Asked, after the game, if he could “grade’’ the Kings’ performance last night, Dustin Penner gave himself and his teammates a “B.’’ Good on Penner for giving the reporter a direct answer — most players probably would have given a general answer — but he was probably being a bit kind. The Kings, for the most part, didn’t play bad. In fact, it could be argued that their first-period power play marked their worst two minutes of the game. Despite coming three extremely hard-to-play games, they charged late, again, and came within a well-timed touch of tying the game a handful of times. But the Vancouver Canucks played better. The Canucks were faster to loose pucks, and the Kings didn’t get enough traffic in front of the net. That’s a bit understandable, given the number of highly physical games that the Kings have played of late, but it could also be a bad omen for the Kings.
There are still three games remaining on this road trip, with some rough travel, and if the Kings don’t win at least two of them, they’re going to be in scary territory in the playoff race. Last night, the Canucks did what they’re usually very good at: they got an early lead and sat on it. What was the key aspect of the Kings’ 1-0 loss to the Vancouver Canucks? I present three options at the link below, and you can vote for your choice…
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For those who enjoy the traditional game recap, it can be found by clicking here.
The Kings played three of the top teams in the league tough, but couldn’t find a way to win. It was good to see that they didn’t lay down and get run over, but it was also disheartening to see them struggle on the offensive side again, even if these were the top defensive teams.
The scoring binge that they went on just a few games ago seems like a mirage right now. They’re still only two points out of first in the Pacific, but there are two other teams that are closer.
This could very well come down to the last game of the season. If it does, I hope it’s a all within the Kings’ hands and not have to rely on someone else to lose.
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vplaza Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 8:41 am
@vplaza,
Man, that first sentence really sounds like poor grammer. “The Kings played well against three of the top teams in the league” sounds better.
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Stuart Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 8:42 am
@vplaza, the only thing that kept me sane the last few games was the notion that they would fare better in a 7 game series with either of the last 3 opponents. I’m not saying they’d win the series’, but they’d be in each of them until the very end.
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vplaza Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 8:46 am
@Stuart,
The other maddening thing is their obvious lack of cohesion or even a plan on Power Plays. Those are golden opportunities to either score or at least put a lot of pressure on the opponent. Instead, like many times in the past, a PP seems to deflate the team.
It reminds of last year, when we were asking if the Kings could decline a penalty on the other team so they don’t go a man up.
Their PK, defense, and goaltending are stellar (save for the last two bad goals that Quick has allowed over the last two games), but you can’t win without scoring. And if you can’t score on the PP, it makes it more difficult.
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King$ Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 9:06 am
@vplaza,
I was waiting to see if the lines got shaken up last night. Maybe Kopi with Carter, Richards and Williams…
These lines have been working pretty well,…but to mix it up might temporarily snap our boys out of any mid-game funks.
All the same, I’m hoping they crush the next 3 like they should!
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vplaza Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 9:11 am
@King$,
Let’s hope they don’t play down to the competition, like they normally do.
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Can someone please throw me some irrelevant DB stats that will make me feel better about his game lately??? Tell me again how many goals he’s had in the last 5 years? Or how many times he’s led the team in hits??? Give me something, anything, right now because man his game frustrated the heck out of me last night…
And, I know he wasn’t the only one, but for Pete’s sake man, handle the damn puck like you’ve shown you can!!! When he needs his hands the most he turns they shrivel up and leave him with stumps in his gloves…
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King Cobra Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 8:44 am
@Stuart, His game is about as reliable and consistent as a crack addict prostitute ex girlfriend!!!
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nykingfan Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 9:24 am
@Stuart,
Thought the same thing last night. Has he scored since the trade deadline?
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Jgomez Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 9:26 am
@Stuart, I guess the trade talks need to start in order for him to get going again.
I’d like to see DB not be the one carrying the puck into the zone. Also DD, they are both looking for that extra pass that seems to get them in trouble more often then not. Can’t blame them after being down 1-0 so early in the game but we even had a 3 vs 1 last night! I mean come on!
