This is the third of four meetings this season between the Kings and the St. Louis Blues, and follows the Kings’ 5-0 victory at Staples Center on Oct. 18 and the Kings’ 3-2 victory in St. Louis on Nov. 22. The Blues had nine full days off between games, the longest All-Star break in the league, but they’ll be looking to keep their December and January magic going. The Blues are in third place in the ultra-tough Central Division but have the fourth-most points in the Western Conference. Jaroslav Halak is expected to start in goal. He had an 11-0-3 run before he lost to Detroit shortly before the break. The Blues are still without forwards Andy McDonald and Alexander Steen, both of whom are recovering from concussions. The Blues have allowed two or fewer regulation goals in eight of their last nine games. For the latest on the Blues, check out the coverage from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, followed by tonight’s possible lineups for the Kings and the Blues…
St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s Blues coverage
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KINGS LINEUP
Dustin Brown-Anze Kopitar-Justin Williams
Kyle Clifford-Mike Richards-Dustin Penner
Brad Richardson-Jarret Stoll-Trevor Lewis
Trent Hunter-Colin Fraser-Kevin Westgarth
Rob Scuderi-Drew Doughty
Willie Mitchell-Slava Voynov
Jack Johnson-Matt Greene
Jonathan Quick
Jonathan Bernier
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BLUES LINEUP
Vladimir Sobotka-David Backes-T.J. Oshie
David Perron-Patrik Berglund-Chris Stewart
Matt D’Agostini-Jason Arnott-Jamie Langenbrunner
B.J. Crombeen-Scott Nichol-Ryan Reaves
Barret Jackman-Kevin Shattenkirk
Carlo Colaiacovo-Alex Pietrangelo
Kris Russell-Roman Polak
Jaroslav Halak
Brian Elliott
good looking team…
hitchcock getting the most out of this bunch…
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centericeman Reply:
February 3rd, 2012 at 4:41 pm
@variable, I think that Andre has worn out his welcome with Mr. Sutter. Can’t say that I blame him the 2nd goal on Monday was a result of his leaving the zone early, amongst other things. But I can’t help but think that his stock would have been much more valuable had he had a scorer on this line. This kid has an awareness of the guys on the ice that is remarkable!!!
Oh well same old rant, we need more snipers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
late out
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These lines are a ploy to shake things up enough to confuse the Blues. What they didn’t mention is that Sutter will be rocking his brown plaid suit and wearing a clown nose. Should be interesting.
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Dominick Reply:
February 3rd, 2012 at 4:17 pm
@40YearKingsFan, “clown nose” Bwaaahhaaaahhaaahhaaahaaa!
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Kingsfanone Reply:
February 3rd, 2012 at 4:22 pm
@40YearKingsFan,
With the brown plaid suit, that clown nose would look sharp!
-sharp for a clown, mind you!
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A video on TSN said that the Kings are looking to get either Ales Hemsky, Clarke McCarthur, Nikolai Kulemin, Jeff Carter, or Kristian Huselius before the trade deadline. I don’t know if that is 100% true, but food for thought I guess.
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puck73 Reply:
February 3rd, 2012 at 4:09 pm
@Oscar Moller’s Beard, Like Clarke Macarthur alot. I think Carter might be too much of a hit against the cap. The guy I like the most, who I think would make a huge impact on both 5 on 5 and the powerplay is Patrick Sharp. Of course, it always depends on the asking price..lol
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40YearKingsFan Reply:
February 3rd, 2012 at 4:17 pm
@puck73, Patrick Sharp would be an amazing pick up. Is that even possible? Why would Chicago consider dealing him? Money? Couldn’t be his production or his leadership.
