The Kings took a big step last night, but not the final step. Not even close. Yes, the Kings pulled into eighth place in the Western Conference, and remain within striking distance of Pacific Division-leading Dallas, but given how ridiculously tight the playoff race is, there is no time to let up. Still, being in eighth place is certainly better than ninth, 10th or 11th right now. As Darryl Sutter likes to say, “It’s simple.’’ The Kings weren’t perfect last night, but in facing an angry, motivated San Jose team, the Kings played with poise and were opportunistic. That was playoff hockey. Neither team wanted to cede an inch in the first period, but the Kings were finally able to open things up in the second period and generate some momentum. Then, for a second consecutive game, the Kings turned it on in the third period. Just as they did against Nashville on Saturday, the Kings scored three third-period goals to negate any thought of a San Jose comeback.
The Kings got two even-strenght goals, a power-play goal, a shorthanded goal and an empty-net goal. They got another goal from a defenseman and another goal from Dustin Penner. The key word for the Kings, of late, is “balance.’’ If this really is a three-game mini-series to determine whether the Kings or Sharks make the playoffs, the Kings took a big first step. But, again, it’s just one step. What was the key aspect of the Kings’ 5-2 victory over the San Jose Sharks? I present three options at the link below, and you can vote for your choice…
—–
For those who enjoy the traditional game recap, it can be found by clicking here.
Kings Rule!!
[Reply]
Other: Sharks suck
[Reply]
For once, I didn’t vote “other,” I actually voted “balancing act.” In watching these last 5 games, you can tell that opposing teams are back on their heels because we have finally become an unpredictable team and you never know when, where or who the attack is going to come from. Our offenses is finally “balancing” with our defense and both sides are feeding off each other. This is beautiful to see and it is wonderful to have nothing to complain about. Fire Kompon (couldn’t pass it up)!
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 9:08 am
@DesertKing, How do you know things are going right … when Penner starts scoring clutch goals. Two games in a row he has come away with clutch goals.
[Reply]
Donald_S Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 9:12 am
@DesertKing,
This team has SIX 30 goal scorers (it’s been hard to believe) and 3 young puck moving defensemen. That balancing act should have been here pretty much all along. It’s nice to see it emerging in time.
[Reply]
dahack11 Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 9:15 am
@DesertKing, My thoughts exactly “DesertKing”….
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 9:23 am
@DesertKing, You know you’re doing something good when you start your forecheck with a tired line, strip the puck, keep it downlow while you systematically start changing players up, keep battling along the boards until fresh players are out, someone else takes over the scrum/possession, and viola, an entirely new fresh line is out and the puck hadn’t left their zone in about 50 seconds. This happened at least 3x last night! That’s outstanding!
Balance is key! I wish Nolan could’ve had the puck a little more when the Fraser line was out. I hope KC starts to defer to him because he has excellent vision out there!
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 2:28 pm
@Stuart, That’s a fancy instrument you just pulled out of your hat there, Marvo!
[Reply]
It could be wild speculation on my behalf, but I think the addition of Bernie Nicholls is one of th reasons that the Kings have started scoring. Now, adding a first shot threat like Jeff Carter makes everyone look better, but I beleive the Kings forwards are shooting differently, certainly more creatively than earlier in the year. Forwards are shooting in stride, shooting to the 7-hole and crook of the cathing arm, as well as shooting low as goalies move their feet, changing the angle on shots with some simple stick handles; many more crafty shots that fool goalies. It seemed to me that earlier in the year the Kings were just deperately trying to shoot high and hard, without much deception in the act of shooting.
[Reply]
King Cobra Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 8:55 am
@Will Hutchison, Props to the Pumper Nichol!!!!
[Reply]
neil Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 9:08 am
@Will Hutchison, sure seems that way… It will be interesting to see if Nicolls stays on…but his influrence cant be denied….
[Reply]
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 9:19 am
@Will Hutchison, Props, indeed, Bernie Nichols.
