Darryl Sutter’s postgame thoughts…
(on the game…)
SUTTER: “I thought we played really well. I don’t think it had anything to do with bounces. It’s a tough building to come into, a tough team. We pretty well matched them. We just didn’t bear down and finish opportunities. We had some great opportunities and didn’t finish the job. You can’t call them bad bounces. You can’t let the officials… We had guys on the ice who thought the second one was icing. You can’t do that. That’s simple. You’ve got to play as if it’s not. Whistle to whistle.’’
(on trying to get traffic in front of Rinne…)
SUTTER: “It’s no different than Nashville, going to the net. That’s what they do. That’s where the league is. You’ve got a goaltender like that, and you’ve got Suter and Weber on the back end, you’ve got to be prepared to play hard against them, to get in there. We did that. It’s a tough one.’’
(on the game…)
SUTTER: “We talked, coming into this game, about coming off the game against Colorado, and it took us three days to get them back in the right mindset again. So we’ve got to take this and carry it again. We can’t say, `Well, we worked hard and got nothing for it.’ They’re like playoff games, 2-1, 3-2.’’
(on the strong start…)
SUTTER: “You’ve got to try to play in the other team’s zone as much as you can. You play in your own zone too much, and it takes its toll. We did a good job of it again. We’ve just got to stay with it.’’
Whatever.
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sameSongDiffDay Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 8:43 pm
@xeropoint, blah, blah, blah…. See you in October for the Same Song – Different Day.
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jacky boy Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 9:45 pm
@xeropoint, Its already set by the NHL that Phoenix and Dallas will get in and LA will not because the NHL wants for those two teams to get better attendance… Mark my words.
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rogiesbackup Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 10:36 pm
@xeropoint, As in whatever happened to Bernier?? He should’ve been the one to start!!
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Csaba Bhody Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 10:54 pm
@rogiesbackup, I’ve commented earlier and said that Quicky is gonna be burnt out by the playoff, IF we make it!!!
“I was told by someone that hockey was not baseball…”
Yep, we should use Bernier more often!
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Poorman Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 4:43 am
@Csaba Bhody, Not only using Bernier more often, but thinking in terms of getting the chance to become the Kings number 1. Quick lost this game and the team’s momentum when he let the dribbler in. This is happening every year with him. At what point is management going to give the gifted young goalie sitting in the bench a start?
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 5:21 am
@rogiesbackup, Blows my mind people can make a game like last night…any game the Kings score zero or one goal…about the goaltending.
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anonandonanon Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 7:53 am
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, ‘zactamente.
McSorleyfan Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 8:25 am
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, What cracks me up is how many people don’t realize the only reason Bernier hasn’t been traded is that Quick hasn’t been locked up long term. As soon as JQ signs, Bernier’s gone. Watch it happen. Bernier’s new handle is Mercury. Not cuz he’s quick; he isn’t Quick. He’s just insurance.
Hey Sutter….why didnt your guys go the net? why dont they have players in numbers, so not so many passes go thro the middle untouched///You played in their zone to your satisfaction? play in their zone but give some different looks and have people moving,not standing watching 2 guys on the boards///I dont get this guy.
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rogiesbackup Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 10:26 pm
@jack, Yet AGAIN, this team waits UNTIL the THIRD period to pursue getting guys in front of the net!!!
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King$ Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 5:50 am
@rogiesbackup,
First of all, TL got a goalie interference penalty in the 2nd and Brownie was rushing the net all night long. So was Williams. The 3rd line had tons of energy toward the net.
Did you watch the game even?
The only problem with this team is their familiarity and finish. They don’t seem to know where their line-mates are going to be and hence try to do way too much on their own. And then when they stare open nets in the face, can’t lift the puck.
How can anyone blame the goalie, the effort or some ridiculous conspiracy theory?!
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Seems A Good Fellow Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 10:28 am
@King$, I agree whole heartedly! It just seems like at times the boys try to do too much on their own because the chemistry just isn’t there. I thought Richards was guilty of that a few times last night and DD8 and JW tend to try to do too much too often and end up turning the puck over. I thought the Kings outplayed and outchanced the Press last night but we just can’t finish!
PRMan Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 12:28 pm
Brownie was rushing the net all night long. So was Williams.
@King$, The first 5 minutes… And then, nothing. For 50 minutes.
SO last game was a turning point? Guess not eh? it hurts to be so close to watch it all slip away…
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gmo Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 9:10 pm
@pr0cess,
i think that time and time again this season the kings have given us and shown us fans a taste of what great team they can be, but its just a tease to make us suffer. they give us our little fix then they go and play bad for so many games, then they give us our fix againg for a game
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adanac Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 10:09 pm
@gmo, Not to worry. Kings will and I guarenatee it, make the playoffs and go deep! Don’t ask how I know this because it will get me in mucho trouble.
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Mars Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 11:22 pm
@adanac, If they dont win 14/19 left, the only way they will be deep in the playoff will be in the stands.
Stuart Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 8:34 am
@adanac, just asking will get you in trouble??? LOL
You know, coaches that want to win badly, at all costs, find a way…are probably more objective in what they see on the ice and what needs to be fixed….These static system guys are a disease…stubborn and hard to bend like BigMac addict’s arteries!!!
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“We’ve just got to stay with it”
I’m not…
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lakingbob(chi) Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 8:48 pm
@av8tr, Bye Bye
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It’s really hard to hear about playing well and losing. This league is about the Ws. That is why Lombardi should be fired. He keeps talking about playing “the right way.” Well, the right way is to win, Dean. Playing hard and losing is not the “right way.”
This isn’t horsehoes. It’s hockey and a team is measured by its Ws.
6 years Lombardi has told us to be patient and we have two first round exits to show for it. We don’t make the playoffs and he has to be shown the door — Sutter too — and a new brand of hockey has to come to LA that puts scoring as a premium.
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The Puck Stops Here Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 8:55 pm
@carol vadnais, I agree. I received my season ticket renewal in the mail today. I’ll stare at it for another few days before I decide whether to toss another few thousand dollars at this team. I could have paid off my car with the money I spent on season tickets this year. If I do renew, I’ll definitely downgrade the cost of my seats.
I’m tired of hearing the same garbage from Dean Lombardi about playing the “right way.” I’m sure he knows hockey far better than I do. But what I do know, is that it comes down to wins. It comes down to scoring goals. More goals than the other team. That hasn’t happened this season. It’s not looking like its going to get better either.
I still love this team. I wish they would love us fans back!
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I think he right on the money with his assessment..
He’s not making excuses..
They were just a little better in the goal department..
I thought we played them well..
They are a top team this year…
They have more muscle and skill at d this year…
Voynov made good reads…Quick wasn’t as good as Rinne…
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SLIM Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 8:51 pm
@SLIM,
Also we play defense like we have a bad goalie..
Were to tentative at times in their zone..
We do pinch which is good but we back off the play too often..
We played scared..
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av8tr Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 8:57 pm
@SLIM, I really think that is it…we play scared.
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jack Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 8:53 pm
@SLIM, Why didnt he emphasize during the game the net presence…just a little better is all it takes to beat us..its been happening time and time again…I think the whole team is dllusional with this luck business and the bear down, and we played well..bla bla…
They need to do some different things…this same ol same ol every game is on the coaches shoulders..It cannot be…he needs to have the players attack better, better plays and habits….start now, and not in the break.
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FdoFmFull Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 8:54 pm
@SLIM, Would you have played Bernier instead?
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The Puck Stops Here Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 8:59 pm
@FdoFmFull, I am a huge Quick fan. I would have started Bernier, given Quick’s lack of fortune against the Preds. Having said that, the loss shouldn’t be on Quick’s shoulders. Giving up 2 goals is better than average. Quick played well. The loss is due to lack of goals. Simple!
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SLIM Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 9:00 pm
@FdoFmFull,
I would have played Bernie…
Why screw with a good thing…
He has always had their number…
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Central Coast King Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 10:42 pm
@SLIM, what happens if the kings make the post season and have to play the preds @ sometime. Are you gonna pull quick so bernie can play the series. I don’t think so.
Duncanz Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 11:39 pm
@Central Coast King, Funny you should say that. I’ve been making precisely the same argument over the last couple of days.
Well spotted..
YoBro Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 8:49 am
@SLIM, I suppose it depends if you want to win or not.
