Tonight’s game story (April 21)

Posted by Rich Hammond on 21 April 2011, 11:59 pm

Here’s my LAKings.com game story for tonight, with stats and video included. Thanks for reading…

Kings lose to Sharks 6-3

The Kings are scheduled to practice tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. at the Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo.

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124 Comments

TiredOfIt says:

April 22, 2011 at 12:03 am

Practice what?

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KingsFanFTW Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 12:04 am
@TiredOfIt, practice for next season

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slovenian fan Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 12:18 am
@TiredOfIt,
golf maybe?

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KingsFanFTW Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 12:37 am
@slovenian fan, LOL yea Golf a tough sport

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Bkrs-Bud Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 12:46 am
@TiredOfIt, Post series hand shake?

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Mass Kings Fan Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 8:16 am
@Bkrs-Bud, LOL! Practice their grips for the end of series handshake!!

How about playing defense?

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Bogus Dude says:

April 22, 2011 at 12:07 am

I think the players need to clear their minds right about now. Call off practice and regroup at the Sat morning skate.

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CB14 says:

April 22, 2011 at 12:07 am

I wonder if they are going to change anything up? Probably not considering they didn’t change anything up after Tuesday nights debacle. It’s funny that we’re 1-0 with Moller in the line-up, but TM probably will still play KW or Penner in his place. Oh Well, mabye next year Oscar.

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number 6 Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 5:20 am
@CB14,

maybe he needs to bulk up a bit if possible and that would help his chances for next season

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nykingfan Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 7:11 am
@CB14,
It would help if he made himself irreplaceable in the lineup. Scoring 1 goal in 13 regular season games isn’t much for an offensive player…That’s not saying he shouldn’t play over Penner, but he hasn’t distingished himself at all.
Westy actually has earned his playing time in this series.

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puckbob Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 7:35 am
@CB14, so far Penner has been a real bust. It could’nt hurt to scratch him and put Oscar in. Oscar gives eveything he’s got. All Penner does is watch the game from the ice instead of the bench. I don’t expect him to save the game, but C’MON DUDE!!

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Castaic Kings Fan says:

April 22, 2011 at 12:16 am

Ugh…so much to say…

But don’t really wanna think about it… Had to drown my sorrows with all the other fans at Friday’s…

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Cynic says:

April 22, 2011 at 12:18 am

I’m calling it now….

NO CHANGES.

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Scot Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 2:15 am
@Cynic,

LOL.

I would even start Bernier. What if he pitched a shutout? And somehow got on one of those crazy goalie playoff hot streaks you see every couple years and stole Round 1 away for us.. You just never know, especially if you don’t try it. I’m not placing any blame on Quick at all. It should be stated that 12 goals have been given up the last 2 games, but maybe none were Quick’s fault. And, the goalies did *sort of* share the net this season, and Bernier won us several games. Just seems fair to me that he should at least get a chance. Share the net, TM. We have nothing to lose at this point.

But, like you said.. Quick will probably be in net, because TM lives and dies with Quick.

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Paul G Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 6:11 am
@Scot, Quick’s save % isn’t even .900…..Bernier without a stick can do better than that

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FemaleFan #1 Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 8:45 am
@Paul G, I agree. Quick fan or not, this is NOT working. Quick has given up 15 goals in the last 4 games. People talk about the game 2 shut out but that’s turning out to be just a fluke. At this point, what do we have to lose by playing Bernier? I’m a huge fan of the Quick, but he’s failing. The team is failing, yes, but so is he. Support of an amazing goalie is one thing, but to continue to deny, at this point, that he is part of the problem is just silly

Stuart Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 8:02 am
@Scot, TM’s unwillingness to put JB in last night said one thing to me: JB will be the goalie to be traded away in the very bear future. I think DL wants JQ to get every minute of playoff experience under his belt. Solidify in his mind that they’re going with him through thick and thin and JB will have to get his experience in another sweater…

[Reply]
garry Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 10:20 am
@Stuart, You have it correct! Bernier to Colorado for their 1st, 2nd and possible 3rd. Read all about it in the Denver Post.
DodgersKings323 says:

April 22, 2011 at 12:22 am

Who is getting canned?
Who should be?
What team does Rich actually like?

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AZ King Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 7:45 am
@DodgersKings323,

no one
no one
the cubs

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KC23 Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 8:01 am
@DodgersKings323,

no one
no one
the cubs

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garry Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 10:23 am
@DodgersKings323, TM will be gone! His style of coaching is much too concervative for the new kid’s DL will bring in. The pace will we fast and faster. TM can’t coach this type of game.

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Derek says:

April 22, 2011 at 12:30 am

just got back from the game and we have some definite coaching issues. for starters martinez knocks in our own net and murray leaves him on the next shift?! i was in the 300 level and could see he was rattled because of that play.. and what happens? sharks score again with martinez involved in the play. 2nd once again, why not put bernier in? yeah a couple goals we just bad luck, but change the momentum a little! 3rd, why can’t we pick up the trailer? time and time again in this series we’ve seen the sharks do this and for some reason management can’t adjust the team to fix that. and last for the night.. 4v4. obviously we know this is a problem considering we rarely won overtime in the regular season without going into shoot out.. why couldn’t we have fixed this before going into the playoffs?

I love this team and i love all the players (yes even westie and penner) but we need better coaching to get us to that next level. Granted murray got us far, hell i can’t even remember last time we went to the playoffs back to back; but i think this maybe as far as murray can get us. So prove me wrong murray and lets win the next 3 games!!!

GKG!!!!!

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robert Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 8:04 am
@Derek, Thats why they are going to practice today. Cant blame it all on Murray. Losing Kopi was the problem.