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Stuart Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 9:31 am
@Jgomez, exactly! Get the puck OUT of his paws! might as well head to the bench on a change if he’s got the puck at the attacking blue line. There was one play in particular, 3-3 heading into the zone, Kopi right behind (bad spacing all night by everyone last night) and JW heading to the net, not AT the net, simpy heading there, and what does our outstanding, goal scoring, hard hitting captain do? Of course he puts a harmless wrister right into greasy’s chest, puck held, whistle, end of rush, wasted op, same ole same ole…
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Jgomez Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 9:45 am
@Stuart, Yeah, I think that when they get on their heels and get that ‘Shoot Mentality’ they forget the skill to the game and pretty much give up possession with these types of plays.
Here we go again creeping back to our pre Carter ways –
Strong Effort
Not playing in Synch with Each Other
Not Supporting the Man With the Puck Enough
Not Crashing The Net Enough
Not Creating Enough Traffic In The Slot
Not Finishing aka SCORING GOALS!!!
Come on KINGS!!! Lets get back to that well oiled four line rolling machine we saw most of this month,
Coulda Shoulda Woulda won both the Boston and Casucks games.
STOP THE BLEEDING NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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DesertKing Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 8:59 am
@King Cobra,
Throw in the crappy PP and you nailed it!
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FKA PakiFro Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 9:55 am
@King Cobra,
Speaking of Carter, does he do anything other than score empty-netters?
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King Cobra Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 1:49 pm
@FKA PakiFro, yes , he helps a team turn the season around….
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PRMan Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 10:53 am
@King Cobra, And passing OUT of the slot! With as hard as it was to get IN the slot with the puck last night, you would think they would actually have taken a shot when they got there instead of drop-passing it to the Canucks.
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PRMan Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 10:53 am
@PRMan, Brown at least once and Williams twice.
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PRMan Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 10:54 am
@PRMan, And Kopitar (and the rest of the team) have been entering the zone by the boards instead of putting a move on someone and going up the middle.
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mcdangles Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 10:56 am
@King Cobra, may I add. love all the SCORING POWER the Kings obtained in the off season and in the trade they made. Who did they trade and how many goals have they scored and have the teams that received them in the trades with the Kings benefited? The answer is YES
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King Cobra Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 1:06 pm
@mcdangles, I love our team, especially the new guys Richards (give his brain some more time to heal, he kicks ass) and Carter (the guy helps our offense big time and was a great trade for JMFJ). Forget about Simmons!! the guy did not do dick here and Schenn is mostly hype.
We just need to play like the team we have been 90% of the time since the trade deadline, it’s simple…..
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Jack Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 7:32 pm
@King Cobra, Simmonds didnt do squat? are you serious??
Somebody needs to step up to the plate, take the bull by the horns, and start scoring some clutch goals. This isn’t the time of season to passively sit back and continue to lose games 1-0. Let’s see some passion and desperation guys.
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fsd1 Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 8:49 am
@Rainman, there was no passive sit back from the Kings last night.
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Rainman Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 9:00 am
@fsd1, The numbers don’t lie. That’s the ninth time the Kings have beeen shutout this season, many of them 1-0 losses.
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fsd1 Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 9:03 am
@Rainman, So what? It doesnt mean they are a passive team.
TheAcaciaStrain Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 9:17 am
@fsd1, yeah they were passive. incredibly passive, in fact, i’d say the last two minutes were the only active minutes in the game
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mcdangles Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 10:58 am
@TheAcaciaStrain, the goal scored by the Canucks was early in the 1st period, and the Kings could not even tie it up, with all that time left in the game, and having a couple pp chances as well?
The lack of a power play is really hurting the Kings. In the last 10 games the Kings PK has scored 3 shorthanded goals, while the PP has also scored 3 goals. The PK is just as effective at scoring as the PP. If we could get the power play going at all we’d be a very good team, but when you are just as productive shorthanded as you are with a man advantage something is very wrong.
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So now naturally the good luck that we had in a couple of the games in the winning streak are obviously being compensated for
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I thought “B” was a fair assessment. They played better than average against a damned good team, and a goaltender that stood on his head (Quick did too, regardless of the “soft” goal.) At some point, reality has to be taken into account: it is what it is: Vancouver at home.
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vplaza Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 8:49 am
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?,
And the other reality should be setting in….scoring, either even strength or on the PP, is till a problem.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 8:51 am
@vplaza, I’d say it’s a problem against the best teams. All season it’s been a problem against every team. They seem to have figured out how to add enough depth to give most teams trouble.
