.
To the Kings organization: Thank you.
Simmer it looks like your finding “you” again, getting in your groove and it is amazing to watch.
If you get off track during the season, remember THESE days and remember it was a “team” effort in which you found success.
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USHA#17 Reply:
October 31st, 2010 at 1:38 pm
@SplattDaddy,
Funny how a player like Poni will be so average until he get placed in the right position at the right time.
He’s really learning to wear his role well.
@roadtrip
It is his fault. He thought he leave Atlanta in a ditch and just move in with “Pretty Girl” New Jersey and be an instant winner with out the work.
Well, he took all of pretty girls makeup money to pay for his fast car, vampire bride and his agent’s dermatologist.
Now she ain’t so pretty and he has to work…and guess what…it don’t look like pretty boy likes to work.
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Kopi needs some rest. He seems to be skating like Ryan Smyth with a bricks attached to his skate.
Give him some time. He might be playing with an injury, but then again we wont know.
I would not mind getting Kopi and winger this year if it has to be Iginla or Parise.
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AZ King Reply:
October 31st, 2010 at 11:17 am
@Steve,
Those 2 guys would cost A LOT to get. I’ve seen those names thrown around a lot on here, but this isn’t NHL 11 where you can trick the computer into giving you a superstar for nothing.
Just ask yourself who would you be willing to give up to get them. Simmer, Schenn, JJ, Hickey, Bernier? That’s the level of player they’re going to be looking for.
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USHA#17 Reply:
October 31st, 2010 at 1:47 pm
@AZ King,
Who knows. This season the pickings are so slim and NJ is on skids so they may even take Minkus, Rogie and some day old popcorn for Parise.
He’ll I’d even play a shift for NJ for free if they send us Parise (only cost them air fair, hotel, meals and a jersey)
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KC23 Reply:
October 31st, 2010 at 4:08 pm
@USHA#17, Dont forget to have them buy you a cup of coffee.
rick Reply:
October 31st, 2010 at 9:36 pm
@AZ King, I would give up any of them for Parise. He is a great player.
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SplattDaddy Reply:
October 31st, 2010 at 11:35 am
@Steve, I agree about Kopi. Both him and Brownie were playing like the puck was weighing about 50lbs.
They WILL gel though, it’s only a matter of time and then our top 6 will be equally as dangerous and impossible to defend consistently.
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luc20rules Reply:
October 31st, 2010 at 3:18 pm
@SplattDaddy, Wow, Bagging on Brown, doesn’t he have 5 goals already this year? As for Kopi he is getting a ton of assists and is on a point per game pace, so don’t really know if we can complain about that. The teams are trying to force the puck away from Kopi so those #s seem right. Also this was a first game back and 7 games in 11 days 5 on the road and they went 5-2, what do you really expect?
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USHA#17 Reply:
October 31st, 2010 at 1:43 pm
@Steve,
Yeah, well they just completed a long, condensed and bruising road trip. Its the start of the season. Hopefully the stamina will improve and the bruises heal.
Don’t forget, most teams are still targeting Kopi and Brown as the #1 line and haven’t picked up yet on the 2nd line. When that happens 1st line scoring should pick up.
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KC23 Reply:
October 31st, 2010 at 4:10 pm
@USHA#17, Exactly what I’ve been thinking. Pick your posion Vs the Kings. If we don’t get you with one line, the other two will.
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USHA#17 Reply:
October 31st, 2010 at 5:31 pm
@KC23,
Exactly, one opponents focus on the 2nd line the 1st line should start clicking.
Oh, do you think I’d be pushing it if I asked for cream and sugar with my coffee?
If you have some time and want some real entertainment, check out the comments from inlouwetrust.com. I really enjoyed how delusional they are about their team. Also, is it a coincidence they dragged out that ceremony for a really late start for the 3 hour difference Devils? Game didn’t end on the east coast until almost 2am. Lol.
Deadmarsh is one of my all time favorite Kings and players in general but Jason Allison kind of dropped off the planet, are we sure Deader didn’t eat him?
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puck73 Reply:
October 31st, 2010 at 12:54 pm
@RobSd, Deadmarsh looks like he has been eating well, gotta admit it. Although in my eyes, this guy was the best big game player I have seen with the Kings, he was just nails when someone needed to step up in the glare of the spotlight..I swear he lived for it. I would have loved nothing better then to see this guy carry the Stanley Cup around in a Kings jersey, oh well.
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USHA#17 Reply:
October 31st, 2010 at 1:49 pm
@puck73,
Forsburg’s spleen would agree.
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luc20rules Reply:
October 31st, 2010 at 3:24 pm
@USHA#17, Love Deader and RobSd’s post, but it looked like he eat Forsburg’s Spleen with Farva Beans with a lot of other things. Hoping he reigns it in a bit and is able to enjoy a long life with family. He deserves it the guy was just a warrior in the NHL.
