Some notes from last night’s game…
– The Kings kept pace with their closest Western Conference competitors as they beat San Jose 4-3 in a shootout on Thursday night at Staples Center.
– With one game remaining, the Kings lead the season series against the Sharks 3-2, although each team has claimed six points in the series because of two Kings shootout victories. The Kings went 2-1 against San Jose at home, the first time since 2002-03 that the Kings beat the Sharks twice at home.
– The Kings have a 42-26-6 record, the exact same record they had after 74 games last season. After their 74th game last season, the Kings were in seventh place in the West, seven points ahead of ninth-place Calgary. Now they’re in fifth place, four points ahead of ninth-place Dallas.
– The Kings outshot the Sharks 38-28, including 14-4 in the second period.
– The Kings went 2-for-5 on the power play and 2-for-3 on the penalty kill. The Kings had their streak of 35 consecutive successful penalty kills ended early in the second period, but also scored two power-play goals in a game for the first time since Feb. 26, a span of 12 games.
– The Kings improved to 22-12-3 at home, 10-16-4 when allowing the first goal, 24-0-1 when leading after the second period, 9-2 in shootouts and 21-8-6 in one-goal games.
– Jonathan Quick stopped 25 of 28 shots in overtime and regulation, and improved to 9-0 in shootouts this season as he stopped four of five San Jose attempts. Quick has stopped 34 of 41 shootout attempts this season (82.9 percent) and has a career shootout record of 21-7.
– Dustin Brown had two power-play goals in regulation, then scored the shootout-deciding goal in the fifth round. Brown is now tied with Anze Kopitar for the team lead with 25 goals, and has four goals in his last five games. It was Brown’s fifth two-goal game of the season, his 16th multi-point game of the season and the first time this season he has scored two power-play goals in a game.
– Willie Mitchell scored a second-period goal, and matched his career-high with his fourth goal of the season. Mitchell also had four goals for Vancouver last season.
– Alec Martinez had two power-play assists. It was Martinez’s second multi-point game of the season, his first multi-assist game of the season and the first time this season that he recorded multiple power-play points.
– Alexei Ponikarovsky had one assist, on the power play. Ponikarovsky has five assists in his last six games.
– Michal Handzus had one assist, on the power play. Handzus has two assists in his last three games.
– Oscar Moller had one assist, in his first game with the Kings after being called up on Wednesday. Moller has one goal and three assists in five games with the Kings this season.
– Ryan Smyth had one assist, his 22nd assist of the season.
– Jarret Stoll scored in the second round of the shootout. Stoll is 8-for-9 in shootout attempts this season.
– Dustin Brown and Oscar Moller each recorded a game-high five shots on goal. Brown and Matt Greene each were credited with a game-high six hits. Rob Scuderi was credited with a team-high two blocked shots.
– Drew Doughty played a game-high 30 minutes, 5 seconds, the second time this season he has topped the 30-minute mark. (Doughty played a season-high 30:41 on Dec. 4 against Detroit.) Anze Kopitar led all forwards in ice time at 24:04.
– The Kings won 36 of 64 faceoffs (56 percent). Michal Handzus won 11 of 18 draws (61 percent) and Jarret Stoll won 9 of 15 draws (60 percent).
Stoll’s nickname should be “Automatic”
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Sean Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 10:43 am
@Qmungous,
How about semi-automatic…cause really its only in shoot outs that hes automatic!
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roadtripper Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 10:53 am
@Sean, haha, I like it!
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pat bateman Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 10:44 am
@Qmungous, i’d lean more toward stick-shift because stolly is freakin clutch!
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sstephen17 Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 11:06 am
@Qmungous, Quick is even more automatic in shootouts. Even the cheaters can’t beat him, lol.
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M.T. Net Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 11:40 am
@sstephen17, haha. I’m glad we didn’t lose on account of that bush-league goal. what a bunch of chickens***. (too bad Quick didn’t stay up, he would have stoned that dude cold).
