After practice today, Darryl Sutter said Kyle Clifford is “out,” meaning that Clifford will not play in Game 2 tomorrow night. Clifford did not participate in today’s optional practice and the team is saying he is officially day-to-day with an upper-body injury. Sutter did not elaborate beyond that.
SUTTER: “He’s out. … It’s an upper-body injury and he’s out. You guys know how that works.”
Asked about who would replace Clifford in the lineup, Sutter joked, “I was talking to Bernie Nicholls this morning about it. He’s not quite game-ready.” Of course, Sutter’s only two options at this point are Andrei Loktionov or Kevin Westgarth.
Incidentally, there has been no word yet from the league about the disciplinary hearing for Vancouver’s Byron Bitz. If the league didn’t suspend Nashville’s Shea Weber, can it really suspend Bitz?
of course it can… two tier disciplanary system: level one are for those players who are actually important to the league; level two are scrubs that are only out there to create injuries, and we all know where Bitz fall in…
what a bitz!!!
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mark4kings Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 2:30 pm
@Stuart, Star power, plain and simple. Love your “two-tier” comment.
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FKA PakiFro Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 3:16 pm
@mark4kings,
http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1039378/6uWH2.gif
you guys will love this…especially doughty when talking to kesler. I saw the dive but missed that exchange during the game last night.
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Duckhunter Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 4:06 pm
@FKA PakiFro, ROTFLMAO…missed it too!!! Thanks for pointing it out!!!
Mars Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 4:41 pm
@FKA PakiFro, WOW I missed that one, they should have called him for unsportsmanlike conduct. No wonder everyone hates the dove-nucks.
PRMan Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 2:38 pm
@Stuart, Weber used a single arm to ram Zetterberg’s head into the glass. Bitz got a running start from behind the net. Night and day.
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Stuart Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 2:42 pm
@PRMan, ? if you’re referring to my comment below about Weber, I wasn’t comparing his to Bitz’ hit, at all.
I was talking about weber and Chara from last year…
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CrownJewels Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 2:49 pm
@Stuart, Lol Weber looked like he was in the WWF putting his head in the turnbuckle
TheDryer5 Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 2:47 pm
@Stuart,
Great call on the two-tier system. The fact that he already got a misconduct leads me to believe there won’t be any additional games added to it. But Cliffy being injured and out for Game 2 can be used in the assessment, so we’ll see. Bitz out of the lineup isn’t much of a punishment anyhow, so I won’t be losing any sleep if he just gets a fine.
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vicarious Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 2:54 pm
@TheDryer5, Suspension for Bitz? A better (real) penalty: the NHL requires Bitz gets 21 minutes of ice time–7 minutes a period–for every game remaining in the series.
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Kenny44 Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 6:43 pm
@vicarious, If only! The Nuks have accumulated some quasi-goons that they can throw out there to take runs at real players. That’s the only reason Bitz and his 10 games of regular season action was in that game last night.
Lapiere’s real brave, too, behind that visor and always the second guy on the check.
The Nuks just have no redeeming qualities whatsoever.
NOT IMPRESSED Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 2:54 pm
@Stuart, And don’t forget the intent to injure. If the guy got injured, there was an intent to injure. If he didn’t get injured, there was no intent to injure.
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KingsGuy Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 3:30 pm
@Stuart, Good post. Well said.
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Duckhunter Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 4:14 pm
@Stuart, Agreed on the two tiered but also Zetterberg didn’t sustain a concussion either…that’s not to excuse it should have been at least 1 game and a pretty hefty fine because of the intent of it.
Bitz….game misconduct…so probably a fine and that’s about it….most I could see is 1 more game…but highly doubt it…fine will be higher than Shea’s (why…because it’s the NHL office and not the NFL league office).
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SLIM Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 4:59 pm
@Duckhunter,
The highest fine is $2500…
That’s it..To players…
Bitz is a Ditz and will be suspended..
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Duckhunter Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 6:45 pm
@SLIM, Found that the fine was that after I posted (thanks CBA)…guess not too surprised that the league chose not to suspend Shea and to suspend Bitz…both should have been suspended
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 7:58 pm
@Stuart, You called it. Shanahan also takes into account whether the player was injured, and I disagree with that. I think the behavior which is likely to injure a player is just as important.
