Based on today’s morning skate, the Kings seem to be staying with the same lineup (other than Jonathan Bernier in goal), with Davis Drewiske, Brad Richardson and Kevin Westgarth as the healthy scratches. And, just to follow up on the previous item, the Columbus Blue Jackets are on their best run of the season. They’ve won a season-best three consecutive games, beating Colorado once and Phoenix twice, by a combined margin of 10-4. Darryl Sutter certainly took note of those Columbus wins, and probably noted that Blue Jackets goalie Steve Mason, after a rough run in February, has stopped 91 of 95 shots in the last four games. The Blue Jackets, far out of the Western Conference playoff race, have nothing to lose at this point.
SUTTER: “They just beat three teams that we didn’t beat, Phoenix twice and Colorado. I don’t think there has to be much of a message. It’s clearly about one game at a time, and they have a different mindset than we do. They’re trying to play the role of spoiler, and as a team and as individuals, they’re trying to play the role of proving something, because they have a lot of young guys that are trying to show what their identity is to everybody. And we’re in a different situation, where we’re fighting for a playoff spot. There’s two totally different mindsets. We can’t let their strong mindset right now get in the way of ours.’’
Tonight’s game is huge when you consider that just about everyone else in the race is playing tonight. Colorado is in Nashville, Minnesota is in Phoenix, and SJ and Dallas are squaring off, This is great opportunity to make up some ground on teams and extend our margin over some others. If the Ducks lose today in St. Louis, I think we could just about write them off. First thing first, win the game and GKG!!!
[Reply]
Capt Jam Reply:
March 8th, 2012 at 10:57 am
@DesertKing,
I’m expecting wins from DAL and PHX tonight…and the Kings, so, at a minimum, the Kings should end the night in a playoff spot even if COL beats NASH (which I’m leaning towards).
[Reply]
drewdoughtysdonuts Reply:
March 8th, 2012 at 11:45 am
@Capt Jam, NO 3-point games..especially not in the pacific matchup. If Colorado beats Nashville tonight on the road i’d be fairly surprised.
[Reply]
Capt Jam Reply:
March 8th, 2012 at 12:02 pm
@drewdoughtysdonuts,
I would be too in a way. Nashville has a strong tendency to lose the game that follows a game where they’ve given up 5 goals.
These losing ruts start very quietly for the better teams. Has anyone outside Vancouver noticed that the Canuckleheads have lost 4 of their last 5 games?
jess Reply:
March 8th, 2012 at 11:45 am
@DesertKing,
Gonna be a wild night in the Western Conference.
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
March 8th, 2012 at 1:30 pm
@DesertKing, I wrote the Ducks off months ago. Still haven’t changed my mind.
[Reply]
Win, win, and win again. I hope that is the mindset. Work hard Kings and get those wins.
[Reply]
It’s gonna be a tough game. Anything less than 100% effort by us & we’ll get beat.
Playing teams w/ nothing to lose is very tough….let alone the fact that JJ is gonna be amped & the Columbus crowd will doo everything to antagonize Carter.
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
March 8th, 2012 at 11:06 am
@dahack11, ‘Late Breaking Announcement’:
Columbus will present Jeff Carter with a special award for long service tonight, before the game;
An egg-timer.
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
March 8th, 2012 at 11:20 am
@Duncanz,
Based on the earlier thread, I thought it was going to be a bail bond.
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
March 8th, 2012 at 1:32 pm
@DesertKing, There is no truth to the rumor that a bail bond bidding war is going in Rich’s hotel room.
Melissa Reply:
March 8th, 2012 at 11:31 am
@Duncanz, Jack Johnson just posted this on Facebook…
The FOX Sports Ohio Blue Line at Nationwide Arena and the Blue Jackets are hosting a jersey makeover. Bring your Jeff Carter jersey to the team store tonight by the end of the first period and we’ll change the nameplate to Jack Johnson for FREE! Quantities are limited based on jersey type (home, away or third).
