Are there any common themes to be picked up from the first three Kings-Sharks meetings this season? It wouldn’t appear so, because the games have been so different. On Nov. 15 in San Jose, the Sharks scored three third-period goals and won 6-3. On Dec. 27 in San Jose, the Kings scored four third-period goals and won 4-0. On Jan. 1 at Staples Center, neither team scored in the third period, and San Jose’s second-period goal held up in a 1-0 victory. Five-on-five play figures to be important, because there was only one power-play goal scored in those three games, but beyond that, the games had little in common. Today, I asked Terry Murray if there was anything, in general, that he could draw from the teams’ first three meetings.
MURRAY: “I think, whenever you have both teams on their games, you’re going to have real low-scoring games. I think the indicative game would be that 1-0 game here. With two teams competing and battling, it would be a one-goal game at the end of the day. For us to go up there and win the way we did one night, in a 4-0 win, that’s a close game right to the end. We were going into the third period in a tight situation, and it just happens that you get some breaks.”
As noted earlier, it’s a big game for the Kings and Sharks, at least mentally if nothing else. The Kings could return to the cusp of eighth place in the Western Conference and the Sharks could go into the All-Star break back in the top eight, so there should be plenty of motivation for both teams.
MURRAY: “I’m not going to talk about the standings right now. I think the most important thing, to bring to everyone’s awareness, is just the importance of continuing to play the way we have been, play our game, executing the proper way and finishing it off, before the break, before we get those days to refresh physically and mentally. It will be good for us, but we just want to follow up the games we have been playing.”
Big game tonight, no doubt. It seems to me though that as long as the real Kings show up, we can pull out a victory. I say real Kings because we all know, and as at Matt Greene said last game, when they play their systems and everybody plays their role, there aren’t many teams who can dominate and beat this Kings team. So let’s hope they show up ready to play and we can go into the break with a little more confidence.
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tornado12 Reply:
January 26th, 2011 at 1:27 pm
@EASportsMgt, WOW EA howa been? havent seen you post in a while! I agree, would be nice to have that winning feeling through the all star break. Plus, I hate the Sharks with a passion, so a win here would be twice as nice! I have a feeling the Ks will at least put a good showing in with effort, they may not win, but they will play hard and compete!
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EASportsMgt Reply:
January 26th, 2011 at 2:28 pm
@tornado12, Hey how’s it going? I read this site everyday and read every post, I just haven’t had too much time to write and during the slide some fans on here were way too harsh on the Kings so I just stood by. Glad the boys are playing better and I like what I see on the ice and in practice so hopefully they can have a great effort tonight and go into the break with a W.
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Dominick Reply:
January 26th, 2011 at 1:44 pm
@EASportsMgt,
I’ve been itching to ask you all season long what your thoughts are about Martinez? He was one of the Kings call ups last season that you were most interested in.
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EASportsMgt Reply:
January 26th, 2011 at 2:26 pm
@Dominick,
Yeah absolutely. I’ve been talking about this kid for some time now. He was the final cut two years ago and last year made the opening day lineup because of the suspension of OD and during his call up I agree he was shaky. He was trying to do too much and impress the coaches. But I have always said this guy could be our 6th Defenseman and has a lot of potential. I’ve always liked him more than DD2 honestly. Skates better, moves the puck quickly and obviously has a rocket of a shot. I don’t think he is going anywhere. Atleast I hope not.
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USHA#17 Reply:
January 26th, 2011 at 3:59 pm
@EASportsMgt, Martinez is solid beyond his age. A great resource. If only we could get a #2 pick or package DD2. Alas
And a happy birthday to Wayne.
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lenman Reply:
January 26th, 2011 at 1:39 pm
@Jamesonafterawin, Happy 50th Wayne!!!!
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Dominick Reply:
January 26th, 2011 at 1:54 pm
HAPPY BIRTH DAY WAYNE! May you live another 50.
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My fear is not this game but the All Star break I dont like big breaks. Look at last year the 2 weeks for the olympics really hurt this team. I just hope they stay hungry during this break. Win or loose thats what worries me. I think a win would help the chances of staying sharp after the break. I feel our team is looking relly hungry right now and I love it.
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A few months back I went on a vacation to San Francisco and stopped in San Jose for dinner at a bar and grill and they had stuff all over the walls decorating the place. They had a sharks jersey framed by the enterance to the mens room. I was slightly I toxicated and forgot what city I was in and said “why the hell is there a freaking sharks jersey in here?!” to a guy coming out of the bathroom.
