Here’s my LAKings.com game recap for tonight, with stats, video and pictures included. Thanks for reading…
The Kings will be back at it tomorrow, against the Dallas Stars, at 5:30 p.m. Pacific time.
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So why did the Kings wear the 3rd jersey tonight?
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Dominick Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 2:26 am
@NealyBoy, Why not?
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NealyBoy Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 3:01 am
@Dominick, Ok, why did St. Louis decide to wear their away jersey?
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McCheese Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 8:24 am
@NealyBoy, they’ve got a back to back and they didn’t want to wash the road jerseys today
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I think teams are now gonna have trouble deciding who they put their best defensive line against. Richards line or Kopitar’s line … pick your posion.
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StoneKnite Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 10:23 pm
@KC23, I’d clearly try defending Kopi’s line first and foremost, until Brown becomes more consistant and someone steps up in that 2nd line leftwing spot.
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Scot Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 10:30 pm
@KC23,
Amazing, isn’t it?
Makes the numbers that Kopitar put up the first several years of his career even more impressive, knowing he drew the opposition’s best defensemen every night, because with all due respect to Stoll, we weren’t really strong after Kopitar’s line. It’s intangible on a game to game basis, but having Richards also to play against other teams’ top defense pairs every night is what’s contributing to Kopitar maybe having his best season yet.
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Bill M. Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 11:18 pm
@Scot, Am I the only one who gets the feeling that this is just Kopi, becoming all Kopi can be, with help and a little less pressure on him.
I feel like as good as he has been, this isn’t a hot streak. I feel like this is just Kopi becoming a solid, consistent Kopi. I have a feeling we haven’t seen an actual Kopitar hot streak yet. Scary…if you aren’t a kings fan.
[Reply]
Ryan Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 8:45 am
@Bill M., I couldn’t agree more! I had a feeling that injury would put a little drive in him this summer. In fact, I bet a ducks fan that he would have more goals than Perry before the season started. Keep it up Kopi, you’re starting to look like the player we knew you could be!
Dominick Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 3:33 am
@KC23, Kopi’s line gets the other teams best defensive match ups, and Richard’s line gets the other teams best offensive match ups. Sometimes the other teams try to reverse TM’s match up attempts, but like you just pointed out, it’s poison either way for them.
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Did any of those guys complaining about Bob and Jim notice all the errors by the NHL’s top broadcast team?
The huge one being when there was a delayed penalty and the Blues possessing the puck, they thought the penalty was on the Blues? Haha! Before that they called Johnson when it was DD.
Love Emrick and Bob.
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brig33 Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 10:47 pm
@LA_1968, yea i noticed Emerick didn’t know who Voynov was. Don’t blame them, most people don’t get to watch the west coast teams. It was cool watching a game on Versus, but I prefer Bob and Jim
[Reply]
chip Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 11:57 pm
@brig33, They also had Doughty and Johnson mixed up at the start of the game, but I would forgive them for being somewhat unfamiliar with western team.
Heck, Bob called Mike Smith, “Mike Brown” earlier this season. For an entire period. That was amusing to listen to, after reading Jim’s noon chat session, and his answer to a question about disagreements with Bob. During the broadcast Jim would not correct him, but kept saying “the goaltender, Mike Smith…”
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SpencerMaze Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 10:49 pm
@LA_1968, Ditto. Doc Emrick is just plain awesome! Engblom is nice, too. I love Evans but I do miss the Nixon/Engblom duo
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CB14 Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 10:56 pm
@LA_1968, I saw that, it went on for like a minute and they didn’t notice a thing.
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LA_1968 Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 11:01 pm
@CB14, Right! It wasn’t just a wrong name deal. It lingered like a dump.
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petemagoop Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 6:42 am
@LA_1968, you notice Doc knows who Mike Richards is though
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McCheese Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 8:26 am
@LA_1968, they made some pretty silly errors, indeed. It also felt like they were having a St.Louis love-fest for a while on the broadcast.
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LA_1968 Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 9:02 am
@McCheese, It was like a St. Louis home broadcast (centered around them).
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Gizmo Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 8:48 am
@LA_1968, Anyone else notice they were reluctant to mention Loktionov? Even after he stole the puck and made the beautiful pass to Richards for the goal, all he got was a quick mention of a ‘heads-up pass’. Poor Lokti. No love from Versus.
