Following the theme of the week, my LAKings.com feature examines the increased role and opportunities for two players in particular — Michal Handzus and Trevor Lewis — on the heels of Anze Kopitar’s season-ending injury. Thanks for reading…
Injuries create opportunities for Kings centers
Also, for your viewing entertainment, Terry Murray is scheduled to be a guest tonight on the “Overtime” show on Versus, and Heidi Androl is hosting the “On the Fly” show on the NHL Network.
Lewis has really impressed me all year. His defensive play is outstanding, he has great speed, and is an extremely responsible defensive center with improving offensive skills. Being placed on a line with Smyth and Brown has shown us he’s got some potential offensively. It shouldn’t be surprising given that he was a 1st round pick. Keep up the great work Trevor.
P.S. It’s kind of ironic that the column discusses Lewis and Zues, given that Lewis’ improved play has probable sealed Zues fate with regards to returning next year. The only way I see DL bringing Zues back is if Zues takes a really team friendly deal to be more than likely a 3rd line LW, given our surplus of young quality centers.
[Reply]
Paul G Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 8:12 am
@CB14, Kopitar, Stoll, Lewis, Loktionov and Schenn will fight for a center spot next season….the 1st 3 already have theirs locked down so it’s between Brayden and Andrei
If Andrei comes back 100% from his injury and gains 10 pounds then u can expect a Kopitar, Loktionov, Stoll, Lewis center order…(Brayden will then go to the Monarchs for 1 season until Stoll’s contract comes up)
OR
Brayden will start instead of Andrei and u can expect a Kopitar, Stoll, Schenn, Lewis center order
PS u could even swap Lewis into Stoll’s spot in the order and vice versa if he continues his play like this
[Reply]
Paul G Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 8:15 am
@CB14, Btw I don’t see Handzus even coming back as a LW because the team wants Clifford to be the 3rd line LW…Smyth and Penner will be the top 6 LWs anddont forget that Scott Parse is still under contract for next year (he’ll take over the 4th line LW)
[Reply]
Nice!!! Heidi stepping up to a big role. It’s all coming together. Once the Kings take over the media the cup is theirs!!! Or the other way around.
[Reply]
Slim Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 9:55 pm
@Kings Fan Vancouver,WA, This girls star is rising..
And good for her… She’s been on all types of sports programming
this year… She certainly looks good on NHL on the FLY…
It’s great to have a women involved in hockey at this level..
My hat is off to her… Can she still be a King’s fan?
[Reply]
Kings Fan Vancouver,WA Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 10:06 pm
@Slim, She looks good at everything she does. I would think she is a Kings fan but only time will tell.
[Reply]
loskingpride Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 10:26 pm
@Kings Fan Vancouver,WA, I think she’s a Wings fan first then a Kings if I remember correctly.
DesertKing Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 7:26 am
@Kings Fan Vancouver,WA,
Even though she was there, we couldn’t even get a mention of Kopi’s surgery being successful, yet Crosby gets 5 minutes on how he is recovering. Oh well.
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 8:09 am
@DesertKing, I know, what a crock!
[Reply]
The boys played well last night, but I gotta really bad feeling about the next 6 games. I know we need about another 3 points, but every game we play with the exception of tomorrow nights tilt with the Canucks, every team is in desperation mode. If we could sneak out a win against Vancouver or Dallas on Saturday I would feel at ease. I watched the Stars game after our game and both Phoenix and Dallas looked very good. Im still feeling the Kopitar effect and would feel so much more excited if he were still playing
Come on Kings let’s get a playoff spot ASAP
Who does every feel won’t be in the playoffs – one of these teams won’t make it. Dallas? Anahiem? Chicago? Nashville or LA? I was just pondering?
[Reply]
jonsey Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 8:03 pm
@Timbo from Canada, I would love fore CHI or NAS to not make it. NAS, because they always make it despite having no good scorers, and CHI, because the maxed out the cap and were punished and should lose out after winning the cup with an impossibly good team. Mostly I want every Pacific team to make it for the good of spreading NHL awareness that there actually are teams beyond the Mississippi River.
[Reply]
hip-check Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 8:04 pm
@Timbo from Canada, Dallas and Chicago are two I dont think will make it.
The kings are in ..id bet on it.
