With the Kings looking to build some momentum at home, the Chicago Blackhawks might not be their first choice to come to town. The Kings are 1-8-1 in their last 10 games against Chicago, with the lone win coming in a shootout. Yes, the Blackhawks are at the end of a long road trip and are playing back-to-back games, but they’re also coming off a huge victory against Anaheim yesterday, in which they scored four third-period goals to beat the Ducks 6-5. Team captain Jonathan Toews led the way with two goals and three assists, not that Terry Murray and the Kings weren’t already aware of him…
MURRAY: “He’s a good player, great tenacity. That’s what you love about him. He’s on the puck, he’s intense all the time. He’s a very serious professional. For a young man, it’s incredible. Patrick Sharp, not a bad game either. He’s a player that can finish when the opportunity is there. So, a good team. They know how to win. They have got the job done, and you can see those leaders really stepping up and taking charge.’’
Still, as Drew Doughty pointed out, it’s a big game for the Kings. They took three out of a possible four points on the road this week, but have a bitter taste after Dallas rallied for the overtime win on Wednesday.
DOUGHTY: “We needed to come up with that win. We can’t be satisfied with getting three out of four points every time. We need to be winning every game against teams like Chicago, and then San Jose right after that. Those are two huge games coming up for us, and we really need to win both.’’
Yeeeeahhh I’m done
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That is the right attitude Doughty. Hope we see that reflected in your play on the ice tonight.
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g smith86 Reply:
November 26th, 2011 at 4:24 pm
@jess, you can compare their attitudes, but not their game…they have different responsibilities…and Toews is a great centermen. He is supposed to score.
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I appreciate the fact that Doughty wants to win both games coming up but then, he needs to start playing better. It seems to me that he is pushing himself too much/too hard where the results are not there yet. He needs to relax and play his game It is time now.
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That is what I want to hear. Perhaps tonight is breakout night for DD. Sure be great to see him flip the switch to put him at that next level we saw year 1 and the end of last year.
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if we dont win these two I will be very mad. No excuses….Chi on a end of a road trip…back to back games for them.We should be extra motivated due to the last game.Win them both or I will be bashing TM more!!!!! LOL !!!!
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KC23 Reply:
November 26th, 2011 at 3:12 pm
@neil, TM will get bashed if we win both games by 5 goals. I’d be very happy if we get 3 points with these next two. Two best teams in our conference. Not an easy feat.
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Lets go Kings! Get the 2 points, send the Hawks home on a downer, keep TM employed, create positive energy that flows through the universe filling everyone with love and hope and save the world from global warming and… wait a minute, reverse, simplify, just win so we can smile at the bandwagoning Hawks fans leaving Staples
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puck73 Reply:
November 26th, 2011 at 3:35 pm
@DesertKing, See ya at 6 at the Gretzky
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kingkrazy Reply:
November 26th, 2011 at 3:41 pm
@DesertKing, GKG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Happy Thanxgiving weekend everyone. And to celebrate this holiday weekend, it is our pleasure to bring to the suite tonite @Dominick, and @ta. See alot of you out there at the Gretzky statue at 6. Go Kings go !
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kingkrazy Reply:
November 26th, 2011 at 3:52 pm
@puck73, Hopefully there will actually be more Kings fans than Hawk fans tonight!
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I don’t think “The Time is Now” I don’t see the Kings as an elite team ready to challenge for the cup yet.
There are just too many teams that are better, more experienced, better coached, just better.
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Who Knows? Reply:
November 26th, 2011 at 3:29 pm
@bitter, There should be an emphasis on “better coached”!
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Osaka Reply:
November 26th, 2011 at 4:17 pm
@Who Knows?, Coaching is fine, just not elite talent.
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KC23 Reply:
November 26th, 2011 at 3:52 pm
@bitter, So far I would have to agree, but stranger things have happened.
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Bama Kings Reply:
November 26th, 2011 at 3:55 pm
@KC23, So, what would you do? I’m being very genuine. I’ve read a lot of your comments; where do you take us from here? I’m obviously a “big move” guy, what say you?
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bitter Reply:
November 26th, 2011 at 4:13 pm
@KC23, Stranger things always happen. Look at Dallas, Edmonton, Florida.
But the bottom line is the Kings still look like a middle of the road team. I don’t see them getting past any team like Vancouver, Detroit, San Jose, Philly, Pitts, Boston. The King’s are still quite a ways behind the best in the league despite our improvements this year.
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Not trying to jinx us here, but, who wants to bet Patrick Sharp nets a couple against us?…. Its almost inevitable that its gonna happen.
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KC23 Reply:
November 26th, 2011 at 3:54 pm
@SBkingsfan, We’ll see. King’s got a real bad taste left in their mouth in Dallas they want to get rid of. Not to mention Chicago has gotten the best of us for a while now. I’m thinking this might be our night.
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SBkingsfan Reply:
November 26th, 2011 at 7:26 pm
@KC23, That’s exactly the team I’m expecting (actually, more like hoping) to see tonight
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Ironically, the last time the Kings did beat the Hawks it was almost exactly two years ago to the day (11/28/09). That victory took place at Staples Center and the night before losing to the Kings, the Hawks played in Anaheim and lost 3-0.
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Did DD cross check the interviewer after the questions?
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The Hawks are still a better team than the KIngs. Their core players have won the cup. Our core players haven’t been out of the first round. How have we really improved? Were all the needs addressed in the off season? I don’t think they were.
Richards trade was a big plus.
Penner trade was a big minus
Handzus leaving didn’t help bottom 6 production
Gagne signing helped but not the difference maker
Hunter adds nothing
Moreau adds almost nothing
Kopi looks better
Stoll has disappeared
Williams looks worse
Clifford looks worse
Lewis looks worse
Brown looks timid
DD off to a slow start
One bright spot so far is Voynov.
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g smith86 Reply:
November 26th, 2011 at 4:30 pm
@bitter, yep so far you are correct. We need to see more from those on your list. Maybe we see them break out of it tonight. The thing that concerns me is that the 3 and 4 lines aren’t even getting to the net or creating scoring chances.
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trytodethroneus Reply:
November 26th, 2011 at 5:08 pm
@bitter,
This team hasn’t had the chance to get past the 1st round, yet. Come back and post in May, after they have.
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