After last night’s game, Terry Murray was asked if there were any personnel changes he could make, going into Game 5, that might help turn things around…
MURRAY: “I’m playing what I’ve got. Kopitar is not coming back, guys. He’s got a broken leg. So you play with what you’ve got. I can make some combination changes, maybe. Personnel-wise, I have Oscar Moller sitting there, sitting on the sideline. He would love to play. You’ve got (Davis) Drewiske and Peter Harrold. I take that into consideration. Oscar Moller played very good up there in Game 2, so I’ll think about that one.”
Question: And would that be for (Dustin) Penner, maybe?
MURRAY: “No. It’s not about any one player. It’s about, maybe, a change. Change is good sometimes; maybe it’s not. I’ll take a look at that tomorrow.”
‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’…they dominated in Game 2 with Moller in there, so why not try it again? take Westgarth (or Penner) out. Now is not the time for ‘seeing how it goes’ it’s do or die.
We should have been up 3 – 0 in the series heading into last night. The games are ours to lose, and we’re doing it. Playing some defense might help.
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 11:06 am
@Newf, once again i keep westy at least he trys than penner
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nick11 Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 4:16 pm
@KingsFanFTW, i would bring in almost the same lineup as game 2 but take out westgarth and penner, they havnt shown anything lately and sit them out so they can see the game
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Why so protective of Penner? Someone posted here that they heard he is going through a divorce or breakup. OK. Fine. Man up, and if he shows he isn’t capable of doing that then the coach has to take action.
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Michael Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 8:55 am
@Krusher, If my girl broke up with me before the playoffs, it would give me extra fuel to knock some heads off. ; )
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mike morbid Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 8:58 am
@Michael, amen
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Derek Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 9:32 am
@Michael, wel i mean.. he did take that stupid roughing penalty.. that’s about as aggressive as i’ve ever seen him, beside the ducks game where he took another stupid roughing penalty
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nykingfan Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 9:04 am
@Krusher,
The day a coach starts throwing players under the bus when things are going bad, is the day the coach loses the locker room and needs to go.
He may let Penner have it behind closed doors, but he’s not going to do that publicy at this time of the year.
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kyle Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 9:56 am
@nykingfan, good point and one which we should all remember
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deadcatbounce Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 9:29 am
@Krusher, Maybe she’s dumping him because he was lazy in performing his husbandly duties…
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BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 9:31 am
@Krusher,
There are millions and millions of reasons…
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ millions.
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Skooma Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 10:13 am
@Krusher, I *wish* I could have the opportunity to play playoff hockey after a breakup. I would get to hit people and everyone is fine with it. He should be a defensive dynamo.
But yeah, hard to concentrate when you’re woman is fixing to steal your money.
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The Hockey Don Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 11:43 am
@Krusher, I made reference in an earlier post that he seemed depressed as if he was going through a break up. I didn’t mean for this rumor to start as if this was the truth. I simply wad using a metaphor for how sad and depressed he looks. My deepest and sincerest apologies to the Penner family for any problems my post may have caused if in fact this rumor wad sparked by my post.
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THE HOCKEY DON Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 12:31 pm
@The Hockey Don,
As a matter of fact the line I wrote was
“The dude looks depressed…thats not a playoff beard he is growing thats a “I am depressed because my dog died and my wife left me for the milk man” beard.”
I was making a reference to the stereotypical cowboy song and using it to explain that Penner appears to be really sad and depressed out their like he lost his best friend.
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Terry Murray talking about change? Shocking. I hope he does put Oscar back out there.
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gene Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 9:17 am
@kingrussell, First change should be getting a complete new coaching staff and GM. There is now way they (TM and DL ) can justify the trade for Penner. What a waste of a hockey shirt on ice. Period
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bill donnelly Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 9:50 am
@gene, Disagree about DL. He has rebuilt this team. If he had not traded for Penner everyone here on the board would have said fire DL for doing nothing. Most of us, myself included, thought adding Penner would help.
