First, a happy Easter to those who celebrate, and a happy recently-completed Passover to many of you as well. As for the Kings, well, it’s fair to say there’s now officially an issue with holding third-period leads. From April 3, 2009, until March 30, 2012, in 92 games the Kings took a lead into the third period. They had an 86-0-6 record in those games. Now, three times in the last four games, the Kings have taken a lead into the third period, and they are 0-0-3 in those games. If the Kings had held those three leads, they would be the Pacific Division champions this morning and would be preparing to host sixth-seeded Chicago. Instead, the Kings must start on the road, as the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference, against the Vancouver Canucks, who won the President’s Trophy. Can the Kings reset? Can they stop taking penalties at inopportune times? Can Jonathan Quick get his mojo back? The Kings finished the regular season by recording at least one point in their final six games, but it certainly didn’t feel that way. What was the key aspect of the Kings’ 3-2 shootout loss to the San Jose Sharks? 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.
Well, I threw a piece of BBQ chicken last night in OT when we lost. But on the bright side, games vs van will be more exciting that games vs st Louis.
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40YearKingsFan Reply:
April 8th, 2012 at 10:05 am
@Cortex949, I feel your pain. I think we all do. But you’re right, Vancouver should be exciting and I hope you were able to salvage the chicken. When we went up 2-0 I stocked up on harmless items to throw in disgust. Socks and couch pillows work pretty well.
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Its human nature(or at least the Kings)to have a let down when they knew they made the Play offs.Lots of “heavy” games and mentally they took off the last two games.Time to refocus and let DS work his magic getting his team to refocus.
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Gokings Reply:
April 8th, 2012 at 8:49 am
@neil, It’s to bad they did that last year as well and both years it cost them the division. They need to figure out a way to win the division in late march.
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Dan Reply:
April 8th, 2012 at 9:23 am
@neil, funny how the Kings had the letdown, but Phoenix and San Jose’ didn’t…
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dahack11 Reply:
April 8th, 2012 at 10:16 am
@neil, Altho our record before these last 3 games was impressive….the Kings have actually squandered many 3 period leads this year but come back to regain leads. It’s a pattern I noticed all year.
I’m sorry, but Quick has to be accountable. Like Sutter says, the REAL elite goalies find a way to win whatever game is being played. Low scoring or high scoring. Quick is too much of a “flopper” to me. He reminds me of Kelly Hrudey.
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Hackwoods Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 10:05 am
@dahack11, The only thing I can think of regarding the 3rd period leads going away lately is pretty simple: Quick is overused. He is tired, and I certainly hope that these few days off before the playoffs start get him rejuventated. The same thing happened the last 2 years, and his game was less than stellar at the end of the season each of the last 3 years (including this one), and his playoff performances were also not that great.
I do not know what it will take to get these coaches to see this trend and stop overusing him. These past 2 seasons, we have had a very capable back up in JB, and we just do not use him. It makes no sense, especially in games in Jan and Feb when Quick could have sat 3 or 4 games during these 2 months, and possibly been a little fresher in March.
Let’s hope he regains his legs and head (mental approach being up to par) in the next 2 days so we can have a chance against the nucks.
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adanac Reply:
April 8th, 2012 at 11:08 am
@neil, They are taking too many dumb penalties. Greene cross checking a player into the boards cost us the game. When will we learn that the ref’s are not going to allow cross-checking, especially into the boards.
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First?!?!
We’re in the playoffs, let’s celebrate proportionately and prepare accordingly.
Our home tickets are paid and we’re buying all the dress up paraphernalia we can.
GO KINGS GO!!
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Just beat the Canucks! Ive forgotten this up and down, rollercoaster regular season. Now that we’re in the show…anything can happen.
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40YearKingsFan Reply:
April 8th, 2012 at 10:08 am
@TeamJMFJ, You’re so right! I’m working on the forgetting part. Maybe by tomorrow. Then we can start with the “if we can get Carter back 100% and steal one in Vancouver……..”
