Justin Williams exceeded all reasonable expectations in Game 1 when, after missing the final nine games with a dislocated shoulder, Williams returned and had one goal, one assist and a team-high six shots on goal and played close to 21 minutes in the Kings’ overtime loss to San Jose. Now, Williams will need to maintain that energy and effectiveness, and he will be playing with a new center, as Trevor Lewis replaces the suspended Jarret Stoll. Terry Murray talked about what Williams brings to the Kings, and about Williams’ effort in Game 1…
MURRAY: “I think he brings energy and he brings a real good attitude to the team, whenever you get a veteran player coming back after three weeks of being out with the shoulder problem, rehabbing, working hard every day. He gets rewarded for the work he put into it, by scoring and making a great play on the other goal. I think that’s a great example. It’s great for our team. It’s good for the young players on the team to be able to see that kind of a dig-in attitude. The playoffs are the most important time of the year, and it really emphasizes that. It’s, again, something that we can look back at, a couple years from now, and say, `This was really good stuff, what Williams brought to our game.”’
Question: Were you surprised at how much he was able to contribute in Game 1?
MURRAY: “I don’t know if I was surprised, but I certainly was very pleased with it. He’s been playing well for us all year long, as one of the top point-producers on the team, and he’s been a great puck-possession guy. He can make plays. He sees the ice. He can razzle-dazzle a little, to lose coverage and just make things happen. When he told me he was back to 100 percent, ready to play, wanting to play, I did expect that he would bring almost 100 percent of his game back to the game.”
lets hope for the same if not better performance from him tonight!!! GKG!
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I don’t suppose it would be possible to transfuse whatever’s in Justin’s veins directly into Penner?
Just saying……….
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GkingsG99 Reply:
April 16th, 2011 at 9:52 am
@Peter90210, We could only hope!
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NoDoughty Reply:
April 16th, 2011 at 11:15 am
@Peter90210, wouldn’t that be robbing Peter to pay Paul?
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And to think we traded Patrick O’Sullivan for him. Hey – Antthony?
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jackj43 Reply:
April 16th, 2011 at 10:10 am
@Howe9, Boy did we get ripped off on that deal!
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Michael J. Reply:
April 16th, 2011 at 10:23 am
@Howe9,
Ha!
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When you listen to TM speak… I think he articulates very well. Is he the most innovative coach? Not sure. I think some of us have doubts as to how successful a cycle system can be, but I must say that whatever we may think, he seems quite clear. There is no ambiguity in his dealing with the press…. at least in my opinion. Though some people may think so.
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KC23 Reply:
April 16th, 2011 at 4:22 pm
@number 6, Well said. My respect for TM is growing. I was really upset with him after the St. Louis game and what he said about the fans, but if you stop and think about it he was sticking up for his players like a parent.
I initially thought TM was over re-acting about the Smyth hit and sure enough the replay showed TM was right on with his comments. Then there was switching Penner and Poni mid stream in a PLAYOFF game … that takes guts as a coach, lots of guts. He made his point to Penner in the loudest way possible and there was a noticeable improvement in Penner’s play immediately.
Now TM puts Penner back on the first line, but has made it perfectly clear that if he doesn’t look like he’s going all out he can look forward to more time with Westgarth.
I gotta tip my hat to TM. He is one smart guy.
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LMAO…I can’t believe Murray broke out the old “razzle-dazzle” reference. Hilarious.
Time for someone to put together a video of Williams highlights with this song playing…
http://youtu.be/c-zEtAuKuUY
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Off topic…. I’m seeing more and more ugly things in this game (hockey). First of all, never mind the issue regarding Demers. How is it that Chara gets nothing for what was a very questionable play with a serious result wrt Paciorety? Also saw Bobby Ryan stepping on a Preds ankle from last night. Fans throwing ice at asst coach of the Rangers.
That’s why hockey has a bad reputation. Some times the behavior borders on savage. I’d like to think that humanity is moving past that. Some is…. but some clearly isn’t.
Also saw a clip about a month ago of Danny Briere taking a shot at an opponent who was on the ice near the Flyers bench while he was On the bench. No matter what that guy may have done, thats just cheap. You wanna say your piece? Fine, say it to his face or while you’re on the ice.
Briere is a player I really used to like when he was w Buffalo.
I know I’m focusing on some of the less pleasant issues, but it seems they are accumulating at a rapid rate.
