Jeff Carter is now two games into his Kings career. In his first game, Carter played 17 minutes, 16 seconds, and had four shots on goal. Last night in Nashville, he played 19:51, had two shots on goal and was part of a game-changing turnaround. In the second period. Carter had a brilliant shot ring off the far goalpost, and the Predators scored less than 20 seconds later to take a two-goal lead. It’s difficult to say, based on two games, but Carter might already have inherited the titles of best skater and best shooter on the team. He talked about his transition to the Kings, and moving from center to wing…
CARTER: “It’s never easy (being traded), obviously, but I think a lot of the stuff we’ve been doing here is pretty similar to what we did in Philadelphia with Johnny Stevens. That obviously makes it a little bit easier.’’
Question: For you, playing center vs. wing, does it make a big difference?
CARTER: “I don’t think it makes much of a difference. With Mike and I, basically whoever is back first is going to go low. I’ve played a whole year on wing, last year, so I’m familiar with it now. It’s not an issue at all.’’
Question: What is your perspective on what Mike Richards brings, from playing alongside him?
CARTER: “You guys know what Mike brings to the table. He’s one of those heart-and-soul type guys. He’s going to give it his all every night. I think with us playing together, we’re familiar with each other. We haven’t played a lot together, but in our times together we’ve had some pretty good success. Hopefully we can get it going.’’
Two games already, should this guy not at least have a point. Hell he is 10 years at 5 million bucks. Oh its okay score when you can Jeff, everybody forgives you in LA.
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twnclick Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 1:37 pm
@Harty, Well at least he shows some heart. He will start scoring and meshing but i’m afraid it will be to little to late
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Sam Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 1:41 pm
@Harty, Geez, give the guy a break. There are plenty of highly paid, talented players on the team that should be scoring. He just started playing with the team, there’s got to be some adjustments before he hits full stride.
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Deke'r Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 1:47 pm
@Harty, …..calm down francis…
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dduffy Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 1:51 pm
@Deke’r,
I love the STRIPES reference!
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toemas_sandstrom Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 2:07 pm
@Deke’r, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OnpkDWbeJs&sns=em
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Sean Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 2:07 pm
@Deke’r, Lighten up, Francis*
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Kings x Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 4:24 pm
@Deke’r, Lol. Dont call me Francis
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jmsalsa Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 1:50 pm
@Harty, i wouldn’t say it’s for lack of trying. i believe he’s hit a post or crossbar in both games. i think he’s taking good shots. and as for getting points from assists…..well…..hard to get those on this team.
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Newf Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 1:51 pm
@Harty, he’s already shown to be worth a hundred penners…not that they’d be worth anything anyways, but still. seen more out of him in the past 2 games than just about anyone else on the team. he doesn’t hesitate to shoot the puck whatsoever.
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Stuart Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 1:59 pm
@Newf, doens’t it cost more to make a penner than a penner is actually worth??? thought I read that somewhere recently.
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Duncanz Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 3:13 pm
@Stuart, Excellent!
Dan H. Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 2:33 pm
@Newf,
How did he do that? I believe they have the same point count in their two games that they played together.
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Csaba Bhody Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 2:03 pm
@Harty, We should give a point to someone who hit the post… it’s bigger deal than an assist in my opinion…
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KC23 Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 2:21 pm
@Harty, On the Kings? surely you jest.
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letswinthecup2012 Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 2:31 pm
@Harty, harsh. he’s looked good and had a couple of very near scores…
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California Royalty Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 2:43 pm
@Harty, Clearly you’re just another casual fan basing someone’s skill soley on numbers and nothing else. He’s played 2 games and has been arguably the teams best forward in both games. When he’s on the ice, he is bringing something no other forward on the team is, something different every time. You can tell he would rather skate the puck in and create a scoring chance, than dump and chase like everyone else on the team.
I can’t believe in only 2 games, you’ve managed to bring up his contract. Fact is, he has a great contract. He is cheap considering his skill level and what he brings to the team.
I guess since he didn’t get at least 4 points on Saturday, Lombardi should have tried to trade him yesterday eh?
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Christian Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 3:06 pm
@California Royalty, Classic! It’s seems some just put their foot in their mouths from the start of a post doesn’t it.
