The Kings will skate the way they practiced today, with the new-look lines, and Jonathan Bernier will start in goal against Washington. Terry Murray did not commit to a goalie for Sunday’s game at Philadelphia. Murray said the fourth line will remain the same and that he doesn’t consider Marco Sturm ready to play just yet. Lots of talk today about how to get Anze Kopiat back on track, scoring-wise. More notes and quotes from practice to come…
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HMMM make Anze an offer he can’t refuse. Score or else. Insert your answer here.
[Reply]
Jamer Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 11:36 am
@Octane, ELSE! is the only answer!
ELSE=TRADED to the Islanders.
[Reply]
BrokeKingsFan Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 11:55 am
@Jamer, Blasphemy!!!!!
[Reply]
ronso Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 12:14 pm
@Octane, Thank you Don Corle-Octane!
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hmm lets see maybe we should get some people that can help Anze? Zues is a great player but he will never have the speed to keep up…
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So Westgarth is staying in? Might as well sleep in tomorrow and skip the game.
[Reply]
jayhay Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 11:14 am
@Keeper,
yeah, i can see him in there vs Pit, they’re a team that is near the top of the fighting majors list. not so much Wash, dont know where they’re at on the list, but i think Richie’s speed would be better.
[Reply]
Naturallawyer Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 12:18 pm
@Keeper, does TM or anyone in this organization know what the Kings’ record is with Westgarth in the lineup, compared to the record without him? Richardson is an asset, Westy is a liability.
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Im ok with whatever goalie plays at this point. Both Quick and Bernie have shown that they can get it done. Goaltending is not our problem right now. Our forwards need to figure things out and we cant rely on Quicker and Berinie to only allow one goal a game, which they have been doing on a consistant basis as of late. Anze….. you are bar none my favorite player and i would never bash on you but you have got to pick it up buddy! we need you now more than ever! Im really hoping DL can get something done Via trade and give us something to work with through the final stretch of the season.
[Reply]
Getting Anze back on track is as easy as bringing a big scorer to LA, to play on a different line…too much onus is being placed on that #1 line and the other teams D’s aren’t getting spread enough…Can Melo score in hockey too???
[Reply]
Rick Nash would help.
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 1:05 pm
@John Paul Kelly, who did you plan on giving them for Nash?
[Reply]
DBking Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 1:32 pm
@puck73, Everyone freaks out about this. I say……give them BERNIER and another blue chip prospect and 2 great draft picks… Or whatever the hell they want! Everyone gets their panties in a bunch when we talk about giving up some of our assets. Have you thought about having Rick Nash on our team? Its worth giving up some assets for.
[Reply]
CB14 Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 4:01 pm
@DBking, great post. why do we need 2 goalies when you can only play one, and Quick is playing great this year. Bernier, Voynov, and 2 1st round draft picks for Rick Nash. Scoring Problems Solved.
westgarth’s fight last night was a eh to me. Clifford vs Some random Capital Player! Bring it on!
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Pencil in the loss boys since Kevin is in the lineup tomorrow.
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ok as everyone can see even when West was in the line up he didnt mess up the game and u didnt see him in the OT so u cant all blame him for the lost
U can blame DD and JJ being together at the same ice time becuase everytime they out on the ice we loose
But they need a scorer
Got two good goalies keeping us in a game i dont get why we cant get a scorer
[Reply]
pitty Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 11:22 am
@KingsFanFTW, Anyone who thinks this loss has anything to do with Westie or Coaching is higher than high. We lost this game because Kopitar and Brown are playing like they have no heart or work ethic. It’s not Westie and it’s not coaching it’s lazy players. I wish people would place blame where the problem really is.
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dahack11 Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 11:43 am
@pitty,
Agree. Kopitar is taking his yearly break scoring-wise. you can set your watch to it, as it’s become the norm for him thru-out his career….
And Brown……i think he’s got heart, but he’s making a lot of dumb plays, fumbling the puck, & taking A LOT of needless & stupid penalties too.
Maybe sitting them both would get their attention. It’s not like we’d miss their scoring right now, is it?
[Reply]
launch Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 12:05 pm
@pitty,
“no heart or work ethic” might be a little much…I do agree that Westie doesn’t lose us games, but to say that the leaders of our team have no heart is just not accurate.
I refuse to think that Kopi and Brwn are “lazy” players….try to convince me please….what exactly was heartless or lazy like you say.