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PurpleBlacknGold Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 9:03 am
@Gizmo, They also mixed up Lokti and Stoll a few times…
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Jim Martin Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 9:08 am
@PurpleBlacknGold, So does Bob Miller at times.
Dave in Torrance Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 6:29 pm
@LA_1968, Late on commenting here, but wanted to say it was fun listening to another crew (besides those we do not speak of in duck country) call a game with the Kings. It seemed to me that they had our back (Doc and Eddie) and I’ve like Engblom since his radio days with the Kings. So I want to give props to Versus for carrying the game. Doc stays excited through the entire game, keeps your attention. Lets get the win tonight against the Stars!
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Attention All TM Haters: Please return all pitchforks, torches and stagehooks to their appropriate racks. Thank you, that is all.
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LA_1968 Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 11:04 pm
@DesertKing, Yeah, they stunk in the first. TM must have changed his whole system which instantly made them play better than the opponent for the rest of the game. Bernier very cool (as usual) btw.
[Reply]
PP Anybody? Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 11:32 pm
@LA_1968, I’m pretty sure that TM’s system didn’t cause the Blues to make bad passes which lead to turnover goals. I’ll take wins any way the Kings can get them, but my matches are in my pocket if they go back on another prolonged losing streak from lack of scoring.
[Reply]
LA_1968 Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 9:06 am
@PP Anybody?, My point is that the players have a lot to do with how things go. How hard they come out, follow the system, their ability, focus etc. Yes, the coach has to motivate but that only goes so far.
colo king fan Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 11:16 pm
@DesertKing,
I’m keeping my pitchfork and my torches til they do something in the playoffs. Then I’ll “think about” getting rid of them.
[Reply]
Seano Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 2:02 am
@DesertKing, Why? The team didn’t play 60 min, again. Without two uncharacteristically bad plays by Jackman (and with most anyone but Richards involved in those opportunities) we lose this game.
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KFII Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 5:52 am
@nykingfan, It seems some people are not happy unless they are complaining. Go figure.
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Shakes Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 6:40 am
@KFII,
That comment is dumb… I mean that’s a good thing to complain about … I mean complaining creates joy but I hate joy … I mean … Umm.. Fire someone!
OldKingsFan Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 8:27 am
@KFII, The more I complain the longer I live. What’s the problem?
Shakes Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 6:31 am
@nykingfan, Until the Kings win the Cup in November some people won’t stop complaining..,
It’s funny people complain all the time that Kings need to steal some games here and there on the road where they are carried by their top studs – because that’s why they are our stars- but when we do it like last night we don’t enjoy the win but rather complain about the details. All teams play a bad 20 minutes here and there. It happens. The key is we had damage control , the Blues only had a one goal lead, and that was probably demoralizing for them.
GKG!
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nykingfan Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 6:43 am
@Shakes,
that was in response to your post..forgot to hit reply…it’s early!
Shakes Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 6:47 am
@nykingfan,
Haha- I’m actually back home in OC for thanksgiving and I’m stuck on NY time.. Hence I’m awake right now
bonvivant1 Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 6:52 am
@DesertKing, Screw the medieval method…I’m going nuclear.
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DesertKing Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 9:29 am
@bonvivant1,
Very funny!
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neil Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 7:50 am
@DesertKing, Iam on the bubble with TM …….but until this team changes the habit of not playing for 60 minutes,I will be less of a fan of TM.This is on the coaching staff….it has also been going on for years..to make the playoffs and have success…you are going to have to bring it for 60 minutes. period.
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Pesus Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 7:53 am
@DesertKing,
Sorry still wont beat playoff teams if you need a bad pass and a lucky bounce to win a game. Unless things change and our attack can create chances we will be 1 and done if we even make the playoffs.
That being said we won 5 of 7 so Im hoping things get better and we get on some kind of roll, and the offence picks up.
Keeping my fingers crossed but not holding my breathe.
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Dang, Doughty, $7 mill. for a whole lot of years. I hope that doesn’t end up being a millstone around the Kings neck. I “hope* he plays like a top 3 defenseman in here somewhere. Right now I don’t know if he’s in the top 3 on the Kings.