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Paul G Reply:
April 16th, 2011 at 10:20 am
@number 6, I understand ur point but I don’t think the number of issues have gone up IMO
Just the media coverage of them has
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number 6 Reply:
April 16th, 2011 at 2:45 pm
@Paul G, and BobKnob
I had a think about it and I think you guys are right. It may be largely the media attention, but that being said look at the huge number of concussions. It has even been discussed that because of the equipment people feel invincible, plus add in the speed and I think it’s a recipe for some problems…. that and also a much discussed lack of respect amongst Some of the players (a select few).
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xeropoint Reply:
April 16th, 2011 at 10:31 am
@number 6, I guarentee you, this stuff has ALWAYS been there. It’s just impossible to hide now, with youtube and the internet in general.
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BobKnob Reply:
April 16th, 2011 at 10:51 am
@xeropoint,
yep, and now it’s like a positive feedback loop.
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BobKnob Reply:
April 16th, 2011 at 12:00 pm
@BobKnob,
the media attention, I meant, with the loop comment.
John Reply:
April 16th, 2011 at 11:11 am
@number 6,
Hey, sports are pretty dang close to primal & hockey is by far the most free flowing & so the passion just builds & builds. That’s why there’s fighting…and why it’s the greatest sport on the planet!
I’ve said it before, but the new rules almost guarantee more explosive collisions & more injuries – definitely the unintended consequences of opening up the game (so maybe Bettman might what to think through things for once!). I liked the playoffs a lot more before the lock-out – sure the players are infinitely more skilled now (or allowed to show their skill), but it’s just not the same battle royals that existed before.
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number 6 Reply:
April 16th, 2011 at 11:31 am
@John,
Yeah John. Don’t remember where I heard it, but someone was saying how post lockout they changed all these rules to get ‘fan interest’. If you have to adjust the sport for the fans you’re in trouble. Those who love hockey will always do so, and those who don’t probably won’t no matter what.
Totally agree w your points about Bettman. He clearly didn’t Think out what is a fact. The guys are 1) bigger 2) faster 3) more skilled than ever, so let’s speed it up even more.
My God, look at the huge number of injuries this year!! Granted one like Kopi’s would have probably happened anyway, but so many others have happened as a result of guys flying all over the ice at crazy speeds w huge amount of speed built up coming thru the neutral zone.
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BobKnob Reply:
April 16th, 2011 at 12:03 pm
@number 6,
Nice, let’s just find something about Bettman to complain about, because we just can’t help ourselves and must complain about everything, no matter how hard we have to reach to make that argument.
Sit on your hands and count down from ten.
Michael J. Reply:
April 16th, 2011 at 12:11 pm
@number 6,
Easy first step is to bring back the red line into play.
John Reply:
April 16th, 2011 at 12:36 pm
@BobKnob,
Work in the NHL front office eh
Slim Reply:
April 16th, 2011 at 12:17 pm
@John, By the play I’ve seen lately, It’s easy to
assume someone will get killed on the ice
sooner than later..I know it’s been said always,
but with these rules it will happen.
And with that GKG…
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number 6 Reply:
April 16th, 2011 at 12:26 pm
@BobKnob
That’s fine. You’re absolutely entitled to your opinion. I also am entitled to mine.
PRMan Reply:
April 16th, 2011 at 5:23 pm
@number 6, Bobby Ryan got a 2-game suspension.
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Penner better step up tonight! Off topic and I’m just venting, but that guy looks like he has no heart, no passion, and wants really badly to be back in Edmonton and off for the season. Get it together and start producing, geeez!
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number 6 Reply:
April 16th, 2011 at 10:26 am
@mcg,
See my thread below
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Michael J. Reply:
April 16th, 2011 at 10:27 am
@mcg,
IMHO, Penner does not want to be back with the Kings next year. That’s pretty unfortunate since I have been wanting the Kings to pick him up since the trade deadline last season.
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408KingsFan Reply:
April 16th, 2011 at 10:37 am
@mcg, Penner sucks he was resposible for the Sharks first goal by cruising around not doing anything but watching. He can do that at home for all I care
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Sparman Reply:
April 16th, 2011 at 10:56 am
@408KingsFan,
Cruising around, then turning towards the neutral zone while Sharks were attacking our goal.
It amazes me that the guy goes out on his first shift of the game, there’s a quick whistle, and he’s doubled over, resting on his stick.