Once things start going badly TM had no idea what to do to stop it. Look at the 8 and 10 game losing streaks. Under playoff type pressure he reverts to a play not to lose mentality. He can get this team to the playoffs but forget home ice and any thoughts of the second round
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SafariChecker Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 10:58 am
@bill donnelly, I hate Penner right now, but you’re right. And Penner was doing just fine with Kopi in, so it could have gone either way for him. I had just hoped Penner would actually work harder with Kopi out!
tlynjob Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 10:54 am
The coach should go. Why didn’t he call a freaking time out during game three when S.J. was all over us? and why stay with Quick after he gives up 4 goals? He is being out coached.
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On Elliot’s article with the Times, someone wrote this:
“There is only one legitimate sports organization in this city and it is the Lakers. Liwieke and Anshutz should have lunch with Dr. Buss to get educated on what it takes to be a winner.
Maybe a logo change or another round of King’s “hockey heroes” will lull the masses into a euphoric coma that blinds them from the reality that this team is run by idiots that do not have a passion for the game, but are greedy real estate moguls. Save all your Rah, Rah BS and just win something…, A division title, the presidents trophy, a Stanley Cup!
Oh and don’t forget the increase in ticket prices… Absolutely embarrasing!”
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TheAcaciaStrain Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 9:34 am
@Stuart, Don’t forget the LA Galaxy, and the Trojans, when Carroll was here at least.
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John P Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 9:42 am
@Stuart, remember Buss DID own the Kings at one point in time, he didn’t know what to do with them. AND he left the Miracle on Manchester at the end of the 2nd period!
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Stuart Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 9:48 am
@John P, LOL I didn’t know that. I can’t point fingers though bd I left the frenzy on Fig too…
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John P Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 9:48 am
@Stuart, but I do agree with you on the increase in ticket prices – ridiculous!
Next year’s theme:
LA Kings
Greed + Ineptitude + Bad luck =
A Legacy of Failure
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Stuart Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 9:58 am
@John P, I also agree on the price gouge, but that was someone else’s original post. But his words were fitting.
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snbrdsummit Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 10:25 am
@Stuart,
On the topic of ticket prices…
It was intimated to me by a good source that secondary market sales of tickets were going for significantly more money (sometimes double face-value). That paired with the number of sellouts this season suggested to AEG that the market would bear more than it currently does. It’s kind of hard to argue that rationale. Double face-value is a pretty wide margin.
Like any other business that sells widgets, they are playing the supply/demand game. Lowered supply and higher demand begets higher prices. Doesn’t matter how the team plays, though ideally we’d like it to be the impetus for ticket prices.
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Stuart Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 10:46 am
@snbrdsummit, probably very valid. Not an econ major, but sounds like it makes sense.
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John Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 11:38 pm
@snbrdsummit, I usually took a loss on any weeknight tickets I had to sell, was close to breaking even on a few generic weekend games, and actually made a few dollars back if they were playing a popular opponent in a weekend game (two games), but NEVER double face value, not even close.
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CHA-CHA-CHA-CHANGES! Turn and blah blah blah…cha-cha-changes
im confident we can win at the shark tank tomorrow, its winning at home that im not too confident about. go kings go
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bench penner
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too little too late.
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A new coach?
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CaliCash Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 9:26 am
@Nickdoh, I wouldnt mind Jamie Kompon showed the door!
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tlynjob Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 10:58 am
@Nickdoh, Yes Please.
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sooooooo why didnt we pull out goalie with 3 minutes left and we just received a gift a 5 on 3??????? I thought at that time it was all or nothing argggggg time to look forward to fall
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Sebastian Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 9:02 am
@kennynakamoto, Kenny…it would not have made a difference. Kings are bad on the PP, theyre worse on 2 man advantage, can you imagine a 3 man advantage, it would have been chaos. haha. Murray is too conservative, its always defense first, even after you give up 5 goals and need to score 3, D first!
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nykingfan Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 9:06 am
@kennynakamoto,
If you can’t score 5 on 3, you think you’re going to score 6 on 3???
Not happening. If they weould have scored on the 5 on 3 he would have pulled Quick. Then you still have a PP and can pull the goalie to make it another 5 on 3.
