Justin Williams’ status for Game 1 against San Jose will likely be determined after tomorrow’s practice, Terry Murray indicated. Williams stopped short of pronouncing himself ready to go, but said he would continue pushing himself in practice. Scott Parse’s availability might also come into play in the near future, as Murray said Parse has the “green light” medically. Kyle Clifford practiced despite another nasty shiner and swelling around his eye. More notes and quotes from practice to come…
LATEST NEWS- Jim Fox Live Chat: Tuesday 12PM PT May 21, 2013
- WATCH: May 20th Practice Interviews May 20, 2013
- Dustin Brown Named Finalist For Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award May 20, 2013
- Kings Playoff Quiz – 2013 May 19, 2013
- WATCH: LA vs SJS Game 3 - Game Previews May 18, 2013
- Live Chat - Western Conference Semifinal: Game Three May 18, 2013
- Playoff Game Notes: Kings vs. Sharks: Game 3 May 18, 2013
- The Royal Half Preview: Kings vs. Sharks: Game 3 May 18, 2013
- Kings To Give Away Coolhaus Ice Cream; Road To Repeat Bus Back In Action May 18, 2013
- Loud and Proud May 17, 2013
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No one is giving us a chance in this series. The good thing about sports is that you still have to play the games. GKG!
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spidey35 Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 12:22 pm
@Kopi Bryant,
When you look at how we have played the last few games, can you blame them.
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Kopi Bryant Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 12:26 pm
@spidey35, Yeah I do know what you mean. Went to both games this weekend and it was tough to watch. Hopefully they can find some way to get it together. Were only going as far as the D and goaltending gets us.
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Shotongoal Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 12:31 pm
@Kopi Bryant, I know what you mean, but I’m not so worried about the D and goaltending, I think the Kings go only as far as their scoring gets them…
bbb7 Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 12:23 pm
@Kopi Bryant, Agreed, the team is being dismissed totally.. altho on yahoo, Puckdaddy lists the Kings/Sharks series as the 3rd most ‘worthy of attention’.
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GkingsG99 Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 12:23 pm
@Kopi Bryant, Yep the coverage on NHLN was terrible last night when they talked about the Kings/ Sharks series… as always, very short.
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Kopi Bryant Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 12:28 pm
@GkingsG99, Yup, it was like this is a whatever series.
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Capt Jam Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 12:25 pm
@Kopi Bryant,
There’s nothing like backing into the playoffs (as the Kings just did) to put people in your opponent’s corner.
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Gabby Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 12:29 pm
@Capt Jam, The Kings didn’t back into the playoffs. Chicago did. The Kings clinched by beating Phoenix. Therefore, they didn’t back in. They earned the spot outright.
And they played a great game on Saturday. Just didn’t get the breaks.
GO KINGS!!!
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fsd1 Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 12:37 pm
@Gabby, Thank you Gabby, a voice of reason away from all the negative bahooey around here. Murphy’s Law catches up with the league starting in our first game against San Jose.
Capt Jam Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 12:40 pm
@Gabby,
I stand corrected about backing into the playoffs. You’re right. I should’ve written that they backed out of home ice.
This isn’t the time of year for hoping you get a break here and there in order to get a win. The breaks have to be created and capitalized on. Over the last 2 games, they were so-so at creating breaks and awful at capitalizing on them.
Minnesota Kings Fan Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 12:40 pm
@Capt Jam,
Sorry, they didn’t back in – the Blackhawks backed in. They has to hope the Wild would win, or they were out. The Kings clinched thier own spot with a win over Phoenix.
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Minnesota Kings Fan Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 12:41 pm
@Minnesota Kings Fan,
Oops! Rendundant… Great mind think alike….
Bluecoconuts Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 12:51 pm
@Kopi Bryant, That’s okay. Everyone counted the Kings out in January too. The guys seem to pull together and step up when everyone counts them out, maybe it will help give them a push.
