Jarret Stoll and Matt Greene have done it once. Can they do it again? In the 2006 playoffs, Stoll, Greene and the eighth-seeded Edmonton Oilers reached the Stanley Cup Finals after they finished the regular season with 95 points. That’s the position the Kings are in currently. The Oilers benefited, that year, from four first-round upsets, as all the higher-seeded teams dropped. After their massive upset of first-seeded Detroit in the first round (six games), the Oilers knocked off fifth-seeded San Jose (six games) and sixth-seeded Anaheim (five games) before they lost, in the Cup Finals, to Carolina (and Justin Williams) in seven games. Of course, every eighth-seeded team since 2006 has been trying to replicate what the Oilers did, but Stoll said he sees some similarities…
STOLL: “We’re pretty similar in a lot of ways. There are a lot of young guys here, and a lot of us have been here for at least three or four years now, and played together a lot. Obviously, clinching a playoff spot late in the season, in the last couple days, and battling for the last couple months to get in that position, to be in that spot. It’s just peaking at the right time, having a hot goaltender and (getting) timely goals and good special teams.’’
Why not? Anything can happen in the playoffs. Stay positive and believe. GKG!
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Works for me – Go “Oilers”
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Wonder if Strollsy can ….
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If you play because you want the cup and not because you deserve it goes a long way to getting the cup.
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With Carter in the line up, and Quick playing the way he did most of the year, this is truly not an 8 seeded team. If our GF average was up a little for the full year, we would have walked away with the division easily. Don’t let their placing fool you, they are prob one of the best 8 seeds in a long time.
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eric Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 1:57 pm
@Deader2818,
Well said. In most of all the blogs and postings I’ve ready online, Nuck fans are extremely worried and would have much rather played Phoenix or SJ any day of the week.
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this is my call of the game, Van will dive, cheat and play dirty… And the refs will be from Canada.
Let all hope im wrong
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Dominick (defrim65) Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 1:44 pm
@pr0cess,
Don’t forget. All the calls will go through Toronto, and the media will only pick 3 stars from a Canadian team.
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dMan Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 3:28 pm
@pr0cess, So there’s the East Coast Bias – is this the U.S. West Coast Paranoia?
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Do the Kings still have a hot goaltender?
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twnclick Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 1:42 pm
@Mrhapa, I’d rather have quick than lungo.
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Mrhapa Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 1:44 pm
@twnclick,
I would too. I was just wondering after the last couple games, it he still considered hot?
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fsd1 Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 2:06 pm
@Mrhapa, yes
Mrhapa Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 2:21 pm
@twnclick,
I want the Kings to win as much as the next guy, but giving up 8 goals in the last two games doesn’t scream hot to me. Granted, there were coverage breakdowns in front of him, but still, it’s not the Quick we were accustomed to seeing.
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I just wanna win 4 out of 7 games. We can finish 1 game over .500, right?
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Stuart Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 1:57 pm
@Shakes, all they need is 0.5 games over .500, it can happen! (.500 in a 7 games series would be 3.5 games and…)
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Duncanz Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 2:15 pm
@Stuart, This aint … something something ..
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Lake Forest Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 2:01 pm
@Shakes, I would like to win 16….
not asking for much, they don’t even need to be consecutive.
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ian Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 3:27 pm
@Lake Forest, The hockey Gods will consider your humble request.
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Shakes Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 3:48 pm
@ian, maybe we can sacrifice any potential Clipper playoff wins
A lot could be said for peaking at the right time of the season. Too bad only the last 2 games count.
Kings suck.
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Stuart Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 1:57 pm
@Dominick (defrim65), is this the recently relocated @Dommer? just checkin, as I’ve been away the last few days…
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Dominick (defrim65) Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 2:04 pm
@Stuart, Yes. I added my screen name from another site where I’m going to begin doing some side stuff.
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DesertKing Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 2:09 pm
@Dominick (defrim65),
Ah ha, that explains it! I thought the additions to your name was the name anf favorite year of Moldavian champagne, but your explanation makes more sense.
Dominick (defrim65) Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 2:39 pm
@DesertKing,
That was actually on the back of my jerseys when I played sports as a kid. My brothers always used 55, but I had to be different. I like your explanation as well, and I’ll probably go with that from now on.
