Darryl Sutter’s postgame thoughts…
(on the game…)
SUTTER: “It was a tough game for our team, to come back from a long trip. Tough game. Give them credit for hanging in there, especially the first period. They hit two posts and had a lot of chances. They could have backed off a little but they didn’t.’’
(on getting goals from two rookies…)
SUTTER: “Richie [Mike Richards] made a heck of a play on the second one and Kopi made a heck of a play on the first one, and they both finished.’’
(on the four-minute penalty kill…)
SUTTER: “It was huge. It was like in Minny too, with the four-minute. What are you going to do? If they’re leaking oil, they give them four minutes.’’
(on whether it’s frustrating to face a goalie who is playing well…)
SUTTER: “You’ve got a game plan, right? You know what the goalie’s tendencies are, and you know how we have to play. It’s better to have the goalie be the hardest-working guy on the other team, right, then not getting any. If you look at our last couple months, our shots on net are significant, in terms of over our opponents. That’s what you’ve got to keep doing. It’s not a frustrating thing at all. I think it’s just, continue to do it.’’
(on whether there is a better goalie than Quick…)
SUTTER: “You have to have 40 wins. The guys who have 40 wins are the best goalies. The next part is, you do it from the second week in April. Just like the horse the first Saturday in May.’’
GO Kings! Great Win. Dallas loss tomorrow and all we need is 1 point in our last two to clinch a playoff spot. That’s all i care about.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
April 2nd, 2012 at 11:14 pm
@Gboi, I’d say there’s a lot of value in NOT having to start the playoffs in Vancouver or St Louis, myself. They have every reason to feel the need to keep the hammer down all the way until they clinch the 3rd seed.
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Cruiznblue Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 12:31 am
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?,
I dont think there are going to be any easy teams in the Western Conference…Nashville would be just as tough…maybe even Chicago too.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 6:28 am
@Cruiznblue, It has to do with the way they’ve been playing, and for that reason, I’d much rather play Chicago than St Louis or Vancouver in the first round. I don’t think I said any of them would be easy…just checked…nope, I didn’t.
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 6:51 am
More to the point, the Kings aren’t going to face Nashville in the first round…it’s either going to be St Louis, Vancouver or Chicago. Of the three, I favor Chicago and the 3rd seed that will face them.
Steven H Brown Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 1:06 am
@Gboi, a Kings regulation win on Thursday clinches a playoff spot, because that would give the Kings 95 points, and San Jose and Dallas can’t both get there, under those circumstances. The simplest path to the Pacific Division title, that i have been able to concot, is a CBJ win, in Regulation tomorrow night, coupled with a SJS win in Dallas, and then the regulation win for the Kings at Staples Center, Thursday Night. that would have the Kings with 95 points after Thursday’s game and Phoenix still at 91 with 2 games to play, but behind in the 1st and 2nd tiebreakers, SJS 3 points back with 1 game to play, and at best the same thing for Dallas, assuming an OT or SO Loss to the SJS, and a win, Thursday night. The Kings are in position, to win the division, and whether the team is Detroit, Nashville or Chicago, making them fly west, before we fly east and potentially hosting a game 7, are significant advantages. Vancouver in the 1st round, while it would mean not leaving the time zone, would mean game 7 would be in BC, and that any 2nd round game would mean flying 2 to 3 time zones, to start that round, which if it is in STL, they would have to do anyway. Kings won the season series, from all 4 of the Central teams, and won the season series, from all the Pacific teams, they have finished with and lead SJS, by a point, 5-4 in the season series, at this point.
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Steve W Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 3:19 am
@Steven H Brown, I believe the Kings only won one game against the Wings.
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Aha! DS referencing the sport of Kings. Maybe he can go from Nash if we’re playing them in the Conf. finals!
Go Kings
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Duncanz Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 12:10 am
@YoBro,
(on the game … )
SUTTER: “I’ll read from the script I had ready, just in case … Tough game to come all the way back from hades and have to play against them. I mean I know they’re not 30th. [laughs (thinking of JJ)] Tough game. They hung in there real well. There was that 1st period, all those posts, not 2-3 but 2, I think. Lots of chances there. They could’ve let up but … I’m still so exhausted I don’t even know if I’m talking about us or them!”
(on the rookies pretty much showing up the two best two-way players in a Nostradamus prediction … )
SUTTER: ” Nope. You got Richie [the Not Brad Richards(on)] on thT second play, and then Kopi [whose value doesn't apparently warrant an elongation] on that first goal there. Those kids just had to put out the garbage, basically.”