Go Kings
jbyoungman Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 9:02 pm
@SLIM, He might as well cut and paste his comments. “We played well (equals loss), bear down and finish opportunities (ok, you keep saying that but how are you going to fix it????). Sutter is lost, I really don’t think he has any idea of what to do. I really have not heard him say anything intellegent, maybe DL thought that he could intimidate the guys to play well because I have not seen the coach part yet.
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SLIM Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 9:08 pm
@jbyoungman,
He does seem lost at times..
But there are really only a handfull
of coaches it seems that can really motivate their team…
He took on a lackluster team..
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When we were bad, we KNEW we were bad and sucked it up and rode the “it’s coming” wave. Well, high tide has passed us by! This ocean is as flat as it gets and the only moon I want to see to get the tide going again is Lombardi’s white, lily arse on a flight to the Bronx, never to return!
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Sutter is right about one thing. There is no such thing as a lucky or bad bounce. You put yourself in the situation that the unpredictable bounce hurts you.
Their 1st goal was on our 4th line, was caught in deep with no F3 support. I think Nolan was too aggressive and forgetting to support. It wasn’t the outnumbered attack but there was a huge gap between forwards and defensemen.
The 2nd goal was on … well I think it was also a typical rookie mistake by VV. He’s got to communicate with the forward. It has to be defenseman’s job because the defenseman is looking at where the pressure coming in but the forward can’t see it. Is it his language? I don’t know but he needs to learn how to communicate.
Gotta give credit to the Preds though. They are well coached. They didn’t make a mistake but we did, and they capitalized on it. And I believe it is coaches job to make rookies understand the game.
When the pressure is on, every mistake is magnified. It’s going to get even tighter toward the playoffs. Honestly, rookies are making me really nervous. We need Gagne badly.
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jack Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 8:59 pm
@goldielocks, But if he is right…why cant he have the offense be a bit more dynamic.,,it makes it harder for the defense to collapse on us and get all over our sticks and what not…somehow, someone has to be at the wheel in directing what we do on the ice….
what I worry, is that the players and coaches start believing what the say maybe…hard work this hard work that….and its not enough…These guys need to be taught good offense.
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goldielocks Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 9:51 pm
@jack,
I don’t like it when the coach cares about only work ethics either because like you said that doesn’t cut it. I mean look at Richardson and Lewis. They work hard everyday but can’t buy a goal. It’s like everytime they get the puck, they just throw it toward the net and cross the fingers. I’m sure those two are very talented players but somehow they lost their scoring touch. Because of the way they play, like shoot the puck in the same way, never pick the corner or no soft touch, I think they are failing under the pressure. Remember Lewis scored the goal on the breakaway and the penalty shot? He was able to score because there was no pressure coming at him. So maybe it’s a mental thing. I don’t know. But either they find the way to be success or the coach give them a proper advice, there will be no hope to be better or useful.
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rogiesbackup Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 10:32 pm
@jack, I don’t care who the Kings get for offense, but if you can’t get a creative player or two to start making plays, Kings will always have their offensive woes.
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FdoFmFull Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 9:00 pm
@goldielocks, Agree on the 1st goal. The 2nd Brown said Voynov and Richards assumed to be icing on Nashville!
Can’t tolerate that kind of mistake this late in the season. That’s simply ridiculous!
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Duncanz Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 9:56 pm
@FdoFmFull, Especially from 10. He’s a seasoned pro!
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Stuart Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 8:40 am
@FdoFmFull, But why would DD even wave at that 1st goal??? He’s moving AWAY from the play, his back to the shooter, shouldn’t he worried about tying up his mans stick in case of a rebound??? I mean, that’s what that shot was meant for, a rebound for that guy buzzing by the net, but instead DD waves at the puck and it nicks his stick and in… not a smart play… look to tie up the stick and let JQ eat up that weak shot from a bad angle, ALONG THE BOARDS… sheesh
I’m wondering which of our Dmen is going to pick up all of JJ’s minuses…
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Ron Reynolds Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 9:06 pm
@goldielocks,
Exactly. Give props to the Preds. They did a better job of playing our game than we did. They’re poised, consistent, and opportunistic. They know what they can do and execute. Sure, they caught a break on the deflection off DD’s stick, but they put themselves in a position to pick up 2 points as a result of that break…which is why they beat us, why they’re ticketed for the playoffs, and why we’re on the outside looking in.
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bluedon Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 12:16 am
@goldielocks,
The second goal was both carter and richard’s fault.
First just after Carter hits rings the post he gets a return pass down low from voynov, and if carter could have handled that pass instead of deflecting it off his skate he has a wide open king waiting backdoor with a wide open net. (check the highlight replay it clearly shows this)
So I blame Carter for not being heads up on a stick to stick pass which would have led to a goal. There was no reason for him to play that pass with his skates.
Richards knew it wasn’t icing as he was clearly staring at the linesman as it was being waved off. He proceeds to skate to the puck and sweeps nothing but ice around the boards, You can’t just give up a turnover that easily from that bad of a mistake and not expect something bad not to happen. Yes it was a “mistake”. And I know it happens but it shouldn’t have. It was ultimately Richards mistake that leads to the goal. I mean come on keep your eye on the puck when your sweeping it around the boards. King was beat cleanly to the rebound, but that was not his fault as the predators winger had forward momentum.
throw in the very first mistake where Lewis Can’t figure out how to lift up the puck on his backhand. Or one could even say he didn’t even need to go to his back hand a half turn rotation and he is shooting that puck forehanded just as wide open, and maybe then he could have actually hit the water bottle. Not be able to lift a backhander is bad, but going to your backhand unnecessarily is even worse.
The only bad bounce was the one on Quicky
These weren’t just “bad” mistakes rather they were “dumb” mistakes and it is these “dumb mistakes that ends up costing us a point in these one goal games. I have found at least one “dumb” mistake every time we’ve lost by one goal. I watch other highlights from around the league and look just as closely for what ultimately led to the goal being scored or missed. and not nearly as often are these other teams failing to score or being scored on because of “dumb” mistakes. a quarter the time it’s because of a “bad” mistake, half time it’s just because of some general minor confusion caused by a good play offensively And the other quarter of the time it’s because of a “bad mistake” but almost never is it because of a “dumb mistake” But I assure you if you go back and watch all the highlights you will that with the kings its the really “dumb mistake” that cost us games all season long
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bluedon Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 12:19 am
the other quarter of the time it’s because of a bad bounce
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goldielocks Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 1:46 am
@bluedon,
I think Carter attempted skate-stick-quick release move but the puck bounced off his skate and rolled off. He had the open lane though.
As for the icing, the ref signaled when Richards just passed by. It’s hard to tell if Richards was aware of the signal. Richards seemed expecting VV would recover the puck but VV just backed off. There was confusion with that play, and Richards missed the puck. If it wasn’t VV, Richards might have gotten some directions.
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Blade17 Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 7:38 am
@goldielocks, Maybe Voynov didn’t communicate on that play, but OMG, Richards made such a halfassed attempt to play the puck I couldn’t believe my eyes. If it was Voynov’s play to make and he didn’t make it, how about as the veteran and alleged LAK Captain of the Future, YOU MAKE THE PLAY. In fact, he was hoooooorrible last night, at least the first 2 periods. After that, I had something more entertaining to do; my bowling league.I guess the Carter honeymoon only lasted 1 game for MR.
Having said all that, I fully expected a split on this trip with a win vs. The Wild. Go Bernier, GKG!
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Stuart Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 8:43 am
@Blade17, I thought it was MRs worst game of the season…
and just agree with what @bluedon was saying, I totally agree that the game was lost due to DUMB plays…
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Ya know Slim, we know who the regular INSIDERS are, right. We all shut up when things go not good and all the whatevers come out .
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SLIM Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 9:04 pm
@lakingbob(chi),
And you can take that to the Bank!
It’s discouraging to see all the negativity…
I get it..But it serves no purpose..
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lakingbob(chi) Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 9:08 pm
@SLIM, Ya you are right but it still hurts..
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rogiesbackup Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 10:34 pm
@SLIM, Kings fans get these negativity from Bob Miller’s “negativity” stats he pushed down our ears!!
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CabbagesAndKings Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 10:58 am
@lakingbob(chi),
I’ve only been reading these boards this season — but you couldn’t be more right. The sort of overly emotional negative responses are pretty surprising. I told myself never to post anything the night after a loss —
On the flip side — anyone notice how well Mitchell and Greene have been playing lately? They’ve always had the defensive zone coverage down — but they are really making an effort to carry the puck out of our zone to support the break out — and both are continually pinching in along the boards at the appropriate times.
