Jonathan Bernier will start in goal tonight, with the Kings also facing a game in San Jose tomorrow night and a total of four games in five nights. Peter Harrold and Kevin Westgarth are expected to be the healthy scratches and the Kings will go with a fourth line of Brad Richardson, Trevor Lewis and Alexei Ponikarovsky.
The team will fly to San Jose after tonight’s game, but Willie Mitchell will stay behind with strength and conditioning coach Tim Adams and will start skating, along with significant off-ice work. And, as Terry Murray reminded me, it’s Boxing Day! More notes and quotes to come…
No Westgarth against Parros?
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KELLY Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 10:46 am
@LUke M., two words…Kyle Clifford!
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kylecliffordfan Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 11:22 am
@KELLY, No Kyle Clifford will have his hands full with the rest of the Ducks.
Dumb move by TM not putting Westgarth in the lineup, I hope the ducks run all over us just to prove a point.
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wavesinair Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 11:30 am
@kylecliffordfan,
This is exactly the kind of statement that makes Kings fans look clueless.
We’re winning, TM makes a lineup change, everyone freaks out.
We’re winning, TM does NOT make a lineup change, everyone freaks out.
kasey9 Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 1:25 pm
@kylecliffordfan, Soo u just want Westgarth in to fight parros and what all has he done this year besides fight? Lewis and Clifford have done more then westgarth so why change with whats been working
Garry Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 1:30 pm
@kylecliffordfan, What’s the big deal? Westgarth and Parros do their one big “circle tango” – then hug each other and that’s it folks!
mcsorleyfan Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 2:58 pm
@KELLY, too small. Too valuable.
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sebastian Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 10:52 am
@LUke M., Clifford v. Parros?
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Garry Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 1:34 pm
@sebastian, Can’t think TM would be that dumb to expect Clifford to fight Parros. Clifford is one of our gifted player’s and not to be use as “cannon fodder”.
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wavesinair Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 11:05 am
@LUke M., Thank you TM. We’re winning without Westgarth. Let’s keep it that way. Parros is a joke. Ignore him and just skate around him.
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 11:24 am
@wavesinair, good way think i agree just want to seee hard hits against this team supposed to be our Rivals and by giving them love taps not showing it that we hate them got to smash the life out of them
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old man Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 12:29 pm
@wavesinair, Amen.
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Jamer Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 11:16 am
@LUke M., Parros in one punch if they meet. No match. Westgarth must still be sore for losing all those fights. Suggest to Clifford…ignore Parros and save your face!
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Nice balanced lines. This could put of some significant minutes of first two lines. And if Sturm fails to produce TM can put other man infornt.
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No Westgarth agaisnt the Ducks? Remember what happened when Andy Murray pulled that move when the other team had a guy named Andy Sutton…essentially ruined Jason Allison’s career.
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Scott Egebjerg Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 11:17 am
@Nick,
I would take Clifford over Westgarth against anybody right now.
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mcsorleyfan Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 3:22 pm
@Scott Egebjerg, was that sarcasm?
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wavesinair Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 11:20 am
@Nick, What “move” are you talking about? If you’re going to make that claim, tell us all what Andy Murray did at least. Who’d he sit that he shouldn’t have? What did he not do that could have prevented a knee on knee hit? Please enlighten us.
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Well, for all those that think Westgarth is useless this will be the game to prove it or not. OTOH, the ducks put some slow thug types folks against that 4th line they might just get burned. I’ll be interested to see.
What I don’t want to see is Clifford feel he has to do all the fighting against guys that far out weight him. It just isn’t fair to put that kind of responsibilities on a 19 year old kid that we depend on on the checking line.
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 10:35 am
@KC23, Clifford wont be afraid to fight anyone he has showed it he will fight even if he out weight
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KC23 Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 10:50 am
@KingsFanFTW, and that’s exactly hat I’m afraid of.
