Meet Kevin Westgarth, playoff performer. In 56 regular-season games, Westgarth had three assists and 105 penalty minutes in his role as the Kings’ enforcer. In the five games of this first-round playoff series, Westgarth has two assists, including a skilled pass to Dustin Penner that led to the Kings’ third goal in Game 5. Westgarth has been noticeably more active and confident in the offensive zone, and Westgarth played almost eight minutes in Game 5, a total he rarely approached in the regular season.
Westgarth’s hands, particularly his punching (right) hand, are a bit gnarled. After practice today, the always good-natured Westgarth spoke of his new role, with Jarret Stoll and Dustin Penner, and joked about his hands…
WESTGARTH: “Armor on the back, and just marshmallow-soft on the front. That’s the idea. That’s the way I always try to play. [smiles] It’s great to get out there with those guys. I think we did click pretty well. Everybody is just going 100-percent right now, so it’s just fun to be a part of. It was great to see that effort last night, and we look forward to doing it at home tomorrow night.”
Yes, Kevin “Marshmallow” Westgarth. Why hadn’t we thought of that all year? Simply incredible how that slipped our collective minds.
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NoDoughty Reply:
April 24th, 2011 at 5:04 pm
@furrylats, LMAO
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McDonalds Reply:
April 24th, 2011 at 5:31 pm
@furrylats,
Because “Marshmallow” is Doughty’s nickname already
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Edward Reply:
April 25th, 2011 at 10:40 am
@McDonalds, I have been calling Doughty, DonutBoy…..and Penner is Apple Fritter!
Glad to see Westie get some ice time and doing well.
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good to see westgarth getting the credit he deserves.
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Sure would be great if he continued to improve. Definately, a lot better as the season went on, especially this last month.
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He’s part Stone Cold Steve Austin, part Datsyuk… obviously
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Welcome to the blog Westgarth. I believe this is the first quote ever from you…..
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So surprised the first 5 posts were not “Bench westie, bring in moller”
I love westie, he has made big improvements over our last kitten crusher RI
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I’ve always liked Westgarth, I hope he becomes a stronger skater, and gets some more scoring chances next year. Although when he carried the puck into the San Jose zone by himself last night, you could tell how lost he was when it was just him and one defender.. He didn’t know what to do, it was pretty funny.
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I’m guessing the coaches see something in Westy during practice and during the game that isn’t obvious to many of us. Starting with the last quarter of the regular season, I thought that he wasn’t as big a liability to the team as most people were making him out to be when he was on the ice. I’m glad that he’s made the progress that he has since he seems to play with more heart than Tin Man played with.
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Hooray the Ducks Schmucks are out..
Good for Trotz..
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Watching the Ducks lose + listening to Hayward whine = priceless.
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nking11 Reply:
April 24th, 2011 at 5:42 pm
@Dwreck,
hes got no class
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This guy is getting better daily. Is anyone else reminded of another rookie pugilist from a few years back? Went to the same ivy league school as well. Parros has skill for a fighter, and I see that growing in Westie. He’s gotten better every game these playoffs, and there is no reason he cant play most games like Parros does. Who, up until now, I had wished was never claimed off waivers in 07.
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This just in………. DUCKS LOOSE!!!!!!!!! See ya Quackers!!!!
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vplaza Reply:
April 24th, 2011 at 5:42 pm
@King Alex,
Great weekend if you’re a Kings fan. Thank you, Easter Bunny!
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King Alex Reply:
April 24th, 2011 at 5:45 pm
@vplaza, LOL!!! Yes indeed! Thanks Easter Bunny!!!
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lafan13 Reply:
April 24th, 2011 at 6:49 pm
@King Alex,
ya the ducks suck
they’ll never win the….
= X
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Slim Reply:
April 24th, 2011 at 5:44 pm
@Kings win, Ducks lose, A Dream weekend comes true for you..
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Legwand! LOL Ducks Lose!!!!!!!!!!
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KFII Reply:
April 24th, 2011 at 5:45 pm
@KFII, But on topic…way to go Westy, it’s the right time to find your game. Make the most of it. Now get that goal on Monday!
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Ducks are officialy on vacation. Thank you Nashville.
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lol wow the Ducks got the boot on a easy team
if we get the boot at least we got it from a team that is expected to boot us
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soyokaze Reply:
April 24th, 2011 at 11:58 pm
@KingsFanFTW,
You severely underestimate Nashville. I thought the series was going to go 7 games. In their regular season matchups, Rinne was playing on his head. Their style totally mirrors the Kings. Defense first, steady goaltending, and balanced scoring. Shea Weber is an absolute beast out there.
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I noticed in game 2 that Penner played well with KW after being demoted to the 4th line, so I’m not surprised they both played well last night. I’ve been down on KW all year but he improved towards the end of the year and has played very good in the playoffs so far. My one gripe with playing him has been that he usually only plays about 3-4 minutes per game, forcing us to play only 3 lines, or double shift guys like DB and WS which tires them out. If he can play productively for 7-8 minutes a night and not take any bad penalties, unlike last night, I’m OK with him being in the line-up over Poni and Moller. I do like Poni and Moller better than Westgarth, but Moller’s skill isn’t very usefull in TM’s system, and Poni hasn’t shown much skill all year long.