They are to experience to say their games are developing — but you can tell they are purposefully playing a different style (more aggressive offensively) in order to help the team out of their current funk.
Kudos to both those guys.
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Even with all the offensive woes I was hoping that we would turn it around. Every time we lose it really pisses me off, especially the further along the season goes.
There comes a time where hope and optimism finally turn into “eh, it is what it is”. I won’t lose sleep anymore, we are what we are and it’s time to face up to it.
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Sutter,you need to read this team the riot act. They’re too soft,they don’t go to the net hard and that’s why they don’t finish.
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Kings Fan In Temecula Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 12:35 am
@kingrussell, agree, ridiculously soft, except for the game with chicago, funny right?
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The main frustration is this team’s offense shows flashes of excellence but then descends into less than mediocrity. The only signs of consistency we show are bad signs. The offesne tonight showed little of the determination and desire to go to the net and hang in the slot that we saw in the Chicago game. The only thing I can think of is coaching and the mindset of the coaching staff.
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jbyoungman Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 9:03 pm
@DesertKing, Boy are those flashes rare!
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Blade17 Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 7:41 am
@DesertKing, “The only thing I can think of is coaching and the mindset of the coaching staff”…and Shea Weber
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this could possibly be the most dissapointing season in my life as a kings fan. just nothing seems to be working for the kings. so much high expectations at the beginning of the season of how great this team could be, but what a let down. so much depth in this team but so little to show for. both coaches TM/DS have said the same thing time after time, after time, after time…..”we had great opportunites but did not finish the job, gotta start taking advantanges of the opportunities,we had a strong game, played hard,our work ethic was there but fail to capitalized”
when will this end
go kings o
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thrustable Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 9:02 pm
@gmo, it will end when the season ends….
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jbyoungman Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 9:06 pm
@gmo, It is like a recurring nightmare!
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Kingspup71 Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 9:11 pm
@gmo, at this rate April 7th
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carol vadnais Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 9:24 pm
@gmo, I agree. Most disappointingly talented King team not to make the playoffs.
Look at our allstars: Kopitar/Brown/Carter/Richards/Doughty/Quick!
Six all-stars and to not make the playoffs is just horrible.
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anonandonanon Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 8:24 am
@carol vadnais, How bad are the offensive talents of the bottom six. To completely nullify Six All-Stars. Not one gun. They need to score at least once every other game or so for pity sake. Half the other teams defense is off the hook every game. Or it appears so. We need at least 2 goals per game. 3-2 league. SO victories are what are eluding us compared to last year. Defensive scoring has been OK, top six, adequate, bottom six, nil. These guys surely have many other virtues, and to be sure are working hard, but stonier hands from so many candidates I’ve never seen. Who dealt this mess?
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“We’ve got to bear down on those situations”
You need finishers to finish. If the opportunities present themselves for guys who haven’t been finishing all year, then isn’t it a little late to tell them that?
Brown isn’t the best finisher on the team, and he has four in two games. I think that’s not too bad of a pace. If anyone else on the team could also chip in w one on the odd occasion that would change some things.
Bottom six not contributing any offense at all this year.
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if it’s a 3-2 league this team is screwed.
100% system – Jeff Carter looks like Anson Carter in this system.
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SLIM Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 9:17 pm
@Dave,
Were a good team with horrible balance….
We can’t keep expecting our marquis players
to carry us through…We need to have abetter bottom 6…
Even when our best players are off…We have no one to step up..
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Duncanz Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 9:45 pm
@SLIM, Every single club relies on its marquee players.
If our’s were firing more we would be going ahead in games, the opposition would have to open up, 3rd line would get more chances … and maybe still miss them…
The whole point is, it’s like another smoggy night in L.A.. The stars are not shining..
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when the trade was made I posted that there would be no difference. if we have talent on this team and the team doesn’t score, then its the system or the coach (at least thats what everyone is saying). so if we get another scorer, then in this system he ain’t gonna score either, or have much of an impact.
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jonsey Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 9:30 pm
@thrustable, bang on! man.
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California Royalty Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 5:53 am
@thrustable, Well a 4-0 home win wouldn’t be considered a normal game for the Kings. Neither would the effort they put in last night. It was a good effort and a good game. If the Kings lose a game, it’s not always going to be the players’, the coaches’, Lombardi’s fault. Nashville is one of the better teams in the league.
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King Cobra Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 7:24 am
@California Royalty, Logical and reasonable. That won’t work here with all the negative knee jerk reactions I am reading.
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CabbagesAndKings Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 11:07 am
@thrustable, Over the last two games (since the trade) the Kings are averaging 2.5 goals per game — which is significantly higher then our season average. Beyond that — the Kings look like a faster, more dangerous team on the ice.
We are also a +3 over that same time period.
I don’t know what you mean by “no difference”. Carter significantly improves this team in all three zones of the ice.
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I do think all of you are on to something.
The System.
The Right Way.
Tight, checking hockey.
But when our castoffs who couldn’t score in our System are scoring for other teams, it makes you wonder.
Just as it makes you wonder how guys who come here scoring 25 a season and end up with 5 what the heck is going on.
Boy do we need a four game winning streak right now.
Kopitar-Richards-Carter HAVE to score or we are done for.
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PP Anybody? Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 9:47 am
@carol vadnais, Been saying this for two years. Glad to see some people are starting to understand that it’s pretty hard to put together a team of 23 players, and have them all suck “individually”. It’s a team problem, and the team plays in a way that is a problem for the players, it’s just that simple. It’s also obvious that DL has a stubborn vision, a defensive one, and that he will not budge or adapt. It’s a shame, cause I think this is actually a good team put together here. Ah well, next year, next GM.
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I think this team has scoring on the mind too much. They’re thinking about it way too much. They need to go out with Richie and Carts Philly style and take a load off, come back and play hockey. The team is way too tense and nothing good comes out of being on the ice tense. Maybe they figure it out and streak at the right time. Last year it happened after Kopi, team mvp, got hurt. Hopefully it can happen this year without losing our MVP for the rest of the year.
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Hackwoods Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 10:39 am
@DEH, Spot on. I said this recently that this team is so wound up inside, we cannot see straight. I would not be surprised to see most of our sticks after the game have serious wear down in the areas where the Kings grip their sticks. If wood sticks were more prevelant like before, sawdust would cover the ice by the end of every game.
We need to loosen up and play the game. Some sense of urgency, yes, but go out and play. Play being the key word. It is a game so relax and play.
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I wish there is a trade deadline every day KINGS play.
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Ok, the guys dont finish, that is a given…but the plays are so broken, inconsistent, improvised, its no wonder they dont put the puck in the net…To do something well, you have to do it consistently in a somewhat familiar way. Its muscles memory/reflexes and instinct…
But if you play 12 minutes of a few cycles around the corner or behind the net, and nothing happens, and then all of a sudden you get that desperate flurry trying to tie a game, excuse me, but that wont work…too much speed, craziness, adrenaline, collapsing defense…8 sticks trying for a puck..
They need to consistently play like they did the previous game…time and time again…until its second nature…When you live on the boards, you cant expect people to be good at finishing…
[Reply]
PP Anybody? Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 9:49 am
@jack, You speak too much sense.
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Sutter, what ever happened to the quick transition game that we saw ever so briefly when you first arrived?
When will you convey a sense of urgency to this uninspired group?
We know Lombardi’s tenure is tenuous, hope yours is too!
When do you “go to the whip”?
[Reply]
carol vadnais Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 9:21 pm
@FdoFmFull, I agree — we are having such trouble a) gaining the zone; b) setting up the zone and creating space. If we aren’t on the PP, we can’t create any space. Kopi and DD use to do that, but it’s been ages since I saw DD cheat into the zone and help set something up. We have to be the worst cycling team I’ve ever seen.
[Reply]
Hackwoods Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 10:45 am
@carol vadnais, The thing that most are missing is the fact that the Kings go down by a goal and since we are not a high scoring team, the oppossing team does the old TM statement of “home plate” mentality. I mean I have never seen a team have 5 guys in their defensive slot area as much as the preds were last night. They packed it in that area starting late in the 1st period. It was all mustard on my tv screen when the Kings were trying to attack.
All teams are doing this especially with a little lead no matter what time is left in the game, and this is especially true against the Kings since we do not score much.