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Rainman Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 11:48 am
@nykingfan, Your missing the point. We’re down by 3 goals with 3 minutes left, in danger of going down 3-1 in the Series. We need to score goals fast and plenty of them. The Kings PP needs all the help it can muster. If they can’t score with a 6 on 3 advantage, then they’re truly doomed. Once again, Murray is just a spectator on the sidelines, failing to sense any urgency at that moment and leaving Quick in our goal.
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kororr Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 9:43 am
@kennynakamoto, Andy Murray would have had Quick pulled with 10 minutes left, down 5-3….and we would have came back! haha
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kororr Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 9:44 am
@kororr, errr….i mean 5 on 3….not 5-3
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SafariChecker Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 11:00 am
@kennynakamoto, We already were 2 men up, how many more do we need? The Sharks wouldn’t have had icing to worry about, and could have tried shots from the opposite redline all day.
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Darrell Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 1:44 pm
@kennynakamoto, I understand not pulling the goalie, but I DON’T understand still playing the same ridiculous PP system when YOU ARE DOWN 3 GOALS! I mean, c’mon, show some desperation! Smyth and Handzus are taking a beating there waiting for the puck, and we’re playing catch with it at the blue line waiting for a perfect shooting lane to open up?
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i do love how the media keeps asking about DP… The guy is useless!
Yes, he CAN make good plays
Yes, he CAN be strong on the puck
but once a game (sometimes) isn’t enough… he looks tired after 30seconds, and he has no heart, no emotion and nobody talks to him… i’m pretty sure DBrown is thinking the same thing the rest of us are, but as a captain you have to deal with what you have, you can’t put people on the chopping block because it may screw the chemistry up for those who do give a damn.
This off season will be interesting… do you fire a head coach because he can’t use a guy with a year left on his contract? or do you send Dustin Penner down and make him work from the bottom up… He needs to earn his spot on the roster, and if i was DL, DP would be playing in Manchester.
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tlynjob Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 11:03 am
@mike morbid,
Why waste a roster spot down in Manchester for the bum?
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mike morbid Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 1:37 pm
@tlynjob, HA! good point!
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Bet on something different in the next game. They’ve had the same results for the last two games with no changes. Only a total fool would think that they can get different results with no changes.
Not sure what the changes are, but one should be the benching of Tin Man. That means another guy comes up to play. Another possible change is Martinez sits and DD2 plays, but I hope not. They need to show confidence in him after last night, even if it’s the last game of the season. DD2 can get his crack at it next year.
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Too much thinking happening on the ice, At this level you’ve done all the work, just go out there and play without hesitation, The thinking is putting us a step behind. WE have seen that in the first of Game 3 and the first of Game 4.
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number 6 Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 9:39 am
@Scotti B,
Not sure it’s that simple. They aren’t a fast team. I used to play pickup hockey w some really good young players in the 80′s in the valley. There was an old man who ran the games. He told me ‘it’s all about skating’. I always remembered that.
Hockey is a fast sport (ESPECIALLY Post Lockout) and you have to be able to stay with your competition. If you can’t, then some good d and spectacular goaltending will help. But it’s unlikely in and of itself to win you a cup.
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Kings in CO Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 9:59 am
@number 6, Concur…it’s all about skating and creativity. The kings have guys who can go in the corners, but this team needs more speed and skill in that mix.
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Edward Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 9:59 am
@number 6, And that is the problem with the Kings, or at least one of them……no one has any speed….we need one or two guys with speed.
Case in point, Doughnutboy Doughty is defending one on one with an opposing winger. The winger has some speed and has Doughnutboy twisting around and soon, he is beat.
I remember Bob Miller saying during the broadcasts “there is no substitute for speed”! The Kings play like dinosaurs out there. No wonder our defense is so good….on most nights!
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Sounds like the coach is calling out DL.. “I’m playing what I got.” meaning, it’s a personnel issue. deflect, deflect, deflect. Terry, you lost your team’s support. They won’t try for you. You know what means? It means someone is moving on. I know you can make excuses : “Kopi’s not here boys… but Kopi didn’t keep JQ out there for the 5 on 3 last night, you did. And it was your death nail, dude. I hear a clicking sound… it’s DL typing available NHL coaches into his google search box.