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Idk about you guys but i REALLY wanted to see a Ducks-Kings series…kind of bummed
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Naturallawyer Reply:
April 24th, 2011 at 5:51 pm
@McDonalds, no way. Let them suffer now…
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Gidzmo Reply:
April 24th, 2011 at 6:25 pm
@McDonalds, I thought I was the only one hoping for a Kings/Ducks Conference Final. THAT would have been interesting.
Failing that, a Sharks/Kings Final, but that’s not happening, either.
Vancouver/Chicago going to overtime as I type. If Vancouver wins, that series is over. Who they’d face next would be sorted out tomorrow night.
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holly Reply:
April 24th, 2011 at 6:49 pm
@Gidzmo, Are you from the future? Because right now they’re just about 1/2 way through the 3rd.
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Bye bye quackers and your horrible announcers!!
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Naturallawyer Reply:
April 24th, 2011 at 5:52 pm
@Jkking, and eliminated before the Kings, too…
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bulldog13lak Reply:
April 24th, 2011 at 5:55 pm
@Jkking, yah, Bob Miller, you rock!!!
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nking11 Reply:
April 24th, 2011 at 6:03 pm
@Jkking,
I like to try and stay positive about other teams announcers, but I have never tuned into a Ducks broadcast and gone more than 3 minutes without Hayward pulling some classless remark about how someone took a dive or how the ducks can’t get any calls, and a great save by an opposing teams goalie was just a missed shot by the ducks. I literally check my watch. What a d-bag!! Miller is a super gangster, Fox is great but yea can over analyze to the point of frustration sometimes, but they still stay classy and don’t show personal bias. Miller, he runs the announcer market in LA, him and Scully run this mutha!!
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KC23 Reply:
April 24th, 2011 at 6:21 pm
@nking11, Hayweird was in typical form with his BS crying about calls not going the Ducks way. The guy is a complete disgrace to the profession.
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iket Reply:
April 24th, 2011 at 6:24 pm
@nking11,
i couldn’t agree more. i cannot stand the ducks announcers. they are, by far, the worst announcers i’ve ever listened to across every sport i’ve seen. they show such a clear cut bias for the ducks that it’s sickening. bob miller and jim fox are great at what they do because they always seem to remain as unbiased as possible.
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DonnyK Reply:
April 24th, 2011 at 8:30 pm
@nking11, The only guys that are more homers are the Stanky Diego Chargers radio guys! Can’t stand Hayward and the other douche!!
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puck73 Reply:
April 24th, 2011 at 10:10 pm
@DonnyK, You mean the guys that say..MOVE THOSE CHAINS ? totally lame.
boxtime17 Reply:
April 25th, 2011 at 7:44 am
@nking11,
Oh yes..and Hayward has an excuse for EVERY Duck mistake.
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as I have said so often Westie, “stay thirsty, my friend”.
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Westy on the first line with Penner!!!!!
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No matter what this season should be considered a somewhat success: Kings beat the Ducks as the Ducks are out and the Kings still have hope. Spear a guppy night Monday!
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I wanna see him score
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Westgarth’s hands were good for that amazingly stupid hook last night too. Way to unleash the hooking beast Westie!
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Eric Reply:
April 24th, 2011 at 9:07 pm
@Dan H.,
Everybody takes penalties here and there… Heck, even Matt Greene took a few last night. Big deal
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Dave Reply:
April 24th, 2011 at 9:16 pm
@Eric, It’s true, but Westgarth does it more often. He did have a good game otherwise but he can’t take o-zone penalties. at least Greene’s penalties are in the d-zone on the cycle.
i’ve been impressed with Westgarth other than that though. i’d still rather see Moller or Poni but at least he’s doing more than being on the ice for goals against.
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fsd1 Reply:
April 25th, 2011 at 8:37 am
@Dan H., Hook? What hook? that was the weakest penalty call of the season.
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Hopefully there is a media guy or someone influential at the Staples Center that can put this together on the video. Show the clip from Jaws where Roy S. is sinking fast and he fires his last shot into the mouth of the great white and the scuba tank explodes. Edit for families the “smile you son-of-a-bitch” line that completes the demise of the shark. I unfortunately would not be at the game to see this but it’s a a thought. It is LA for Pete’s sake.
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Castaic Kings Fan Reply:
April 25th, 2011 at 8:23 am
@Bonvivant1, They did that at Game 3. Except they edited in Bailey chucking a hockey stick in the sharks mouth and it blew up. I like to think the Shark “choked” on the stick and it’s postseason exploded… The common demise of Sharks.
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I’ve been calling for Westy to be scratched all season, but he really stepped it up in the playoffs, and he seems to be getting better with every game. With the way he’s been playing lately, I’ll take him over Poni, who has skills but hasn’t shown them much this season.
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Westgarth FTW!
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i for one would like to see poni in there instead of westy. but im just a fan, not the coach. ill give westy credit tho, he plays his role and does it well. i also had a feeling we would be seeing scotty too hotty in this series as i been posting bout him towards the end of the season. kings are warriors. im telling you all right now that sharks fans in san jose are taking wednesday off and getting ready for game 7. see you all in the 300′s. GKG
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There was a discussion some time ago by people here that watched Westgarth play for MAN. They said he is at his best when he actually tries to play hockey instead of fulfilling only the enforcer role. It sounds like they were onto something. Glad that he is showing some necessary utility to his game.
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Maybe Westie will improve his game over time just like Marty did. Just keep the curve legal!!! Lol!
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