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
March 8th, 2012 at 12:23 pm
@Melissa, KILL THE WITCH !!!!
If there was ever a game to score first, this is it. They get on the board early, look out. It could get ugly. How they beat those 2 clubs in the last 3 games is beyond me, accept to say with nothing to lose, you play loose. Tonight though, they do have a bit to lose. The trade makes it more than ‘just another game,’ which is why I think the Kings will get the two points in a shootout.
[Reply]
Iansez Reply:
March 8th, 2012 at 11:01 am
@wavesinair, way to make a call! I was just gonna say “let ‘er rip”! Wonder if JJ is a shootout guy for them..
[Reply]
Jeff_R Reply:
March 8th, 2012 at 11:04 am
@Iansez, While OT doesn’t really matter in the playoff sense between these two teams, I rather the Kings win in regulation even if it is done at the 1 second mark of the 3rd. We need regulation or OT wins. We can’t afford at this juncture to have too many or any SO wins.
[Reply]
Shakes Reply:
March 8th, 2012 at 11:10 am
@Jeff_R,
Good point
Kenny44 Reply:
March 8th, 2012 at 11:13 am
@wavesinair, I was thinking the same thing – our best chance is to get up on them early, and kill their will.
Tonight we’ll see if the Kings are ready to handle success.
[Reply]
THEFL Reply:
March 8th, 2012 at 11:37 am
@Kenny44, Our best chance tonight is to play our best and destroy the Jackets, physically, mentally, and huge on the scoreboard. Let’s end it in 60.
[Reply]
40YearKingsFan Reply:
March 8th, 2012 at 11:26 am
@wavesinair, I agree. For the time being anyway, the other shoe has dropped in Columbus and they’re back to having fun and playing hockey with a pretty good team and no expectations. JJ is looking to impress and Nash is looking to solidify his market value, but there’s no real pressure on anybody. That can make for a dangerous team. But I too think we’ll find a way to win this one.
[Reply]
With a back-to-back tomorrow in Detroit, tonight’s game is a “must win.” (And, aside from taxing stamina, it does’t matter whether we pick up 2points in regulation time or not.)
[Reply]
purple and gold Reply:
March 8th, 2012 at 11:18 am
@Ron Reynolds, 2 points is regulation is much better if it comes to a tie breaker down the stretch.
[Reply]
I agree that this is a MUST win for the Kings. Just do it!!!
[Reply]
Resedakingsfan Reply:
March 8th, 2012 at 11:34 am
@John, Pretty much every game from here on out is a must win for the Kings. They played well in Nashville so let’s hope they can keep it up. Go Kings Go!!
[Reply]
Tonights game will be an interesting one for Bernier and Mason. It was Mason who took over for Bernier, after he had a somewhat poor game at the World Juniors in 2008. Mason then led them to Gold and the MVp of the tournament. It was a somewhat controversial switch at the time and I hope Bernier will remember that tonight and use it for inspiration tonight. Hope Johnathan can show everybody tonight he is indeed the better goaltender and that he will never be replaced by Mason again.
[Reply]
Capt Jam Reply:
March 8th, 2012 at 10:59 am
@Jeff_R,
Talk about holding a grudge…
[Reply]
cpmc29 Reply:
March 8th, 2012 at 11:38 am
@Capt Jam, sounds more like motivation.
[Reply]
I do hope the Kings win it in regulation though…from Doughty goal…with under 1 second to go…and the cannon misfires…and the CLOCK is shown to work perfectly this time.
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
March 8th, 2012 at 11:12 am
@wavesinair, If the cannon misfires, I think it’s Cliffie who scores, isn’t it … ?
[Reply]
Harty Reply:
March 8th, 2012 at 1:23 pm
@Duncanz, why?? he is middle of the pack on the team in scoring, ahead of guys making a hell of alot more money then him……
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
March 8th, 2012 at 1:41 pm
@Harty, Cos he scored in Tampa right after they mistakenly set off the horn at the other end.