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FKA PakiFro Reply:
February 3rd, 2012 at 4:19 pm
@40YearKingsFan,
They need defense desperately and goaltending to a lesser extent. I’d love for Lombardi to make that happen almost at any practical cost
variable Reply:
February 3rd, 2012 at 4:25 pm
@40YearKingsFan,
sharp is at a $5.9mil cap hit per year until 2016-17…
i kind of put him in the same boat as i do carter in terms of making things cap-difficult for us accommodating other needs…the kings would have to move a contract or two, even thought they would get some relief if they choose not to re-sign stoll and penner (as expected)…but they have yet to figure out what they will have to offer quick…my guess will be drew doughty, pekka rinne numbers…and will want to sign willie mitchell to an extension in the area of $4mil per…
it’s not that i don’t think sharp is very good, because he is…but he is playing on lines with dynamic players that can take away defenses from him and give him scoring opportunities more often…he’s a great finisher, though…and that’s exactly what we would need…all depends on what we would have to give up…
all-in-all, i seriously doubt that chicago would be seriously interested in giving him up considering that they went to great lengths to sign him prior…
puck73 Reply:
February 3rd, 2012 at 4:28 pm
@40YearKingsFan, I think it is possible. Supposedly Chicago is in the market for a defenseman. Just depends on what they ask for I guess,
variable Reply:
February 3rd, 2012 at 4:33 pm
@puck73,
well, that would mean jj i would think…
Michael J. Reply:
February 3rd, 2012 at 4:10 pm
@Oscar Moller’s Beard,
Not Hemsky… please make it stop….
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variable Reply:
February 3rd, 2012 at 4:34 pm
@Michael J.,
i agree…
i think detroit is hot for him…
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40YearKingsFan Reply:
February 3rd, 2012 at 4:49 pm
@variable, Hope they get him just to save Dean from himself. Plus, with Detroit’s lineup you can step in crap a couple times and still come out smelling like a rose.
40YearKingsFan Reply:
February 3rd, 2012 at 4:46 pm
@Michael J., Yes. Make it stop. Why does that guy’s name ALWAYS come up when we’re shopping for a winger? He’s ALWAYS available and has never been anything to write home about. Wouldn’t Dean wonder why a guy who is always available isn’t picked up by any of the other teams in the league?
Hemsky’s been in Edmonton for 9 years and he’s been on the trading block for 9 years. Is there anything else to say?
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variable Reply:
February 3rd, 2012 at 4:12 pm
@Oscar Moller’s Beard,
imo…:
hemsky – no…too-injury prone…yes, yes, yes – just the type of player dl goes for, high-reward, high-risk – but he’s not a sniper/finisher…great play maker, though…and i think detroit wants him more and will get him…
maccarthur – not really known for his finishing…had a good season last year with the leafs…but i’d pass on him…
kulemin – another toronto player who has dipped considerably from his 30 goal season last year, as he only has potted 3…i’m not sure if we need another penner-like gamble again…
carter – it all depends on what we have to give up…but i still don’t like his contract and he could make things very cap-difficult in the future for us…great player when he’s on his game…
huselius – he can score, but is currently out with a groin injury…if anything, a good dark horse because he played under sutter in calgary and had his best seasons, once eclipsing the 30 goal/70 point marks…not a bad reach…but like hemsky, high-risk, high reward…
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Duncanz Reply:
February 3rd, 2012 at 5:09 pm
@variable, At last I agree with you totally on trades!
I really had my eye on Huselius at one point, but I fear he’s well past his best and injured a lot as has been noted.
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40YearKingsFan Reply:
February 3rd, 2012 at 4:12 pm
@Oscar Moller’s Beard,
I wouldn’t offer much for any one of them.
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Dominick Reply:
February 3rd, 2012 at 4:21 pm
@Oscar Moller’s Beard, Sounds like the universe doesn’t revolve around Toronto anymore. Now LA is the center of the universe, and all top 6 trade prospects will end up in LA by default.
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KC23 Reply:
February 3rd, 2012 at 4:21 pm
@Oscar Moller’s Beard, If DL trades for Hemsky he’s not going to like my comments at next years fan fest. Back away from the Edmonton deals DL, just back away.
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Dominick Reply:
February 3rd, 2012 at 4:25 pm
@KC23, “put down the baby sitter, and step away from the window”!
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puck73 Reply:
February 3rd, 2012 at 4:26 pm
@KC23, LMAO! Must agree Sir !
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edwood2 Reply:
February 3rd, 2012 at 4:31 pm
@KC23, Agree, but if more of the Oilers damaged goods were to turn out like Fraser, that would be a good thing.
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puck73 Reply:
February 3rd, 2012 at 4:36 pm
@edwood2, Fraser has turned out to be too good to be true! lol Perfect 4th line center who has won a cup, has size, compete. and grit to boot.