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TeamJMFJ Reply:
April 8th, 2012 at 10:56 am
@40YearKingsFan, thats the spirit!
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Kings in 6, the canucks got lucky last time we played them in the playoffs and the Kings are a much better team than before. I forgive them for the last two garbage games. GO KINGS GO!
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I’m excited to see what DS can pull out of this team in the post season.
And hope to hear some good news on Carter soon.
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new season…that’s all that matters. 1-8 there’s no easy matchup for anyone in the West.
Now that the playoffs are all set to begin..can someone send out an SOS for Dustin Penner.
Unfortunately what I saw the past couple of games was reminiscent to what we’ve all seen since he got here. Total indifferent play.
That can’t happen against Vancouver.
I’m sure DS will clean up the bad penalties and the sloppy play that’s taken over in the 3rd period…
All psyched for a rematch with the Nucks…lets take them this time!
Go Kings!
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cynic Reply:
April 8th, 2012 at 9:30 am
@nykingfan, Thinking the same thing about Penner. Horribly slow, not thinking about his passes, poor defense, always a step behind. Lewis is really trying hard to carry that line. He needs to pick it up.
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Ron Reynolds Reply:
April 8th, 2012 at 11:12 am
@nykingfan,
Completely agree re: Penner. Unfortunately, he appears to have returned to La-La Land.
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san Reply:
April 8th, 2012 at 2:10 pm
@Ron Reynolds, he shouldn;t be on the third line where he does’t play for about 10minintes .he does’t even feel like he part of the team.
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Quick has not yet demonstrated he can handle the heavy workload thrust upon him by TM and now DS. It’s understandable DS rode that horse so hard to make the playoffs as the Kings under TM were under achieving.
Quick has to be outstanding for the Kings to advance anywhere in the playoffs. Pretty good will not be good enough. Another problem is the Kings struggle at times against really good skating teams. Vancouver, Chicago, Detroit, and San Jose can all out-skate the Kings. Tough to win against better skating teams when you have scoring issues of your own.
Anything can happen now and hopefully DS can get the Kings back to hold leading leads. A healthy Carter is a necessity. Doughty needs to play up to his salary which is Superstar level. Currently he’s pretty good but like Quick he needs to be better than “Pretty Good”. DD plays like a number 2 d-man now so the defense, though good, still doesn’t contribute enough.
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puck73 Reply:
April 8th, 2012 at 9:13 am
@Crown Royal, Good to have you back. You have been sorely missed on this site. Cant believe you didnt trash Greene when he shoved that Shark player right into the boards. Greene and Richards cant commit stupid boarding penalties like they did last night. I expect more from veterans who have played in the finals.
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Crown Royal Reply:
April 8th, 2012 at 9:18 am
@puck73,
Well, Puck, you know I’m not a Greene fan but as we’ve “talked about” recently I do think he’s played better under DS. I have more concerns about Greene handling speedy forwards off the rush or the forecheckers jumping him for turnovers. Having said that, I don’t think Greene is the Kings biggest problem at present.
The Kings are living and dying off Quick and their ability to play low scoring games and win them. Right now Quick isn’t sharp and the Kings aren’t holding leads. Those things have to change Quickly (pun intended).
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hipcheck Reply:
April 8th, 2012 at 9:28 am
@Crown Royal, Rinne has played in 73 game. Quick in 69, Smith in 67.
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Crown Royal Reply:
April 8th, 2012 at 9:42 am
@hipcheck,
Some players like Kiprusoff under the Sutters has proven he can handle a high number of games and still be extremely effective. I’m not saying Quick can’t but so far in his young NHL life he hasn’t proven that he can do that like some others.