(on the Kings fast emerging marquee specialty teams specialty … )
SUTTER: Same as it happened in Minny. I looked at Johnie [worthwhile Asst Coach, John Stevens], and we both shrugged and said, what are you gonna do? If they’re leakin’ oil [evidently not realizing the irony of the reference, so_not_laughing], refs are hog-tied, that’s just the way it goes.”
(on the umpteen thousandth time this season a back-up scrub has or has almost stoned you … )
SUTTER: You got a masterplan (that’s what me and Brent call it), right? And you think you got their guy properly scouted, right? You kinda know what his salary is, right, and you want to make the guy work hard for a living, even though the top paid guy is even more of a scrub. We’ve been getting more shots than the other teams. So you’ve got to keep doing that. Then the only people who get frustrated are the journos [journalists - all very worthy] who are trying to fet a straight answer out of ya … right? You just keep on doing it that way.”
(on whether your best goalie is your best goalie, or perhaps your it’s your secret godson in Calgary … )
SUTTER: “If you don’t get to that 40 win spot that Kipper always gets to, you’re just not as good, whether you do it in April, MAY or Kentucky. A great goalie is a great goalie and a horse is a horse, of course …. of course. I aint Shaqspare, but I think I heard that phrase somewhere once. Pretty neat, huh? [laughs at acccomplishment]”
(on the expert and timely referencing of the sport of ‘Kings’ … )
SUTTER: “It’s not ok just to be ok at this stuff. You got to be_really_ok at this stuff, right? Just go ask Richie [the Not Mike Nor Brad Richards] … the other one [Brad Richardson]. He’ll tell you guys how it is round here.”
[Reply]
ForumFan Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 12:44 am
@Duncanz, He’s the gift that keeps on giving. Just knew your portal into ‘Being Darryl Sutter’ would be firing on all cylinders as soon as I saw the post game comments : )
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Duncanz Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 1:10 am
@ForumFan, Tonight he was much, much more than the proverbial gift horse.
I will tire of wrestling with his paradoxical complexities (@JKC) long after every last one of the Insiders has tired of my inane wrestling.
InTheCrease Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 2:11 pm
@Duncanz, I shall never tire of your Rourkeisms. You bring laughter into my life (in the office area mostly).
JackKentCooke Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 12:56 am
@Duncan,
Coach is MacKenzie still around or enjoying some recovery time?
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Christian Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 1:07 am
@Duncanz, rofl
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Duncanz Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 1:11 am
@Christian, Just some swede nothings for ya.
“leaking oil”…Welcome to Car Talk with Darryl Sutter.
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Duncanz Reply:
April 2nd, 2012 at 11:05 pm
@JackKent Cooke, “Don’t coach as badly as my brother / and don’t coach as badly as MY brother … “
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JackKent Cooke Reply:
April 2nd, 2012 at 11:14 pm
@Duncanz,
Car talk plastic surgeon: Nick Nicks’em.
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Duncanz Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 12:18 am
@JackKent Cooke,
Car Talk’s Elite Porcine Taxidermist: Rich Ham-mend
If we had played offense this year, Quick woulda had 50 wins
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nick Reply:
April 2nd, 2012 at 11:03 pm
@nick, well maybe not 50 but you know what I’m sayin
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tacomakingsfan Reply:
April 2nd, 2012 at 11:08 pm
@nick,
82??? Hehe
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DesertKing Reply:
April 2nd, 2012 at 11:14 pm
@nick,
You were right the first time. We would have had 50. Thanks Kompon.
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tantrum4 Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 12:16 am
@DesertKing,
I see someone has graduated from the Matthew Barry school of thinking
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mrbrett7 Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 6:26 am
@tantrum4, Post of the year IMO.
Osaka Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 5:05 am
@nick, But your not factoring in how many wins our defense got him.
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i know that darryl is using the 40 win thing because he wants to keep pushing quick and not praise him too much which, might cause quick to relax a little and get off his game. but come on, the guy has played well enough to have over 40 wins if the kings could have scored a couple goals in all those games we lost 0-1 and 1-2. i’m just playing devil’s advocate because i think even though he wont admit it publicly, sutter knows quick is playing like a beast.
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dodgervern Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 12:01 am
@blahblah, And it would have helped if Lombardi had yielded to the inevitable and done similar or same as Carter trade a lot sooner.We had needed scoring help since at least last year and Lombardi waited too long,IMHO.Go Kings,go!
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Osaka Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 5:07 am
@dodgervern, If the Kings win their division then how could it have been too long? Wait til the season plays out before making a statement like that.