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C leb says:

April 22, 2011 at 12:33 am

I think the team should start practicing their golf swing.. I love how TM talks about “compete.” like its a strategy he draws up. They either play hard for you, or they lose confidence in the system. Terry, you’ve lost them. The team has left you and your system behind. I think they’re gonna come out on Saturday and get destroyed and if, that does in fact happen… The message is clear, “they want something else.” they’re just not that into you, coach.

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KingsFanFTW Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 12:38 am
@C leb, LMAO

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hipcheck says:

April 22, 2011 at 12:36 am

Another TM gem….

Kings rally for 2 to make 3-2 going into the 3rd. He then puts out Westgarth for one of the first shifts to start the rally….. TMs moves or lack thereof are baffling. Clearly outcoached by Todd Mac on the other bench.

Westgarth got 7 minutes of Ice Time….Ben Eager who most can claim as being a better player had over 3.

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KingsFanFTW Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 12:38 am
@hipcheck, hey Westy better than Penner

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slovenian fan says:

April 22, 2011 at 12:42 am

After 4 games it is obvious:
1. Quick got 6 goals on two games in the row and lost 5 of last 6 (icluding 2 last regular season games with Ducks). He was not pulled out and Bernier did not get a chance and his statistic from Febraury 1st is 6 W, 3 O, 0 L!!! The only 2 loses were when he replaced Quick.
2. Kings scored on PP only on game 2, when Moller was playing instead od Stoll.
3. 4,5 m year Penner, participated 1 assist in 4 games and presented some recreational skating in this games and no passion.
4. Strong part of this team -defense was not present in last 2 games. Their offense outplayed us!
5. 3 line (KC,BR,WS) is the only one that showed passion, 2 line is OK (RS,JS, JW), first line is horrible- specially Zeus and not to mention Penner.
6. We need skill in 4th line not Westgarth.
7. Coaching is horrible, PP do not function, Defense do not function, Goalkeeper is not standing on his head (exclude game 2)
8. We have not enough speed and not enough skill in attack
9. Play around the boards is passe, everyone knows our game and stop that game, no skating in the open space, no passes over as Sharks play
10. No fighting
11. No passion from TM – how can you expect that the team will throw on the head, when they have iceberg behind the bench?

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WeNeedGoal Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 12:52 am
@slovenian fan,

I agree with everything to said except I’m not as convinced we should play Bernier.

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Tony Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 2:01 am
@WeNeedGoal, why not? Bernier is an elite goal tender. it doesn’t mean Quick isn’t. It just means its time for a change. the sharks did it in Game 3 and won. Niemi played Game 4. it doesnt mean Bernier is the starter. We need a change.

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jasel Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 1:31 am
@slovenian fan, The first line sucks because Penner’s on it… it’s like we have 4 1/2 players out there instead of 5.

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Eggplant Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 2:51 am
@slovenian fan, Your 5th point got to me.

I suppose it is true, the “#1 line” has been bad. I think Zeus has been ok, Brown has been really good, I probably won’t have to mention Penner since he hasn’t been on the ice anyway.

My lines for the last game of the season:

Clifford-Richardson-Simmonds
Smyth-Stoll-Williams
Ponikarovsky-Lewis-Brown
Penner-Handzus-Westgarth

That way TM could forget about “rolling 4 lines” which apparently means double-shifting Westy and Penner in the 3rd when it’s rally time. Instead, roll 3 lines and let the 4th line stand around for 2 mins in the game. Or something.

[Reply]
kdub Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 9:28 am
@Eggplant, I like these lines except it is a shame that our best line is the 3rd line on a good team. I love how Cliifords line is playing but these guys are not elite. Zues is a good center when surrounded by speed. having Penner on the same line is painful to watch and not fair to Brownie who deserves to play with better players.

[Reply]
garry Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 10:31 am
@slovenian fan, You are right on! Except for Bernier — he will be traded. The 3rd line proved what speed and grit will do and our first line is pathetic!

[Reply]
EternalOptimist says:

April 22, 2011 at 12:44 am

Blowing your coverage, being hypnotized by the puck and playing with a seeming lack of focus and composure are all on the players, not the coach. The only thing you can blame TM on is his inability to snap them out of it.

We have gone through too many of these stretches of bad games this season(6-0 blowout in Phoenix, 6-2? loss in San Jose, etc.) but the one silver lining is that the team was able to snap out of it with their back against the wall and the season on the line. Here’s hoping we can do it again starting on Saturday. GKG!

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Minnesota Kings Fan Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 6:26 am
@EternalOptimist,

I like your attitude. Refreshing after reading all the complaining/blaming.

GO KINGS!

[Reply]
Brownkingsfan Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 7:57 am
@EternalOptimist, God I hope you’re right! We are making the 5-6 hour car ride up there tomorrow to support our team! TM was/is a good coach, but he has a little too much composure IMO. Snapping your team out of it requires a little more verbal push during game time.

[Reply]
EternalOptimist Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 11:59 am
@Brownkingsfan,

Props to you for making the drive and being a true Kings fan!

Have a safe trip and see you at Staples Monday

[Reply]
WeNeedGoal says:

April 22, 2011 at 12:48 am

Penner needs to take Westgarth’s spot on the checking line. That way, his poor conditioning won’t be so taxed from so much ice time. And he has the size to be on that line. And if he gets lucky, he can tap in a goal. It was so funny to hear the starting lineup:
Drew Doughty! … Drooooooooo!
Michal Handzus … Zooooooooos!
Dustin Penner … Boooooooooooo!
I was cracking up. Does anyone else think it’s weird that Sturm played averagely for the Kings, and he got sent down; and Penner is playing piss-poor, and he’s on the powerplay?

Anyway, then you move Ponikarovsky up to Line 3. And the let Moller play with Handzus and Brown.

Leave Martinez in the lineup. He botched it tonight, but he is ultimately way better than Drewiske.

Leave Quick. He is playing amazingly. Did you see the first period? He made like 5 highlight reel saves.

