Tonight’s game story (Oct. 20)

Posted by Rich Hammond on 21 October 2011, 12:11 am

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

Kings 2, Coyotes 0

The Kings are scheduled to practice tomorrow at noon at the Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo.

Comment (RSS) | Permalink

81 Comments

FdoFmFull says:

October 21, 2011 at 12:13 am

Nice job Rich – as usual!
Appreciate the quality of your work! Keep it up!
gKg!!!

[Reply]
Andrew says:

October 21, 2011 at 12:22 am

Boy Rich you are a night owl, get some sleep man you deserved it.

[Reply]
Andrew says:

October 21, 2011 at 12:26 am

`Just soo good to be able to watch your team roll four lines, consent pressure. Great game. Lets get them on Sat!

[Reply]
puck73 says:

October 21, 2011 at 12:37 am

Wow, 2 great forechecking and backchecking games in a row. Where do I start? I thought Matt Greene played his best game of the year. no dumb penalties, good outlet passes, and even pinched in when the opportunity was there. #2 Jon Quick. Once again he saved his best performance in the 3rd period when it really mattered. I am utterly convinced that if we are tied or holding a lead going into the 3rd period that this guy will get us 1 or 2 points guaranteed.#3 Mike Richards. This guy’s hockey IQ on the powerplay and the penalty is unmatched on our team and I am totally convinced that he is making alot of guys on our team play with more confidence.#4 Kevin Westgarth. I, like alot of people have been saying, “if your going to be in the lineup, then DAMNIT! do something! Tonite he carried the puck with confidence, he forechecked well, and was physical when he had to be, and to top it off he mad a nice cross ice pass to clifford for a helper.
Anyway, just some observations. Lets get another division win on Saturday !

[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 5:32 am
@puck73,

Funny..I thought the same thing about having a lead and Quick in goal. We all know about the dreaded 2 goal lead in hockey, but at no time last night did I think Phoenix had a chance. The way they play D and Quick in net, it was a forgone conclusion.

[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 7:14 am
@puck73,

Well said Puck!

[Reply]
Forum Gold Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 8:24 am
@puck73, #10 see’s the ice like another number I remember, #99. GO KINGS GO!!!

[Reply]
ta Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 8:31 am
@puck73, Mike good take and I agree.
Our 1st line looks so amazing!
It appears that Richards and DB are getting more chemistry. Penner is looking a little better. I really like TM decession to play Penner with Richards, as I that Richards will demand the effort from Penner every night and he will get the best out of him.

[Reply]
THEFL Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 8:35 am
@ta, you got to see Penner’s soft hands with that dish from Richards behind the net, to Penner, then Penner to Brown. Once Penner notches a goal…I think he is in for a great season. ANYONE who argues that his speed, physical play, and overall stamina are similar to last year…are smoking something. The dude has been night and day.

Overall…it’s really nice to see this team buy into the common goal of winning a cup. I think that is the locker room mentality. These guys KNOW what they have. No egos. One unit. We are in for a treat this year…and for…what looks it….many years to come.

Kings for life. Win or Lose.

On to the next one.

[Reply]
Forum Gold Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 8:55 am
@THEFL, LA Kings hockey has been my life since 1969 and I am also impressed with the team concept I see. They are having fun out there. GO KINGS GO!!!

Dominick Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 8:57 am
@puck73, Right there with ya puck. Good job on all points.

[Reply]
BrokeKingsFan Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 9:05 am
@puck73, you saved me a post, Agreed!!

[Reply]
Goring 19 Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 9:11 am
@puck73, I agree on all you say puck. On Mike Richards, he has that ability to make all the guys around him play to a higher level. It’s almost like this guy’s the catalyst so to speak.

[Reply]
Andrew Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 10:05 am
@puck73, Thoughts on on the whole fourth lines game, for awhile there it seemed they were to only ones able to cycle and create pressure. It seemed that our 1st line had the puck bouncing a bit too much during the first after that they settled down and made great plays and played thier game.

[Reply]
jason says:

October 21, 2011 at 12:40 am

Quick is 4-0-1
0.96 GAA
.967 Sv%
leads league with 2 shutouts

sorry bernier fans, Quick has other plans of making NHL history

Honestly the saves and skill hes shown this season is scary good.. Hes still young and learning…

[Reply]
James Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 12:46 am
@jason, Agreed. I love Bernier, and I really wish him the best but why want to take Quick out for Bernier when Quick is honestly one of the best goalies in the league?

