It was an optional skate for the Kings today, with most of the more-veteran players — except for Dustin Penner and Rob Scuderi — staying off the ice. More notes and quotes to come, including a clarification on Jonathan Bernier’s helmet dispute, a feature on Willie Mitchell and thoughts on Penner’s improved play.
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St. Louis is going to be tough…
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KellyHrudey Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 1:15 pm
@Jeffreyryan, We are well positioned though. St louis is facing off with the ducks tonite and will face the kings thurs in a back to back situation. As we did with the sharks, the boys will need to go in with that “killer” mentality. We got this!
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trytodethroneus Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 1:16 pm
@Jeffreyryan,
According to their site, they had all 26 players on their roster on the ice at honda center for practice yesterday. While a few players were in the “no contact” jerseys, and some are questionable / probable, they still are formidable because of their defensive system.
The KINGS can match their defense, but now also have a slight advantage in offense, and rolling 4 healthy lines. Plus st louis is an average road team and is coming in after playing the dux tonight.
KINGS win!!!
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Harry Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 1:27 pm
@Jeffreyryan,
We have more talented players versus St Louis.
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Anjin Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 1:30 pm
@Jeffreyryan, St Louis doesn’t have a lot to play for at this point.
They all but have the west locked up and are 3 points ahead of NY for the President’s trophy (who would have guessed that in October?) plus their record on the road is average at best.
We just need to keep that fire in our bellies and take it to them.
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tantrum4 Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 2:22 pm
@Anjin,
Except that little thing called the Presidents Trophy and home ice advantage throughout the entire playoffs
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This helmet thing is so ridiculous. You’d think the city would be proud to have local pro athletes show some pride. Just the type of thing that weakens the overall sport intensity and commitment in LA.
Where’s the petition to keep JB’s helmet the way it is!! lol
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Kopi Bryant Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 12:56 pm
@King$, He changed it already. Saw the mask at yesterdays game and he has the Gretzky Era KINGS script on it replacing where the Hollywood sign was at.
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mash-ola Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 1:21 pm
@King$, He should change ‘HOLLYWOOD’ to ‘RAFFYSOD’, the way some vandals did that to the sign a while back. But yeah… pretty ridiculous.
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apol21 Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 1:25 pm
@mash-ola, Hollywood Chamber of Commerce should be ashamed. What a greedy, pathetic move. Bernie was making a great tribute to the city.
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sparkypuc420 Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 1:36 pm
@apol21, what about jb helmet i missed that.
waterndirt Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 1:53 pm
@apol21, http://www.hollywoodsign.org/filming-the-sign/
Oh snap… maybe I need permission to post a link to their press page?
While I understand their position, it’s a ticky tack position at best!
Alan Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 1:35 pm
@King$, way to show your all about money hollywood chamber of commerce. A pro athlete trys to pay tribute to the city he is playing in and you do this. YOU GUYS SUCK
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Good to see Penner keeping up the work ethic.
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Blake Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 1:10 pm
@Capt Jam, Haha made me laugh
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jkking Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 1:25 pm
@Capt Jam, HAHAHA he’s soo lazy on the ice. there was no improvement. he got lucky with a weak shot.
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Harry Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 1:27 pm
@jkking,
Actually, he has been working harder lately. After his break up with his wife, he has been playing harder.
Same with Ron Artest!
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Stuart Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 1:37 pm
@Harry, Metta broke up with Mrs. World Peace recently, too?
sparkypuc420 Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 1:38 pm
@Harry, ur right also since the benching hes steped up.
PLay2Win Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 2:35 pm
@jkking, What does it take to get you guys off his back? Yes, EVERYBODY knows he SUCKED this year INCLUDING Penner himself, but if you look at the way he celebrated his goals lately FULL of emotion, MAYBE he has turned the corner!! He really seems happy playing on that line with Stoll and Lewis and if you believe what Lewis said after he scored the go-ahead goal the other night they ALL almost passed out from screaming so hard. IF you really are a true Kings fan, then support Penner now as the best thing that could happen is that he gets hot and helps carry us into the playoffs and beyond. After all, he WAS a 30 goal scorer and he IS capable of scoring in bunches. Did you ever think that maybe after his messy break-up Penner met with DL and begged for some Kool-Aid?? Go Kings, keep winning so all the complainers can find another blog to write their complaints in, maybe the Cubs? (Sorry Rich, it was there for the taking)
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DENISE Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 3:32 pm
@PLay2Win, Loved your response! I so agree with you, Penner deserves some credit for his play lately. Let the past rest and keep up the positive thoughts for ALL our Kings.
