As far as the Kings are concerned, for better or worse the games go on, because they have to play the Colorado Avalanche tonight. Because of the back-to-back games, the Kings (per usual) won’t have a morning skate and will have a team meeting late this morning. The weather isn’t too bad here in Denver, although as you can see in the first photo, there’s still a bit of snow hanging around on the ground. On the right, this is baseball. Coors Field, to be specific, home of the Colorado Rockies. Last night, it was basketball, as the plane got bounced around for a good 10 minutes on approach. Tonight it will be hockey, or, if the scoring carries over from last night, sometime more like arena football.
Last night’s game: Cruel, cruel irony.
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I gaurantee that if the boys score 4 tonight we will win!!! well, maybe… :\
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Gordon Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:49 am
@Stuart, You just jinxed it.
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 11:01 am
@Stuart, I don’t think the Kings have won scoring 4 this year. Could be wrong. However they won scoring 5!!!!!
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Rich don’t forget to wear a Tebow jersey while you’re in town. I heard it’s a City Law now. Anyone not wearing one goes straight to jail.
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 11:02 am
@E-Dog, This is the night when if Jack scores he should do the Tebow!!!!!! Too bad he already did it earlier.
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E-Dog Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 11:48 am
@Jeff_R,
Unfortunately you have to score to do a Tebow, so that leaves out the whole Kings team……mabye Quick or Bernier could do a Tebow after they make a save.
Anybody know what the betting line is in Vegas that the Kings score a goal tonight? 100-1? 50-1? I’m thinking that 4 goal outburst last night was an anomoly,like a rouge wave or something
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 11:38 am
@E-Dog, It’s a religion here. Used to be Elway, but he wears a suit now.
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In case you guys didn’t see this NHL article on Richards / NHL 36 which airs tonight:
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=618211
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goldielocks Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:05 am
@LA_1968,
Thanks for the reminder.
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Is Bernier starting tonight?
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Galen Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:04 am
@Ryan, this ain’t baseball.
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vplaza Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:11 am
@Galen,
And it wasn’t a 3-2 league last night either. On second thought, it really hasn’t been a 3-2 league for the Kings at all this year.
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Ryan Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:55 am
@Galen,
Thanks for the update. However, as you might have noticed there has been no morning skate where that question is generally answered. Question was more than justified especially considering all the trade talk around Bernier lately.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 11:39 am
@Ryan, Given Sutter’s propensity to play Quick in back-to-back games, I’d say not. If it were an eastern conference team, probably would.
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The scoring streak continues today
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Yet another “big game” for the Kings. They already blew the last “big game”, so let’s see what they do with this one. I’m looking for them to find some other way to lose since they’ve already shown a penchant for getting shut out, losing from ahead, and basically frustrating Kings fans.
Thank goodness for TB, or else the Quacks would only be four points behind the Kings. (Thanks, Teddy Purcell!) Somehow, I get this sense of inevitability that they’ll eventually pass the Kings. I really hope I’m wrong.
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VanKingsFan Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:11 am
@vplaza, Correction, they have blown three big games in a row…
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vplaza Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:14 am
@VanKingsFan,
Yep, that’s the troof.
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:11 am
@vplaza, I didn’t think they would be able to keep up that hot streak a whole lot longer. That takes a lot out of you to come back from that far down.
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vplaza Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:13 am
@Jeff_R,
I know what you’re saying. And I really, deep down, hope that you’re right. The last thing I want is for the Quacks, after playing so poorly this year, firing their coach, etc., to magically turn things around and pass the Kings…makes for nightmares.
But, having said that, the honest truth is that they’re playing with a purpose. They’re scoring goals. They’re playing like they want to make the playoffs. The same can’t be said about the Kings by any stretch.
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:25 am
@vplaza, I am hoping that changes after Feb 27th. I know Dean is going to make a trade or 2 or 3. Not sure for who as with Dean you never know. His trades are usually very surprising. I don’t think it will be as little as the Modin and Halpern trades were and it might not be as big as the Penner trade. Who knows. We will find out. I just hope that if Nash and Carter are traded it isn’t to San Jose and it is to an Eastern team if not L.A..
bmova Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:45 am
@Jeff_R, TSN reported that CBJ wants Pavelski in any deal from SJ and that the Sharks aren’t prepared to deal him.
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:59 am
@bmova, They probably asked for Coture and Pavelski. SJ would never go for that. They don’t really have a defenseman to trade and nothing else offensively to trade other then those 2. This is why i doubt they get Nash at this time.
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 11:40 am
@vplaza, Exactly what VanKingsFan said.
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Would love to be a fly on the wall in that team meeting.
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Columbus trades Vermette to Phoenix. Guess Bettman wants them to stay there as he allows Vermette to go there with 3 more years on an 19 million contract.
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VanKingsFan Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:11 am
@Jeff_R, I think your numbers are slightly off Jeff… if Vermette is making 6 million plus per year …
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:12 am
@VanKingsFan, TSN said this…He is in just the second year of a five-year, $18.75 million contract.
I just rounded up!!!!