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
April 8th, 2012 at 9:47 am
@Crown Royal, i think that why Sutter been trying to do with Quick get him to the next level..Which he can just needs the right push
bbb7 Reply:
April 8th, 2012 at 10:18 am
@Crown Royal, The Kings were 8-7-3 against the four teams you mentioned, so I dont think speed differential is as much a problem as it was last season. We basically subtracted Handzus and Smyth and added Richards and Carter so that gap has closed a lot. The key is pressuring the Canucks EARLY.
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Crown Royal Reply:
April 8th, 2012 at 12:55 pm
@bbb7,
Agreed the Kings are faster this season without Handzus and Smyth. The Kings are not a slow team now but neither are they a fast team. Often they end up chasing the puck and the play against the faster teams when it comes to the transistion game and puck pursuit. Outstanding goaltending by the Kings against Vancouver (goaltending issues at times for the Canucks), Detroit (goal tending and injuries) as well as sometimes questionable goaltending for San Jose and Chicago have tended to level the playing field against those teams.
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If the Kings play the way they did last night in the first 2 periods, we can beat anybody. 60 minutes boys.
GKG
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Cry Baby Reply:
April 8th, 2012 at 9:12 am
@apol21, just please remind them the game is 60 minutes not 40 or 50!
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OldKingsFan Reply:
April 8th, 2012 at 9:37 am
@apol21, Brillant. It is the 60 minutes part they are having a problem with especially Mr. Quick. He is not a Money Goalie. When the prssure is on he is gone. Bernie better be ready because we are going to need him.
How many times was he pulled in last years series?
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There should be another category: Suspect officiating.
The entire game is predicated on power play goals. The Kings had two and San Jose had one. But then mysteriously they stopped calling penalties late in the third. Bob Miller even referenced a Sharks player “tackling” a Kings player. Then about 20 seconds later there was another blatant trip by a Sharks player. I don’t think you can blame the Kings for taking penalties when the penalty-calling was so inconsistent.
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puck73 Reply:
April 8th, 2012 at 9:07 am
@JDBiGC, Totally agree. I think alot of it is choreographed BS. You know, like. Gee, we just called a penalty on San Jose and the Kings scored a powerplay goal, we better make up for it and call one on the Kings!
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cynic Reply:
April 8th, 2012 at 9:36 am
@JDBiGC, Don’t forget that ridiculous hook on Voynov in the 3rd. That was when Bob said he thought that everything was legal now or something to that effect. I still can’t believe that wasn’t called. 4 officials on the ice and who’s watching the puck?
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The Kings have gotten alot better the last time the Canucks played,but so has the Canucks…
In my opinion can we win this series,its possible…Not going to be easy but anythign can happen in the playoffs..
Hope they can win a series which we will love to see happen.
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Happy Easter to all! Rough one again last night but sure enough, the sun came up again this morning! This is life as a Kings fan. No analyst worth his salt will give us even a prayer against Vancouver. There’s a reason they’re #1 and we are #8. So we go steal one in Vancouver, get into their heads as we have been able to do in the past, and make a series out of it!
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Go Kings! And congrats to the yotes by the way…Dave Tippet is one heck of a coach.
Should be a battle vs the Nucks…looking forward to watching some playoff hockey.
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puck73 Reply:
April 8th, 2012 at 9:08 am
@Cup B4 I Die, Mike Smith….He’s been sorta good this season. In the words of @Adam M….so what do you think?
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40YearKingsFan Reply:
April 8th, 2012 at 9:39 am
@puck73, We could use a dose of @Adam M this morning!
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Crown Royal Reply:
April 8th, 2012 at 9:26 am
@Cup B4 I Die,
Tippet is a great coach! Like TM he’s a difficult coach for rookies and young players. I don’t admire that about him but unlike TM was, Tippet is flexible and creative when approaching each game and opponent.
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did anyone notice that Richards had no reaction when he scored?? He looked “blank” in his expression.Other times during the game Richards looked like “hung over”..something wasnt right…Am I the only one who noticed that???
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puck73 Reply:
April 8th, 2012 at 9:14 am
@neil, Richards wont be impressed until he is holding pure silver over his head. I wonder if you will notice that ?