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bbb7 Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 11:39 pm
@Donald_S, DD was again probably the worst Kings D out there, a ranking he’s earned quite a few games. he’s reckless, impulsive, and has a very high (and undeserved, at this point) opinion of his abilities. i loved the look on Mitchell’s face as he looked up to the jumbotron after the Blues’ 2nd goal, wondering how the heck a guy was that open that close to the net. DD’s played 12 straight games now, so saying he’s playing catch up from having missed training camp doesnt cut it anymore. I agree with those who’ve said VV should be on the #1 PP, even tho that’s a slap in DD’s face… he needs the wake-up call. Thank goodness TM saw the signs and split up DD and JJ. They are not a good tandem.
Pretty choppy game tonight but they did shut the Blues down in the 3rd, so that’s a good sign they’re on the right track. Still needing something (apart from penalties) from lines 3 and 4.
Bring it to the Stars! GKG!
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Osaka Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 6:29 am
@bbb7, ????? I have been critical of Drew but he played very well tonight. Did you see the game?
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nykingfan Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 6:45 am
@Osaka,
I agree with you…Did we watch the wrong game????
Pesus Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 9:19 am
@Osaka,
He played ok in my eyes, 2nd goal was his man. He watched him skake to front of the net and score. Thats not a 7 mil dollar Dman. Im afraid he will never live up to his cotract. He wanted best player money but he’s not even our best Dman, not even close. Being out played by a rookie. Im sure TM and Fox will have plenty of excuses for him. Frankly Im getting sick of the excuses.
Osaka Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 3:15 pm
@Pesus, I can’t argue with you on the 7 mil Dman because I echo the same feelings but I thought this was a very solid game. Yeah there was a missed assignment or a mistake but he played very intense and very gritty.
bonvivant1 Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 6:55 am
@bbb7, I thought DD played a gritty game. Did you see him knock Langenbrunner on his ass to clear the crease? That crosscheck at the end of the game was suspect but I’m liking his mean streak.
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Cruiznblue Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 7:08 am
@bbb7,
Ill give DD the benefit of the doubt…he will come around. There were times when all 5 guys out there were running around…
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why is everyone saying that doughty will be suspended? i was at work and missed it. can someone fill me in?
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Bill M. Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 11:10 pm
@FRO, Crosschecked Oshie a bit too hard while he was off balance. Oshie went into the boards and didn’t look right after.
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KC23 Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 3:45 am
@FRO, It wasn’t much of a shove, but he crosschecked him right on the numbers sending him face first into the boards. Classic Shanahan suspension material. Oshie was a last minute entry on the line up card. I guess he’s been out with an injury. He played dinged up and that hit looked like he reinjured something in the upper body.
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Pesus Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 9:23 am
@FRO,
The fact that Oshie left the ice and seemed to be injured is not gonna help his case. Seems like the NHL always makes a ruling when there is an injury. So i think if Oshie misses some games Drew will too.
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Ok. Looking at what is working on this team and what is not, I see a BOLD move that might help. This is a crazy move. But TM is currently running with my first “crazy move”, so here it is… disclaimer. I did say CRAZY MOVE.
DEMOTE BROWN!!! wait what? hasn’t he been better lately? yeah. but that’s kind of the point. I’d also bring up another rookie. Yes. I did say CRAZY MOVE.
Gagne-Kopi-Williams
Stoll-Richards-Kozun
Clifford-Lokti-Brown
Moreau-Fraser-Westgarth/Richardson
The first line…well…I don’t think anybody who is watching would change it at this point. There’s good, there’s bad, but nobody (besides TM, I guess) is fool enough to mess with success.
The second line has two vets who are solid defensively to cover for an undersized rookie, and two top faceoff men, a huge advantage for a line that will often face the other teams top line. Stoll brings the booming shot, Richards is just plain dangerous, and both can slip the puck to Kozun who has wheels and a deceptive shot. There isn’t a front of the net specialist here, but thats ok. This line won’t score a lot of ugly goals, but they will pepper the goalie all night long.
The third line becomes an energy line with physical play and some much needed scoring ability. Brown will motivate and hopefully bring the grit back to Clifford as well. Lokti’s playmaking will make both wingers dangerous on the score sheet as well.
The fourth line is all about size, punishment, and rest minutes for the other lines. Against smaller teams we can play Richardson and regain some speed advantage.
It’s technically a demotion for Brown, moving him out of a role where he is really doing fine, but I see them giving away a lot of momentum because we have a bottom six getting hemmed in due to a lack of identity and energy. I attribute that to the loss of Simmonds. And that job was Browns before it was Simmonds, and he always did it well.
