A couple quick things… The Kings will now practice at 1 p.m. today, and there isn’t expected to be any supplemental discipline given to Kyle Clifford for his hit last night on Vancouver’s Christopher Tanev. Clifford received a five-minute penalty for checking from behind, plus a game misconduct. The hit was automatically subject to review from the league office.
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Well that’s good to know, thanks Rich.
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kinginsaltlake Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 11:50 am
@KFII, How’s it going up there in Bosie. Weather is great here. Always good reading your post.
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KFII Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 12:56 pm
@kinginsaltlake, Thanks Saltlake. The weather is beautiful here today, warmest day so far this year. I’m not sure it’s up to 70 yet, but it feels wonderful.
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A tiny bit of justice, I guess.
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will be interesting to see what TM does with the lines (if anything). its troubling when your 4th line is your best.
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jkking Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 12:11 pm
@tornado12, i thought westie is stepping up. GIVE HIM THE A!!!!
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Thank goodness… The game misconduct was enough supplemental discipline. – If that’s what you want to even call it.
Tanev, saw that hit coming. Cancuks should get another trophy for “embellishment”.
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RabidZiggy Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 11:49 am
@KingsGuy, With the amount of bad acting going on by the Canucks it was like watching a soccer game.
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KingsGuy Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 12:02 pm
@RabidZiggy, Canucks must have an acting coach…
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c4sraser Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 3:04 pm
@RabidZiggy, totally agree,Cliffy barely touched him what a freakin baby
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Brock_Tal Reply:
April 2nd, 2011 at 11:55 am
@RabidZiggy, are you kidding me… his back was to him the whole time. Tanuv turned his head to check if someone was coming and Clifford made an illegal hit. I cant beleive you think that Tanuv embellished this hit. If you watched the game Tanuv didnt return and is now out with an injury, hard price to pay just to get a penalty. Clifford deserves a suspension for a hit from behind.
The only thing Im going to agree with you guys wiht is that the officials were brutal on both sides in that game.
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friarking Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 11:50 am
@KingsGuy, and a trophy for best hockey stop with your face
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2hitniks Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 12:09 pm
@KingsGuy, I totally agree. Double Minor maybe… Despite what my father-in-law (in Vancouver) says!
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Mike Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 12:31 pm
@KingsGuy, I agree that the Clifford hit was a penalty, but certainly not supplemental discipline.
What I don’t agree with is the interference on Handzus that was NOT called. He never had the puck. And if its “excessive” violence, hits to the head, dangerous situations that the league is trying to cut down on, what were the referees watching? Interference, boarding, charging – when was the last time charging was called?
I’ve been watching the Kings now for 44 seasons and it amazes me where the level of officiating has gone as time has gone by.
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Darrell Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 2:35 pm
@Mike, Well, then you have to give Doughty a charge for hitting Sedin as well.
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Rob Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 2:31 pm
@KingsGuy, Exactly how I feel! RESPEKT
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Should have been a minor, and so should the hit on Zeus.
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RabidZiggy Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 11:50 am
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, Players should also know not to turn their backs to another incoming player at the boards. This should be something that gets taught at the lowest levels of hockey.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 12:15 pm
@RabidZiggy, Just goes to show that rule changes don’t always work out the way you want. Same sort of things happened when they tried to stop the blind side hits on receivers by DBs in the NFL.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 12:16 pm
That is, receivers started taking advantage of the rule, and put themselves into vulnerable situations. Rule or no rule, those collisions are going to happen, and the receiver putting himself into the more vulnerable situation makes it worse.
Might be time to put Brown on the 1st line with Penner.
Penner – Zus – Brown
Smyth – Stoll – Moller (Geezer line reunited with Moller subbing for Willy)
Poni – Richardson – Simmonds (Chemistry with Richie and Simmer)
Cliffy – Lewis – Westie
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kinginsaltlake Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 11:52 am
@dcaps55, I agree 100% The little viking is get pushed around all over the place. NO SIZE
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mcdangles Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 11:56 am
@kinginsaltlake, that VIKING plays with more grit and determination than half the team since he has been called up from the farm. I dis-agree
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kq949 Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 12:00 pm
@mcdangles, agree with dcaps55. Moller has no business being on the first line. Teams put their best out against a considered 1st line, and Oscar looked pathetically lost & scared last night.
pitty Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 12:07 pm
@mcdangles, He plays with more heart than Penner that’s for sure. If Poni played the way Penner has played he would be watching from the stands. I like TM but it seems either your one of his boys or your not.
holly Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 12:13 pm
@mcdangles, I agree with both sides of this. Moller has shown grit and determination in his recall, but I also agree that the first line may not be the place for him right now.
jkking Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 12:13 pm
@mcdangles, moller is playing with grit and determination but his size is the issue. he’s getting pushed around. try lewie and brown with penner.
mrbrett7 Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 1:00 pm
@mcdangles, He has the heart…unfortunately heart isn’t everything.