Had the Kings won two more games, they would have finished 3rd in the West. While I think there is a severe separation between the “real” top 3 in the West VS the other 5, spots 3/4-8 are really pretty competitive. The difference comes down to just a couple of wins. So thinking that an 8th seed is impossible to go far due to past history may not be as applicable in todays game. Thats what I’m hoping for at least
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Ian Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 3:30 pm
@luuc, Throw out the numbers. All they do is find you a dance partner. NHL playoffs are like Supercuts. Get in. Get confident.
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This one’s for you LA_1968
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Stuart Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 1:58 pm
@370455VinSD, I thought your picture said “black flag” on it?
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370455VinSD Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 2:06 pm
@Stuart, It used to, but LA_1968 pointed out that it was redundant, so I accomodated.
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If you Instagram, might I suggest posting a Kings logo and tagging it with #vancouver, #vancouvercanucks, etc., so anytime their fans do a search, BAM, Kings logo.
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Dominick (defrim65) Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 1:48 pm
@Drew Doughty’s Mustache, lol
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FKA PakiFro Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 1:59 pm
@Drew Doughty’s Mustache,
Brilliant! I just downloaded the application.
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Too bad Gagne can’t help us. We would be really tough to beat with him.
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bmova Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 1:52 pm
@prosmar, Imagine SG playing with Richards and Carter on the second line, and then have King with Stoll and Lewis. How much better would that third line be with King’s forechecking as opposed to Penner who does nothing.
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I was just looking at next years payroll – a 550k increase for Bernier and a 100k cut in pay for Quick
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FKA PakiFro Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 2:00 pm
@petemagoop,
The cap makes GMs do weird things.
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Dominick (defrim65) Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 2:15 pm
@petemagoop, I had a feeling when he first signed that contract, he arranged it so that it was front loaded so that the final year is not a distraction financially, and would not warrant a trade to dump his salary. Ironic really, because now his contracts so low in that final year, just about every team in the league will be trying to trade for him.
Still a long way to go on that, but at least the price doesn’t go up for the Kings in that final year.
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It’s time to give Foxy and Bob something to talk about next year and replace how wonderful the Miracle on Manchester was and replace it with the Miracle run to the Cup.
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370455VinSD Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 1:54 pm
@twnclick, Speaking of which, MoM is 30 years old tomorrow.
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Weasel Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 2:02 pm
@370455VinSD,
Wow in hockey years that equal to…well 30 years…
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DesertKing Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 2:11 pm
@Weasel,
Thats a lifetime too…..someone who only lived 30 years……
Duncanz Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 2:31 pm
DessertKing,
… & 210 Goals incl 0 hatricks for #25.
The 2010 Flyers finished 7th with 88 points and took out the heavily favored Brodeur led Devils and went all the way to the Cup Finals…it can happen
In that same year, Montreal was the 8th seed with 88 points and took out a very skilled PEns team and the Caps and landed against thd Flyers in the ECF.
The Kings can do this…they have a solid goaltending and good defense, which is most of it. The offense since Mar 1 is averaging 3.5 goals a game.
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We need to have just one target.. 16W…
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Stoll needs to channel his game from last year..he went from a 20 goal season and being automatic in shootouts to this seasons performance where he can barley hit the net….I like Stoll alot hopefully he can put the puck in the net this series and earn a new contract.
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fsd1 Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 2:08 pm
@CrownJewels, did he not also go from 2nd line to 3rd line?
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Stoll has to pick up his game if this is going to happen for the Kings
that 3rd line needs to score a bit more…its worth $9M
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For those into statistics and if you want a good laugh this is from the Vancouver paper
http://blogs.theprovince.com/2012/04/09/using-extreme-advanced-stats-to-prove-canucks-will-prevail-over-la/
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jess Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 2:04 pm
@DHH,
Man that is stupid. These peeps need to take off their star wars costumes, quit eating fruit loops and stop huffing gold paint, -which appears to be pre-laced in their race car pajamas.
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DesertKing Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 2:13 pm
@jess,
You forgot to add “….stop making out while lying in the middle of the street surrounded by a cloud of tear gas…..”