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vplaza Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 9:03 am
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?,
Having this issue against the best teams will not do the Kings any good. They need to figure out how to score against the teams that the Kings are at the top. They can try to hang in there, but in the end, they can’t score. In recent games against the top teams:
vs Vancouver – zero goals
vs Boston – two goals
vs St Louis – zero goals
The only consolation is that they were able to beat San Jose, who they meet again.
They may have scored 4 against Nashville, but Rinne was off his game and they’ve since added Radulov which makes them even more dangerous offensively.
They beat Detroit who was missing a number of key players.
I guess the other silver lining is that they’ve beaten the Quacks to decisively take the season series.
But it seems like the same thing we’ve seen all season…inability to score goals.
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 9:14 am
Yet, it is what it is. They’ve improved, from what TM started with, but they’re not good enough for the real competition.
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 8:50 am
Oh, and the “soft” goal was near the start of the game–that’s the most likely time to see that, when a goaltender really hasn’t gotten the feel of the game yet.
WRT Sedin’s dive–it was such an obvious dive because he made a point of extending his skates backward toward Greene. It was a cross-check, but there are players in this league who need to be called out for diving, and this is one.
All in all, I’d say the Kings failed to make it hard enough to defend against them…I’d say 1,3,2, in that order (whereas last night I was still PO’d about the officiating at the end.)
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 8:52 am
Just noticed–no vote. (?)
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I thought the Kings played hard last night, especially after the hard hitting game against Boston. I thought they played hard against Boston too. Sometimes these games just come down to a bit of luck and IMO the King’s lacked it the last two games. Of course, these things even out over the course of the year–and, as they say in chess but I think it applies to all sports, the good players are always lucky. I’d agree with Penner. A bounce a 1/4 inch different here or there and the Kings win both the last two games.
Props to Sutter. Boy I like his blunt, straightforwarad talk.
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Lets not forget that Vancouver is a difficult opponent and won on bit of a soft goal. Everybody saying the guys are not bringing it are wrong. Against all the big clubs in this last stretch the Kings they showed they can compete with all those clubs. Why your complaining about our goal producers not scoring why don’t you also complain about the Canuck goal producers not scoring either
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Jack Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 7:35 pm
@Mikey J., Canucks scored like 45 more goals than us…why conmplain about that?
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Van is the dirties, cheapest team in the league in my eye’s. I hope nothing but bad lucky on there POS team.
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KingsGuy Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 9:01 am
@pr0cess, Ha ha. Cry babies
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King Cobra Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 9:07 am
@pr0cess, Their fans SUCK the worst as well!!! Eat it Vancouver fans!!!
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pr0cess Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 9:12 am
@King Cobra, Serious lol, they should all get Emmys for acting. And lets not forget fans that burn there own city down lol
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aKinginVancouver Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 10:38 am
@pr0cess, You do realize that LA is pretty famous for burning its city down
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 12:12 pm
@aKinginVancouver,
Over a racial injustice.
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 9:15 am
@King Cobra, I think I was reading their fans are either the most hated or second-most hated in hockey.
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King Cobra Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 1:09 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, You read it because it is true, total a hole people. Kind of hard to figure out because the city is so cool??????
Tough game. Officiating was horrible, Luongo stood on his head, and what is up with Richards he is definitely not alright. He just is not crisp and accurate with any part of his game (except penalty shot). I think considering all the above and the physicality of their last 3 games you just forget about this game and move on to Calgary. GKG!
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The sky has not fallen. We have very winnable games coming up – 2 against Edmonton, 1 against Calgary and 1 against Minnesota. Win 3 of those and you have 6 points. Split the SJ games and we get 2 more giving us 8 total points. Most of the projections I have seen state that we need 7 points to get in. Our defense and golatending remain consistently outstanding, we just need to get our scoring touch back, and that starts with the PP. Lets Go Kings!
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fsd1 Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 9:05 am
@DesertKing, Correct, we need to get our scoring back just in time for the playoffs.