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CB14 Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 1:00 pm
@M.T. Net, Quick didn’t stay up cause he thought it was illegal to skate within 3 feet of the goalie, then skate 20 feet away from him and score a goal in the shootout. Is it considered forward momentum when you’re going sideways on the ice for 20 feet? I guess the NHL thinks so. I’d love too see a player go from board’s to board’s 10 times in the shootout while still going up ice and score a goal. I guess it’s still considered “forward” momentum. As long as it’s not a King’s player doing it! Right Toronto?
garry Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 10:15 am
@M.T. Net, That was not a goal! If this is the way we play shoot-out’s in the future, then time to get rid of it!
VanKingsFan Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 2:36 pm
@sstephen17, He was constantly moving in the direction of the end line, side to side or not, he had forward momentum the whole time…. barely… but he did. Everyone should stop crying about this goal, kind of wish Kopitar had thought of it first.
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Deke'r Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 4:27 pm
@VanKingsFan, That goal sucked, and I had to laugh when they went to Toronto for a decision….like there was any chance in hell Toronto was going to rule in the Kings favor. Talk about a biased organization.
Moller was impressive last night, if he can keep it up, his quickness and speed is what we were missing.
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roadtripper Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 10:56 am
@Cup4LA64, I couldn’t agree more! And we need more of it (I know it won’t happen, this year, but I’d love to see Kozun called up to replace Poni. We NEED to back off more D’s with speed. I also love Oscar’s “shoot and shoot some more” mentality! Can he teach Kopi to pull the trigger a bit more?
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mash-ola Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 11:32 am
@Cup4LA64, He did have a good game last night… I noticed he seemed to have a lot more confidence in his game, and when you see that assertiveness, you can tell he was feeling comfortable. I’m happy for him, and I hope he can keep it up while Williams is out…
What a roller coaster game last night… holy Toledo!
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jkking Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 11:34 am
@Cup4LA64, Moller was great last night. MOLLER MOLLER MOLLER!
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mash-ola Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 11:34 am
@Cup4LA64, Also… it just goes to show that spending time in Manchester can be a good thing. More playing time and the opportunity to work on special teams can definitely pay dividends… That’s why it’s often time a good thing not to rush prospects…. just saying…
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Cup4LA64 Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 1:35 pm
@mash-ola, Really interesting point on Manchester. I believe player can react differently to being sent down to Manchester, ie Bernier. But from what we hearing about Moller’s great attitide, I’m sure he took full advantage of the playing time. Can’t help but to root for a kid like him.
Agree with you on the game…. imagine a 7 game series against the Sharks. Count me in!
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Token Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 12:21 pm
@Cup4LA64, The only problem I saw on the first line; Moller was just too fast for Penner
.
Made Penner look extra slow.
Big guy needs to pick it up a touch.
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gene Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 12:30 pm
@Token, Can some one explain to me why Penner is worth $4 + million a year? He is so slow and looks like he really doesnt give a darn. Oscor made him look even slower. Great game OSCOR.
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that 24-0-1 when leading after 2 is a beautiful stat!
brown has stepped it up lately, i hope he can keep it going.
so if Oscar keeps playing well, and we go deep to the playoffs, and JW comes back…who gets booted??
i’m thinking it would have to be Richie or Lewis. Then who gets to play on the 1st line? I would expect OM to, as TM would have to ease JW back in on the 2nd line perhaps.
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Walter Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 10:52 am
@Newf, trust me. Lewis is not leaving the lineup. Way too valuable now.
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Steve Jensen Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 11:02 am
@Walter,
If only Lewis had a set of hands. He would be top 6 material. As of now, he has hands of stone and can’t score if his life depends on it. He’s a great penalty killer, though and a solid skater.
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DesertKing Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 11:25 am
@Steve Jensen,
He was really good at the blue line on several of those PK’s.
roadtripper Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 10:59 am
@Newf, IF THIS HAPPENED, I would think Westgarth would be gone. You don’t need his type much in the playoffs…
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Bluecoconuts Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 11:45 am
@roadtripper, Westgarth will stay. It will be Moller who goes down. Contract allows it, and Westgarth is valuable for different reasons.