[Reply]
I voted for “Other” because I think that credit needs to be given to where credit is due…
Last night’s five goal outburst underscores the quality of offensive coaching the team is getting from Jamie Kompon. Without a doubt, Kompon is the biggest benefactor of TM’s dismissal. The shackles are off and he is now able to coach the offense in the manner we all knew he could. It is time for DL to do what he needs to do and extend Jamie’s contract for another two years
[Reply]
jeremy Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 9:06 am
@Michael J., where’s the like button? couldn’t pass it up! haha
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 9:39 am
@Michael J.,
I think it has more to do with Sutter and Nicholls taking over more than Kompon doing anything different.
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 9:41 am
@DesertKing, I’m hoping he was being sarcastic…
[Reply]
It looks like everyone is having fun out there.
[Reply]
Huge UPs to the 4th line last night. Nobody made the scoresheet, but Fraser, Clifford and Nolan busted their butts when they were on the ice. They, collectively, have a role and last night they played it perfectly….. Their hard shift work in the corners paid dividends for other Kings later in the game. Keep it up………….
[Reply]
dahack11 Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 9:16 am
@Johnny Virgil, The 4th line has been REALLY good these last 5 games. They are dictating what happens out there.
[Reply]
Steve Jensen Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 9:34 am
@Johnny Virgil,
Are you friends with Kevin Gilbert?
[Reply]
CL Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 9:37 am
@Steve Jensen, And if so, are you aware of the upcoming live Shaming of the True show? (http://calprog.com/) It’s nice to see folks on here with such impeccable taste.
[Reply]
Johnny Virgil Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 9:57 am
@CL,
Whoa…..Yes, and Yes…went to the first Shaming show in 02(?) and will be there in June…we are few in numbers but our music taste can not be matched
DesertKing Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 9:41 am
@Johnny Virgil,
They are doing a good job of cycling and as Stuart said above, keeping the puck in the other team’s end until the #1 or #2 lines can jump on the ice, assume the cycle and go for the score. defnitiely a team effort.
[Reply]
“uptempo” I (along with some others) always thought that the Kings do have the speed to compete with other fast teams…Now it seems like the Kings are playing without thinking too much…Now its playing to win (look at the last few third periods)….have a killer mentality…and dont let up…. That was what was so frustrating…knowing the Kings had the talent and not being able to use it….The time really is finally NOW!!!!!
[Reply]
It could have been anythign and everything!
I voted for the 2nd period boost because of how the Kings sucked the life out of the Sharks in that period.
The Kings recovered every single loose puck and won every single 50/50 puck battles. SJ had to be deflated the way the Kings took it to them in the 2nd. SJ couldn’t msuter any offense whatsoever because they never had the puck on their sticks. The Kings kept the play in SJ’s end which is suicidal if your a team playing the 2nd half of a back to back. they chased the Kings the whole time.
Once again Sutter was able to roll all 4 lines and they were all effective. Outstanding game by Lewis last night. He was an absolute beast when it came to recovering losse pucks.
Also our best players wwere once again on top of thdir games. Kopi/Richards/JW/Brownie/Carter and defensively is their anyone playing better than Mitchell?
Another solid effort all the way around by the Kings.
Keep the train rolling!
Go Kings!
[Reply]
PRMan Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 2:01 pm
@nykingfan, Clifford was great chasing down loose pucks as well.
[Reply]
Mark Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 2:53 pm
@nykingfan, I agree, Mitchell has been very good during this streak.
[Reply]
It was mentioned how our 4th line was against S.J. first line…It use to scare me in the past …but now our 4th line is very good at stopping the other teams top lines and keeping the puck deep in our end….
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 9:12 am
@neil, If you really watch what our 4th line is doing … they are playing “keep away” from the other team. They don’t really seem to be trying to score, they just are trying to keep puck in the offensive end of the ice for as long as possible. This really frustrates the defense as they are parked out in front of their own net guarding nothing while our 4th line just rags the puck along the boards wasting the other teams top line minutes.