We are left with only being able to play along the boards and the perimeter so that is why we are not looking like we can create anything, because no team can do that against 5 guys within 15 feet of their goal. So, the key is to score first and not allow the team to pack it in back there. We all know the records of teams in the NHL when they score first. It is imperative to get the first goal or else your chances of winning are slim. I know I am stating the obvious and also how to score first is nothing anyone can teach, but you can just try to come out gang busters and let the d-men be more active in the beginning of the game and try to get that first one.
[Reply]
@Dominic,
Uncle Nick,
If you see this, I just want to say Hi and I love you and I will miss you when you move and I hope you would have a great seddle in and I am going to miss you Uncle Nick. Hope you see this, and if you don’t, I will show you later.
Ur Best Nephew,
Tristan
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 11:56 pm
@Trisan Faamaligi, Forget hockey (for 24 hrs, anyway).
THAT is really sweet!
Congrats @Dominick. I will be so proud if my wee toddler turns out half as thoughtful as this little guy!!
BEST post of the night ~
[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 6:38 am
@Trisan Faamaligi,
I’m gonna miss Oceanside. Beautiful weather,nice people. Most of all I’m going to miss you. I’m gonna miss you waking me up to make you breakfast. Hanging out watching cartoons, and just being your uncle. I’ll always be there for you, and never forget that I love you very much little buddy.
I won’t be here when you get home from school, but I won’t be too far out of reach. Be good, and listen to your father.
[Reply]
The Predators didn’t seem to phased by being “ground” – for whatever reason most teams really don’t seem phased by the whole cycle/”grinder” game the Kings try and to some respects excel at. The effort and skill with which Kings play that game really doesn’t seem to matter. Effort and execution was pretty much there but the Preds really didn’t look “ground.”
[Reply]
We try to do to much…Always keeping the puck to long…
We need to keep it simple , stupid…
Our passing and stick handling are to predictable…
Voynov has kinda got the right idea…
Maybe because he can’t speak english and not listening to
the plan we seem to think works…Lokti also..
They are creative..Something we lack..
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 9:30 pm
@SLIM,
The key word you used was “predictable.” Force us to the outside and we will sgtay there all night.
[Reply]
PP Anybody? Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 9:51 am
@SLIM, Must be because Kompon doesn’t know any Russian.
[Reply]
That effort and skill would win a lot of games. Keep it up. Got to bury those scrambles in front of the net.
[Reply]
and let’s not forget the wonderful 7 million a year signing of the most overrated D-man in the league. Watching DD regress from best Olympian D-man to not in the Top 15 D-man in the league is just amazing.
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 12:01 am
@carol vadnais, Got no problem with him on D.
Got a lot of worries watching what he does with the puck after he’s skated into a great spot in the O zone; Little.
(that was 2 compliments out of 3, btw)
[Reply]
Midway through the third I thought Sutter should have shortened the bench. I thought Clifford has played well enough to warrant time on the second line with Richards and Carter. Loktionov should be playing somewhere,3rd or 4th line. Not sure that Fraser brings a lot to the table.Also would like to see Lokti on PP unit with Kopi and Carter. Our PP looks out of sink a lot of the times. Kings better win tomorrow against the Wild. Hope Bernier plays but knowing Sutter he’ll call on Quick once again even though he let in a softie that costs us the game.King also cost us the second goal!
[Reply]
hockeynerd Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 11:09 pm
@andy, Actually the second goal was on Richards/VV.
I Don’t get why some people ride King so hard? He is playing well, could he be better? of course, that could be said about every single player on this team. I look to Richards Kopi Williams Carter Brown those are the “elite” players that need to step it up ! What about Penner? Its so easy to blame the rookies, our roster is stacked with “elite” NHL players they need to step it up. How about some veteran support and leadership, I expect more from them then I do our rookies who are both playing just as good or better then half the current roster.
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 12:05 am
@hockeynerd, +1 for hipness.
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Dilapidus Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 8:53 am
@hockeynerd,
At the risk of blasphemy, Penner is doing exactly what he should be. Charge the net and when he has to puck on the half wall or in the corner, put a soft pass on the top of the crease or in the slot. The problem is.. no one is there. We should never be using three guys to fight for the puck on the half wall. We can learn that from the Sedins.
[Reply]
Looked like the boys could of had a better fate. Nashville is a feisty team. All is not lost, got to pick it back up again in Minnesota.
[Reply]
Eldoret Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 9:45 pm
@Mikey J.,
All is lost good sir. What team have you been watching all year long? This season is over, mainly due to the fact that they can’t nut up steal one, even when they desperately need it. So what, they win 1 game 4-0. It doesn’t matter if you do it once, it matters what you do the next game. Gutless. All season, the only person who’s consistently showed any amount of heart has been Quick. Everyone else seems to call it in whenever they don’t feel like playing. Gutless.
[Reply]
Mikey J. Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 9:57 pm
@Eldoret, Sorry, but it’s not time to jump ship just yet.
[Reply]
toemas_sandstrom Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 10:33 pm
@Mikey J., This team just became the Costa Concordia…
Duncanz Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 12:09 am
@toemas_sandstrom, ironically, our captain also saved himself at the 11th hour …
Yikes, looking at the Standings is depressing. Calgary tanking is the only salvo but it is looking grim:
WESTERN GP W L OTL PTS ROW SOW SOL HOME ROAD GF GA DIFF L10 STRK
1 Vancouver 63 40 16 7 87 33 7 6 18-6-4 22-10-3 203 154 +49 7-1-2 Lost 1
2 St. Louis 63 39 17 7 85 35 4 6 26-4-4 13-13-3 161 126 +35 7-3-0 Won 3
3 Phoenix 62 32 21 9 73 28 4 6 16-10-4 16-11-5 164 155 +9 9-0-1 Won 5
4 Detroit 63 41 19 3 85 34 7 2 26-3-2 15-16-1 197 149 +48 6-3-1 Lost 3
5 Nashville 63 37 19 7 81 34 3 4 21-7-5 16-12-2 178 161 +17 5-2-3 Won 2
6 Chicago 64 33 24 7 73 29 4 3 21-7-4 12-17-3 193 189 +4 4-6-0 Lost 3
7 San Jose 61 32 22 7 71 26 6 3 18-9-2 14-13-5 177 159 +18 3-6-1 Lost 2
8 Dallas 63 33 26 4 70 29 4 3 18-12-2 15-14-2 165 171 -6 5-3-2 Won 4
Colorado 64 33 27 4 70 26 7 1 18-13-1 15-14-3 168 173 -5 7-2-1 Won 4
Los Angeles 63 28 23 12 68 24 4 7 16-13-4 12-10-8 134 137 -3 3-5-2 Lost 1
Calgary 63 28 24 11 67 25 3 6 16-10-4 12-14-7 151 173 -22 4-2-4 Lost 4
[Reply]
Eldoret Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 9:47 pm
@carol vadnais,
It’s over.
[Reply]
MmmmYummy Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 9:59 pm
@Eldoret, http://www.sportsclubstats.com/NHL.html – 26.6% chance of making the playoffs (-7.5% after tonight’s game). Not so good.
[Reply]
toemas_sandstrom Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 10:27 pm
@Eldoret, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiZdY9rw-uo&sns=em
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I have to say, that i am quite sick of the DL comments, the organization is at it best point since i have been a fan, since Gretzky and who got us to this point? Not DT, i still shutter at the melt down with Sean Avery etc. Hell yes i want a cup, but i do not want one cup, i want multiple cups, i want an organization built like detroit. To all of the impatient fans that got to see a team that arrived in the playoffs a year early, understand. that last year was intended to be our first year to the post-season, and we still have the second youngest team in the league. This team needs to learn how to finish, the inconsistency is still there, but this team is learning much faster than the sharks were and it is quite evident that the sharks are not necessarily better off because the got doug wilson. I am going to go out on a limb and say that the best thing that could happen to this team is if they miss the playoffs by a point or so and they keep DL.
[Reply]
Eldoret Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 9:50 pm
@robotscantsurf,
I’ll subscribe to what you’re saying. I just can’t stand how if the Kings are down at the end of the 2nd period, it’s pretty much an automatic loss. That’s probably the most disappointing thing about this team. I want a team that I can believe in to come back, and win once in a while. This is definitely not that team, and I really don’t know what. They have the personnel to be a monster in this league…
A lot of them are winners too, or were winners on former teams. I don’t understand what it is about this team that calls it in whenever they get down by a goal or two.
[Reply]
CB14 Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 10:07 pm
@robotscantsurf,
Not DT, huh?
