Good luck, Jonathan Bernier. In seven starts this season, Bernier is 2-4-1, and the Kings scored a total of 11 goals in those seven games. Bernier was shaky in his first two starts, but in his last five starts, he has allowed a total of only 10 goals. Bernier has been getting even less support than Jonathan Quick. In the 35 games started by Quick, the Kings have scored a total of 77 goals (2.20 average). In Bernier’s seven starts, the Kings have scored a total of 11 goals (1.57). In Bernier’s five losses (including the overtime loss), the Kings have been shut out twice and scored a total of four goals.
Statistically, that would indicate that if Bernier allows more than one goal, he’s in trouble. But no pressure, right? Especially for a guy who only gets in a game every two weeks or so. Still, Darryl Sutter said he expects Bernier to thrive when he gets an opportunity.
SUTTER: “When they go in, they better be ready. It’s no different than anybody else, if you’re an extra defenseman or an extra forward. When you have a goalie who is clearly your best player, then the other guy better be ready when he goes in. Based on how many games he plays, he’s going to have to win more than half his games. Otherwise it doesn’t serve its purpose.’’
Question: Do you like, whether it’s the word “competition’’ or something else, to have the two goalies pushing each other?
SUTTER: “Probably eight or 10 of the top players in the league are goaltenders, and we’re fortunate enough to have one of them, so the other guy better be pushing. It is still based on performance. Jonathan Quick is a guy who has come (up) the hard way. Bernier is a first-round pick. You know what, it gets blown out of proportion. You’ve still got to pay your dues, and it’s about earning your minutes. That’s what the game is about.’’
Well, Quick better stop complaining now! Seriously, OMG, thats mind boggling (unless you are the opposing team’s defense).
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The Puck Stops Here Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 2:02 pm
@DesertKing, Hace you ever ever heard Quick complain? Everything I’ve heard from him about his teammates is usually him giving his team credit for wins, even when he shuts the other team out.
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Bama Kings Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 2:30 pm
@The Puck Stops Here, Ya… I’m going to have to agree! I’ve never heard him say anything. Guy is stand up all the way.
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Niko Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 2:33 pm
@Bama Kings, Yep, complete class. Guys need to start scoring for him if they want him to stay. Better believe he will see some offer sheets if not signed after next season…
Lake Forest Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 2:51 pm
@The Puck Stops Here, sarcasm, LOUD and CLEAR
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DesertKing Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 3:31 pm
@Lake Forest,
Thanks. No one classier than JQ.
Just stop #8′s first shot! I don’t want another highlight real on NHL network…
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ponch0v Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 1:56 pm
@KingsGuy, Was at the game in DC last season, and even though 8 scored on the first shot of the game…the Kings dominated the rest of the game. Great to be there and see the place so deflated. Hopefully they will continue and benefit from the Caps’ tailspin this season.
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Bill M. Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 2:17 pm
@ponch0v, In case you didn’t notice the caps have pulled out of their tailspin, and have started scoring like themselves again. Maybe while they are here we can ask them how they did it…
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ponch0v Reply:
January 11th, 2012 at 2:02 pm
@Bill M., I wouldn’t consider 10th in the East and 22nd in the NHL pulling out of anything. Big deal if they can score if they give up just as many…
LA_1968 Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 3:02 pm
@ponch0v, I was there too. My buddies there were Caps fans. Most of them complained about Ovechkin loafing most of the time.
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KC23 Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 2:26 pm
@KingsGuy, hehee … yeah, always think about it when I see it, but end up smiling because we won that game.
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KingsGuy Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 3:01 pm
@KC23, Other people don’t know that!
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Cruiznblue Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 2:54 pm
@KingsGuy,
I’m assuming you’re talking about Ovi…cause our #8 doesn’t score…
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PRMan Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 3:01 pm
@Cruiznblue, What do you mean? He’s the only guy to have scored in a week!
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KingsGuy Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 3:15 pm
@PRMan, Crashing the net with the GWG!
Kings x Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 4:33 pm
@Cruiznblue, Or loaf
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Who says Quick can’t score goals?
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The Kings have scored 4 goals in Bernier’s 5 losses, and 23 goals in Quick’s 17 losses. Those 2 guys must be pissed at the rest of the team for their lack of scoring. I know I would.
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FKA PakiFro Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 2:16 pm
@CB14,
I hope they don’t go all ‘roman cechmanek’ on the team
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Lake Forest Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 2:58 pm
@CB14, Dude these guys (JB &JQ) are professional athletes, give them some respect. They know they are not responsible for ANYTHING other than blocking the puck from going in. They are not pissed at anyone.