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KingsFan1971 Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 12:25 am
@blahblah, IMHO quick is the best this team has had since Rogi! And Sutter is the best we have had in a long time. He isnt much in the media sense but he has figured out how to get the boys going…….IMHO
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Best trade of the year was losing Johnson.
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JackKent Cooke Reply:
April 2nd, 2012 at 11:07 pm
@Jkking,
Best move was getting Sutter. No Sutter-no playoffs.
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nick Reply:
April 2nd, 2012 at 11:09 pm
@JackKent Cooke, +1
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
April 2nd, 2012 at 11:17 pm
I wish JJ and TM well, but I liked both moves at the time and still do.
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JackKent Cooke Reply:
April 2nd, 2012 at 11:24 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?,
Here, here.
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DY Reply:
April 2nd, 2012 at 11:47 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, Both ended up being high impact moves, genius deals…
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Duncanz Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 12:28 am
@DY, Not if you believe the ingenuous @dodgervern, above.
Sutter is such a complex man in a simple package. His family had no television until 1967. Looks like the extra time was put to good use.
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Kingfish Reply:
April 2nd, 2012 at 11:12 pm
@JackKent Cooke,
Hahaha that’s the funniest post I’ve seen on here in a long time
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
April 2nd, 2012 at 11:17 pm
@JackKent Cooke, Television?!? They didn’t have RUNNING WATER!
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JackKent Cooke Reply:
April 2nd, 2012 at 11:25 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?,
Who needs running water when you have standing cows.
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Duncanz Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 12:32 am
@JackKent Cooke, Who needs standing cows when you have roaming meadows …
JackKentCooke Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 12:44 am
@JackKent Cooke,
But the flock can prove illusive during a misty dawn…
Mike Richards had a very bad game.
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Kenny44 Reply:
April 2nd, 2012 at 11:13 pm
@zdfun, with one fabulous glimmer of his former glory
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nick Reply:
April 2nd, 2012 at 11:24 pm
@Kenny44, I’m not worried. I’m glad he’s on our team and expect his playoff experience will be a plus. I Expect a big year from him next year.
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Kenny44 Reply:
April 2nd, 2012 at 11:29 pm
@nick, I’ve been thinking next year will be a big bounce back year for MR. Kinda like Kessel in TOR, whose first season was a disappointment. MR’s best attribute is his hockey sense and anticipation. Must be a challenge changing teams, then changing coaches, and not really having consistent line mates most of the year.
Eggplant Reply:
April 2nd, 2012 at 11:22 pm
@zdfun, I was just about to say that and then he throws a perfect pass that leads to a 2-0 goal.
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Cruiznblue Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 12:32 am
@zdfun,
I hope he regains his old form in the post season.
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ForumFan Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 12:47 am
@zdfun, Seriously? I was at the game and thought he was excellent.
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mrbrett7 Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 6:27 am
@zdfun, Mike Richards has had a VERY bad year. 90% of the time, I have no clue what he sees out there.
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King Cobra Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 8:55 am
@mrbrett7, So you have no clue???
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Duncanz Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 9:31 am
@King Cobra, I like MR very much and hope he gets back to being the MR I really know and have seen in glimpses since he (thankfully) arrived.
But your wife must be one of the most spoiled, pampered ladies in the entire uniiverse.
Is it Kim Kardashian?!!
Jack Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 6:42 am
@zdfun, are you sure? he muscled tons of oilies off the puck in board battles, and played great defense when needed…
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Jack Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 6:42 am
@zdfun, are you sure? he muscled tons of oilies off the puck in board battles, and played great defense when needed…
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Kevco Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 7:37 am
@zdfun, I agree, shocked at how he seems so out of it for 80% of his time on the ice. He did make a great move and pass in the third, but that’s about it.
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brian spain Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 8:13 am
@zdfun, I hope he has 2 more bad games where he makes a perfect pass for a sweet assist. They won 2 to 0. nobody had a bad game.
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King Cobra Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 9:09 am
@zdfun, I know that game procuring goal he set up was awful!
All those plays he broke up in the d zone were just terrible.
Seriously though…
Yes, he did not have the best night, BUT
Please keep in mind Mike Richards is a totally different unique type of player. He sees more of the ice, anticipates better and can play calm and collected. He has an incredibly high hockey IQ. Because he is this different type of player he tries high risk creative different types of passes and set ups that don’t always work and if you are not looking close enough it looks like he is playing bad.
Add to the fact that he is still not 100% back to health Brain to Motor Function reflex wise from the really bad concussion and you are going to have some less than perfect nights.
This guy is special and you are going to be glad he is a King for years to come.
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that leaking oil comment is solid gold. good one, coach!