[Reply]
Ravens Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 8:05 pm
@Timbo from Canada, I still feel like Anahiem doesn’t have the defence,,but they been proving me wrong for a while,,,shows what one great scoring line will do.
[Reply]
BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 8:13 pm
@Timbo from Canada,
Kings are nearly guaranteed to be in. There is a 7 point cushion for the Kings with the 9th place team, and the Kings should be able to ride adrenaline in the next game or three to get 98 points.
Watching the ana-CAL game, 2-1 Ducks in the late second period… CAL looks like it’s about to drop out unless they win this game. The better position the Ducks have, the more likely the last two games with the Kings will be about playoff position only.
The playoffs are looking good. Beyond that, only Trevor Lewis and his hairdresser know for sure, IMHO.
[Reply]
BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 8:28 pm
@Timbo from Canada,
I’ll take it a step farther…
Kings likely finish 3rd-6th and should play PHX, NSH or ANA…
Still un-clinched, I’ll give you that, but the odds are strongly in their favor.
[Reply]
Timbo from Canada Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 8:36 pm
@BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy, Love your confidence! That’s why I love this site, when I m feeling down, there’s another King fan there to pick me up (there aren’t many of us Kings fans here near Toronto)
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 8:16 pm
@Timbo from Canada, Well, I’d say Dallas, Anaheim or Chicago won’t make it…I’m pulling for Anaheim or Chicago to miss it.
[Reply]
Timbo from Canada Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 8:21 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, It could be the first year ever where an entire division makes the playoffs. That would mean Chicago or Nashville doesn’t get in
[Reply]
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 8:24 pm
@Timbo from Canada, Yeah, I got laughed at a couple weeks ago when I said it could still happen. Looks like it’ll come down to the wire.
Paul M. Hedberg Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 10:06 pm
@Timbo from Canada,Under the current set-up yes.30 years ago the entire 5 team Adams Division made the playoffs…including TOR w/a whopping 71 points.Not exactly a parallel to this but it happened in a 21 team league.But EVERYBODY played each other 4 times so somethin goofy was bound to happen.DUX looking even more blessed than PHX this yr.DAL or CHI won’t make it.A CHI freefall puts DAL in.
KingsFanFTW Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 8:37 pm
@Timbo from Canada, well we do great cant think Kopi always makes the Kings win at times he didnt even do anything to make a goal or even score we have been doing ti without him but with him there
The only different is he injury and not with the Kings
[Reply]
luc20rules Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 9:06 pm
@Timbo from Canada, One if Calgary loses tonight I think they only have 4 games left being 3 pts out of 8th, so there out. That leaves 90pts Chicago(6) or 87 pts Dallas(7) on the outside 93 pts Anahiem(5) falling out(games left). I hope its Chicago that gets bounced as they have the best record against the Kings of the 3 in the last 3 years by far.
[Reply]
luc20rules Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 9:08 pm
@Timbo from Canada, If we play Nashville do we start Bernier, TM has had Bernier play Nashville in the regular season, and he has dominated.
[Reply]
Heidi “on the Fly”-Let’s not go there.
[Reply]
But what about playing the system?
Lewis might be a Lappy. Great numbers before the pros, and spurts of genius in the pros, but overall a role player. In his case, we’ll have to see if that role is a third line speed Richardson like guy, or a underrated guy waiting to burst out and do something. His 1st year stats are no different than Thornton’s. Not saying, but saying.
[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 10:24 pm
@jonsey,
I think the major thing is that he’s done a great job at the roll he was given earlier. A defensively responsible forward with speed, but that’s a roll he had to learn, to play with the Kings. He’s played an offensive roll at all the other levels, and this is a chance to get some experience in that roll at the this level.
I imagine he’ll do better than he did in the past because he knows the speed of the game now, and can step into that roll better prepared to play his offensive game without trying to figure out how to keep up defensively.
Of course this is all still speculation till we see his overall play, over a 5 to 10 games span. 1rst game was exciting though.
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 8:14 am
@Dominick, and I think he “sees” the ice well. With the TM handcuffs off I really think Lewey’s creativity is going to burst out on whoever we play in the first round. BUT my only concern is what will happen when our first round opponent puts the “clamp” on that line? Will he still be able to find the space and time?
GKG!!!