YoBro Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 5:40 pm
@mcdangles, Wha ?? The first 2 games he played well. The last 2 he has been terrible, just terrible.
Go Kings
dcaps55 Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 12:01 pm
@dcaps55, Changed my mind. No wonder TM does this all the time…
Penner – Zus – Brown
Cliffy – Stoll – Moller (Cliffy’s got the big body to make space for the two squirts)
Poni – Richardson – Simmonds (Chemistry with Richie and Simmer)
Smyth – Lewis – Westie (Chemistry with Smyth & Lewis. Provides veteran presence on line)
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Eric Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 12:46 pm
@dcaps55,
Me likes
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tornado12 Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 12:04 pm
@dcaps55, why would you put our most effective center right now on the 4th line?
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mcdangles Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 12:25 pm
@tornado12, so, with all that has been said, why did they draft him in the 1st place? I beg to differ. If you have a speedy forward that can find the open ice, go to those scoring areas, yes his linemates are bigger, they create more space for him. Why do you think Murray has him playing with the guys he put with him or him with them? There is something that coach’s see and do for a reason, you have to respect that
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How’s Zues? No homo, but he’s a man’s man for staying in the game a playing on the PK after that hit.
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I don’t know about you others on here but, other then the loss of the game, those GREEN GUYS next to the Kings penalty box, pure entertainment in itself. How can Doughty keep from NOT laughing?
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C leb Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 12:00 pm
@mcdangles, he should have squirted water through the seam in the glass…
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KingsGuy Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 12:00 pm
@mcdangles, That’s entertainment? Fricken embarassing. I would like to see those gumbies come try that in LA.
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Steve W Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 12:05 pm
@KingsGuy, They were at Staples when the Kings played the Canucks, but weren’t sitting next to the penalty box.
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KingsGuy Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 12:26 pm
@Steve W, Exactly…. Stnanding upside down, one with a box of tissues? Am, I alone here on this?
Colorado King Fan Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 12:06 pm
@KingsGuy, They did. Last year in the play-offs. They still look like morons.
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cpmc29 Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 12:09 pm
@KingsGuy, What are you saying? Are we going to act like some of the Dodger fans and beat the crap out of them? Wait not a bad idea. Jk
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mrbrett7 Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 1:00 pm
@KingsGuy, I find it funny…
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Capt Jam Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 12:06 pm
@mcdangles,
Takes a lot of spine to act that way and not show your face.
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holly Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 12:11 pm
@mcdangles, I think they’re hysterical. Almost as hysterical as the fans league-wide who get bent out of shape by them. Face it, if they were Kings fans you’d love them.
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KingsGuy Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 12:28 pm
@holly, You must be a fan of the Westside Rentals guy too… LOL.
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holly Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 12:50 pm
@KingsGuy, Every team has fans who feel their sole purpose is to annoy the opposing team. They’re doing it right. It’s funny to watch them try and provoke a reaction. And it’s pretty pathetic when they actually can. Maybe it’s because I’ve seen mascots get tossed from games for successfully antagonizing players, but I think it’s a hoot. It isn’t like it’s a specific grudge against the Kings, they do it to everyone. And like I said, if they were Kings fans trying to get a response from the Canucks or Ducks, Kings fans would love them.
By getting up in arms about things like this instead of just laughing at it, they get exactly the reaction they want. Most players take it in stride, why can’t the fans?
KingsGuy Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 1:15 pm
@KingsGuy, Well agree to to disagree
I am just thankful they ARE NOT Kings fans. – You may be right! Maybe a few Kings may laugh and be happy that they look like gumbies with a jock strap. I for one am not of them, lol.
Glad to see a “Kings” or “NHL” fan finds that humerous. I wish I could find that funny…
But you’re right, they are doing a good job of annoying people! That’s for sure.
BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 2:18 pm
@holly,
Purple and bent?
…Naah.
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BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 2:46 pm
@Holly,
The only thing better are the Hockey Luvin Homos behind the Vancouver bench…
http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Meet-the-Hockey-Luvin-Homos-for-the-Vancouver-?urn=nhl-wp1639
Now they were a hoot…
!!
puckpoker Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 2:26 pm
@mcdangles, In a word, it’s Gay. Let’s leave it at that.
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Rob Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 2:35 pm
@puckpoker, Apparently Gay is IN in Vancouver. From their Homo fans behind their bench, to the green idiots next to the penalty box, all the way to their female twinz and company with all the crying/whining they do on the ice. No offense Gay people, but that’s just GAY.
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BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 2:48 pm
@Rob,
Boys, boys, boys…
Boys.