Anyway, I think the Kings can still pull this off even though they have only comeback to win in the playoffs once in their 44-year history when trailing 1-3. But this team is better than most previous Kings teams.

I miss Kopi.

Can’t we play Braden Schenn one game without burning his contract. Might be cool to see what he can do.

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WeNeedGoal says:

April 22, 2011 at 12:56 am

By the way, when Drew took that penalty, I turned to my friend and said “we’re screwed.” I didn’t even say that during the 5-3. Did you see how crappy our 5-3 was at the end of the game? Why didn’t TM pull for the 6 on 3? I would have. ANDY Murray would have.

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C leb Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 12:59 am
@WeNeedGoal, He didn’t want to hurt Quick’s feelings… cause in TM’s mind an empty net would have sent the wrong message to his #1 goaltender… I shaved, y’all..

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Brownkingsfan Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 8:17 am
@C leb, My beard (if you can call it that) is nasty and itchy as ever! Not conceding yet!

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puck73 Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 9:16 am
@WeNeedGoal, Andy Murray ? The name sounds familiar, but I dont remember…Sincerely Adam Deadmarsh, Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club

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Bingram Reply:
April 23rd, 2011 at 11:27 am
@WeNeedGoal,

Complete agreement on going 6 on 3. The team would have had about 30 seconds to score and then would have had a minute and a half to score 6 on 4 and assuming they were lucky enough to make that happen their would have been about a minute and a half left to try and score 6 on 5.

But I was pretty sure none of that would happen when TM didn’t bother to try and skate 6 on 4 with the first penalty.

In that situations, I too miss Andy Murry.

As I die hard Kings fan since their beginning I will continue to root for team until the final horn of their season.

Go Kings, go!!

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Ryan says:

April 22, 2011 at 1:12 am

Sharks lost their composure and the rippling effect will start in game 5. I mean, Sharks can only go so far without feet. Right?

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C leb says:

April 22, 2011 at 1:14 am

Speaking of laughers, tonight before the game… Anybody catch Patty O’Neal ask Marty McSorley if he’d ever been involved in a playoff game with a letdown quite like Game 3? OMG, he asked Marty McSorley that question..!!! It was way too funny. And Marty looked at him like, “Dude, did you just ask me that on TV?” Epic!

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Scot Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 2:26 am
@C leb,

WoW! Haha, wish I would have seen that! O’Neal is lucky Marty didn’t grab Gretzky’s statue stick and take a 2-handed swing across the side of his head like he did to that one guy! If Marty only had a nickel for every time someone has brought that up with him…

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Voice Of Reason Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 6:15 am
@Scot, Just goes to show that FOX will throw any hack in there to cover hockey. At least Heidi knows hockey…and she’s easy on the eyes. Way to know your hockey Patrick! Now go cover the Dodgers…or something.

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C leb Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 8:48 am
@Scot, Marty wouldn’t use the #99 statue stick.. Gretz didn’t have enough curve on his blade..

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jason says:

April 22, 2011 at 1:56 am

ok please please mix up the lines! Especially the first!

Handzus, penner, and brown are all +/- -4 and not great on points

I say move lewis to the line with brown and penner or add poni for penner.. Quick is doing great and with the amout of chances kings are giving up, i think bernier would have got destroyed even worse. On the other hand kings play well in front of bernier and he seems to slow the game down which works to kings advantage. Westgarth is +1 and has 1 assist….

kings are definitely better than the sharks thats why i hate how they cant win.. they shut them out 4-0 and it should be 3-1 in favor of kings but they are young and murray sucks

[Reply]
Tony says:

April 22, 2011 at 2:07 am

So many of you made fun of me when I said we didnt have enough skill, that Terry Murray’s system doesnt work, that we play the wrong guys. Now what do you think? We are the only team in all of hockey that doesnt play their best players. We are not getting out worked. We are getting out-talented. Most of their goals are back doors and third man high’s? Is it because we aren’t working hard enough? That is what TM and DL want you to think and you are swallowing it hook, line and sinker. Our players don’t have the talent to get it done. We have player who can but they don’t fit into TM’s system. Moller, Schenn, Loktiononv are three names that come up. Richardosn, our best player in the playoffs so far, was a healthy scratch half the season. Why? Cause “he’s too small.” Give me a freaking break. Play your best players-not your biggest. Bernier is an elite goal tender. Play him. He’s not Ersberg. Niemi own the Stanley Cup 10 months ago and he got pulled. Quick is too good to be pulled? What a joke. I would play Bernier, Moller and bring up Schenn for game 6. I don’t know what else to say….

[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 9:22 am
@Tony, I agree with you that no goaltender in the NHL is too good not to be pulled. As far as Tm is concerned, the team has made the playoffs 2 seasons in a row, if you were going to fire him, who would you hire that is available right now ? The only way I would escort Terry out the door is if Scotty Bowman suddenly took an interest in this team, then I would help Terry pack !

[Reply]
Sammuch says:

April 22, 2011 at 2:15 am

Well well!! TM I tried before the game to prove yourself by saying go TM go! Prove me wrong! You just stuck with game 3 to game 4 format! Hellooooo… Some of you said I was wrong and TM is great? Not to listen to what I wrote!

It’s new NHL TM is old school!!! He is so stuck the d game, anyplayer that joins this team can not score! Poni, strum, fro, yes Penner too! Even KOPI can’t be a 30 to 40 goal score because of TM OLD SYSTM!

It’s called two- way hockey now and that’s what won it for the last three teams that won the cup! It’s what SJ has learn to and how they move the puck from d to O! Washington has change thier system too and Pitts is still doing too! Without Crosby and malkin.

TM it’s really simple your system does not work in the new NHL! Two – way system take from d zone skate and pass it to O zone a d shoot and get bodies to the net and then if it fails play it safe by using the d in the offense zone to keep the presure on. What do the kings do, as soon as they are in the O they are thinking D!