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Great win by the La Kings. Hopefully Gagne and Carter will be good to go next year. Our line ups is DEEP!
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JackKent Cooke Reply:
April 2nd, 2012 at 11:29 pm
@Harry,
I wish Dr. Lombardi would elaborate on Gagne’s prognosis.
Perhaps his specialty is orthopedics and not neurology although, there seems nothing beyond his considerable grasp.
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Jack Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 6:42 am
@JackKent Cooke, Lombardi only passed “Lower Body Injury” course he took with TM/
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Stuart Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 7:56 am
@Harry, next year, when this team regularly beat the teams they should beat, and battle the tougher teams at a .600, They’ll run away with the president’s trophy for sure!
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Right on Sutter. Let’s do this.
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What is the record for a goalie with shut outs in a season?
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
April 2nd, 2012 at 11:34 pm
@DesertKing, Oh, it’s sick–in the twenties, I think.
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DesertKing Reply:
April 2nd, 2012 at 11:41 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?,
Just looked it up. 22 in 1928-29 season. Quick is now 35th on that list.
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Duncanz Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 12:41 am
@DesertKing, SUTTER: “Bet ya’ Kipper’s a bit higher up on that list ya got there … right?”
tacomakingsfan Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 6:40 am
@DesertKing,
That’s a great accomplished but what is the record in the “modern” era?
Blade17 Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 7:33 am
@DesertKing, I think Tony Esposito had 14 or 15 for the Hawks early late 60′s/early 70′s
Blade17 Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 7:33 am
@DesertKing, I think Tony Esposito had 14 or 15 for the Hawks late 60′s/early 70′s
Great game and was really emjoyable to attend with Puck 73 , Waves, Rogie’s Backup and Macias…
Thanks Puck you are a wonderful guy for how you set these up . So generous.
I really appreciate that. So thanks. Was nice to meet some fellow king fans after being a fan myself since 1972….
And all of you check out waves new nfo site…
Fantastic win …Division title here we come…
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TeamJMFJ Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 12:09 am
@hip-check, as a previous recipient of the @puck73 treatment i must agree that it is quite the experience. Mike is a great guy and is so knowledgeable about hockey. Sounds like it was a great time.
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Brewhemoth Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 12:33 am
@hip-check,
It was a great game and really great to meet hip-check, wavesinair, puck73 and rogiesbackup. I feel a division crown is in our grasp. Thanks again for the tickets puck
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And it was enjoyable as well.. Haha
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Not scoring on the PP didn’t hurt us for this one but not for long so do something ASAP.
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DesertKing Reply:
April 2nd, 2012 at 11:26 pm
@goldielocks,
Thank you!
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mrbrett7 Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 6:29 am
@goldielocks, You mean like move the puck around, and get opportunity after opportunity? Like they did last night and have been doing?
I’ll grant, those first two PP’s were God awful. The rest, very good.
Not every shot you take will go in the net.
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Quick puts up a 10th shutout of the season and all Sutter has to say is that he needs to win 40 games to be considered a top notch goalie?????????????
Give me a flipping break!!!!!
If this team had given Quick the scoring support all the other 40 game winning goaltenders have received, he’d get 50 wins, not 40.
I have high suspicions that this thinly veiled put down has something to do with DL’s crocodile in his wallet and the huge contract Quick has earned with his play.
PAY THE MAN AND GIVE HIM THE CREDIT HE DESERVES!!
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Kings Fan In Temecula Reply:
April 2nd, 2012 at 11:26 pm
@Gustavo, yup
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Goring 19 Reply:
April 2nd, 2012 at 11:26 pm
@Gustavo, interesting take, I like to think not, but interesting angle. Too bad DS couldn’t have a say on our 7 mil dollar man
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goldielocks Reply:
April 2nd, 2012 at 11:32 pm
@Gustavo,
I think DS is challenging Quick. That’s how he motivate the player like saying you are good but you are even better than this. Recognizing their potentials and demanding is his coaching style. And it all comes from respect he put on his players.
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PP Anybody? Reply:
April 2nd, 2012 at 11:59 pm
@goldielocks, I get it, but he really is reeeally good already. Quick already lost games this season where he shutout the other team or gave up only ONE goal. I’d rather Sutter challenge the team to continue to score, than challenge Quicker to post even more shutouts.
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Gustavo Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 12:09 am
@goldielocks,
Quick has shown you, me, DL, TM and now DS that he does not need a lot of help getting motivated to carry the team when they can’t find the end of the opponent’s net.