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Drake Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 9:19 am
@C leb, Jamie Compon will be the only coaching change after tomorrow night’s loss. Murray is here for at least one more year.
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I have season tickets and have attended all but two home games this season, and I absolutely love how when the Kings the “emotional Kings fans” run to this board and pick one player as the cause of the lose, or they call for the coaches head. In this series, the truth of the matter is that San Jose Sharks have way more talent than we do. Yes, the Kings have given us hope in 5 periods of this series, but at the end of the day the better and more talented team is winnning this series. I love my Kings, but my hockey knowledge isn’t blurred by my emotions. The bottom line is that the Kings can’t sit and make excuses, they just need to get better.
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Jeff Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 9:17 am
@KJCHIP30,
I have no problem losing and understand that SJ is a better team. But a complete collapse like what happened in game 3 is Not Acceptable! Not being able to win a face-off, Not Acceptable! Cruising and not playing hard is Not Acceptable! Not making the effort to go out and pursue better talent and depth is Not Acceptable! If this organization wants my money, it better make serious moves on all levels. For next season I downgraded my season seats.
I refuse to endorse with my money a continually defective product.
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Edward R. Meek Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 9:53 am
@Jeff, I agree with you, Game 3′s collapse is not acceptable, it is downright embarrasing. As far as season seats are concerned I would not shovel out thousands of dollars to watch this circus side show. I have been a Kings fan since 1970 and even though I have been away the past 15 years (working hockey front office in minors)and I do support my NHL team. However I was sick to my stomach after the Kings BLEW a 4-0 lead and wound up losing 6-5 in overtime. My one coach would have destroyed the locker room following a collapse like that.
Jeff, do not downgrade your season seats, just don’t pay for them. Don’t go. I saw all 82 games this year from the comforts of my living room, got Bob and Jim every night, saw Heidi game in and game out smiling at me (and everyone)and all I paid was the cable bill each month. Keep the money in your pocket and invest it in your 401K plan or your kid’s college fund. I hear that it cost a mint just to go to college.
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Derek Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 9:36 am
@KJCHIP30, dude it’s spreading to staples too. all i heard at the game from the guy next to me was griping about penner, westie and drew when he would screw up a play.. i almost asked him “lakingsinder.com much?”
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number 6 Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 9:44 am
@KJCHIP30,
Personally I make references here to other people’s comments about a particular player. But the bottom line is what you say. Anyone can see that the Sharks not only have more talent but that they’re a better team. They need a goal (two OT’s, or down by 4, or having to retake control of a game they were leading by three as was the case last night…), they get a goal.
The Kings have struggled all year offensively and they did as well last year too. It’s not magic. They have too many holes at the moment. They also have some players like Cliffy with huge heart and lots of upside. It’s not all black or all white.
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If Frolov play like Penner?
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Murray said it all. “I’m playing what I got.” Last night Foxy said that the Sharks are 9 deep in forwards and the Kings just aren’t there yet. So so true. We all know the Kings are still a few players away from being able to go deep into the playoffs. The question is will DL and upper management do anything about it in the off season. If the ticket prices are going up, then they better make the talent on the team go up. The fans deserve a lot lot better than they are getting.
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Kings in CO Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 10:03 am
@lenman, The question is, will the Kings really get there. We seem to be stuck in 2nd gear with this ownership group and franchise.
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tlynjob Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 11:13 am
@lenman, As long as us fans showing up and selling out 33 dates the management does not see any reasons to invest money in the team because win or lose we keep-on showing up.
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First, God please don’t win in SJ. I really don’t want to waste anymore money on PO tickets.
Second, Trade Simmons and a top defensman (we have enough now, and Penner if anyone will have him), for a top six scorer.
Third, realize that having a squad of 10 Vic Vinasky’s, is not going to win you squat. This team has no offensive depth.
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vplaza Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 9:17 am
@Jeff,
Personally, I think that Simmer has removed himself from the “core” group that DL alluded to in the preseason. I like the guy, but playing this way in a contract year is very disappointing. Too many downs, not enough ups.
Second, Penner has to go. There isn’t any room for someone with no heart and no desire to play for this team when there are hungry players in the minors.