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xrosczech Reply:
April 13th, 2012 at 8:50 am
@Stuart, I don’t see how the two incidents can even be compared. Weber taking a free arm and smashing Zetterbergs head into the glass, a total distance on maybe 10inches, appose to a player weighing 200lbs traveling approx 15mph and laying a check (using his entire weight) right on the numbers and smashing Clifford’s face into the glass. I think the $2500 fine for Webs and 2game suspension for Bitz is right on the money.
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No Shanahan will not suspend any player during the playoffs unless the other player is have dead. Playoffs are a different season. Bitz should get two games at least but wont.
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Duncanz Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 4:40 pm
@gene,
Gene, you’re no Jeanie, lol.
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yes
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Loktionov should go in, need the speed for the second game. ALthough he is a very timid player who is afraid of the corners and being hit.
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Can’t believe that Weber got off with just a paltry fine. That being said, Bitz should still get some time off for targeting the head. It was blatant.
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The Puck Stops Here Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 2:44 pm
@mark4kings, I just watched the Weber hit on YouTube. Wow… I thought he was a better guy than that. Maybe he’s trying to prove he belongs on a team like the Canucks. They seem to appreciate dirty players.
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John sitterle Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 3:43 pm
@The Puck Stops Here, well said, I thought weber was better than that too. The Canucks are just a flat out dirty bunch of cheap shot artists. I’m glad Richards leveled Burrows, he’s one of the biggest cry babies. The Kings got some big forwards, I hope they punish the canucks again and again!!!
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Hutch Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 3:04 pm
@mark4kings, Paltry? That $2,500 is .03% of his salary!
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I would say westy but DS knows better than I. Really hope the nhl makes the right call here.
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That sucks. We need his toughness.
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They better, but then again, I hate anything outside of Kings hockey in regards to this “National League”….
“No we felt like it was a clean hit and it was Cliffords mistake.”
“Did the league take into consideration that Cliffords back was to the boards? That Bitz intentionally targeted the head and that there was a mjor injury???”
“Sorry we are still dealing with the travesty regarding the bad Flyers offsides call”
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hopefully we get Westy in there. if only for 6 minutes or so with out any penalties, and some of the other boys will just be shifted around like last night… They will be exhausted I know, but where would Lokti fit? And how many minutes could he realistically play? He’ll be puched all over the ice if he see’s regular shifts… but what do I know, he might set up 3 scores and put one in himself too…
GKG! In Sutter I trust!
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Cup B4 I Die Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 2:38 pm
@Stuart,
I agree….Westgarth would be a better direct replacement for Clifford’s game. Loki would get pushed off the puck way too often to be a difference in the game.
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rogiesbackup Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 2:45 pm
@Stuart, Ahhh…not so fast. Lotki looked pretty robust and even scored a couple goals just before being sent down. He might be our “Daryl Evans” this year in the play-offs.
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Harrison Merkin Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 3:23 pm
@rogiesbackup, Agree agree!!! While It’s clear that Lokti isn’t the biggest of guys I think he found a way to use his “size” and skill rather well. He seemed to squirt out of the corners WITH the puck more often than not. If paired with big wingers I think he can be very useful. I wouldn’t upset the cart all that much given that it’s the playoffs but I could see King, Lokti and Nolan being a pretty effective line at some point. Also I think of all teams that Kings could face it’s clear Vancouver plays the smallest. They’re not known for their physicality and he just might be able to provide more consistent minutes as well as contribute to the ever elusive secondary scoring. I like Westy and I get he has more comparable game to Cliffy but he doesn’t hit and he doesn’t intimidate.
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socalkings Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 3:34 pm
@Stuart, I think they should place Drewiskie on the fourth line. I think he is responsible defensivly
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Bickleton Wigglesworth III Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 5:42 pm
@socalkings, I kind of agree with you. He might be the best option to fill Clifford’s role as a physical force and defensively aware. He’s bigger than Loktionov and theoretically not the liability that Westgarth is at times (I say theoretically because we have no idea how he’ll play as a forward).
My guess is Lokti will get the call but if he’s struggles at all I hope Sutter will consider playing Drewiske out of position rather than Westgarth who just doesn’t do much in my oppinion and seems out of place in playoff hockey.