[Reply]
King Alex Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 11:52 pm
@Bill M., that is crazy & will NEVER happen. Kozun replacing Brown on the 2nd line = delusional.
Heck, let’s replace Gagne with Toffoli & Williams with Vey while we are at it.
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bbb7 Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 11:57 pm
@Bill M., Kozun isnt exactly lighting up the AHL (4 goals in 18 games, and a team-worst -8 +_ rating) so that isnt happening this season, if ever.
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Bill M. Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 12:41 am
@bbb7, Huh. I thought I had seen that he was second in scoring for the monarchs. Well if he is struggling then yeah, it won’t happen, at least until he turns a corner.
Still, Kozun was just a suggestion to fill the second line hole left by Brown. The core suggestion is that the third line without Simmonds has no identity, and that lack of identity appears to be far more of a liability (it destroys momentum) than any benefit Brown is bringing in a scoring role. Brown isn’t doing a bad job in a scoring role, but his other abilities mean that he might serve better in helping to bring an identity to the third line.
Unless you know some other right winger we have who can bring hard hits, hard work, and front of the net presence to the third line?
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Osaka Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 6:32 am
@Bill M., Replaced by an AHL player? Do you know Minnesota is in first place in the West? Do you know Brown would be the leading scorer on Minnesota?
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I love fans who Say remarks like make kopitar or rich captain -_- . if it would help te team I’m sure it would’ve happen but brownie is a beast and his stats as a king prove it.
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petemagoop Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 6:46 am
@Brian, Richards is doing just fine now, no?
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bmova Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 9:24 am
@petemagoop, Richards is doing fine, and that could be b/c he’s not wearing the C. Just a thought!
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Pesus Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 9:26 am
@Brian,
Who wears the C is not the problem with this team. Leave it alone.
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bmova Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 9:36 am
@Brian, And I think people conveniently overlook the fact that Brown often ranks first among forwards on this team in ice time, like he did last night. He’s on the PP and PK. Yeah lets strip him of the C and/or trade him!!!
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Clifford – lokti- brown does sound like a beast line tho lol .
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Maybe it’s just me, but is there anyway anyone can pass on a memo to Kings management to ditch the black & white LA shield jerseys? It was so great to see the Kings back in the purple and black tonite; they actually had a look of both invincibility and style. It was great to see the old uni’s again, any chance we can switch back to the old style for both the home and away jersey’s? Permanently?? Please???
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KC23 Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 3:47 am
@Moondoggie, +1
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Shakes Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 6:34 am
@Moondoggie,
Or at least don’t change our 3rds next season as I fear they might. Our purple and black jerseys are so simple yet classy
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hip-check Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 8:24 am
@Moondoggie,
I agree they are plain boring. I have been to two games recently and I didnt have same identity as with older uniforms.
We need a little Purple in there for PASSION !!!!!
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Pesus Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 9:28 am
@Moondoggie,
I dont mind the jerseys but would like to see some purple in them
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All I know the last two goals was because Brown made it happen, look at the replays… I would not see who is better at LW BUT Brown on this team. If the Kings go along way in the playoffs we will need a bang up guy to get us there!
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KC23 Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 3:49 am
@Sammuch, You know Brown is a right winger?
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Lucky that time was almost out when that immature Doughty cross checked someone YET AGAIN. Last time this happened, Canucks scored twice on a two man advantage and a major. When is this guy going to get it???
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KC23 Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 3:52 am
@Honey Badger, Pretty sure Shanahan will give him a vacation for the next couple of games for last nights hit. It should cost DD somewhere in the nieghborhood of $170,000 of his salary.
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neil Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 7:57 am
@Honey Badger, my take is this…with time running out(10 seconds or less in the game)DD was making sure the puck was going to stay in the corner…I thought it was a good play though a little dirty…..
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Why all the Brown bashing lately. The last 5 games Brown has been one of our best players on the ice, and against Anahiem, he was the biggest threat for either team in both games. The guy has just as many points as Brad Richards, and none of you know the strengths of the relationships he has with the players in the Locker room.
It’s easy to sit back and play armchair coach, but this is a guy that everyone on the team respects, and his numbers this season are very solid considering the offqual/comp that he, and Richards face on a nightly basis.
Even when we win, you guys try to pick out the leader of the team, and try to knock him down. Totally undeserved in my opinion, and I’m pretty sure if you asked anyone on the team behind closed doors, they would all back DB 100%.