Finally, I am extremely disappointed in DD. He raised expectations so high last year but fell so far below those expectations this year. He had some brilliant flashes here and there, but his entire body of work this season has been very average. Again, in a contract year, very disappointing.
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kingfish Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 10:26 am
@Jeff,
Concur with both of you guys. Simmonds isnt much more than a grinder. I cant see him getting much better than he is, he just doesnt have a nose for the net.
He should be part of a trade this off season.
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Bench Penner…he is a lazy bum. he shows no heart and certainly while the Kings had him on the ice it wsa like being shorthanded. Let Moeller play! The kid has heart and can add some punch to the line-up.
If you watched the game at all last night you saw Penner go from a top line to the 4th line…then to sit in the box to serve the penalty…
DL…hope that the draft choices and Tuebert were a little steep for what we got out of this deal…maybe you can trade him before the season starts as he doesn’t fit in with this team…
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Forever optimistic people, remember how they surprises everyone 1st 2 games???? Well, who says they can’t suprise us again. Lessons learned, few bad bounces, we are there EVERY GAME. I don’t see this young and big hearted team repeat for a third time, a awful defensive game. I’m still planning on being there for Game 6 on Monday at Staples.
Game 5 has to be thee smartest and most focused game of the year. If we can come out with controlled emotions, be hungry to win, and not let SHARKS speed skate us to death. We still have a shot.
Go KINGS Go!
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Stuart Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 9:17 am
@Fabkings, the closeout game is always the hardest to win, so it might just work out in our favor…
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Jeff Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 9:18 am
@Stuart,
Why so they can lose at home….why drag this out???
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Stuart Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 9:26 am
@Jeff, because I’m a fiend and the Kings are my crack i guess… I’m a glutton for punishment.
fsd1 Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 9:38 am
@Jeff, througout all the posts over the last few days, you have stated you want out…..go then please
Fabkings Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 10:05 am
@Stuart, I agree, we’ve already spooked them. We SHUT THEM OUT IN THE TANK!!!! Again no less, without Kopitar. Let’s spook em again and play smarter, controlled hockey like we need.
Other teams have been shut out this playoff season, NOT THE KINGS, who apparently can’t score at all…………..
I believe flukes happen, but the fluke was not WINNING and playing great and toe to toe with SJ, the Fluke was losing as badly as we did defensively. I gotta believe we’ve got a couple big games left in the tank, THEIR TANK IN SJ!!!!!
Go KINGS Go!
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I hope he lets Oscar coach the power play, cause Kompone kant!
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We need playmakers period. I was at both home games and when the going gets tough, the Kings are standing around. What happened to crashing the net? How many times are we in the offensive zone and nobody goes to the net? Nobody trails the puck. Not scoring on the 5 on 3, unacceptable. We should easily get that “back door goal” but nobody crashes the net consistantly. Like I said yesterday, What we need are skilled playmakers. DL & AEG owe it to us fans this off season. Be it by trade or free agent, we need more playmakers, not grinders. Until this is done, this will continue to be our playoff destiny! I will be watching until the fat lady sings and she has not yet. Our chances are slipping away fast. It all up to the men on the ice now. It really is gut check time. If we go down, go down giving it everything you got. Leave it all on the ice.
I love the Kings and I always will but we need mnore playmakers to make a serious cup run.
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Stuart Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 9:27 am
@King Alex, I was totally yelling for JJ to crash the back door, just b-line to the net and look for the pass, if it didn’t go, circle back around, count to 4 and b-line again and again and again!!! but no.
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Westgarth is playing better than Penner. Bench Penner and let Moller play. At least when he plays the Kings win.
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CaliCash Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 9:22 am
@Katy Perry, Westie has stepped up his game for sure in the playoffs!
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I hope he thinks about sitting Martinez and putting in Drewiske in there. Martinez played HORRIBLE last night…a defensive liability all night long.
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CaliCash Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 9:25 am
@CaliCash, Oh and play Bernier in game 5. Regardless of who was at fault or left out to dry…12 goals in 2 games is just unacceptable! Bernier should get the nod in SJ!