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LA_1968 Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:15 am
@VanKingsFan, $3.75M for this year and three more years. A normal 20 goal scoring center. Good pickup for PHX for a couple picks.
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LA_1968 Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:16 am
@LA_1968, Woops, now they’re saying it was for a 2nd, 5th and goalie McElhinney.
Jeff_R Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:17 am
@LA_1968, Wow Curtis McElhinney went in the trade too. How many times has he been traded this season, like a bouncing yo yo. I doubt that has anything to do with Columbus possibly going after Bernier.
LA_1968 Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:24 am
@LA_1968, Yeah, McElhinney is UFA after this season. Hard to figure that one. Small salary dump/compensation?
Jeff_R Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:28 am
@LA_1968, Most likely he was added for Salary cap purposes. This is the start of a total purge by Columbus. They will need bodies to be able to be over the lower (minimum) end of the Salary Cap.
FKA PakiFro Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:32 am
@LA_1968, Maybe they were at the contract limit? Man..I hate seeing Phx make an improvement. He’ll probably go there and put in 10 goals in the next 22 games. Of course, if he came to LA, he’d put 2 in 22.
Phoenix has made themselves better …
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:13 am
@VanKingsFan, Depends on the return. Probably picks and prospects but I don’t know there cap situation and how Vermette fits under it.
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vplaza Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:17 am
@VanKingsFan,
I’m guessing Phoenix is bummed that they don’t get to play the Kings any more this year. But I’m thinking Anaslime and San Jose are chomping at the bit to play the Kings, considering how the Kings have been playing. Easy points for them.
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:19 am
@vplaza, Kings do well against the Ducks and Sharks. Wish I could say that about the rest of the league.
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vplaza Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:34 am
@Jeff_R,
I hope you’re right. Prior records pretty much don’t mean anything right now given the current state of this team.
I recenlty turned 50 and had to have a colonoscopy on Monday. That procedure was actually more pleasant than watching this team play hockey.
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:31 am
@Jeff, The Book of Mormon just came to my mind when you mentioned Colonoscopy. If you haven’t seen it or heard the music from it you won’t understand. Anyway my Mom just had that a couple months ago. Did you take the pills or do the drink before it? The drink is nasty. The pills are much easier to handle. As for the Kings hoping it gets better starting Tuesday.
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deadcatbounce Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:46 am
@Jeff_R, The Kings could probably stand for a group colonoscopy sans sedation.
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:57 am
@deadcatbounce, LOL probably right. Although i don’t even think a Lobotomy or heart transplant would help Penner. He is a lost cause.
Jeff Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 1:40 pm
@Jeff_R, had to drink “the drink”. It wasn’t pleasant but it did what it was supposed to do! The procedure itself is nothing to worry about. You’re knocked out. Thankfully, I don’t need to go back for 7 – 10 years. I wonder if the Kings will have a Cup by then?
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vplaza Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:33 am
@Jeff,
That pretty much says it all right there. The Kings are worse than a colonoscopy.
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the hockey don Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:52 am
@Jeff, Happy Birthday my Kings brother!
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Jeff Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 1:42 pm
@the hockey don, Thanks! Hopefully the Kings will have a Cup by the time my next colonoscopy comes around, in 7 – 10 years!
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File under: Stress relief
Oh that wacky Richie… what’s he doing up there anyway? This ain’t baseball.
http://deepinsidethekings.com/2012/02/wheres-richie-colorado-edition/
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Very disappointing. It just seems that it’s not our year.
If we score 4, they score 5. If our defense is working, we don’t score.
So many tough losses this year in the last few minutes. We are very poor this year in OT and SO.
I’m afraid to see what catastrophy happens tonite….
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vplaza Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:30 am
@@spencerlakings,
It’s because the Kings can’t score the “big goal”, as DS put it yesterday.
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Look what Dennis Bernstein of The Fourth Period just tweeted:
Dennis Bernstein @DennisTFP
As promised, Kings looking at Sabres Pominville and Stafford. Now.
https://twitter.com/DennisTFP
Guess Nash was too much and Carter too much of a risk….
This makes me think they might send Brownie home to New York.
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:35 am
@Cynic, I would love those 2 on the Kings. Getting them and possibly another trade before the deadline would really help us. I would love Nash and Carter also. Either way I will be fine and Buffalo is most likely a seller. I would think that Dustin Brown would be a part of this trade as he is from there. Oh you mentioned that? Didn’t see you said it.
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:36 am
@Jeff_R, Wouldn’t be surprised if the 3rd trade were Carter. Still think Bernier will be traded. Be a bit surprised if he isn’t. Buffalo doesn’t need a Starter so i would assume Bernier would go someplace else.
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So, the Kings came to visit me today…. I’m hoping for a good result, so I don’t have to hear about it from the locals tomorrow.
Last night’s game made me think that this season is not a mattter of not scoring. It’s a matter of scoring 1 less goal than our opponents.
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Btw Rich, it’s ALWAYS bumpy going into Denver airport, the Rockies create all sorts of nausea for a lot of flyers. Kinda like our KINGS season so far!!!
