It’s hard to say whether there was more relief or excitement among the Kings after Dustin Brown’s shootout-winning goal. Teammates swarmed Brown and followed him around the ice to give him playful pats and hits, and there was some joy in the locker room as well. What was the key aspect of the Kings’ shootout victory over Toronto last night? I’ve presented three options, and you can vote for your choice as well…
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For those who enjoy the traditional game recap, you can read it by clicking here.
Brown had a great game. I can not believe all the past posts about him not deserving the “C.” He always shows up to training camp in top shape and plays with heart in every game. Captain leads the way….
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Jake1000 Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 8:28 am
@LA67, I agree ! Those bandwagon KIngs fans wants Brown captaincy remove from him, but I always believe this is not the issue. It shows they just love the Kings when the team is winning…but when the team struggles they
‘ll start showing their true colors. Brown shows up and plays with a lot of courage.
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Keeper Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 8:55 am
@Jake1000, Bandwagon fans? What if it was someone following the teams way before you? Not saying I am, but when we go on long losing streaks and he doesn’t step up and do something about it, he shows he shouldn’t be captain. You need a leader in the locker room and last I heard it was Greene doing the talking and it was Greene who called that last players only meeting. Hit harder…get in a fight…anything! Just show you’re a leader. If Brown would show up more like last night, people would shut their mouths.
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SDGolfer Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 12:09 pm
@Keeper, Just because you “heard” Greene speak up, doesn’t mean Brown didn’t say anything.
King Cobra Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 8:58 am
@Jake1000, First off I am super stoked on the play of the team last night! Brown played amazing. I am the most loyal hard core Kings fan on the planet, but I think Dustin Brown would play better and more consistent without the C.
I would like our best player Mike Richards (o.k. co-best player with Kopi) to be captain. He is a solid natural leader and is perfect for this job. This does not make me a bandwagon fan, i just see it different. All props to Brownie, the guy is awesome!!
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Keeper Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 9:50 am
@King Cobra, Thank you!
fsd1 Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 9:01 am
@Jake1000, I agree with you
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SpreignedAnkle Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 10:10 am
@Jake1000, I don’t think fans “bandwagoning” and people saying whether or not Brown deserves the C have nothing to do with each other.
I don’t have an opinion either way, because I’m sure people who are actually intimately involved with the team would be able to make a far better decision than I, who watch the game from afar. Just my two cents.
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SpreignedAnkle Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 10:10 am
@SpreignedAnkle, *anything, not nothing
DanD Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 8:28 am
@LA67, Yeah, it’s ridiculous for anyone to think that brownie doesn’t go out and give 110% every time he steps on the ice, be it practice or a game. He played a huge part in getting the Kings those 2 points last night. Need to build on those 2 points last night and keep playing like were playing.
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neil Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 9:13 am
@DanD, If Kopi had Brown’s heart……..desire…..etc…..
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fsd1 Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 9:14 am
@neil, Do you really think he doesnt? Tell me you are joking….
WAKingsFan Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 9:28 am
@neil, Wow, that was ignorant. Kopitar has a different skill set and a much different style than Brown does. For ONE example, DB will hit a guy in the corner, steal the puck that way, whereas Kopi will just use his stick to pickpocket and turn his back to the player to position himself and achieve a similar result. Neither player shows more or less desire or heart through this hypothetical play, although to some fans who just like big hits and do not appreciate a skill play, it might appear differently.
MARCA Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 8:42 am
@LA67, Thank you for recognizing the obvious. A captain is someone that leads through the good times and the bad; willing to put it all out there, every shift, every game. More often than not quietly leads by example rather than a soapbox. Dustin Brown is and should be the captain of this team. He carries the heart and soul of the team on his shoulders. There have been 100 games like that where his play was ultimately the difference in winning the game. The guy is so underrated and is a major reason we all have such high expectations of the Kings. GO KINGS GO!