[Reply]
Daniel Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 12:08 pm
@pitty, Posted this below ad well, but here are the facts:
When Westgarth does not play, the Kings are 13-3-1.
When Westgarth plays, the Kings are 16-20-1.
It’s not that he makes them lose, it is just that he is so useless, he negates any talent on which ever line he skates on. Thus reducing us to 3 lines. That is a distinct disadvantage.
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 1:06 pm
@Daniel, Correctomundo !
KingzzFan Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 12:12 pm
@pitty, Seriously??? Nothing to do with Westie or Coaching??? Ok so you have a 4th line of Westie 2:21 TOI, Lewis 5:52 TOI & Poni 7:23 TOI in regulation. Can’t blame Westi being in the line up? when we have a solid 4th line of Richie, Lewis and Poni, they are eating up 10 – 11 min a night, which means we don’t have players double shifting and being over worked, we have 4 fresh lines that can keep rolling applying pressure and nobody is getting over worked. When Westie’s in the line up we suffer. I agree that we need some players to step up, but Westie being in the line up effects the entire team and the out come.
[Reply]
LAPD line Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 12:26 pm
@KingzzFan, Amen to that brother…
pitty Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 1:29 pm
@KingzzFan, If Westie is the reason we win or loose this team is a lot worse off than i thought. If any team in this league is counting on there 4th line players to win games let me introduce you to last place. The problem is one of two things either our top players are not as good as people claim them to be or they do not make a consistent effort ie. Kopitar going 1/4 of the season without scoring a goal. Our best players are not making the effort or paying the price to get the job done.
At the very least Westie made more of an effort with his 3 min than Kopitar did with his 20 plus last night. Quite a few people remind me of parents of athletes, my kid never makes mistakes and should play the whole game. You can have a favorite player and still say hey they sucked the last half of the year. It’s OK to admit.
KingzzFan Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 1:50 pm
@KingzzFan, It has nothing to do with the amount of minutes played. its the ability to roll 4 lines and wear the opponent down. Take Detroit for instance. They are so effective because they can throw 4 lines at any team and wear them down. Westy just happens to be the guy limiting that line from the minutes our TEAM needs to be more effective.
I’m not saying there aren’t other problems. Yes Kopi and Brownie need to step it up, but to point at those players and just say do it and not do the other things needed to get them there is just crazy talk. It takes a team to win games and championships. There are 22 guys on the roster for a reason. Everybody needs to do their job if we are going to win. The 3rd & 4th lines to get out there and throw their weight around and wear down the other team, draw penalties and do what they are paid to do. Our stars also need to do what they are paid to do, score goals. You need to have all the pieces working together and I’m just pointing out this one FACT; without a 4th line eating up 9-11 minutes a game, wearing down our opponents we will not get to the promised land.
That’s just my opinion
Quebec moves ahead with NHL arena plans Look out Kings fans Quebec is looking.
[Reply]
LW Anybody? Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 11:44 am
@ose, What is that even supposed to mean?
[Reply]
Daniel Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 12:10 pm
@ose, That is paranoia. Kings sell out games and have good owners. Look somewhere else for a reaction.
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pr0cess Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 12:44 pm
@ose, LOL the kings are not going anywere
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puck73 Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 1:10 pm
@pr0cess, Kings will be moving to Kansas City in Aeg’s state of the art facility. Anshutz and Leiweike have already stated that L.A is not a hockey town, and that this franchise needs to relocate to get rid of the bad stench it is had ever since it opened for business in L.A back in 1967. As a fan since 73…maybe a new city would do them some good.
[Reply]
Michael J. Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 2:14 pm
@ose,
Quack…
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i have 3 of the last 4 days off from work and school doesnt start till next week. so today is going to be like my previous few days, having my browser window open to twitter, anticipating a trade. getting excited when i walk away for 4 minutes and come back to the icon saying “9 new tweets”, accessing them and…… nothing. more NJDevil beat writer telling eveyone who’ll listen that Hedberg will start theyre next game, Toronto media sayin Kessel brings down his linemates AND NO FRIGGIN TRADES INVOLVING THE KINGS!!!
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These lines are insane… Everyone is playing with people they’re not used to… this makes no sense to me whatsoever. Niether does Westgarth playing… Save him for the Philly game. Can they really rrely on Westgarth shutting down Washington’s scorers? This weekend could get ugly, fast.
