The Kings didn’t win last season’s first-round playoff series against Vancouver, but they did acquire something valuable: experience. Top players such as Jonathan Quick, Dustin Brown, Drew Doughty, Jack Johnson and Wayne Simmonds (and the currently injured Anze Kopitar) were able to experience playoff NHL hockey for the first time. Now, there should be fewer surprises the second time around, in this first-round series against San Jose. Among the 21 players who are likely to suit up for the King — including Justin Williams and backup goalie Jonathan Bernier — there are five playoff rookies: Bernier, Kyle Clifford, Trevor Lewis, Alec Martinez and Kevin Westgarth. Terry Murray talked about how last season’s playoff experience might help some of his young players this time around…
MURRAY: “I think having gone through the playoffs last year is huge. You can have meetings and talk about it, as a coach to your team, and explain what it is you’re going to see and what you’re going to feel, but you have to go through it. It was a great experience last year, against one of the premier teams. You go to six games, you know how close it was. One play makes a difference in the outcome of the game. Now you have that understanding. It’s the same kind of scenario here today, with San Jose. They’re a team that’s been on the cusp for the past four or five years. You’ve got to play the game hard, play it the right way, and every play is really going to be important.”
Hopefully we will notice that experience with winning games.
[Reply]
A little off topic… but I’m already tired of the “Beat LA” chant. I go to school in Northern California, and am surrounded by Sharks fans. Various forms of “Beat LA” are already all over my facebook page. Really? Can’t you be a bit more original? I wouldn’t mind it so much if it was something clever or creative that I haven’t heard before, but now it’s kind of akin to using “your mom” as a comeback. Oh… good one.
[Reply]
CupRun2011 Reply:
April 12th, 2011 at 5:29 pm
@FiG17, How about something as original as “Sharks Suck!” or maybe “Sharts Sucts”…who cares as long as I can chant something that every other 18,117 Staples’ fan can shout during Games 3, 4 and 6!
[Reply]
FiG17 Reply:
April 12th, 2011 at 7:20 pm
@CupRun2011,
Point taken. haha I think I’m just letting the pressure of being surrounded by sharks fans get to me. lol
[Reply]
shorthanded Reply:
April 12th, 2011 at 5:30 pm
@FiG17, Yeah its because of the Lakers. It doesn’t make much since being that we haven’t really won anything yet!
[Reply]
YoBro Reply:
April 12th, 2011 at 8:32 pm
@shorthanded, I would tend to believe it’s more about the Dodgers.
[Reply]
Pili Reply:
April 13th, 2011 at 7:01 am
@YoBro, If my memory serves me correctly, it was the Celtic fans during a Laker game, and it spread like wildfire to other cities. A very irritating chant, but no other city seems to have earned it, so it’s an honor of sorts.
Stuart Reply:
April 13th, 2011 at 11:37 am
@Pili, it’s not irritating at all… just think, people hate winners the most, and for the most LA (in its various sports) has usually represented WINNERS!!! It’s very satifying to me when people are screaming that and they end up losing to LA. Hopefully this series will be one of those instances!!!
GKG
Dominick Reply:
April 12th, 2011 at 6:03 pm
@FiG17,
If it’s getting to you then it’s working. Just play it off, and don’t give them the pleasure. They’ll get theirs soon enough.
[Reply]
FiG17 Reply:
April 12th, 2011 at 7:21 pm
@Dominick,
It is working. :/ lol Here’s to hoping they get theirs. It would be a very sweet victory.
[Reply]
bfarm Reply:
April 12th, 2011 at 6:47 pm
@FiG17,
Just get a big group of peeps at your school and counteract the evil aura chanting:
BEAT SJ!!! BEAT SJ!!! BEAT SJ!!!
original enuf for ya
[Reply]
FiG17 Reply:
April 12th, 2011 at 7:18 pm
@bfarm,
I would love to… if any Kings fans existed up here.
I’m definitely in Sharks Territory. lol I do have to give them credit, though, besides the “Beat LA,” they’re all generally pretty awesome about it. I’m only a little bit afraid of wearing my Kings gear in public. haha
[Reply]
doug in sacramento Reply:
April 12th, 2011 at 8:54 pm
@FiG17, Hey Fig,
I live in Sacramento and i’ve only met one other kings fan in 10 years. i know what you’re going through. I typically go to one game a year at the shark tank and rock my jersey but keep my mouth shut. Here’s hoping for an upset.
GoringFan80 Reply:
April 12th, 2011 at 10:39 pm
@FiG17, Several years ago, when the Sharks were terrible and sporting the worst record in the NHL, I went to a Kings-Sharks game at the old Cow Palace with a girl (mild Shark fan) who lived near there. I was wearing my Kings jersey and expecting a good night showing our hockey superiority. The Kings got pounded; I think it was 7-2 at the end. Even my friend was taunting me. I hope we can turn the tables this year. I’d like to see the Kings dominate the California hockey scene for a few seasons, but I’m afraid it will take a couple more years.