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Cesar A Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 9:53 am
@DesertKing, The way this season has gone for the Kings don’t expect too much of the offense because they will disappoint you like they did last night to me. If Calgary shuts down the Kopitar like the Canucks did last night expect another frustrating loss in Calgary tomorrow. This Kings team needs to play tomorrow in Calgary with desperation not with admiration of the saves the opposing goaltender makes on them. Tomorrow’s game in Calgary will determine the playoff fate of the Kings. A win tomorrow in Calgary by the Kings and their playoff chances greatly improved. However, a loss to the Flames by the Kings in regulation pretty much knocks the Kings out of the playoffs and sends them on to Edmonton thinking of the what ifs.
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Two of THE WORST penalties called in any game all year? Why is this YOUNG referee assigned to games with such high importance! Cliffy’s penalty was so rediculous that this guy should be sent down to the AHL today! And to end a teams game on the call against Penns in the last three minutes, was brutal. Even if he missed the ‘nuck pushing him in, there was hardly any contact at all on the goalie and it had no effect on the play. Simply terrible!
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Stuart Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 9:15 am
@JWRocks!, and you knew that Bob didn’t like the call either when he mentioned that the ref was “young” lol!!
the saddest thing is that those two ref are probably going to do the entire western canada swing… sucks for us!
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pr0cess Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 9:21 am
@JWRocks!, and this is why people think there is a “conspiracy” when we are in Canada…
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Duncanz Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 6:01 pm
@JWRocks!, Thought you said previous thread you were a hockey referee yourself.
‘Real’ referees have a much better way of rationalizing the performance of their fellow officials than hysterical ranting.
Unless for insane jealousy…
… Sad.
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The biggest key I saw was not being able to complete a pass to each other for most of the game. Either the pass was bad or the receiving player muffed it. They couldn’t generate any momentum.
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sparky Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 10:25 am
@Scott, Agreed. The team was just plain SLOPPY last night! No passing, no penetration, no pressure, just sloppy!
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Timere Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 11:21 am
@sparky, Good for sex, bad for hockey.
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SEAN BERGENHEIM I Hate You! I Hate You! I Hate You! I Hate You! I Hate You!
I Hate You!
I Hate You!
I Hate You!
I Hate You!
I Hate You!
I Hate You!
I Hate You!
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DesertKing Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 9:45 am
@King Cobra,
I don’t know who this Bergenheim guy is (one of the 3 Stooges maybe?) but I guess I should hate him too. Is Bergenheim an aka for Kompon?
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rick Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 10:35 am
@King Cobra, I wish people would stop using Richards’ concussion as an excuse. If he wasn’t physically fit to play, he wouldn’t be in there. The coaches see the same thing we do – Richards is abysmal – and if they had the slightest hint it was physical they would deal with it. I don’t know what the guy’s problem is, but it ain’t physical and I, for one, am sick to death of seeing this supposed superstar play like a minor leaguer.
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How’s this for some motivation boys?
http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_ylt=Ak8D0_uhGYnnZcBEvP5gNGl7vLYF?slug=prov-ca-6364715
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Mikey J. Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 9:27 am
@Rainman, A sense another riot happening in Vancouver. Unless they’re not expecting to win this year.
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It was too little,too late.coaches!! Fine a way to score early, Don’t always wait till the last 5-2 min. *** kings loss this game by the officials’ TWO BAD CALLS. —-NHL’s OFFICIALS—-error.
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nykingfan Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 9:29 am
@JOHN SHAW,
The refs sucked, but didn’t cost us the game.
What makes you think we would have scored if those penalties wouldn’t have been called?
We still had 54 minutes to score and didn’t.
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Gustavo Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 9:59 am
@nykingfan,
Yes, the bad reffing cost us the game.
The NHL and the refs are directly responsible for promoting the league wide dislike and disrespect the Canucks get for their pathetic theatrics. They have been overprotecting the canucks in the most blatant manner possible since the retaliatory hit on D. Sedin by Keith
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nykingfan Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 12:06 pm
@Gustavo,
No it didn’t…
They were horrible calls and both refs should be disciplined in some way, but you’re making it sound as though if they don’t call those penalties, we would have socred.
Please tell me why those 4 min of penalties would have made a difference when the other 56 minutes didn’t?