This team is coach wrong, yes they need speed next season and play as many kids as possible and maybe TM will change his crapy old old ways. He well get us in the playoffs but gets you nowhere once you are in!

[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 8:03 am
@Sammuch,

Dude..please come up with something fresh and original. You’ve been repeating the SOS every post. It’s becoming more than annoying.
The problem hasn’t been goal scoring, it’s been keeping it out of their own net…

[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 9:23 am
@nykingfan, Ahhh, common sense has arrived.

[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 9:46 am
@nykingfan, I thought repeating the sos was against our blog rules?

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baby23 Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 9:51 am
@nykingfan, Michael is this you?

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Puckn-A says:

April 22, 2011 at 2:25 am

Heres my game story for tonight: 12 goals in 2 games within a defensive system with the franchise record holder for wins in consecutive seasons in goal = TM’s boxed in system is not suited for the current NHL. This team gives their all and we come up short so often, we dominate games but lose them over simple breakdowns because all 3 forwards are in line in the consession stands because of the deep 3 man cyle that worked 15 years ago. Which just hands the faster team an odd man rush practically every turnover. I really am sick of the system and tired of the scapegoat comments about how we lack the skilled players to implement a different system. We’d never know since they aren’t allowed to be creative offensively, and if our D was so solid we could afford to take a risk at times offensively . Still belive in the team, they work their butts off and try to adjust, the coaching not so much.

[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 9:25 am
@Puckn-A, The Sharks have found a way to beat the system the last 2 gamss, and Ryan Clowe is destroying the Kings by himself.

[Reply]
Eggplant says:

April 22, 2011 at 2:41 am

I don’t think I’ll bother watching on Saturday.. Or rather Sunday morning for me. Would be 5 AM and even so I’ve watched pretty much every game this season. But, alas, I’m going to a gig on Saturday evening and the game doesn’t even matter anyway. If we lose, we lose. If we win, we still gotta win the next 2. And I’m tired of watching Couture’s moustache and Clowe’s ugly face after they score. And then score again. And again. Before this game I had full faith in the Kings’ ability to steal this series but I don’t think we’ll do it anymore. Next year, please.

[Reply]
DBking says:

April 22, 2011 at 3:27 am

Mood point and may seem random to a lot of people. But this is something Rich and the top brass in the kings organization should definitely consider going into next year:

The silly red light, walk through the castle entrance is kind of neat at the beginning of the game, but so unbelievably distracting as a fan during the beginning of the second and third period I can’t believe what it must be like for the players. It’s dumb. You shine a bright red light in the guys faces meanwhile the sharks are skating around the ice thinking about that first shift. Our guys are thinking of how cool the castle/red light in the face is? Whatever they are thinking at that point it can’t be about hockey.

I know its a small thing but if you’re looking to start somewhere with the changes for next year then maybe that’s a good place.

[Reply]
number 6 says:

April 22, 2011 at 4:57 am

I’m copying here a post by Joe Dirt that was on the other thread. I thought he makes a really good point.
Below I’m going to put my reply to it.

Joe Dirt says:

Blah….Blah…..Blah compete level….blah blah blah…….puck management. And why is Murray so focused on the missed calls. I am no NHL coach but I would know it’s not the blown calls that killed us. Sharks were completing cross ice passes at will, blown coverages on the trailers and poor play all around. We did the same to the sharkies in game 2 and McClellan realized what was going on and made adjustments. Here we have Murray cryin about what should be called…..

Below is my reply

[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 4:59 am
That is a really astute post. As for the slew footing, heck almost every team in this year’s playoffs has had to deal with nasty plays that have absolutely no place in hockey. The Hawks were down and left for dead after LOSING one of their key players on a horrible hit from that creep Torres. So, did they complain,…… no Joel Quenville said he accepts the nhl’s abysmal ruling (my words – not his) of no suspension.

So what did they do? They came out and outscored Vancouver (best team in the league) by 12-2 in the next two games. Simple.

[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 5:09 am
@number 6,

And by the way, I have liked TM in spite of what I’ve said here. But clearly he isn’t adapting well in this series. You can say the Sharks just have superior talent (true) but to have a team with a good defensive structure come apart so totally – where do you put the responsibility? Players, Coaches, Forwards? Quick is probably the least to blame of anyone.
But there is a leadership issue with this team. If you get your tail handed to you Twice in a row on home ice, there is something wrong somewhere….. and imo, the ‘something’ goes beyond not sticking to the system.

[Reply]
Joe Dirt Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 8:55 am
@number 6, Good job on the Queneville example. I am affraid that the Sharks TM has figured out our system and is now exploiting it. It is just very puzzling at how at this level our TM has no answer or simply refuses to move away from or modify his system of play.

Minnesota Kings Fan Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 6:20 am
@number 6,

Simple? Simple? Perhaps for the defending Stanley Cup champions. The Kings do not have the offensive firepower that a team like Chicago has, and certainly not the experience. The two teams cannot be compared with each other it any realistic or legitimate way. As Brown said after Game 3, “We don’t have the type of team that can take a period off.” Meaning, they don’t have the firepower the play catch-up after allowing that many goals. Comparing Chicago and the Kings makes absolutely no sense.

[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 6:51 am
@Minnesota Kings Fan,

You completely misinterpreted what I said, so I obviously didn’t say it well. I wasn’t comparing the two teams. I was comparing how Quenville dealt with Torres very over the top hit AND the fact that they lost Seabrook. When the nhl didn’t suspend Torres (a repeat offender) they just got on with things.

While after the Kings had their biggest ever melt down in their playoff history in Game 3, TM is talking about Dany Heatley’s cheap shot on AM? I think there are far greater concerns than the already established fact that Mr. Heatley has a distinct lack of character and respect.

