The Kings are on the ice for practice, looking the same as they did yesterday. Jeff Carter is one of four players on the second line, along with Dwight King, Mike Richards and Kevin Westgarth [edit]. Jim Fox reports that Carter was practicing with the first power-play unit earlier. We’ll see if there’s any further update from Carter after practice. The Kings will fly to Vancouver shortly after practice. More updates to come…
Richardson can have a seat in the press box as far as I’m concerned. Now lets get to Van, tighten up the D and upset some Nucks fans.
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I wish we can just fast forward 24 hours…
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Lead Feet Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 10:42 am
@Stuart, I hear ya!!!
Tick Tok Tick Tok
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Jgomez Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 10:55 am
@Stuart, Tell me about it. All I can think about is enjoying tomorrows game
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UglyinLA Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 11:19 am
@Stuart,
Where to place Richardson? How about on the 3rd line in place of Penner. Penner is still slow to the puck, he cant stick handle at all, he passes off as soon as he touches the puck, and he gets skated around like a statue. I truly believe that Penner is hurting the productivity of Stoll and Lewis.
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Stuart Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 11:24 am
@UglyinLA, if there’s going to be a spot for BR, that would be it. But as bad as folks seem to think Penner is playing, I wouldn’t take him out of game 1. game 2 or 3, maybe, but not game 1.
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Lead Feet Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 11:34 am
@UglyinLA, I dont think that will happen. I think he could bring SO MUCH MORE to the table, but probablly due to that potenrial and his size, he stays in the line up. Big boddies are going to be needed in this series.
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bmova Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 11:35 am
@UglyinLA, If BR was going to play instead of Penner on the third line he would be practicing with Stoll and Lewis. The fact that he’s not means DS has little intention of benching Penner.
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kiiiiingsfan Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 11:51 am
@UglyinLA, Well now there isn’t really any place you can place Brad. He had to have an appendectomy after practice I believe. Loktionov called up from Manchester on an emergency basis.
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UglyinLA Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 2:29 pm
@kiiiiingsfan,
Stitch him up and get him back out there. C’mon, this is playoff hockey !! LOL
Dtalker Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 12:21 pm
@UglyinLA, Instead of goals I would take some big hits from Penner. This is what he needs to do in the playoffs. The same goes for Brown, Clifford, and Nolan. Be agressive and physical (forget the fighting) and the Kings can win.
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KC23 Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 12:56 pm
@UglyinLA, You are not allowed to use Stoll and productivity in the same sentence. Please try again.
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san Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 2:18 pm
@UglyinLA, just renember what dustin penner did the last time they play van . he eat them up he was the third star
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MM Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 1:58 pm
@Stuart, I woke up this morning thinking it was Wednesday. Part of me was thinking “Oh crap, I have to finish my project cost forecast by the end of the day” while another part of me was thinking “Psh, forget the forecast. There is a Kings game tonight!” I would gladly take losing 24 hours to work on my assignment if it meant a Kings game =).
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Hope JC is 100%.
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Steve Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 10:57 am
@Lead Feet, Behold the second coming of JC.
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Branzilla Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 11:00 am
@Steve, He has risen!
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rogiesbackup Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 1:57 pm
@Steve, LMAO!! Good one!
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World class, World wide, Air Canada.
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Me & my son are at Toyota Ctr @ our first ever Kings practice!
Real exciting!
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Stuart Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 10:47 am
@Duncanz, you mean there’s a mini@duncz??? there goes the neighborhood!!! LOL
jokes bud, hope you catch a puck and remind Kompon that he stinks, per @DesertKing…
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Duncanz Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 10:50 am
@Stuart, JK is the best skater on the ice right now … I don’t understand a word DS is sayin’ for some reason’ …
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BarMade Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 11:56 am
@Duncanz, how’s JK’s Triple Lutz?
Duncanz Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 12:12 pm
@Bar Maid, I’m not sure, he was wearing clothes.
DesertKing Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 11:04 am
@Stuart,
He doesn’t stink, he sucks. I am surr he bathes regularly
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variable Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 11:26 am
@Duncanz,
awesome, buddy…
i hope you guys have a great time…(!)
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Duncanz Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 12:08 pm
@variable, THX bud.
We just got a photo w/ Lite Brite & was thinking of you!
