Some notes from last night’s game…
– The Kings recorded their second consecutive shutout as they beat the Phoenix Coyotes 2-0 on Thursday night.
– It was the first set of back-to-back shutouts for the Kings since April 1-3, 2006, by goalie Mathieu Garon.
– Jonathan Quick stopped 28 shots to win his 100th career NHL game in goal. For the season, Quick has a 4-0-1 record, a 0.97 goals-against average and a .967 save percentage. He became the third Kings goalie — after Rogie Vachon and Kelly Hrudey — to reach the 100-win plateau, and has reached it the fastest, in 185 games (23 of Quick’s wins have come through a shootout). Quick also now has 16 shutouts, tied with Jamie Storr for second-most in franchise history. Vachon’s team record is 32 shutouts.
– The Kings improved to 4-1-1 have allowed nine regulation goals in six games. Four of the goals came in a loss to Buffalo.
– The Coyotes outshot the Kings 28-22, including 10-5 in the third period. The Kings have been outshot in four consecutive games.
– The Kings went 1-for-3 on the power play and 3-for-3 on the penalty kill. The Kings have scored at least one power-play goal in five of six games this season.
– Dustin Brown scored a second-period power-play goal, his second goal of the season (both have come on the power play). Brown has two goals and one assist in his last two games.
– Kyle Clifford scored a second-period goal for his first point of the season.
– Kevin Westgarth assisted on Clifford’s goal for his first point of the season and his fourth point in 68 career NHL games.
– Matt Greene assisted on Clifford’s goal for his first point of the season. Greene has 41 assists in 385 career NHL games.
– Mike Richards assisted on Brown’s goal. Richards has four assists this season, all on the power play.
– Anze Kopitar assisted on Brown’s goal. Kopitar has recorded at least one point in every game this season and has a total of four goals and six assists in six games.
– Dustin Brown recorded a team-high five shots on goal. Kyle Clifford, Trevor Lewis and Jarret Stoll each were credited with a team-high three hits. Matt Greene was credited with a game-high six blocked shots.
– Anze Kopitar led the Kings in ice time at 24:51. Jack Johnson led all Kings defensemen in ice time at 24:29.
– The Kings won 22 of 44 faceoffs (50 percent). Anze Kopitar won 7 of 12 draws (58 percent), Jarret Stoll won 6 of 9 draws (67 percent) and Mike Richards won 4 of 14 draws (29 percent).
Great game last night. Voynov is still a bit green but looked good out there. Westy played quality minutes. Every time I saw him out there, he was doing good things. Quick played a great game and it just seemed like he was one step ahead of the Yotes all night. Can’t wait for Saturdays game!
GO KINGS GO!
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puck73 Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 10:27 am
@Jgomez, Quicks anticipation of what the Yotes do well was amazing! Did you notice that in the interview with Bob and Jim that Quick, as usual, refused to give himself credit, instead always referring to the team.
When you look at Quick, he looks like this nice, innocent young kid. But on the inside, this guy is so competetive and has the heart and fight of a Badger!
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Jgomez Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 10:40 am
@puck73, Your right. Every interview is about the team. He says that he makes a few key saves but gives all the credit to the team first. I love that he seems to be improving year by year and is only 25!
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Deke'r Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 2:16 pm
@Jgomez, True…there is something about him this year I haven’t noticed before…maturity?
CoachMike Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 10:40 am
@puck73, Great observation. Quick never uses the word “I” in any interview. Never. It is all about the team & never about him. I love his “Team First” attitude. That concept is missing in most of the interviews done by players in other team sports. Not all but most. As a group, hockey players are the absolute best. GKG.
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Central Coast King Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 3:41 pm
@puck73, ; A Crazy, Badass Honey Badger: LOL
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dahack11 Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 12:01 pm
@Jgomez, Off topic, I thought last nights game was Penner’s best so far as a King, for what that’s worth, & he didn’t record a point.
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Quick wa amazing last night.
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Are the Kings practicing today? I really just want to see if TM is going to play JQ again.
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fsd1 Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 10:31 am
@Andrew, I would be extemely surprised and disappointed if Quicker doesn’t start against the Stars.
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Bill M. Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 10:47 am
@fsd1, When your goalie posts back to back shutouts, you start him against undefeated teams. period.
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fsd1 Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 10:49 am
@Bill M., Agree.
Andrew Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 10:50 am
@Bill M., Thats what I would think, I’m intrested if the Stars start Leighton go both days. That might be something to hope for us.
Deke'r Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 2:32 pm
@Bill M., TM previously stated he would ride the hot goalie whomever it was.
JIMBO328 Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 11:09 am
@Andrew, kings will be on the ice today at toyota sports center at 11:30 today.
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Andrew Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 11:32 am
@JIMBO328, aww thank you lol I was wondering if Tm gave them a day off
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So glad to see Penner has picked up his game! I think he will have a great season if he plays hard each night!