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The Batman Reply:
April 8th, 2012 at 9:15 am
@neil, a lot of the times richards scores he doesnt rly celebrate unless it was really awesome or a huge goal
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Adam Reply:
April 8th, 2012 at 9:21 am
@The Batman, I have noticed that. Even the shorty he scored a few games ago which was a big goal – no celebration in his face. Maybe he is grippin that stick too hard and needs to let loose a little.
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Dan Reply:
April 8th, 2012 at 9:27 am
@neil, I just think Richards has a quiet, confident class about him. The type of player that won’t make major mistakes in crunch time. Maybe Doughty could watch him…
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vinny Reply:
April 8th, 2012 at 9:36 am
@neil, ya..i think its got to do with philly, but maybe ive just watched “the shift” one to many times on youtube..he looked so different
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Scarletcat Reply:
April 8th, 2012 at 9:38 am
@neil,
I’ve noticed that too, but there are others that have a similar response. You may be seeing it in Richards because we see him more often than other players in the league. It can be a confidence thing. He may not feel a need to jump on the glass or make nifty gestures, but there are smiles on the bench after he’s off the ice definitely.
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crashin'da net Reply:
April 8th, 2012 at 10:04 am
@neil, unsubstantiated and immaterial. Ricky don’t lose that number (just keep scoring).
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40YearKingsFan Reply:
April 8th, 2012 at 10:19 am
@neil, I absolutely did notice it and have noticed it several times during the second half of the season. Not criticizing his play, but for me he’s just a hard guy to read.
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YoBro Reply:
April 8th, 2012 at 10:52 am
@40YearKingsFan, Uh,, I think it was only the 2nd goal he’s scored in the “2nd half”. Maybe he’s just forgotten how to celebrate?
Go Kings
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Ron Reynolds Reply:
April 8th, 2012 at 11:16 am
@neil,
Richards just isn’t a hugger.
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san Reply:
April 8th, 2012 at 2:19 pm
@neil, i did too. too many girlfriends
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Oka, so the last two games were a fiasco..but let us move on to next week, or whenever. It is still a 60 minute game and the Kings cannot sit back (after a 2 goal lead nonetheless) and must continue to play aggresively. They just finished playing a cheating team and a diving team and will face a cheating team and a diving ..and a whining team..in the playoffs. I do hope the refs have wised up to Luongo pushing the goal off the pegs if he feels he cannot do something else. And the refs should pay really good attention to our guys being pushed into the goalie for a penalty.
Then too, screening the goalie has become almost non-existent. Since Penner has done little else, maybe he should be relegated to “being a tree” in front of the goalie..that is unless he suddenly decides to play hockey. And Sutter should have a long talk with Doughty whose play has been mediocre at best. and MORE CRASHING THE NET please
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Gustavo Reply:
April 8th, 2012 at 9:58 am
@Optomistic,
Carter does that better than anyone in the team.
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crashin'da net Reply:
April 8th, 2012 at 10:07 am
@Optomistic, fiasco is getting blown out 6-0. Losing the lead and then taking it to either OT or a SO is a disappoinment, doubly so if ocurring sequentially.
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http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=626479
in 40 minutes or so
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way too many penalty minutes in the third…
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Tell our defensemen to stop tipping in goals on our own goalie.
It’s hard enough to play goal when your opponent is trying to deflect shots from the point.
Why do we do their work for them?
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OldKingsFan Reply:
April 8th, 2012 at 9:31 am
@The Gondor, Strange it only happens to our goalie. I guess no other teams has this problem.
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Short and sweet, Carter in Penner out should make a hugh difference.
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It is sad to say but Quick is not a money Goalie. When the heat is on he falls apart like a cheap suit. He did it last yeat in the playoffs. When we needed him most down the stretch he can’t stop the rock.
He is a good Goalie I do not question his ability. He just isn’t going to lead us to the cup.