Don’t tell me you’d forgotten!
i hope the Kings can win todays game and some how pull a win next game too…This team surprise me witha 3 game winning streak against the Preds…..So playoffs is a very chance indeed..I hope they keep on going with it..
[Reply]
Jeff_R Reply:
March 8th, 2012 at 11:13 am
@KingsFanFTW, The Detroit game is revenge for the last one. The Kings are much better now then they were then, as they were in flux after firing TM. Detroit also is going through a bunch of injuries and there home streak has ended. If there was a time to beat them now is it.
[Reply]
40YearKingsFan Reply:
March 8th, 2012 at 11:32 am
@Jeff_R, Good points and I totally agree. Datyuk is out. Lidstrom, Howard and Bertuzzi are day to day, so they’re banged up, and they absilutely embarrassed us last time. I definitely think its a game we can win. Like you say, if there was ever a time,,,,,,,
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
March 8th, 2012 at 11:44 am
@40YearKingsFan,
And Quick will be very focused.
Duncanz Reply:
March 8th, 2012 at 12:06 pm
@Desert King, So will the denigraters if JB gets the shutout tonight..
(am I allowed to say the ‘s’ word prior to the puck drop … ?)
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
March 8th, 2012 at 2:16 pm
@40YearKingsFan, Datsyuk being out is a good break for the Kings. That, combined with not having to be the team to break the home streak makes it look like a winnable game–especially if Lidstrom can’t play.
They must not take these guys lightly. They’ve been hot lately.
[Reply]
wining next 2 games will be sensational.
Go Kings Go
[Reply]
When will a game or day not be big for the rest of the season??? Maybe the last game…if we have clinced the division and the game will be meaningless…until then…LGK!!!!
[Reply]
I see a win tonight, Kings 5 BJ 3
[Reply]
Hahaha thats pretty funny if you take your carter jersey to the team store after the first tonight theyll exchange it for a JJ jersey for free
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
March 8th, 2012 at 11:46 am
@Meister könig,
I wonder if the TeamLA store will exchange a Carter jersey for a Lamar Odom jersey?
[Reply]
The Kings have to win. To ensure a playoff spot they are going to need at least 94 points. We are at 74 we have to go 10 and 6 counting tonight. Each wins bring us closer to to the playoffs and we need to keep the slogan one game at a time.
We have a challenging schedule the rest of the way. Detroit twice, Chicago in their house, sj 3 times, then Nashville, St. Lo, and Boston Edmonton twice and they are not a guaranteed win for us. And we have the ducks, nucks, wild and flames. It would be interesting for one of the statmister to run a strenght of schedule to see who actually has the toughest road the the show.
This is why I am a season ticket holder the thrill of the chase. It would be nice to cruise into the playoff and the adrenaline rush of the playoff push is cool.
beat the jackets – Sorry Jack and you are on the other side tonight.
[Reply]
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
March 8th, 2012 at 2:18 pm
@OldKingsFan,
http://www.sportsclubstats.com/NHL/Western/Pacific/LosAngeles.html
[Reply]
I think I’d be more worried about this game if the Kings were playing at home tonight. The team is confident, winning and, most importantly, largely isolated from normal day-to-day distractions that can take away from focusing on the game.
LA is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings in Columbus and 5-1 in the last 6 games vs CLB overall. All signs definitely point toward 2 points tonight, but I’d like to see the Kings return to a shutdown type of win with 1 or no goals against.
[Reply]
gonna be weird seeing JMFJ in any other jersey than a Kings jersey, thought he’d be a king for years! not gonna miss( “Johnson with a headfake, givaway in the defensive zone,pass to Nash, SCORE!)..hopefully it goes like this ( Carter with the steal,in the slot, he shoots, HE SCORES!!! GO KINGS GO!!!
[Reply]
Should be interesting to see if the Kings keep the offense rolling against a team they’ve struggled with this year… hoping so, and hoping for a non-three-point-game in SJ. GKG!
[Reply]