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KevinAzimi Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 10:41 am
@CaliCash, dude that would be the worst thing to do, Bernier is a good goalie but has never played in the playoffs. He would not be able to handle it and Quick has been playing fine almost every goal the sharks scored was close to impossible for him to save, it was due to bad defense and players not defending their men.
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 11:10 am
@CaliCash, wasnt Quick but i give Bernier a shot and give him a taste in the playoff
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tlynjob Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 11:22 am
@CaliCash, I agree. Bernier should have been in goal after quick gave up the fourth goal in game 3 and started the game last night. At the very least put him in when Quick gives up three goals in game 4. Our coach is an idiot.
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vplaza Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 9:37 am
@CaliCash,
Actually, I hope he doesn’t do that. Martinez had one bad game all season long. Granted, it was the worst time to have a bad game, but the kid has a good amount of potential. I think it’s good for his development to have the Kings show that they have confidence in him. It should pay off in the future.
Bench him now and you may damage his confidence. Give him a chance to bounce back.
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Luke M Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 11:09 am
@vplaza, Martinez had a bad game because of inexperience when forwards are totally unable to have any control of the neutral zone. I don’t think the younger guys, including Doughty and Johnson have ever participated in a game where the forwards had zero control of center ice. Mitchell and Scuderi handled the fire drill much better than the younger guys, due to their experience. I think if you get all of your forward lines to commit to defending the neutral zone and handling the puck better there, our defensemen will ALL be OK. San Jose had way too much time and speed and way too many gifts from our forwards that allowed them to get into our zone with numbers and our defense still heading the other way.
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Katy Perry Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 10:07 am
@CaliCash, Maybe Martinez has naked pictures of TM. That’s the only possible explanation I could come up with for why he kept putting him out there.
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CaliCash Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 10:53 am
@Katy Perry, It has to be something right? haha
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Scratching Penner would be an admission by the Kings that they made a mistake, so maybe saving face is more important to them than admitting they were wrong.
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16,005 Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 10:28 am
@deadcatbounce,
I thought Penner was a great addition at the time of the trade. So did everyone else. Now, everyone’s perception has changed. To bench him now is to give up on him and any trade value (not to mention giving Penner the ability to say the team gave up on him). To not bench him now is to let him set his own trade value by his performance (or nonperformance in the eye of the beholder). My inclination is that TM plays Penner, the issue comes down to which slot Moller might take.
Clifford-Richardson-Simmonds
Smyth-Stoll-Williams
Poni-Zeus-Brown
Moller-Lewis-Westy
Mitchell-Doughty
Scuderi-Johnson
Martinez-Greene
Quick
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deadcatbounce Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 11:52 am
@16,005, I was one of the small percentage who wasn’t in favor of the Penner trade from before it was made. Why can’t the Kings give up on him? It looks as if he gave up on the Kings a long time ago. If they can’t trade him in the summer they can always buy him out. Regardless, I hope he’s not on the roster come October.
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Harty Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 11:58 am
@16,005, wrong, I never thought this was good idea, go back in the blogs….I openly admit he was never the good fit and would not have done the trade based on what friends in Edmonton said when it was being drawn up, they thought it was great the bum was leaving the Oilers.
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Big mistake in playing Westgarth over Moller.
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WOW!!! i didnt get to watch the game last night due to unexpected family issues but im kind of glad i didnt. Im not sure whats more depressing……the fact we lossed the game or all the comments over the last 4 threads.
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vplaza Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 9:38 am
@BrokeKingsFan,
How about both things being equally depressing? Losing in the manner they did stings. But coming to grips with the fact that the team really didn’t belong in the playoffs is harder to accept for some people.
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fsd1 Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 9:40 am
@vplaza, because you couldn’t be farther from the truth.
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vplaza Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 10:21 am
@fsd1,
Really? I must have been watching a different series.
fsd1 Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 9:39 am
@BrokeKingsFan, the comments, bandwagoners for sure, all i can say, if we could hit the wide open nets from 2 feet away we would not be having this conversation.