Don’t know if that explains it more clearly. I KNOW that the Kings don’t have the same firepower that the Blackhawks have. That would go under Hockey 101.

number 6 Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 6:58 am
@Minnesota Kings Fan,

Oh, and by the way, as far as age goes, I read that Chicago and Kings have about the same average age so so much for that one. We have like seven or eight veterans on the team. That’s plenty to steady a ship in theory.
Minnesota Kings Fan says:

April 22, 2011 at 6:14 am

One word: disappointing. One can complain about this or that, or decide to lay the blame at he feet of this player or that, this coach, the GM, whomever, but what it boils down to is that the Kings are just not there yet. Of course they need Kopitar, and he would make a difference, but I’m not sure the end result would be any different with him the lineup. In hockey, you win as a team, and the Kings are not playing as a team; they’re not trusting each other on a consistent basis. Glaring defensive mistakes I thought I’d never see at this point. They look young and unsure. As I said, it has been very disappointing. I desperately hope they can pull off an amazing comeback, but am not expecting it.

Our time will come, however. Patience. Patience. It’s what being a Kings fan is all about.

[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 6:56 am
@Minnesota Kings Fan,

MKF, let me reply to your post here. What I have been saying is that…..the team as it’s Currently Constructed now is not gonna challenge for a cup. Full Stop. I’m NOT being negative. Is it impossible? No, nothings impossible, but look at it this way. The Sharks devoured the Kings four on four. Why? Because they have way more skill.
They don’t have the horses up front. Maybe in 3-4 years they will, but it’s totally unrealistic to think that by bringing in Schenn next year and a healthy Kopi that things will be different.

They are weak in terms of speed and skill on the wings, and that’s not gonna change until they change that.
Look at the top six forwards on SJ, Detroit, Vancouver, Anaheim, and then reassess it again.

[Reply]
Derek Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 9:30 am
@number 6, i’m still on the fence about schenn, he did well in the minors but had little production when he was on the team in the beginning of the year, so i guess we’ll see how he looks at the beggining of next year

[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 7:13 am
@Minnesota Kings Fan,
well said!

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KFII says:

April 22, 2011 at 6:15 am

This team has a ton of heart and character, and lots of skill too, but not enough composure. They are letting S.J. get under their skin. They have been taking dumb and dumber penalties. The penalties in this series have been the downfall IMO. We’ve all seen what the Kings can do when they bring their A game, play smart and for a full 60 minutes, and the Kings know what they are capable of, and that is why this is so frustrating. To be so solid all year on defense, and then just fall apart in the playoffs is frustrating. And I hate losing to the Sharks, more than any other team.

One more chance to get it in gear Saturday. This team is not going to give up, they have too much pride for that. They play well at HP, and on the road so I am expecting this series to go the length. I still say Kings in 7 baby! It’s not over until it’s over. And when it is over, I will be thanking my Kings for a fun filled season and the excitement of playoff hockey.

[Reply]
fsd1 Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 7:36 am
@KFII, man crush for you and I have NOT shaved yet!

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dirtmover says:

April 22, 2011 at 6:40 am

Its all over but the crying – see you next year – the suite nights were killer and so was the green room – lets have at least 3-4 next yr also – thanks to Frank and Rich for the hook ups -

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KingMe20 says:

April 22, 2011 at 7:25 am

Mistakes of youth (Doughty getting suckered into a penalty by Nichol), mistakes of coverage (no answer in the defensive zone), and mistakes in coaching. This is what happens when you have a young team, and a coach who has probably taken them as far as he can, but won’t be able to make the next step.

[Reply]
Voice Of Reason Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 7:27 am
@KingMe20, Actually…Drew was the aggressor. I watch it unfurl as they skated. Drew was yapping…

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number 6 Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 7:57 am
@Voice Of Reason,

I love Drew as a hockey player but he has maturity issues. I sensed that when I read his pre draft interviews. He sounded young. Obviously I would expect him to mature and clean up some of that stuff. It spills over into his play on the ice.
And as for people again saying for him to be traded, thats manifestly ridiculous.

[Reply]
neil Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 9:52 am
@number 6, He is Young!!!!
Token says:

April 22, 2011 at 7:28 am

On the bright side of things …

This may have been Poni’s and Zeus’s final home game.

With any luck, next season being the final season of the CBA with no bonus cushion, this may also have been Smyth’s final game.

It’s time for the youth movement.

[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 8:16 am
@Token, does that mean 2 more years of maturation and “experience” building??? oh brother.

btw, are you from around here? I’m asking because I saw a guy at the game that looked like it might have been the face in your avatar, if that is your face… just thought I’d ask.

[Reply]
Token Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 11:27 am
@Stuart, No, Cliffy, Lewis and Martinez matured just fine in about a month.

Remember that guys like Loktionov, Voynov, and Holloway have all played a few seasons in Manchester. These aint kids anymore.

Yes, I go to games regularly. Had season tix in 324.

I have a different beard, just the billygoat part but my mustache is getting pretty long.

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nykingfan says:

April 22, 2011 at 7:31 am

Disappointed is a good term to use for the performance.
I’m reading about who’s to blame..it’s the coach’s fault, GM, players..
Guys, it’s everyone’s fault. We’ve won as a team and now we’re losing as a team. As much as I can’t stand Penner, he’s not the reason we’re losing. Murray’s decisions aren’t the reason that we’re losing. Moller not being in the lineup is not the reason that we’re losing.
We’re losing because we aren’t playing as a TEAM! Guys are missing assignments all over the ice. They get caught running around trying to make up for someone else’s mistake and it only compounds the situation. They know better than that. It’s been drilled into them for a couple of years now.