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Stuart Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 12:12 pm
@Duncanz, you sure are a long way from pahrump!
Duncanz Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 1:08 pm
@Duncanz,….. aWAAAaaah
& then I woke up!
variable Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 1:16 pm
@Duncanz,
hehe…thanks, man…(!)
Here’s the first vid: Faceoff 2 Point – http://youtu.be/pZcwgMZbGNY
You can follow on Twitter @KingsNewsDaily or I’ll try to post all here too.
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KingsNewsDaily (formerly wavesinair) Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 10:47 am
Here’s a group shot of Sutter talking with the boys: http://pic.twitter.com/iEksCqLu
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KingsNewsDaily (formerly wavesinair) Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 10:58 am
Forwards vs. D-men… http://youtu.be/j9p1W4Ed4WQ
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KingsNewsDaily (formerly wavesinair) Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 11:07 am
Quick off the ice, Carter off the ice.
Here’s a short Carter vid: http://youtu.be/tq2J0WlN1kM
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LA_1968 Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 11:15 am
@KingsNewsDaily (formerly wavesinair), Didn’t you think Carter seemed to moving gingerly?
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KingsNewsDaily (formerly wavesinair) Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 11:14 am
Boy did they leave the ice in a hurry. Plane to catch maybe?
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variable Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 11:31 am
@KingsNewsDaily (formerly wavesinair),
it’s nice that it’s only about a three hour flight…
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YooperSkip 24 Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 11:39 am
@KingsNewsDaily (formerly wavesinair), Thank you for the great coverage of the Kings practicing. Unfortunately, that will be all I “see” of the Kings due to the blackout out here in the desert. Maybe I should replay your shots so I see action whle I listen to the game. lol Oh ya,I will be listening on XM radio(with the local announcers—YUK!!!
Thank again.
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King Alex Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 11:53 am
@YooperSkip 24, Get the app I HeartRadio & you can listen to Nick & Darryl.
What’s with the ankles of our star players right before the playoffs?
Another similarity from last year is that we had a regular season head-to-head matchup against the Ducks for the 4th spot. And the Ducks beat us both games.
We also had to rely on Dallas losing to make the playoffs last year.
And at the end of last season, our struggling power play got red hot while our defense and goaltending dropped.
Also, the recent games against San Jose were basically reruns of the playoff games last year. We are up by two or more goals around the end of the 2nd period. San Jose shakes it up with a goalie or strategy change. They tie it up. They whip our butts in overtime.
I probably speak for a lot of tentative fans when I say that we’ve seen it all before.
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puck73 Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 10:55 am
@Steve, There is alot of truth to what you say. Hopefully, with 8 guys on our playoff roster that have finals experience, and a healthy Kopitar and Williams this time round, maybe this year will be different.
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Steve Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 11:03 am
@puck73, The only thing that makes me think this year will be different is two words: Darryl Sutter.
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BigFatKingsFan Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 11:06 am
@puck73, Yeah, we’ve had no shortage of excuses for the last 2 playoff appearances. We were too inexperienced against Vancouver. No Kopitar last year against San Jose. I know Carter and Voynov are banged up, but we are about as healthy as you can be at this point in the season. As you said, Green, Stoll, Scuderi, Williams, Carter, and Richards have all played in the finals before. No excuses this year. To win a cup in the next few years we’re gonna have to beat the Vancouvers, Detroits, and Chicagos. Doesn’t matter which round we face them. Even if it’s the first round. No excuses this year. I’m excited to see what kind of game the Kings bring to the table!
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Mark67 Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 10:57 am
@Steve,
Hope springs eternal. Yes, I agree we have seen the nightmare playout before just as the last two against SJ. But, with JC and a new Leader with a passion in Sutter I have to believe that we can compete with Vancouver and send Luongo packing as OUR KINGS advance to Round 2!
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LA_1968 Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 11:26 am
@Steve, Yes. Last year I hoped to bury the Ducks and this year the Sharks. Neither happened. I does make me nervous that our stellar defense disappears at these times. I am hoping for some leads and tight games.
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“Jim Fox reports that Carter was practicing with the first power-play unit earlier”
Hammer must have been busy delivering a food order to those exiled to the cornfield…
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I heard that there has been a run on rubber galoshes in Vancouver. Apparently Vancouverians are preparing for post-series loss riots and the the dumping of the porta-toilets.