The Kings are playing a brand of hockey that is scary this time of year!
GO KINGS!
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Capt Jam Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 1:02 pm
@KOHO,
I can’t remember the last time the Kings even hinted at going into the playoffs on a positive roll. The Kings’ tradition is to barely claw into one of the last two spots or back into a playoff spot and narrowly avoid not qualifying (as they did last year). It certainly puts a different perspective on the team’s chances, especially considering how below average many of the powerhouses are playing. VAN and DET are just primed for an first round upset.
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Randy S Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 1:46 pm
@Capt Jam,
Probably the only time they went to the finals. We felt great going in that we were Stanley Cup bound! Then the stick and a bunch of really close loses. That was a great year.
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Steve W Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 3:09 pm
@Randy S, I believe Montreal set a record for the amount of games they played in the playoffs going into OT.
I think Scuds and Cakes are worried about their future contracts!
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Lake Forest Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 12:59 pm
@Kissmyblarneystones, I think it would be wise to resign Scuds to 2 more years. yeah he’s getting past his prime, but the guy is a shut down guy. While not our BEST shut down guy (as that goes to WM), i still think we can use him.
I think he has shown good leadership and vetern presence in my opinion
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TheAcaciaStrain Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 1:09 pm
@Lake Forest, that is true, if he can get back to the way he was playing at the beginning of the season that would be great, his play of late has been slipping, maybe he’s playing through an injury…? Anyways, Go Kings!
[Reply]
Kissmyblarneystones Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 1:10 pm
@Lake Forest,
Those are the only 2 reasons why I think we should re-sign him. But, reduce his minutes. Its like Fox said though, the Kings are at the start of a 3 year window for cup contention. It would put a lot of weight on some aging legs it he were to remain a top tier D-Man. He might not hang around for a pay cut.
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DesertKing Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 1:28 pm
@Kissmyblarneystones,
Keep Scuds. The reason he doesn’t seem to do much is because he is doing everything right, thus you don’t notice when he does something wrong. Penner, well, until he gets a hat trick, don’t sign him.
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There is no team I am scared to play in the first round except for Detroit.
Even though I think we are a better team, I think this year they’ve had our number.
I wouldnt mind facing any other team VAN, STL, NASH, CHI
Oh maybe Colorado wouldnt be good either.
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BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 1:03 pm
@Lake Forest,
As much as I like the way the team is playing, and the fact that now SJ is chasing us & will play PHX, COL, DAL needing to win to get in, remember:
–The Los Angeles Kings are NOT yet qualified to play in the 2011-12 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Out.
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Lake Forest Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 1:18 pm
@BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy, touché. im counting my chickens before they have hatched.
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Stuart Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 1:20 pm
@Lake Forest, remember, once in the bush is worth more than two in your hand… or something like that. oh, wait, that wasn’t even about chickens… but is it just like hypnotizing chickens??? THAT is the question!!!
sparkypuc420 Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 1:40 pm
@BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy, ur right one game at a time.
[Reply]
dmoney Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 1:12 pm
@Lake Forest, Thank goodness Columbus won’t be in the playoffs.
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Deke'r Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 7:54 pm
@dmoney, ….hahahahahaha….truer words were never spoken…
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Nice to see Dustin Pencakes finally get some offense going and working hard after practice, and Rob Scuderi too, he’s like minus 5 right now, and hasn’t been playing well at all lately. Hopefully he gets back on his game soon.
Go Kings
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Stuart Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 1:04 pm
@TheAcaciaStrain, somewhere this very moment, JJ is Tebowing right now!!!
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TheAcaciaStrain Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 1:07 pm
@Stuart, hahaha yes! i actually laughed out loud at that. Tebow got traded to New York so I don’t know how much Tebow is actually Tebowing.
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Jeff_R Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 1:51 pm
@TheAcaciaStrain, U thought Tebowmania was big in Denver just imagine it getting started in NY. It will be taken to the Zenith. Tebow knew he was a goner once Manning put pen to contract. I am actually a little surprised NY got him and not Jacksonville.
As Fox said last night, this team is fun to watch!
Really good to see Richards getting his swagger back – just in time!
Need to see Brown get back to the brand of hockey he was playing just 5-10 games back…
All else on the team is cooking with gas!
GkG!
[Reply]
luuc Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 1:23 pm
@FdoFmFull,
Much better than when they were playing like they had gas….
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Jeff_R Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 1:52 pm
@luuc, Too bad they couldn’t Fart in goals with all that Gas they had.
