Tonight’s game story (March 29)

Posted by Rich Hammond on 29 March 2011, 10:30 pm

Here’s my LAKings.com game story for tonight, with stats and video included. Thanks for reading…

Kings beat Oilers 2-0

The Kings are scheduled to practice tomorrow at 11 a.m. at Rogers Arena in Vancouver.

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118 Comments

xeropoint says:

March 29, 2011 at 10:34 pm

So… would now be a good time to round up all the nicknames? Would love a list for no other reason than to etch their identities into our collective consciousness!

[Reply]
Action Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 5:09 am
@xeropoint,

Hmmm fair question. Please insiders, correct whatever is wrong.

#2 Greener
#3 JJ/JMFJ
#5 Harry
#7 Scuds
#8 Dewey
#9 (No idea what Moller’s NN would be)
#11 Kopi
#12 Lokti
#13 Cliffy
#14 Willy
#15 Richie
#17 Simmer
#19 Westy
#21 Scooter?
#23 Brownie
#25 Penns (?)
#26 Zues
#27 Poni
#28 Stolly
#32 Johnny Q/ Quickie
#33 Willie?
#44 Whiskey
#45 Johnny B/ Bernie
#53 Marty?
#94 Smytty

[Reply]
Poorman Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 5:55 am
@Action,
#22 Lewie

[Reply]
Paul G Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 6:03 am
@Action, #13 Big Red (dog)
#9 Little Viking?

[Reply]
mrbrett7 Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 8:09 am
@Paul G, Minnie Me?

teodoro Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 7:10 am
@Action, How about bicuspid for Moller

[Reply]
Rob Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 8:23 am
@Action, Some suggestions:

Brown should be Duster, ’cause Brownie conjures up little Girl Scout wannabes.
Mitchell should be Mitch, ’cause you can’t have two Willies. Then again, right now we don’t.
I like A-Mart for Martinez, whoever coined that one.
Clifford should be The Colonel or BRD (Big Red Dawg).
Jonny Q and Jonny B are good, but for Bernier’s alternate I would go with Burner.
Moller–Little Mo?

[Reply]
Paul G Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 6:54 am
@Rob, idk if u play hockey but calling a hockey player a duster is the mother insult of all insults….not the best nickname for our leading goalscorer

poe Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 8:33 am
@Action, #9= Mighty Mouse

[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 8:55 am
@Action, I like #9 Mollinater.

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luckyluc13 says:

March 29, 2011 at 10:35 pm

I miss Kopi ‘s post game quotes,ya know.Rock on Kings

[Reply]
McDonalds Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 10:35 am
@luckyluc13,

hahaha me too, ya know?

[Reply]
pat says:

March 29, 2011 at 10:36 pm

Smyth has the #1 goal of the week in the NHL. So everyone knows who got the A?

[Reply]
TJB Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 10:49 pm
@pat,

Stoll…if you’re asking?

[Reply]
pat Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 11:21 pm
@TJB, thanks i didn’t see the game at all or reading anything until i got home tonight. stoll should move up to the first line with penner..

[Reply]
the_guv Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 2:03 am
@pat, Totally. I think its a no brainer with how slow Zues is (love ya though Zues).

Kings x Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 2:56 am
@pat, My thoughts exactly. Reunite that Edmonton chemistry.

Penner-stoll-simmer
Smyth-lewis-brown
Poni-Zeus-moller
Cliffy-Richardson-westy

jason Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 4:12 am
@pat, stoll has been horrible lately, even worse than zus.. the only center worthy of anything right now is lewis… all stoll does is win faceoffs and still his +/- stinks

Michael J. Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 8:34 am
@jason,

Chris Carter… “All he does is catch touchdowns”

I guess the coaching staff is a bunch of idiots for giving Stoll the “A”.

KC23 Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 11:21 pm
@pat, It’ll be Zues.

[Reply]
Kostamojen Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 9:43 am
@KC23, it’s already Stoll. He had the A last night…

[Reply]
gcheng says:

March 29, 2011 at 10:39 pm

Toffoli’s OHL ottowa 67 team is on the brink of elimination.

i wonder if they were eliminated, will he join the kings or the monarchs.

would love to have a sniper for the playoff run.