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Kopi Bryant Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 1:13 pm
@Bluecoconuts, I hope so. Maybe it’s not so bad that were starting off on the road. lol
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luthco1 Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 1:27 pm
@Bluecoconuts, how bout a swift kick in the butt, oh wait they got that from the quacks, oh and the tiborones,
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CupRun2011 Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 1:29 pm
@Bluecoconuts, I think starting on the road is okay. The Kings only need 3 things to happen: 1) Play a perfect defensive game; 2) Quick needs to steal at least 2 games (like he did in Detroit this year); and 3) the guys with double letter in their last name need to score…Simmonds, Stoll, Penner, Moller, Clifford, Williams, Mitchell, Greene…
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I say Williams will definately be a ‘Go”
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fuzzerson Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 12:26 pm
@Belexes, Perhaps but how effective he will be remains to be seen.
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PRMan Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 12:43 pm
@fuzzerson, He can’t be worse than Westgarth…
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ULVkingsfan Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 12:44 pm
@fuzzerson, he will still be at least 10x more effective than Westgarth
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i feel the key of this series will come down to one guy…DREW DOUGHTY…if he can excel his game and become dominant he can give the kings a major boost and a much added weapon…oh ya and the pp…
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Matt Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 1:19 pm
@michael, and not turn over the puck
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Clifford needs to change his fighting style a bit.
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spidey35 Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 12:20 pm
@Jeff,
I don’t know what he needs to do, but I love his heart.
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Jeff Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 12:27 pm
@spidey35, I absolutely love his heart. He is one of my favorites. I just want to make sure he has a long productive career with the Kings.
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Fyzzix Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 12:28 pm
@Jeff, I think he carries himself pretty well considering he only turned twenty a few months ago.
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RobSD Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 12:47 pm
@Jeff,
Change his fighting style? Noooo. You mean you’re not supposed to lead with your chin? Or try and break the other guys knuckles with your face? LOL.. I love Clifford but he has so much more potential than a fighter. If he needs to, he obviously can but I hope he slows it down on the brawling a bit.
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Duckbasher Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 5:14 pm
@RobSD,
Maybe he should go to the Kings Summer camp and let McSorley give him some tips.
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sstephen17 Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 12:50 pm
@Jeff, Love Clifford. He is a beast. But yeah, he needs to change the fighting style. With his strength, he should be able to fend off and opponent and wear him down. Taking a bunch of hits to the face isn’t good. The scariest part of that fight wasn’t that he got hit so much, but rather that he kept coming back to take more.
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Eggplant Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 10:35 pm
@sstephen17, I bet he watched way too much Rocky as a kid.
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pitty Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 1:54 pm
@Jeff, Get him into a boxing gym before someone kills the poor kid. Great heart but very poor technique.
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Duckbasher Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 5:15 pm
@pitty,
I don’t think I’ve ever seen him throw a left hand. He needs to train that thing for more than wearing a watch.
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The Parse ‘green light’ is a real surprise to me because it seems just a few weeks ago they said he was shutting it down for the year. Wow.
JW will be okay playing at 80% and avoiding real contact – he’ll be like a second Penner out there.
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Fyzzix Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 12:29 pm
@bbb7, Plus, he still seemed to be limping when he came out on the ice to give his fan appreciation jersey out.
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pitty Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 1:56 pm
@bbb7, That bad was hopping for more
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I love it when we are the underdogs. No pressure on us. Reminds me of the Miracle on Manchester, the Boston series in the 70′s and the run in 1993. Based upon experience here in North Carolina, no one gave the Hurricanes chances in their two Finals runs.
These are all of the DL surprises before the series starts. Remember in the playoffs injuries are always “lied” about. I still think DL is going to bring someone up before Thursday from Manchester. Watch. It’s all about mental games in the playoffs by coaches, GM’s, and players.
One final note. DD must step up and be the force we all know he can be.
Go Kings Go! We Believe!
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rmartin1951 Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 12:48 pm
@Carolina Kings Fan, The only way LA wins the series is for quick to get two shutouts and to allow only one goal in each of other two fames for a gaa of 0.5 for the series. We have a very weak offense before the injuries and a terrible powerplay. I am hoping for an upset but a afraid we only win one game.Penner has been terrible and young players such as moller and lewis have not produced with added ice time.We will see at least five new players next year unless a miracle occurs in this series.
