The playoffs are also underway in the American Hockey League, and the Kings’ affiliate, the Manchester Monarchs, hold a 2-1 series lead over the Binghamton Senators in the best-of-seven first round. The Monarchs pulled out a big win Sunday to take the series lead, as they rallied from a 3-0 first-period deficit to beat the Senators 5-4 in overtime. Bud Holloway completed a hat trick with his goal 1:43 into overtime. Jeff Zatkoff, who had started the first two games in goal, was replaced by Martin Jones after Zatkoff allowed three first-period goals on 18 shots, and Jones stopped 14 of 15 shots the rest of the way. The game also marked the return of Kings prospect Brayden Schenn to the AHL. Schenn assisted on the Monarchs’ first goal and had a plus-3 rating. The series resumes with Game 4 on Tuesday in Binghamton. Below is a quick recap of the first three games…
Game 1, Manchester 2, Binghamton 1: Corey Elkins broke a scoreless tie 2:19 into the second period, and David Kolomatis gave the Monarchs a 2-0 lead with 3:35 remaining in the third period. The Senators found some life when they scored with 39 seconds remaining, but Zatkoff helped the Monarchs hold on and made 34 saves in the home victory. Former Kings goalie Barry Brust stopped 27 of 29 shots for Binghamton.
Game 2, Binghamton 4, Manchester 3 (OT): Tyler Toffoli scored his first AHL playoff goal and Justin Azevedo added a goal as the Monarchs took a 2-0 second-period lead, but the Senators scored three goals in the first nine minutes of the third period to take a 3-2 lead. Jake Muzzin’s goal tied the game with 1:02 remaining in regulation, but the Binghamton’s Derek Grant scored 4:03 into overtime to end the game and give the Senators the road win. Zatkoff stopped 25 of 29 shots while Brust stopped 26 of 29 shots.
Game 3, Monarchs 5, Binghamton 4 (OT): Colin Greening’s goal, with 1:36 remaining in the first period, gave the host Senators a 3-0 lead, and Jones replaced Zatkoff in the Monarchs’ goal to start the second period. Holloway scored at the 10:50 and 17:16 marks of the second period to make it a game, but the Senators got some breathing room when Bobby Butler scored 7:44 into the third period for a 4-2 Binghamton lead. The Monarchs rallied again, though, as Muzzin scored 9:15 int the period and Dwight King made it a 4-4 game when he scored with 8:10 remaining in regulation. The game remained scoreless from there until the second minute of overtime, when Holloway completed his hat trick and ended it. Brust stopped 27 of 32 shots.
Knock, knock … can Brayden come out to play … in LA?
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brymaster1 Reply:
April 18th, 2011 at 9:58 am
@KC23, NEXT YEAR, he will NOT be up this year,got it?
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Guss Reply:
April 18th, 2011 at 10:29 am
@brymaster1, yes daddy
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
April 18th, 2011 at 11:08 am
@KC23, Actually, I think the experience he’s getting right now is really good for him.
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KC23 Reply:
April 18th, 2011 at 3:33 pm
@KC23, Kicks at the dirt, okay Mr. Lombardi. Next season, but don’t forget, you promissed!
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I was actually wondering about Barry Brust a few weeks back – wondering if he was still in hockey. I imagined he had moved on, but I suppose not. I’d play AHL hockey for a living. It’s not the NHL life, but it’s getting paid to play hockey!
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Simarosa Reply:
April 18th, 2011 at 9:45 am
@Minnesota Kings Fan,
Brust has moved around the AHL a bit. Very interesting when Brust and Clune are on the ice at the same time. There certainly appears to be some “history” between these 2 guys from prior year(s) with other teams. During Saturday’s game in Manchester, Brust clotheslined and punched Clune in the head behind the net – no call. Cluner must be keeping himself in check (or perhaps it’s Mark Morris)as one would have thought by now Cluner would have pulled a Sean Avery on Brust.
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Josie Reply:
April 19th, 2011 at 9:07 am
@Simarosa, in Saturday’s game (4/16), there was a situation where a B-Sen had a questionable, but un-penalized, hit on Clune. You could tell Clune wanted to go after the guy, but the puck was in the offensive zone. From the bench, Morris caught Clune’s gaze and tapped a finger to his head to say “Think”. It was all a matter of seconds, but it worked and although we didn’t score in that particular play, it was a good scoring chance.
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Everything is playing out as it is supposed to in the “big picture”, including Schenn getting his work in with Manchester.
Stay in Manch and play hard Brayden, it will only be beneficial to all involved when you make LA’s roster for good next fall.
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And getting paid well!