[Reply]
OMG, I still can’t believe how bad the Ducks announcers are. Of course Toronto blows the replay call. There must be a 7-11 right next door to the replay review booth since those people there always seem to be in brain freeze mode
[Reply]
Lead Feet Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 8:08 pm
@DesertKing,
NO KIDDING!!! Im sitting here with the TV muted because I cant stand those guys!!!
And ya, bad call
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 8:13 pm
@Lead Feet,
I love their belief that GetsLaugh was trying to grab the goalie’s jersey, and gee, the puck just happens to be under his hand! Just shows how gullible Smucks fans are to believe that stuff. Its like listening to WWF announcers.
[Reply]
Lead Feet Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 8:26 pm
@DesertKing, The Ducks are scaring me. They just keep finding ways to win.
Bailey Fan Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 9:07 pm
@DesertKing, Ducks fans will believe anything that Hayward says. If Hayward starts mentioning the Ducks as a possible dark horse team that will go deep in the playoffs, then their fans will start acting like they’re the Cup favorites or something like that.
KingsFanFTW Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 8:32 pm
@Lead Feet, dont worry they play the Sharks twice
they wont find a way to win those games
[Reply]
BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 8:15 pm
@DesertKing,
Yep.
Can’t believe the Canadian team lost that call.
Puck crawls up the arm and goes under the pad, clearly in…
CAL got jobbed.
[Reply]
Can someone remind me when JW is thought to be able to return?
[Reply]
BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 8:16 pm
@Lead Feet,
6 weeks or so…
No surgery, target is 80% shoulder/arm strength…
Still about a wing and a prayer (bad pun…).
3-1 Ducks/ CAL is just about done.
[Reply]
Lead Feet Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 8:25 pm
@BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy,
So thats a little bit of good news, sort of. Possablly get JW back in the playoffs.
Thanks.
[Reply]
BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 8:32 pm
@Lead Feet,
Funny, when he was injured things looked so dire…
Panic is always relative…
Now, it would be good to get an 80% JW in the second or third round, wouldn’t it?
So, did Heidi have to fly to Toronto for this, or did they move NHL on the fly to LA or something?
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 8:17 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?,
We are lucky that the NHL even let us have a team in LA let alone do a TV show there.
[Reply]
Well i did say let the Blues game go saying our was embarrassing that we lost 4-0 i take 4-0 anyday by the Blues then 10-3 LMAO Red Wings get smash
[Reply]
And the Crybaby pots the EN goal. 4-2 Ducks with about 50 secs left. Looks like the Flames are done.
[Reply]
Schmucks won…so that’s about it for Calgary, and it’s looking worse for Dallas (I’ve been cheering for Dallas to knock out either Chicago or Anaheim.)
[Reply]
Flames 100% Suck!! they Can win whenever i want them to win whats next Sharks going to lose to the crappy ducks
I hate their announcers soo annoying big headed saying how best they are how lucky the other team gets to save the puck i wish they get swept 4-0 seires on who ever team they play again that will make my day
[Reply]
KingsFanFTW Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 9:13 pm
@KingsFanFTW, i mean cant win *
[Reply]
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 9:15 pm
@KingsFanFTW, They are some of the worst homer announcers.
[Reply]
KingsFanFTW Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 9:43 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, what most am going to hate i have to watch the second to last game cause Jim Fox and Bob Miller not going to announces that game at all
Ugh i hate that crap have to hear them
[Reply]
Bailey Fan Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 9:15 pm
@KingsFanFTW, Don’t worry. I have no doubt their swiss cheese defense will quickly be exposed by a good team like Vancouver or Detroit. Anaheim will probably end up in 7th or 8th, so we can expect a quick series for them.
[Reply]
Calgary is done. Perry with two more goals.
[Reply]
Am i Hallucinating or did St. Louis beat Detroit 10 to 3…
Talk about a trap game!!!!
Wings are not doing real good lately..
Who do they get to play in Play-offs?
[Reply]
Slim Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 10:14 pm
@Slim, BTW….
Their fans booed them off the ice…
Sound familiar?
[Reply]
KingsFanFTW Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 11:40 pm
@Slim, sounds like the LA Kings fans
[Reply]
Bob Bobson Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 7:00 am
@Slim, Maybe they are missing Jimmy Howard more than they thought they would. Although from the comments of a Red Wings fan I know, it does not sound like the team has been playing good hockey lately.
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 8:19 am
@Bob Bobson, I’m telling you, I’d rather play DET in the 1st round. They’re primed for a 4-2 series loss!