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variable Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 11:07 am
@DesertKing,
ahhh…
the disturbing social phenomenon of destroying the proud city you live in because yr favorite team lost a sporting event…
i love the philosophy…:
we have the best hockey team in the world…we are so awesome that we burn down the local businesses, then loiter them and randomly vandalize the rest of city in honor of the great injustice that our beloved hockey team had to endure while losing in the playoffs…
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mrbrett7 Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 11:11 am
@variable, How about Montreal (or LA with the Lakers) when they win?
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variable Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 11:17 am
@mrbrett7,
yep…
it seems to happen everywhere…
mob mentality can be found in almost every area of the u.s….
variable Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 11:17 am
@mrbrett7,
…and this world over, too….
Kings Fan Vancouver, WA Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 11:08 am
@DesertKing, I was at the game up there on the 26th of March and everyone I talked to said they are still embarrassed about being out of control. People that didn’t riot were apologetic.
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goes to eleven Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 11:49 am
@Kings Fan Vancouver, WA, I was in Vancouver last year the week after the riots. The city was incredibly embarrassed. The public shaming of the people that were caught on video participating in the riots was relentless. Ask 99% of the citizens what happened, and they just hang their head.
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IMO, our best shot in this series is a “Tale of Two Goaltenders”.
Our second best shot is hitting the Sedins every shift, but we won’t.
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i have nothing but ill will to Vancouver, they are full of themselves and i can only hope it bites them in the !@#$. The time is now to give the boys are good thoughts. Till tomorrow which will never come..
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dMan Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 11:06 am
@pr0cess, Contrary to popular belief, tomorrow does come – it just changes names at the stroke of midnight.
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Packing the bags boys, heading to Vancouver shortly. Interestingly, one of major news stations here in Canada contacted me to be part of a news story they are running on the LA-VAN series. Totally out of the blue, but i graciously accepted. I will be letting the Vancouver media know why we’re winning boys!
Play our game and we can’t be beat…. GO KINGS GO!!!
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LA_1968 Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 11:37 am
@KINGCANADA87, How did they find your name or contact information?
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rogiesbackup Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 2:04 pm
@KINGCANADA87, Yup, play our game!!! None of this out-of-controlled style hockey we played Thursday against SJ. Got to keep the flow of the game on an even keel!!!
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Off Topic: Burke and the Maple leafs Organization apologized to their fans for their failure to make the playoffs yet again.
Burke talked about what he needs to do over the off-season; overall team size is his biggest priority. Looks like the Leafs will continue to miss the playoffs until his services are no longer required.
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puck73 Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 11:23 am
@dMan, Unbelievable isnt it? The Leafs were scoring all kinds of goals, and Burke had put together some good talent. Then all of sudden, they lose some games, they fire Ron Wilson and hire Randy Carlyle, and the team goes right into the crapper!
Why in the hell Brian Burke left Anaheim where he wasnt bothered to go to that media and fan cess pool in Toronto is beyond me. Not a good career move Burkie, not smart at all!
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Shakes Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 11:33 am
@puck73: well in a good way it’s about power and ego (and i mean that in a non disparaging way). if you can be the GM in the center of (what’s widely perceived to be) the center of the hockey universe, you will be a Hockey God.
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Stuart Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 11:36 am
@Shakes, only if you succeed… otherwise you’re a hockey ninkompon!
rogiesbackup Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 2:06 pm
@dMan, Maple leafs need size??? LOL……Kings have ONE guy that’s trade bait.
You guys know who??? LOL
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Daniel Sedin is not practicing today. Most likely it means he will not play tomorrow. We will see.
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Steve Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 11:17 am
@Jeff_R, LOL! Wasn’t it just yesterday that his brother said he was “100%”? Maybe he meant 100% unhealthy.
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Jeff_R Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 11:25 am
@Steve, I guess that Twin thing isn’t such a good thing after all, or maybe it only works for the Sedins on the ice
.
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luc Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 11:24 am
@Jeff_R, Where did you read that?
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luc Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 11:24 am
@luc, nvm. nhl.com has it
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Jeff_R Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 11:25 am
@luc, I heard it on Team 1040 Vancouver radio, Canucks station.