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Holloway seems pretty clutch, i wonder why the kings don’t give him a shot on the big club
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I’m surprised Martin Jones didnt start all the games. Good to see they rallied though.
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Paul G Reply:
April 18th, 2011 at 3:11 pm
@FKA PakiFro, I guess they think bcuz he’s a rookie they’ll go with the veteran (relatively) Zatkoff
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All the Kings players that arrive in a trade or sign up as free agents take 40 games to year before they get use TM SYSTEM! I say give the kids in mancheter a chance! They all learn his system in the minors and learning curve is less. Granted TM should know how to coach these new players, but he does not know how to teach the older Players and has a history not being that type of coach!
It started with Haz he suck the first year and got hurt, then the other players signed that year where gone by the end oftheyear.Hazwas the only one to survive. Nagy, Calder, Pressing all gone.
Williams hurt for two years and work hard to learn TM system till this year!Smyth suck the first 30 games…Mitchell did not come along until his 35th game and got hurt twice,
Poni well no way he can score under TM system just getting it this year, first year he did nothing…
Strum well hes history
Scuderi and Greene are the only ones who had no problem with his system, Why home D’s
Moulson and Pursell wavied. did not get a chance to prove himself do TM system. Moller and Holloway will be gone because of it!
I feel bad for Holloway he scores and plays two way Hockey! TM has never said anything good about him and has been given high marks by the coaches in Manchester. Dean listen too TM advice.
Thats all focks!
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Sammuch Reply:
April 18th, 2011 at 9:31 am
@Sammuch, Let’s not forget Penner too! But a least we hope he’ll be ready by next year?
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Bogus Dude Reply:
April 18th, 2011 at 9:35 am
@Sammuch,
That’s a good one !!
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Sebastian Reply:
April 18th, 2011 at 9:38 am
@Sammuch, debby downer.
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nykingfan Reply:
April 18th, 2011 at 9:41 am
@Sammuch,
Why do you keep blaming TM’s system for all of the ills of the Kings?
first of all…the system he uses is now used by just about every team in the NHL…It’s not a difficult system at all. I guess a guy like Penner hasn’t played in anything like this (look at Edmonton’s GAA) so perhaps he’s having a difficult time with it, but to blame the system for Poni’s failures this year is completely wrong.
Zeus’ first year with the Kings was spent trying to come back from ACL surgery. His performance had absolutely nothing to do with the system..same for Ryan Smyth, who as I recall seemed to fit in perfectly right from the beginning.
One last thing…take a look at how the Kings have performed under his system….playoffs 2 years in a row and nearly 100 pts 2 years in a row speaks volumes.
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Jeff Reply:
April 18th, 2011 at 9:53 am
@nykingfan, Not to mention that Zeus, Calder, Preissing and Nagy played under Crawford. Preissing’s problems came about because he got Vertigo, just ask Jonas Hiller how hard it is o play hockey with that. Nagy never played for TM and I’m not sure about Calder. As for Poni, he also sucked when he was sent to Pittsburgh and that is a high octane offense with Crosby, Malkin and Stahl. It appears Poni lost his offensive touch when he left Toronto. Ryan Smith has been awesome since coming over, mostly in the first half of both seasons. I think at his age he gets tired towards the end, but seems rejuvenated in these playoffs. Anyway I think Smith’s problems stem more from the lousy power play this season and the lack of offense on a whole the Kings had. Penners problems are more mental then they are physical, although he was hampered some when both Kopi and Williams went down, but that doesn’t excuse the fact that he seems to take games off. He played real well in Game 2, even though he didn’t score but came close. That is the Penner we need.
So to blame everything on TM’s system is ridiculous, as it has gotten us to the Playoffs 2 years in a row something that hasn’t happened in 10 years. What would you rather do, go back to Marc Crawford where Offense is King and Defense who cares?
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nykingfan Reply:
April 18th, 2011 at 9:58 am
@Jeff,
Beautifully said!
DLB Reply:
April 18th, 2011 at 10:17 am
@Jeff, There aren’t really two choices, are there? TM’s system vs. Crawford’s is a very narrow range.
TM’s system does not maximize offense but as a way to throttle a team like SJ, which has ridiculous forward depth compared to ours, it can work. The fact that SJ’s penalty kill really sucked helped us out too.
But saying the system got us to the playoffs so that must be the only way this club can ever hope to do so isn’t an opinion I share.