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Williams4485 Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 7:46 pm
@Bickleton Wigglesworth III, I kind of like that idea too, but i think Sutter would try out both Lokti and Westgarth before playing Drewiske out os position. I guess we will have to wait and see
I’d really love to see Lokti break out and be a game changer if he gets to play.
Weber didn’t cause an injury, Bitz should be out as long as Clifford is out. At Least three games.
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Sam Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 2:33 pm
@JWRocks!, I really wish the NHL would look at something like this. First off, cap it at 25 games. But, if you were judged to have intent to injure, you should be out as long as the person you hurt.
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PRMan Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 2:39 pm
@Sam, But then if Crosby barely touched a 4th liner, he could pretend to be injured for 25 games just to keep Crosby out and improve their chances in the division.
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Sam Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 2:47 pm
@PRMan, It would require a 5 minute, match penalty to be called in the game for the rule to apply. Hockey is a contact sport, people get hurt on accident, its not about that so much as intent to injure.
The rule will never happen but I suppose you’d need a clause that an independent doctor would do the evaluation.
The Puck Stops Here Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 2:49 pm
@PRMan, I think intent is hard to prove with consequences that steep. Then again,I’m pretty sure that would essentially take dirty hits out of the game.
DEH Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 4:06 pm
@PRMan, we all know if Crosby barely touches a 4th liner it would be Crosby who pretends to be hurt resulting in a 25 game suspension for the 4th liner.
Jimbo Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 3:13 pm
@JWRocks!, C’mon guys…its probably a concussion…out for the playoffs…does no one want to even say the “C” word…yeah, I’m a pessimist. But we can win without him…GKG
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Duncanz Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 4:49 pm
@Bimbo, That would make you a conflicted pessimist.
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Yes. Although Weber deserved a game, there hasn’t been a precedent set yet for “slamming someone’s head into the boards with a shove.” I totally think he should have gotten a game – and by the way that $2,500 fine is a total joke. New CBA needs to get on that one cause right now no player is afraid of getting fined.
There is a precedent that has already been set for the Clifford play. Clifford had his head down, check. He was defenseless, check. Principal point of contact was the head, check. All the way down the line this calls for a suspension. He will get 2-3 games.
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Stuart Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 2:34 pm
@DBking, I haven’t seen the actual play yet (and can’t while I’m here at work) but didn’t ZChara “guide” that MON dude’s head into the stansion? is this entirely different? I’m not being facetious, asking a serious question here…
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DBking Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 2:36 pm
@Stuart, Totally different. Clifford had his head down playing a puck in the corner and Bitz came in from 60 feet away almost full speed placing his entire momentum into Cliffords head. Chara was more of a bang bang freaky thing, although I was in the camp that thought Chara deserved a suspension for that play.
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Stuart Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 2:37 pm
@DBking, pardon, but I was talking about the webers hit, not that two-botz thug’s hit…
DBking Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 2:40 pm
@Stuart, Oh, yah that was different too but maybe in the same ballpark of weirdness. Weber and Zberg were stationary side by side in the corner when Weber faced him, put his hand on the back of Zbergs helmet, and drove it into the glass. Chara was high speed bang bang.. check it out when you get off work.
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Loki_96 Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 2:47 pm
@Stuart,
Think of it as one wrestler slamming the other wrestler’s head into the turnbuckle. They were stationary at the time of the incident. I think it warranted a suspension and even told a buddy of mine as such when it happened live. I was surprised at the fine only decision. I do think there will be a suspension for Bitz
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Sebastian Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 2:38 pm
@DBking, a fine in this case is like a yellow card in soccer. its pretty much a one and only warning…in the words of Shannahan “going forward, he will be considered a repeat offender”
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RobBordson Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 2:53 pm
@Sebastian, I seem to recall him being fined $2500 October 20, 2011 (the same amount too). So, previous fines don’t put him in the “repeat offender” category? Hmm. No more iron fist of “justice” from Shanny I guess.
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Rich – Yes, yes that can. The NHL is nothing if not inconsistent.
Weber, from the replay I saw, got pretty close to boarded by Zetterberg. Doesn’t justify his actions but its not nearly the way people are describing it. Zetterberg wasn’t totally innocent. Much like D. Sedin and his dealing with Keith.
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rogiesbackup Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 2:42 pm
@Sam, To me it seems the Canucks are “protesting” the dSedin/dKeith incident.