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mrbrett7 Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 12:57 pm
@Carolina Kings Fan, The 2nd final run, sure…the first, Carolina was a run away favorite and was one of the better teams all season.
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Rich, this a repost from before but I was wondering if you noticed that Lewis saw limited Ice time in the third period of the last game. Any word on why? Was TM not happy with him or something? I think he needs MORE ice time with better wingers. He can help the offense!!
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mrbrett7 Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 12:57 pm
@illegalstick33, He needs to start by winning A faceoff. He has been getting murdered in the dot.
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bbb7 Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 1:01 pm
@mrbrett7, He actually won about 50% of his draws in the two games against the Ducks, but yes, he needs improvement. Still, his speed and creativity is wasted playing with Westgarth.
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It will be nice to have JWill back, but we need JMFJ to be big here. I haven’t been able to catch the past couple of games, but he has been a bit of a liability lately after such a strong start to the season when DD was out.
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kopi fan91 Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 12:42 pm
@PhillyKing,
Sorry if this seems stupi, I’m a new kings fan and I was wondering who’s jmfj
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soyokaze Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 12:50 pm
@kopi fan91, Jack “Minus F$%!&#$” Johnson
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StillKingly Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 1:12 pm
@soyokaze, lol
KFII Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 1:20 pm
@soyokaze, OMG, and all this time I thought the “M” stood for Mother. LOL
DesertKing Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 1:00 pm
@kopi fan91,
#3
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Williams playing will determine if we can compete in the series because without him we may not be able to win a game
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I’m praying that the Blades lose in 4 so Shenn can get called up. I know its bad karma and all, but he has the potential to fill some pretty big skates. If they lose tomorrow and Wednesday then Shenn definitely gets the call. Nick and Daryl talked about this after the Friday Kings/Ducks game.
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rmartin1951 Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 12:50 pm
@CheezyPoofs, that woud be a mistake. Adding an inexperienced player now would be a desperation move. Look at ineffectiveness of Moller as an example.
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Duckbasher Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 5:18 pm
@rmartin1951,
Shenn aint Moller.
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RobSD Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 12:51 pm
@CheezyPoofs,
People on here are saying they don’t want that. We need everything we can get right now. Throw him in a game and see how he does. He has great hands and was getting a ton of chances last time he was up. I don’t know if he will be able to keep up with the physicality of playoff hockey in the NHL though.
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mrbrett7 Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 12:58 pm
@CheezyPoofs, Won’t happen, even if they lose. You don’t waste a year of an entry level contract on a prayer and a whim.
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DesertKing Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 1:01 pm
@mrbrett7,
I agree. eespecially when that player has huge upside and will need to be paid a lot more later on. You need to use that 1st year next year when everyone is healthy and finsish a good training camp.
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CheezyPoofs Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 1:17 pm
@mrbrett7, I guess nick and daryl don’t know what they are talking about. And yes they would burn a year on it.
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mrbrett7 Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 1:36 pm
@CheezyPoofs, Could not disagree with Nick and Daryl more, if that is indeed what they said.
You’re going to burn a year on a contract, JUST on a whim, for someone who has proven NOTHING at the NHL level, in the HOPE that he MIGHT be able to do something?
Might as well go play the lottery also thinking you are going to win.
KC23 Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 3:57 pm
@CheezyPoofs, I don’t know if it is the right move or not, but I do know that DL is one of the best GMs in the business and I’m good with whatever he decides.
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fsd1 Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 3:59 pm
@KC23, Yes, I agree with you!
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How can Parse be anywhere near game ready? He’s had no contact all year, no game ice time. If he’s actually going to play, I don’t see him being a factor. i would much rather see one of the kids from Manchester (who has played all year), get a chance, might even add something new to the lineup, like ENERGY.
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Minnesota Kings Fan Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 12:43 pm
@Happy Lappy,
ZEILER!
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RobSD Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 12:49 pm
@Happy Lappy,
These guys are hockey players, not ballerinas. The adrenaline alone will get him through the first game.