See below link:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Meet-the-Hockey-Luvin-Homos-for-the-Vancouver-?urn=nhl-wp1639
One has to keep a sense of humor.
I fully expect TM to make some dramatic changes to our forward lines….and he should
here’s a sample of my wish list
penner-stoll-brown
smyth-lewis-simmonds
clifford-zues-moller
poni-richie-harrold
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KingsGuy Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 12:04 pm
@launch, scratch Harrold for Westgarth and you may have something… Or send back Moller and put it Harrold.
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Capt Jam Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 12:08 pm
@KingsGuy,
I like option A at this point. I haven’t quite given up on Moller yet. I’m hoping an often soft DAL defense helps him relocate his nose for the puck and scoring touch.
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launch Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 12:20 pm
@Capt Jam, that is most of the reason that I put Moller and Zues with Clifford….my thought is that two big bodies can create a little more space for Moller.
not a demotion for Zues and OM, but more of a way for them pick up the offense without the pressure to perform on the top line???
pitty Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 12:22 pm
@Capt Jam, At least Moller had a couple shots on goal. Penner again with a big fat zero shots on goal. I would say at this point Moller is playing like he’s 250lbs while Penner is playing like he’s 125lbs.
kevin Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 12:54 pm
@launch, swap clifford and smyth
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mrbrett7 Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 1:01 pm
@launch, Can Penner end up back in Edmonton? No? Please?
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I think the league needs to look into guys turning there backs to players coming in on the forecheck when they are trying to retrieve a puck along the boards. I said this in the last thread but seems more relevant to this one but its a set up plain and simple! If you know a guy is coming (as Tanev did) and you know you are going to get hit(as Tanev did and thats just hockey really)then you need to try and make a play or protect yourself and not just STOP AND TURN YOUR #S TO THE OPPOSING PLAYER! Players can turn and go along the boards while recovering puck and dont need to stop completetly. In this case and in alot of cases now a days these calls and resulting injuries if any is the fault of the guy getting to the puck first not the guy who follows.
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T Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 2:13 pm
@BrokeKingsFan, Welcome to the new NHL where you’re rewarded for keeping your head down, diving, and turning your back to the hitter. Soccer on ice is what the NHL is turning into.
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Shouldn’t have been a major penalty anyway, sure did change the games score though. Does anyone know if when playoffs start, if the nhl finally switches up refs, so we might get some east coast refs officiating our games?
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GMan Reply:
April 2nd, 2011 at 10:23 pm
@randal,
The fact the Kings had zero shots in the third period doesn’t tell you anything?
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dont know if this was posted earlier, but WELCOME TO THE NHL KEVIN WESTGARTH. last night was the best I have seen him play at his level. He was hitting, making plays, forechecking. Unfortunate it was a loss, but I thought he was probably the most effective forward last night (honorable mention to lewis and Cliffy and Richie). Also, OM needs to get back to his play of the first few games, he had some terrible turnovers that gave Van some scoring chances. He is still young and has alot to learn, but if he continues this downward trend, I would put in Harrold for him. We cant afford a learning curve this time of year.
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I thought it was a good call on Clifford. It is clear that plays like that just aren’t allowed any more. The Zues hit should of been 2 minutes though, they blew that call big time.
As far as “and there isn’t expected to be any supplemental discipline given to Kyle Clifford”. That really doesn’t tell us much. Was there word from Toronto or just wishful thinking by our coaching staff?
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 12:17 pm
@KC23, Yeah, I wondered about that too.
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BrokeKingsFan Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 12:39 pm
@KC23, I would like to know what it is that Cliffy was supposed to do or anyone in his position for that matter? you cant just let a guy retrieve a puck and do what he wants without a physical chalenge of some sort. And If he didnt just come to a complete stop and turn his #’s we wouldnt be having this conversation. so what does he do in this situation?
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mrbrett7 Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 1:04 pm
@KC23, Pretty much agree with everything you said.
However…I’m so tired of players embeleshing hits (he wasn’t hurt…sorry, but he wasn’t), players snapping their heads back when someone breathes on them, etc. (Kings players do this also, and it drives me crazy).
It’s hard enough on officials.
But my biggest pet peave is, when you go into the corner for the puck, you KNOW your going to get hit. So why put yourself into a position to get hit like that? It happens all the time, and it needs to be punished as well, somehow (no idea how).
The honus is as much on the hitee as it is on the hitter.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 3:22 pm
@mrbrett7, It seems he was actually hurt…but it was mostly his fault for trying to get tricky and making it hard for Cliffy to miss him.
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Anybody besides me…..REAL…….disappointed in Penner’s effort thusfar??? He’s really showing me firsthand his propensity for taking shifts & game’s off.