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tornado12 Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 12:13 pm
@Kevin from Toronto, agreed. no need for changes right now, makes the players try to do more than they are capable of. goals are hard to come by right now, its just that time of year. there should have been 2 empty net goals and Michalek just saved those. everytime these changes are made looking for something that isnt there, we go on a losing streak.
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I’ve NEVER in my 30 years of watching hockey seen a fan base like this that doesn’t love their enforcer. Is the rest of the city of LA filled with pansies as well? Unbelievable.
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NMKingsFan Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 11:36 am
@tantrum4,
I am sure they are the same fans last season who were complaining about Ivanans and calling up Westgarth as the savior.
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BrokeKingsFan Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 11:37 am
@tantrum4, thats because our enforcer SUCKS at enforcing!!
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puddle Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 11:53 am
@tantrum4, Are you kidding me? I LOVE our enforcer. Clifford is the best!
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Dominick Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 11:58 am
@tantrum4,
I agree it is weird. I think 3 strait years of watching enforcers who can’t enforce says a lot to how their being used by this team. Kyle Clifford has 11 fighting majors, and Westy has 8 fighting majors. Yet Westy is the enforcer, and gets paid to do that job. Same issue last season with Drago. For me it’s more frustration with Terry Murray who insists on having WMD’s than uses a 100 pound bomb to counter the other side, who is still dropping nukes. I think he is to blame more than Westy.
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mcsorleyfan Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 2:31 pm
@Dominick, Agreed; is the enforcer being allowed to enforce? On the other hand, KW needs to make himself more valuable in other asdpects of the game besides enforcing. I’ve been his biggest defender for the most part this year, but that was also based on a conversation I had with Daryl Evans at the end of last year. The Kings apparently looked at Westy’s AHL numbers and saw Brad Richardson with fighting skills. Neither seem to have emerged at the NHL level. It’s very hard to judge without knowing the policies set between Westie and TM; one thing is certain; there’s no room in today’s NHL for a guy who can do nothing but fight.
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Daniel Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 12:00 pm
@tantrum4, Dude, we want winners. Simple fact – Westgarth makes the Kings WORSE:
When Westgarth does not play, the Kings are 13-3-1.
When Westgarth plays, the Kings are 16-20-1.
FACT.
[Reply]
CB14 Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 4:05 pm
@Daniel, Great Stats for all those people posting who like when Westie plays.
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Cristobal Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 12:00 pm
@tantrum4,
Yes. We are all pansies here in LA.
Westgarth isn’t an enforcer. He’s a sideshow. Name one time he did any enforcing. You can’t. There’s none.
DL’s a mess. We needed a winger so he called up a center in Lokti and left Moller down.
Go and draft Teubert and keep feeding us Westgarth!
DL sucks.
[Reply]
bbb7 Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 12:11 pm
@tantrum4, Plus the game has changed over 30 years. It’s like saying the fans no longer love the safety in football who plays to injure and targets quarterbacks heads. The rules change and enforcers like Westgarth have become like chained bears you bring out to wrestle and amuse the fans once a game. A true enforcer actually intimidates players on the other team from taking liberties, which never happens with Westy cause the only player he ever fights is the other team’s enforcer. He accomplishes nothing.
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Dominick Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 12:34 pm
@bbb7, I say a true enforcer, in todays NHL forces the other team to deal with him, because if they don’t, he’ll take his own liberties with their team. Again he accomplishes nothing.
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Kevin from Toronto Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 12:30 pm
@tantrum4, enforcers are supposed to be actually tough and play somewhat decent ‘off the puck’ defense. Westgarth gets pumped every fight, he’s always out of position looking for a body rather than the puck. He’s by far the worst player the Kings have had in years (including Manchester).
I wish Parros was still around.
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 1:15 pm
@Kevin from Toronto, Parros didnt develop until he left this organization…Hmmm come to think of it, so did..Purcell, Boyle, and Moulson….starting to get the picture Kev ?
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BringBackTheShieldJersey Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 1:29 pm
@tantrum4, Pansies? No, just focused on the big picture, and that is winning. What we need to win is to score more. Westgarth or any other skill-less enforcer does not help this key area. Westgarth = opportunity cost. It’s not so much what he brings (a “deterrent” which he doesn’t), it’s what we give up when he plays. And that is someone with a higher probability of producing offensively. We don’t have the luxury of paying the opportunity cost that comes with Westgarth.