And, he’s only going to get better. We’re SCARY good this year. And I love it!

[Reply]
KC23 says:

October 21, 2011 at 3:51 am

Daydreaming imagining Brown handing the cup to Quick.

[Reply]
BrokeKingsFan Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 9:13 am
@KC23, Its always been my view that the C give the cup strait over to the Goalie before anyone else. Just seems like thats how it should be. The Goalie is your single most important player on the ice and without him you cant win Squat. If a guy or two on your team dont show up for a night or so alot of the times a team can still pull through but if you Goalie doesnt show up your done! I hope if/when we hoist the cup that Quicker is the 2nd to skate that thing around the ice.

[Reply]
Lead Feet says:

October 21, 2011 at 5:09 am

Forget Kopi,Brown,Richards,Gagne, and the like.
FEAR LINE 4 NHL! Westgarth to Clifford…He Shoots…..SCORE!!!

You can see the motivation and confidence in every single player.

[Reply]
andy says:

October 21, 2011 at 5:36 am

Stayed up for some news on the Kings. Great to hear that are still on a roll,thus making tomorroa’s tlit with Dallas doubly important!Go Kings Go!

PS I noticed Gagne played only 15 minutes against Phoenix that seems low anyone know anything about that?

[Reply]
puddle Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 8:44 am
@andy, No big deal. I think it was just a matter of other guys (Clifford and Penner mostly) having good games and getting extra shifts than anything else. He didn’t have a great game, but wasn’t benched or anything like that.

[Reply]
Sancho says:

October 21, 2011 at 5:42 am

It’s funny how when the Kings are winning and doing well, nobody comes on here to complain!

[Reply]
Token Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 5:56 am
@Sancho, OK, here goes:

Westy in his glorious 4 minutes and change had more shots on net than Gagne and Richards combined in 35+ minutes of ice time.

Bag skate those ex Flyers!

[Reply]
vplaza Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 6:09 am
@Sancho,

Well, when the team is winning, there are usually few things to complain about. Not sure that’s any surprise.

[Reply]
Osaka Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 6:39 am
@Sancho, Here we go. I don’t mean to be a buzz kill but, this was Phoenix we just beat. Weren’t they picked to finish last in the division? I’m just saying it is a long road to go, let’s not over hype this one.

[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 7:54 am
@Osaka,
You can only play your schedule, but you’re right it’s way too early..but all signs look good.

[Reply]
nykingfan says:

October 21, 2011 at 5:55 am

When this team is hitting on all cylinders, I’d be shocked to find a team that can beat them.
After the 1/2 way point of the 1st period after Quick held down the fort, they took over and dominated the rest of the way.
The PP had some real good looks. I liked the way Voynov was active on the PP. He was looking to cut down the middle on several occasions. He doesn’t seem lost on the ice at all. He gives no indication that he’s just a rookie playing his 2nd NHL game. What a talent, but the fact that he has no spot once DD returns, shows you how stacked this team really is.

The top line didn’t have its best game of the year, but that one shift in the 3rd where they kept the puck moving in the Phoenix zone showed just how talented they are.

This game was obviously won by the play of the 4th line…the 3rd line I thought played well, but the energy the 4th line brought woke this team up.
Westy handled himself well against Bissonette and his pass was a thing of beauty. Good job by Cliffy putting the puck on net. He could have thrown it in the middle to Lewis, but he made the right play and was rewarded.

Lets hope they continue where they left off against Dallas.
Imagine playing this way without your best D’man…Hats off all to all the D for some outstanding play. Every one of them!

GO KINGS!

[Reply]
Token Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 6:11 am
@nykingfan, Can’t wait for the Stars game! My first game at Staples this year.

We have Mitchell, the Star Slayer with 2 goals and 2 assists in 5 games.
We have Cliffy with 1 and 1 and a positive +-.
And Penner actually scores against Dallas!

Will be fun to see what Slava can do with J Benn.

[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 6:26 am
@Token,
enjoy the game!!
Benn’s a real good player, but it would be nice to shut him down.