[Reply]
the_guv Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 2:05 am
@gcheng, I think it’s the situation as Schenn. We need to sustain a few more injuries to make an emergency call up. Don’t quote me on that though

[Reply]
gcheng Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 3:42 am
@the_guv,

if his team is eliminated, he can be called up. just as if schenn’s team is eliminated he can as well. the only thing is schenn team is very strong and is leading their series. toffoli’s team is down 3-0. so one more game and they are out

[Reply]
mrbrett7 Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 8:10 am
@gcheng, This, although he would join the Monarchs.
Poorman says:

March 29, 2011 at 10:44 pm

I am so proud of the Kings. Say are sacking up bigtime! However, I’m sorry, but I must create a controversy. This is for you Puck 73: Who should be the #1 Goaltender on the Kings? I’m totally serious. My vote, and I know this is not popular, goes to Bernier. This guy was nails tonight!!!!! Absolutely brilliant. Quick is great, but Bernier is greater.

[Reply]
CB14 Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 10:50 pm
@Poorman, This again Poorman. It was against Edmonton for crying out loud. Shutting out a healthy Edmonton team wouldn’t mean much, but Edmonton was without Taylor Hall, Sam Gagne, Ales Hemsky, Ryan Whitney, and Shawn Horcoff. Not a great team for which to make your point about Bernier being better than Quick.

[Reply]
Noah Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 10:54 pm
@Poorman, Quick is battle tested. His experience in the playoffs last year will go a long way this year. You can’t compare the two goalies at this point. It might be Bernier’s job some day, but its Quick’s job right now. Quick hasn’t done anything to lose the job. In the games team scored a lot on him, the defense in front of him was terrible. Quick is the man!! Its great to have both of these guys really.

[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 10:55 pm
@Poorman, Ha ha ha! What do you propose we do? Should we throw away the other one, because we’re only allowed 1 good goalie at a time? Things are fine the way they are.

[Reply]
just my opinion Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 11:14 pm
@Poorman,
Quick got a shutout against the Red Wings, 2nd in the conference standings, facing 50 shots.
Bernier got this shutout against the last place team facing 32 shots. Why is Bernier so brilliant and better in your opinion? Also, since a lot of games in the league have gone to shootouts why would you think a goalie who has lost both the shootouts he faced is better than one who has faced and won all nine he had?

[Reply]
Mikey J. Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 11:16 pm
@Poorman Tha think Quick is outstanding. Bernier right now is like a wall.

[Reply]
KingsFanFTW Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 11:20 pm
@Poorman, yea he was great but this is the Oliers team they are last place in the west maybe in the NHL too its great he got a shutout glad we have him and Quick

I say next year will be his year this year already almost over too late for him to take the spot light from Quick

Quick been doing great

People sometimes give up on Quick soo fast cause we finally have two good Goalies

Bernier gets another Shutout and he better than Quick

am sorry but u forgot Quick has many too. he did 51 saves against the Detroit and they didnt score once so i say a 5-0 > 1-0,0-0 to the shootout lost and the Oliers 2-0 is better but dont get me wrong i like Bernier too

but u guys are forgetting he still a rookie goalie Playoffs going to be a lot harder and faster

So its best to keep him as a backup into he see it in person then fight for the spot next season

Cant give up on Quick he does great alot of Good goalies lets in softies not just Quick

[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 11:24 pm
@Poorman, What we’re doing is working. No need to change anything. We have the 3rd best defense in the league and are not far from being first best. Give TM credit. He had a plan and worked the plan regarding our goal tending and TM has done a materful job imho.

[Reply]
the_guv Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 2:08 am
@KC23, Right on man. Its nice to see someone NOT bash TM. Agree, he’s done great job.

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HockeyNerd Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 1:37 am
@Poorman, Knew this was coming. Three Things are 100% inescapable in this world: Death, taxes, and Poorman will blog that Bernier should be #1.

Have to agree with everyone else here. Check the stats. Quick has more wins, a better winning percentage, more shutouts, a better save percentage, and a better Goals against. He even has 2 assists to Bernier’s 0 at a time we badly need the offense!