Sammuch Reply:
April 18th, 2011 at 10:33 am
@Jeff, Good point! TM is NJ and I can not see us winning the cup on just D alone! If we can’t average more then three goals a game and have rely on our D for all our scoring, I don’t see us going far into any playoff season. If we can’t get our forwards to score goals. But you did make me think, thanks
soyokaze Reply:
April 18th, 2011 at 11:00 am
@Jeff,
I have to agree with you on most of what you said. Let’s face it, this Kings team at times can be frustrating and boring to watch with their defence first mentality. BUT, once they play to their system, this team can beat the best teams. This team has muckers and grinders, and lack the finishing touch. Once they get that finishing touch, watch out.
I agree TM’s system is built for the playoffs. Defence wins championships. Although I don’t agree with his line combos and lack of adjustment on the fly as long as the Kings continue to win we’re all happy Kings fans.
Sammuch Reply:
April 18th, 2011 at 9:59 am
@nykingfan, If that’s the case, and all these other teams play his system why are all these players are having a hard time when they arrive on the Kings?
TM has a history of being more of a teacher of the game and wants all players to learn his system. Which fine but we need scoring in this league and people like smyth suffer and a few others. With out KOPI we have no offense and the other players are hindered from scoring or they will here it from the coach!
Do really think TM would be any good without KOPI. We can’t even average 3 goals a game without him under TM system. Just saying we gave up 2 1st round pics to get Penner and Kings got nothing to show for such a trade, this is first to cost us some good prospects. Why pay that price if minor league has players ready for us, under TM system if he can’t teach the pros who arrive and puts in limited roles..
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Belexes Reply:
April 18th, 2011 at 9:59 am
@Sammuch,
Thank you for the morning humor!
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fsd1 Reply:
April 18th, 2011 at 10:00 am
@Belexes, lol
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Josh M Reply:
April 18th, 2011 at 10:15 am
@Belexes, Hahahaha I second that!
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Sammuch Reply:
April 18th, 2011 at 10:24 am
@Belexes, Your welcome, more to come!
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ten for instigating Reply:
April 18th, 2011 at 10:12 am
@Sammuch, how many times are you going to post this?
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Josh M Reply:
April 18th, 2011 at 10:15 am
@jmsalsa, Lol.
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Shotongoal Reply:
April 18th, 2011 at 10:28 am
@jmsalsa, LMFAO!!!
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BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
April 18th, 2011 at 11:08 am
@jmsalsa,
HeHeHe!
Took the words right out of my mouth…
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launch Reply:
April 18th, 2011 at 11:48 am
@Sammuch,
they beat you up pretty bad and I also wanted to mention that we traded Purcell….he wasn’t “waived” we got got Halpern
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Sammuch Reply:
April 18th, 2011 at 7:20 pm
@launch, Even worse..
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KC23 Reply:
April 18th, 2011 at 3:37 pm
@Sammuch, Mitchell didn’t take 30 seconds to get TM system let alone 30 games. I think Mitchell got TM’s system the day he was born.
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Our future on offense looks good! I hope this is the year the Monarchs can capture the Calder Cup.
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Sammuch Reply:
April 18th, 2011 at 9:39 am
@RabidZiggy, That’s why they are not calling up any players, GM Dean wants to win Calder not the Stanley!! Deal has never won anything in Managment in 20 years so why not save his job and win the Calder trophy!
Detroit are in the playoffs every year because they bring up thier players from the minors so they can win and try to win cup ever year! Not that Calder!
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fsd1 Reply:
April 18th, 2011 at 9:47 am
@Sammuch, you need to get a grip. these things you are saying make no sense at all. And to even think that there is some sort of conspiricy that DL doesnt want to win the SC is about as far out as those who think the world is flat and we never landed on the moon either.
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neil Reply:
April 18th, 2011 at 11:48 am
@fsd1, Wait….The World is not flat???? Really???
BTW…anyone who wants to pledge money(as little as $10) look me up on the Kings Beardathon(kings website)and help a good cause Thanks Neil Wachs
nykingfan Reply:
April 18th, 2011 at 9:56 am
@Sammuch,
Did you ever think Detroit brings up their players when they are ready and not before?
You just want to call up anyone and everyone from Manchester and assume the numers will translate
How many of Holloway’s games have you seen to determine he can do in the playoffs what he’s doing at Manchester?
I bet you were one of the guys who thought Moller would come up, play as a top 6 forward and light the lamp consistently….What a shock that a guy who gets called up from the AHL to the NHL struggles….
It’s just like baseball…the toughest jump is from triple A to the majors….The difference in play is like night and day. It’s not easy to come up and dominate or come close to dominating the way they did in the minors.
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Sammuch Reply:
April 18th, 2011 at 10:12 am
@nykingfan, That’s why TM could not develop offense players like Moulson and Pursell! Who are doing very will on other teams we developed! That’s all Moulson 32 goals sounds good to me…. Moller and Holloway are next! We need both to win this new leauge the NJ system does not work anymore…
In the new NHL we need both O & D!
