Every win in the NHL is important, of course, but given how things are going this season, the Kings’ victory over Anaheim last night seemed to have deeper implications. The Kings entered that game with a 2-3-0 record against Pacific Division opponents this season, and given that the division is so tight — with seven points separating first place from last place — doing well in those so-called four-point games is important. The Sharks are 4-0-3 against Pacific teams this season and are tied with the Kings at 43 points (having played one more game. Today, both Terry Murray and Todd McLellan talked about the importance of divisional games, with Murray bringing it up in reference to last night’s game…
MURRAY: “We have five games in hand on Anaheim, and any time you can take advantage of a game against each other like that and win, you get some separation and you still have those games, and hopefully you take advantage of it.”
MCLELLAN: “I think (the Sharks are) reminded every day, when they look at the standings, that you cannot give yourself permission for a night off or a week off, because it’s critical that you compete every night for points. The division championship will definitely allow you to get into the playoffs. After that, who knows what will happen? You could be second or third in your division and not make it. So I think there’s a constant reminder, an external reminder when they look at the standings and they hear people. That’s not always the important one. The important one is the one that comes from within. The players right now, they’re working hard and they’re committed to each other. I’m hoping that this break doesn’t derail what we had going prior to Christmas. L.A. will be a very good test for us tonight, to see if we can keep it going.”
what the hell is a frolov???????? looks like tm and dl know something
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RLane420 Reply:
December 27th, 2010 at 10:16 pm
@lvkingaholic, I think thats a Christmas fruitcake or somthing.
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San Diego fans, come out to Stadium in Encinitas to watch the game. I’ll be there with a few others.
Go Kings Go!
I know I already posted this, but things get lost easily here.
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I love how we are a test now. People are playing “measuring stick” games against us now
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KingsGuy Reply:
December 27th, 2010 at 5:41 pm
@Cortex949, How so?
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Dan H. Reply:
December 27th, 2010 at 5:42 pm
@Cortex949,
He probably would have said that against anyone since it’s the first game after a break.
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Give our last game against San Jose, maybe one of the worst we have had all year, I am really looking forward to seeing how we compete against them. I would say this is a measuring stick for us!
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I love how the Sharks set their standard to win the division and nothing less. I’d like to see the Kings there, too.
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jayhay Reply:
December 27th, 2010 at 6:55 pm
@USHA#17,
I picked up on that also, I would like to hear TM talk more like that. One of the few things guaranteed in this league is that, a trip to the playoffs for your div. title.
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I hate San Jose. kings are only 3 & 3 against the pacific division…I hate that too.
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guys, the sharks aren’t a measuring stick. there are different conditions going into any game, including but not limited to how many games we previously played in the last week, for example. we might eventually have to face the sharks in the playoffs, but by no means should we look at the result of this game and the last game we played against them and conclude anything major about our chances in either our division or in the playoffs. remember only WE can defeat ourselves with sloppy play
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inthecrease Reply:
December 27th, 2010 at 7:23 pm
@sid the kid,
Well said. Having said it, here’s hoping you are actually on the team, otherwise the “WE” stuff would be a tad nauseating…
Go Kings.
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sid the kid Reply:
December 27th, 2010 at 9:50 pm
@inthecrease, kings fan since 1988!
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