But have to grant you: the fact that it is REASONABLE to compare the 2 even with how good a year Quick is having just goes to show how good a backup Bernier is……

[Reply]
Bkrs-Bud Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 1:58 am
@HockeyNerd, And the rest of you will jump down his throat,If i had a dollar for every time someone starts a goaltender argument on this site i would have at least 500 grand lol.

[Reply]
Poorman Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 2:21 am
@Bkrs-Bud, Guys, agree with everything you say. As I said, Quick is great. I knew I would be pretty alone in my analysis, and quite honestly, if I was TM, Quick would stay #1. But 1 thing all of you failed to see, is even though Bernier beat Edmonton, this was a huge win for the Kings psyche. The team potentially was mentally fragile going into the game after losing Kopitar. It was very important that Bernier stonewall those guys, and the Kings score 1st. It fed the team confidence that they could win without Kopi.

the_guv Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 2:15 am
@Poorman, We’re practically splitting hairs with this, but I can see both points being made.

[Reply]
Kings x Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 2:59 am
@Poorman, Brilliant even on those two shots that he was clueless on that just hit him. Lucky/skil he was in good position. Quick is número UNO. But if he falters JB would be right there to take up the slack. We really have two # 1′s. Perfect for playoffs.

[Reply]
Poorman Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 5:44 am
@Kings x, Bernier came up big under huge pressure in the King’s first game without Kopi. If he had let in an early goal or two, the Kings could have started doubting themselves. Instead, Bernier completely stifles them, and the Kings get better as the game goes on.

[Reply]
jason Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 4:15 am
@Poorman, Quick is still #1 and has proven over many games how good he is.. Hes also hot right now just like bernier. Murray has strategically placed Bernier in games that he will succeed in and get his confidence up. Hes definitely playing great and giving us a reason to consider him, but i’d be curious to see him against a team kings struggle with

[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 7:53 am
@Poorman,

Why is this even a question? It is like asking “Lamborghini or Camaro”, “Hawaii or Cancun”, “Constitutional Democracy or Majority Democracy”, “Kings or Ducks”. Both work but one is definitely better than the other. Lets move on to more important questions, like magic number scenarios or whether Staples should offer more than one size popcorn at the concessions stands.

[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 9:30 am
@DesertKing, Or like the question “what if the Kings finish 3rd and open up against NASH, who starts in goal then?”

[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 9:52 am
@Stuart,

That is a good question. I prefer Hawaii, but every once in awhile Cancun gets the job done (even though I have never been there, I hear it has its pluses). I still think we would go with JQ just to keep him sync and ready to go for the next round.

mrbrett7 Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 8:10 am
@Poorman, He was great…AGAINST EDMONTON.

[Reply]
Adamic39 Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 10:03 am
@mrbrett7, Why even start the discussion. Both goalies are playing for the success of the team, not personal glory. Setting a fine example for the fans. I think it’s great to have two grade A goalies. Keep both play both, let Bernie get experience without the pressure of being the #1, the cornerstone of an NHL team. Less drama is better. Really the goaltenders are a microcosm of the team. They fit into a system that will work regardless of who is in net, and both can be relied upon. A perfect circumstance.

[Reply]
jkking Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 9:23 am
@Poorman, both are great. either one will do us good in the playoffs. and this was and injured edmonton. their coach admitted that there was no offense because they were so injured.

[Reply]
BishoptakesKing Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 10:59 am
@Poorman, Quick is the solid starting goalie we’ve waited for years. Plus his shootout performance this year is outstanding (9-0 I believe). Bernier has been solid for the last half of the season, but in shootouts, I believe I could deek him out of his socks and score a goal. He needs work on breakaways(gave up a shorthander last week against St Louis I believe) and shootouts before he can become a starting goalie. Great to have a better than average backup, not complaining at all. Go Kings

[Reply]
ta says:

March 29, 2011 at 11:17 pm

Good win boys much needed 2pts, real test on Thurs. vs Van.
2nd line looked great together
1st line didn’t look good, I would switch Stoll with Zues. Put Zues back on the 3rd (checking line) with Simmonds and Poni.
Bernier looked on top of his game again, and the PK was strong as always.
With Kopi and JW out our scoring will be limited so it’s very important that our PP improves if we are going to make a deep run in the playoffs.