JOHN SHAW Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 10:11 am
@nykingfan, refs.cost us value comeback TIME at end,waste our teams’ energy to just defending. right at end,just one min.extra—we will score that tie goal…GKG…join me…GKG…
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JOHN SHAW Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 10:14 am
@nykingfan, refs.cost us value comeback TIME at end,waste our teams’ energy to just defending. right at end,just one min.extra—we will score that tie goal…GKG…join me…GKG…3:23-2:00=1:23
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nykingfan Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 12:09 pm
@JOHN SHAW,
Again as I mentioned above to Gustavo..
If the refs cost us the hockey game, then tell me how those 4 minutes became more important the other 56 minutes where we failed to score a goal?
You’re looking at the final seconds of the game, but they had plenty of time before then to score a goal and play with that type of desperation but didn’t.
I’m seeing hesitancy creep back into the Kings game. To me it seems that playing these last few games against the top teams in the league, they once again were more focused on worrying about how to stop the other guys, instead of worrying about how to take it to them. It showed in the extremely slow start against St. Louis, and it showed after the sort handed goal they gave up to the Bruins, and most of the time last night. Too many times in the offensive zone, guys were worried about being the third guy high, as opposed to supporting the offensive attack. Our power play at times has four guys along the blue line. Not going to get it done from an offensive stand point. There has also been to much backing out of the zone too early to get back on D. The goal I blame more on Voynov for falling back so fast and giving the Vancouver forward so much room to skate in to our zone. He had plenty of time and space to step up and put more pressure on that forward, but didn’t.
The Kings need to get back to playing their game, and trying to win, instead of worrying about how not to lose. It’s been the story all year, and this is a bad time to fall back into old habits. Coaching staff better get a grip and fix this.
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Kenny44 Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 1:56 pm
@PP Anybody?, Seems like that to me, too. I made a few comments like that last night. The TM Stockholm Syndrome effect still creeps up sometimes – passive, “I hope we don’t lose” hockey. I think the heavy challenge of the last few games and some fatigue let that creep in this time.
Go out there with some swagger and take what you want Kings!
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Once again, a former King is the one to keep his team’s playoff hopes alive: Mike Cammalleri had 3 points (1 goal, 2 assists) in last night’s game to propel the Flames to a win over Stars.
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pr0cess Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 9:23 am
@Maureen N., Dont you know that some of the best players in the NHL are former kings lol
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 9:59 am
@Maureen N., News Flash: Cammalleri was considered just as much a cancer in Montreal as LA. Give him time to have the same effect in Calgary.
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Just got a call from a coworker up north because now the f’ing sharks are back on top…….
SOMEONE SHOOT ME!
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 9:59 am
@Lake Forest, Tell him to start an egg timer, because that’s how long they’ll be there.
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Trying to stay positive… I believe that if the Kings win all 6 of their remaining games, they will definitely finish ahead of Phoenix, SJ, and Col… The only team that could finish ahead of the Kings would be Dallas if they both won all of their remaining games…
So… all they need to do is win the rest of their games…
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pr0cess Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 9:35 am
@SLG1013, no pressure right
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The Kings are not playing as well as it may appear! Since the end of the St Louis Game the Kings have been playing a little flat and taking sloppy shots on goal. Yes, there are a few instances like last night where the zebras may have decided the game, but the Kings ultimately are responsible for their playing. It seems that every time they hit 1st place they back off and go into protect mode. I hope they get out of it fast and realize that they only have 1 game to give before their hopes of a playoff spot are just about doomed.
I said a couple weeks ago that they needed 22 of the last 28 points, they have 12 and still need 10 they have 6 games remaining, that only leaves one loss or two ties and losses of which neither can be a loss or tie with the Sharks.
Only good news for the Kings at this point is that they are have two games in the bag against Colorado and one game in the bag with Phoenix, but they are now on track with San Jose and we have to Play San Jose twice. Both of those two games will be very hard fights, very very physical games for which i am betting San Jose and the Kings will be tied for points or one point separation when they start their mini series.
GOD Save The KINGS.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 10:00 am
@m.r.morris, ALL IS CRAP! ALL IS CRAP!
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What a strange season! So many ups and downs, stay tuned.