Ok no real point to this story afterall but ive already typed it so I’ll post anyway lol
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LVKINGS88 Reply:
January 26th, 2011 at 1:58 pm
@Cortex949, Too bad you didn’t use it as a urinal or better yet some toilet paper,LOL.
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Dominick Reply:
January 26th, 2011 at 2:00 pm
@Cortex949, Next time try to pee on it.
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Jamesonafterawin Reply:
January 26th, 2011 at 2:00 pm
@Cortex949, I get the point, you arn’t a Sharks fan. And being a Kings fan you where upset to have to see that jersey. I’ve been kicked out of places for like situations.
I live in the San Diego area, and every time I battle to have a hockey game placed on a t.v. in the bar that either has highschool football or golf on it I get lotts of crap. Then if I’m watching a Kings game in said bar there will always be a fan of the other team the Kings are playing asking me the most ignorant questions about hockey. It often doesn’t go well.
So I’ve learned not to attempted to watch hockey at ‘my’ bar, and if I can’t get in home time to see a Kings game start, I’ll just have to miss it.
I’ve also learned that Hockey fan are the best fans.
‘Why do you like Hockey so much’. So tired of that question.
I usually reply with ‘becuase I dont like Kenny G. Why don’t you like Hockey?’
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Hey Rich are you going to do a Gretzky column for his birthday soon?
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Dominick Reply:
January 26th, 2011 at 1:55 pm
@kenny, I second that.
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i am REALLY looking forward to this break for the kings…. last year, the break killed us, but i feel like this year its gonna give us some time to think about ourselves and get after it
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Lets hope for the best for tonight game no more booing the kings
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Cortex949 Reply:
January 26th, 2011 at 1:56 pm
@KingsFanFTL, When they were playing horrible, unspirited hockey I am all for booing. It let’s them know that they need to at least put in effort. But I agree, if there is no reason then booing is terrible. If quick let’s in a soft goal there is no need to boo. It’s not like he meant to do it
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KingsFanFTL Reply:
January 26th, 2011 at 2:04 pm
@Cortex949, yea true
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Jamesonafterawin Reply:
January 26th, 2011 at 2:06 pm
@Cortex949, If I could play hockey and did play hockey and was boo’ed. I’d give the finger to a boo’er and invite that person down to do a better job than me.
But I dont believe in boo’ing. When I go to all the trouble to get to a Kings game, the last thing I want to do is be negative. I’m that way normally.
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I looked at the Feb. Schedule and at first, thought that a 10-game road trip is pretty daunting, considering it comes right after the All-Star break when everything gets cranked up a notch to the playoffs.
But looking closer, it appears manageable…and can be broken down into 3 segments:
Segment 1: MINN-EDM-CGY, a 3 game road trip thru western Canada;
4-days off
Segment 2: PIT-WASH-PHI – this is going to be the toughest part of the trip with a back-to-back with the Caps and Flyers;
2-days off
Segment 3: CLB-NYR-NYI – another 3-game road trip back east;
3-days off
Then home (even though they have a game against ANA)
If they finish this road trip 6-3-1 or better (13 pts) they will be in great shape for the home stretch; 5-5 or worse and they’ll have to go 16-6 in the last 22 games…tough!
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kevin Reply:
January 26th, 2011 at 2:55 pm
@CupRun2011, I really think We will go 7-3 or maybe even 8-2 on this trip look at who we are playing.
We should beat the first three teams. If we can steal one from the second big three we should be able to beat the last three the rangers being the toughest. I really think we have a godd chance on this trip. If we win tonight go and take care of the first three games we are coming into Pit with confidence and momentum and Kopi always has great games against Pit. We have a shot at stealing one of the three even ties in those three is good just not loses.
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CupRun2011 Reply:
January 26th, 2011 at 5:39 pm
@kevin, Agreed. If they don’t “play down” to EDM, CGY, CBJ, MINN and NYI and get wins, they can maybe steal 1 or 2 from NYR, PHI, WSH and PIT.
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Kostamojen Reply:
January 26th, 2011 at 3:00 pm
@CupRun2011, and I think they come home for a few days between the Calgary and Pittsburg games. So, they’re not on the road for 10 straight games.
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All I can say here is that we have the BEST video to watch on EXACTLY how to beat this team. I’m expecting no excuses tonight. We can do this.
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Murray should absolutely be worrying about the standings now. They dug a deep hole, and every point counts, now…
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Stuart Reply:
January 26th, 2011 at 4:19 pm
@Chuck, I was thinking the same thing… they can’t be ignored!
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GO KINGS GO
GO KINGS GO
GO KINGS GO
that is all
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GO KINGS, we really need this one!
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The AS break always comes at the wrong time for the Kings… UGH!!!
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