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 1:31 pm
@BringBackTheShieldJersey, Give this man a cigar !
[Reply]
tantrum4 Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 1:45 pm
@puck73,
Alright. One of you please tell me what team has an enforcer in the lineup that actually wins games for them? If you guys think Westgarth is directly linked to the Kings wins and loses you have no clue about anything. And for all of you that say Westie never wins a fight, I’ve only seen him lose once to John Scott, and then he went right back after him next game and fought him to a draw. More balls than any of you have. If Westgarth wasn’t on this team, you’d all be whining about how the Kings are getting pushed around and bullied like we did in the playoffs against Vancouver last year. I wish they’d get rid of Westie just to teach some of you a lesson about how intimidation works. The fact is, none of you are in the NHL or talk to NHL players, so you have no clue if other players are worried about Westgarth or not. NO CLUE. If no one on our team is getting pushed around or cheap shotted, well then I guess Westgarth is actually doing his job, without having to actually do anything. Which is what he’s paid to do.
puddle Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 2:01 pm
@tantrum4, “Alright. One of you please tell me what team has an enforcer in the lineup that actually wins games for them?”
I think you kind of just answered your own question right there. Enforcers DON’T win games for teams. Good players win games for teams.
As everyone already knows i have a serious dislike for Kevin Westagrth. I try, and try, and try to stay posistive about our team and TM but for some reason i just cant get the whole man love thing TM has with Westgarth. Westie was lucky last night that there was a guy on the other team that loves to fight (engeland) otherwise the guy would have been a ghost once more. He doestn do anything that you would want an enforcer to do IMO. he doesnt play physical, he doesnt take the body, and doesnt punish anyone! He skates around asking people to fight him, which 9 out of 10 times is just a waste of breath, unless like i said previously he runs into a guy like Engeland. Its very hard for me not to complain about KW and im trying again to stay positive but benching B-rad to play this guy just frusterates the hell out me!
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Daniel Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 12:12 pm
@BrokeKingsFan, I agree. And the fact that Westy plays more than 20 games a season reflects poorly on Coach Murray’s decision making as a head coach.
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puck73 Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 1:16 pm
@Daniel, The fact that Westgarth plays and Harrold rides pine tells you all you need to know about TM.
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tantrum4 Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 1:47 pm
@puck73,
HAHAHAHA!!! Harrold? Who gives a crap about that plug. What has he ever done for the Kings? Seriously. If it wasn’t for the Kings keeping him in the press box every night, he wouldn’t be in the NHL. Not even the Leafs would want him.
mcsorleyfan Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 2:42 pm
@BrokeKingsFan, I agreed to revisit the Westgarth issue midway thru the season, and now have to say- the guy doesn’t bring enough. Maybe next year, but we can’t afford “developement games” at this point this season. Brad Richardson with fighting skills I am not seeing.
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THIS IS THE YEAR, GUYS!!!
nm, this team is terrible. sure they have lots of young talent and some productive vets, and their record is not abysmal, by any means. but they just dont know how to win games!! teams who know how to win dont go on a 2-10 stretch!! there goes the season right there. teams who know how to win games dont lose to AHL roster teams (STL, PIT), etc, etc….
i’m hoping for the playoffs, but this team obviously is not ready to win or do anything of true substance this season. lets hope something remarkable happens before next season begins.
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I don’t mind dressing westgarth, as there is a need for his role. However, why does Lewis play in favor of Richardson? Richardson brings grit, occasional goals, and hard work. Lewis is a waste IMO
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brett butler Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 11:41 am
@Eric, our best lineup is having both lewis and richardson in. lewis plays a responsible 2-way game from the C position. not to be overlooked..
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5buckcolonnadeticket Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 11:48 am
@brett butler,
Lewis had this really awesome goal back in squirt. the puck went in at like 20 mph. Murray is just giving him the chance to prove he’s still got it.
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BrokeKingsFan Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 11:53 am
@Eric, please tell me what need we have for Westgarth? what does he do? and dont say he makes other teams think twice about taking runs at our guys because we have seen plenty of times thats not true! so what does the guy do? seriously?
[Reply]
Eric Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 12:26 pm
@BrokeKingsFan,
Enforcers don’t make other teams think twice about taking runs at the skilled players because of the instigator penalty. With that said, Westgarth will keep the opposing enforcer in check, not to mention the Kings’ skilled players will play with a bit more confidence.