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tornado12 Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 11:49 am
@Bluecoconuts, why would anyone need to go down? From what i understand there is no roster limit now
Token Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 12:26 pm
@tornado12, kids get sent down cuz:
A. There is a pro franchise in Manchester that needs to win and make some money.
B. Salary is much lower in Manchester for everyone except Zeiler who has a one-way contract.
Newf Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 12:43 pm
@Bluecoconuts, Westgarth is not a playoff player. using him in the playoffs would be pointless. why tire other forwards out because he only plays 5mins a game, when you can roll for lines and actually give your 4th line some ice time?
Newf Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 12:50 pm
@Newf, If the Kings start to make a serious playoff run…I don’t think Manchester will factor much into the Kings plans. Who is going to make more money on a serious playoff run?
I also do not believe that salaries count towards the playoffs, only bonuses do. So salary is not an issue I don’t think. Players are played the same salary if they play 0 playoff games or 20.
@Tornado, that’s what I was understanding as well, so it’s not really ‘sending people down’ as it is just scratching people. so if JW comes back and OM is still playing well i was thinking this for lines:
Penner/Kopitar/Moller
Smyth/Stoll/Williams
Simmonds/Handzus/Brown
Clifford/Richardson/Lewis/Ponikarovsky
why waste a spot on westgarth when people are terrified of Clifford when he can hurt you any number of ways?
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Deke'r Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 4:33 pm
@Newf, “people are terrified of Clifford”…except the guy that rang his bell.
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CB14 Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 1:14 pm
@Newf, We had a very similar stat line at the end of 2 last year, and look what happened in the playoffs. We lost twice after leading for 2 periods. Alot of that had to do with Quick being gassed towards the end of the year, but we had leads entering the third period in 2 of those games that we lost. I think that shows just how close we were to winning that series.
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Kenny44 Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 2:15 pm
@CB14, That 24-0-1 stat is pretty to look at, but it’s awfully close to being a damn lie. How many points have we given away in the last few weeks while we tried to play “lockdown” on a 1-goal lead for an entire period or more? That style could kill us in the playoffs. Once a coach puts his team into lockdown mode, if the other team does score it’s not exactly easy to shift gears late in the game and get the win. The Kings have done it recently through shootouts, but you don’t have that option in the playoffs. Defense may be the Kings’ strength but you’ve got to push back a little bit with a forecheck, even with a lead.
If you’r beating a team after 2, keep going with what’s been working. Finish them!
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Is Bernier going to be in goal Saturday? Hmmm…
I would say TM gives Quick some rest…
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bbb7 Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 11:20 am
@KingsGuy, That makes sense but it puts JB in a no-win situation – the Kings are expected to handle Colorado with no problem, so if somehow they should lose everyone will be saying they should have started Quick, and if they win, everyone will say, ho hum, they should have won.
Not a good spot to put your backup into, but on the surface a good time to rest JQ; maybe his last rest before the final weekend.
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KingsGuy Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 12:14 pm
@bbb7, Good point.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 12:29 pm
@bbb7, The same thing happens to Quick when he’s judged to have given up a bad goal. People say Bernier should be playing.
The thing to do is ignore all that crap. I think Bernier should play either Saturday or Tuesday, and again the last game or second-to-last game of the season, which are back-to-back nights against the Ducks. Maybe Murray should ask THEM what THEY think about the next two.
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USHA#17 Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 1:50 pm
@bbb7,
Time and time by failing to pick up the garbage the Kings have made the end to this season if not exciting, agonizing.
Bernier may have to win the Colorado game on his own and its kudos for Mr. Bernier if that is proves to be the case.
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cant believe 8 games left and 4 home games and 4 away this season almost done and we still not safe kinda
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Anjin Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 11:14 am
@KingsFanFTW, our next 2 are trap games and so far we’ve been total failures in those types of games. We have to play with desperation on Saturday!
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Capt Jam Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 12:50 pm
@Anjin,
It is a trap game and it also isn’t: the Kings aren’t playing this COL game immediately following a successful road trip and they’ve yet to lose against against COL this season. That, in my mind, is the most important factor: the Kings have the edge over COL, whereas STL is nothing but trouble regardless of whether the Kings are winning or losing at the time.