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luc Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 11:32 am
@Jeff_R, what else did they say on there? how they’re going to sweep the Kings or something idiotic like that.
bmova Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 11:37 am
@Jeff_R, Farhan Lalji on TSN tweets the same thing: @FarhanLaljiTSN No Daniel on the ice today for practice. Possible setback? #canucks
rogiesbackup Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 2:09 pm
@Jeff_R, One thing good about having DSedin on the ice is he is polarizing. Now without him….everybody on the team will “play” better to compensate!!! So maybe not such good news???
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GO KINGS. WIN.
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carter could be the biggest key to the series…
i wonder all the attention carter and richards will get might help move the spotlight off of kopi just a bit…a healthy carter makes us versatile again and obviously more formidable…
my surprise x-factor for the kings is dwight king…because it appears he will still be paired with carts and the ricker to begin the series, king has a very good chance of becoming a significant factor…
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KC23 Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 1:07 pm
@variable, Add Martinez to the “significant factor”. He played some of his best hockey the last week of the season.
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I think you need to somehow find a way to keep Richardson in the line up. The thing is, he wont be productive on that 4th checking line. Therefore, hes got to be on either the 1st, 2nd or 3rd line. Comments?
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KC23 Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 1:08 pm
@John, Don’t let a few good games by Richardson against the Oilers and the Wild of the world fool you into thinking Richardson would be effective against Vancouver.
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rogiesbackup Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 2:10 pm
@KC23, Good point!!
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There are few teams, and especially few player, who piss me off more than Vancouver and the Ginger’s.
They are dirty, and dive, and diving is one way for me (when playing against me) when I aim a slapshot at your face. I’ll give you something to roll around on the ice about.
BUT…when you really look at things and break it down, the Kings do matchup well against them. The Kings are normally pretty disciplined with penalties, which means the antics of a guy like Burrows shouldn’t mean anything. They DO have the speed and physicality on defense to match what Vancouver brings (see Boston last year).
I know what has transpired all year in that the Kings simply can’t score, however, on paper, the scoring talent is there.
This team is built to win close physical games. 2-1…3-2. That’s how this roster is put together. Strong and physical up the middle (Kopiter, Richards, Stoll and Fraser). Speed and size on the wings, and a defense that has a mixture of mobile and physical.
That leaves very few things that can push this series one way or the other. The Kings MUST win the faceoff battle. Vancouver is too good with the puck. In that vain…the Kings MUST win the puck possession battle. Keep it away from the Ginger’s. The Kings MUST win the scrums along the boards and in front of the nets.
You do those 4 things, and I can almost guarantee a Kings win the series. It’s that close because these are items where we were losing under TM, and have been winning under DS.
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variable Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 11:23 am
@mrbrett7,
it could be said that for some peep’s future with the team, the kings must win the series…
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mrbrett7 Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 2:43 pm
@variable, I disagree, but if you have an ear to Liewekie, let me know. I know many don’t like Deano right now…to me, he’s a freakin’ God.
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puck73 Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 11:27 am
@mrbrett7, I love it when you break things down like the hockey afficionado that you are. Gone are the days when you questioned my hockey knowledge, and I yours. No more firing missiles at each other, and Rich putting us on moderation.
Solid post.
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mrbrett7 Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 2:44 pm
@puck73, I still want to know why I was on moderation for almost a year. I emailed Rich multiple times without a response.
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rogiesbackup Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 2:15 pm
@mrbrett7, Having said this, the Kings are not built for a gun and shoot type of game like Thursday’s game against SJ. They really need to keep the tempo down to keep the canucklheads at bay. Otherwise Vancouver will seize the opportunity of the momentum and run away!!
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mrbrett7 Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 2:44 pm
@rogiesbackup, I’m fine with an up tempo game, but they are NOT (as you said) built for a shootout type of game.
If the Kings need to score more than 3 goals at any time to win any game, regular season, or not, they will normally lose that game.
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Am I the only one that thinks there might be a slight let up in Vancouver’s game? Presidents trophy 2 years in a row. Lots of playoff experience. Finally got to the finals last year. This is easy for them now, right? They couldn’t possibly lose in round 1 to the 8th seed, right? Maybe they lose some of that desperation that they had last year. Maybe if the Kings play like their backs are already against the wall, they can take Vancouver kinda by surprise? Am I crazy?! Is it Wednesday yet?! I can’t take it!!