When I watch Westgarth, whether live or on t.v., I see an enforcer that can actually play, but Murray lacks the requisite confidence to play him more frequently. He can skate pretty well for an enforcer, teammates love him, and he does create havoc in front of the opposing goalie when given the playing time.
Either way, Westgarth is not a game changer. The team will do just as well with or without in the lineup. But I like watching a team that stands up for each other and fights when necessary. That’s why the Bruins are my favorite team, besides the kings of course.
[Reply]
BrokeKingsFan Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 12:38 pm
@Eric, Other than Kopi, williams, and Lokti, we have no skill players, just grinders and role guys. and if you think Westagrth can actually play then i really dont know what games you have been watching. Pittsburgh IMO doesnt have enforcers they have agitators, which dont change there game because a team ices a goon. Murray doesnt play westgarth more because he knows he cant play Hockey. I can only think of one time this year Westie has caused havoc in front of the net that was not after the wistle. Last but not least, Westgarth is a game changer, and at this point he has been a season changer IMO. “The team will do just as well with or without hin in the lineup”, as Daniel has so graciously ran the #;s for us you will see thats not the case
When Westgarth does not play, the Kings are 13-3-1.
When Westgarth plays, the Kings are 16-20-1.
please tell me how that benefits us in any way
Why are alot of kings fans bagging on Westy. He is not the one who let in the goal in OT. JJ made a rookie mistake period. AS TM said, the high priced forwards dont give a dam about playing 60 minutes. Dont blame Westy. Blame TM and Brown for not having there team (as always) play 60 minutes. The first two lines are a joke right now. Over payed and under achieved. Letst get some players who have a kick ass attitude. Must be the hot weather and pacific water that makes the LA kings play like they dont give a dam. Two shots in the second period againest a team missing four of there top players. That is a joke.
[Reply]
brett butler Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 11:52 am
@gene, we like to blame the system and the lack of a LW sniper, etc, etc…but who is the team’s “heart” guy? a guy who puts out a strong shift when the whole team takes the 2nd period off on a nightly basis. or the guy who steps up with a strong game when the team loses 7 of 8? it seems each guy is just content with the situation as is.
[Reply]
gene Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 12:02 pm
@brett butler, Agree 100%. The players who are there now dont give a dam and just want a pay check. We need players who care and give 60 minutes. Like Bsoton, like Phil, like Detroit, and I hate to say this like the Ducks.
[Reply]
bbb7 Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 12:15 pm
@gene, I dont agree the players dont care or try. It seems to me after the team swarms around for the first period and dominates in shots and come out with a goose egg or a single goal when they should h=be a goal or two ahead, it takes something out of the squad. I’m sure if frustrates them watching teammates who cant finish. Twice the puck was in the goalmouth in the first period yesterday and neither King had the strengh to put it in. Several times they had good looks only to shot it wide or right into the goalie. The skill is missing, not the effort.
Eric Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 12:28 pm
@gene,
The funny thing is that Lombardi wants to add more lackadaisical players like Stillman and the guy in Ottowa. How about acquiring Chris Neil?
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Maybe if we could get some fans to rally around the team instead of always putting Murray or the players down, we may see the good in what were doing. Obviously we need another forward, but why harp on it? We have no control over it, so why get so damn excited? I get frustrated also, believe me I wanted to throw my remote at the TV when Stall scored last night, but we are in this fight for the next 28 games whether we get another player or not. Show some pride and lets encourage these guys to play their hearts out tomorrow and Sunday. I believe
[Reply]
gene Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 11:52 am
@LordStanley, Fans who pay tons of money to be season ticket holders or just pay for one game have a right to see hockey players play sixty minutes and earn there millions in salary. Last nite was a joke. Playing againest a team missing 4 of its top players. We only had two shots in the entire second period. Thats a joke. We have a right to be mad.
[Reply]
LordStanley Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 12:18 pm
@gene, If that happened in every sport where someone wasn’t dogging it, you would see an NBA team go 82-0, or an NFL team go 19-0. I think these guys work their ass off night in and night out. They are very limited with the offensive skill and resource they have. Thats a management issue, not a player issue. We are not even close to Stanley Cup caliber, Vancouver and Philly, those two teams are contenders, those two teams are hungry and willing to spend the money. The Kings management wont, so we are stuck trying to win with B-Grade caliber players. Its possible, and its been done before, but its not easy. They still have FIVE games left before they head to the game in Anaheim, don’t sink a ship just yet pal.