[Reply]
BishoptakesKing Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 11:03 am
@ta, I agree, Stoll would be better on that line. Now that we know Lewis can handle the 2nd line, Zus should go back to the checking line.

PP was just starting to click, now without Kopi will take awhile, but I agree, if we want to go anywhere in playoffs, we’ll need a scoring PP.

Go Kings

[Reply]
Puckn-A says:

March 29, 2011 at 11:20 pm

My apologies Trevor Lewis, I expected big things from you when it wasn’t your role to be a scorer and I complained about your production. Now you are in that role and you have been money! sincerely Tony M.

[Reply]
the_guv Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 2:16 am
@Puckn-A, LOL. I like the personal touch

[Reply]
Kings x Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 3:00 am
@Puckn-A, Yeah I’m right there with you

[Reply]
KingsFanFTW says:

March 29, 2011 at 11:26 pm

We did great against the Oliers

Bernier did great he getting better and better each game

First line looked horrible

Second line look great

Brown looks like he stepping up

Smyth doing great

The whole team didnt even show signs that they lost Kopi or JW glad they put them in their Hearts and keep moving forward

Got a big game against the Canucks Hope we can get them after all thats their first home game since they were on a road hope we can get them being lazy

[Reply]
vplaza Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 11:40 pm
@KingsFanFTW,

I couldn’t watch the game, but from the radio call, the 1st line actually started out the 2nd period with some good puck possession and cycling in the Oiler zone. But it didn’t sound like they had as big an impact as the other lines did overall.

I think it’ll just take another game for Penner and Moller to get comfortable with Zus.

[Reply]
KingsFanFTW Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 12:24 am
@vplaza, yea that could be it hope they can get stuff going fast

[Reply]
Janny Mac says:

March 29, 2011 at 11:28 pm

Rich,
You looked good on TV tonight. Keep up the great work!

[Reply]
Mikey says:

March 29, 2011 at 11:46 pm

Hey, fellas- have you noticed that Matt Green always grabs his junk when he’s by our net after the whistle is blown?

I’ve seen this many times

[Reply]
the_guv Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 2:17 am
@Mikey, Sometimes things just need to be readjusted!

[Reply]
Kings x Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 3:01 am
@Mikey, My favorite is when he is skating backwards on d and when he gets the position and does the one arm knock/push down to the other player. Straight nasty

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JackKentCooke says:

March 30, 2011 at 12:11 am

Speed kills.
Kudos to Lewis.

[Reply]
taylorskings says:

March 30, 2011 at 12:23 am

I have been a little out of the loop lately, what is the status of Scott Parse returning?

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Kings x Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 3:03 am
@taylorskings, No status. Next year. Very light short skating warm up. He won’t be back

[Reply]
rogiesbackup says:

March 30, 2011 at 12:28 am

By any chance did anybody noticed Westgarths play tonight(against oilers)? NOT BAD for a “goon.” I never saw this side of him! Great job on support and hustle, Westy!!!

[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 1:20 am
@rogiesbackup, Westy does keep improving by small amounts, but moving forward just the same. I like he’s play of late.

[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 10:47 am
@KC23, everything counts in small amounts!

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Kings x Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 3:04 am
@rogiesbackup, Gee I’ll keep an offensive play going instead of fighting. Got a scoring chance too bad he doesn’t know what to do with one

[Reply]
IceGuy Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 7:43 am
@rogiesbackup,
I haven’t been a big Westgarth backer, but I’ll give credit when it is due. He played OK last night.
I think it was in the 2nd, Westy and an Oiler were skating up the Right boards. The D-man had inside position. They were eyeing each other in that usual “you wanna go?” way.
But Kevin could see the ice behind the D-man and saw we were breaking into their zone with speed.

Westy kinda slowed up a bit, so did the D-Man, then Westgarth took two hard strides to leave the guy behind him, joining the attack in the Right corner.

That’s the first time this year I’ve seen the guy think on the ice, and I liked it.

Vancouver is a whole other kettle of fish, but I’ve got to say, it looks like even Westy is stepping up his game.

You go Goon! Well done!

[Reply]
Michael J. Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 8:52 am
@IceGuy,

Please, lets not be calling our own players “goon”. Kevin is an extremely skilled individual that can out-skate and out-shoot all but a select couple on this blog. There are very few men on the planet as big as Kevin that can play hockey at his level.