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knowing your best player will soon be back probably didn’t hurt either
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DanD Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 8:32 am
@petemagoop, yeah, i don’t really think something like that makes any difference in the way a team plays.
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petemagoop Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 8:35 am
@DanD, you don’t eh? – turn the tables, if you knew Richards was gone for the season, you wouldn’t think that would play on the players minds? Richards is by far and away the teams MVP and losing him hurts
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DanD Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 8:48 am
@petemagoop, As a professional athlete, you can’t dwell on things that are not within your control. Hockey is as much a mental game as it is a physical game, and if your head is not in the right place, you’re just simply not going to succeed. The mentality of a hockey player is always the game at hand, nothing else matters.
Marbles Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 8:48 am
@petemagoop,
+1 Richards is key to the Kings success.
petemagoop Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 8:50 am
@DanD, they’re also human
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paul03 Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 9:10 am
@petemagoop,
Last years playoffs?
Clifford also seemed to be returning to his former edgy self, adding that element of grit and unpredictability which every teams needs. When Clifford drops the gloves, the Kings usually get busy.
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Michael J. Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 8:31 am
@DesertKing,
I’m not sure that I want this kid fighting. he does not protect himself and I don’t want to see him hurt.
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DanD Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 8:36 am
@Michael J., those are the sacrifices you make as a hockey player to help your team. Never want to see Cliffy back down from a fight at the right time.
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GregDM Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 8:42 am
@DanD, I think “right time” is the key. We should be in fights when we are down in games, not when we’re in the lead. Westy and Cliffy have done a poor job getting guys to go when we need a momentum shift.
miracle.on.manchester Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 8:43 am
@DanD,
I hear ya about the sacrifices but KFC needs to work on defending himself and stop trying to go toe-to-toe all the time.
KFC will be a better player throughout his career as an antagonist (like a brendan morrow) and does not need to be throwing and receiving haymakers. Remember the kid is only 20 and is still trying to refine his overall game.
But that being said, I like the fight the Kings had in them last night as it appeared the Kings were ready to literally fight for those 2 points.
Michael J. Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 9:14 am
@DanD,
Fighting is fine. Taking a beating like Cliffy did in his final two fights last year is not.
40YearKingsFan Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 9:08 am
@Michael J., I agree in that I don’t want to see him fighting the other team’s heavyweight. An occasional scrap with a middleweight when it’s necessary is fine and he’s pretty good at it. But like you said, Clifford gets hit way too much when he’s dealing with a true enforcer. He’s game, but he shouldn’t take the abuse because he’s valuable in other areas. If we need someone to take a beating, that’s what Westy is on the payroll for. Why Westy is skating around giving us 10+ minutes of hockey every night and taking 2 minute penalties is what confuses me. Does anyone have the lowdown on how Sutter has historically handled the enforcer role?
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paul03 Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 9:21 am
@40YearKingsFan,
Never like to see players injured but always like to see players stick up for eacother.
So fighting at the right time is needed.Westy should be sent out when other team players are taking runs at kings players.
WAKingsFan Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 9:30 am
@Michael J., He is a Rocky Balboa fighter… Blocking punches with his nose, and with grit and spirit to boot.
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to be only 3 points out of the playoffs and playing has ****** has they have been , is OK in my books
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Lake Forest Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 8:50 am
@petemagoop, How many books? jk
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Where are the h8ters? Doughty’s been playing great hockey for the past couple of weeks, but I’m sure you haven’t noticed that because you are too busy crying about how much money he makes.
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DanD Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 8:52 am
@Tyler, Amen brother. People need to stop being butt hurt about him holding out already, it doesn’t do them any good and it’s just annoying. He has been a stud the last few games, and I think under Sutter he’s only going to get better.
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fsd1 Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 9:03 am
@Tyler, Most haters are only here if we lose, game story has up to 1000 after losses, 400+ after wins, haters dont have much to say after a win, they be out checking the axles on the bandwagon they are riding on.