[Reply]
Bob Bobson Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 8:28 am
@Stuart, I would still rather not. The regular season usually does not mean much to veteran teams like DET or ANA. I would hate to match up our young team against DET but I still think it would be great to match up against ANA.
I am calling it right now…if we win tomorrow, we are in…money in the bank !
[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 10:34 pm
@puck73, Probably, but it will be close. 2 more wins gives us 98. Don’t see us missing out on the party with 98 points in the bank.
Puck,
how come you don’t join in on the fun as much as you used too? Busy?
[Reply]
Also I’m having a real hard time wrapping my head
around the fact that Perry is 2 goals up on Stamkos
for leading goal scorer…. Say it ain’t so…Joe…
[Reply]
What do the kings need to clinch playoff spot?
[Reply]
KingsFanFTW Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 9:41 pm
@MOSH, LOL win all the games they have left my guess
[Reply]
Paul M. Hedberg Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 10:23 pm
@MOSH, 4 points gained(2 reg wins would be nice)by us.DAL losing 2 of 7 in regulation.That clinches A spot vs. VAN in 1st rd…tmr nite a playoff preview?Kinda hope not.Stay in 5th,SJ catches DET,they go to 4th & we play DET.I have to go look at #’s again,if St.Louis makes it everyone will be in trouble.
[Reply]
KingT Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 10:33 pm
@Paul M. Hedberg, Most St. Louis can get is 90 if they win out. 8th spot (Chicago) has 90 right now…no one has to worry about St. Louis this year. Funny stuff though, 10-3!
[Reply]
KingsFanFTW Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 11:02 pm
@Paul M. Hedberg, Detroit will be 3rd the only way they go 4th if Blackhawks take their Division title from the Red Wings
[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 10:59 pm
@MOSH,
Tell you the truth, we’re already there, pretty much. Calgary is 7 points back with 4 games left. Dallas is 7 points back with 7 games to left(1 of those is against us, and 2 against the Ducks who are tied for the 3rd hottest team in the league in their last 10 games, right behind us).
The main thing is if we can stay ahead of Nashville and Anahiem. I don’t think we’ll catch San Jose being down 3 points with only 6 games to go, but we do have a real good chance at 4rth place with home ice in the first round.
[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 11:13 pm
@MOSH,
My bad! They only have 1 against the Ducks, but they are 3-3-4 in their last 10.
[Reply]
Off topic, Kitsyn leads Mississauga St. Michaels Majors in their first round win with 3 goals and an assists, and I belive Forberts North Dakota team is in the final 4 or 8 or something like that in the NCAA tourney,,I know his team is one f the best defensive teams in the tourney. This along with the great play of Tifolli and Shenn
[Reply]
Paul G Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 6:59 am
@Ravens, Forbort*, Toffoli*, Schenn*
it’s going to be a Majors vs Blades final
[Reply]
I think they need 4 out of the 6 games left. (without help) If Dallas wins out, they’ll have 101, we’ll have 102 if we get 4 of the 6. Most Calgary could get is 95 we have 94 right now.
[Reply]
KingT Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 9:48 pm
@KingT, oops forgot to hit reply to MOSH…sorry.
[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 11:26 pm
@KingT, That’s a big IF for Dallas. There 3-3-4 in their last 10. They would have to go 7-0-0 to get 101. If they even win 4 of those games (which they couldn’t do in their last 10) all we’ll need is 1 win in our last 7 to pass them.
[Reply]
KingT Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 11:39 pm
@Dominick, Yep…BIG if! Hope to hand them a loss Saturday. Calgary looked like crap tonight too…one less team on our tail!
What we got left on the schedule are all teams in playoff spots plus Dallas who could make it. If we can win four out of the six then that’s like winning a playoff series as far as the number 4 goes.
If they can do that then that proves there’s no excuse for not winning the first round. At least.
[Reply]
I got to say I love this Skinner kid {18 years old}..He’s got 29 goals…
I think he should win Rookie of the year….
Never played in the NHL while Couture has played
a batch of games last year…He’s the real ROOKIE!