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bill donnelly Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 10:01 am
@fsd1, I have made some comments and I am no bandwagoner. I have been a fan of this team since 1977-78. I have been with this team through the good (miracle of Manchester, 1993 Stanley Cup Finals, Stunner at Staples) and the bad, (trades of Butch Goring, Larry Murphy, draft pick that could have been Ray Bourque.) I am disappointed with how this season is ending and think this team needs some changes. Even if they are not made I will be folowing this team again next season
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fsd1 Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 10:03 am
@bill donnelly, Good, then the post was not meant for you, been a fan just a bit longer so I know what you mean. Of course there are some changes that need to be made but IMHO firing TM is not one of them. And same as you, I will never say we are done until we are.
deadcatbounce Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 12:24 pm
@bill donnelly,It amuses me whenever somebody brings up”the draft pick that could have been Ray Bourque”. What makes you so sure the Kings would have selected him? Hindsight, of course, is always 20/20, but I could have imagined the Kings blowing this pick as well.
I am playing with what i’ve got, what a slam on the rest of the team. Kopitar is a great player but he’s not the whole team. Sure he would help, but he’s not the whole defense. Quick played a great game, alot of great saves, with no help from the defense. Penner is being played in a role that is not his style, just like what happened when he was traded to edmonton. Also, he has not done what the team needs from him, but he is not responsable for the bad defense and losses. what is needed is change in coaching and a new system (offensive)
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Fabkings Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 10:15 am
@ziggy99, Just a reminder, when New Jersey Devils win their last cups, they were a DEFENSIVE TEAM. Yeah they had Syhkora, Elias, but were led by strong defensive play first. I see a few tweaks personeel wise come summer, like Smyth, Handzus, maybe one if our D men. We are close.
In the mean time let’s not call the season over till it’s over. Faith they can play better next game is all I need.
Go Kings Go!
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vplaza Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 10:36 am
@Fabkings,
Weren’t those Cups won when clutching and grabbing was allowed?
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Stuart Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 10:39 am
@vplaza, it still kind of is in the playoffs. And that was another thought I had is that our young guys don’t know how to play the clutch and grab ployff game… They’re being raised in this “soft” regular season so they know no other way to play.
deadcatbounce Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 1:07 pm
@vplaza, Yes, they were, and they were also won when the Devils had a couple of guys named Neidermayer and Stevens. Sorry to disappoint Kings fans, but Doughty and Niedermayer are not even close yet to being Niedermayer and Stevens.
i love the kings no matter what.
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BrokeKingsFan Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 10:42 am
@avi,
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Todays Dustin Penner = yesterdays Jason Allison they even look kind of similar
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Stuart Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 10:29 am
@Kingsblack, I don’t remember JA getting boo’d at home…in the playoffs. But it might’ve happened.
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Stuart Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 10:30 am
@Stuart, add to that – BEFORE the game even started…
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It sure seems like Penner might have broken ribs, punchered lung, or a sport hernia or some other major undisclosed injury. There is no way that he can be that tired and labored after a 30 minute shift. If not, he is the biggest baby on ice I have ever seen.
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deadcatbounce Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 1:48 pm
@KingsSB, Penner has a heart condition… lack of heart…
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Slim Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 2:49 pm
@KingsSB,
Superman would be tired after a 30 minute shift..
Ok maybe not Superman, but Batman..
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Quite frankly the defensive play is the problem.
The team is scoring goals but are having too many breakdowns in the defensive zone.
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Mike Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 11:05 am
@HockeyDad77, And for a team that prides itself on its defensive play, kind of makes me wonder – do we go out and get scoring during the off-season, or do we have some defensive issues that still need to be taken care of first? I mean, 12 goals in 2 games for “one of the best defensive teams in the NHL.” Somehow, there’s a disconnect here, in my opinion.
Relatively speaking, we’re still a very young team and another year of experience for Doughty, Johnson, Quick, Clifford, Simmonds, etc. “should” help them mature and become better in the future.
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As Murray mentioned the names of Moller Drewiske and Harrold, why not play them? Ya got nothing to lose and if they do make a difference on the scoreboard and the Kings win the next game, would you NOT go with playing them again? Sounds like a smart choice to me as a coach’s decision. You would be putting out fresh legs and these guys have been itching to get into a game….RELEASE DA HOUNDS!