Drama Drama Drama – Marsha Brady.
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CB14 Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 3:06 pm
@Lake Forest, You’re right, professional athletes never get upset at each other. I’ve NEVER heard of that happening. What was I thinking? Pardon me for being stupid.
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Lake Forest Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 3:38 pm
@CB14, I never said you were being dumb, I just think you are creating drama where there isn’t drama.
FKA PakiFro Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 3:55 pm
@CB14,
you guys totally didn’t get my joke.
Please, Berier’s stats are so bad they aren’t even listed on NHL’s stat site. His save% is like 0.88. He is miles better than the goalies we have had previously, but he doesn’t stand anywhere close to Quick
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KC23 Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 2:27 pm
@TheAcaciaStrain, I always get a kick when people use Bernier as the major piece to get a top forward. He hasn’t the stats to get us a bottom 6 forward let alone top 6.
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Bama Kings Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 2:32 pm
@KC23, You’d have to package him with another key piece – DD, JJ, Brown (which I’m against), Voynov or Lok. The first group gets you a VERY solid return. The latter half gets you a 30 goal scorer maybe.
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Just heard on HNIC Vokoun is starting.
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Hey, 1.57 would be an improvement over the numbers we’ve put up over the last couple games!
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Nhl live talking about the Columbus firing. At least that organization takes the blame for some of it, where was Dean? Oh yeah, flying to Boston to yell at the team…
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KC23 Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 2:29 pm
@kings king, DL took part of the blame on himself publically.
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puck73 Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 3:15 pm
@KC23, Thats refreshing to hear because never once did Terry Murray ever blame himself for anything he either did or didnt do. As far as he was concerned, it was always certain players fault for not executing….Must be nice to as good as John Wooden!
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Stagger Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 2:35 pm
@kings king,
And good for him for trying to light a fire under their under-achieving butts!
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This team better rally around Bernier tonight because unlike Quick, Bernier wont take the blame for a loss.
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Ryan Reply:
January 10th, 2012 at 12:31 am
@408kingsfan,
We are all on the same team here. Overlooking the stats presented to profess your love of Quick does nobody any good. Bottom line is, both goaltenders would have amazing records if our team could score.
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Maybe we should start throwing an LA version of an octopus on the ice whenever we score. It’s not like the cleanup would delay the game by a whole lot.
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CB14 Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 2:19 pm
@Kaiser Soze, Hehe, what would be the object of choice?
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Kaiser Soze Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 2:26 pm
@CB14, Right now, I’m leaning towards pancakes!
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BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 2:29 pm
@Kaiser Soze,
I’m waiting for someone to throw pancakes on the ice tonight…
CB14 Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 2:34 pm
@Kaiser Soze, Classic!
Kings x Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 4:36 pm
@Kaiser Soze, Tortillas would work better and they kind of look like pancakes
Banez81 Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 2:31 pm
@CB14, Maybe a note that says, “We know this probably won’t happen again for 2-3 games so thank you very much for scoring once while we we’re here.”……something like that.
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CB14 Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 2:35 pm
@Banez81, Very fitting.
Angry Bird Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 3:10 pm
@CB14, How about Angry Birds?
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Cruiznblue Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 2:56 pm
@Kaiser Soze,
that would have been a good idea when TM was the coach…since he didn’t have the capability of calling a time out. We could have taken that task into our own hands.
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Bernier will score the first goal.
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Good luck Bernie. Hope you’re perfect tonight because you’ll almost have to be!
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Bama Kings Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 2:33 pm
@deadcatbounce, If he has to be perfect, we’re dead. Not a hater on the guy, but he isn’t Quick.
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deadcatbounce Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 3:03 pm
@Bama Kings, Part of the reason why he’s not Quick is because he only plays once ever couple of weeks. Still very excited about his potential here.
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Bama Kings Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 3:20 pm
@deadcatbounce, Quick wasn’t given this job, he took it from JB. And I’m over “potential.” That word is how DD ended up with a contract that might just ruin his career.(See Dustin Penner)
I’ll take my guarantee (trading Schenn for Richards) any day of the week. People think I’m anti-DD as if he stole my wife or something.
I’m for moving assets like JB and DD because while they MIGHT be something solid in the future, they WILL fetch us a real asset now.
deadcatbounce Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 5:18 pm
@Bama Kings, Last I checked Quick was up with the Kings before Bernier, so I don’t see how you could say that he stole the job from Bernier.