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Jeff_R Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 11:32 am
@BigFatKingsFan, They be stupid to think like that. That is a losers mentality. If they do they will be golfing after being swept right out of the playoffs. With Daniel hurt they especially better not underestimate or take lightly the Kings. These aren’t your normal run of the mill 8th seed. With Daniel out Kings need to come out smoking and show Vancouver this isn’t going to be easy. I liken this series to more a 4th and 5th seed like. It will be a battle and who ever comes out on top will have the best chance to make it to the finals.
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i’m glad we don’t have to change time zones…
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I’m considering dropping work and attending these practices.. I can pay my bills and mortgage with my charming personality and stunning good looks
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variable Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 11:39 am
@Mikey,
are you hiring…?
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Mikey Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 11:43 am
@variable, i feel like a pimp now. Do you have any issues with ignoring unethical and completely immoral acts for profit? Remember, these unethical and immoral acts have been deemed unethical and immoral by a group of men who also gave lake Titicaca its name. Surprise, surprise, Lake Titicaca has no titi or caca in it. Makes you think, huh?
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variable Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 11:50 am
@Mikey,
no…
i’m so ethical that it’s unethical…so, technically, i’m a baaaadmaaaaann…very baaaadmaaannn…
as for titicaca, from wiki…:
The origin of the name Titicaca is unknown. It has been translated as “Rock Puma,” as local communities have traditionally interpreted the shape of the lake to be that of a puma hunting a rabbit. “Titicaca” combines words from the local languages Quechua and Aymara. The word is also translated as “Crag of Lead.” Locally, the lake goes by several names. Because the southeast quarter of the lake is separate from the main body (connected only by the Strait of Tiquina), the Bolivians call it Lago Huiñaymarca (Quechua: Wiñay Marka) and the larger part Lago Chucuito. In Peru, these smaller and larger parts are referred to as Lago Pequeño and Lago Grande, respectively.
It’s Debbie Downer (as some of you named me last night) pointing out that I’m not the only one (of course Poorman too) who thinks that 32 needs to pick it up a notch to show that he can take the Kings to the SC.
http://espn.go.com/nhl/playoffs/2012/story/_/id/7790862/five-goalies-hot-seat
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variable Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 11:44 am
@yetiman_oc,
i honestly don’t see quick changing anything…not his approach or mentality…going into the playoffs/series…
i think he’s ready to rise to the occasion and be da’ man in crunch time…
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puck73 Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 11:44 am
@yetiman_oc, Who is this poorman that you speak of?
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dMan Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 11:51 am
@yetiman_oc, so an article putting Quick in the company of Luongo, Bryzgalov and Cup winners Thomas and Brodeur is your argument for not playing him?!
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yetiman_oc Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 4:34 pm
@dMan, I’m not arguing to not play him. He needs to step up and win in the post season.
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Off topic question: if a player was traded from a team at the deadline, and that team won the cup, does that player get any recognition for his services prior to being traded?
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Lake Forest Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 11:53 am
@Mikey, a coloring book
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Wow! Report Brad Richardson had an appendectomy and Loktionov is on his way out…
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variable Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 11:44 am
@KingsNewsDaily (formerly wavesinair),
that’s breaking news…(!)
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puck73 Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 11:45 am
@KingsNewsDaily (formerly wavesinair), April fools?
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KingsNewsDaily (formerly wavesinair) Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 11:46 am
@puck73,
No. It just went down.
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Best news of the day for me;
Jeff Carter seen striding effortlessly across the parking lot after practice here at Toyo.
Spirits way up after seeing that!!!
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Not much more can be added here, but I’ll say this: they need to focus and forget about the last 2 games in SJ, DS needs to keep them in line on the road ahead one game at a time, if we can steal game one that for sure adds a great deal of confidence, but if we don’t I hope they do not panic. Like a few people have said we are better then an 8 seed team, we match up well against the canuts lol…..a very wise man once said: “you can do it”, Rob Schneider: Waterboy lol…….GKG!!!!!
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My doctor says that twins have a psychological pain connection. If one twin has head injury the other twin feels it too. The playing twin went 22 games without scoring. So we have the upper hand
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