I’ve read where people want Quick benched. I’m still trying to find a goal in the last 2 games that were completely his fault. I can’t find one. For those who want to make changes for change sake, get a grip. We’re one game away from elimination. You go with your best..case closed!
People were screaming for a timeout the other night. Well you got one last night…did it help? NO

It’s hard to win when your best players are your 3rd line guys. There’s nothing wrong with having them play well, but where is the production from the supposed 1st line? You can’t win in the playoffs without your best playing best. It shows how valuable a guy like Kopi is.

They need to re-group and take it shift by shift. They can beat the Sharks. We’ve all seen it enough times, but they have to commit to each other and the system and stay above the puck. You can’t leave a Thornton standing alone in front of the net with the puck. that shouldn’t happen in game 1 of the regular season, let alone game 4 of the playoffs.
They showed some good cycling down low in the Sharks zone. They need to continue that and clean up the mistakes in the neutral and defensive zones. I know they can do it.

As for the Doughty penalty with Nichol. TM’s right, that can’t happen. that’s like Westy taking off Thornton on matching minors. Nichol’s a 4th liner, Doughty’s our best…
I don’t know who was on the ice at that time, but someone needed to step in and handle that situation.

I have no thoughts about giving up on this series and to those Kings fans who have given up, shame on you all. If we were up 3-1 would you dismiss the Sharks? I don’t think so, so don’t give up on the boys yet. It takes 4 to win a series and the 4th is usually the hardest.
Let’s get the next game and bring it back to Staples for a game 6 and take it from there.

GO KINGS GO!

[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 8:02 am
@nykingfan,
My comments below were meant for you above all but I forgot to click the reply button. As usual you’re pretty balanced about it all. I’m more emotional but at the same time, hey, really this franchise has got to clean up some things if they ever want to be a serious SC contender. What those things are I don’t know, but my instincts (which are usually quite good) tell me that it’s not just as simple as ‘youth’.

It’s hard to use that one when you have Scuds, WM, Smyth, JW, DB, MG, Zus, Stoll, Penner etc. Point being, it’s not a team bereft of some veteran presence. Especially when your best line is your youngest.

Anyways, catch up w you later. Hang in there.

[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 8:05 am
@nykingfan, What he said. Ty for saving me much typing.

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puck73 Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 9:33 am
@nykingfan, I agree with alot of what you said as usual. The penalty that really bothered me last night is when Greene snapped Couture’s stick in half when the team was already down a man. Greene has to be smarter then that, I didnt expect that kind of stupidity from our assistant Captain..very disapointing.

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KFII Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 10:11 am
@puck73, The penalties killed us last night. Both our captain and assistant captain in the box at the same time. That was not sending the right message to the rest of the team.

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dmitriy Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 9:41 am
@nykingfan, well said

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JD says:

April 22, 2011 at 7:35 am

A note to the Kings:

You are profesional athletes. Get over this and get it done. You’ve shown in the past that the skill and ability is there, now just add the desire and the heart to be successful. Many of you are working hard, maybe too hard causing you to overplay. Others aren’t working much at all (Mr.Penner). You were brought to this team to do a job because those who brought you here knew you had the talent, so do what you are being paid for. If you do not want to be here next season, pack your stuff and get out, but until then, don’t sell out those on this team that want to win. The rest of the team needs to take a step back and take a look deep into your hearts. If success is what you really want, then success will come. The fat lady may be warming up, but she doesn’t have to sing yet. The Flyers did it last year and the Blackhawks are showing the Casucks what they are made of. It’s up to you whether you play longer this season or go home.

[Reply]
number 6 says:

April 22, 2011 at 7:39 am

Hi. Wish I could speak w you directly at a time like this. My back and forth w Minnesota Kings Fan aside…. yes I agree with a huge amount of what you say. Absolutely spot on. Win as a team… Lose as a team.

I have basically two considerations. 1) There is something happening with this team that creates a collapse at crucial moments in crucial games. It’s NOT one thing as you point out, but I don’t know what it is. It happened in two home games last year in the playoffs that they were winning (which one can write off to experience) and now this year as well.
So it’s pinpointing that thing and if I were a cook and eating a recipe maybe I could pinpoint the ingredient but I can’t here.

2) This is point no. 2 and this isn’t me speaking. This is copied and pasted directly from Scott Cullen’s blog on TSN.
‘In a losing effort, Brad Richardson may have been the Kings’ most dangerous forward, which probably says something about their talent level. Richardson scored, for the second straight game, and led the Kings with five shots on net in 14:37 of ice time.’

Someone at some level (mgt I suppose since that’s their job) needs to get their hands dirty and get down to the root of this.

btw, IF the Kings win the series that would mean they would’ve beaten SJ three straight times in SJ. So, I’ll be happy if it happens but can’t say I’m expecting it.

[Reply]
Mass Kings Fan Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 7:59 am
@number 6, Well said about the TSN blog. No disrespect to Brad Richardson, but he’s a third line center at best. Against the Sharks skill and speed? Are you kidding? The Sharks are just a way better team and the Kings can’t fill the hole that Kopitar left. They are too demoralized right now and this team doesn’t have the leadership nor the experience nor the talent level to contend for a Cup now.

Let’s keep “rebuilding” for another year! Have all the faith you want, but unless you’re a masochist, I don’t think watching Game 5 will be pleasant.

The Kings have now lost 4 straight playoff games at home….that’s weak.

[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 8:06 am
@Mass Kings Fan,

Yes, I pointed that out (about 4 straight at home…. three of which they were leading in the 2nd period) as did a few other bloggers. I agree. To me that’s indicative of some sort of a problem somewhere. When the games are big and close, no one is stepping up and being clutch. It’s that simple. They have some fantastic vets, don’t get me wrong. Mitchell, JW and Scuds are gems. But you need more than that if you wanna compete in the west (in the playoffs that is).