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Forum Gold Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 9:44 am
@Cup B4 I Die, 42 years on the same station with more downs than ups but would not change the dial for anything. GO KINGS GO!!!
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@Puck73, so my daughter, while watching the game last night with me says “Daddy remember when we went to the game???”
Can’t thank you enough my friend.
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DesertKing Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 9:51 am
@Lake Forest,
As a father of two, I feel it necessary to provide you with direction – That is daughter-speak for “Take me to another game Daddy!” You have created a hockey addict whose habit you will now need to support continually. Coincidentally, it isn’t a bad habit to take care of, since it just so happens to coincide with being a favorite habit of most dads also. So here is my advice – you must commit the ultimate sacrifice and take you daughter to another game. I know, this is really difficult and definitely something that will require personal perserverance by you, but trust me, it is a sacrifice you must make for your daughter. So far, this explanation has worked real well when my wife gets my hockey bill, but she sees that our kids are happy and it is all good.
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Stuart Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 9:56 am
@DesertKing, way to make the sacrifice for the fam!!!
I wonder if that logic will work when my son is older and wants to hit up the spearmint rhino twice a week??? LOL
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DesertKing Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 10:04 am
@Stuart,
Hmmm, I haven’t tried that one yet. How old do the kids have to be to get in?
Stuart Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 10:13 am
@Desert, I think it’s like the little signs at carnival rides: must be this tall to get in! as long as they clear 4feet, we’re golden!
DesertKing Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 10:16 am
@Stuart,
LOL
puck73 Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 10:01 am
@Lake Forest, It was our pleasure. You did however miss the inside the A Level suite entertainment from @HappyLappy. He is one of those people you never forget after you meet him!
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 12:34 pm
@puck73, He’s da man!
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29th in the league in goals. It’s not one game, it takes a season of offensive ineptitude to rank next to last in anything this far in.
My fustration is fully focussed on our top nine forwards (first three lines) and Doughty, the members of this team expected … and well paid … to create offense. We could talk about the 4th line, Richardson, Voynov, etc., … not warrented, as frequently stated, your best players need to be your best players.
The lack of execution among the “Top 10″ is amazing … ALL YEAR, not just last night in Van.
Two consecutive tape to tape passes are rare. Our 2nd and 3rd line centers (MR, JS) handling the puck like minor leaguers. Shots missing the net. Shots taken from poor angles are OK if somebody is around for a screen or rebound … they are not. Shots taken from far away are shot high on the goalie which decrease opportunities for tips or rebounds. Rare chances from the slot are not finished … shot wide, puck rolls of stick, etc.
Like most of you I watch alot of hockey, including NBC/Versus and NHL Network. There is skill, speed, determination and decisiveness on display with the top dozen teams in this league. If we want to be there .. and not in the middle .. we need to play and look like that.
We all support these guys, want them to do well and remember very fondly the instances when they do. Bottom line, our top ten are NOT getting it down this year. Very few chances left to step up. I’m hopeful, but not confident.
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Cesar A Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 9:58 am
@Press Box Scratch, At this point I am not hopeful nor confident that the Kings will make the playoffs. They are in trouble because their offense against is struggling. If they do not win in Calgary tomorrow they would have dug a hole of their own making. The offense is reverting back to its old ineffective ways. This is not a good sign!
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I gotta say, it was real pleasure to see Terry Murray behind the bench after a long absence. I feel our team really missed his presence and shot mentality last night…welcome back TM
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DesertKing Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 9:53 am
@puck73,
Terry was dressed down last night. None of his clothes matched and his hair looked a little bushier. I think the stress is getting to him.
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Hey Rich!
I love number 3 of the Key Three… The sarcasm is still dripping from my glasses:
“But it’s hard to ignore what happened last night. Kyle Clifford got called for unsportsmanlike conduct for spraying Roberto Luongo, when Clifford’s only other option was to bulldoze Luongo like a linebacker. Then, late in the game, Dustin Penner got called for goalie interference when he was pushed into Luongo. One could also Matt Greene’s cross-checking penalty, when Henrik Sedin went down with the greatest of ease.”
Way to go, Rich!
Hey, what is the NHL record for 0-1 shutout losses in a single season by one team?