Wonder how well Schenn will do, or even Lokti…
[Reply]
Here’s an article on Mark Hardy, and what’s been happening with him this last year or so. Interesting stuff. I’m glad he’s healthy now and wish him the best. http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/nhl/news/story?id=6274423
[Reply]
Slim Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 10:49 pm
@CB14, Thanks for that..great read…
The NHL have a fantastic program for players
and staff to get the help they need…
I have been fortunate and been involved in
that program and been able to do my part in the past..
Addiction is a non discriminating deadly disease.
Jails, institutions or death is what you get left with..
[Reply]
Kings Fan Vancouver,WA Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 6:32 am
@Slim, Nice….I too am a product of that program and in September I will have 8 years clean and sober. Life is good and so are the Kings!!!
[Reply]
pr0cess Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 1:05 am
@CB14, Hardy was arrested in May in Washington, D.C., after a woman said he fondled her in a hotel room after a night of heavy drinking.
im sure it was his daughter??
[Reply]
neil Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 8:15 am
@CB14, interesting how they just said a ” woman” was in his bed….was actually his daughter which made it all the more creepy…Good hear he is getting his lfe back..would love to see the Kings give him another chance…
[Reply]
as hot as the dux have seemed lately kings are hotter in their last 10. suckas
[Reply]
Less than 24 hours till our biggest test of the season…DESTROY THOSE GINGERS!!! GO KINGS!!!
[Reply]
jonsey Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 7:56 am
@KingT, Hahahaha! Indeed, this will be telling of our playoff hopes. Can we win a round without a guy who had more than 60 points?
[Reply]
Great article in the Vancouver Province on our beloved Kings and the motivation they get within the locker room from all the naysayers who say we can’t win without Kopitar and Williams.
Kings done? Go ahead, say it again!!
http://www.theprovince.com/sports/Kings+done+ahead+again/4531518/story.html
Enjoy, will be heading to Vancouver tomorrow night to cheer on the boys!
[Reply]
KingT Reply:
March 30th, 2011 at 11:17 pm
@Av, I love that stuff..write us off, take us lightly…all you’re doing is motivating everyone in that locker room. Sure, scoring by committee will be needed, and WILL come, but, we’ve been winning games with team D. GO KINGS!!!!
[Reply]
Kings Fan Vancouver,WA Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 6:34 am
@Av, I will be there as well. I live 5 &1/2 hours south so I always go to see our team up there.
[Reply]
Blues beat Wings 10-3 at Detroit, wow.. all the Blues are Peter North tonight.
[Reply]
tuan jim Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 1:46 am
@zdfun,
– and all the Wings are Marylin Chambers.
[Reply]
The Star’s have a pretty easy rest of the schedule. If they beat SJ and us on Saturday we might just find ourselves on the outside looking end at the end of the season. I don’t think that will happen, but there is no reason to feel comfortable atm.
[Reply]
KingT Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 12:45 am
@KC23, They also have the Ducks the day after we play them. All the rest, in theory, are “easy” but, look at what St. Louis did to Detroit…
[Reply]
tuan jim Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 1:48 am
@KC23,
Stop that!! Shut up!!
Don’t put the whammy on anything now. I still remember losing eleven straight at the end of the season. The horror! O the horror!
[Reply]
Heidi’s a Wings fan?
The entire Detroit team musta been watching her anchor NHL-On The Fly tonight. None of its guys seemed to be paying attention to anything else.
[Reply]
@tuan jim, I’m just sayin. Things are still plenty up in the air. I still like our chances better than Dallas, Chicago and Nashville. Chicago has a nasty end of the season schedule including 2 with Detroit, 1 with Montreal and 1 with Tampa.
The fact Dallas plays the Ducks helps too. Those last two games we have against the Ducks lumes like a storm brewing just over the horizon. It is a very good chance that one of us or even perhaps both of us will be playing for our playoff lives.
Most entertaining regular season in the history of the Kings imho. It’s like the playoffs started in Feb this year.
[Reply]
tuan jim Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 3:07 am
@tuan jim,
P.S. I hate hockey!
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 6:48 am
@tuan jim, But it hurts so good, don’t it?
[Reply]
guess what?? THE KINGS WILL MOST LIKELY MAKE THE PLAYOFFS, I remember when most everyone was saying, “just let us make the playoffs, that is all we want”……..
Now everbody will ramp it up and want to win a series or two. I’m not sure we know what our wish list even looks like at times. Like sports in general, on and off the bandwagon and in and out of love with your team.