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The best thing about JW coming back is the lift he will bring emotionally and morale wise. And as far as no one giving the Kings a chance? That’s all the better especially if we can push them to 7 games and win.
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Penner-handzus-Williams
Smyth-stoll-brown
Clifford-richie-simmonds
Parse-Lewis-moller
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jordan Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 1:01 pm
@KH, poni?
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KH Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 1:02 pm
@jordan, Knew I was leaving someone out but I couldn’t figure it out. I feel like parse could bring an offensive spark but Poni is better defensively
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KingzzFan Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 1:04 pm
@KH,
That’s why Moller will be watching from the Press Box…
Hesperia STH Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 1:07 pm
@KH, I like this. Moller to me has heart. Poni…he’s just there at times, no more, no less. I hope I’m wrong if Poni plays in the playoffs.
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KH Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 1:11 pm
@Hesperia STH, That 4th line has lots of speed and skill. But would they have finish? That is the real question
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Rich any reason why my posts arent showing up? Did I get banned for something?
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RobSD Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 12:52 pm
@KH,
It was that joke about his mother wearing combat boots that did it.
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KH Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 1:03 pm
@RobSD, Haha they’re showing up now
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“Yea Buddy!” penner-Zues-Brown, Smyth-Stoll-Williams, Cliff-Richie-Simmonds, Poni-Lewis-Parse… bye Moller!!!!!!!
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Hesperia STH Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 1:05 pm
@John, I may be more inclined to scratch Poni instead of Moller. At least Moller has heart.
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Duckbasher Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 5:22 pm
@Hesperia STH,
I must be watching a different team because I see Poni playing a pretty physical game. Problem is he’s always in the corners like he’s being asked by TM. Hard to score from there. I don’t think his lack of points is all his fault.
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Well well, it was to surprise that the nhl network didn’t give us any love during last nights playoff show. Nobody gives us a chance in this match up with the Sharks. My hope is that we find some kind of offense to go along with our “D”. All I know is that if we can get game 1 then it’s going to be a long series. We can’t afford to allow them to score first. I know it’s simple right, not when it comes to the Kings. I feel like we get no respect from the big media guys. Someday the Kings are going to get the respect they deserve. No one talks about how Quick has come out of nowhere to lead this club to 2 post season berths, Can we atleast get some respect for our ‘d’. I’m tired of all this talk about other clubs. It’s time to get up and shout for the Kings. They may not know us now, but they will soon enough.
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If Williams can come back, I kind of like the idea of trying him with Stoll and Smyth. They found magic earlier in the year – maybe they can do it again. Williams and Penner seemed to play well together, but that was before Penner decided that all this hockey stuff was boring and a waste of his time….
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Would love to see Williams come in and be a boost for the team, and would love to see Parse get a couple playoff points under his belt for confidence going into next season. As much as my heart tells me we have a chance in the series and through the playoffs, I have a hard time believing it. However, all the playoff experience our players can get at this point is huge, including Parse and Schenn, these games would be a great way for him to learn the playoffs to help us out next season. He may not be the most effective, but what better way to be welcomed to your new team than in the playoffs, with a little bit of pressure to produce. Its going to be on him next year too, and moreso in the future, give him a few more games now to help out later.
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Penner – Stoll – Williams
Smyth – Handzus – Brown
Clifford – Richardson – Simmonds
Poni – Lewis – Parse/Moller
Stoll has been the Kings #2 center for a few years now and Zeus has been #3, i dont see why Stoll doesnt go up to #1 instead of Zeus. Stoll has more speed and skill.
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Paul G Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 1:20 pm
@Sebastian, Handzus should be on line 4…Lewis is better and Richardson has been showing some spark as of late
Poni and Zues made a pretty ok 4th line a while back too
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Duckbasher Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 5:24 pm
@Paul G,
I agree. Poni and Zeus on 4th line (and I love the Zeus).
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PuckNutz19 Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 1:24 pm
@Sebastian, I agree with you entirely, however, I’m also inclined ot say that Lewis is even a better fit up front with Penner and JW. I like the speed and heart this kid has and it could light a scoring spark with Penner. Zeus is great, but really from a defensive/stopping line perspective. Here’s the lineup I like:
Penner – Lewis – JW
Smyth – Stoll – Brown
Clifford – Zeus – Simmonds
Poni – Richardson – Parse/Moller
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Paul G Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 6:54 pm
@PuckNutz19, Y would u split up Clifford-Richards-Simmonds?