Also, Westie is a rookie, and his game has improved over the course of the season. I suspect that next season he will contribute significantly more to the team.

[Reply]
BrokeKingsFan Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 9:14 am
@Michael J., I could out skate him! just sayin….

neil Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 9:44 am
@Michael J., “Extremely skilled”……….no……

mrbrett7 Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 8:12 am
@rogiesbackup, Yeah…I noticed it. I thought he had a very good game last night.

[Reply]
KingzzFan Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 10:50 am
@rogiesbackup,

After the first period I thought he would be benched, There were 2 shifts of his that i just flat out got upset with in the first. The first he was coming back on in to our zone and he let the puck carrier skate right past him and he didnt back check. It resulted in a scoring opportunity for the Oil. The second again was in our zone. He was just standing there just above the circle of to the right of Bernier looking really lost and not sure what to do. it was very uncomfortable to watch. He must have gotten an ear full as the 2nd and 3rd were much better for him.

Richie and Clifford were having great nights and I think those two are a couple players that need to up their production. they both had almost 11 min of ice time while Westie had 8:46. Westie needs to be good every time hes on the ice and he just isnt there yet. I seethe potential but he is a young rookie and he has nowhere to go but up. Bring in Harrold…

[Reply]
fsd1 Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 11:27 am
@KingzzFan, I disagree with your assesment of westie, both plays he was covering exactly where he should be, Westie had his best game of the year in my opinion, actually showed he has some speed.

[Reply]
KingzzFan Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 3:24 pm
@fsd1, I agree that it was his best game, but your wrong on those plays and he wasn’t where he was supposed to be or covering exactly where he should be as you put it. on the first play he just didn’t make a play plane and simple, the guy was an arm length away and it was his man at that point in the back checking game we play. The second in question, the d man dropped down low against the boards and he just stood there watching the game and not playing attention to HIS coverage moving into the play.

I believe he went in at the first intermission and they showed him what happened and he made the right adjustments to his game in the 2nd and third. Those are the kind of periods he needs to keep having if were going to use him in the playoffs.
KC23 says:

March 30, 2011 at 1:22 am

Next game is the least important game for the rest of the season (except maybe our last game).

[Reply]
the_guv Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 2:19 am
@KC23, True, but by no means unimportant.

[Reply]
gralx Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 9:04 am
@KC23, I disagree. Winning this game lessens the importance of each game that follows. 2 Pts is 2 Pts. The next most important game is Thursday. Then Saturday, etc….

[Reply]
friarking says:

March 30, 2011 at 1:27 am

Anyone see this story about the incident in the Bruins/Blackhawks game?

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Video-Shawn-Thornton-gets-gash-from-skate-mock;_ylt=AnQhWPKP_yeiOpWEbwQbOrx7vLYF?urn=nhl-wp1390

Low class…makes me hope Chicago gets bumped out of the playoffs.

[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 1:34 am
@friarking, Wow, that was low class. Glad Boston kick their arses. Hope the Kings can do the same.

[Reply]
the_guv Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 2:24 am
@friarking, Wow, what a display of sportsmanship by CHI. Embarrassing.

[Reply]
mrbrett7 Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 8:17 am
@friarking, I was watching the game at the point when he went down. I didn’t see the skate hit him until I saw the replay.

Now, when he was skating off, and I saw the blood dripping, I said to myself, man, that can’t be good. Then when he tried to go after the Chicago bench, the first thought that went through my head was, what did Patrick Kane say, because he is widely known as one of the biggest **** talkers in the NHL.

Not sure if it was him, but dude, seriously? Thornton is not a guy you want to piss off.

[Reply]
Michael J. Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 8:46 am
@mrbrett7,

Didn’t Cliffy take care of Thornton pretty well this year?

I was watching too and was really surprised as he passed the Chicago bench. It may be understandable that Thornton would be the one to get some crap while hurt though; he’s not exactly Lady Bing material.