Quick will bounce back. He always does.
Clifford…..BAD DOG!
Penner…adios! Love how he looked so upset during Flames game, I’m sure the public calling out made him hate to be here even more, coach was right.
Go KINGS Go!!
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:38 am
@FabKings, Most likely Penner will be playing tonight and Clifford sitting. Penner has heard himself be called out so much I am sure it is old hat by now.
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colo king fan Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:53 am
@FabKings,
I’ve actually found the approach in here to be pleasant as long as there isnt a thunderstorm or the winds arent 9000 mph like they were last night
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 11:46 am
@colo king fan, The worst I remember, consistently, was Ontario. Flown in and out of both DIA and Ontario at least a dozen times. Ontario gets the Santa Ana winds. Don’t remember landings at DIA being bad.
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vplaza Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 11:49 am
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?,
You know you’re in for a rough one at Ontario if you’re approach is from the west.
colo king fan Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 12:18 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?,
I had a white knuckle landing into Maui on one of those little 727s that sounds like a lawnmower from inside the cabin.. even on xanax i nearly had a nervous breakdown.
I don’t know if I can handle another game like last night. I couldn’t sleep after (It was midnight).
This season has been a season of ‘What-ifs’. So many ‘what-ifs’ and the Kings could have a commanding lead in the Pacific. What if Richards doesn’t hit the post last night? What if he wins that draw in Dallas that prevents them from tying the game. What if he doesn’t hit the post last night and instead takes the lead? What if Clifford’s clean check wasn’t a 5 minute major?
There’s about a hundred more What-if’s.
Clifford’s hit last night was the boiling point, or I should say, the consequences were the boiling point. It wasn’t a head shot, it wasn’t hitting from behind, you could make the argument that it was boarding, but how many boarding calls are made when the person’s back is to the boards?
Quick looked tired last night. With the trade deadline approaching and Bernier is definitely expendable, he has to start tonight to showcase his talents.
I’m ready to wish Bernier, Johnson and whoever else is included in the deal, them all a good career and ready to welcome Rick Nash with open arms.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rY7ULz7Ebt0
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California Royalty Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:38 am
@California Royalty, Mentioned Richards’ shot off the post twice. I need to review before submitting. Haha
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:40 am
@California Royalty, This is why i wish we had an Edit Button!!!!! That Richards goalpost hit would of sealed the deal. Even when the Kings get scoring they get unlucky. Man those Hockey Gods are tough.
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Coming from Phx they wouldnt have gone over the Rockies, but it is extremely windy yesterday and today here. We’ve had 60mph gusts where I live.
From the view from the hotel Kings have moved from staying in the Cherry Creek area where they’ve always stayed.
Go Kings! We’ll be at the game tonite, do us proud!
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 11:47 am
@Golfnut, Must be at least four of us in Colorado!
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It was obvious to me that the boys lost focus after the 1st period, but DS did nothing about it. Not even a timeout call. He must have lost focus as well …
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 11:03 am
@goldielocks, They didn’t know what to do with themselves being up 3. It was like the Twilight Zone. Even Quick.
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I guess the way Coach Beaker called Kopi out back fired. Tacky of him to allude that kopi was buddies (wink wink) with smyth and then expect him to have a great game. You don’t question your top players manhood and expect positive response. This isn’t glee, Way to gi coach.
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Lake Forest Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:51 am
@the hockey don, These aren’t emotional women. It was Kopi’s fault for not picking the guy up. Pretty simple stuff.
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KOHO Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 11:07 am
@the hockey don, I love Kopitar too but the coach has a point. Kopitar has all the size and skill in the world yet he allows himself to always get pushed around. I’ve never seen Kopitar drop the gloves like Crosby has in the past when challenged..he should’ve started throwing hooks when the goalie from Phoenix attacked him..Kopitar had every right to defend himself but he got put on his ass by a goalie of all players. He won’t get his man card stamped if that happens again..he may get it revoked though!
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You guys enjoyed that brisk colorado breeze last night eh rich? Feb. stinks its always windy and cold – usually the NHL gives the Kings a break and brings them here either really early or really late in the year.. guess that fits with the way the NHL has treated LA lately.
Please, for the love of God boys, just play well and win this thing tonight.. hearing it from these buffoons for 2 days really stinks.
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I hate to say it but I see a let down tonight. History has shown the boys don’t do well facing adversaty. I’d like to see them come out with a chip on thier shoulder, but I don’t think it’s in the make up of the team.
I did like the story of the Kings eqpt. mang. Looks like a great guy having a lot of fun. Good for him.
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Funny that Rich mentions the bumpy ride into Denver. I just went out there for a week last week and flying in and out was sketchy. I was definitely gripping the seat. The east side of the Rockies is brutal in the air.
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colo king fan Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 2:01 pm
@klong,
worse in the springs because there isn’t a buffer between the airfield and the mountains, plus the mountains west of Denver are significantly smaller (until the divide) than those west of Colorado Springs.. they get what are called “rotors” where air circles like a sideways tornado.. caused a crash a few years ago.
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