Who drafted our team MVP and likely Vezina candidate Jonathan Quick? Dave Taylor
Who drafted our leading goal scorer Dustin Brown? Dave Taylor
Who drafted our points leader Anze Kopitar? Dave Taylor
You have to give credit where credit is due. Our 3 best players this year were all drafted by Dave Taylor.
[Reply]
gmo Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 10:10 pm
@CB14,
you are totally 100% bang on
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CB14 Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 10:18 pm
One more thing. The best player DL has brought in is Drew Doughty. He selected him with the 2nd overall pick, a pick that 29 other GM’s would make because Drew was the consensus #2 player in the draft behind Stamkos. The 3 aformentioned Dave Taylor draft picks were all selected after the top 10. Brown was picked 13th overall, Kopi 11th, Quick was a 3rd round selection. It’s much tougher to hit on those players then it is on top 5 picks.
[Reply]
Jeff_R Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 11:38 pm
@CB14, Actually Drew wasn’t a consensus pick. It was between him , Bogosian and Pietrangelo. ALso Kopi would of been picked 2nd if he wasn’t born in Slovenia. If it was so hard to pick after the top 5 then how come most of Dean’s best picks are lower then that. Wayne was a 2nd rounder, Clifford was a 2nd rounder, Oscar too. Lokti was in a lower round as was Voynov.
As for DT if you are going to tout his draft picks, why don’t you mention the 2 that put us back ten years in 2003. Brian Boyle and Jeff Tambellini. Had DT picked differently like picking Zach Parise, Mike Richards, Ryan Getzlaf, Brent Burns, or Corey Perry, the Kings would be in a lot better position now. Those 2 picks he made sent us back and is the reason why we have no depth on Wing.
@robotscantsurf, As for Detroit. Just ask there fans how long it took them to get to the point where they win consistently and win cups. They were horrible for most all of the 80′s and early 90′s. It wasn’t until Scotty Bowman came and change them.
Alphatronic Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 12:31 am
@CB14, so dl kept those 3 players and built the team around them. I really don’t see your point. Are you saying we would be better off with dt. Don’t get me wrong I love dt when he played with the kings but we would be saying the same thing if he was still doing the work. A great collection of picks and no farm. I look more towards glen sather with dl and this team, this team is built for the future and we don’t need a Brian Burke to come in ala ducks and reap the rewards. The kings have never been this young this talented and poised for the cup even and haters like you will tell us Gretzky is our savior once again.
Cruiznblue Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 10:17 pm
@robotscantsurf,
Got to also consider that a lot of our offensive players are somewhat handcuffed by the way they are told to play the game. Seems everyone is affraid to be creative since there is so much emphasis on the defensive side.
There are teams out there that have HUGE offensive #s and are also really solid on D. There’s a delicate balance in that respect that the Kings dont have.
That to me falls on the head coach and Kompon. DL hired those coaches…
[Reply]
GoringFan72 Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 10:31 pm
@robotscantsurf, I tend to agree. I still really want to see the team make a late push (they have to have one good win streak in them, you’d think) and make the playoffs, but I am not in favor of cleaning house just yet if they fail to do that. I want to increase the pressure on this group of players and management to succeed next year.
I don’t want to hire a new GM and coach and reset the clock so they now have another 3-5 years to succeed. We’ve been through that cycle too many times and it’s gotten us nowhere. While missing the playoffs by a few points this year would be very painful, hopefully it would be the shock this team needs to do what’s necessary to win next year.
[Reply]
robotscantsurf Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 12:34 am
@GoringFan72, I do not want to clean house, there is a plan I want to really see it executed. No resets anymore.
[Reply]
ralph Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 2:41 pm
@robotscantsurf, I hate to agree, but I do. There have been quite a few teams over the
years that do not make the playoffs, and feel so bad, they win it all
the next year. We will see.
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I dont have a beef with DL. I do have a beef with coaching. When the team is young, its the time to teach and they are not learning much. The game plans are flawed and eventually the team hit the wall…Every single game almost is the same…you need to consistently play like the Kings played the previous game…that was a good effort that made sense.
If the goals arent there all year round, that is not a slump its system dependent. They are expecting the players to perform tasks that occur too far apart in a game..or only in a flurry at the end…Good finishers usually have patterns…we need to have the system play to the strength of the offensive people,,at least when we are in the offensive zone…if u wanna cycle all day, or live along the boards all day, how are the finishers going to fluorish…
[Reply]
CB14 Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 10:10 pm
@jack, It’s DL’s team, he gets credit when things go well, he gets blame when things don’t go well. He chose the coach that you have a problem with. A coach who uses the type of system that he wants. Ultimately the buck stops with him.
[Reply]
jack Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 10:15 pm
@CB14, I agree with that….I guess I still have it in my mind that no one but the coach should make on ice decisions….DL screwed the pooch with this choice.!
[Reply]
Time to get over this one and get back to work tomorrow. We got to get two tomorrow.
[Reply]
Eldoret Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 9:57 pm
@KC23, Not going to matter.
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Richards had the puck in the corner and the d-man fell down, he swung his stick at the puck and missed…Carter was wide open in front of the net with the Goalie standing straight up…if Richards passes(the passing lane was open) Carter deflects the puck between the legs for a goal…instead he passes to the blue line and the puck goes the other way…its the coaching, this top to bottom game is no good. They should have scored on that play. it was in the third period. anybody else see what I saw?
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 1:33 am
@brian spain, Saw that one;
7:14 left in the 3rd. In fact the Dman, no. 59 Josi, has good position, MR hesitates and Josi actually does get a stick on the puck.
The problem as I see it is that MR is clearly not on his game. Although Nashville are fairly well set up down low, he doesn’t have the confidence to attempt to thread it through to JC at the moment of truth and endeavors to find DD in space at the point. But in the split second he takes and doesn’t choose to pass to Carter he gets shut down and the play is broken up.
On the surface of it, MR has too much experience to allow himself to be roboticized into taking the lesser aggressive option when he has a decent opportunity to set up a goal.
He is not, and hasn’t been, playing with the self-confidence of a man with his accomplished pedigree. His passing is off, his puck handling is off, and his decision making is off.
At the conclusion of his feature on NHL 36, he states a motto, “If things aren’t working, you’re not working hard enough.”. Unfortunately, as with the whole team, it’s not hard work that is the issue.
It’s an endemic lack of confidence in each other and confidence in themselves.
Against an admittedly second rate Blackhawks, Kings played a little faster, a little looser and a little more intensely and it created all the time and space they needed to dominate.
For the benefit of MR and all the guys that aren’t putting up the numbers right now, the coaches have to encourage the team to play in the fashion they did vs Chicago.
Opponents need to fear The Kings again and not The Kings fearing their own failure. That’s the identity The Kings need to have!
[Reply]
King Cobra Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 7:31 am
@brian spain, The guy has been with us a couple of days and has not even practiced with the team yet. I think Carter is really sick and he will help us. Maybe we can give him a week before we nail him to the cross!
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It’s going to suck when the Ducks pass the Kings in the standings…
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Welcome to la Mr Carter ! Where the good come to be bad and the bad leave to be great!
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Clifford looked awful again…lots of wild passes and lost battles for pucks. I’d rather see Moreau in his spot…but he has “concussion” symptoms…
I wish we would move Nolan up to the 3rd line and put Lewis down on the 4th. Nolan has more offensive skill than Lewis…and Lewis is a good skater so would make a good defensive 4th liner…since he cant score.
Kopi PLEASE start taking the puck to the net!…get off the boards and get to the middle of the ice.
Bernier better start tomorrow.
[Reply]
jack Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 10:16 pm
@Cruiznblue, I dont remember if last yeat Kopi was on the boards this much….I do remember his getting hurt while on the boards..
[Reply]
I’m surprise at how negative the comments are here tonight. The Preds are very good, and they have a great home record, so it’s no surprise the Kings lost. They played well, tho still dont have any finishers on the 3rd and 4th lines; Lewis and Clifford really have no offensive sense. And Richards tries too hard to set up plays sometimes, he needs to be more direct to the goal.
But overall the team played well enough to win and had some bad luck. Such is life.
I dont get people saying ‘nothings changed’ or ‘it’s over”. I dont get all the negativity about this one game.
[Reply]
pnm Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 10:29 pm
@bbb7, Come back at the end of the season, then we’ll explain…
[Reply]
Jeff_R Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 10:40 pm
@pnm, Your exactly correct. At the end of the season it will all be explained, but I don’t think what we will be explaining to you will be the same as what you think you will try to explain to us.