[Reply]
BrokeKingsFan Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 9:23 am
@Michael J., I actually think Horton got the better of the fight with cliffy this year. It was beast fown by any means but from what i remeber horton got the upper hand.
KC23 says:

March 30, 2011 at 1:30 am

Don’t look now, but the chances of the Kings facing the Ducks in the playoffs is slowly, but surely, rising. If not the first round, possibly the 2nd. That would be epic in LA.

[Reply]
the_guv Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 2:25 am
@KC23, Aside from the Cup, I want nothing more.

[Reply]
mrbrett7 Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 8:18 am
@KC23, Does that mean we get to wait for Corey Perry at the exits and beat him silly, and send Getzlaf dozens of boxes of hair club for men?

[Reply]
Moondoggie says:

March 30, 2011 at 1:33 am

Excellent game boys! Let’s beat the Nucks!

[Reply]
Bkrs-Bud says:

March 30, 2011 at 2:01 am

Nice game men, Next.

[Reply]
Jure, Slovenia says:

March 30, 2011 at 2:37 am

Los Anzeless plays solid … lets go get ‘em

GKG

[Reply]
Chongo Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 9:49 am
@Jure, Slovenia, Very clever…well done.

[Reply]
Jure, Slovenia Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 8:50 am
@Chongo, thank you:) and I don’t mind as long as Kings are playing solid;)

I was very sad (and sick to my stomach) when I saw the injury of Kopi (and off course Justin)
but that is a nasty part of this game which you don’t have control of, so you have to make the best of it…

GKG

[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 10:47 am
@Jure, Slovenia, someone’s trying to steal your thunder on a newer thread…

[Reply]
cpmc29 Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 3:35 pm
@Stuart, that was me. I actualy stole it from my friend on facebook. Pretty clever I must say.

[Reply]
Gary Livingston says:

March 30, 2011 at 3:36 am

Aw! Such a good game. Great to see Lewis step up big time! I’m sure we are all feeling a lot less nervous now. =)

[Reply]
Dominick says:

March 30, 2011 at 4:32 am

Lewis,
Pick up the pace in the faceoff circle. 1 for 12 sucks donkeys. Good game other than that.

[Reply]
nykingfan says:

March 30, 2011 at 5:52 am

Way to go fellas…big 2 points. It may have only been against Edmonton, but the way things have gone lately, they couldn’t take this game for granted.
Bernier was solid throughout. Excellent rebound control. He looks so poised for a rookie. I’m amazed at the difference in his game from earlier in the year when he looked amateurish on most nights he played.
I can’t sy enough about the Lewis/Brown/Smyth line. They played incredible all night.
Did anyone else notice the different “attitude” that Stolly had last night? It seemed like putting the “A” on his jersey helped his game go to another level. He was amazing on faceoffs and just played what I thought was his best game as a King.
What a smart move to give the “A” to him instead of Zues. Everyone, including Zues knows what a leader he is, but giving the recognition to Stoll seemed to do something for him.

I can’t complain about anyone’s play last night including the top line. They will get better. Give them a little time to gel.

Awesome victory for the boys and well deserved 2 points. The playoff march continues.
Let’s see how we stack up tomorrow night against the Nucks.

GO KINGS!

[Reply]
Michael J. Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 8:58 am
@nykingfan,

Any time a team picks up two points on the road they have accomplished much. I agree that there is no justification for complaining; that would equate to splitting hairs.

[Reply]
What's the frequency, Kenneth? says:

March 30, 2011 at 6:14 am

It was a really nice game, especially coming off the injuries, and it would be unfair to minimize the importance of the way they played tonight or the discipline they showed in being ready for this game.

That said, it’s important not to get too high over this win. It was against a team that’s struggled perhaps more than any other in the west, and it was probably the “easiest” the Kings are going to see from now on. I’m thinking Vancouver expects the Kings to come in confident and unprepared. The players need to recognize they’re still under an intense amount of pressure, and the more they can do to respond to it up front, the better they’ll be prepared playing tough competition down the stretch and in to the playoffs with a few loose wheels.

The Kings showed me something against a team they’d usually be expected to beat. Now they can surprise a team they’re probably not expected to beat. It helps that they don’t have to think of it as a 4-point game, since they’re not going to catch Vancouver anyway. After that, they can come home and get oriented for the really tough games that matter most.