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Duncanz Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 3:16 pm
Everyone here is missing Harty’s ultimate point, which is that KFC is not playing tonight..
Duckbasher Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 5:38 pm
@California Royalty,
Dude… you are so right on!
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brian spain Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 7:39 pm
@California Royalty, Well Brown had a hat trick and an assist, so I think Brownie gets my nod for best forward Saturday night. He is going to be a good pick up. But anybody in here thanks thinks anybody on this team plays harder than Dustin Brown night in and night out, is on crack. He may not score often enough for our liking, but that guy plays his butt off every night.
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OneTimer Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 3:45 pm
@Harty,
COMPLETE fail of a post. Good lord.
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He just might be the best skater and shooter on the team!! Looks good. Now we just need some goals!! GKG!!
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Carter looks bigger than what I imagined – He has a good hockey style… Now Richards just needs to snap out of his funk.
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David Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 1:40 pm
@KingsGuy, I agree. Take Carter off Richards line for now. Put him with Kopitar and Brown. Slide Williams down to the line with Richards and King. In fact, take out King and put Nolan on that line.
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kingrussell Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 1:44 pm
@David, I agree.Shake things up a little and try to get Kopi going.
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KingsGuy Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 1:53 pm
@David, What is Kopitars deal??? Everyone is talking about “Richards game is off since his injury”… What about AK. Maybe drop him down to 2nd line?
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RLane420 Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 2:04 pm
@KingsGuy, Watch the NHL36 speacial on Richards. When they show the banged up players, notice Kopi on the table with a bag of ice on the ancle he broke last season. This says to me that his ancle is not a 100 percent like we were all lead to believe. It tells me he is still experiancing pain from the fracture. That would at least explain a little of why he has not been as effective as he should be. We all know as Kopi goes so does the Kings offence. If DL had gotten Carter about 20 games ago it might have made a difference.
KingsGuy Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 2:50 pm
RLane420,
Nice point, I did watch that, but didn’t pay attention about Kopi sitting on the bench… Good catch.
Deke'r Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 2:51 pm
@RLane420,….that’s what I was thinking….broke my ankle in a football game and took a good 2 years until it was all the way back….of course I didn’t have access to the state of the art medical facilities Kopi does but a bone is a bone…
KingsFletch Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 3:18 pm
@KingsGuy, lol it’s obvious Kopi isn’t 100% from that ankle injury, and quite honestly he might never be again. He’s gotta get used to dealing with the swelling and pain every night, and probably get a clean-up procedure in the offseason. Either way though, he should be playing better. I’d love to see him Richards and Carter on the same line at some point tho.
California Royalty Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 2:48 pm
@David, No way. Richards is a natural centre. He has chemistry with Carter, something no 2 other forwards on the team have. Plus they need to spread out the talent as much as they can so the other teams don’t have to basically defend one line
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KingInASeaOfGreen Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 2:55 pm
@California Royalty, Sometimes I feel like the coaches are making the lines based off of what chemistry certain players had on previous teams. I understand the logic, but jokes aside, we aren’t Flyers west. We’re the Kings and I think the players should be matched up on who is most compatible with one another and not what players looked good when they played together before.
I’m not saying this hasn’t been done, but it seems like everyone is counting on what players have done in the past and not on how to maximize their talents/strengths within the current roster.
5holer Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 3:22 pm
@California Royalty, No teams have to defend any forward line on this team! Which one is even dangerous on a regular basis? None of them. Kopitar has been struggling since the 2nd half last season, well before his ankle injury(break)! Most LA forwards are struggling because they do not execute as they are told to! These other things are just excuses that have no merit! If a guy is injured and cannot play to his potential, then he needs to speak up and sit out to get it well again. Its no service to the team to play at 70% or so. Gotta man up and take your licks or get out of lineup…pick it! Scoring is an epidemic in either direction…goals going in or not going in! Offensively challenged teams like LA suffer from poor execution and do not score much! There are simple reasons why goals do not happen enough offensively…1) No finishing off a play at the net(common for Kings players); 2) No net presence for rebound plays, dirty goals, tips, deflections and the like(none of that with Kings players). Do not ask me, just stop by practices and ask any member of the coaching staff and they will tell you the same thing. Hell, ask any hockey person you can find! No mysteries here! Well, the players are the mysteries here for sure! Carter is a big upgrade here, just like Richards and Gagne! Time heals all wounds and it usually wounds all heals!! Bad mix here, until they prove otherwise!