The fact we banked some points early prior to the significant injuries occurring is so important. Two road trips where we virtually went unbeaten are so important now.
GO KINGS GO, for the record I’m proud right now given we are playoff bound, given our current roster 1 round, 2 rounds or more I could care less now, mission accomplished. Oh ya, back to back years in the playoffs, going in the right direction for sure. With plenty of young talent coming up.
[Reply]
As devastating as it was to lose Kopi, the strongest part of the Kings team is healthy. They have the best goaltending in the NHL with Quick and Bernier. That being said, I’m very concerned about this game tonight against Vancouver. Quick is going to have to have a great game to beat them. Let’s see how he responds to the pressure. This is where I have always believed Bernier has the advantage with Quick. I think he’ll prove to be the best pressure goaltender. My gut tells me the Kings might get ambushed.
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 6:50 am
@Poorman, I was thinking about posting that I would be happy with a 1 pt game for the Kings, but 1 pt games are against Quick’s religion. If Quick gets it to overtime, money in the bank.
[Reply]
Even in hockey town they boo their team after a poor performance (in this case a 10-3 destruction versus the Blue last night) :
Detroit scored first on Mike Modano’s slap shot off a rebound 5:51 into the game, then it went downhill for the home team that was jeered early and often by a sellout crowd. “We got booed off the ice and rightfully so,” Nicklas Lidstrom said. “We were just awful.”
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 6:51 am
@Shakes, … and that is what TM should of said to the press.
[Reply]
Shakes Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 7:04 am
@KC23,
I totally agree with that. I mean I guess the context is that they were just coming off a hugely successful road trip so maybe 2 periods of bad hockey after 5 or 6 great games wasn’t the end of the world in his books (nor really in anyone’s books), but still… i agree with you. It’s not that they were losing in that game which caused the fan’s ire – it was how badly they were playing.
Anyhoo, hopefully that’s all in the past. I almost expect the crowds to be more energetic with the Kings slightly hobbled by injuries now
[Reply]
neil Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 8:18 am
@KC23, well T.M. said something different and the team responded…..
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 8:35 am
@KC23, WRONG. Even if we did play as poorly as some here seem to think, we didn’t give up 10 goals or pull our starter to put him back in. That was a total stinker by DET. THAT deserved a boo!
[Reply]
LA_1968 Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 7:28 am
@Shakes, Yeah… They get booed for TEN to 3. Wings have been terrible at home for a while now too. The Kings ruined a lot of fans nights over the longest road trip in the NHL then after half a game our fans boo. It was a bunch of drunk bandwagon fans on St. Patrick’s day.
[Reply]
Wow..Detroit got handed thier breakfast, lunch, and dinner….
makes me wonder though..
will there be an outcry for Babcock to be fired after that game?
I know people on here would be calling for Murray’s head if we lost 10-3….
Obviously it’s a silly question, but I would hope that those who would call for TM’s head realize how ridiuclous they sound sometimes after a bad loss.
there’s no difference between a 2-1 loss and a 10-3 loss…you don’t get points for either.
[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 6:27 am
@nykingfan,
Isn’t it FABULOUS weather finally?!! Please, actually don’t answer that question. However not certain i agree with you on the no difference between point. For a class org like that to get shellacked. But Mike Keenan said this will probably just act as a wake up call for them. Saw the highlights. Boy, they didn’t look to great. And Babcock being interviewed looked understandably very upset.
[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 8:59 am
@number 6,
More snow predicted…I have to move! lol
No question he should be upset with the way they played and apparently the lack of effort.
I also agree that it is a wakeup call for Detroit..But you know it won’t have a residual effect on the team in a negative way. They know how to play..I feel bad for their next opponent.
but you know on here, people would be calling for TM”s head after that type of loss.
To me a loss is a loss…We’ve had some really lousy games (Islanders, Blues) and while things looked bleak after the loss, the team rebounded in a big way the next game against Anaheim.
[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 10:52 am
@nykingfan,
If you’re still poking around this thread…..A) very well said and B) now listen up… I lived in Europe for 20 years where it gets cold…. but this – this is just getting old here. Sun and a bit or warmth please.
After reading the standings this morning, the more I believe that the last 2 games of the season vs. the Ducks we have so much determination on the final standings. We have waited and asked for just this since the Ducks have joined the NHL. This will be outstanding for hockey in Southern California. For you fans in California, please invade the pond like never before. Big test tonight vs. Canucks. Go Kings Go!