Maybe not in this game, but in all other it seems that King’s improved faceoff precentage to last year. Specially Zues and Kopitar. Stoll was always good in faceoff circle.
I think Tampa Bay and Nashville will be good test’s for this team!
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KC23 Reply:
October 31st, 2010 at 4:12 pm
@Agame, We’re gonna see what we’re all about with these two games. Two of the best in the league right now.
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Koval$uk was the sign two kids held up against the glass in section 117. With the help of the great Bailey, Kovalchuk took notice. While waiting for a break out pass in the 3rd period. Koval actually looked over and took notice. Evidence that the fans had entered his head.
It all started in warm up, every time Koval made the rounds on the horseshoe drill, those on the glass were relentless in their assault. I was watching with some amusement, but felt there was a better chance of snow outside, than there was a chance Koval would let it get to him. But then it happened on Kovals 3 time around, instead of putting the puck on net he fired it at the glass. 117 is in the corner, I did not see who shot the second one, but there was a second shooter that fired a puck to the glass.
Evidence that when a team like the Devils, who’s locker room must be boiling over with turmoil are very excepting of fan psycops.
Sorry for the long winded post, I usually try to avoid doing it, but I just had to share.
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DesertKing Reply:
October 31st, 2010 at 12:14 pm
@slapshot,
Best sign of the night: “Our #17 is better than yours!”
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src Reply:
October 31st, 2010 at 12:37 pm
@DesertKing,
It was hilarious, especially late in the third. Baily was baiting him with the kids and the sign, and Kovi actually moved to the other end of the bench.
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Scarletcat Reply:
October 31st, 2010 at 3:00 pm
@DesertKing,
That one sign alone stood out as the best of the night. I only wish fans could have thrown play money around the stands as they “greated” Kovi’s every puck touch!
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USHA#17 Reply:
October 31st, 2010 at 12:43 pm
@slapshot,
The move was smart. All Novalchuk needs is having the NJ fans seeing LA mock and laugh at them.
Oh my, how far the mighty have fallen.
Now if only this little scene is repeated in every rink he visits.
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luc20rules Reply:
October 31st, 2010 at 3:27 pm
@USHA#17, DL, should have a press conference just to reiterate that Kovi in LA King’s plans does not warrant that type of money.
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USHA#17 Reply:
October 31st, 2010 at 5:34 pm
@luc20rules,
With a Kovalchuk Kings Jersey, Number 85M, hanging behind him and Kings Helmet the size of a basketball.
Kovy signed my dollar bill. This will definitely go into the hall of shame.
DL should put an offer sheet out for Parise. We dont need those first round picks anymore.
Lou and in company cannot take on an abundance of salary. They need help on D.
We should give them Hickey, Drewiske or Tuebert, and Moller . Why not give them 1 or 2 first round picks.
I do not know about dealing JJ. He is a cub growing into a lion.
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IceGuy Reply:
October 31st, 2010 at 5:39 pm
@Steve,
You should donate that dollar to the next silent auction the Kings have to support some charity. It raise enough cash for some good I bet!
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Marty Broduer shot the second puck at them. Guess it’s better than getting punched by a player.
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great TEAM win last night! i wanted ik on this kings team was mad we didnt sign him. man was i ever wrong.this is the best team ever.GO KINGS GO
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Now that we’re past this game I don’t need to think about Kovi again this season. The way he’s talked about around here he reminds me of the Russian-accented guy in the TV commercial (for Directv?) who has all the money he needs to buy anything he wants. Maybe we should cut Kovi some slack, he may just be saving up for his own tiny giraffe.
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Hindsight being 20/20, Justin Wiliams to me has to be one of the best Kings forwards this season along with Stoll and Brown. It wasn’t a particularly popular trade to depart with Patrick O’Sullivan at the time, but Williams has been paying big dividends when he’s healthy. He is deceptively effective because he isn’t very big, very fast or very skilled. But he’s experienced, smart, works hard and picks his spots. I think he’s a very important part of the team, so kudos to him.
GO KINGS!
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KC23 Reply:
October 31st, 2010 at 4:17 pm
@mash-ola, IMHO JW has clearly played better game in and game out than anyone on the team. He is scarey good atm.
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USHA#17 Reply:
October 31st, 2010 at 5:40 pm
@mash-ola,
There was a lot of concern with Williams coming in and I am certain every fan cringes when Williams get checked but as for it was way past time for O’Sullivan to move on, he had closed the door in LA long before Williams.
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Ok guys here’s my take on Kovalslap.I want to sell my sole city of lost angels,or play for the devil. The devils offered 6.66 per for life of the contract.Sold! Kovaldevil comes back to the city of lost angels,and gets slapped down on Haloween.
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