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KC23 Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 3:54 am
@Dominick, I don’t even like Brown that much (as a player) and I don’t get it either. Especially the captain thing. Weird stuff.
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Belexes Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 4:14 am
@Dominick,
Simple explaination = Trolls.
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Osaka Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 6:34 am
@Belexes, Just ignorance, like fire TM.
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Osaka Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 6:34 am
@Dominick, Brown would be the leading scorer on Minnesota who happens to be in first in the West.
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Shakes Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 6:38 am
@Dominick,
I Love Brown… He definity started the season less physical but he’s starting to hit along with his scoring. I suppose people are negative on him because they are used to marking his presence with his trademark big open ice hits and since we aren’t reaaaally seeing that this season (yet) the superficial analysis is they he’s quiet – when as pointed out it really seems like he’s getting his game back the last 5+ games
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Michael J. Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 8:01 am
@Dominick,
Hey Dom, isn’t the NHL just like NHL 11?
Some people seem to forget that we are dealing with people, not characters in a vidoe game.
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Good stuff from tsn on the game. Richards finally getting some props from them. http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=381091#YourCallTop
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I originally thought it would be good to have Loktionov go center the 3rd line, but Loktionov looks like he’s getting real comfy on Richard’s line at LW. They looked very good together last night. One of the few really good games Penner had was playing on Stoll’s line. So now I’m thinking …
Gagne – Kopitar – Williams
Loktionov – Richards – Brown
Penner – Stoll – Richardson
Clifford – Fraser – Westgarth
There will be some who say “Westgarth???” Yep, he looks better and better to me. That 4th line is gonna get other teams to look over their shoulder. That is a nasty nasty line combination.
Moreau and/or Hunter needs to be let go. It’s not working.
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IceGuy Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 7:39 am
@KC23,
Most know that I am not a huge advocate for Westgarth, but I have to be honest here. He played well last night in his role. Yeah, that’s coming from me. I agree that Fraser & Westy seem to go well together, and adding Clifford would make it a very tough line to play against.
But, then again, moving Cliffy down opens up the sinkhole of what do do with/about Penner.
If I may make any suggestion here, it would be for Murray to concentrate on 3 & 4, and leave 1 & 2 alone for a few games. Let the top lines play together more, and find the combinations that make 3 & 4 an asset.
Just sayin’.
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neil Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 8:01 am
@IceGuy, Iam also not a fan of Westy BUT…..he played his role really good last night.TM rewarded Westy with quality minutes in the last period.I would ask the TM…was the third period minutes a reward for playing well or is the coach trying to give the 4th line confidence so they will play even better???? To me it was risky having Westy out there with less then 10 minutes left in the game but it worked out. Could you imagine if the Blues scored and the 4th line was out there……
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Jim Martin Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 9:16 am
@KC23, Moreau just doesn’t get enough ice time. He should be on the line with Fraser and Clifford. Hes a good skater and shows some grit.
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Sorry to go down this road folks, but it seems like half the time that Doughty is being discussed, it’s about another ill advised play. That is not what I expect from a player on his salary. It would be fantastic to be talking about game changing plays that benefit the Kings. The last one was a cross check on Kesler. Now it’s a very unnecessary cross check on TJ Oshie w no time left that will earn him a suspension. What’s the next one. I didn’t like the holdout thing as so many didn’t, and if this carries on I’ll like it even less.
Sorreee but that’s just what I feel. When will a wee bit of maturity start to seep into his game?
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KC23 Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 11:15 am
@number 6, I’m liking DD less and less. His BS skipping of training camp for the sake of greed and his very average play and now that cheap shot last night.
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Osaka Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 3:18 pm
@number 6, Kesler hit was BS but the Oshie hit was a good play.
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number 6 Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 3:20 pm
@Osaka,
Well thankfully you aren’t in control of the nhl, because if that passes as a good play, I’d rather not see the bad plays.
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Osaka Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 3:52 pm
@number 6, Turn hockey into soccer?
I love the way they came back from a poor start and took the play in the 2nd and 3rd periods. We earned all of those PP opportunities by working hard and hustling.
Bernier was outstanding! Great comeback from a terrible 1st goal and help get us a much needed 2 points.
Mike Richards is a complete stud. There’s something about the guy that just gives you that comfortable feeling that something goood is about to happen whern when he’s out there.
I like the chemistry starting to develop with him and Loktionov. They can be a dangerous combo for any team to handle.