Sutter is out of line robbing Quick of what he’s done for this team this season. He should be calling out Kopi and Brown instead, for missing several point blank opportunities tonight.
If it wasn’t for the ‘kids’, we’d all still be there watching a shootout and biting out fingernails to the bone.
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JackKent Cooke Reply:
April 2nd, 2012 at 11:33 pm
@Gustavo,
Take a breath. Try considering the answer in light of the actual question that was asked.
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Shotongoal Reply:
April 2nd, 2012 at 11:33 pm
@Gustavo, Settle down dude Sutter is just keeping the boys grounded and the eye on the BIG prize! When you really think about it Quick hasn’t proven anything just yet……..
With that said, in all my years of watching hockey this is the most special goaltending performance over a single season that I have ever seen. And these eyes for hockey go all the way back to ’69. Now let’s see it continue into the playoffs. Then ‘ol Darryl won’t be worrying about him being a 40 win goalie, rest assured!!!
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KC23 Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 1:35 am
@Gustavo, You’re right, but there is a method to DS’s madness. He’s putting it out there for Quick to be even better … just what a coach is supposed to do.
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Christian Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 1:54 am
@Gustavo, I couldn’t agree more. I mean, there’s not wanting to give a guy too much credit too early in order to keep him as motivated as possible, and there’s being silly. Like some ppl already mentioned, if he had put up these figures behind basically any other offense, he’d have much more than 40 wins. He also has a ridiculously low point-percentage in the many games where he allowed 0 or 1 goals in regulation+OT, as Rich often mentions in his post-game stat summary.
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Osaka Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 5:16 am
@Gustavo, Last time I checked shutouts were a team effort, not just the goalie. Dude St. Louis as a team has 15 shutouts. Elliot has played half the number of games as Quick and has 9 SO’s.
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mrbrett7 Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 6:30 am
@Gustavo, Calm down…I’m not sure if they heard you in Mexico or not.
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Gustavo Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 7:22 am
@mrbrett7,
OK, I’ll tone it down. I just got a cal from Tyuumen, Siberia that I’m too damn loud, lol. But they also agree with me..:)
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The Playoffs are coming! It’s gonna be sick.
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There were a bunch of Oiler fans from Edmonton in my section tonight. They were all laughing their asses off at Penner.
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Gustavo Reply:
April 2nd, 2012 at 11:43 pm
@Cav Pilot,
Penner will be playing in the playoffs, lol….let them laugh.
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DesertKing Reply:
April 2nd, 2012 at 11:43 pm
@Cav Pilot,
Yep, same in our section only it was Kings fans laughing at him.
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Elijah Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 7:03 am
@DesertKing, Sorry that might have been me.
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vinny Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 7:08 am
@DesertKing, lmao
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PP Anybody? Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 12:02 am
@Cav Pilot, I hope they were laughing when he laid Teubert flat on to his backside.
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Mikey J. Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 12:14 am
@PP Anybody?, With a thud.
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Darrell Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 12:28 am
@PP Anybody?, Yeah, but that wasn’t exactly skill. That was MASS.
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KC23 Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 1:36 am
@Cav Pilot, Me and my wife were laughing in section 305, does that count?
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mrbrett7 Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 6:31 am
@Cav Pilot, What…when he was dancing on the bench?
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zdfun Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 10:14 am
@Cav Pilot, Poor Penner, when a guy behind me yelled MVP while he was on the ice, we all laughed.
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Kinda not down with the 40 win comment. Quick should have 40 wins this year easily. This team failed him for half the season at scoring for him. It’s amazing what Quick has accomplished with little to no scoring support for so much of the season. If the Kings had even managed a couple goals in a handful more games, Quick would be already at 40 wins.
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Bill M. Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 12:22 am
@PP Anybody?, Yeah, that irks me as well. what is the statistic for the kings allowing one goal and losing? give Quick even half of those games and he is leading in wins right now.
Don’t look now but the shutout also gives him a GAA advantage on Lundqvist, trailing only Elliot (who really shouldn’t count), and he is only .01 off of Lundqvist in Save %, while having faced more shots. Rinne has the wins and faced more shots but doesn’t have the GAA or Save % dominance of Lundqvist or Quick.
Tonights shutout should probably put Quick ahead of Lundqvist for the Vezina at this point. Sadly, East Coast Bias will probably win again. Bleh.
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Darrell Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 12:32 am
@PP Anybody?, Somewhat reluctantly, I have to agree with Hayward. As much as the 1-0 losses were due to horrble offense, a lot of Quick’s wins (including tonight’s) were due largely to great overall team defense.