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KingzzFan Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 1:25 pm
@Sebastian,
I actually would like to see Lewis center that second line with Zues going to the 4tjh line. Brownie needs someone with real speed going with him entering the zone. Lewis has that and is defensively responsible.
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Pili Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 1:29 pm
@Sebastian, Like the 3rd line. Hopefully they can give the Kings a lead and go from there. All we can do is truly believe and head into this series wholeheartedly. Intensity, composure and execution. This team is good enough to surprise. GO KINGS!!!
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To all those that are feeling negative about this upcoming series: it essentially comes down to one road game. Just one. If we can steal one of these first two on the road, it will be a huge turning point. I don’t know why, but I am just not stressed about this series at all. Even if we lose, it is understandable – we lost our MVP, leading scorer, and all around best player. That is tough to overcome for any team. All the pressure should be on the Sharks.
If we lose this series, people will say, “Tough break. Get healthy and go get ‘em next year!” If the Sharks lose this series, the villagers will be lighting the torches and grabbing their pitchforks. The Sharks had better not take this series lightly. One thing about the Kings this year – they never give up. Bad power play? I’ll give you that. Trouble putting pucks in the net? Sure. Problems gaining entry into the offensive zone? Absolutely. But I have watched this team fight and claw every step of the way. That team was going right until the horn sounded on Saturday and I think they are still a dangerous team in the playoffs. The Sharks are going to be very susceptible to the “oh no, not again” mentality if they get down in this series.
If I am not “realistic” or a “true fan” by some of your standards, then so be it. Call me what you will. But I am pumped for the playoffs AGAIN! Even if we find ourselves down 3-0 in the series and behing late in the third period of game 4, I am still going to be yelling like a crazy man and cheering this team on. I have seen lots of magic in my lifetime when it comes to sports. Who’s to say this series won’t be one of those experiences? If it doesn’t happen, oh well. But hope is why I keep watching and cheering and having fun with this team.
GO KINGS!!! Take it to ‘em! Show San Hoser what we got!!!
[Reply]
StillKingly Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 1:43 pm
@KingsFan in OC,
Per Red in Shawshank redemption: “Hope? Let me tell you something, my friend. Hope is a dangerous thing. Hope can drive a man insane”
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PuckNutz19 Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 1:54 pm
@KingsFan in OC, Great stuff KingsFan! I’ll be just as loud and expect to have no voice remaining by the end of the series. Will you be at the games or screaming from the house? I’ll be at each game in section 333.
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KingsFan in OC Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 2:53 pm
@PuckNutz19, Just look straight across the stadium from your seats. I will be the wacko in section 321!
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fsd1 Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 2:45 pm
@KingsFan in OC, very nice post!
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LVKINGS88 Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 6:31 pm
@KingsFan in OC, Hear Hear,great post,I don’t expect them to win the seriers,but I DO expect them to compete,either way I’l be cheering my Kings.
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Who had Montreal beating Washington in last year’s first round? In fact, who had Washington NOT sweeping Montreal in that series? After that, who had Montreal then going on to beat Pittsburgh in the 2nd Round? Anything can happen in the playoffs.
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KC23 Reply:
April 11th, 2011 at 4:04 pm
@Scot, Yeah, how about Philly who required a shoot out win to even get in the playoffs and they end up in the finals. You never know.
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Excellent point Scotty! All we can do is pray. I’m agnostic, but I’m going to say a little something for the boys Thursday morning. Scotty doesn’t know that Fiona and me do it in my van every Sunday!
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We may be the Lucky Puck team. Cinderella tyeam story of years gone by. maybe San Jose wont take us serious enough and blow the series. Hey who knows maybe one bad slap shot to SJ goalie and we get the backup. Injuries make a different. I think Quick has not been the same after he got a shot on his mask. He looks like HIller!
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