My prediction 1 series and done.
I want the Cup 47 years of FRUSTRATION. It like the Stones song “I can’t get no satisfaction”
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rt16 Reply:
April 8th, 2012 at 9:38 am
@OldKingsFan, I hate to say you “could be right” . . . but you could be. I am hoping
Quickie shows us something this next series because without him being really good in the net, I am not sure we can win this series. Vancouver does not score a lot but don’t give up a lot either . . . we can’t give them cheap goals. Seems like some of the goals he gave up the last few games were pucks he was stopping before then . . . I don’t see our defense in front of him playing differently.
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YoBro Reply:
April 8th, 2012 at 11:00 am
@OldKingsFan, Well, I believe this may be Quicks final chance to show us he’s capable of being a “money goalie”. This season he has performed admirably, HOWEVER, now it’s time to step up and prove his worth, if he’s able. The last 2 yrs of playoffs and season ending meltdowns can be erased if he plays well. If he doesn’t, I hope DS will put in the “other guy” and see what he’s got. Makes no sense to stick with your starting pitcher when he’s getting shelled, but,hey, this isn’t baseball, right?
Go Kings
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hope the boys didn’t use up so much juice getting “into” the playoffs that they won’t have anything left “for” the playoffs. Have made some real dumb plays and penalties in the last few games and seem emotionally spent. Hope thats not the case. And boy oh boy do we need Carter back in the linuep. Our best players have to be the best players to have any chance against the Canucks.
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I am starting a ” Bench Penner for the playoffs” chant at my home. Who wants to join in? I really don’t care who replaces him (Richardson?), just get him off the ice.
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One of Rich’s Key Three sadly, should always be third period letdown/meltdown. Makes a fan crazy!
The boys looked tired in the third period. Was it a mental let down on the team’s part? They pretty much had the Sharks for the first 40 but it was an entirely different game for the last 20. Quick was noticeably moving slower than he had in the first 40 minutes. You could see him struggle following the puck at times. We were talking about it just as the first goal was scored. When the Kings dominate and keep the puck at the other end, a any goalie loses a kind of focus/edge (it is not laziness). We saw it Thursday- out shot the Sharks only to have them score on their first or second shot. Do I blame Quick? Not really. The shots that got past him, maybe questionable that he could have stopped them, but the team out there for the last 20 minutes was the same frustrating team we had to watch so many time lose 1-0 games all year long.
That’s not a team that will go too far in the playoffs. I believe we have a much better chance of making (any) next round with Sutter behind the bench than we did with Murray. The Kings always play well against the Cunucks. Take your vitamins boys. Get your naps and carbo load. This should prove to be a good series.
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Luc Robster Reply:
April 8th, 2012 at 9:57 am
@Scarletcat, As to your “I believe we have a much better chance of making (any) next round with Sutter behind the bench than we did with Murray” – Bingo! Clearly the of the Old School, blood-and-guts, “prove it” mold, rather than the adroitly Professorial, tweed and leather-elbow-patches. More of a Shapeshifter, in-flight, as well (Scotty Bowman he ain’t, but who is?).
All the Hayseed aside, I believe the boys realize there’s nowhere to hide with this guy. Time to look long into the mirror – and just Git ‘Er Done.
We have a different mix of vets this go-round (M.R., Carts, etc., rather than Smyth, Zeus) – more of an Eastern Conference pedigree, if you will. They’ve had success in the past; I just hope any lingering health issues with these two in particular don’t restrict their mojo, as the blue-and-green (horrible color combo) will bring it.
If Quicker can hit the one-week Reset button, I believe Van’s goaltending can be bested.
Kopi, Brownie – embrace the moment; this is what you were drafted for, and you can do this.
Let’s Roll!