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Bill M. Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 1:09 am
@Darrell, So? Same argument to be made for most of the other top goalies…
If anything, that makes a case for Rinne because he is playing with a GAA far better than his team’s shots against. But other than wins, he doesn’t have the numbers. That arguement should NOT help Lundqvist. Rangers are as good or better in a lot of crucial areas like shots blocked and shots against per game. Rangers also scored 41 more goals, meaning that Lundqvist spent A LOT less time playing under the pressure of a single mistake being fatal.
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Osaka Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 5:26 am
@Bill M., St. Louis has the best defense in the league and BOTH goalies have great numbers. Are both of their goalies in the top 5 or 6 in the league? No. Quick does get the benefit of a great defensive team, more than the lack of offense hurts his numbers. What would Quick look like playing on Columbus? He is a great goalie, I don’t argue that fact, but put it in perspective. A guy who throws a couple strikeouts is not Nolan Ryan. I give Sutter a lot of credit for saying it how it is.
Osaka Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 5:19 am
@Darrell, Exactly.
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Elijah Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 6:48 am
@Osaka, I think it is obvious that JQ is using VOODOO to win these games and get shutouts because i mean come on it’s not like he is talented or anything. It’s not like he makes amazing saves, all his saves are because his defense blah blah blah. I am pretty sure he would never add up to anything on another team. Realistically we need to gauge goalies on wins, it just makes sense. A goalie should score more goals if they want to be thought of as great. We all know that stats mean nothing because defense. It isn’t fair to think JQ is amazing because he has not won 40 games. I know, he has great numbers, set a franchise record for shutouts but come on, voodoo. sarcasm is fun.
Duncanz Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 9:42 am
@Elijah, Dude, you had me eating out of your hand til that very last sentence …
Oilers seemed to have some determination with the call ups but it wasn’t enough.
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I’m waiting for the first guy who admits to saying, “not tonight Honey, I’m waiting for Sutter’s post-game remarks.
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Belexes Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 12:17 am
@JackKentCooke,
Does that happen? What you are asking may be impossible.
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chip Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 12:52 am
@Belexes, TM
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McCheese Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 4:52 am
@JackKentCooke, thank goodness for DVR…
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4 minutes for leaking oil. How can you not love Sutter? Every single postgame he’s got gold.
Daryl Sutter makes Yogi Berra look like Yogi Berra.
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Duncanz Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 1:22 am
@Cynic, Lol. Yes, or alternatively, he makes Yogi Berra look like Darryl Sutter!
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Osaka Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 5:28 am
@Cynic, Some didn’t love Sutter over the 40 win thing.
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Gustavo Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 7:25 am
@Osaka,
I don’t.
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Duncanz Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 10:21 am
@Gustavo, Still? Even after @JKC’s succinct word to your wisdom.
Did you ski into a tree in Austria or something?
Good game tonight. Got a bit nervewracking there for a bit but Slava, I am not JJ, Voynov saved the day by finally getting one past Dubnyk. 2 games to go and 2 wins leads us to 3rd place in the Western Conference. What a finish there will be in Tinseltown.
This was game #5 of the 2nd 7 game increment out of our last 14 games. The first 7 increment led to a 6-1 record and so far in the 2nd set we are 3-1-1. So our total record in 12 games is 9-2-1 for a total of 19 points out of 24. Last 2 games of the season couldn’t of been a better set up to end the season. If there was ever a Revenge scheme the Kings could of concocted this is it. Beating SJ twice and knocking them out of the playoffs and onto the golf course. Sweet Revenge for Game 3 of the playoffs last year.
1 Vancouver – L – 0-1
2 Calgary – W – 1-1
3 Edmonton – W – 2-1
4 Minnesota – L – 2-1-1 (OT Loss/SO)
5 Edmonton – W – 3-1-1
5 days left in the Regular season. 3 playoff spots left to go. 5 teams looking for 3 spots with 2 not making it. Who will it be? Kings have the edge. Tomorrow’s Stars/Sharks have the biggest take on which team will be left out. Whoever loses has the tougher road. Of course either team could get past over by Colorado and they could even knock both out and snag 8th for themselves.
Once again Kings have the edge. Win Thursdays game against San Jose and the only team that could pass them is Phoenix. It is looking more like the Kings will win there first Pacific Division Title, there first Division title in over 20 years. Last time they won it, it wasn’t called the Pacific Division. Once that is done bring on Chicsgo (Most Likely.)
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Jeff_R Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 1:25 am
@Jeff_R, Chicago.