[Reply]
neil Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 9:17 am
@KC23, exactly….they did a great job last night…they might not get the credit as some of our star players but what the 4th line is doing is helping the other three lines….great job!!!
[Reply]
I think the Kings played a very HEAVY game last night on both sides of the puck but specially on the forecheck. Terry Murray would have been proud. the guys came out hitting and set a good physical tone to the game. kings also are playing much better in the neutral zone and creating many turnovers. carter is an expert at this, the guy picks more pockets than anyone. kings are getting a lot more goals on the RUSH instead of grinding them out by dumping, chasing, forechecking, passing, shooting, crashing the net, etc. those are still necessary goals and part of the system, but the rush offensive creative game is working very well in the last 3 or 4 games and is so much fun to watch.
[Reply]
bbb7 Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 11:35 am
@Sebastian, TM would have been proud of the 3rd and 4th lines but he would be scolding his D for being ‘too reckless’ the past dozen games or so and scoring goals. Plus he would still have Stoll on the PP point testing the end glass with all his shots.
[Reply]
KOPI going to the middle and shooting wrist shots. Finally understands about going toward the light..i mean goal. Surprise attack from everyone. Doughty still appears hesitant on one-timers probably because he looks like a fool when he misses. Balance is right now with goals and big bodies. Hopefuully Pennr is over his back spasms and divorce troubles.
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 9:25 am
@KingsOfKomedy, maybe Kopi was saving the pain of being in the middle for the end of the season and the playoff push??? LOL, who knows, but maybe. I def like it though!
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 9:42 am
@KingsOfKomedy,
Perfect!
[Reply]
Did anyone else see the hit Mitchell put on Thornton in the third? Big Joe is usually nearly impossible to take the puck from or knock off the puck. Mitchell treated him like a rag doll. Man crush on #33.
[Reply]
vinny Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 9:31 am
@BigMikeonD, lol same here
[Reply]
PRMan Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 2:03 pm
@BigMikeonD, Yeah, I was thinking I don’t recall Joe Thornton EVER being knocked down like that.
[Reply]
I’m still not sure the Sharks were angry or motivated. Besides the two answer-back goals, the Kings had their way with them.
[Reply]
Sure not getting any easier. The best team in hockey next up, followed by the Stanley Cup champs followed by the runner up to the Cup. I guess were gonna really find out what we got in the next week. I’m nervous about it.
[Reply]
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 9:22 am
@KC23, I just don’t want a full-on LA Kings Insider meltdown when they lose a game. It’s going to come, and it will be interesting to see how people respond.
[Reply]
Wilmonde Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 10:43 am
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?,
I think the meltdown will only come if the Kings seem to not try. If they keep up the intensity, the Insiders will treat them fairly, like the loss against Nashville earlier where we played a good game and didn’t get the win.
[Reply]
fsd1 Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 9:29 am
@KC23, Maybe the Quacks can soften them up a bit tonight……
[Reply]
colo king fan Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 9:34 am
@fsd1,
Its called “fluffing” when its the Ducks doing it! LOL
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 9:43 am
@colo king fan, the ducks could be our fluff girls all day!!!
we will lose a game at a certain part so we must not get to high or to low…Take one game at a time..the other teams will also lose games…so just as long as we keep playing hard it will work out in the end.This team is playing too well to go into a losing streak. Win most of the games and we will be fine…
[Reply]
Instead of waiting for the view from san jose, click on the “mercury news blog” for the delightful comments on the state of the sharks by their fans. The worst of the few comments related to the KINGS was “isn’t that GO KINGS GO chant annoying”.
We all know how creative their “beat la” is. Fantastic reading for 200+ comments.
[Reply]
bbb7 Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 11:47 am
@trytodethroneus, it reads kind of like this blog did 3 weeks ago, when everyone seemed to give up after the loss at Nashville. All sports blogs seem to be manic/depressive so it’s nice to be on the manic side for a change.
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 2:51 pm
@bbb7, Stop ruining it for me!