BluLiner Reply:
April 18th, 2011 at 4:41 pm
@nykingfan,
uhmm, are Moulson or Purcell in the playoffs?
Howie Reply:
April 18th, 2011 at 5:42 pm
@nykingfan, Purcell is in the play-offs….
Jeff Reply:
April 18th, 2011 at 10:03 am
@Sammuch, It is amazing you bring up Detroit as a team that we should be like, when it took Detroit like forever before they started to dominate. They drafted Yzerman in the late 80s and it took like 6 years before they became playoff bound every year, once Bowman came in and basically plays the same system as the Kings (TM) do. A puck possession cycle system. The difference is they have had years where they drafted good. Look at Dean this is his 5th year here. The total rebuild didn’t really start until after his 2nd season, so really we are in the third year of the total rebuild. It also took just one more lousy season until this team got good. So 3 lousy ones and 2 good ones and we are now close to the 2nd round of the playoffs. Not sure where all this Dean talk about not being able to get us to the next level, or TM can’t coach a team to the Finals.
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jake Reply:
April 18th, 2011 at 10:13 am
@Sammuch, Yeah the Wings let there player mature in the AHL and the minors. Down there they learn to play the game and are not rushed into the NHL. So that when the are ready for a call up to the NHL they are ready to make an impact and they can play at a high level and not miss a step.
There is no need to bring Schenn up right now he is still young and even a full season down in Manchester wouldn’t hurt him at all.
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Simarosa Reply:
April 18th, 2011 at 9:47 am
@RabidZiggy,
I like the sound of that!
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off topic, how is torres not suspended today??
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number 6 Reply:
April 18th, 2011 at 10:20 am
@pr0cess,
Easy….. can you say these three little letters? N…… H……. L…….
Or the other alternative is to just ask Alain Vigneault. Then you’ll understand better that it wasn’t even a penalty.
I rather wish you hadn’t even brought it up.
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pr0cess Reply:
April 18th, 2011 at 10:31 am
@number 6, sorry… just he was trying to kill seabrook, and soon enough will be facing them…
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Moller in gray this morning…looks like he’s a scratch for tomorrow.
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BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
April 18th, 2011 at 11:15 am
@wavesinair,
Can you say D-E-P-T-H?
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All Holloway does is score huge playoff goals. Unfortunate he never gets a sniff at the NHL level.
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Tmik Reply:
April 18th, 2011 at 10:21 am
@deadite77,
You know it.
Bud “GWG” Holloway.
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Scott from Temecula Reply:
April 18th, 2011 at 10:34 am
@deadite77,
Rich was asked at a recent booster club meeting about prospects and Holloway and he said, I am paraphrasing, that Holloway has played great in Manchester but some guys, the Kings feel, may not have what it takes to make the next leap.
I have not seen him play, listened to the games, so I dont know what he may holding him back. He is projected, at best, as a third line winger.
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txkingsfan Reply:
April 18th, 2011 at 10:49 am
@Scott from Temecula, not to mention that our RWs are pretty stellar right now. Except for Simmonds who, I believe, is not playing up to his capabilities. He is getting knocked off the puck too easily and is not going to the net hard.
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number 6 Reply:
April 18th, 2011 at 12:15 pm
@Scott from Temecula,
Also, you can go way back to Pavel Rosa. He burned it up at the AHL level but never made it in the NHL. So just because someone does well in the AHL it’s far from a guarantee at the next level.
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hahaha, i love it!! You guys are crying about DL and TeMu not bringing up some AHLers to win the Stanley Cup for us? Is there anything you guys won’t complain about?
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Shakes Reply:
April 18th, 2011 at 10:50 am
@Helvetica,
Your name is Helvetica but your font isn’t.
That makes me sad.
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Tmik Reply:
April 18th, 2011 at 3:42 pm
@Shakes, Mabye he should change his name to Times New Roman?
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
April 18th, 2011 at 8:00 pm
@Helvetica, Selane? WAT
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Man, next season is going to be a crazy training camp with all of the talent we have in the system…who is going to make the team especially on the offensive side? Guys like Holloway, Moller, Toffoli, Schenn, Vey, Czarnik, Loktionov, and longer shots like King, Elkins, etc, and on defense we have Hickey, Voynov, and Muzzin who could all have a chance to make the team next year. It’s insane! I’m excited to see who we pick up in the off-season and what rookies make the roster out of camp, especially since we have Lewis, Clifford, and Martinez becoming regulars in the lineup, I wonder if we are going to let Zus and Richie go even though I would love to keep both it makes it a tough decision on the coaches.
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