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It’s crazy that we were so bad at the beginning and now were up top of the pacific. And the end of this season just gets me more excited for next season! And this season won’t even be done till June! That was one heck of a game to watch tonight! I remember how upset I was at the kings for playing so boring. I really like that part that Darryl has brought to the team. It’s so much fun to watch again and he makes the team play so well at home for the fans. Gotta love this guy. It sucks being in San Jose this year and not being able to ever see these guys in person. I am so grateful for staples center prices on tickets. Hp pavilion Is so much that I can’t even go see them Saturday! Gkg!
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Jeff_R Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 1:43 am
@Ashykon, You obviously haven’t seen the NEW pricing for Staples Center. Not as inexpensive any more.
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Tonight’s games that affect the Kings are as follows. The Kings will be watching with great interest these 2 games. They are as follows.
Blue Jackets at Coyotes – If anybody ever wanted to experience a BJ tonight is the night. We need JJ and company to pummel the Coyotes into submission. Tell the NHL to finally get their act together and send the Coyotes to a place where they get the fan support they need, ownership that cares and away from the Kings, once realignment hits. Go BJ!!!!!!
Sharks at Stars – While it would be better for the Kings to make the Playoffs by the Sharks winning, the Kings however would rather win the Division so it be better if the Stars win. I say Division is most important so the Stars win. So go Stars!!!!!
That is it for tomorrow. Go BJ’s and Stars. Even though the odds might not say that, whenever has the the Kings ever gone by the odds. Certainly no reason to start now. Division title and 3rd is all that matter until it is no longer possible. Kings are right now on top of the heap and plan on staying there until Saturday night, when all is said and done.
Kings odds went up 5.4 to 95.6%. Let’s hope JC will be available for Thursdays game and if not then, then hopefully Saturday. Hope Carter can play at least 1 of the games against the Sharks.
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Gustavo Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 7:29 am
@Jeff_R,
“If anybody ever wanted to experience a BJ tonight is the night”…????
Are you trying to get banned, lol?
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Duncanz Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 9:19 am
@Gustavo,
It is quite interesting, isn’t it …. The whole idea comes across as a kind of disturbed, sado-masochistic voyeurism, doesn’t it?
@J_R, I wonder if you could give me an idea where to find clubs that might cater to these compulsions. I can not for the life of me find any such numbers in the Yellow Pages !!
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Jeff_R Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 9:57 am
@Duncanz, You can figure that out for yourself
.
Jeff_R Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 9:57 am
@Gustavo, Uhh it could be taken in many different ways, doesn’t have to mean that particular one
.
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Had a great great time with the wife at the game. Boy was that a frustrating first two periods though. I wanted to pull whats left of my hair out.
Slava … what can you say. I was just two short years ago all the talk was how we had seen the last number 8 on a King’s jersey, but now it appears that number 26 may be the number for a defenseman that is most in jepordy of being laid to rest forever more. That kid is something special folks. He is only going to get better … and better … and better. Gonna be a fun ride watching him rise up the list of good defensemen in this league.
Mitchell … when he is the defender you feel like you can relax cause Mitchell doesn’t make mistakes.
DS … Bob Pulford was my favorite King coach of all time, but DS has move up the list considerably. He uses the media to stimulate the players to get the best out of themselves. Those upset about DS’s 40 goal comment … he is just keeping Quick challenged. That is what good coaches do.
Kopitar. Still playing awesome and putting up points like a your best player should.
Happy about the win, but I caution all of you on getting to high after this one. We still got work to do Thursday night. Hope Carter gets well soon. While Richardson may look okay against the Oilers and the Wild of the league he will be exposed against good teams.
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I watched the highlight reel and it looked to a large extent a lot like the Kings games before JC arrived; unbelievably many almost-goal situations for the Kings. Seems that the difference was that tonight they played with an extra character-boost; they were just gonna get those goals no matter what. Impressive!
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Rich ,
You are doing such an amazing job doing your job.
I wish that we could here from you more than just the game recaps. May i suggest a new forum called RITTER , Its RICH HAMMOND ON TWITTER!!!
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Ok you are on twitter.
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Ok Rich , Who do you think the top 8 teams in the NHL are?
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Why is Wayne Gretzky not apart of this franchise in some way? I MEAN HE IS COMING TO GAMES. Let me think about this ………………… We have the greatest hockey player of all time hanging out ……………………………………………………………………………………. D O THE MATH
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Gustavo Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 7:32 am
@gretz,
He only comes for the free popcorn, lol
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puck73 Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 7:36 am
@gretz, JEEZ! I liked you alot better as a hockey player wayne! Looks like you havent mastered this blogging thing quite yet!
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DLB Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 8:08 am
@gretz, It’s entirely up to you.