~ Go Kings Go !!!!
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Deke'r Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 2:33 pm
@Boxtime17, Think Mike Richards could have something to do with that?
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…nice to see all of MR’s Flyers gear on NHL.com 50% off.
I was at the Flyers game, in the section right behind the OT goal. What a play…With last night, he continues to amaze! GKG
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wavesinair Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 10:47 am
@ponch0v,
Must have been nice to walk out of the arena with that win. I’ve seen Flyers fans do it many a time here in LA. Good to hear Kings fans in Philly are enjoying the team’s success.
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ponch0v Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 10:56 am
@wavesinair, Drove up from DC actually.
It was. As was the 4-1 win over the Caps last season here.
After having grown up in LA, able to get back to Staples every so often (saw the last Legends Night game vs. Minn last season). Driving down to Carolina in Feb too.
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wavesinair Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 11:21 am
@ponch0v,
Must be nice being able to (fairly easily) travel to other arenas. All we have here, as you know, is the ducky pond.
ponch0v Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 11:31 am
@wavesinair,
It is, just don’t have many east coast games this year. Would rather get to see all the home games though.
Have to deal with all the jackass fair weather Caps fans here…
Good to see a little scoring from everyone.
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Good to see a little scoring from everyone.
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Voynov looks like he needs a little more time in Manchester. Can’t wait for Doughty to get back. This team is as solid as I have ever seen it.
We rip on Deano a lot in here, but bringing in Mike “Kramer” Richards was a brilliant move.
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puck73 Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 11:28 am
@Tyler, I agree, a little more time in Manchester wont hurt this kid but make no mistake about it, like Hickey, this guy will be an NHL defenseman, and that time is not very far away with his speed and Hockey IQ.
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I have to eat a little crow here. After carping about Westgarth’s lack of offense, that was a really nice pass on Clifford’s goal.
I hope we see Bernier soon. Quick is hot, but we don’t want a repeat of the letdown from two years ago at the end of the season.
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@Dominick, I would probally start him both,seeing how both teams are divison and the Kings proved a good start helps your playoff chances, so you tried to ride him as long as you can right now and rest him when your playing the east or the first game of a road trip.
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im not sure but i dont think Mike Richards has scored yet… cant wait for his first goal. Hes close though. thats for sure.
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FoKus Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 11:14 am
@Jefreyryan, he scored the game tying goal with 5 minutes left in the third against the Rangers the first game of the season. it was a sick goal. it won’t be his last sick goal of the season either.
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goldielocks Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 11:16 am
@FoKus,
Haha, you beat me.
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goldielocks Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 11:15 am
@Jefreyryan,
He scored the game tying goal on the season opener vs Rangers.
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AZ King Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 11:16 am
@Jefreyryan,
Nope no goals yet. That whole line is still developing chemistry (they’ve only had 3 games together after all), but it looks like it’s getting there. Hopefully the results will come soon.
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AZ King Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 12:52 pm
@AZ King,
oops totally forgot about that goal. For some reason that still seemed like preseason.
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Jeff Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 11:20 am
@Jefreyryan, He has 1 goal and 4 assists in 6 games.
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RobSD Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 2:56 pm
@Jefreyryan,
He’s a set up man! I would be fine with him having 90 assists. Once again… PP goal from down low. It’s amazing to me how long it took for them to change up the lame PP. Getting into the zone to set up is still an issue though.
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the kings game this year is way more composed than last year. last year how many times the kings would score only to give one back in short order .This team is ready and on the way to the next step the cup.Richards is so quiet and confident it`s scary.Think quick will get 3 shut outs in a row but will take just a win as quick calls his last 2 goose eggs ,” just wins “dam i love this kid.
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wavesinair Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 11:19 am
@frazier king,
Added speed and skill = getting out of jams easier. It is so great to see this club come together the way it is so early in the season with so many new faces.
DL did a bang up job this summer. And acquiring MR was nothing short of coup. Love Simmonds and would have loved to see Schenn grow, but as slogan goes…our time is NOW!
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That is now 2 almost completely FLAWLESS hockey games in a row now. Quick has looked flat out spectacular, if this kind of play is going to be the standard for this year, I think it’s going to be a HUGE season. I’m so happy to have a team that can dominate like this, it’s beautiful.
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KC23 Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 3:06 pm
@Nyck, They weren’t that flawless, but Quick has a way of making them look that way.
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Paul Bisonnette of the Coyotes needs a disciplinary hearing for his blindside hit on Voynov in i believe the second period for his interference penalty.
That hit was exactly what the NHL is trying to get rid of using suspensions as a consequence. Perhaps if the kings got some exposure then Bisonnette would receive a hearing. NHL.com had zero headlines on Quick’s back to back shutouts. Ridiculous!
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puck73 Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 11:30 am
@FoKus, Didnt see it. I recorded the game so I will go back and look for it, thanx.