I’ll say this about Brownie…if he could get a little lucky, he’d have about 30 goals already. He gets opportunities, but the puck’s just not going in for him right now. When it does, look out league.
It seems every night Kopi’s the best player on the ice for either team. He’s so smart with and without the puck. He’s a pleasure to watch every game.
DD’s getting bashed a little because of the salary and to a point, rightfully so, but I thought last night he played a terrific defensive hockey game. He was physical and nasty all night.
No question the holdout has really set him back, but I think we’ll see the old DD shortly and on an every night basis. I also don’t belive the hit warrants a suspension. The correct call was made on the ice.
One of the few negatives..I didn’t like JJ’s game at all last night.
I think tonight you’ll see Ritchie and Lewis back in. Probably Hunter and Moreau out. I really liked having Westy back in the lineup. He didn’t have to drop the gloves, but his presence was felt.
Good win for the boys. getting another win tonight in Dallas would be sweet!
GO KINGS!
[Reply]
petemagoop Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 6:50 am
@nykingfan, DD8 will be out too I imagine
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number 6 Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 7:28 am
@nykingfan,
HI Man. Happy Thanksgiving. I have to disagree w you though. They talked about it on Versus last night. Chris Stewart didn’t have a prior history and was suspended. They called DD an honest player, but w that hit, I simply can’t see him not getting at least a game, probably two…. probably not more than that.
Also, gotta take into consideration when it happened (end of game), to whom it happened (a very clean skill player) and where on the ice, back turned about 3-4 ft from the boards, right at the numbers.
Yes, they did turn it around fortunately. They looked very very poor in the first period, but amped it up later. Well done by them. Even that being said, I’m really asking myself, how many games can possibly pass before a third or fourth liner scores a goal? This is getting to be a bit much. The scoring is still way to weighted towards Kopi and Richards. But MR is one fine hockey player.
Anyways, take care of yourself. We’ll compare notes later post Shanahan.
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nykingfan Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 7:53 am
@number 6,
Happy Thanksgiving buddy!
You might be right about the suspension..I personally didn’t think so. My thinking has more to do with when it occured. St.Louis had full pressure on us trying to get the tying goal. He took the guy out of the play and while it was a cross-check, I didn’t think the force behind it seemed all that much. In all honesty, it’s kind of hard to determine the force while watching on tv.
It should be an interesting call…If he’s suspended I’ll be pissed, but then again, anything negative towards the Kings I get pissed!
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number 6 Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 8:26 am
@nykingfan,
Now as far as the hit, lets just put it this way; when they showed it replayed several times on Versus after the game I couldn’t allow myself to look at it. That’s not a good indication. Really whether in the first minute or the last minute, TJ Oshie was in a vulnerable position, plus as either Milbury or Jonesey said, this is the type of hit they’re trying to take out of the game. Someone’s gonna get hurt like that, so I’ll be very surprised if there is no suspension…….. but…… we’ll see.
Take care! Catch up soon.
Osaka Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 3:27 pm
@nykingfan, Good post, I agree with every point.
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I honestly do not get why everyone is so down on Doughty. He’s like 20 games into a 600 game contract. He missed all of training camp and missed a few games because of injuries. He’s one of the most exciting players to watch and, by locking him up long term, the Kings showed the entire NHL that they are serious about contending for a Stanley Cup for a long time. Free agents who might not have considered the Kings before will take a second look now knowing that the Kings are committed to winning. That in and of itself makes the Doughty contract worth it.
And yes, I get that he blows it on defense sometimes, but he is a superstar and is well known around the league. And no offense to Kopitar, but Doughty is much more entertaining to watch.
I’m still and JMFJ guy, but I love that Doughty will be a King for a very long time.
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Shakes Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 6:42 am
@Tyler,
That’s such a funny like … He’s 20 games into a 600 game contract. That’s great perspective
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Shakes Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 6:45 am
@Shakes,
Like=line
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petemagoop Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 6:51 am
@Tyler, 20 into 600 – huh, never thought of it like that
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number 6 Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 7:32 am
@Tyler,
Tyler, I can tell you my perspective. First of all I’m definitely not ‘bashing’ him.