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freezer flatten Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 7:13 pm
@deadcatbounce, he will probably have to score also.
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The Kings “offense” is laughable.They pobably wouldn’t score more than two goals against an ECHL team the way they’re playing right now.I feel sorry for Bernier and Quick.
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After a game like Sunday I almost feel embarrassed to say I am going to tonights game, but my defense is it was part of my 10 game flex plan. That’s my story and I’m sticking with it. Feels like being home with your buddys visiting and the UPS delievers some lame infomercial product … “really, my wife must of order it.”
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Dominick Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 2:48 pm
@KC23, Did he say “Here’s the penis pump you ordered sir”?
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Stagger Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 2:54 pm
@Dominick,
LOL. They sell those on infomercials now? I’ve seen the “personal massager” commercials but not a penis pump one. Thank God.
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Dominick Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 3:06 pm
@Stagger, I think it was the Trojan messager I was thinking of. I never ordered one, so I don’t know exactly what it is. lol
QUICKsilver Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 3:05 pm
@KC23, I was hoping and expecting a stinker against the Blue Jackets. you can always count on the Kings to under perform against the teams they should beat handily.
Let’s hope for a repeat of the Canucks thumping. I’ll be there too.
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c4sraser Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 3:20 pm
@QUICKsilver, did the dux really score seven times on these same blue jackets?
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LA_1968 Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 3:06 pm
@KC23, Yeah, I even feel cheap and dirty to watch on TV tonight. You must feel like a whore.
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King Alex Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 3:26 pm
@KC23, I’ll be there tonight too. I was thinking of going to the executive offices with my ticket stub from Saturday’s game against the Jackets and asking Luc for a refund or a complimentary ticket to another Kings home game where they actually show up and play it!
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JoltFiend Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 4:24 pm
@KC23, I’ll be there as well. This time I’ll have the Benny Hill theme to listen to when they go on the power play. At least that will make it a little more entertaining when they can’t do anything with it.
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IceGuy Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 7:09 pm
@KC23,
Dom: Fight on??
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Dear Kings,
You are giving me nothing.
Signed,
Life-long-fan
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CB14 Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 2:36 pm
@Daniel, An ulcer still counts as something to me.
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Kings x Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 4:40 pm
@CB14, My wife doesn’t do it for me. The kings don’t anymore. I guess I have to get a mistress.
Thank you la kings
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The Canadian Press picked up the saga of the pancake man.
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/LosAngeles/2012/01/09/19219696.html
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I’m not sure why but for a long time the Kings have very little presence in front of the offensive zone net. Shots are from the point with no net support. Everything is done from just inside the blue line. Teams lick their lips and block 75% of the shots because they don’t need to collapse and cover the front of the net. Hence, shots don’t get through because they’re b.locks and rebounds don’t get put back in because no one is there. (Kings fan since December 1967)
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PP Anybody? Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 3:10 pm
@plywood, It’s called system.
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plywood Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 3:30 pm
@PP Anybody?, Gee, no kidding! Do you think that maybe the SYSTEM is lacking?
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I for one am calling out Mike Richards and Anze Kopitar. These guys are goal scorers and they need to step up. I refrain from calling out Penner because he is a non-factor at this point. This is not a system, coaching, or personel issue anymore. I dont care if they carrie the puck in from their own net they need to score goals like they are so very capable of.
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Stagger Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 2:49 pm
@408kingsfan,
Yep. They have been invisible of late. They deserve as much blame, if not more, than anyone.
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zulov Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 2:56 pm
@408kingsfan, Like I said, unless Kopitar scores tonight you can’t call him anything but
SLUMPITAR.
After that, if he fails to score in 2 more games, add a D to the end of that.
Finally, 2 more epic fails, and change the A to a U.
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KingsGuy Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 3:03 pm
@zulov, Wow, that was complicated…
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red49er Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 3:38 pm
@zulov, now thats some funny stuff. a bit too much like gallows humor, where you have to laugh because otherwise you’re gonna cry, but very funny, which tells me how bad it really is…
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puck73 Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 3:18 pm
@408kingsfan, Penner a non factor? Couldnt disagree with you more Sir. Respectfully Yours, @Tornado12
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408kingsfan Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 3:31 pm
@puck73, Boooooooooooooo!!! Hey I just got the skinny on the pancake injury of 2012. My gun is loaded with ammo!