[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 7:46 am
@nykingfan, Very well said about Voynov. Its funny, I thought Voynov was this flashy fast player like Doughty, and thats what I was expecting. The fact is, what he is I think is just a solid defenseman who uses his speed when he has to.
In the last 2 games that he has played you are right NYK, Never once have I seen him schooled like a rookie. In fact, the adjetive I would use to describe him is Subtle. In other words, he is alot better and faster then he sometimes appears.
Lets be honest, this guy was a 2nd round pick, and he has big upside. And dont look now, but the #1 pick for the Kings in 2007 is a plus 5, has great hockey IQ, and is an assistant captain in Manchester, something that has happened to him on every level of hockey he has played on which shows you what his peers, and his coaches think of him.
I watched Hickey in the exhibition games, and like Voynov, he is a plus player when healthy and has a good Hockey IQ at game speed, and doesnt panic when a forward rushes him.
Great time to be a fan of the kings Huh?!!

[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 7:59 am
@puck73,
Ruidiculously deep on the blueline. Deslaurius, Forbert, etc…
Either they’re going to be forming a nuclus that will be young and talented, or they’ll be some chips traded for top forwards if needed.
Right now this team does’t need anything!
Remember the days of DL trying to fill in the blanks on the board with the likes of Nagy, calder, Willsie, etc?
We always hoped that by being patient, this type of team would be formed.
Great Job by DL and his people.

[Reply]
ta Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 8:25 am
@puck73, I agree the kid Voynov looks like he belongs here.
The staff will have a hard decession once DD comes off IR

[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 8:26 am
@puck73, It’s almost embarrassing how deep we are at goal and on defense. God forbid, but if we got 3 major injuries on defense I still think we’d be very tuff to beat. DL is THE man!

[Reply]
IceGuy Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 8:52 am
@puck73,
“In fact, the adjetive I would use to describe him is Subtle. In other words, he is alot better and faster then he sometimes appears.”

Are you describing Voynov or Mitchell?

I tell you what, if this kid does develop into a Mitchell like rock on the blue line, watch out. I think Greene had a great game at Phoenix because he’s been sitting, on the bench or in the box, watching Voynov’s play.

[Reply]
Osaka says:

October 21, 2011 at 6:33 am

Notice JJ is leading all Kings d-men in +/-.

[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 8:28 am
@Osaka, JJ is playing at a completely different level than prior seasons. It appears Scudes is also at the top of his game.

[Reply]
Harty says:

October 21, 2011 at 6:48 am

NHL wake up 7,123 people in the building last night, they couldn’t have covered the electric bill………

Get this team out of there, they will sink in $’s. How do they make the payroll??

[Reply]
tacomakingsfan Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 8:27 am
@Harty,
The owners are probably taking lessons from Bruce McNall.. I’m just waiting to here the sirens now.

[Reply]
Jimbo Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 8:59 am
@Harty, on to Quebec City with this mal placed team!

[Reply]
King Cobra Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 9:02 am
@Harty, Better hope they don’t leave, if they do our guys will be having to fly to Quebec city.

[Reply]
Crown Royal Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 9:03 am
@Harty,

I was at the game last night. There was not that big of a crowd. Probably less than the 7,123 which have been announced. This was the most subdued Coyote crowd I’ve ever seen. Walking toward the parking lot after the game it was like attending a funeral.

[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 9:12 am
@Harty,
I notice that crowd last night. the place was full of empty people.
What a joke. It reminded me of the Islanders arena on most nights Nassau Mausoleum.

[Reply]
neil says:

October 21, 2011 at 7:19 am

any one notice that it seems that the Kings are putting more players in front of the net?? esp Brown….

[Reply]
DesertKing says:

October 21, 2011 at 7:21 am

Didn’t get to see the game but watched the highlights on NHL on the Fly. I have tohand it to those who said durng pre-season that the team just needed to gel for awhile. It appears you were right because we are seeing some great team play, terrific passing and JQ settling in. Getting brown on track with 2 goals in 2 games is huge and if Penner starts putting them in, then we are going tobe great. PP is at 26% and not looking too bad, the defense has improved since the first couple of gamnes and our team looks like it is coming together just as many predicted. Now for the bad news (there always has to be something negative!) – the casucks won last night and we gain nithing in tnights Stars/Ducks matchup. I guess we can only hope that game is brutal and exhausting and then the long flight from Anaheim to LA, with the jet lag involved, will cause the Stars to play flat on Saturday GKG!!!