[Reply]
Laura Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 11:53 am
@LordStanley, NICELY SAID!! I believe too!!!
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I wonder what the kings record is in games after mixing up the lines like this? I have a feeling it isnt good. It seems to me that when this happens they go on an extended losing streak. I dont see a need for change right now, they are 5-0-2 in last 7 games. I know why TM does it, but i cant recall these major shake ups having success this season. When these changes are made I feel it brings the players out of their comfort zones and they try doing things that are beyond their usual game.
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Cannot wait for the end of the DL era.
Go back to Philly and take your buddies with you.
I want management and coaching who have the Kings foremost in their hearts.
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Feel bad for Bernie…seems he always gets thrown in when odds are against the entire team of winning…Westgarth in = moving on to next game please lol
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Need a scorer, and someone who can pass on Kopis line. Shoot, someone who can pass even would be nice if they are trying to focus more on him scoring the goals, he needs someone who can give him the puck. I’d like to see Simmonds again even.
[Reply]
GkingsG99 Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 12:04 pm
@GkingsG99, Lol, i didn’t read the new practice lines till now, Simmer is up there. I actually think this could be good seeing they want Kopitar to score, Simmonds can pass and Zus is responsible defensively and can cover.
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This is the first time I’ve really questioned Murray. Everything was going so great with Westgarth out of the line up. He gets put in, they lose and he is staying in. These new lines are ridiculous…
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Have you noticed the difference between the Ducks and kings??? The management of the Ducks goes out and gets players to help them. They play hard and play 60 minutes. IF you dont give 100% as a Duck player you are either sitting or gone. Wake up DL, get some players who care and play hard for 60 minutes. Get a coach who knows how to motivate. Just look at the Devils , they are kicking ass now after a bad start (better coach). All the kings do is say wait till next year.
[Reply]
Man if we just had some forwards that could score!!
our defense is stacked. i dont remember the last time we let more than 3 goals in in one game
our goaltending is stellar as well. j quick and bernier are definately not the problem. i feel comfortable with either one of them in. we are just lacking scoring. and its killing us. we cant make any good passes. i think when we have the puck in the offensive zone these guys need to try to be a little more fancy. go for that pass that might connect for a one timer. alot of the time i see our guys just skate with the puck and end up getting muscled off the puck or just losing it. take a chance in the Ozone. make some fancy passes. it might work. then on the pp we need more movement. i hate when we are on the pp and Kopi stays in that spot between the blue line and the faceoff circle i end up screaming at the tv during every pp. PLease please kopi move around. ugghh this team looks so stale at times. sorry, i just felt like ranting. had to get it out there.
GO KINGS
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TM can change lines everyday, but until we change our offensive look and try to be more creative, we will continue to be shut down. Even the Great #99 couldn’t score using the system we’re in. Grind it down low, sure, but not every line and every shift. Two guys behind the net, and two at the point and one in the crease? There is nobody in a good scoring area. How many times last night did a puck slide between the circles and there were no Kings in sight? When we do get a rush, no one is trailing looking for garbage. One or two goals a game is not going to get us where we want to go!
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New pole….With the upcoming UFAs and RFAs that are there….Which one would you like Deano to get? You got to the cap math here as well and give a good reason.
Mine- Penner…Trade DD2 and a Moller and still have room under cap. Penner is a big body, puck possesion, 20+ goal scorer and a LW.
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Cristobal Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 12:25 pm
@Kings Fan Vancouver, WA,
I’d rather get rid of DL and TM.
Make Luc GM and find a coach that understands today’s game: Maybe Dean Blais.
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kinginsaltlake Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 12:47 pm
@Kings Fan Vancouver, WA, I always liked Penner, Would be a good fit, lacks toughness for a big guy, but a great scorer
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Paging Mssrs. Brown and Kopitar….
http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Phil-Kessel-Missing-posters-will-likely-not-pl;_ylt=AnNGh_VwZLooaNuRixKwSu17vLYF?urn=nhl-319897
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kinginsaltlake Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 12:45 pm
@Capt Jam, Can’t belive that we let Fisher get away. I know he wanted to go to Nashville, but we need a winger in a bad way
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Here’s a note for those who watch the standings closely…
By Feb 15, the games played will look like this:
Kings 56
Sharks 58
Coyotes 59
Stars 57
Ducks 57
The other teams will play more games, and have more chances for points, so we will likely still be behind unles all four of them collapse.