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King Alex Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 3:38 pm
@408kingsfan, I agree completely! Leaders need to lead & scorers need to score. I know the Brownie is our Captain & I love the guy but Brownie is not a vocal leader (at least on the ice). Who is our top dog? Who is the alpha male? Who pumps this team up? If we could figure this out and this invisible teammate would rise up, I believe whoever it is could single handedly pull the entire team out of this funk thay have been in. All I do know is that if we are to lose tonight & there is a lack of effort given by our leaders, I swear I will come back to this site a bitch about it because that is all I can do!!!!
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Kings x Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 4:42 pm
@King Alex, Lets not forget eaters need to eat
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408kingsfan Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 4:47 pm
@Kings x, Pancake reference?
stilts19 Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 5:09 pm
@King Alex, I think that Sutter should have taken away all letters and then seen who HE thinks are the team leaders. Should MR be our captain? Kopi? Stoll??? The leadership is NOT leading this team anywhere! These guys need some piss and vinegar instead of this lame smile-on-their-face post game comments about how they didn’t “play their game tonight” BS!!!! I’ll be here bitching with you…
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Damn, that’s pretty sad goal support. Is there a handicap rule that can be applied in hockey for really bad scoring teams?
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408kingsfan Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 2:59 pm
@vplaza, Yes! they are allowed a goalie like Quick to keep things somewhat fair
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vplaza Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 3:13 pm
@408kingsfan,
I was thinking more like the opposing team spots the Kings a goal at the start of the game. Make things fair. Give the goalies at least one goal to start with.
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The thing to remember ……we have never scored goals under this system……
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tornado12 Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 3:08 pm
@neil, our PP was raked top 10 3 yrs ago under the same system…but I agree, you gotta give something to get something, that includes offense. This stuborness to keep what we have defensively and just add in offense, just isnt working for this team.
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Bama Kings Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 3:22 pm
@tornado12, That is because DD use to be a factor. Once the opposition learned his game, they killed his effectiveness.
I’ll tell you what would help – our defense not telegraphing every shot.
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stilts19 Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 5:04 pm
@Bama Kings, EXACTLY!!! Maybe STOP funneling EVERY SHOT ON THE PP to JMFJ & DD!!!! Maybe if Kopi SHOT from the sideway once in awhile!
Dominick Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 3:09 pm
@neil, Been sayin that for years now. lol
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if a goal is scored in the woods, there are clearly no kings there because they couldn’t have done it.
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vplaza Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 3:14 pm
@QUICKsilver,
Or if the Kings scored a goal, would anyone see it? Probably not because it would have happened in some alternate universe where the Kings actually scored goals.
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No Ovechtricks tonight, thank you.
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Dominick Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 3:29 pm
@Capt Jam, Really? Darn! The 1 guy that Richards hates more than anybody else in the league, and always brings Richards “A” game out of him. It’s become a pride issue between the 2 for years.
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Well I had my Pen(ner)cakes this morning, all ready to watch this Kings team tonight. Got my girlfriends little brother a ticket to this game for Christmas (his first hockey game) so please Kings! Score some goals so we can do our celebration and watch the dancing maniacs GOAL video!
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stilts19 Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 5:01 pm
@CastaicKingsFan, Good luck with that one dude (or dudess). Offense? What’s that? haha
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I don’t think thats that bad actually given how they’ve been offensively lately…. and it also grooms him to win some 1-0 games. Imagine what a great goalkeeper he’ll be once he understands that and starts to implement that into his game!
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Thanks for writing this article. I’ve been saying this for awhile now. Bernier’s confidence is going to get thrashed with this pathetic play in front of him. I think it’s absolutely CRIMINAL the way his “teammates” play in front of him. Even last season they didn’t seem to give him the goal support he needed and deserved. How can the Kings actually shop this guy (if they do indeed want/need to dangle him in a trade offer) and expect to get a high return when his numbers look like crap? This team has NO identity, IMO. No chemistry. There is an intangible here that is desperately missing from this team. I really can’t see how they can make the playoffs with such a schizophrenic offense… Dear Kings Players, HELP OUT BERNIE!!!!
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A few weeks ago someone joked about throwing hats on the ice if the Kings scored three goals in a game. I thought that was pretty funny. Now I’m thinking we should throw hats on the ice if the Kings score A goal. Maybe I’m just bitter because I took my kids to their first game, and it happened to be that Columbus debacle on Saturday. That’s what I get for trying to pick a game they would win.
Quick and Bernier are both great. Here’s the math:
Kings minus Quick equals Columbus (minus one goal per game).
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