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KingsNewsDaily (formerly wavesinair) Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 4:05 pm
@Sam,
Agreed. Zetterberg dished it out first. Still thought Weber deserved a suspension though.
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Is dSedin in out, Clifford how long will he be out, Bitz gonna be suspended for how long??? DOESN’T matter Kings. These are JUST distractions. The Stanley Cup is NOT for the fool-hearted. This IS grit.
Take some and give some…Last night IS grit!! Great Job!!!!!
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Duncanz Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 4:58 pm
@rogiesbackup, Nice post, @rogue.
So many ‘distracted’ people, with little true insight or sense of nuance.
The NHL is just so deliberately unfair. Makes total sense.
Zzzzzzzz …
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Zetterberg isn’t out with a concussion. There is no comparison. Bitz should get a series suspension.
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rogiesbackup Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 2:40 pm
@fourtunato, True, but the league, I THOUGHT, was doing its best to deter concussions!
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Hosed by the front office again. Son of a Bitz!
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Dominick (defrim65) Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 4:37 pm
@Capt Jam, That Bitz got suspended!
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Duncanz Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 5:02 pm
@Dominick (defrim65), Perhaps he meant it was wrong the Bitz got Bitz slapped.
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After dropping Game 1, the Kings should expect Vancouver’s cheap shots to increase in Game 2. If they need any proof, watch a replay of last year’s Finals Game 7. The way to defeat Vancouver is exactly what the Kings did last night and Boston did last year, don’t retaliate and get a penalty. Capitalize on the power play. Also, I would insert Westgarth into the lineup in case Burrows, Raymond, Kelser or some other cheap shot artist needs to have their face pounded.
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Jeff Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 4:39 pm
@john, when is the last time that Westgarth pounded anyone’s face? It’s usually Westgarth on the receiving end of the pounding.
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Loktionov is the obvious choice here I’d say.
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fsd1 Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 2:39 pm
@Neil, no, westgarth is the obvious choice.
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Neil Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 2:46 pm
@fsd1, For what reason?
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fsd1 Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 2:49 pm
@Neil, He best fits a replacement for Cliffie and I really dont think Lokti will do well on the 4th line and I dont want DS to mess with the other 3 lines. Westie is perfectly capable of playing a solid role on the 4th line.
Sam Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 2:48 pm
@fsd1, Westy can’t skate with the Canucks. He cannot play on the road where the Kings cannot control line changes. At home, maybe but not on the road.
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fsd1 Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 2:50 pm
@Sam, Lokti cant take getting hammered playing on the 4th line either.
Neil Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 3:21 pm
@Sam, Westy won’t be in any position to make any impact hardly. He’s got this hype of the tough guy, but he doesn’t skate well, can’t throw a decent check and can hardly fight. The one thing he should be good at. He’s a hype man. A ratings guy. Not a contender. Loktionov can skate, pass, and help to make things happen. The sedins play on the same ice and they are notoriously weak.
The Puck Stops Here Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 2:55 pm
@fsd1, I agree. Westy all the way in this situation. Loktionov isn’t strong enough to play against an aggressive, physical team. He gets knocked off the puck fairly easily, and the Canucks would bury him. Westy would put the physicality and enforcer threat out there. And he looked good in last year’s playoffs.
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Neil Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 3:26 pm
@The Puck Stops Here, He looked good last year in a series where no stars really shined. Kings got beat. Westy may have played decent at best and that is against a much larger San Jose team. Apples and oranges to this fast paced Canuck team. Smarter players make for better playoff hockey. Last thing they need is westy taking the dumb penalties and being out of position often. It would e much better if Richie were an option right about now.
Dominick (defrim65) Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 4:27 pm
@fsd1,
I agree. Westy has been a solid contributor in every game he’s played this season, and his minutes increased around 4 more minutes a game. He’s not going to contribute as much as Clifford, but Lokti only weighing 175 lbs isn’t gonna help that line out either.
Lokti can’t play wing either, and I don’t see Sutter moving Stoll, or Fraser to the wing to accommodate him either..
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outsider Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 2:39 pm
@Neil, I would dress Westy…
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jess Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 2:47 pm
@outsider,
Agreed, and as I recall, Westy stepped up his play in last year’s playoffs to the point of being damn near impressive.