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The kings need help not a new coach or a new gm but defensive help. What hurts the most being a long time kings fan is watching them shut down San Jose in game 2 and then come and tank defensively in games 3 and 4. I simply can’t understand how a team can play so solid then mess it all up don’t get the mentality. When this team plays team defense for 60 min they can spank any team the league but once they collapse defensively they collapse with no potential recovery. All we can do as true kings fans is cheer them on for game 5 and they only way there gonna win at hp pavilion on Saturday is with zero mistakes on the back end like game 2. If they have the character and will they will come back in this series. Look at what Chicago is doing to Vancouver determination is key the guys in that locker room are the only ones who can dig themselfs out of hell cause there the ones responsible for were there’re at.
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Man o man. Everyone is bashing and speaking out without acknowleding that the sharks are (hate to say it) a better skilled team. Kings are young and are going to need to get embaressed as they are now to understand what it takes to really elevaye to the next level. Many players are stepping up, and some like Penner are getting stepped on. I am not haappy watching these games but what should happen is happenning. A better hocky club is dominating a younger less skilled team. Wanting the Kings to win it all now would in many ways be a miracle in hockey. We are truly missing at least 2 addiotional true snipers and 1 more true playmaker. We are at this point the fresh faces in the playoff picture with a team full of mostly grinders. Until Schenn & Loki replace Handzus & Stoll we are what we are, even over-achieving at this point. So be a bit realistic people. Also DL has rebuilt this team as good as any GM really can.
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King Alex Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 11:44 am
@LARob, I completely agree with you. DL has rebuilt this team from the ground up. When we get the snipers and a bonafide playmaker, things will be different. Team speed must improve and it will. We have been knocking on the playoff door the past 2 seasons. It’s just a matter of time before we kick that door down and become true cup contenders.
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Mike Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 1:45 pm
@King Alex, I agree, but to take the next step from middle of the pack to the top will require even more dedication, desire, and hard work than was necessary to take the step from the bottom to the middle.
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If the Yotes move to Winnipeg, Tippett, Tippett, Tippett please
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This is not all about Dustin Penner. But if he isn’t using his size anyway, then replacing him with Oscar Moller is simply replacing one guy who won’t use Penner’s size with another guy who won’t use Penner’s size. But Moller will bring more speed, more quickness, and apparently more desire but based on observation it looks like a bag of pucks has more desire.
By the way, Kings in 7. And fan not willing to believe that…feel free to switch channels now and watch the Dodgers.
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what about bernier??? is he not going to play?
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Stuart Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 11:19 am
@Yuri, yeah, next year for someone else.
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This is what I would do if I was DL
-fire TM and staff
-trade Penner
-don’t re-sign Handzus, Smyth, Stoll
-trade Bernier for a scorer 30+
-bring in the kids from Manchester for next season
and declare re-build with the # of players left Simmonds, Clifford, Richardson, Brown, Williams, Poni, Lewis, Westgarth, Greene, Johnson, Doughty, Scuderi, Martinez, Mitchell, Quick
Get on with buisness
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deadcatbounce Reply:
April 22nd, 2011 at 1:12 pm
@Harty, Richardson is a UFA on July 1 and I don’t know if the Kings will re-sign him. What do people think? Is Richardson coming back? His line has been playing very well in the playoffs, but I wonder if they can keep this up for an entire regular season plus the playoffs?
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If we had a healthy kopitar I believe we would have swept these fools. TM has done a great job with what he has, so get off his back people.Overall i have been pleased with the effort from the boys minus Penner.Once a Duck always a Duck if you ask me, and he is a lame Duck. At the time it seemed like a good deal, but i would give my left nut to get that 1st rounder and Colten Tuebert back.The only criticism i have with TM is that he worries too much about the mental effect on players. These are big boys, if you pull Quick he will get over it. If you bring up Schenn he will be fine mentally, that kid has played in some big games already in his lifetime. What good are bullets left in your gun when your dead?I still hold out hope though, that is what a true fan does. Go Kings Go.
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