He had a hold out to make him the third highest paid defenseman in the league. One is Brian Campbell I believe, so nothing I can say there. That was Chicago’s error. Other than that, we’re talking about elite players like Chara, Lidstrom, etc. Big time leaders. It’s my feeling that when you’re play hurts your team (penalty vs. vancouver, probable suspension) if you’re getting yourself suspended (we’ll see later today) or putting your team two men down the way he did w the Kesler cross check, then you need to be held just as accountable as you would be praised making a big time play.
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KC23 Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 11:17 am
@Tyler, It is likely he’ll earn his pay check … someday. Still waiting. That was a real cheap shot he took last night.
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So true man
They just expect that the Kings will dominate games for 60 min on the road against any and all teams.
St. Louis isn’t a bad team. they came out flying in the 1st period..once we got things settled down, we controlled the play.
To the knowledgable fan, the Kings did what they had to do to win on the road agaist a conference opponent.
To the others…we didn’t play a 60 min game..therefore we suck!
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Shakes Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 6:49 am
@nykingfan,
By the way do you know a hockey bar called the Flying Puck on 31st and 7th like block below MSG- we should catch a game there sometime. They show every hockey game there
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nykingfan Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 7:21 am
@Shakes,
I didn’t know about that place….
Sounds like a good idea!
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puck73 Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 7:24 am
@Shakes, Heard you were in Orangw County right now. If thats true, contact me asap at mikebrnstn@gmail.com this morning and I will send you my cell number, and you can watch the game with me, @Dominick, @Tornado12 at my place tonite if you want Kings fan.
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Shakes Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 7:35 am
@puck73,
dude that sounds terrific! but sadly i’m stuck with the famed pre-thanksgiving family meal night. i’m HBshakes@gmail.com though…by the way, assuming there’s a practice on Friday morning at the TSC, are any of you guys going? I’ve seen the Kings everywhere but i’ve never been to a practice before so my dad and i were planning on going
puck73 Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 8:04 am
@puck73, Just sent you an email @Shakes.
McCheese Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 8:33 am
@nykingfan, Dont forget the Blues were 4-0-2 coming into the game. A hot team that has been nails at home so far this year ( 7-1-1 before last night ). And we had lost 8 of the previous 10 in that building.
Lighten up just a bit folks. Always room to improve ( in lots of places ), but that was a good win last night. Never going to be perfect but this is a results-oriented activity.
Other teams would kill to have a “backup” goalie like JB. Scoring from a the big boys, plus the blue line too. Only 2 goals against for the night.
Give us that every game and we’ll be polishing silver in June.
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trytodethroneus Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 8:44 am
@nykingfan,
I was really amused by the guy who commented “if jackman didn’t have those 2 turnovers, we wouldn’t have won the game”. If that’s the case, “if detroit hadn’t scored 4 goals Saturday, we would’ve won.”
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Pesus Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 9:44 am
@trytodethroneus,
Det Offence didnt need bad turnovers deep in our zone to score. Our offence without bad defence doesnt create scoring chances. Thats why these things are pointed out. Our PP goes 0 for 5 or 6 if it wasnt for a bad pass. You can say pressure caused that turnover but if the puck gets moved along the boards kings dont score. Cant keep relying on bad passes, great goaltending to win games. Maybe it will work against lame teams but wont win you many playoff games.
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On reading through the rumor mill last night I came accross this: Kings considering/evaluating Parise or Jeff Carter…..In play possibilities inhclude Stroll Greene Martinez and picks. Possible 3 way deal amongst the friends–Lombardi Big Lou and Burke. Toronto desperately in need of defense and NJ in need of everything and doubtful re signing Parise. And other part is Richards perhaps suggested Kings try to get his old friend Carter.
Kings need more scoring so who knows….
I just find this fun stuff to contemplate, and there are rumors. Yes I did say RUMORS !@!!
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trytodethroneus Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 8:47 am
@hip-check,
Carter is in Columbus……….did “they” mention that team in the rumor?
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hip-check Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 8:54 am
@trytodethroneus, Yes I know he is in Columbus.. Two separate rumors…
Thanks for clarifying.
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Pesus Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 9:50 am
@hip-check,
Can Carter play wing? Cuz he is listed as a center. We dont need another center unless loki is involved in the deal. But then I dont like that idea. I’d rather go after Nash, or some kind of sign and deal for Parise. Imagine, Nash with kopi, williams with Richards, brown with Stoll. Sorry, time to wake up now.
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Rich: What was the deal with Brown’s check towards the end of the game? I’ve never seen Brown do anything like that?
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