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408KingsFan Reply:
April 16th, 2011 at 11:17 am
@Sparman, you noticed that too, horrible effort
We’re without our first and 5th leading scorers, our second best scorer is in a shoulder harness and at 80%, the guy we wanted to bring up couldnt be, the guy we essentially said was too small is forced to play instead, we have an ex-Oiler who thinks his season ended when his old team’s did…
I smell a VICTORY!
GKG!
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“LIKE HIS ATTITUDE”????? How bout “LOVE HIS ATTITUDE”. Jesus, one of the few guys all year that has brought a %100 every single game. This guys heart is HUGE. Better rub off on some of these other guys.
Go KINGS Go!
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On xm nhl home ice they are just talking about the Anti JW…. Mr Penner. The announcer was saying how amazing JW was, and then said about Penner, how is it that a guy 6’4″ 250lbs becomes invisible?
That was reassuring to me as I remarked in an earlier post that watching on TV I couldn’t find him (only on occasion). I thought maybe it’s because I’m watching from back east so I’m further away…. (just a joke….. bad joke).
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Rick Reply:
April 16th, 2011 at 10:33 am
@number 6, I would bench him and bring up anybody. He does not deserve to play. Never seen a guy less interested in his team than this poor soul.
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408KingsFan Reply:
April 16th, 2011 at 10:44 am
@Rick, The guys cheating on his wife and got caught. Thats the only thing on his mind.
He brought dirt to our squeeky clean LA Kings
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BobKnob Reply:
April 16th, 2011 at 10:53 am
@408KingsFan,
Do you read the enquirer too?
KellyB Reply:
April 16th, 2011 at 12:18 pm
@408KingsFan, is that true 408? Penner cheating on his wife? Or is that speculation on why his play sucks?
repost from last thread:
Premiering tonight at a theater in San Jose…
“The Shark Stank Redemption”
BOB: [narrating] “I have no idea to this day what those two Kings Fans were screaming about. Truth is, I don’t want to know. Some things are best left unheard. I’d like to think they were yelling about something so beautiful, it can only be expressed by a fan, and makes you stand and cheer because of it. I tell you, those voices soared higher and farther than anybody in a gray place like San Jose dares to dream. It was like some miracle on ice skated into this drab little rink and made those glass boards dissolve away, and for the briefest of moments, every last Kings Fan in the Shark Stank felt free.”
(thanks to ‘dave’s a killer’ for the inspiration)
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hah, I love all the stating of the obvious. Well I don’t know, I like Williams because he’s good and he scores, in my professional opinion. Oh wow me too, that’s such a coincidence. LOL. Of course we all like Williams, he’s the man.
Personally, I like Williams because a) He can breathe fire but leaves it for off the ice b) has swam to the bottom of the deepest part of the ocean with no scuba gear c) Saved a village from starvation with his super farming powers d) was offered full control of earth once, but said let em rule themselves. D) When he was born, he looked at his parents and said, my name is justin, got it!?
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Slim Reply:
April 16th, 2011 at 12:23 pm
@nking11, You forgot….
He can ski Uphill..
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I think that Williams is quickly ascending to the “Deadmarsh” level of legendary, heart & soul Kings. We’ve been lacking that type since, well, Deadmarsh.
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http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/la…girlfriend/4540935
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Slim Reply:
April 16th, 2011 at 12:26 pm
@408KingsFan, Took me to an error page..
But i know of his troubles..
Those without sin, cast the first stone..
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I have a whole new respect for Williams after game 1. Any NHL player would come back for the playoffs with the injury he suffered. But it takes someone special to have the fearless attitude he had. Great job locking this guy up DL!
I dont know how Penner could watch a performance so courageous and not be inspired to do ANYTHING. I know hes not Kopitar, I know hes not Williams, but the guy was outplayed by Kyle Clifford. Thats right, a 20 year old rookie.
Penner needs to step it up or next year hes gonna be playing for another team thats out of the playoffs by Christmas. We simply do not have a spot on the bench for a 250 pound princess. I should of known something was up when we got him and all people could talk about was his size.
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number 6 Reply:
April 16th, 2011 at 11:33 am
@Ian,
Me too. As for Penner, two ways to look at it. He has one more year to redeem himself, or we’re stuck with this …. contract eating up the remaining cap space that we had left for one more year.
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number 6 Reply:
April 16th, 2011 at 11:34 am
@number 6,
….. and if he doesn’t move it he’ll clearly be someone else’s problem just over a year from now.
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