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I would like to see the videos of Stoll’s last 8 shootout goals. It seems he kisses the post in the upper 90 every time. Amazing!!!
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M.T. Net Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 11:42 am
@BluLiner, seriously. have the opposing goalies NOT SEEN THIS?!?! SHHHHH. lets keep it quiet.
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Mikey Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 11:51 am
@BluLiner, i’m pretty sure Stolly and his top right corner shootout shot are going to be well reviewed in the opposing teams pre game meetings. annnnd why was penner in the S.O.? He’s a stud, but that was the last thing i expected
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Stagger Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 12:39 pm
@Mikey,
And why did they wait so long to let Brown shoot? He probably had his best game of the season last night and he was obviously “in their heads”. He should have gone 3rd, or 4th at the latest in the SO, IMHO.
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Joe Dirt Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 12:30 pm
@BluLiner,
I am sure the goalies know what Stolly is gonna do from watching tape. At the shootout last night, Niemi came way out the crease to meet Stoll and cut down the shooting angle. End result, Stoll still scored.
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Token Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 12:31 pm
@BluLiner, For a guy with a darn good, accurate, quick release wrister, you wonder why he doesn’t use it on the PP more like Martinez. Would reduce the predictable five second windup we are famous for from the blue line.
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Mikey Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 1:22 pm
@Token,
Well said. Mitchell had the right idea last night. Usually Drew/Jack receive at the blue line, pass to Kopi on the half wall, passes back to Drew/Jack..Wait..wind up, gets deflected out of the zone. Mitchell received, moved laterally and let it f’n rip.
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CB14 Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 1:17 pm
@BluLiner, I said the same thing to my GF at the Calgary game, and he promptly goes blocker side and it makes me look like an idiot in front of my GF, thanks Stoll. err Don Draper.
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BluLiner Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 2:31 pm
@CB14, I can only guess that Kiprosoff is the only goalie who shut has off the angle for the upper right, but then he kept the lower left wide open and Stoll nailed it.
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BluLiner Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 2:31 pm
@BluLiner,
**has shut off**
Bob Bobson Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 1:23 pm
@BluLiner, Foxy commented on the broadcast last night that everyone knew where the puck was going, including Niemi, yet it still went in. That is a hell of a shot. He went in with a lot of confidence and knew exactly what he was going to do.
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I have an offer that Rich Hammond, and Frank from EA Sports cant touch…How would one of you bloggers like ta join puck73 in the premier level, section 1 row 7 where the Kings shoot twice for tomorrow’s game vs the Av’s for FREE ! THATS RIGHT, FOR FREE ! Well, keep responding to me thru out the day and I will announce the winner later.
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BrokeKingsFan Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 2:37 pm
@puck73, Im there! Me, pick me!
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BrokeKingsFan Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 3:53 pm
@puck73, So…….. any idea on who you want to take yet? a free ticket is for sure my kind of ticket. Beer’s on me
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Mikey Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 4:43 pm
@puck73,
I own a collections agency, pick me and i’ll knock off 10% commission if we ever work together in the future.
Dont pick me and expect a letter and about 5 calls an hour.
NOT A THREAT, Rich.. just being playful
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– The Kings won 36 of 64 faceoffs (56 percent). Michal Handzus won 11 of 18 draws (61 percent) and Jarret Stoll won 9 of 15 draws (60 percent) Then please tell me TM why you had AK out to take the critical faceoff? DUH
He will never be a winning coach!
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Deke'r Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 4:43 pm
@Jamer, That was the first thing I said when I saw Kopi out there. Did TM think Kopi was gonna break out on a breakaway with 14 seconds left. I know Kopi did actually control the faceoff but if he planned on kicking the puck back why didn’t he KICK the puck back? Then everyone else just stood there watching as if the game was over….can’t let up even a little when there is still time on the clock.
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Kingstane9 Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 12:32 am
It was defenders mistake. They didn’t move or push forward on a won faceoff…
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I would love to calculate Poni’s points per seconds on ice during PPs. He is causing havoc. I loved how the Shark D man jumped out of his way on that play behind the net.
Lewis sent out with 45 seconds left with a one goal lead. WOW
Brown only seems to do what is necessary at the time and place. Last night it was score.