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KC23 Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 10:52 am
@KC23, edit what* I’m afraid of … Clifford will be injuried in no time if we expect him to take on heavy weights.
KingsFanFTW Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 10:40 am
Now the line 1st line is what everyone thinks going to be like i hope it does great Sturm looks like he do good with that line but we have to wait
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KC23 Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 10:51 am
@KingsFanFTW, Jury is still out to be sure. We’ll see. I have my doubts anyone can come from that kind of injury and be effective on the first line.
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 11:18 am
@KC23, true and yea well i dont expect him to do much this game i say about week he should fine some can of his old game still think we need a 40 scorer then we become something a threat
mcsorleyfan Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 3:07 pm
@KC23, Exactly; well said- if this game proves me wrong, excellent; however, I don’t see the 19 yr old taking on a Zenon Konopka, MacIntyre, Boogaard, Scott, Chara, etc. He’s closest in weight to ZK, but from ZK vs Westy we see ZK fights 30 lbs heavier than he is. I hope I am wrong. I hope we come away 6-0 vs a team that couldn’t keep up. However, the price of being wrong could be more players on the IR. Frankly, I’m rather tired of that.
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Go ask Taylor Pyatt what it’s like to take on guys out of his weight class…oh wait, he’s still concussed from having to fight Engelland because the Coyotes didn’t dress Bissonette against the toughest Penguins team in a long time.
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KC23 Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 10:54 am
@Nick, Bingo. People have no idea what the risk is expecting Clifford to take on heavy weights. This is especially unfair to a 19 year old kid still trying to learn the game on our primary checking line which we put up against the other teams top line.
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Dominick Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 11:04 am
@Nick, That is a concern, even without fighting the heaveyweights, too be sure. Carlyle gets the first change, and Murray gets the second, so their shouldn’t be too many direct matchups.
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Stop the Puck Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 11:04 am
@Nick,
Pyatt: 6’3 226
Bissonette: 6’3 230
Engelland: 6’2 202
Dont know if that was a function of not dressing bissonette, but still i agree, clifford would be out of his league if he took on parros. then again, i really dont think anyone expects him to do that. i wouldnt be surprised to see him fight chipchura
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kylecliffordfan Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 11:25 am
@Stop the Puck, Actual weights have nothing to do with weight class in NHL hockey fights. It all depends on who the fighter normally fights. Engelland fights Heavys, don’t let his actual weight confuse you.
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mcsorleyfan Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 3:09 pm
@kylecliffordfan, kind of like zenon konopka…
kylecliffordfan Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 11:28 am
@Nick, I agree Nick.. This is Dumb…. What did the Pens also do to Yandle? TM should know better, hopefully no Kings are injured tonight. This is a real said day as a Kings fan, whe3n our 4th Line is Richardson-Lewis-Poni… Has to be one of the weakest 4th lines in Kings History..
TM put Westgarth in! Scratch Lewis, he hasn’t really put up that many points. I rather have Westie in place of Lewis tonight!
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wavesinair Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 11:40 am
@Nick,
Heavyweights MacIntyre and Ivanans fight = Ivanans concussed.
Mistakes by the Coyote’s coaching staff = good.
Your argument makes no sense any way you cut it.
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Belexes Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 4:16 pm
@wavesinair,
His argument makes perfect sense for those who understand it, and TM should know better.
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wavesinair Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 4:34 pm
@Belexes, The only ones who understand it are the ones who don’t understand logic. His analogy in no way translates to this game. And TM is a huge enforcer guy. Perhaps those that think the same way might learn something from his decision. Nahhh.
On another note: How is the ice going to be? Clippers paly at noon, That leaves 3 hours to get ready!!!
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Michael_DD8 Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 11:12 am
@LA KING BOB chi,
Hahah exactly what i was thinking. Afternoon basketball game, then a early start hockey game at staples….= fail ice.