[Reply]
Nick Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 12:40 am
@bbb7, One game against a very bad chi town team and we great, ur a muppet, na na na na da da de nana, nana na na na na
[Reply]
Vs Nsshville on the road? It would have been nice for the Kings to win, but I already had this one pencilled in as a loss. Move on to the next one…
[Reply]
Eldoret Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 10:15 pm
@Choralone, Go ahead and pencil the rest in too, if the Kings keep this up.
[Reply]
Jeff_R Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 10:35 pm
@Eldoret, Actually if the Kings play like they did tonight the rest of the season they will win a lot more then they lose. The fact is to win the Pacific the team will probably be in the low 90s/high 80s. Then to finish 8 will be close to that # probably be mid-high 80s. That means out of the 19 games left the Kings need to win just 10 games. That would give them 88 points and most likely a playoff spot. Hopefully though they can win at least 13 games which would probably give them the division title.
[Reply]
Eldoret Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 10:40 pm
@Jeff_R,
I really don’t see mid 80′s making the playoffs…
And my comment wasn’t about how the Kings played, but their inability to win (important) games. This has been a common theme all year long. They get down early in the game, and can never come back. I think a lot of the problem is the whole “forget about the loss” attitude that seems to be the common theme in the NHL. It’s like the Kings get down early, and start thinking about their next game, and just dial it in. It’s pathetic. That’s not the kind of team that wins cups, or makes playoffs.
Osaka Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 11:04 pm
@Eldoret, Did you watch the game? They gave up and starting thinking about the next game? When did the Kings score their goal? Someone else posted that the Kings seem to always wait until the 3rd period to really turn it up a notch and activate the D-men more, by that time it seems to be to late.
Jeff_R Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 11:22 pm
@Eldoret, Even the guys on TSN said it will probably only take in the mid 80′s-high 80′s to get into the playoffs. The high end will probably be 91. As for this team they played hard throughout most of the game. They could of easily scored 2 to 3 goals in the first 2 periods if they could finish. This team isn’t horrible as a lot of you guys think. They are playing a lot better then they have in a while and a lot of it has to do with Carter. Kings played a really tough team tonight in Nashville, a team that is hot. I am not surprised they lost tonight.
Eldoret Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 7:51 am
@Everyone above me,
Same story, different night. They made it close with 3 minutes left, so what? They still lost, and were unable to “steal” a point (or two). Same story, different night.
Quick hasn’t beat Nashville in the previous 4 games before tonight (0-3-1).
Bernier won last time he played Nashville this season.
Back to back games…should have played Bernier tonight.
[Reply]
ta Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 11:13 pm
@Cruiznblue, bernier is 5-1 lifetime against nashville
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Cruiznblue Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 11:22 pm
@ta,
well that makes it even more painful
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Bottom line: we lost.
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Uggh. Pretty boring game until the end. I’m glad Willie and Drew both had their worst games of the season on the same night. Sort of tired of DD being a mediocre defenseman more often than not this season. He’s getting paid elite money, he should play like it. Not sure what’s going on with him. He needs to be THE MAN like we all know he can be. I think we lost to a better team tonight. We were outplayed most of the game. We get them a couple more times within a few weeks too. Not sure if the outcome will be much different though. Hopefully we can string together a few wins before then so our confidence can carry us to victory. With so few games left we don’t have the luxury of time to get it together. Gotta move on to minnesota and the quacks to get us back into the playoff picture. GKG!!!
[Reply]
King Cobra Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 7:35 am
@Mark Visher, Yeah is sure was noticeable with him out there against a TRUE 7 million dollar D man Webber. I sure hope the kid gets bigger, faster, stronger, tougher and better!!
[Reply]
How long until Frozen Fury? 7 months? Can’t wait.
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Hard to complain about the game. I thought we played hard and generally well. What does bug me though is that Nashville appears to be as good, if not better, than we are. How did that happen? Is this what we get after the fabled 5 year plan? Phoenix is ahead of us. St. Louis is ahead of us. Nashville is ahead of us. Teams like Calgary, Dallas and Minnesota – who have had all kinds of turmoil over the past few years – are virtually even with us. I just cannot help but be hugely disappointed by where we are, and see this year as proof positive that we need a new GM and new coach.
[Reply]
Jeff_R Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 10:49 pm
@rick, Nashville is basically the same type of team as the Kings. They are very good defensive team, get really good goaltending from Rinne and are very opportunistic when it comes to scoring. They aren’t the most talented team offensively, as you can see they don’t have any 20 goal scorers. Really if the Kings didn’t have the trouble scoring goals like they have, they would be exactly the same as Nashville, except I think the Kings are better as a whole defensively then Nashville and Quick is better then Rinne.
[Reply]
Osaka Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 10:56 pm
@Jeff_R, We are similar with them only because we are not scoring, we should be scoring more than they are. I would take our forwards over theirs.
[Reply]
Jeff_R Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 11:14 pm
@Osaka, That is true too.
JD Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 1:24 am
@Nick, Not on this site he’s not
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The Batman Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 1:37 am
@Nick, i wouldnt say quick is better than rinne but i also wouldnt say that rinne is better than quick. Last year rinne was a vezina finalist, and this year quick is likely to be a finalist.
[Reply]
Why is Clifford in the NHL?
[Reply]
Jeff_R Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 10:43 pm
@Scot, Because he is good enough to make it and only a 2nd year player so mistakes are something a coach can live with, as he has the most heart and soul of anybody on the team not name Brown.
[Reply]
Eldoret Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 10:45 pm
@Jeff_R,
Heart? Soul? This team? No sorry, you must be watching a different team.
[Reply]
Osaka Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 10:52 pm
@Eldoret, Dude, you didn’t get your way and the Kings lose so you bag on them? There is plenty of heart on this team. Clifford and Brown are nothing but heart.
Jeff_R Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 10:53 pm
@Eldoret, I am not talking about the whole team…I said Brown and Clifford. Also the fact that we can’t score doesn’t mean the players lack heart, unless your name is Penner. Our problem isn’t a lack of heart. If we did lack heart then we wouldn’t be as good defensively as we are and this team would be as low as Columbus.
Scot Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 10:53 pm
@Jeff_R,
I completely disagree with you.
Especially the first sentence fragment up to the comma.
[Reply]
Jeff_R Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 10:58 pm
@Scot, Well that is your opinion then because Clifford is really good and is only going to get better. Just you wait as he matures he will be hell of a player.
Scot Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 11:01 pm
@Jeff_R,
I don’t have anymore time to wait. “The time is now.”
Osaka Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 10:58 pm
@Scot, Why do you have a problem with Clifford? Why don’t you think he is an NHL player?
[Reply]
Scot Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 11:03 pm
@Osaka,
-He turns the puck over.
-He gets knocked off the puck.
-He has no confidence.
-He doesn’t score.
-He isn’t skilled.
-He is balding.
-He doesn’t even fight anymore.
-He lacks hockey sense.
Sincerely,
Paul Stastny
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 11:09 pm
@Scot, He is a 2nd year player. Penner does worse and he has been in the league over 6 years and you are bagging on Clifford. At least Cliffy can learn from his mistakes and get better. So what if he doesn’t fight like he did last season, it is his 2nd season and most all 2nd year players have what is called a Sophomore slump. Darryl Sutter will help make Kyle a much better player.
Osaka Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 11:15 pm
@Scot, Dude your going to compare him to Paul Stastny? They aren’t the same type player. Clifford is a young developing player still with a compete level that is off the charts. He plays tough, goes to the tough areas on the ice, is great at recovering pucks, punishes the opponents D, sticks up for his teammates, will back down from no one, can play in any situation, and can score some tough goals.
Scot Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 11:24 pm
@Osaka,
First of all, I was NOT comparing him to Paul Stastny.. You missed the joke. You must not have seen the game against Colorado last week when Clifford passed the puck right onto Paul Stastny’s tape and Stastny put it in our net. I think the official stat sheet said “Goal: Paul Stastny, Assist: Kyle Clifford.” It was the worst turnover I’ve seen a King make this season.
Secondly, I guess we see the player differently. I see him as reluctant out there. I think he goes into hard areas, but he doesn’t go in very hard, and doesn’t usually recover the puck. And he has zero skill at generating offense. You need at least some of that from every player, even on the 3rd and 4th lines. I don’t see enough of that from KC to warrant an NHL job yet. But I’m not a coach.
Osaka Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 11:36 pm
@Scot, That was a tough game against Colorado, and yes that was a horrible turnover. He may be tentative out there but that is the problem with the whole team. Lack of confidence shows.