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40YearKingsFan Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 9:12 am
@fsd1, Great stat! I never even noticed. Glad I’m here after both!
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DesertKing Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 9:07 am
@Tyler,
DD gets paid? Wow,I always thought he did this for free
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Gustavo Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 9:15 am
@Tyler,
DD played great last night, not for the last few weeks. I don’t care what Jim Fox says. Over the past few weeks, DD has taken horrible late game penalties. Doesn’t Jim Fox see that?
He hasn’t during the last COUPLE OF GAMES. Defense men are not expected to do that.
Hope his game stays on track. The team needs his offensive skills, but not by at the expense of undisciplined late game penalties that cost momemtum, precious points and entire games.
The same could be said of JJ and his turnovers. Thank god willie is back!!
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DanD Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 9:53 am
@Gustavo, I think i’ll take Jim Fox’s word for it. Stupid, late game penalties is a very relative term. The other things DD is doing more than makes up for anything like that.
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Other: Finally got the cycle going!
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i heard that Brownie & Greeners called for a ” Players only ” meeting ” it seemed to do some good, not because they won, but the fact that they were doing the things that help them come together as a team!!!!!!!!! accountability,cycling the puck, shot mentallity! and oh yea, did i mention the fight! all in all …a great effort GO KINGS GO!
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DesertKing Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 8:45 am
@seanster48,
I hate those “players only” meetings. they never let us fans in
Seriously, if they did, it definitely showedlast night as they seemed to have returned to playing for each other rather than for themselves.
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40YearKingsFan Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 9:15 am
@DesertKing, I agree. It seems kind of rude. Maybe we should have an “insiders only” meeting and exclude them and see how they like it.
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SpreignedAnkle Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 10:14 am
@40YearKingsFan, that sounds fun, thought I’d be afraid that there’d be too much w(h)ine.
I have always liked Brown as the Captain. But I have a feeling that Sutter may change the who wears the letters in the group. I hope I am wrong.
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miracle.on.manchester Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 8:49 am
@Kings Fan Vancouver, WA,
New coaches rarely change letters midseason unless the team was really in the tank.
The Kings only need some butt-kicking in the right direction, not a total overhaul.
Besides, DB and MG pulling a players-only meeting shows they are doing their off-the-ice job and it seemed to work, for at least last night’s game.
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DanD Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 8:53 am
@Kings Fan Vancouver, WA, What gives you this feeling that Sutter is going to strip him of his C?
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40YearKingsFan Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 10:00 am
@Kings Fan Vancouver, WA, I’m thinking Sutter will look to leave whatever chemistry the Kings have in place and build chemistry, in a tough love sort of way, where it is lacking. I don’t think Dustin Brown is the perfect captain, but walking in the locker room and ripping the C off his sweater won’t accomplish anything for Sutter and I give him credit for being a lot smarter than that. Now, he may clearly define to the team exactly what his expectations are of a captain and hold Brownie to it, but that’s just good communication. Just my thoughts.
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This game was all off the above: Team effort, Brown leading the way and Quick staying sharp. Let’s keep this up boys!
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petemagoop Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 8:53 am
@Marbles, I like Pens play of late
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Just want to say great job last night guys. 65 minutes + of playing with guts, playing for your mates, playing with urgency and passion. Fighting for every puck!
This is the team I love!!
Let’s bring in like this every night and we are good to go – Kings Go!!!
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Pesimist me: The kings only got to three goals is dues to a shootout. Plus there first goal was a due to a fluke bounce and second should have been offside.
Optimist: When you create the amount of scoring chances the kings did you are bound to get a couple of bouces go your way. 2 points is huge. Way to Go.
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petemagoop Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 9:13 am
@Perro, 40 plus shots four out of the last six games – you’re gonna get the odd bounce going your way
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Perro Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 9:25 am
@petemagoop, Seems liek we are doing good in the shots on goal category. Wonder where we sit in the league’s average per game.