[Reply]
Mass Kings Fan Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 8:09 am
@Mass Kings Fan, And look at Chicago..(I’ve said it before) those guys have the much more sack and determination and SKILL than the Kings do right now. Pushing against the league’s best team.

[Reply]
Pili says:

April 22, 2011 at 7:49 am

Don’t give up guys! Much stranger things have happened, like blowing a 4-0 lead lol.

[Reply]
neil says:

April 22, 2011 at 7:57 am

Next year…..Parse..Kopi..Williams.
Penner..Stoll…Brown
Cliffy…Richardson…Simmonds
FA…….Schenn/Lotki…..Smyth

Trade Lewis(cant have him and Richardson both)
Trade Moeller(Cant have Moeller, Schenn and Lotki
Dont resign Zeus(Too Slow) and Poni( cant score in this system
See if their is anyone who would trade for Penner

[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 8:07 am
@neil, I’m hoping Penner gets traded. The guy makes me sick to watch such a waste of talent.

[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 8:10 am
@neil,

Penner? Wow. He’d better have a very serious soul searching this off season then, cause as it stands he isn’t helping this team one iota. Not one iota.

I just saw your last line about Penner. Who the heck would want him? Yes, probably for a third or fourth round pick someone would take him. Unfortunately we gave up two first rounders (the pick we got for Cammy and this year’s first) to get him. Right now doesn’t look too pretty. I said it before and I’ll say it again. Very disappointing that DL didn’t do more thorough research on this guy before doing the deal. He didn’t have a good reputation, and if what we’ve seen is any indication at all, That’s the reason why.

[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 9:38 am
@number 6, With a 59 million dollar salary cap there is no room for stragglers. With all the guys that are coming from the juniors, the AHL, and a possible signing, Penner is not guaranteed anything so he better get his act together Quick or DL and Hextall will ship him outta here !

[Reply]
garry Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 10:46 am
@neil, Plus Smyth(waiver) and Stoll.

[Reply]
Stuart says:

April 22, 2011 at 8:18 am

I was calling him “Penner Loafer” at the game last night… we laughed.

[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 8:25 am
@Stuart,

Hi Stuart. That’s a good one. I’m happy for anything that brings a laugh about such a lousy situation.
I’m fine losing a playoff series the way they lost Gm 1. But giving up 12 goals – At Home?

No, I need a good laugh.

[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 8:29 am
@number 6, hey 6, it was bad last night… I could not understand why it took untul 4.5 minutes left to get Penner on the 4th line… I know we’re young and I need to see the forest from the trees, but my gawd this hurts! And it felt like with every goal the SJ fans got louder and louder, too… UGH

[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 9:12 am
@Stuart,

Stuart, you know what? This is so tricky, because to me it’s showing issues. There are absolutely reasons to see the glass as half full, but also reasons to see it as half empty (ex. DL picked HIckey at No. 4 cause he wanted to build from the back out – fine), meanwhile a guy who was available was Couture. Of course people don’t always get it right. No problem. But when you see how deep the Sharks are it does make one Question that approach. A lot of hockey people were shocked when DL went way off the board to pick Hickey that early. Maybe they knew something?

Not being negative, and not saying DL isn’t the best GM we’ve had. He is. But wow. Those are big big mistakes and to just say we’re young to me gets a bit polyanna after a while. We are young… but so is Chicago.

IMO there is reality in both aspects. The Kings are nowhere near as bad as they’ve played the last two games, but also not as good as I think some people, including themselves, when they get on a winning streak, think they are.

When your best line has a combined 25 goals during the year…. man that is problematic.
jess says:

April 22, 2011 at 8:23 am

Hey Rich,

Delete *delete *delete *delete *delete *delete!

HAhaha lol rofl!!

[Reply]
bigmike says:

April 22, 2011 at 8:24 am

I must say it was a tough night and i have no voice this morning. I want to give a shout to all my fellow kings fans in section 208 and i hope to see you all monday! Go kings Go! Now down to what i want to say. Is there any team you would feel better being down 3-1 to?Murry is a decent coach to teach a young team fundamentals, However i do not believe he is that next level coach. That is just my opinion . I know and im sure the other teams D knows we do the same play every time and also on the PP. This is why we are constantly being stripped coming up ice and giving the other team a quality chance on goal or being caught on a change. We are allowing the sharks to skate where ever the want. We need to hit every time they get the puck and make them start thinking about the hit.
Go kings Go! I know these boys can do it!

[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 8:32 am
@bigmike, we’re constantly being stripped because we don’t make passes with conviction… We have not been taken care of the puck the way we should/could be. It’s disheartening, to say the least. My throat is all tore up this morning too. I wasn’t there for game3 but man was there some energy in that building last night. I thought the briggs jam was awesome but went on about a minute too long. Our anthem…I was telling my wife, I wish that guy would sing it not act it… but then the crowd was going nuts… I’m glad I was there, didn’t get to a game last playoffs. but still…now i’m rambling on.

[Reply]
Katy Perry says:

April 22, 2011 at 8:27 am

Sharks are a better team. Everybody knew that going into this series. The Kings’ defense looks helpless out there.

Can’t wait for next year though.

[Reply]
Derek Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 9:14 am
@Katy Perry, regardless of sharks being a better team we have shown we can make them look terrible.. we played our best hockey against them in regular season and game 2 was almost a mirror reflection of that same game, (minus the kopi QB toss of course).

[Reply]
Stuart says:

April 22, 2011 at 8:36 am

You know how I know I’m beat, my hearts not in it today. After game 3 I was mad. today I’m just sad. Funny how missing playoffs sucks and all but you never feel this level of let-down… OH well, I’ll do it all over again next year. I do think there’ll be a game 6 but I don’t think it will matter. At least AEG will make another games worth of beer sales.