Has a Kings goalie ever had 3 shout-outs in a row?

[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 7:22 am
@DesertKing,

Sorry, “shut outs” (but “shout outs” for JQ during the game wouldn’t hurt either)

[Reply]
petemagoop Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 7:36 am
@DesertKing,Has a Kings goalie ever had 3 shout-outs in a row?– if anyone comes up with an answer could you post how you found out

[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 8:43 am
@petemagoop, it looks like back-to-back happened more than a few time (7 Kings goalies have had it happen, and I saw one instance where it was Potvin followed by Storr the next night). I couldn’t find a three-game shut-out streak for a Kings goalie…

And I just googled LA Kings shutout record…

[Reply]
neil says:

October 21, 2011 at 7:23 am

a History making event in LAKINGSINSIDER history ………post game quotes from Westy AND Cliffy !!!!!!!!!!!

[Reply]
neil says:

October 21, 2011 at 7:34 am

O = number of goals scored against the Kings with Slava in the line up !!!!!!!

[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 8:17 am
@neil,
Undefeated when Westgarth gets an assist.

[Reply]
trytodethroneus Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 8:56 am
@DesertKing,

…….and when Penner gets into a fight (phila)

[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 9:10 am
@trytodethroneus,

LOL
Chucker says:

October 21, 2011 at 7:39 am

That was the best game I’ve ever seen Westgarth play!!!

It seems like the entire team is playing with confidence and mojo…I can’t help but think it’s because of Mike Richards, the dude just oozes mojo on the ice.

And as we all know by now, Quicker is a Beast!!!

[Reply]
King Cobra Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 9:06 am
@Chucker, 100% on – JJ never has game winning goals before and this year already has 2, can you say MIKE RICHARDS!!!!!!!

The guys is unreal… Giving Kopi a run for his money as my favorite player…

[Reply]
Step it up! says:

October 21, 2011 at 7:47 am

Now…. Welcome to Kings Hockey!

[Reply]
puck73 says:

October 21, 2011 at 7:48 am

Jack Johnson a plus player….uh, er, huh, what ?

[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 8:18 am
@puck73,

Take your heart medication and you will be okay. Remember, breath deep and if you are in distress, call 9-1-1 and ask for JMFJ!!! It can only be good for us that JJ is playing so well and when DD gets back, it is going to be really scary for other teams.

[Reply]
Crown Royal Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 9:08 am
@puck73,

As I mentioned last night, JJ didn’t have a big game. He was O.K. but nothing special. Was a little surprised with DD out I expected him to take charge back there but kind of a nothing game. Voynov was at his best on the PP. He was open down low several times but nobody game him the puck. Mitchell was good on the penalty kill. I don’t like Greene but he played better last night than I’v ever seen him. Martinez was quick and made only one bad read that I saw and Scuds was solid all night. Nothing exciting from the blueline but a solid complete performance from the group.

[Reply]
fsd1 Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 9:18 am
@Crown Royal, isnt a solid, complete performance pretty exciting? JJ played a solid complete game.

[Reply]
Crown Royal Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 10:04 am
@fsd1,

The win was exciting. I’m not complaining about, but rather complimenting the d-men. Just surprised JJ didn’t stand out.

BrokeKingsFan Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 9:20 am
@puck73, hahaha….hows that crow tasting so far I hope he keeps it up but its still early. I have faith though

[Reply]
P90X says:

October 21, 2011 at 7:53 am

Has anyone noticed @Poorman hasn’t been around lately? Could it possibly be that Quicker’s stellar play in net has him at a loss for words right now…….

[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 8:20 am
@P90X,

he has been dropping in and making very positive posts lately, but I think LB is going to be riding the pine unitl our next back-to-bacl set.

[Reply]
Kings Fan In Temecula says:

October 21, 2011 at 8:04 am

Richards was a absolute beast yesterday, love his intensity he brings every night, i think its rubbing off to everybody, little by little

[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 8:16 am
@Kings Fan In Temecula, Thats what I think as well. I think Richards presence has allowed alot of guys to play with more confidence. Heck I am convinced that Kopitar and JJ are clearly better because of him. Well stated, good post.