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LA KING BOB chi Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 11:17 am
@Michael_DD8, Here in Chicago we go to the Kettle One Club which is downstairs where the Kings warm up and can see. They open 2 hours before, 1 hour after. If Staples has the same which I believe they do there will be a little bit of a problem..
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Wow. What a fourth line! Isn’t it amazing what the addition of one player can do for a team? Now they just have to work to prove it on the ice…
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I’m with everyone on needing Westy in, but who comes out on that 4th line? 22, 15 both deserve to be dressed and 27, IMO responded since he’s dropped to the 4th line.
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jayhay Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 11:25 am
@jayhay, with the opp. to have last change, this would be the time to try this experiment, not that I’m endorsing it, this would be the time tho if he’s gonna do it.
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kylecliffordfan Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 11:29 am
@jayhay, Lewis.. He really hasn’t put up that many points. Yeah his play has been decent but we could do without him.
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Poni-Richardson-Lewis, Should be a tough match up for the Ducks 4rth line. Good luck tonight Bernier.
Can someone please tell me why the Clippers continue to stay in LA sucking the life out of 2 franchises that clearly belong here. If they move to Anahiem they could still call themselves the Los Angeles Clippers, just like the Los Angeles Angels of Anahiem.
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LA KING BOB chi Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 11:29 am
@Dominick, I 100% Agree with this. I am surprised the Kings play tonight instead of today , like always in the spring on Saturdays..
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wavesinair Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 11:34 am
@Dominick, Look at the bright side. At least the Ducks haven’t gone bankrupt yet and move up here. The LA Mighty Ducks win the Cup! It could happen…
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mcsorleyfan Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 3:12 pm
@Dominick, GOOD IDEA!!!!!!!
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Randell Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 3:20 pm
@Dominick, I thought the same thing a while ago too, but the Clippers are one of the few teams to actually make money in the NBA…they get a cut of the luxury suites and vip seats that companies and people pay for every game, so in essence it would be a bad move…however, even thought I’m a lakers fan, watching blake griffin play has been so exciting, ive had more fun watching them play than the lethargic lakers so far, plus they won today 8-7 since their horrid start
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POLL: Choose one answer.
A. Westgarth is scratched, there are no fights… and the Kings win.
B. Westgarth plays, fights Parros, beats him to a pulp… and the Kings loose.
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Dominick Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 12:11 pm
@wavesinair, Anywhere there’s a win I’m in.
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kylecliffordfan Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 1:57 pm
@wavesinair, That a dumb poll considering the Kings have won many games with Westgarth in. What happens if the Kings lose tonight without Westie. Nothing is for sure. What if the 4th line has no affect on a kings win? Your poll doesn’t make sense because Westgarth in or out wouldn’t confirm a kings win or lost
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wavesinair Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 3:36 pm
@kylecliffordfan, of course it’s a dumb poll (aren’t they all) that was the point. thanks for playing.
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mcsorleyfan Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 3:15 pm
@wavesinair, I’d prefer A.; I just have this issue with Reality. I don’t expect A. More importantly, I have no desire to see
C. The Kings win, there are no fights, but we only roll 3 lines anyway because 3 guys are in the dressing room due to injuries by the end of the 2nd, one so bad it ends his season and knocks us out of play-off contention.
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Dominick Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 3:21 pm
@mcsorleyfan,
Or D. mcsorelyfan bites his tongue, so not to jinx us. LOL
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mcsorleyfan Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 3:25 pm
@Dominick, I’ve been saying I’d prefer to be wrong all along…lol However, I have now bit my tongue and knocked on wood.
Dominick Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 3:27 pm
@mcsorleyfan,
Shwew! That was a close one! LMAO
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Get em bernier !
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I was just at the Ducks site, and a Ducksfan was hoping that Bernier starts (as if this gave them an advantage). Shut’em out tonight Bernie.
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bernie makes me nervous everytime, hopefully he’s righted the ship and comes up big tonight
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