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40YearKingsFan Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 9:27 am
@Perro, You hit the nail on the head when you say the scoring chances are picking up. They got shots last night from dangerous areas because they were moving their feet and the offense seemed more fluid. When, for the most part, all you’re doing is cranking up slappers from the blue, I think the shots on goal statistic is very misleading and for a while there (prior to last night) that’s what they were doing. They worked hard and created quality opportunities last night.
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The team looked more like their “old” selves. Brownie played great I wish he had been playing like this all season. Doughty also had a strong game. It was nice to see them be able to cycle and actually hold on to the puck. The guy that just kills me though is Gagne. I know he made a nice assist, but besides that he just seems a liability especially for the money he is getting. The 2nd goal was his fault and any 1 vs 1 battle he was in he woul lose. He seems to have caught Penneritis.
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I have put up numerous posts about Penner in the past, almost all of them negative. Now it is time to step up and be an adult…….The guy has really impressed me the last several games, particularly last night. He made some great plays, several very sharp passes, and seemed to be energized the whole game. I actually now look forward to seeing him on the ice, which is a huge change in my perceptions about the guy. I hope he makes me eat more and more crow…
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Michael J. Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 9:27 am
@rick,
He’s finally healthy. I noticed him using his size the past few games very well, even on simple things like shielding the puck from an opponent to get a puck deep in the zone. He seems to have some hockey smarts too.
One more reason to think that a HUGE turn-around is coming.
GKG!
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WAKingsFan Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 9:32 am
@Michael J., He has decided to be a power forward in the NHL, and to not become that powerful #3 hitter on his local bar’s softball team. (Thank you DL)
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Michael J. Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 9:37 am
@WAKingsFan,
It does help to have a healthy groin when skating is an important part of your job. I think its comparable to trying to play the saxaphone with a cast on one hand. You can try, but its probably not going to sound very good.
WAKingsFan Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 9:52 am
@WAKingsFan, If the cast is on the right hand… I can play a mean left handed sax
nykingfan Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 9:29 am
@rick,
I’ve been the same way with him, but his play now is what we were expecting when the trade was made.
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seanster48 Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 9:51 am
@rick, dont forget, if im not mistaken, this is Penners contract year so IMO, its in hi$ be$t intere$t to bring up his $tat$!
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TeamJMFJ Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 10:48 am
@rick, im right with you….BRING ON THE CROW!
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SpreignedAnkle Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 10:17 am
@rick, It’s funny to me, because he looks as slow as hell due to his size, but he’s been beating people to (and off of) the puck. It blows my mind, but I like it.
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Frankly, this was a lucky win. Lucky bounce, bad call on offside, or it’s 2 – 0 Toronto. Yes, the Kings had great puck possession. But they only scored 2 goals on 42 shots. They make every goalie look like the second coming of Roy.
Don’t get me wrong, I love that they won. But nothing has been fixed. This is still a horribly offensively challenged team that scored on five percent of their shots. Five percent. It’s really kind of scary.
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fsd1 Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 9:25 am
@Donald_S, did you tape the game? If you did then do me a favor and watch it again. The last 2 periods were the best 2 periods of hockey we have played in a long long time. You create your own “lucky” bounces. Lucky win…HA
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Michael J. Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 9:30 am
@Donald_S,
Too bad you didn’t get a chance to watch the game. If you had yopu would have seen the Kings play with more confidence than they have in the last month. The Kings were decisive, quick, and strong.
Had that 2nd goal been called for an offsides I’m confident the Kings would have found a way to get another.
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nykingfan Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 9:34 am
@Donald_S,
You do realize that the guys between the pipes are NHL caliber goalies who’s sole job it is, is to stop the puck from going in?
All you can do is get the pucks on net and try and create traffic and mayhem in front.
Very few goals are scored via the spectacular play.
The Kings did exactly what they needed to do. They did enough to come away with 2 points.
I don’t cafre how manyw e score as long as we’re the ones getting the points.