Greene’s one hand throw downs just look ridiculously easy. The force seems similar to when I use to flick spitballs at Becky Dullenburger in first grade.
I hope Moeller can bring this same effort every game. Impressive and beautiful to watch when he goes into a (Hakanssonesqe)wheel to build speed.
Great game. The neighbors still think I am bipolar.
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Just finished watching the game on DVR, was at the game last night sitting low near the King’s bench (wow, what an interesting perspective that gives you). My take.
He may not realise it, but Richardson lost his job last night. Moller isn’t going back to Manchester even when JW gets back. Way way too much upside. He adds the one thing King’s need, speed with a serious threat to score. He’s also was MUCH better along the boards than the last time I saw him and he was up against one of the best group of forwards in the league.
Those of you that think Moller would replace Lewis … or you high or what? This guy (Lewis)is a PK par-excellance. An amazingly good defensive forward that won’t be going anywhere except perhaps our shut down checking line.
Zues is back. He played another great game last night on the PK and he apparently has developed some chemistry with Brown. These two look very good together.
Martinez and Greene seems to have gotten together and decided they are our 2nd defensive paring. Sorry JJ and Scudes are not as good right now. Martinez and Greene got some magic going on atm. Martinez has the look of a future star defenseman to me. I still can’t believe it after seeing what he looked like last year. And oh BTW, Greene playing the best defense of his career.
Simmonds. Nice to have you back.
Poni … ah, so this is what you look like healthy. I like it!
Mitchell playing at the top of his game. An amazing PK guy.
Stoll … how about you lose the so so one timer shooting while playing 5 on 5 and the PP and stick with that fricken amazingly accurate wrist shot you show us in the shoot outs?
Quick. Still a weak spot under the glove hand and stick handeling with the puck, but the all the rest is 2nd to none. Way to shake off not only that soft goal, but that wierd shoot out goal and win us another shoot out.
I really really like the lines. Hope they stick those lines. They looked great.
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DesertKing Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 11:29 am
@KC23,
Maybe Rich could check on this, but it seemed to me that Moeller looked bigger and stronger than earlier in the season? Was he on some workout regimen or diet that helped him bulk up possibly? I only saw him really get pushed off a puck once along the boards but he was definitely holding his ground better than in past games.
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KC23 Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 11:32 am
@DesertKing, I thought he was better than even on the boards. He didn’t appear to be a liability at all. Offensively Moller looked as good as anyone on the team. Tied with the most shots and two of our goals and a few near misses all a result of Moller’s offensive play. Very impressive indeed.
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M.T. Net Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 11:47 am
@KC23, Viking Diet: raping & pillaging the division rivals requires 5000+ calories per day
phil Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 11:57 am
I was at the game last night too, and I would agree that Richardson did not look good. Got bumped off the puck too many times and really wasn’t able to do much. Moller looked great. Strong on the boards, always moving his feet and battling for the puck. Also blew by (I think) Kyle Wellwood to get a decent scoring chance. In all honesty, if/when JW plays again this season in all honesty I would bench Ryan Smyth. He just isn’t an effective player anymore. Too slow, not strong on the boards, gets bumped off the puck too easily. His only asset is standing in front of the net and deflecting shots or getting garbage goals. I know you need that and he does have the veteran experience, but I can’t help but think that a Penner-Kopitar-Williams 1st line and Moller-Handzus-Brown 2nd line would work much better.
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RobSD Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 1:28 pm
@phil,
I disagree about Smyth. He is certainly as slow as molasses but he is strong on the puck and an excellent play maker. He get’s the puck into the zone better than most.
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KC23 Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 1:41 pm
@phil, I like your pick for the two top lines once JW gets back.
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CB14 Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 1:21 pm
@KC23, I don’t think he’s competing for Richie’s spot. I think everyone agree’s that Richie’s not a top 6 forward, and Moller can’t be a bottom 6 due to his lack of size in TM’s point of view. Richie is what he is, a bottom 6 guy with speed and not so great finishing ability. A poor man’s Trevor Lewis if you will.
