Drew Doughty and Terry Murray gave their thoughts earlier, and after today’s skate, Willie Mitchell talked a bit about the importance of closing out this leg of the road trip on a winning note…
MITCHELL: “We’ve done so many good things over the course of this trip to win games and, in games when you don’t play as well, find ways to get points. That’s what you need to do at this time of the year. So to play so well, and then not have a good performance tonight, would really kind of sting a little bit. I think it’s a game we’re ready for, because we know the significance, as far as concluding a good road trip. I thought the game in Columbus was probably our biggest trap game, so to speak, of the trip. By trap, I mean just a mental trap, where you were sitting around for two days, coming off two emotional wins in Washington and Philadelphia. So I think, in this one, we’ll be much more ready. We’re facing a young hockey team, full of a lot of energy, trying to prove things, and those teams are really dangerous, so we’ll look to play a smart game against them.”
Very happy about 2 things, here:
1. They are talking it up about not letting down for this game.
2. Mitchell staying healthy!
[Reply]
Scot Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 12:57 pm
@xeropoint, *Gives you a high-five*
[Reply]
Why bring up point number 2? Your scarin all we superstitious folks to death man!
[Reply]
xeropoint Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 12:55 pm
@Kingsfaninsano, Heh, my bad. That’s the last I’ll say about it!
[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 1:04 pm
@xeropoint, At least till we win the cup. OOOPS! there I go ruining it for everybody. LOL
[Reply]
wavesinair Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 1:12 pm
@Dominick, Don’t you mean *Cups* as in dynasty? OOOPS AGAIN!
Nice props.
“If you look up and down their lineup, with the young team that they have, filtered in with some of their veteran guys and obviously on the back end with the two goaltenders that they have, they’re a very good hockey team…they’re a dominant team.” -Isles Coach on the Kings.
As long as the Kings play a solid, consistent 3 periods, I’ll be happy regardless of the result. It’s been a trip that has far surpassed all of our expectations so we have to remember that.
The only thing I don’t want to see is poor play. Why? Because there is absolutely no excuse for it. The Islanders are just not good enough to give us sustained trouble. If the puck just doesn’t go our way, then so be it. I just don’t want to see lazy, undisciplined mistakes.
As Willie says, “To play so well, and then not have a good performance tonight, would really kind of sting a little bit.”
Just play well and more likely than not, the Kings will have 70 points by the end of the night.
[Reply]
Scot Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 1:09 pm
@wavesinair,
Nice quote. They know that the Kings are intent on “bringing it” this game, so you can bet that they will be bringing it as well, which should make for an interesting game. Think Moulson is going to have a chip on his shoulder tonight, and want to stick it to the Kings?
[Reply]
just for fun: Scheen 15 Games, 15 G, 22 A, 34 points/ Kitsyn 18 Games, 4 G,12 A, 16 points, Linded Vey 56 Games, 39 G, 57 A, 96 Points (leads WHL) Jordan Weal 59 Games,29 G, 46 A, 75 points. Kitsyn’s avarage isn;t quite as eye poping as the rest, but than again excelent for a guy who doesn’t speak the language in his first 16 games in North America
[Reply]
Scot Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 1:06 pm
@Ravens,
Solid numbers. Tyler Toffoli is turning heads as well. The Kings’ future has a good chance to be bright, and for a long time. There are going to be some competitive training camps in the coming years.
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 1:08 pm
@Ravens, One guy that you left out in the juniors is Tyler Toffoli…he is absolutely lighting it up, pretty much a goal a game. Good work on the others dude. Boy, are we loaded or what ? !
[Reply]
2 hours and 25 minutes until the puck drops… tick tick tick
[Reply]
neil Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 1:44 pm
@wavesinair, tick tick tick
[Reply]
Player-X Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 2:13 pm
@wavesinair, too cold to surf?
[Reply]
wavesinair Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 2:16 pm
@Player-X, Rain runoff…water’s too dirty.
[Reply]
Player-X Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 2:22 pm
@wavesinair, sux then..You gotta come out boating with me between Cup Finals games, so we can calm down from watching THE KINGS PLAY IN THEM.
wavesinair Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 2:35 pm
Nice! If only man, if only. Wow, I really hope it happens soon.
Drew and Willie good luck. On paper this is one game Kings should win. Kings must show respect and get down to business. I remember when Kings beat Sharks and Nhl.com said Kings are the best team in the league. We all know what happened. In this league every win has to be earned. I love the way Terry Murray has sent a message to the team by taking Andrei Loktionov out of the line up. He wants Kings play hard and play within the system. Terry should win coach of the year. He has the Kings on the same page and is putting up numbers in playoff standing without number one line. Go Coach GO.
[Reply]