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vicarious Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 2:58 pm
@jess, Well, looked like to me the other team would just almost totally ignore Westy when he was on the ice. Westy, to his credit, made the most of it. My $02: put in Lokti, split Clifford’s minutes between Penner and Nolan, neither of whom played many minutes last night.
Tony Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 2:39 pm
@Neil, Aboslutely Agree.
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QUICKsilver Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 2:51 pm
@Tony, Westy or Lokti may be the obvious choice, but Paul Simon is the Obvious Child.
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Duncanz Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 5:13 pm
@QUICKsilver, That is something so right.
LOL…I love the NHL mentality!! Wow, we’ve never seen anything like that so we should “THINK” about assessing a disciplinary action or not. Was it wrong or right, we don’t “KNOW” since we’ve never seen it before!!!!! LMAO
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E-Dog Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 2:49 pm
@rogiesbackup,
I LMAO too. The NHL is a joke when it comes to discipline. Shea Weber actually grabs some guys head and rams it into the glass like he’s in WWE. I thought it was Hulk Hogan on skates for a second. I guess the NHL has authorized the players now to use pro wrestling moves as long as the person doesn’t get seriously hurt. I guess the new off season training program for the Kings players can now incorporate some Jiu-Jitsu moves as well. Hey Doughty, when the Sedins come close to the net, throw the sleeper hold on them. That should slow them down. The best part too is you’re not hurting them just putting them to sleep so no penalty. LOL I guess losing their biggest star in Crosby this past year has taught the NHL nothing.
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John Wilmers Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 4:22 pm
@E-Dog, Funny stuff…..and true.
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Jim Fox reporting. 2 games for Bitz
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looks like Foxy got the scoop…2 game suspension
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I think you have got to give the nod to Westy, Loktionov will be better for other rounds, but lacks the physicality to have an impact against Vancouver IMO
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Clifford is out. Zetterburgh is most likely playing. So yes Bitz should get suspended. However Webber is on a thin string so he better behave, or they will bring this up if he does something else wrong in the playoffs.
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I would say two games is minimum…, not enough!
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I’ve seen Bitz play…he shouldn’t be suspended, he should be required to log 30 minutes of ice time for every game Cliffy is out. That would be justice.
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Stuart Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 2:44 pm
@cfc1fan, LMAO!!! I like your brand of justice, for sure!
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He Shoots He Scores Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 2:47 pm
@cfc1fan,
Haha, interesting form of punishment! I like it!
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Duncanz Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 3:28 pm
@cfc1fan, I think he should be sentenced to one session of 30 minutes staring at John Terry’s face.
Any longer would be considered cruel and unusual punishment, tantamount to rummyboarding.
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cfc1fan Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 4:30 pm
@Duncanz, BLASPHAMY!! Leader, Legend, Captain, John Terry says “this is outrage…..you mail in, three weeks”….sorry, that was Peggy. JT wants to be your friend…he likes your girlfriend too….
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Duncanz Reply:
April 13th, 2012 at 12:26 pm
@cfc1fan, Well, I’ll cross that Bridge when I come to it!
Hopefully Cliffy can come back soon and deal with Bitz himself.
In other news we should do a bake sale to help Shea Webber pay for that huge $2,500 bill.
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vinny Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 4:55 pm
@Arun, lol
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Bitz gets 2 game suspension!
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Paul G Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 3:27 pm
@Harry, I know, so why doesnt NHL.com report it? its already out and reported by many worthy news sources
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Are we playing the Saints. Did Vancover hire any sanits coaches.
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I have to say that TSN.ca is unbelievably biased.. I write comments in response to outrageous posts by Canucks fans and they won’t let them through moderation. They let all low blows slide as long as they are pro Canuck. So frustrating!
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Duncanz Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 3:19 pm
@DBking, Did you follow Richard’s Rules of Order, as listed on the right hand side of us?
Sometimes you have to show up with great elegance, not just grandiloquence – needless to say, I am no moderator’s dream at the best of times …
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DBking Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 3:36 pm
@Duncanz, I followed the same decorum shown in posts by Canucks fans that were allowed..
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I’d think that Sutter would go with Westgarth…that would be fair if Wiese takes Bitz’s place. Lokti would provide a wrinkle, but a direct 4th line replacement isn’t his game.