The Batman Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 11:44 pm
@Scot, i think mostly its becuase he is balding
King Cobra Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 7:39 am
@Scot, LOL
sorry to say i agree. He cost us 2 much needed points in Glendale last week!!
Longbeachyo Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 11:06 pm
@Osaka, because heart only gets you so far. Clifford lacks talent and ability. Although it would be nice to see what these players are capable of outside of kompon’s crappy offense.
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Osaka Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 11:30 pm
@Longbeachyo, He is not nor ever will be a 1st line guy, but he doesn’t lack talent and ability. Guys like Clifford come up big in the playoffs. Come to think of it he had 5 points in 6 playoff games last year.
Scot Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 11:07 pm
@Osaka,
I acknowledge he plays with heart and soul.
But you know what? I play with heart and soul, too. It’s how my dad taught me to play. If I tried out for the Kings, I would give my heart and soul, but it doesn’t mean that I’m good enough. It doesn’t mean I should earn a roster spot. You gotta draw the line somewhere, and outside of some nice moments for Clifford, the guy is not ready for full time NHL duty, and he’s a liability out there this season.
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 11:12 pm
@Scot, Oh I see. The reason why we are so lousy this season is Kyle Clifford. I get it now. I guess there is no reason to watch anymore as Kyle is going to keep us out of the playoffs.
Osaka Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 11:24 pm
@Scot, Well I agree with the Kings organization in their assessment of talent, I think we definitely could use Clifford in 3rd or 4th line rolls. Lokti was the guy that was killing me when he was up, IMO Lokti had no business being in the NHL. I don’t see the way you do with Clifford.
I am glad your dad taught you to play with your heart and soul, you reminded me of my father hahaha. He went to every game and if I didn’t fight someone who wanted to fight, I would have to fight him when I got home hahaha. He played football at Penn State so anybody on the ice was a better dance partner than my old man. Eh that was Philly in the late 70′s, he watched too much Broad Street Bullies. Still, I played like Bobby Clarke (without all that skill though).
FiG17 Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 1:52 am
@Jeff_R
Aw… you can’t ask a guy his opinion and then say things like that. lol He wasn’t saying Clifford’s the reason the team’s lousy, he was just saying he needs time to mature. As you said, when he does mature, he can potentially be a really strong player, but maybe he needs some more time in the AHL before getting there.
Clifford has made a lot of critical mistakes, but one of the best things about him is his attitude. Remember when he failed to bring the puck off the board late in the game a while back which led to the game-tying goal? And then he apparently spent a long time the next day practicing it. The guy’s willing to learn from his mistakes and play hard, nobody’s refuting that. He just might have a lot yet to learn and we’ve painted ourselves in a corner where we can’t exactly afford a guy like that.
I know everyone is tired of hearing we played well but lost, Kings are jinxed. Drew tipped one past Quick, Carter rang one off the post, Richards misplayed Nashville’s second goal (thought it was icing), Voynov shooting wide when he walked in on the PP…… Either team could have won. It is still about execution and the Kings still are having problems finishing. Glad to see Carter got some of the Kings curse on his stick already. Everyone is tired and frustrated because they know this team is a lot better than the results they have been showing. We are still in it though and if this team could just get some confidence they will be tough. It may not happen and they may miss the playoffs but this team is good. They are not over their heads in these games. Come on Kings, break the curse!
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 11:04 pm
@Osaka, Carter’s shot that hit the post was one hell of a shot. He has one heck of a release. All he needs to do is keep shooting and the puck will go in. Once he and Richards gain the chemistry needed, which will take a few games, they will be electric.
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Osaka Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 11:26 pm
@Jeff_R, What I liked the most about Carter was he is able to handle a pass. So many times a hard pass will bounce off of a Kings Players’ stick. Lewis has NO HANDS!
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 11:41 pm
@Osaka, That is one of my problems I have with some of the players, they pass it to hard or they don’t follow the guy with the puck so they can get in position for a pass. You see all those passes that Penner does, to nobody. Somebody should be there.
freezer flatten Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 11:48 pm
@Jeff_R, go to the net.
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TellmeY Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 11:25 pm
@Osaka, Totally agree. Kopitar needs to be seated. Am really disappointed in his performance lately.
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Nick Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 12:03 am
@Osaka, Carter got the kopi kings kurse already we see!
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King Cobra Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 7:41 am
@Osaka, Good Post
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Fire kompon, please!
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Scot Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 11:08 pm
@Longbeachyo,
Yeahhh!!!
Where in Long Beach?
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Scot Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 11:09 pm
@Longbeachyo,
I live in Long Beach.. South East Long Beach.. In Signal Hill right now.
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I’m officially pissed at Kopitar. He’s paid way too much to not contribute.
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Nick Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 11:47 pm
@TellmeY, Yeah every body me gave me grief when I said trade kopi but now I think everyone knows we should have! He is useless, so is MR, JS,JW DP etc, DL is a douche bag, loser GM that’s that
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 12:06 am
@Nick, Kopi should not be traded. With our open up offense and Carter coming in it will allow Kopi to become more offensive. He got an assist tonight and the points will start coming. As to the Kopi that gets paid as much as he does you will see that either in the Playoffs or next season when he lines up with Parise or whoever we get. Wait til Kopi gets a top 3 winger to play with and you will see him explode.
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Nick Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 12:51 am
@Jeff_R, I respect u and luv u as a kings fan but kopi will not explode
jason Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 1:23 am
@TellmeY, one day all kings fans will see its not the players. its the offensive coach and the brainwashing that comes from one fool. Its impossible that all these players would do so horrible at once like this unless it wasn’t individual and it was a system of thinking/coaching
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Tough game, they came out a little slower than they should have and paid the price for it. They will bounce back tomorrow. I have faith and it will be a good game.
With the trade rumors, I think everyone was stressed and sapped with the travels. Tomorrow they will be looking for some revenge. It will be a good game. Stay positive.
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Well I’ve got tix to the game on st Patrick’s day at staples vs Nashville… We have won every game ive attended this year (except frozen fury). We shall have revenge
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Mars Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 11:44 pm
@Cortex949, Thats what I am talking about! Lets get ready and get the good thoughts flowing.
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And should have played bernier, what a muppet coach the kings have!!!! Seriously though
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 12:01 am
@Nick, Yea and if Bernier played today or any other day the fans wanted and we didn’t win then everybody would say he should of started Quick. It is a viscous cycle.
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Nick Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 12:04 am
@Jeff_R, Nope unwiring bhoy
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JD Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 2:02 am
@Jeff_R, Thank you
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@Nick, paying thousands means you are a Kings fan regardless of who is gm. If you were a dl fan you might have a gripe.
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Yeah, u happy so far?
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Reading this blog, Clifford is good, kopi waiting to explode, doughty was a good deal, lol, come on, more cool aid?
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Did anyone see Kompon in the richards video? Nolan asks in a meeting, “hey can I push up right there or something” and kompon says “no you have to cover or fall back” something in those terms
All I can think about is over the years and through all the offensive struggles Kompon has stayed around. I feel they are looking at things in a way too structured manner. When they did score tonight it was the first time I saw 2 kings in front of the net before the shot even got there.
I watch stoll in the offensive zone and its easy for me to tell why his scoring is so down. Even when we have the puck behind the net he will be up by the blue line with the other two defenders
It just makes me rage on how defensively minded and structured they are.
First off if an offensive coach proves to be as useless as kompon he should have been gone before anyone, including players. The way things have gone though, I could see kompon taking over as coach someday…. sigh….
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number 6 Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 8:01 am
@jason,
DL’s the boss. He wants a defensive team, he’s got a defensive team.
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I am so tired of seeing Murray and now Sutter say they worked hard and make excuses for what went wrong. If you dont make the players accountable, who will?
When you are paid to score goals and you dont….. well lets just say all us fans would be fired from our jobs if we did not get done what we are paid to do! Our bosses would not make excuses for us.
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Time to approach this Moneyball style. Lose Kopitar & Richards!
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I don’t blame DL, DS, TM, Kompon od Stevens. Some player on the nice needs to grab this team by the cajones night and lead them.. Someone needs to be the a -hole and hold every one responsible. By example, by lip if necessary. Someone needs to hold Kopi responsible for driving to the net. I’m not saying Mike Richards should be captain. But the gug fought someone 7″-10″ taller than himself. Pure sack. What I’m saying is someone in uniform needs to hold every one responsible. The last time I remeber Kopi trying to own the paint, Orpik layed helmet on him. It was the second time in the game he tried it! He scored the first time.