[Reply]
Heidi looked and sounded way out of place last night. She doesn’t seem to have a good handle on hockey and flubbed her words a lot. Kevin Weekes and the old guy couldn’t wait for her to shut up so they could talk.
[Reply]
baby23 Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 7:15 am
@Matt, Agree!
[Reply]
Michael J. Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 8:23 am
@Matt,
Hiedi is terrible. She is cute, but belongs nowhere near a player or coach with a micrrophone in her hand.
[Reply]
bbb7 Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 9:03 am
@Matt, Yes, she’s good doing ‘human interest’ stories about players, etc, but she really doesnt have any depth of hockey knowledge to be up there with those guys. Deb Placey is much better.
[Reply]
aj51 Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 10:49 am
@Matt,
Thank God someone finally said this. I personally know 20 women who can discuss hockey more intelligently than she does (and they do on a regular basis). I cannot stand her.
[Reply]
Slim Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 12:45 pm
@Matt, Strongly disagree!! she did just fine…
Why must you hate like this..It boggles the mind..
It takes all kinds to fill the freeways>>
[Reply]
tuan jim Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 2:36 pm
@Matt,
Leave Heidi alone!!
She was adorable On the Fly — and she caught Green with a nifty quip. It was during the post-mortem of the Wings’ 10-to-3 loss. Green started off with some thoroughly pedestrian remark, something like, “We can talk about the goaltending if you want . . .” and Heidi immediately went for his throat — “I DO wanna talk about the goaltending.” She wouldn’t let him off the hook. Good for her!
All the other teams want her around their digs now. We’re no longer entitled to keep her in our private stash. She’s is too much for us to have without sharing. Once again, the Kings are regarded as a farm team for the “winning” franchises.
If you only knew how often Rich has censored my appreciative comments about Heidi . . . (I was about to give a pointed answer to Michael J.’s comment about other teams not letting her close to their players with a microphone in her hand, but I’m sure Rich would misconstrue even THAT.)
[Reply]
@Harty, Adam Deadmarsh eliminates Detroit after 6 games when we were expected to get killed….remember? This year is it Dustin Brown?
[Reply]
Tonight will be a good test for our guys. I am not so much worried about getting into the playoffs as I am about going somewhere once we do get in.
[Reply]
The way DET is looking, especially their gola tending situation, we may want to meet them in the first round and just get them out of the way while the the teams that are going along pretty well right now beat each other up. I know we need to get there first, so shut them down JQ and GKG!
[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 10:54 am
@DesertKing,
They have gola’s in Brazil. Here it’s goals
[Reply]
The year the Kings advanced into the second round and almost won:
Ziggy Palffy had 89 points
Lucky Luc had 88 points
Smolinski had 59
Stumpel had 55
Schneider had 51
Blake had 49 in 59 games before being traded
Glen Murray had 39
Rookie Visnovsky had 39
Reinprecht had 29
Nelson Emerson had 22
Belanger had 20 something
Buchberger had 20 something
Rookie Vlasak had 4 points in 10 games and never played in the NHL again
Without Kopitar (this year’s Ziggy)
Without a Luc (closest on this team would be who?)
Without six players with almost 60 points or more
Does this year’s team have the depth to go deep?
[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 9:38 am
@jonsey,
Not to take anything away from that team, but the rules were different, the game was a little different, the make up was a little different, the defense was not even close, the goaltending was not even close, and the challenges to overcome will be different.
Offensively were going to have to find a way, and maybe even get on a lucky streak, but as far as goaltending , and our play defensively, I’d say were strong enough to compete with any team.
I expect a blow out every once in a while though.
[Reply]
Off topic, but the way the Ducks have been playing and if the Kings can keep up their play, we just might be looking at our first Kings-Ducks playoff series. Those final two games may end up deciding who gets home ice in the first Freeway Playoff Series.
[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 9:47 am
@16,005,
I agree. I would like to get that 4rth slot and homeice through the first round. The Ducks would be capable of aquiring the 5th seed and we could see the Ducks, in a 7 game series, and play them possibly 9 games before someone gets eliminated.
What a hill that would be. I think the rivalry would take on a life of it’s own after that. Imagine if we came out on top without Kopitar.
[Reply]