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jess Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 2:27 pm
@DesertKing, Ahhh yes, finishing touches, the LSD soaked cherry on top!
Lake Forest Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 2:10 pm
@DHH, That is a pretty funny article. “(Any mask that has a penguin on it is by law a stupid mask. If you add flowers to the mix? Oh boy.)”
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twnclick Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 2:12 pm
@DHH,
What kind of drugs do they do in Vancover.
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pr0cess Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 2:17 pm
@DHH, i think im Dumber for reading that…
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gwtc Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 2:57 pm
@pr0cess, lol….that guy has way too much time on his hands, is he really getting paid for writing this garbage?
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bbb7 Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 2:18 pm
@DHH, I LOVE that pic of Mitchell and his 7′ long stick. Hilarious!
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DHH Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 2:19 pm
@DHH,
But that photo of Mike Ricci is something else – looks like a goblin from Lord of the Rings!
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twnclick Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 2:25 pm
@DHH, They Forgot they have more Ryan Clowes than we do..
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Duncanz Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 3:25 pm
@DHH,
3rd sentence, 3rd paragraph made me think about @defrim65 for some reason …
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I said in another post earlier today that Stoll is my wild-card. If he can put up 4-7 points in this series, we have a good chance to win!
GKG!
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Can’t remember if this was already posted on an earlier thread, since it was from yesterday.
He predicts that the Kings could go all the way.
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=626623
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Interesting how Mitchell out scored all but a handful of our forwards. Mitchell had one heck of a year offensively.
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DesertKing Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 2:13 pm
@KC23,
So did Greene.
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Does anyone think Bernie Nichols should be behind the bench instead of Kompon?
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DesertKing Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 2:14 pm
@twnclick,
Picture me with “BOTH HANDS RAISED”
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DesertKing Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 2:15 pm
@DesertKing,
On the advice of my deadhorse attorney, I have now lowered both hands and will respond with a simple “aye.”
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Duncanz Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 2:52 pm
@twnclick,
He seems casual to me.
Discipline and accountability are important requirements.
Don’t know how well he draws up plays on a miniboard yet tho’ ….
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KC23 Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 3:09 pm
@twnclick, Someone should be there instead of Coupon, but not sure Nichols fits the bill. Lot
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Duncanz Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 3:12 pm
@KC23, nice…. lots of lols.
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You know who deserves a ring? BOB MILLER! GET THAT MAN HIS BLING!
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Foxy needs something for being able to turn negatives of a game into positives and not saying what he would in the locker room. Also love the way he doesn’t dwell on bad calls like the guy from the Ducks. Foxy is a class act and deserves an oscar.
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Duncanz Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 2:58 pm
@twnclick,
True, he plays an unbelievable role in the Kings’ melodrama.
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ill leave this right here
http://video.kings.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=0&id=171258&cmpid=fb-playoffpump-0409
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Duncanz Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 3:08 pm
@pr0cess,
Niiice. Thanks @pr0′.
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KC23 Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 3:16 pm
@pr0cess, Nice.
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About the only thing going for the Kings this time out is that fans have absolutely no expectations – after the epic double-choke last week against San Jose, most Kings fans fully expect a mail-it-in effort with a better than even chance of being swept. In fact this may be the best result for the franchise; it will allow for a clean sweep of the Lombardi leadership structure that has failed to build the team into a true contender.
Hard words for a long time fan to say, but the truth often hurts…..
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Stuart Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 2:35 pm
@JKA, Just Kidding All?
I can’t understand how some will think DL will be ousted… you really think Tim Lieweekly wants to start another GM search which will only result in another 5 year plan??? Or maybe you think TL wants to take over again (not the GM hat, but president) and lose more sleep and hair and ticket sales than he did the last time?
DL’s where he’s going to be for at least next year… and that’s the truff!
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KC23 Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 3:20 pm
@JKA,
I would look pretty foolish making harsh comments about DL if the Kings go deep into this years playoffs.
I wait till I taste the food before I criticise the cook.
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I really don’t see it truly being the same. Edmonton was truly an 8th seed and there was a big difference between the top teams that year and the bottom. They were truly upsets. However this year it wouldn’t surprise me in the least to see all 4 bottom teams beat all top 4 teams. While they might appear to be upsets to the regular fan’s mind who don’t watch closely, to those who truly watch Hockey they would not truly beat upsets.