Run with it or don’t!
Christian Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 3:08 pm
@KingsGuy, And Kopitar, and Stoll and Penner, Lewis, Richardson and…. Everyone except Brown of late and Quick all season.
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You have to give him 5 games to get acclimated (thus my initial post a few days ago that his acquisition may have been too little, too late). Heck, Penner went wild and scored something like 3 goals in his first 4 games and then went, er, uh, how do you describe where he went? Oh yea, Twilight Zone on us and disappeared into other dimensions, such as the injury list, the press box, the IHOP and other places that I don’t think we want to know about. Carter appears to be trying and working hard, he definitely is not afraid to shoot, and his quick release is pretty impressive.
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RLane420 Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 2:20 pm
@DesertKing, agreed if Carter came in about 20 games ago he could have made a difference. Too little too late is exactly right.I am glad to get Carter and it WILL make a big difference next season.
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KC23 Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 2:23 pm
@RLane420, Yeah, it is a bit late. Too late? We’ll see, sure looks that way atm.
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5holer Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 3:35 pm
@DesertKing, Yup, it has been too late since September 28th 2011…or perhaps since July 2010 with all those failed acquisitions that were attempted! There are not enough offensive threats here that add up to Stanley Cup Contention…some kids haven’t panned out (long list of names) and some acquisitions have bombed(no need to mention who they are)! The 5 year plan has turned to a “Maybe 7 year plan”, but maybe not at all with this regime? Need more than a line and a half to contend. Got D! Got GT! For sure, but if you cannot score you cannot win anything in this NHL! Need 300% more from a ton of forwards here, and there are NO EXCUSES TO BE MADE! Nashville has a lot less talent then LA up front(absolutely on paper), but they can score from real good execution! You saw it last night and in all Trotz years there! LAKs could do the same(and have in past) but do not and probably will not in time this season! Many changes needed for next year up front! Hang a Zero on this season, cause its over by the look of it! Crocodile tears coming next!
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I wish Penner could skate like Carter!
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RLane420 Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 2:06 pm
@Trip, I wish half the Kings could skate like Carter.
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This team is wearing me out
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LVKINGS88 Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 2:15 pm
@King4life, That’s a pretty bad thing for someone whose handle is King4life, you might have to change that to Kingsarewearingmeout,LOL,but I know what you mean.
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Capt Jam Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 2:31 pm
@LVKINGS88,
LOL. +1
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good to know the wing doesn’t make a difference or any issue’s. I know Loki had troubles in not being a center.
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Yeah! Get it going, rip em a new one tonight!
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Welcome to LA! where offense comes to die.
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RoyalBlack Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 2:29 pm
@Dominick, LMAO!!!
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….this pick up was not to take the team to the SC this year but the start of building the offense for next…..if the Kings eek into the playoffs this season it’s icing on the cake….real SC run won’t happen till 2013/2014 season…
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twnclick Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 2:03 pm
@Deke’r, eeking into the playoffs means playing Vancover Would love to see those jerks knocked out by us but its a scary series
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twnclick Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 2:03 pm
@Deke’r, eeking into the playoffs means playing Vancover Would love to see those jerks knocked out by us but its a scary series
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Perro Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 2:09 pm
@twnclick, I was thinking about this yesterday. If we get in and get Vancouver I would be all for it. They got grittier at the deadline, but I still think we can take them. It is high risk high reward, I would be gloating for the next seven years if we eliminated them when their window to win the cup has never been more open.
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OneTimer Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 4:05 pm
@Perro,
OneTimer likes this.
39scars Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 2:06 pm
@Deke’r, We do have that extra seventh round pick from Edmonton. That may be are first pick this draft. I’m sure we can get some offense
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39scars Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 2:08 pm
@39scars, And we have the Flyers sixth pick. So we have 4 picks after 165. Lots of offense coming
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Deke'r Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 3:02 pm
@39scars, ….I wasn’t referring to draft picks….that’s too far down the road….I meant trade acquisitions during the off season with what we have coming in from the farm…
RLane420 Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 2:08 pm
@Deke’r, To make the playoffs the Kings should be playing their best hockey at this time of the year and they are far from it.