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well were 9 games away from end of season.
need to win the next one to make sure playoffs will happen.
these next three are gonna show character of this team. STL, BOS, VAN. would be happy with 3- 4points out of these
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funking Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 1:16 pm
@funking,
oh ya GKG!!!!!!!
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DesertKing Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 1:29 pm
@funking,
Focused 540 minutes!
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Jeff_R Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 1:53 pm
@funking, 5 wins for the playoffs 6 for the division.
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Jeff_R Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 1:53 pm
@Jeff_R, And anymore then that Golden.
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Feels good to be a KINGS fan right now. Hopefully this style of play continues.
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I will not watch without some discomfort till the playoff spot is confirmed. We are in right now, but who know’s with the new tight NHL what tomorrow or Friday brings.
We have a tough schedule right now, Boston, St. Louis holy crap they are two good, really good teams. I would like all 4 points however we may have to look at a point in both games or a single win. Be real, we are peaking but other teams need to win also to secure home ice advantage.
(*St. Louis is tough anytime, regardless)
Heads down and get to work Kings, get the work boots on and focus on the task at hand. One shift, pass and shot at a time. Don’t focus on anything but improving on your last shift.
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Jeff_R Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 2:02 pm
@Harty, We have done well against St Louis this year. We won the first game 5-0, before coaching change. The 2nd game we won 3-2, after coaching change. The third game was lost 1-0, the first game of our long wining Grammies trip and 14 of 18 on the road. The Kings lost because of there February swoon where they couldn’t score. Now the Kings are flying winning 5 in a row and are scoring goals like mad. Heck even Penner is getting into the fun. This is a totally different Kings team the Blues will face. The Blues also play Anaheim tonight. Hopefully they will help us like they did against the Sharks.
As for Boston they are in a horrible slump, but one that has been tempered as they won there last 2 games. One in a shootout against Philly and the other the Annihilation of Toronto. They play San Jose next so we will see how they do there.
Kings will keep there run going and win these 2 games and let the rest of the NHL the Kings are in it to win it. Beware facing us, it wont be pretty. With all these 3 pt games, the Kings are the only one that is able to go about there business in regulation. That will help in the end.
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KINGS are PEAKING at the right time!
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Over the last 27 years of a wonderful marriage, whenever the Kings started the season playing really well and I would come home saying “This could be our year”, she consistently sneered at me that she has heard it all before, and better they should play well at the end of the year.
COULD THIS BE THE ONE?????
I don;t know whether I could stand success when I would have to then listen to the I told you so’s. This would be ocming from a woman who has attended about 5 games in 27 years.
Gosh…I hope she is right!!!!1
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Stuart Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 1:33 pm
@40yearfan, if she ever gets to be too much, I’ll take her spot!
Had a great time at the game!!! Even moreso because we walked out with a win!!!
great to finally meet you face-2-face!
in the words of Fred Sanford “Elizabeth, this is the big one!!”
[Reply]
40yearfan Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 1:37 pm
@Stuart, Same here! A pleasure to sit with someone who actually knows what he is watching.
BTW…Daniel Silva is the author.
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Stuart Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 1:38 pm
@40yearfan, I just wrote it down!
Duncanz Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 1:52 pm
@Stuart, … In the words of Mark Sanford, sorry dear, that was a big one!
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Where is Tom Hanks?!!!!! Tom, we need your super-Hollywood powers!! Pick up your Thompson, get over to the house of that stupid person who has the “rights” to the “Hollywood” sign, explain life to him, and tell him that George, Brad, matt and the other “A” listers are not happy with his desire to be proprietary right now. It is things like this that make wish Godzilla would show up in LA and assist with some redevelopment issues, including getting rid of that stupid sign which-we-will-not-name.
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sparkypuc420 Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 1:47 pm
@DesertKing, i missed about the sign thing, but so what your saying is that the hollywood sign painted on JB helmet is proprietary that someone owns and then made a fuss about it. if thats the case, WTF IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE THESE DAYS. i’d bring a new mask painted WOODTHIS HOLLY.
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mash-ola Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 1:50 pm
@DesertKing, Would you settle for Tom Arnold? He was there last night…
They should play Tom Hanks’ “Redwings Suck” video on the Jumbotron as much as possible… it was funny! Way better than that canned video of the chubby kid after King goals…
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If our goalie can keep the average 2.0 or lower, and we keep scoring 4.2 goals This should get interesting!!
It sure is nice to be cheering for all those goals in the last 5 games!( I cheer so loud and fast when we score I scare the kids) It makes up for all the silence of this season!
I refuse to allow ST Louis to have a world series and a cup in the same year Or any other team. (besides LA of course!)
Game set match for the kings… Right MR GKG
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