He’s big, but he plays like he’s small. Not only is he not playing to his strength (size), but by playing on the wall & away from the front of the net, his lack of speed is killing him.
He’s getting ZERO scoring chances.
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pitty Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 12:29 pm
@dahack11, He’s killing me. Can’t believe he is still on the top line. At least TM is starting to realize this giving him a little over 12 min of ice time last night.
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puck28 Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 12:36 pm
@dahack11, You have to understand about Penner, he hasn’t played any meaningful games all season long until this trade to LA. It is like coming back from a major injury, the first few games or so you might look awesome but then reality sets in. Penner came from Edmonton where they pretty much were just playing out the string of games with no chance of playoffs. Then he comes here and it is a totally different situation, a team competing for the playoffs. You can’t just turn it on and play hard, knowing that a mistake could cost the team the playoffs. Not only is he playing a totally different system then in Edmonton, but he has also lost his 2 linemates, who he was just becoming accustomed too and now he has to learn a whole new set of linemates. It isn’t easy and I won’t be surprised to not see the real Dustin Penner, until next season. It could change in the playoffs, as it is a totally different animal then regular season but most likely it won’t happen until the start of next season.
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Stuart Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 12:41 pm
@puck28, good points… hopefully the playoff beard will awaken that part of his game.
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dahack11 Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 1:03 pm
@puck28, so…..as usual, excuses for a players poor (or in this case, non-) performance….
“it’s okay Dustin, we know you will TRY harder next season….here’s your paycheck you poor guy who’s had a the horrible misfortune of playing for something”……
gimme a break….
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Dave Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 1:03 pm
@dahack11, it’s not the easiest thing to lose both your center and RW in a five day stretch. his dip coincided with the injures to Kopi and Williams. put him with Lewis and Brown (two hottest players) and see how he does.
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dahack11 Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 1:08 pm
@Dave, that’s just an excuse….I would give him more than a break if that was all was witnessing. However, what I’m seeing is a guy not interested in playing on the tough spots on the ice….like near the net. He’s playing on the perimeter like he’s nothing more than a small skill guy, instead of a BIG guy….
In other words, he’s a big guy afraid to get hit….
AND I was a STRONG advocate for getting him. Now, however, I see why his label as a guy who sometimes plays & sometimes doesn’t.
VERY disappointed.
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Dave Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 1:12 pm
@dahack11, you have to have the puck in the o-zone to get to the tough places. where was the possession in the o-zone last night? do you remember any cycles at all? any sustained pressure at all? i don’t.
i remember one time where Penner had the puck near the net and he took it to the net. that’s the only time i remember that line controlling the puck in the o-zone. that is what Kopitar is so good at – holding on to the puck and making plays in the o-zone. handzus and moller are not guys that can do that. it was chip and chase all night.
mrbrett7 Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 1:06 pm
@dahack11, I’m right there with you. I understand all the arguments for him, etc.
But, I was on record for months stating THIS IS HIM. He is emotionless, takes games off, takes weeks off, etc.
I’m still fine with the trade, however, I never wanted him in the first place.
I’m okay with droughts in scoring, I’m not okay with droughts in effort.
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dahack11 Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 1:08 pm
@mrbrett7, EXACTLY Mr. Brett……lack of effort…..
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puckpoker Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 2:28 pm
@dahack11, Very, very disappointed. Zero chances, zero hits and zero passion on the ice. … Does he want to go back to Edmonton? Maybe he was hoping for the summer off?
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I would like to see these line ups:
Penner Stoll Brown
Smyth Lewis Moller
Poni Zues Simmer (This line seems to click every time they play together)
Clifford Richie Harrold/Westy (we might need him since we are playing Dallas which is a physical team)
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YoBro Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 5:55 pm
@Harry, I LIKE those lines:)
Go Kings
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Question for Rich….Do you know if Kopitar will travel with the team at all for the few home games that are remaining? Sometimes you hear of injured players going with the team for support, and to simply be with the team. Also, have there been any interviews with Kopitar since his injury? I havent seen any.
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Lead Feet Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 12:53 pm
@Lead Feet, the few ROAD games remaining…oops
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why not move Lewis to the top line? he’s been the team’s best player the last three games.
penner-lewis-brown
smyth-stoll-moller
poni-handzus-simmonds
clifford-richie-westgarth/harrold
put that third line back together, get some speed in the middle between brown and penner especially since Lewis and Brown have played well together. and put smyth and stoll back together with moller playing the williams part.
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tornado12 Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 1:15 pm
@Dave, i like this idea
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Dave Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 1:17 pm
@tornado12, sadly, TM didn’t. the lines he put together are horrible
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Hit was clean!! I said it from the second I saw it!! Good job Cliff!!
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