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RobSD Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 1:25 pm
@KC23,
I like your take. I would honestly take AM over JFUJ any time. I would rather not have to wonder at what point in the game is JFUJ’s mental breakdown and huge give away going to happen. I know he is good, but would almost rather see him as a forward. Every one screws up, it is a fact of life, but it seems every mistake he makes is huge, and costs us a game. AM is a good scoring threat and is also a solid solid d man. If Martinez played the minutes JFUJ does on the PP, he would have a lot more points, probably comparable to JJ.
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Okay Moller was outstanding yesterday, Hopefully he brings that kind of energy every night. Not trying to be a troll here but Dustin Penner has not impressed me the last two games. Looks as if he really doesn’t want to put effort into getting pucks and making plays, although the upside is Kopitar has been a whole new player since we got Penner. Kopitar is full of energy and making huge plays. I really hope that Penner starts playing like he wants to win.
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GkingsG99 Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 12:10 pm
@kingme81, Yep, im not impressed with Penner either, even Nick and Daryl said they think he needs to step up his game.
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rick Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 12:20 pm
@GkingsG99, Agreed. You gotta wonder what this guy is going to bring to this or any team if he cannot put it into high gear in this situation. I know this is a snap judgment, but from what I have seen he is at best a stopgap solution to our LW problems.
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Capt Jam Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 12:59 pm
@kingme81,
The day after JW went down I posted a prediction on here that the Kings would return to scoring by committee (which is how they found much of their offensive success during their 12-3 start) in the SJ game and that is exactly what we saw last night. Good gawd, even Smyth was puttin the hammer down on those old legs. I have no doubt tomorrow’s matchup will provide Penner with ample opportunity to get his game back.
It looks like the foxhole mentality is back with this team.
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I was kind of wondering where the Kings were this time last season, so I looked at last season’s game log and was astonished that they have the identical record as they did this time last season… I hope, however they finish stronger than they did last season. They finished their last 8 games of the year 4-4 and I remember they were losing steam toward the end. Quick was the workhorse and tired down the stretch.
To even make the playoffs this season, the Kings are going to have to do a heck of a lot better than 4-4. As euphoric as last night’s win was (although I’m still miffed that they gave up the lead with 4 seconds left and gave the Sharks an extra point in the standings, and didn’t raise their regulation win total to the standings), the Kings are still on shaky ground. They are so close to breaking from the 6-8th seeding pack, yet just as close to falling out of a playoff spot altogether.
This season has been as exciting as it has been nerve-wracking…. and I love it!
GO KINGS GO!!!
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 12:31 pm
@mash-ola, They’ll be fine.
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bbb7 Reply:
March 25th, 2011 at 12:39 pm
@mash-ola, I think 4-4 (and 98 points) would definitely put the team in the playoffs, tho probably at 7 or 8 seed. We need 101 or so to have a decent seed (like 4-5).
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I know its a little early to start thinking about next season, but with Poni and Zeus playing so well, DL will have to make some tough decisions.
2011 – 2012 lineup?
Penner – Kopi – Williams
Smyth – Schenn – Brown
Clifford – Stoll – Simmer (checking line)
Richie – Lewis – Moller (speed line)
Penner, Smyth and Stoll will each have one year left on their contracts. Richardson is a RFA. Zeus and Poni are UFA. Who do you resign and where do you play all these guys?
Smyth has struggled the second half but @ $6m you can’t trade him…I still think he’s extremely valuable as we will hopefully see in the post season. I assume Penner gets an extension unless he dogs it. I think Stoll also gets a new contract.
How about Parse and Loktionov?
NICE PROBLEM TO HAVE!
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For the first time in forever, not a single game on the NHL schedule tonight matters to the Kings. The fans’ minds can finally take a night off to recover from scoreboard overdoses!
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I don’t know about the others that watched the game but, Moeller looked great out on the ice. He added that xtra speed the Kings have been lacking on the 1st line and the boys meshed great together. Oscar. When it comes to that little xtra burst of speed, he has shown when to turn it on. Glad to see him on the Kings roster
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Stop using Handzus first for SO. He can’t hit the broad side of a battleship. Please.
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