I like to imagine that our blog is steady, upstanding, and eternally positive – and all the other clubs’ are drenched in pathos and unrelenting tragedy!
[Reply]
We’ve got to wonder whether the hockey gods have, at long last, decided to smile upon Dustin Penner. After all, he didn’t emerge from his year-long hibernation by shoveling “garbage” into the net; he was party to absolute perfection. If you’re hockey-crazed (as anyone reading these words is), you will never tire of watching replays of the Lewis-to-Penner goal. And, if anyone asks you for a definition of “eye-hand coordination,” you will refer them to the super slo-mo replay of the goal scored by Dustin Penner vs. Anaheim on St. Patrick’s Day, 2012.
For my money, the two-on-one break is the most exciting play in hockey, surpassing clear breakaways and penalty shots. And Lewis-to-Penner was a little slice of hockey heaven.
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 2:54 pm
@Ron Reynolds, This much is true, that In spats he has earned his spatula!
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 2:55 pm
@Duncanz, if you ever see him, ask him where he got those spats??? I’ve been on the look out for a pair for years!
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 3:11 pm
@Stuart,
If you’re blueberry you know
Where to go to, why don’t you go
Where Pancakes sits
Puttin’ you on blintze!
Stuart Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 3:17 pm
@Duncz, MR skating like he’s Gary cooper…
LOL I like the Sabbath one better. LMAO
LA has now jumped Columbus for 3rd to last in goals per game. NY Islanders, you’re next to pass.
[Reply]
Excellent effort once again by the Kings last might. The offense is rolling and the balanced scoring is making other teams aware that there are multiple scoring threats when they play the Kings. Way to go Kings! If the Kings continue this type of good play in the next month or so, then the Kings will make the playoffs and will move past the first round in the playoffs.
[Reply]
PRMan Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 2:05 pm
@Cesar A, I would think NOBODY wants to draw us in the opening round right about now. 8-2 in our last 10 with most games being 4-2 (see Daryl, it’s a 4-2 league).
[Reply]
You all know I usually have a take on HEART…. OK, I surrender (as Heart will never be one of the three keys
even if i think it is). I wish I could have voted all of the above. This team is just so dynamic. What effort, balance, finish, teamsmanship.
I’m glad the Blues and Bruins are coming into our house. We get to make the same statement we have to the last five…. Fear The LA KINGS!!!! This is silver chalice hockey and we get to show the big boys just how skilled a team we are.
Just leave it all on the ice boys!!!!!!
WE BELIEVE!!!!!
Off topic…. Hey Rich, What about a no-host Insiders beer get together at fan appreciation day? Would be cool to match faces to all the “swings thru the jungle!”
GO KINGS GO!!!!!!
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 2:58 pm
@Finesse Hockey, “Me Tarzan, you Jane. We match faces, NOW!”
[Reply]
Now, in these games, the coaching is clearly visible….the time spent on the opponents def zone, and line time management…but curiously, the good play and good chemistry makes it easier on the coach because we have enough talent, size and grit to be better than other team…When you are truly better and play to the teams potential, you will win almost automatically.
This team is starting to show that tremendous chemistry that was lost for so long…a happy team wins, no doubt.
[Reply]
Other
The Sharks are gassed. We will face the different Sharks next time.
[Reply]
fsd1 Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 12:04 pm
@goldielocks, Sharks are in disarray, they werent gassed last night or the night before.
[Reply]
Jeff_R Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 12:19 pm
@goldielocks, For those last 2 games to mean anything to the Sharks they have to win most of the next 7 games before them. The way they are playing that doesn’t look at all possible meaning they better man up and fast or else the last 2 games they will be spoiler games hoping they can either knock the Kings out or out of a chance to win division. I am hoping all of that will be taken care of before the 2 Shark games.
[Reply]
King Cobra Reply:
March 22nd, 2012 at 8:04 am
@goldielocks, NO EXCUSES!!!!!
Kings are a better team….
[Reply]