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RobSD Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 3:00 pm
@FoKus,
I almost posted the exact same thing. We beat Philly and it’s all Kings… we get back to the west and we don’t exist again. Very rare to have two shutouts in a row… not a single article on the Kings in the past few days.
Is it me or are teams on fire this year?
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Is could be a coincidence, but does anyone else see a connection between Voynov’s 1st 2 games and 2 straight shutouts? Sure the goalie is pretty good, but . . .
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puck73 Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 11:33 am
@Gene-O, Voynov was a plus 21 last season, and is already a plus plyer in 2 games with the big club. Make no mistake about it, its not a coincidence and pretty soon Dean Lombardi and Terry Murray wont be able to look him in the eye and say no.
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Deke'r Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 2:44 pm
@puck73, So your saying Voynov’s stellar play is the reason for the shutouts? I thought he played well but not really sure it was his presence that made it so, it’s not like Quicker just sat in the crease and watched the games. The team wins and the team loses.
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Kopi getting love on Yahoo!
http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_ylt=ArsIntAYPDiKpCCkglRkKs97vLYF?slug=nc-cotsonika-3periods_kopitar_tavares_kesler_102011
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KC23 Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 3:11 pm
@vplaza, nice piece on Kopitar.
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We need to play Bernier more.
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puck73 Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 11:35 am
@RobSD, I am glad that someone on this site is finally showing some common sense and reason
Respectfully Yours Jim “@poorman” Trenton.
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RobSD Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 11:42 am
@puck73,
LOL, RIGHT? How did Murray come up with this playing the hot goalie thing? He must have had a team from NASA working on that one. Quick is the next Hasak and is only getting better. How awesome is it we have a goalie that we can probably have for 15 years like Broduer.
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Tyler Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 2:53 pm
@puck73, Is this the real Poorman? If so, I spent a lot of nights in high school listening to you on loveline. Sushi bar, anyone?
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the team is gaining confidence every game…a long way to go still…but the last three games have been very positive…
the monarchs are making some noise in the minors early on….even though they have dropped two-in-a-row, the team is first in the league scoring and penalty minutes through six games so far…loktionov is leading the team…and league…in scoring with 3/7/10/+9…and martin jones has a 3-2 record to go along with a stellar 1.82 gaa and a .936 save percentage…
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wavesinair Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 11:37 am
@variable,
The Kings…Monarchs West!
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I still dont get why some people doubt JQ:
“– Jonathan Quick stopped 28 shots to win his 100th career NHL game in goal. For the season, Quick has a 4-0-1 record, a 0.97 goals-against average and a .967 save percentage. He became the third Kings goalie — after Rogie Vachon and Kelly Hrudey — to reach the 100-win plateau, and has reached it the fastest, in 185 games (23 of Quick’s wins have come through a shootout). Quick also now has 16 shutouts, tied with Jamie Storr for second-most in franchise history. Vachon’s team record is 32 shutouts.”
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RobSD Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 12:03 pm
@Ari,
I agree. He has been at the top of the league in stats the last few years. I think it is because in the playoffs we expected more. 2 years ago he was awful. Last year I thought he improved but didn’t play like the super stud we all expected. If I had to pick between the two I would pick JQ over JB every time. If Quicker can settle down in the playoffs and play like he does in the regular season we will go deep, John Holmes style.
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DFW King Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 12:28 pm
@Ari, It’s his mental lapses and tendency to allow one bad goal a game that get people upset. I’ll admit when it happens, I usually scream and cuss and wonder how he can’t get over that. These past two games he’s been solid though. I love quick and know he’s #1 and want him there, but when we’re up by 1 in the closing minutes, I admit I get worried that he’ll let in a stinker.
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MUCH better than watching the CA-AZ battle in college football last night. Yikes.
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Can I just say I am extremely happy with the logjam that is developing at defense. How nice it is to see Voynov come in and not looking like a pylon. We have a wealth of riches. Hopefully we can capitalize on these assets…
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People always talk about a our strong goalie tandem.Please correct me if i’m wrong, but I can’t seem to remember a team that rolled two goalies consistently and won the Stanley Cup. Most number 1′s play almost all of the games for their teams. Let’s once and for all call Quick our #1. I think it is an insult to continue this 1A and 1B thing when Bernier hasn’t proven anything at this level. Love the potential but Quick is already one of the best goalies in the NHL.
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kyle Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 2:08 pm
@iekingfan71,
You’d probably need to go back to the Islanders in the early 80′s. In 80-81 Smith appeared in 41 games, Resch 32 (Melanson played the rest). In 79-80 Resch appeared in 45, Smith 38. In 81-82 Smith appeared in 46, and Melanson 36. In 82-83 Melanson appeared in 44 games and Smith 41.
The proverbial “hot hand” (Smith) carried most of the burden in the playoffs.
It can work, but you need special players to pull it off. I think we have that type of combo right now in Quick and Bernier.
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