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Stuart Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 9:59 am
@BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy, I can’t remember, but did they same “young” ref make the DP call, too? what a joke “young” refs are… but I guess these youngsters grow up to be the old turds we’re used to seeing.
I mentioned earlier, I bet those 2 clowns ref each game of this western canada swing…
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Gustavo Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 10:06 am
@BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy,
H. Seding went down like a deflated dummy after a successful used car parking lot 4th of july sale when Green tapped him from behind.
The Canucks theatrics are only slightly less pathetic than the refs blatant indifference and the NHL gullability about their systematic and cowardly cheap shot culture.
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Was at the game last night; pretty pathetic effort on our part and many people asked how the team could be batteling for their playoff lives and have that kind of game. Sucked to awe the team with no passion
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The Canucks were faster to loose pucks
They Canucks were faster to loose pucks for a good reason…. they are a faster team. So is St. Louis.
No question the Kings have made big strides lately, but to reach that supposed next level they need more team speed.
King and Nolan play well and provide muscle, but w the exception of Trevor Lewis and Kopi (who isn’t super fast, but certainly fast enough) and Justin Williams and maybe Richards this isn’t a fast enough team.
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Stuart Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 10:14 am
@number 6, NOT Richards, at least not right now.
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number 6 Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 11:05 am
@Stuart,
Yeah, i thought so
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Can we see Bernie in net at some point? I love Quick, bu the has had some shaky moments in the last few games. It might help wake the team up.
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puck73 Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 10:14 am
@WTF, While your at it, maybe you can call the the Royal mounted police and ask where the hell the “Real” Mike Richards is !
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 10:14 am
@WTF, Yeah, I hate when he has those awful .960 save-percentage nights!
Berns will very likely play Friday or Saturday.
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puck73 Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 10:25 am
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, Agreed. Who are we kidding, right? Quick was a 3rd round pick, nothing but a shlepper. Bernier was a 1st round pick, and “the chosen one”. Quick is just keeping the crease warm for a more superior, tecnically sound goaltender..lol
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vplaza Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 12:28 pm
@puck73,
Hello, my name is Poorman, and I approve this post.
I voted other: PP deficiency
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P1 LA Kings Fan Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 10:16 am
I think better special teams would have made the difference in that game. But then again, a lot of other things could have made the difference too…
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I just sent an email to Kerry Fraser about Clifford’s unsportsmanlike conduct call. We’ll see if he publishes an answer.
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puck73 Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 10:28 am
@Cav Pilot, cool. I hope he does too. I would also like to know if he uses head and shoulders like Troy Polomalu and Joe Mauer !
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Stuart Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 10:29 am
@puck73, nope, he used aquanet like Jimmy Johnson.
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My vote would be “Because Mike Richards is playing so far below expectations it is ridiculous”. I have never seen a supposedly top tier player play this bad for this long. If Richardson was playing halfway decently, I would sit Richards’ a** down in a hurry and get Richardson in there.
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puck73 Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 10:42 am
@rick, Brad Richardson….Never seen a guy work harder and accomplish less. Never mistake activity for productivity…@KC23
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Mikey J. Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 10:51 am
@rick, Richards wasn’t all over the ice last night, but he did float a nice saucer pass to Voynov in the high slot that a player like Richardson wouldn’t have made. If Voynov scores there people are giving Richards a lot less grief after the game.
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rick Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 11:14 am
@Mikey J., Even a blind squirrel finds an acorn once in a while (no idea whether I got that right – but you know what I mean…)
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Richards has been worse than pathetic. Brown has been nowhere to be found. Our only forwards that gives there all night in and night out is Williams and fraser. Carter would be lighting it up if he didnt have a midget for a center that constantly gets knocked off the puck and turns it over.
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On the blog pre-game yesterday, there were 3 entries about what the Kings needed to do in these “play in” games:
1. Play with will and emotion (the Williams post);
2. Get more from the power play, not just chances but goals; and
3. Mind the gap (between all 5 of our skaters to make sure we’re supporting the puck, and the gap between our D and the Nuks forwards to take away their time and space).
I think it’s fair to say that the Kings were deficient in each of these elements (#1 for most of the game, at least).
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ha ha, KINGS INVISIBLE STARS….there you go TheAcaciaStrain, in your face.
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