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KC23 Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 8:08 am
@Mik3ysfv, Mike Richards was one of the worst players on the ice last night imho.
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Ok boys and men same as always stand by our
Kings each year and keep praying
Go Kings Go
Good luck tonight look forward and not backwards
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WOW way to many fair weather fans here, maybe those of you should take up another sport. You live of die with this tea for years, some good and some bad. It is what is. They still have that shot, which they will need around 30-32 points out of the next 38 to be there, if not then next season will still arrive and a full season with Carter and some new additions will be ready.
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Kings x Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 9:39 am
@insider001, How can you even say that. There hasn’t even been fair weather yet
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A loss is a loss and at this time of the year, there are no good losses
but cmon people..they worked hard last night and did a lot of good things. The effort was certainly there all night and they should have gotten rewarded, but for whatever reason, the hockey gods are not smiling on us this year.
2 bad breaks and we’re down 2-0..You get no points for breaks going against you, but when you’re going to kill the team, at least be fair and judge them based on the overall performance.
I’m shocked reading above that people actually are blaming JQ. Shame on you!. The guy gives up 2 goals and he becomes the goat? That’s just blatently unfair. There was a deflection and a miscommunication. He didn’t get beat on a 55 foot shot or something.
Nothing you can do about last night except take the same effort into Minnesota and hopefully come out on the right side of the score. There are still enough games left to be played that it’s not over yet..but it is getting late.
Go Kings!
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TellmeY Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 6:50 am
@nykingfan, Very well put. Firing people right and left is not the answer. We have great players. If Kopitar would step up to the plate a little it would be mighty helpful. Don’t get what’s going on with him
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nykingfan Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 9:15 am
@TellmeY,
me either.
He’s not the dominant player we’re used to seeing.
Without him being Kopi, we’re in big trouble!
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Sutter, you can think that this Kings team played well last night. However, the facts are the facts. This Kings lost last night thanks to their crappy offense and two defense breakdowns. Stop making excuses after losses. This Kings is not a playoff team at the moment and they will not be one after the next 19 games. There will be no post season for this Kings team because of their poor offense and lack of execution.
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M.T. Netter Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 7:00 am
@Cesar A, they might sneak into the playoffs since a few other teams seem to be tanking too…but what good is it to get BLASTED in the 1st round?
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Advanced ststs Game ID# is 20933.
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We did play good against a good team and Rinne was on fire, but we need pts and key players that know how to come through when the game or season is on the line. I personally would play Quick on the tail end of back to back games for the simple reason that your defense start slowing down on the 2nd night and Bernier’s record against the Preds speaks for itself. Let’s see how we respond tonight, I would feel much more comfortable with Carter getting his first goal no later than his third game in. Go Kings
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pr0cess Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 7:41 am
@Top Shelf, Why is it that every time someone plays us that we should beat there goalie is amazing?? Time to find a way to score, or will all be watching the dogs in the playoffs…
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puck73 Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 7:47 am
@pr0cess, Rinne is not just any goalie, and the Preds are not just any team on their home ice. If we bring that effort tonite, we should win.
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pr0cess Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 7:56 am
@puck73, hope so bud, we need every point… I really hoped we wouldn’t have to fight for 8th again this year…
KC23 Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 8:21 am
@puck73, Spot on. Nashville was 9-0-2 at home. Haven’t lost in regulation since the beginning of Jan. There have been games where I get fed up, but this wasn’t one of them.
@Osaka, wow, what is with the lokti bashing??
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Eldoret Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 7:53 am
@vinny, Besides the fact that he’s done nothing since being called up?
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pr0cess Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 7:58 am
@Eldoret, +1
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vinny Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 8:14 am
@Eldoret, lol yes besides that! look who the poor kid gets on his wings..lewis and cliffy..those guys cant score..well except on the penalty shot, which, oh wait, was in fact a play made by lokti! he’s always getting those guys chances is what im sayin, and its nice to see the third line do more than dump, chase, point shot wide, repeat(for the most part anyway)! he’s definitely an nhler!!
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I could not count how many times I saw (and heard Bob Miller say), “the puck goes off of Penner’s stick.” The guy has hands of stone. I like him but he needs to go.
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Geez, almost 12 hours between posts… What am I supposed to do before work without any new posts?
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They never should have changed uniforms.
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King-C Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 8:15 am
@Kaiser Soze, Or get rid of Heidi
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It was great to see Rich on the old TV last night. Great job.
There’s always next year.
It’s time for DL to go!!!!!!!!
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So, how many games of Carter not scoring before we can finally all agree that the problem is the system? You can either have a system and build your team around it by getting the right type of players like New Jersey, Nashville, etc. or you can get players you like and build a system around their talents. Right now, we’re trenched into a system that management would sooner cut their own throats than change and we keep adding players that won’t be successful in it. We have a defense first system, but only have 2 players that excel defensively: Mitchell and Scuderi. Richards is the only forward that has anything resembling defensive abilities. With the departure of Zus and Simmonds we completely lost any kind of checking line. The only reason the defense is rated so high is because Quick is a beast in net and because other teams sit back and don’t even try to score after they’ve scored 2 against us because that’s all you need to win.
This is a management problem and either all of them, Lombardi, Sutter, Kompon, Stevens, etc. need to go or most of the players need to go. I for one would rather see the team we’ve got with the handcuffs taken off than the Nashville lockdown 2.0, but that’s just me.
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seriously….firing management is not the answer….perhaps handing a mirror to our goal scorers is a better solution!
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I don’t think D.L. should get fired, he put a good team together. The talent is there, but for some reason, the offense is not. This had to be the year. Can Quick be as good next year as he is this year, chances are slim, and then we will get offense. We are renewing our ticket package for next year, because we are a glutton for punishment. I think we are just jinxed. I have been a Kings fan for 40 years next year, since I was 5, and will be to the end, I just hope my kids don’t have to put a Kings hat and puck on my grave, because I never had a chance to see them win the cup, and go to the parade. This is becoming quit sad, see you Saturday.
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You had to know that this was going to be painful to watch beginnig with the Trevor Lewis blocked shot in the first few minutes. If he takes half of a second longer and goes to the forehand the Kings have a 1-0 lead. Instead another rushed shot turns into a shot blocked by a d’man laying face down on the ice in front of an empty net. It’s as fustrating as watching my adult rec league team play in front of me.
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The worst move DL made (other than Penner of course) was replacing Murray with Sutter. Did he not realize what the Kings problems were. Defense wins championships is the biggest load of bologna. The kings have been defensive minded for the last 5 years. Why would we replace Murray with a guy who’s only been able to produce defensive-minded teams? Look at the Ducks, they got a REAL coach who knows how to coach both sides of the ice. I hope when DL leaves, he’ll coach will leave with him.
Its hard being a LA fan these days. All our teams have gone with the “defense first attitude.” The only team that did’t do that was Phil’s Lakers. Now look, Lakers are the best they’ve been in defense since I can remember and it doesn’t stand a chance. The dodges have been playing “small ball” and focusing on pitchers for over 10 years and look where that has taken us. The Angel’s are legitimately making a move to capture Los Angeles fans.
The Kings are full of talented offensive players. But Sutter doesn’t know how to use them Same is true with Mike Brown. Why is Gasol shooting three’s? Why isn’t Penner just told to park his fat a** right infront of the goalie and wait for shots to come in? How long does our team need to play dump and chase? Why can’t we coaches that know how to run offenses. I hope AEG get its act together and starts to realize that we need a GM and a coach that will try to make the most out of our offensive players.
All most all of our talented players are projected to have seasons goals, assists, and points totals significantly below their average and clearly below their potential. Who’s fault is that? When everyone fails a test, it’s fair to blame the teacher. When every player performs below his ability, its fair to blame the coach. And when a coach is replaced by an equally offensively-inept coach, its fair to blame the GM.
its been really hard being a King’s fan (especially while living on the east coast) but the “time is now” and having watching these guys underperform year in and year out is just sickening.
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The Core Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 12:05 pm
Also, I’m cool with losing to Nashville. They are an incredible team and we jus got our new player. I’m NOT cool with only scoring 1 goal again. We didn’t play a good game, because we only scored 1 goal. It’s that simple. Nothing has changed.
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I’d like to see the TM v DS numbers (wins, goals, shots, pp, pk). This doesn’t feel like improvement.
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