Kings – Canucks – Kings aren’t a true 8th seed. They were a much better team in the 2nd half then in the first, especially the final 20 games. They could just as easily be a top 3 seed as they were a bottom 3. These two teams are much close then there points difference suggest. Those that truly know these 2 teams would not say it be an upset if the Kings win. Only the fact that it is a 1 vs 8 is it an upset.
Sharks – Blues – Blues who started off the first weeks of the season slow then turned it on big tim after the Coaching change, only to kind of flounder at the end. Sharks flounder most of the 2nd half blowing a 4 games in hand situation and barely making it at the end. Sharks have a lot of experience in the playoffs, but are known for crashing and burning. Blues are one of the youngest tesms in the NHL and basically there first Playoffs for there core players. Wouldn’t be an upset at all if the Sharks win. But who knows which Sharks team will show up or will the Blues carry there Regular season assault of the Sharks into the postseason.
Hawks – Coyotes – Nobody would be shocked if the Hawks win, even without Towes. Coyotes have never made it to the 2nd round except when they were known as the Jets. Home ice does not matter in this series, as shown last year with Detroit beating the Coyotes with Phoenix having home ice. The only way I see the Coyotes winning this series and making Phoenix see 2nd round Hockey for the first time is if Mike Smith stands on his head. He basically needs to play like he did his last 4 games these next 7 games. No upset if Hawks win.
Red Wings – Predators – This is a pick em series. Either team can win. Preds have the edge by game 7 being in Nashville and the Wings were bad on the road this year. However this is the playoffs and Nashville still hasn’t shown that all the Trade Deadline moves they made have worked. They are still battling the chemistry woes of adding the new players, including Radulov. They are going to need to come together in a hurry to win this series.
Like I said…There will truly be no upsets if the bottom seeds beat the top seeds. They are all really good and hard fought and if things work out for the Kings, it could make there run somewhat easy like Edmonton’s was after beating Detroit. The Kings are also a much better team then that Edmonton one was.
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twnclick Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 2:39 pm
@Jeff_R, Could have said it better myself. Actually couldn’t of come even close. Parity is definetly alive in the Western Conference.
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Duncanz Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 3:20 pm
@Jeff_R, Truly ….
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Jeff_R Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 11:02 pm
@Duncanz, LOL tweet tweet.
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Duncanz Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 11:30 pm
@Jeff_R, Birdwatching fool!
I will wait breathlessy for Adam M to chime in on this. Only then will I reveal “what do you think”?
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Stuart Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 3:22 pm
@King Alex, it will go something like this:
if Jeff Carter is Jeff Carter for the LA Kings and not Jeff Carter for Philadelphia Kings, then Jeff Carter will play for the Canucks against the Kings and Philadelphia will beat the Kings if Jeff Carter is Jeff Carter for the Kings, so what do you think?
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Duncanz Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 3:27 pm
@Stuart, LMAMO
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King Alex Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 3:37 pm
@Stuart, I LOVE reading his posts and trying to decipher what he is actually saying. Something tells me he still wears jammies with the little booties in them. Bless you Adam M & I hope you see the humor in all of this!
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I will never forget Justin Williams and Rod Brind’Amour embarassing Chris Pronger on a short-handed rush in the finals.
Or the nail in the coffin goal Justin Williams had in game seven.
For that matter, I won’t forget the series against the Devils, who had won something like 16 games in a row, only to get the crap kicked out of them by the ‘Canes. (One reason I miss Justin Williams being on an Eastern Conference team. He and Brodeur love each other so much!)
2006 Playoffs were a hell of a ride, definitely.
Can the Kings do the same as the Oilers? Well, sure, I guess, but I’d much rather see them go the way of my ‘Canes that season.
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Richards and Carter also went to the cup finals as an 8th seed if im not mistaken.
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CG Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 7:56 pm
@kings king, 7th*
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Kings have not been getting timely goals nor have they had a hot goaltender. 32 has not come up big when they need him to in Aprilmthe past 3 years.
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