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KC23 Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 2:26 pm
@RLane420, Agreed, but they aren’t that far from it. We are not getting beat by much and it wouldn’t take much of an offensive outburst to turn this whole season around … that being said, you would think if it was going to happen it would have by now. We’ll see.
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PP Anybody? Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 3:24 pm
@Deke’r, Yeah, I forgot that it’s all part of Lombardi’s 9 year plan.
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He almost scored… He hit the goalpost… It would’ve changed the game!
We need just a little bit of luck! GO KINGS GO!!!
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PP Anybody? Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 3:25 pm
@Csaba Bhody, I thought we just needed more skill?
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Off topic a bit but.
Have all the season ticket holders decided what they are going to spend their playoff ticket money on?
I think I am going to spend mine on a new motor for my boat. I should have plenty of money since I was saving for the deep playoff run DL said this team was built for.
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DesertKing Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 2:06 pm
@RLane420,
Going to be part of the down payment on my new truck which I will use to pull my boat
Or, I will use what I save to pay off next season’s ticket package. Either way, AEG, Staples and the City of LA are going to be out of a lot of money.
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RLane420 Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 2:22 pm
@DesertKing, Not to mention a certain GM could be loosing a ton of payroll, after he is done getting paid to sit and collect the balance of his contract.
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KC23 Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 2:27 pm
@RLane420, Going to put it towards a fishing trip late this spring.
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Getting drafted or traded to the kings is a lot like getting married.
There is a hell of a lot of potential, however you score less than you EVER did.
Plus you’re under a microscope therefore anything you do is analyzed to the 9th degree
oh and you’re always wrong!
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Deke'r Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 2:00 pm
@Lake Forest, …LOL!….great analogy….
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DesertKing Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 2:07 pm
@Lake Forest,
Sleeping on the couch leads to reduced scoring in the 1st period.
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Stuart Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 2:08 pm
@Lake Forest, bwahahahahahaha!!! so true, and thus so sad
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Perro Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 2:10 pm
@Lake Forest, Everything ok at home?
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Lake Forest Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 2:14 pm
@Perro, I’m a very blessed man, just sarcastic as hell……most of the time. haha
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39scars Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 2:14 pm
@Lake Forest, That is why the wife painted TM on ou dog house
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KC23 Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 2:27 pm
@Lake Forest, rotflmao
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Kingfish Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 2:30 pm
@Lake Forest,
Hillarious. So true, sad but true
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wavesinair Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 2:32 pm
@Lake Forest,
And the opposite is true too.
Getting traded away from the Kings is like getting divorced.
It hurts like hell at first.
You question whether or not it was a mistake.
You start working out harder and eating better.
You realize you’re free from wifey’s ‘system.’
Then, before you know it, you start scoring BIG TIME.
Then you get married again. Rinse, repeat.
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Regent Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 3:11 pm
@Lake Forest, is this why they don’t score during ANY periods?
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Duncanz Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 3:26 pm
@Regent, Touche …. no I said Touche
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Wait until next game. After a while, the accumaulated waits turn into wait till next season. My dad was the biggest Kings fan I ever knew. He waited as long as he could. Now it’s my turn.
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Stuart Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 2:09 pm
@Pili, it’s almost like a curse passed down from generation to generation… I worry that my son will grow up and follow another team, but I could’nt blame him if he did. :\
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KC23 Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 2:33 pm
@Pili, I lost a brother who was a bigger King fan that I am. If I live to see them win the cup my tears will be more than tears of joy. I’ll be at the parade thinking of nothing but him and will be an emotional wreck no doubt. His burial site will have some interesting artifacts from that day forward.
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Just keep that Glock release going and he’ll score.
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DesertKing Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 2:26 pm
@LA_1968,
Thats the problem. Glocks are notorious for misfires and failing to fire at all. Give him a SIG release and we will be rolling.
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jess Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 2:42 pm
@DesertKing,
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jess Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 2:42 pm
@jess, LOL
I don’t care who needs to do what, just want to string together some W’s.
If our top line isn’t scoring hopefully they at least provide preasure exhausting the other team’s defense, makingi better matchups for other lines. We shoudl be deep enough on offese. Do you guys think Sutter should shorten the bench playing the fourht line less?