40YearKingsFan Reply:
February 3rd, 2012 at 4:34 pm
@KC23, Why Deano would consider another “trade” with Edmonton is baffling to me. It’s like the guy who loses all his money, bums some from a friend, and goes back to the same blackjack table.
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variable Reply:
February 3rd, 2012 at 4:37 pm
@40YearKingsFan,
remember…it was lowe who signed penner to that awful offer-sheet and stealing him from the quacks…so if there’s any more reason to be upset…there ya’ have it…(!)
outsider Reply:
February 3rd, 2012 at 4:37 pm
@Oscar Moller’s Beard, Patrick Sharp at any cost!
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puck73 Reply:
February 3rd, 2012 at 4:40 pm
@outsider, Patrick Sharp is 30, and I believe he has at least another 5 or 6 seasons worth of 30 goals seasons left in him. This is someone I would consider trading either Bernier or JJ straight up for.
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variable Reply:
February 3rd, 2012 at 4:47 pm
@puck73,
jj – yes…i could see that, but it might require us to throw in some offense, too
bernier – you can’t trade bernier during the season unless you make a parallel move for a back up goalie because it would be foolish to call up either zatkoff or jones at this point…plus, you are taking a considerable risk if you trade bernier because yo don’t know how the upcoming quick negotiations will go…
KC23 Reply:
February 3rd, 2012 at 5:00 pm
@Oscar Moller’s Beard, I probably like MacArthur the best in that bunch … all things considered. Only 3.2mil cap hit and we get him for next year as well. I like Kulemin 2nd best, but he would be a rental player. Only a little over 2 mil cap hit though.
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“The Blues have allowed two or fewer regulation goals in eight of their last nine games.”
Match that with the Kings ability to go on scoring droughts and we could have a problem.
Lets go Kings, put up some goals tonight!!!
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Kings Cup Reply:
February 3rd, 2012 at 4:18 pm
@Lead Feet, Quick has allowed 2 or fewer in 11 of his last 13. We’ve got a shot.
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What’s worng with steen and huskins?
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Dominick Reply:
February 3rd, 2012 at 4:22 pm
@Mongo88, Concussion, and broken ankle respectively.
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40YearKingsFan Reply:
February 3rd, 2012 at 4:37 pm
@Dominick,
With all due respect to those whose fault it is not, we should do a lot better research and not get involved with any other players who have concussion histories.
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puck73 Reply:
February 3rd, 2012 at 4:38 pm
@Dominick, Andy Macdonald…an Andy Murray special, concussion prone.
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Blues are one of the toughest opponents in their own building. They are going to move the puck quickly to get out of their D-zone. Get physical and pin them down on the board. We gotta win every single 1-on-1 battle along the board. Go get em, guys!
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puck73 Reply:
February 3rd, 2012 at 4:44 pm
@goldielocks, As a Kings fan since 1973, Places like Montreal, Philadelphia, and recently St. Louis are tough venues for the Kings to win.
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Steve W Reply:
February 3rd, 2012 at 5:10 pm
@puck73, It’s hard to beat Montreal home and on the road. I believe the Kings have to win something like the next 60+ games against them just to be even in wins and losses.
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I’m liking’ that second line allot! Would love to see some knuckle sandwiches between The Colonel and Backes.
History will be made.
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an anson carter sighting, as he’s doing in-studio commentary for the nhl network tonight…
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Were gonna have to play one our best
games tonight..If we wan’t to beat this team…
We have done well against them so far this year..
I see it as a tough, big player game..
Not so much finesse as in grinding it out..
Watch out for T.J. Oshie..
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The Ducks blogger on Hockey Buzz feels that the Ducks should get what they can for Teemu Selanne while they can.
I guess the question is, what should Dean give up for 41 year old Selanne who has 16 goals and leads the Ducks in scoring? I would say maybe a #2 pick, or maybe Martinez, Muzzin, or Hickey?
I am just throwing possibilities out there. I doubt very seriously the Ducks would do that kind of deal with their rival, but it also depends on what you are willing to part with, everyone has a price.
Tell ya what, Selanne would make a huge impact on both 5 on 5 and the powerplay. Plus he has experience, and has won a cup.
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