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All the pressure is on Van……You know that last year is on their minds…The Kings need to play without the pressure and let Van. choke…
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Vancouver has pressure no doubt but so do we . . . we need to quit being content to getting into the playoffs and “man-up” and win a damn series. Not sure that team that allowed San Jose beat them the past two games in one that beat the Canucks . . . look emotionally and physically spent and Quickie seemed unsure of himself . . . hopefully just a temporary thing.
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40YearKingsFan Reply:
April 8th, 2012 at 10:31 am
@rt16, You make a good point. I’m not sure the team of the last two games can even compete with Vancouver. Vancouver will bait us into taking bad penalties much like SJ and dismiss us in 5 or 6 games. That said, the Kings that won 6 in a row might be able to make a series out of it. The longer the series goes, the more pressure there will be on the Nucks.
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Other…Still not mentally tough.
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OldKingsFan Reply:
April 8th, 2012 at 9:57 am
@Kopi Bryant, True ………………….. No mental toughness.
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Well, after all the lost opportunities this season, I thought maybe we still could cash in the last two games. But it was nauseating like last year against the Ducks. Instead of being seeded third and playing on home ice with a fresh look against Chicago, we’re deja vu against the Canucks. We dominated the Sharks for two periods the previous game, and then Quick took the dumb penalty and it changes the whole post-season. Amazing! After that “big brother” as usual had their way with us. I guess we are easily satisfied in this non-hockey climate. I had hoped though that some of the hockey culture in summer-warm L.A. was taking root on this team, but maybe it still has a ways to go. They better be on their top game. I actually think if Quick (who I support 100%) had played like he normally does the last two games, we would’ve won the Pacific division. There goes his Vezina trophy….
It’s sad that some of the strangest occurences have probably taken points away from us this season. Our record could’ve been so much better. Even a few days ago, it looked like we could finish 42-27-13, but we ended up the season with technically more total losses than wins (40-27-15). At least we got 40 wins. But I don’t see the excitement drive of going long in the playoffs being the 8th seed with the wind kind of taken out of your sails going in. Just something slightly different in the 81st game and the whole playoff scenario would look a lot more positive.
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HERE WE GO EVERYONE. The playoff mania is about to BEGIN… May the Kingdom come as one and pull the KINGS through this…
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Can’t really disagree with anything said here, but think:
Two goal leads, late in games. No put away score… Losses.
No Carter…
Put away the game and win.
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Woke up from another Kings hangover. I didn’t even drink. Has the NHL done anything about the player on the bench interfering play “thing” yet?!? If not, great strategy to use in the future. Looks like an odd man rush……somebody on the bench, take one for the team. It’s only a minor penalty.
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crashin'da net Reply:
April 8th, 2012 at 10:13 am
@Mike C, at a minmum they should make it a 2 minute and a 5 minute to be served sequentially (can score on both).
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Choke and joke are the only words I can use to describe the effort last night. Same end-of-the-season choke as last year to lose home ice….sorry but still very pissed…..and wake up to the NHL network picking VAN in 5, obviously because of our backing in to the playoffs?…yes we did….
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Although the San Jose mess was brutal, redemption is at the Kings doorstep. As slim as the odds may be, if they were able to pull off a miracle and oust the hated Nucks, it would erase the memories of a profoundly disappointing season. Beating Vancouver would be an historic Kings moment. Stranger things have happened. That’s why they play the games.
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We did beat the RedWings once in the playoffs.
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One big problem I see with this team which is that they could not win any overtime games this season and that’s deadly in playoffs!
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I chose “other” they could have won in the shootout had better players been selected to shoot.
I never felt comfortable with Richards being in the shootout.
My list: Stoll, Williams, Brown, Kopi.
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Other: kings organization doesn’t have a winning tradition or attitude. No owner or management calling them out when they play like crapmdown the stretch and in the playoffs. One and done. They will be golfing soon.
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playing two periods to win and one period to not lose
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Had to move to Boston for work. Tough to watch King’s games. Looking forward to this series. Kings squeaked into the playoffs, but the Canucks had a weak division too. Have faith.
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