By Feb 28, it finally comes back:
Kings games played 63
Sharks 63
Coyotes 65
Stars 62
Ducks 63
Then, it’s March, with a vastly favorable home/road percentage from then on. If the Kings don’t go .500 on the remaining games this road stretch, it will be very unlikley to make the playoffs.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 1:19 pm
@Player-X, The good news is they’re playing above .500 on this trip, so far.
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The solution to the Kopitar/Brown missing persons case is simple: put both of them in the press box for 2 or 3 games. Hold everyone accountable or hold no one accountable.
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If the rest of the boys did their job, we would have a better record with Westgarth in. He is much better than the last enforcer and we need Clifford on the ice and not in the box…
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DL via Helene Elliott- Kings GM Dean Lombardi on what he wants in trade market: “What we really need, I think, is for some of our players to step a bit at crunch time. That’s still most important.” Translation- DL is not going to get an accomplished ofensive player for this team, so for better or for worse, this is it. Are you guys as fans satisfied with this?
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kinginsaltlake Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 12:38 pm
@LW Anybody, NO, Dean must pull the trigger or our Post Season hopes are going to get dimmer
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How does Westgarth manage to stay in the lineup??? Does he have a damaging video of TM…
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We all need to relax a little. Our team excels in 2 of the 3 major components of the game, goaltending and defense. We don’t need to dismantle the team or fire all of the coaches (though a change of the PP/Offense coach would be a step in the right direction). We are 1, maybe two players away from success. We will have to give someone up, so be prepared to see some familiar faces leaving. Despite our poor offense, we still nailed down 6 of the 8 possible points on the road so far. Maybe this time period is the calm before the storm and with luck (and some hard work), the Kings PP and offense will come alive here in the stretch run of the season and then peak in the playoffs. We still control our destiny,
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Glad to see Bernier get the start in Washington. The way phiily was able to crowd the net and get under bernier skin the last time these two teams met it makes sense to play Quick on Sunday.
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What is our record as of late? Have we got any losses on this road trip yet? Last time I looked we were doing pretty good considering the bad hockey we played in January. All that matters is points and last night we still came away with 1. It sucked watching that goal go in by Stall, but dude worked hard for that goal, Quick just missed it. Kings played hard and that is all we can ask for. This is a tough part of the road trip. This weekends games are off the charts and we had better be ready. We don’t have time to be looking back, The Capitals are our next opponent. We root this club on and hope we come away with points. Kopi is skating like s#&*^%t and Brown seems like he’s not hitting, but we are still coming away with points. The whole team looks like they know what is at stake here. We play in a division that is super tight. We seem to not be able to move up cause all the other teams keep winning. Sharks are on fire and the Ducks are a good hockey club. There is going to be a couple of teams from the Pacific that will be pissed off cause they won’t make it. I don’t think there has ever been a division where every team has made the post season. Let us all hope that not coming to play during those “off” months don’t come back and bite us in the rear. It’s a long season,yet the good clubs find a way to pace themselves and when a slump comes along they get out of it and get back into it quickly. We are a good club right now. We are skating with a edge that we haven’t seen all year and most importantly we are getting points. So let’s get behind this guys and hope for the best. Get of the guys back will ya, they are playing their hearts out. Again look at our record as of late—— No Losses, Only Points
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Kings Fan Vancouver, WA Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 1:18 pm
@kinginsaltlake, Well said.
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deadcatbounce Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 1:24 pm
@kinginsaltlake, If the Kings played hard last night and still couldn’t beat a Penguins team, half of which was manned by minor leaguers, then they’re in deep doo-doo!
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kinginsaltlake Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 9:29 pm
@deadcatbounce, maybe so ,but that doesn’t mean that we as fans have to start bad talking the guys. Being a Kings fan is a tough deal. Some years we were swimming in doo-doo. This year it’s like we step in a big pile every other month.
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I do not want to loose Washington. Bernier better play a good game tomorrow.
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puck73 Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 1:33 pm
@Alex4theKings, respectfully submitted..Kevin Westgarth Los Angeles Kings Hockey Club.
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