[Reply]
Crown Royal Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 9:10 am
@puck73,

Yep, Richards is a difference maker for the whole team.

[Reply]
BrokeKingsFan Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 9:26 am
@Kings Fan In Temecula, He is one of those guys that shows his emotions and gets fiesty! you can see it in his face when he gets fired up and people take notice and follow suit. Its something i wish our coach had in him every now and then.

[Reply]
DesertKing says:

October 21, 2011 at 8:20 am

JQ will be going for back-to-back-to back while in black tomorrow!! GKG!!

[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 8:41 am
@DesertKing, Did TM already announce it would be Quick? Wouldn’t be surprised either way.

[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 8:56 am
@KC23,

He said earlier this season that his philosophy was to go with the “hot hand.” Quicks hands aren’t just on fire, they blazin’ like the Sun. I can’t see him putting JB in to get him some work when Quick is playing so well, the game comes after a full 2 days of rest, and the next game is a home game 3 days away. We might see JB in Phoenix or Colorado on the next road trip since those are back-to-back games.

[Reply]
vplaza Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 9:23 am
@KC23,

I’d be shocked if it wasn’t JQ in goal tomorrow.

[Reply]
trytodethroneus says:

October 21, 2011 at 9:03 am

What caught my eye was when Richards and Martinez were 2 on 1, after the shot was saved, Richards immediately skated up to Martinez. Instead of skating away disappointed, I’m sure what Richards said
to him was positive.

Dry Island, my ass!!

[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 2:25 pm
@trytodethroneus, Once the Richard trade was in the books I went back and looked at a lot of Philly games with an eye on watching both Richards and Gagne. Richard can only be appreciated if you keep an eye on him. He does so many … a ton … little things that help his team mates on the ice. A very unselfish player that also has a mean streak.

[Reply]
King Cobra says:

October 21, 2011 at 9:09 am

ATTENTION ALL KINGS PLAYERS – (except Kopi)

Watch the tape of the game (20th)

Study Mike Richards

Play like Mike Richards every night……

[Reply]
Forum Gold Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 9:25 am
@King Cobra, And we wanted Brad who? GO KINGS GO!!!

[Reply]
nykingfan says:

October 21, 2011 at 9:20 am

Unfortunately us center Ice folks were treated to a really poor telecast of a hockey game.
the camera angles in the arena were terrific, but the announcers, most notably Tyson Nash, were so poor my ears were starting to bleed.
Since we all saw the 1 or 2 people sitting in the stands, does that mean that they assumed that only 1 or 2 people would be watching on TV and wouldn’t notice the inane drivel coming from Nash’s mouth?
On the Yotes penalty when they knocked the stick out of Scuderi’s(?) hand, he couldn’t believe they called that a penalty. He actually started whining about the most obvious call you’ll ever see.
Where the heck has he been in the last several years? It was an insulting telecast.
I’m going to see if I can’t get my dog a tryout next year when they’re looking for announcers.

[Reply]
fsd1 Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 9:29 am
@nykingfan, I too have CenterIce thru Directtv, when they are only broadcasting one channel (feed) i was able to switch to the FSW station (692) here and got the Kings braodcast. I live in TN

[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 9:42 am
@fsd1,

How did you end up with the Kings broadcast in TN?

[Reply]
Token Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 9:50 am
@nykingfan, Its DirecTV magic. They feed all the sports channel feeds then block the games as required by contract.

If its an out-of-market game in your geography, you should get the feed if you have Directv.

Channel 692 for FSWest and on rare occasions on Prime on I think 694 or somesuch.

nykingfan Reply:
October 21st, 2011 at 10:52 am
@Token

I HATE CABLEVISION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Most of the games on the center ice package are not HD..thanks to Cablevision.
That offer of 4 pmts of $40 is not offered by cablevision.
Just more reasons to hate the Rangers/Knicks and anything else associated with that POS.

Due to tree issues, I can’t get direct tv.

[Reply]
KingsGuy says:

October 21, 2011 at 11:02 am

I am not a fan of the yotes by any stretch…

Seeing that picture makes me sad. That sucks to have all 10 of your fans cheering you on.

Way to get pumped up…

[Reply]