KingsFan1974 Reply:
April 12th, 2011 at 10:53 pm
@FiG17, Well I know how you feel I lived in the OC for 2 years and surrounded by a bunch of sucks fans that knew nothing of hockey at all and they would quack quack…. and now since I have been married I get the sharks garbage from my in-laws from San Jose… and no doubt from my 15 year old niece yea I would love the KINGS to beat them to hell just to rub it in there faces…..
[Reply]
Ok, NHL on the Fly and everyone is saying nothing but Sharks will dominate the series. They barely touched on the Kings and they are giving no chance what so ever to the Kings. Oh how sweet would it be to shove those words of theirs right down their throats and beat the Sharks. Hockey is a team sport and we can win as a team. GO KINGS!!!
[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
April 12th, 2011 at 6:12 pm
@Hockey G,
Their only going by what they can see. You can’t really blame them, because we are in a tuff spot. I gaurantee you, It will be all over the NHL, and every city everywhere if we overcome, and everyone will be talking about this throughout the NHL for years to come. This is that rare opportunity that few teams even get the chance to beat the odds, and put the rest of the NHL on notice at the same time.
[Reply]
KingsFan1974 Reply:
April 12th, 2011 at 10:56 pm
@Dominick, So true I really hope the KINGS make them eat every letter of everything they have said… last time I checked the KINGS haven’t given up or con-seeded….GO KINGS GO!!!!
[Reply]
And Moller.
[Reply]
If there’s one positive thing, it’s that the Kings are going into this matchup as huge underdogs…I hope it makes them seriously pumped-up and anxious to prove the rest of the hockey world wrong in writing them off already!
[Reply]
KingsFan1974 Reply:
April 12th, 2011 at 11:02 pm
@rontheking, Ok ron just want to put this out there I would love the KINGS to be allot like the Steelers in that while everyone is talking smack, take it out on that team… and right now I hope Brown,Poni,penner,doughty,johnson,greene and Cliffy start HITTING Like James Harrison and Knock the sharks back to the stone age….its just a wish!!!!! and a very obtainable one at that!!!!!
[Reply]
Iam surprise that fans here are shocked about the Kings being underdogs on the Blogs and etc….Missing your two top players and playing one of the best teams…Did you really expect the experts or non-experts to have it any other way??? Iam sure Rich would also pick the Sharks if asked??? Rich…..your prediction???? We are big underdogs but that doenst mean we cant win!!!!!
[Reply]
CupRun2011 Reply:
April 12th, 2011 at 5:37 pm
@neil,
1) Hope that the Sharks are looking past the Kings to the 2nd round;
2) Hope the Sharks are feeling the pressure of “having” to get to the Cup Finals…gripping their sticks a little too tight, feeling that choking feeling and butterflies deep in the pit of their stomachs;
3) Kings play a near flawless series; 4) Quick stands on his head, butt or skate and stops anything coming near the 4 x 6;
4) A surprise, like Moller, Penner, Poni, Lewis or Westgarth chipping in with some goals…
5) Waking up and realizing that it wasn’t a dream that the Kings have finally won the Cup this year!
[Reply]
Pili Reply:
April 13th, 2011 at 7:22 am
@neil, To me it sounds more like people reporting what they are reading and seeing; I doubt anybody is surprised. It’s our unquenchable spirit that keeps us cheering, and so it should be.
[Reply]
YOU CAN’T WIN! should be posted in the locker room ala Rocky 4 when Adrian tells that to Rocky… And we all know how that turned out.
[Reply]
Every panel of broadcasters I’ve seen analyze this series talk about the sharks and what the sharks have to do to win. If certain players for the sharks (that shall remain nameless – Thorton/Heatley) don’t live up to expectation, the sharks are in trouble… none of them have mentioned the KINGS and they can do to win!
It’s very frustrating, but also could be a blessing in disguise… put on the pressure on the sharks, fine with me. I’m sure the KINGS’ players know the pressure is on the sharks and that’ll motivate the boys.
One moron (Mike Brophy – Sportsnet) said the Kings had a horrible 2nd half… Clearly this guy isn’t doing his job when the boys won 6 of a 10 game road trip and 15/20 possible points…
[Reply]
KingsFan1974 Reply:
April 12th, 2011 at 11:09 pm
@kevin from toronto, Hey Kevin you couldn’t have said it better if you look at every reason the sharks didnt win its that when it comes to the playoffs thorton has been shut down and stinks we have to take him and the rest of them out of the game and the kings can and will…a great part of what has made winners and nothing to do with Hockey but it does Lexus has a part of there covenant its says…..If you think you can’t you won’t ….if you think you can..you will….to the KINGS …..we can..we will….enough said!!!!!!!!!!
[Reply]
Another point, Rich–
Many of the playoff rookies played for Manchester during their 3 series run in the AHL playoffs last year…
[Reply]
Player-X Reply:
April 12th, 2011 at 5:57 pm
@BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy, good one bako, hope it translates into results early in the series. Moller getting a goal and Clifford getting chances would force some re-thinking, and if it happens early allt he better.
