The addition of Dustin Penner seems to have boosted the Kings’ first line — Penner, Kopitar and Justin Williams have combined for eight even-strength goals in seven games together — but the rising tide has not lifted the second line’s boat. In those same seven games, the line of Dustin Brown, Ryan Smyth and Jarret [...]
Archive of entries posted on March 2011
Stakes raised higher in rivalry games
It’s tough to overstate the importance of the upcoming three games between the Kings and Anaheim Ducks. The teams meet tomorrow night at Staples Center, then close the regular season with a home-and-home series on back-to-back nights. These three games could go a long way toward determining the playoff fates of both teams. The Kings [...]
Murray `screwed up’ with off day
All the talk of last night’s booing has taken some of the attention off what actually happened on the ice — and perhaps that was Terry Murray’s intention? — in a game in which the Kings simply seemed to be playing on an empty tank from the opening faceoff. One can blame the after-effects of [...]
Kings to `back off’ on Clifford for now
Kyle Clifford’s status for beyond the weekend is not yet known, but Clifford will not play tomorrow night against Anaheim. Brad Richardson will take Clifford’s spot as the fourth-line left winger alongside Trevor Lewis and Kevin Westgarth. Clifford did not return to last night’s game after his first-period fight with St. Louis’ Ryan Reaves, which [...]
Doughty, Murray react to booing
Reaction to last night’s second-period booing — and Terry Murray’s “disappointment” in fans for expressing their displeasure — continued today. After practice, Murray softened his stance a bit, calling himself a “very frustrated coach” who knows that “it’s never the right thing to throw stuff at your fans.” Murray’s full reaction is below, but first, [...]
Friday practice update
Kyle Clifford will not play tomorrow against Anaheim. His injury is still officially being called an upper-body injury, but Terry Murray alluded to the NHL’s new concussion-evaluation policies when discussing Clifford. Brad Richardson will return to the lineup and Jonathan Quick will start in goal. As for the booing firestorm, Murray softened his tone a [...]
Friday practice; no Clifford on ice
Kyle Clifford, who left last night’s game after his first-period fight, is not on the ice for practice today. Presumably, there will be an update on Clifford’s status after practice. The Kings are skating in their purple-and-gold gear in preparation for tomorrow’s “Legends Night” game against Anaheim. More updates to come from practice…
Postgame notes (March 17)
Some notes from last night’s game… – By several measures, the Kings suffered their worst loss of the season when they fell to the St. Louis Blues 4-0 on Thursday night at Staples Center. – The Kings were shut out for the sixth time this season, set a new season low for shots on goal [...]
The view from St. Louis
Only 300 miles of highway separate St. Louis from Chicago, and that’s certainly not the path to victory for the Kings. The Kings have 26 regulation losses this season, and eight of them have come at the hands of the St. Louis Blues and Chicago Blackhawks. The Kings went 0-4 and were unable to solve [...]
To boo, or not to boo?
This is an interesting topic, and a good question for the blog, a question that most — although unfortunately not all — can discuss without devolving into petty insults among each other. As always, your cooperation is appreciated in that area. What do you think? Was it appropriate to boo the Kings after the second [...]
Tonight’s game story (March 17)
Here’s my LAKings.com game story for tonight, with stats and video included. Thanks for reading… Kings lose to Blues 4-0 The Kings are scheduled to practice tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. at the Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo.
Smyth postgame quotes
Ryan Smyth’s postgame thoughts… (on the game…) SMYTH: “Well, it’s done, so we put it behind us. We have 11 games left, and we are in control of our destiny. … There are no easy games; we can’t take any nights off. It’s very frustrating, and if you’re not frustrated in this room then you shouldn’t be [...]
Brown postgame quotes
Dustin Brown’s postgame thoughts… (on the game…) BROWN: “The result was about right. Quickie made, in the first period, probably about 10 saves he shouldn’t have, so it could have been a lot worse than it was. … Tonight we just didn’t show up, so you’re not going to beat any team in this league, regardless [...]
Scuderi postgame quotes
Rob Scuderi’s postgame thoughts… (on this being a “trap” game…) SCUDERI: “I think so. We’re coming off a big road trip. First of all, I’m not making excuses for our play. But you look at it, and we’re coming off a big road trip, a lot of energy, a lot of excitement. We come back, [...]
Murray unhappy with players and fans
Terry Murray had his second-shortest postgame media session of the season, as he took five questions and walked away. Naturally, Murray was displeased with his team’s effort, but also had strong words for the fans who booed at the end of the second period. Here’s the transcript of Murray’s session… Question: Do you have any [...]
FINAL: Blues 4, Kings 0
The Kings were shut out for the sixth time this season, suffered their first loss this season of more than three goals and were outshot 39-17. The 17 shots on goal are a season-low. More from the locker room to come…
Blues 4, Kings 0
The Blues extended their lead to four goals with 7:21 remaining in the third period. TJ Oshie took a short pass from teammate Chris Porter in the Kings’ zone and beat Quick with a backhand shot from the middle of the left faceoff circle to give St. Louis a 4-0 lead.
Blues 3, Kings 0
Things didn’t get any better for the Kings early in the third period, as the Blues took a 3-0 lead at the 5:09 mark. Alex Pietrangelo found a bit of open ice in the neutral zone and rifled a shot into the Kings’ net for an unassisted goal.
End of second: Blues 2, Kings 0
D’Agostini’s second goal gave the Blues a 2-0 lead with seven seconds remaining in the second period. D’Agostini carried the puck low and shot from near the goal line, beating Quick short-side. The Blues outshot the Kings 17-4 in the second period. Shots are 30-6 going into the third period.
Clifford out of action
Kyle Clifford has not returned to the bench at the start of the second period. Clifford was scheduled to spend the first three-plus minutes of the second period in the penalty box, after his fight, but was not in the box. We’re awaiting word of Clifford’s status… New NHL standards require players to return to [...]