We can compensate you with free Popcornopolis and unlimited trips to McDs with Nicholls. Maybe we can entice you?
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Make it simple. Stars, Phoenix and Sharks all go 2-1 down the stretch ( no 3-pt games ) with us splitting with SJ and we win the division.
That’s a pretty optimistic finish for everyone else, considering their schedules. Unlikely that Dallas ( SJ, @NSH, St. Louis ), SJ ( @Dallas, @LA, LA ) or PHO ( CBJ, @St.Louis, @Minn ) is going to run the table, so bring it on!
Love to see that #3 seed next to our name!
GO KINGS!!
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Anze has picked it up down the stretch when we needed him. He has scored 22 points in his last 18 games which would project out to 100 points over 82 games. His defense has been solid and he has been more involved with a purpose on every area of the ice. Great job Kopi, way to respond.
Brown didn’t pick up a point tonight but what a strong game! He was huge, he drew 2 penalties because Edmonton had trouble containing him. Great determination. Team high 5 hits.
Mike Richards won 13 of 17 face-offs.
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puck73 Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 7:39 am
@Osaka, Totally agree with everything you just posted. Just want to add that Lewis was OUTSTANDING last night. I was at the game, and there were several instances where he took the puck away from Oiler players. He was hustling last night, and wanted this game REAL bad.
Great post.
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Jeff_R Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 10:01 am
@puck73, And he made some moves for the life of me I never would of thought Lewis could make. Plus he has gotten real physical of late, including that one fight. Way to go Lewie.
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As far as im concern we still have to win our next two games. Dont count your eggs until theyhave hatched. But we sure have been playing some great hockey
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puck73 Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 7:42 am
@KingCharles of SaltLake, Agree. As a Kings fan for so many years I have realized that VERY FEW THINGS come easy for this organization so it wouldnt surprise me at all if we didnt know until Saturday.
Hopefully we wrap it up Thursday night!
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Shotongoal Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 9:12 am
@puck73, All that we need to remember is the last 2 games of the regular season last year……
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The Vezina Trophy was originally intended to be awarded to “the most valuable goaltender in the league” (1927).
If you look at Quick’s numbers, and this team’s performance in the first 60 games, there really is not doubt that Jonathan Quick has kept the Kings in contention for a playoff spot. My thought is that the rest of the team has finally risen to the level of Q’s steady performance.
GM votes aside, WE know his value to this team. And, I’ll bet you pennies to pancakes, that everyone in the Room knows that as well.
The Kings are on the verge of fulfilling the predictions made at the start of the season – winners of the Pacific, and serious contenders for the only hardware that really matters – the Stanley Cup.
My fantasy? Bettman hands Brownie the Cup, and he hands it off to the man who made the journey possible – Jonathan Quick.
GKG!
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Gustavo Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 7:35 am
@IceGuy,
That visual sends shivers down my spine…:)
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puck73 Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 7:51 am
@IceGuy, Jonathon Quick not only has been awesome this season, I will go a step further. This team does not make the playoffs the last 2 seasons either without him! Last season especially! When Kopi went down with 2 weeks to go, it was a huge blow! But Quick just refused to lose and kept stealing this team 1 or 2 points every game until we clinched.
This season, Quick has taken his game to yet another level during the regular season. He improved on the 2 things he needed to. #1 Not allowing so many soft goals, and #2 His stickhandling around the net. Clearly he has improved big time in both of those areas.
The one thing about this guy that hasnt changed is the way he keeps an even keel. Knowing Quick, if he did win the Vezina, he would probably insist that he had very little to do with it! That in a nutshell is the genius of Quick, humble, and VERY MENTALLY TOUGH.
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Duncanz Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 9:08 am
@puck73, I am still (somehow) convinced that this guy doesn’t have what it takes to win the tough games down the stretch.
That’s why I hold on to the hope that the last remaining West Coast resident subscribing to my website gets a chance to show he really is the best shootout stopper in the league!
Kings Insider, boo!
Signed, Anonymous ~
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Shotongoal Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 9:14 am
@IceGuy, Plain and simple Quick deserves the Vezina. Now, with that said, it just comes down to how the votes play out.
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They look great, and I’m really impressed by how strong they’ve been in the 3rd period of the last few games. I agree SaltLake, take the next two and take out the Sharks.
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If the guppies do not make the playoffs, it will be a demoralizing blow that will shake up the entire organization for years to come. Let’s BURY THEM!!!
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Jeff_R Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 10:05 am
@Gustavo, Wholesale changes and Dean laughing his butt off to come. The line I told You So would so work here.
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