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5holer Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 4:05 pm
@Perro, Sure that will work, right? Who is playing to their potential offensively? What forward is playing his executed game? Why should they get more ice time? Run Brownie out there for 40 minutes on triple shifts is about all you can hope for here! Take away the No Doz from the locker room before game time with these bums! Its a Huge mental hurdle now and way too late to hope for IMHO! Horse is not only out of the barn, but he cannot even be seen on the road running away any longer! Which way did they go? String W’s together seems like a miracle request to me! Keep the faith and keep praying I guess! What else?
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King is slowing down that line by far.. Penner would be better I think.
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RLane420 Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 2:26 pm
@Nick, Pancakes is one of the slowest players the Kings have. That is why they cant have him play with Kopi he cant keep up and doesnt have the stamina to play those many min.
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Last night the Kings came out hard. Real hard. On either the first or second shift Kopi made it to the slot and missed or was stopped (can’t remember). What a chance. I sure would like to see Kopi determined to skate the puck to that spot several times per game.
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5holer Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 3:59 pm
@LA_1968, Novel thought isn’t it? The entire NHL has been saying the same thing for a couple of years to Kopi! Is it a hard head or something else? Lights seem to be on, but is anyone home? Goes for about 14 other forwards in LA too!! What a mismatched jumble pile of a mess it is! TM got grayer, got frustrated badly and got Fired for what I still do not know? DS looks very frustrated, especially since the initial honeymoon ended with always zero goals for every time, every period, every week! He has no answers with any mix of combinations so far, just like his predecessor TM! Lombardi can blame himself for this mix along with the forwards to a man taking the entire blame for their non-performances! It is disgusting indeed! Some guys cannot wait to get out of here I am sure! I cannot either! Coming out hard doesn’t get it in game number 60 and later into crunch time! No psychological victories needed, just results from execution! Ain’t happening!
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He’s saying the right things so far. If his play matches that we’ll be in good shape.
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“I think a lot of the stuff we’ve been doing here is pretty similar to what we did in Philadelphia ” Interesting, so that mean the only difference between the Flyers and Kings are the King’s drive to win?
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Weasel Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 2:43 pm
@John Roy Morgan,
East coast bias. Something to do with the earth’s rotation causes pucks to travel East more easily than traveling West……
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- ViC - Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 3:45 pm
@Weasel, difference is Flyers know how to score!
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Deke'r Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 3:21 pm
@John Roy Morgan, …..aptitude perhaps?….
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Come JC score some goals tonight
Go Kings Go
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@jmsalsa, I believe it was Richards who hit the post against the Hawks and he hit the post against Nashville
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Alright I’m probably going to get a lot of flack for saying this, but I think they should put Penner with Richards and Carter. Penner likes to pass to the slot when he’s on the boards, the problem is no one on our team is in the slot. Now watching Carter play, he camps in the slot. I can see Penner connecting with Carter on the forecheck.
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5holer Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 4:23 pm
@DEH, That is good hockey talk! Your Observations are quite advanced for this post! Great point by you sir! Bang on, No flack here! Penner is about the only choice around here after all! Takes 6 forwards to make a Top 6 group with my math. I see only 5, and most of them have been bums to date this year! Both Centers have sucked! Brownie now has caught fire, but was alone on an island most of the year, Williams still snoozing! Gagne out concussed and now we add Carter on Wing at game 61! Got 5 + a maybe Penner(more 3rd liner to me), and one on LTIR! Bottom 6 is the most bottom 6 I have ever encountered in this NHL! Dregs of NHL Universe for Bottom 6 here! Got Nuttin! Easy to see why they do not score, just as you pointed out in your post! Who is in front? When? Passing to whom? Throw it down the low wall and forget about it! Ace strategy! Zero + Zero is still Zero! Math fanatic perhaps!
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One more one goal loss tonight and we can drive that Fat Lady to the Ducks Game on Saturday! I hear her warming up tonight!! I am about Faithless at this point!! But good adds with Carter, Richards & Gagne regardless of this blown up year! Future is all there is now! Big changes a coming folks!!
Gotta go watch this scoreless bunch regardless….idle curiosity I guess! Silly me!
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