It’s been bad enough around here for a while…lets not knit-pick when they played perhaps their best game of the year..especially considering the circumstances.
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miracle.on.manchester Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 10:06 am
@Donald_S,
Quick makes a bad give away and Gagne doesn’t shutdown the backdoor or it easily could have been 0-0 heading into OT.
So, the same argument you made about the Kings getting lucky could also be given to the Leafs’ fortune of netting 2 goals.
In every sporting event, there will be opportunities to score and making the best of the opportunity is the deciding factor. JW could’ve missed the net and DD could have either made a bad pass or DB misses the net as well as the Leafs could’ve done the same. But in the end, the Kings capitalized when it was needed and the Leafs didn’t as was evident in the SO.
A win is a win is a win. 2 points in the bank is all that matters!
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Donald_S Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 10:49 am
@miracle.on.manchester,
If the Kings can’t score on more than 5% of their shots we’ll be praising their work effort etc, and they’ll be 12th in the conference on the outside looking in. On average, for every 11 shots they take, they should get a goal. That’s not some pie in the sky dream, that what every other team in the NHL does.
I’m not unhappy with the win or the work effort, yeah I watched the game. But the situation with scoring was not addressed at all in this game. In fact for the season they are now scoring on fewer than 7% of their shots. It’s hard to find a modern example of futility like that. If they don’t find a way to put the puck in the net more frequently, it doesn’t matter if they play the whole game on the cycle in the other team’s end.
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nykingfan Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 1:10 pm
@Donald_S,
I think the shot per goal stat is meaningless unless you factor in the amount of goals you let up.
If your team gives up 2 or less goals a game, does it matter whether you score 3,4, or 5 goals a game?
I certainly realize we have issues with scoring, but to me, the more important stat is how many goals we’re giving up….
The stat also doesn’t take into consideration the type of quality chances you’re getting.
DLB Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 11:30 am
@Donald_S, they have terrible shooting luck so far this year…in other words, every other team has gotten more bounces than the kind they got last night. Offense is still a huge concern, but maintaining possession and generating chances like they did is a big step in the right direction.
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the kings still need a hat trick or more in a game. we cant compete with only scoring 2 goals we can do better…
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Michael J. Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 9:32 am
@jkking,
They won last night. They won Thursday by scoring only two goals. I’d call that “competing”.
Yes, more goals are needed. More goals are coming; this team has too much talent to keep scoring at such a low rate.
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I gave my props to Brown. I thought he was the hardest working player on the ice for both teams.
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goldielocks Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 9:45 am
@KC23,
Bob Mckenzie is wondering Brown might be traded if they don’t turn this around by next few weeks. It’s just a speculation though. I hope he is wrong.
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seanster48 Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 9:59 am
@goldielocks, Anybody from the East coast would easily say whatever sounds good to them! obviously they dont pay any attention to West Coast! he was probably already in bed when the game started last night! i think Stoll would be dealt 1st, Gotta give Sutt’s a chance to” right the ship “
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Dave's a Killer Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 10:22 am
@KC23, There was a feeling of anticipation when the first line and, specifically Brown, came on the ice last night. You could sense that they did indeed pose a very dangerous threat to the Leafs. This feeling has been missing for quite a while and boy, did it make them fun to watch!
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I have a feeling that the way the team celebrated their WIN last night on the ice showed a team that has started to BELIEVE in themselves again! that, combined with new a coaching regime has potential to be very Promising!!! GO KINGS GO!
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I think the guys need to meet up at the 24 hour fitness and get a good workout in. This taking a day off for X-Mas is unacceptable. What these guys got family! The family is the team! Matter of fact they need more ice time. Now is not the time for days off. There’s plenty of time for relaxing after the season is over. I do not agree, nor do I surpport this day off from practice. If there is any team in the NHL who could benefit from an extra day of practice it would be the Kings
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I vote for lucky breaks. And Quick was good to.
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