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neil Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 7:34 am
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, underdogs every game from here on out…..If we split the rest of the season, I would be happy…

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KC23 says:

March 30, 2011 at 6:28 am

Kings getting DIS’ed by the entire rest of the league. Doan of the Yotes interviewed after their shoot out win over Dallas mentioned everyone in the west EXCEPT the Kings as playing well and being tough.

They show Kings/Edmonton game highlights, the main comentator asks his side kick about the Kings and what does he do … he mentions how Dallas is in big trouble and completely ignors any comments about the Kings game.

We can officially call all King games for the rest of the season the other teams “trap game”.

The entire league has written off the Kings.

Please give us the Yotes in the first round.

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DesertKing Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 8:04 am
@KC23,

I like it. We should go with the black stealth jerseys, sneak into the opponents crib, take them out and move on to the next round. I hate to say it, but the injuries may be a blessing in disguise. The team may pull together tighter and we can return to last year’s role and perception as over achievers who will fail in the clutch. This group of guys is different, older, more mature, more experienced and more together than last year. Having Kopi and JW out definitely hurts us in a traditional sense, but there are more than 1 way to win a Cup.

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KC23 Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 8:35 am
@DesertKing, I get the sense we have been completely discounted in the league now. I like it. They definately have not heard of our secret weapon … Lew-pitar.

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DesertKing Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 8:57 am
@KC23,

Don’t forget secret weapon of victory #2 – Brewis
kinginsaltlake says:

March 30, 2011 at 6:42 am

Lewis had a great game. Check

Brown stepped up. Check

Burnier shutout. Check

Stoll A on jersey. Check!!!!!! He won so many face-offs. He also does the small things and plays balls out every shift. The A could of gone to a number of players and any one of them is deserving, so I’m not here to start any controversy. Jarrett has been outstanding this season. When he skated on the ice last night with that big A on the Kings jersey I couldn’t have been more proud for him and the team.

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nykingfan Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 7:29 am
@kinginsaltlake,
I can’t agree more…
He looked like a different player wearing the “A”.
He was leading by example on the ice last night.
I realize we need to make room for some of the young kids coming up, but the way Stoll’s played for most of the season, I can’t see him being one of those guys moved out to make room. he’s so valuable in so many different areas.

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Hockey G says:

March 30, 2011 at 6:58 am

I know this may seem silly, but did anyone notice the cute Red-head celebrating Brown’s first goal. She looked like a pilgrim in an un-holy land. Nice to see some fans in other arenas at that game. Now they just need to push it up even more against the Nucks and play their best game of the year.

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KC23 Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 7:58 am
@Hockey G, I did notice that. Me and my daughter had a good laugh on that one. Was imagining a heckler starting to say something, took one look and then not bringing themselves to do it.

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Ashykins says:

March 30, 2011 at 7:50 am

This is a random question but does anyone know how to put messages on jumbotrons??

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Rick Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 8:51 am
@Ashykins, Get a very tall ladder.

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Guss Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 8:53 am
@Ashykins, kings website maybe?

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DesertKing Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 8:57 am
@Ashykins,

First, find an elephant….

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Stuart Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 9:50 am
@Ashykins, I actually mentioned to my ticket agent through the kings that one of the games I was getting tickets to was my anniversary and he put in a request to have us announced/displayed between periods… Totally caught my old lady by surprise! good times

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IceGuy says:

March 30, 2011 at 7:53 am

At some point tomorrow night, I’d like nothing more than to have Oscar knock one of the Sedins on their butt, then say something really rude to him in Swdish.

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IceGuy says:

March 30, 2011 at 7:54 am

“Swedish”, sorry. More coffee needed.

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ZedLA says:

March 30, 2011 at 8:24 am

Sorry if this was covered, but did any else catch Khabibulin shoving one of his (clearly rookie) team mate’s aside at the end of the 2nd on their way to the locker room? Guess it’s a ritual of his.
Just thought it was funny to see.

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KC23 Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 8:34 am
@ZedLA, Yeah, I did see that. It looked like the kid was some how breaking with tradition about tapping the boards or some such thing. Clearly scolding him though if only for a moment.

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pr0cess Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 9:00 am
@ZedLA, ya i was like o snap, they are going to blame that kid for the lose lol

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