[Reply]
BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
April 12th, 2011 at 6:23 pm
@Player-X,
I see this year’s playoffs as the first true test of the young, potential core players.
Kopi’s injury creates a giant void into which an emerging star could elevate his game and make a lasting mark on the Kings. Do it now–Bernier, Kyle Clifford, Trevor Lewis, Alec Martinez and Kevin Westgarth–and, insure your place in the NHL next season!
[Reply]
One of the pundits picked the ducks to win the cup!!!!What is he on?
[Reply]
Player-X Reply:
April 12th, 2011 at 5:58 pm
@frazier king, he is drinjing Cold Duck, of course
[Reply]
taylorskings Reply:
April 12th, 2011 at 7:00 pm
@Player-X,
He needs to switch to Crown Royal
[Reply]
Pili Reply:
April 13th, 2011 at 7:28 am
@taylorskings, LOL
Deke'r Reply:
April 12th, 2011 at 6:03 pm
@frazier king, I would have tailored that statement to…if the Ducks make it to the finals they will win.
[Reply]
Bailey Fan Reply:
April 12th, 2011 at 8:09 pm
@frazier king, The Clucks are annually one of the league’s most overrated and overhyped team in the NHL. I remember before last year, one of the “experts” picked Anaheim winning the Cup and beating Pittsburgh in the Final. No surprise that it’s more of the same this year. Ducks are in for a rude awakening when they find out that offense and a swiss cheese defense will get you nowhere in the playoffs. Just ask Washington
[Reply]
I take no credit for the Kings as a good thing. No pressure for the Kings but them. I can feel Joe choke-up Thornton shows up once again. Our D can easily take him out and other won’t be as effective as they were in the regular season. And one thing I disagree is what they say about our goaltending is no better than them. That’s just ridiculous.
[Reply]
Deke'r Reply:
April 12th, 2011 at 6:04 pm
@goldielocks, I worry more about PM…
[Reply]
goldielocks Reply:
April 12th, 2011 at 6:14 pm
@Deke’r, Yeah, I know. His surprise wrister always beat our goalie. Quick needs to stay sharp and watch out for a long range shot. Setoguchi is like Cheechoo. He’s no threat without Big Joe.
[Reply]
The other upside to this is that if we don’t win it all this year, it will contribute to our playoff experience for next year which I expect to give us an even better opportunity.
[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
April 12th, 2011 at 6:33 pm
@DesertKing, I agree. No matter what we do for the rest of this season, expectations will be high next season, because we know what’s on the way, and what we have will have 1 more year of experiences.
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
April 13th, 2011 at 11:43 am
@DesertKing, but if we go 4 and out, there will be no contribution to our experience. We must feel the thrill of winning a playoff to gain that experience of knowing what to do to WIN a game in the playoffs. Even if it’s just one win, until we win a series as a group, we gain nothing from being swept out.
[Reply]
this series is going to be epic…..ALL the pressure is on the sharks not on us lol. hell if we even win a single game in san jose all you will hear is SHARKS ARE CHOKING SHARKS ARE CHOKING haha. all we gotta do is relax play smart and believe! the rest will take care of itself and san jose fans will once again be hanging their heads and fins in shame over another disappointing playoff appearance hahaha
[Reply]
As Jumbo Joe does the Sharts do…Shut down Jumbo and it takes
the air out of their sails,,,Make that a priority and see what happens…
Upsets happen in Play-offs… You just never know…
Proud of my Kings whatever happens..
[Reply]
The sharks have always been disappointing in the playoffs. Hope Niemi doesn’t change that fact. If the kings play SMART and stay out of the penalty box. They can beat the sharks. I think Marlaeu is there biggest threat. He is tough against the kings. If you shut down Thorton he will get frustrated, like in 2009 when he actually got in a fight with Getzlaf. he can lose it when you frustrate him. Go get em boys.
[Reply]
Didn’t even look at it that way till now, all the “pressure” being on the Sharks but when you think about it, it is true. They’re expected to win according to all the pundits. No one, not one analyst I’ve seen is giving the Kings a smidgeon of a chance. Granted we’re without Kopi but if I remmeber we did go skate blade to skate blade with them in the regular season, each winning three. If we can create some offense and our D plays their game, it could be a pretty even series.
[Reply]
Oh yeah, GKG GKG GKG GKG!
[Reply]
Linden Vey named CHL player of the week http://www.chl.ca/
[Reply]
Ravens Reply:
April 12th, 2011 at 8:34 pm
@Ravens, also Kitsyn lead Miss.Majors with 5 goals and 3 assists in 7 games http://www.stmichaelsmajors.com/page/statistics
[Reply]
Ravens Reply:
April 12th, 2011 at 8:35 pm
@Ravens, Playoff games I ment to add
[Reply]
I don’t know about you guys, but I think Joe Pavelski is becoming a Kings killer. He’s one guy on the Sharks that’s very underrated and plays a solid two-way game. Plus with Malhotra not on the team, Pavelski is good centreman that can win faceoffs. He has deceptive speed and I’ve seen him back off the Kings D carrying the puck into the zone.
[Reply]