[Reply]
Derek Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 9:17 am
@Stuart, I’m let down that they’re down 3-1. series still isn’t over! haha

honestly the fact that this young team was able to make it to the playoffs back to back seasons especially with how ridiculous the western conference was this year, and being down 2 of their top scorers says a lot about this team. Keep this team healthy and get that missing piece and we’re almost there!

[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 9:22 am
@Derek, I’m with you! And let’s get a new ownership team in to. Couldn’t hurt!

[Reply]
Barry's Mullet says:

April 22, 2011 at 8:36 am

Plain and simple….The Sharks are a better team

The Kings would need to play flawless hockey to beat the Sharks in a 7 game series

The Kings defense has disappeared after the shelling they took in game 3

Sharks have made adjustments and the Kings haven’t

Nothing TM can do at this point. Its all about the players now and playing with a lot more desperation and returning to the system they played all year that got them to this point.

Finally…please sit Penner. Its obvious he is out of shape and lost playing TM’s system. Its too painful to watch.

[Reply]
Jeremy says:

April 22, 2011 at 8:39 am

I am not a Cubs fan, but it cannot be any worse then being a LA Kings fan. If players have to leave LA to win a Stanley Cup, I think ownership needs to look at moving the team. The Cup is not coming here under the current coach and GM. Atleast we had Gretzky and some fun for awhile, but this team has really gone downhill, if that is possible, in the past 10 years.

[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 8:58 am
@Jeremy,

Are you sure you’re a Kings fan as well?
We’ve gone downhill over the past 10 years??????
we’ve made the playoffs 2 years in a row after a looong drought.
we’ve had nearly 200 pts over the past 2 seasons.
Exactly where have we gone downhill and at what point were we near the top of the mountain?

[Reply]
jason says:

April 22, 2011 at 8:52 am

Ok for next season…
parse-kopi-williams
penner-schenn-brown
smyth-stoll-simmons
cliff-lewis-lokti/richardson

i would personally like to see stoll, zus and poni gone… bring in schenn, lokti, holloway for D i would love to dump johnson for voynov… schenn and holloway are having great playoff runs

[Reply]
Derek Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 9:21 am
@jason, i’m cool with penner on line 2 as long as his off-season consists of a heavy cardio training. I know murray said in the beginning he’d like penner to drop some weight, so maybe that’s the plan

[Reply]
Barry's Mullet Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 9:37 am
@jason, A few changes are needed…but bringing into an already very young and inexperienced team even more young players will set this team back when we are getting very close.

You can’t replace Zeus and Stoll with Schenn and Lokti. They may be faster and be more creative but they don’t have the experience. So many little things make these veterans so valuable. It can’t be all about offense at the expense of the defense…it has to be a combination of the two and it takes a lot longer to learn the defensive side of the game.

Penner-Kopi-Williams
Smyth-Stoll-Brown
Clifford-Schenn-Simmons
Richardson-Lewis-Parse

[Reply]
Paul G Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 10:11 am
@jason, Go to http://nhlnumbers.com/teams/LAK?year=2011
We have to be realistic by looking at contracts
Realistically, we can expect

Penner-Kopitar-Williams
Smyth-Stoll-Brown
Clifford-Schenn-Simmonds
Parse-Lewis-Richardson

*Stoll and Schenn might get swapped since Schenn is a rookie and won’t be trusted defensively, also it’ll be nice to see
Brown with a Playmaker (I know Kopi/Brown didn’t work out)

This lineuo will happen based on the assumption that Lewis and Richardson (RFAs) get resigned and Ponikarovsky and Handzus (UFAs) do not get resigned

[Reply]
garry Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 10:50 am
@Paul G, We pay the $3m waiver price to remove Smyth and I’m sure some team will be talked into taking Stoll. We need speed!

[Reply]
vplaza says:

April 22, 2011 at 9:10 am

In hindsight, would it have been better that the Kings finished 9th and out of the playoffs or disappoint fans even more by the awful play in the two lone home games in the postseason?

I honestly don’t know what would have been better. Yeah, there was some glimmer of hope for a short stretch there, but this team doesn’t have the talent level or the discipline to win the playoffs. Losing this way in the playoffs seems to be more painful.

A healthy Kopi may have made a little bit of a difference, but they are not at the level of the other playoff teams. Just take a look down the roster, line by line, and compare them to the Sharks, Wings, Blackhawks, Canucks, and even the Quacks. You can’t honestly say that the talent matches up favorably.

[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 9:18 am
@vplaza,

vplaza, vplaza, vplaza…… i’ve already done that. I’ve mentioned the top 6 forwards one by one for each of the teams you mention.

maybe in two or three years we’ll be there too, but for everyone who is saying it’ll happen next year, i don’t see that unless DL pulls a miraculous move or two in the off season. you’re absolutely correct what you say… that if kopi had been there it doesn’t create a quantum difference. it’s just not that realistic to think all these young guys are gonna come up next year and turn the whole thing around. A) I’ll be surprised if there are more than one or two and B) Triply surprised if someone comes in and scores 30 goals. I hope for it, but I don’t think thats realistic to expect.

there is grit on this team, but far more talented teams play with grit too come playoff time.

[Reply]
vplaza Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 9:25 am
@number 6,

LOL, I must have missed that comparison. It ain’t pretty, that’s for sure.

Also, the only way it will happen next year is if Kopi recovers completely, Schenn makes it to the 2nd center position and play slights out, and they get rid of Penner and find a true scoring LW. Oh, and if we can find the DD of last year, not this year.

[Reply]
Steve H says:

April 22, 2011 at 12:22 pm

Can someone explain the logic in not pulling Quick with aapprox 3 minutes left with a two man
advantage. To be honest, I have been a King fan since 1973 and have never seen a 3 man advantage.
It what have been interesting to see. I can only guess Murray was afraid of a possible empty
netter.

[Reply]