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I guess I would go w/ Lokti at center and move Fraser to wing. Not sure Westy gives you the same ability to roll 4 lines. Although maybe the rough stuff will pick up Friday given all the crying coming from Nucks about the refs. So having Westy might be something to consider. Glad I’m not making the decision!
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jess Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 2:49 pm
@JB, Westy played decent in last year’s post season. Lokti seems like he doesn’t have the size or the finish.
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So who lost out here? 2 games for bitz. They dont even need him, But we need cliffy… Cheaters win again eh?
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It’s at times like this that I wish the NHL had an ‘eye for an eye’ rule for a deliberate head shot like Bitz’s: Bitz should sit out as long as Cliffy has to sit out.
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Schlgsgrl Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 11:48 pm
@Capt Jam, Thank you Capt Jam! I agree. It should be an eye for an eye. That was such a brutal hit. Bitz had ample time to back off on that hit. It was intentional and he should not be allowed to play until Cliffy is well and returns. It almost seems like Canucks know that Cliffy is physical and sent in a player that they can stand to loose, to cheap shot Kyle and take him out of the game. When its that obvious, the league needs to take action. Two games is a joke when you look at the damage it can cause a player for the rest of his life. I hope Cliffy gets better soon and will be able to pay back Bitz the right way…by winning! Ok and kicking his butt!
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Richards is a bad ass!!! No more to say about that.
Penner looks good after a goal
Michell is all man
Quick is MVP
Kings took game 1… TOOK IT!!!
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ESPN NHL – NHL admits linesman erred in not whistling offside prior to Danny Briere’s 1st goal for Flyers Wed.
Damn. Refs are effing up.
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FKA PakiFro Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 2:51 pm
@Subby,
I don’t know why they didnt just say something similar with the Clowe incident.
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Duncanz Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 3:03 pm
@FKA PakiFro, Didn’t directly prevent or cause a goal, or injury.
Consequence is always a significant factor.
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KingsNewsDaily (formerly wavesinair) Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 3:21 pm
@Duncanz,
I have to say that is ridiculous. Who’s to say Stoll wouldn’t have dished that puck over to Brown for a goal. It was an egregious error that could have very well impacted the outcome of the game and the NHL should have said something.
Duncanz Reply:
April 13th, 2012 at 12:41 am
@Duncanz, Exactly! Who is to say? Who is to say that any missed call in the defensive zone didn’t prevent a possible goal either?
Meanwhile, the Briere situation was clearly an imminent goal scoring opportunity – a goal was scored – and in sport this is how things go.
How many “who’s-to-says” would you like the league to begin apologizing for? The list by your standard would be endless.
It certainly was an egregious action by the SJS player. My thoughts have already been submitted on this.
Mr Bettman stated today it was an error by the officials.
If that doesn’t satisy people, there are going to be a lot of very bitter folks around this team and the NHL. Don’t you be like that.
It almost seems like it’s a bunch of the diehards here that are hanging on to this till it hurts.
I don’t know about ‘diehard’, but I strive for objectivity.
Neutrals around the place just do not consider this a big deal. Hence there is no public outcry on the matter.
I’m a fan of The Kings, but I’m also a fan of hockey and conmon sense – and that includes not intentionally abusing my fellow Insiders.
Good night, now!
Itchy Reply:
April 13th, 2012 at 1:19 pm
@Duncanz,
WTF is this, “common sense,” thing you speak of… not sure I’ve heard that expression before?
tornado12 Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 3:21 pm
@FKA PakiFro, because this is the LA Kings not the Penguins!
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Sdgolfer Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 4:02 pm
@FKA PakiFro, Bettman just said a few minutes ago on the NHL Network the Clowe play should’ve been a penalty and the refs missed it.
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Sometimes a name really does make a difference.
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/Toronto/2012/04/12/19625576.html
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Stuart Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 2:53 pm
@deadcatbounce, i like the photo of the day on that page better!
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Duncanz Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 3:08 pm
@Stuart, You mean you didn’t take the opportunity to use the beat-the-Govt insurance ‘trick’ …. or vote ‘a’ in the Brierre incident poll on the same page?
Shinola on you …
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Get well soon Cliffy, will miss ya
Go Kings Go!
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Reading somewhere (I can’t remember where), if the NHL meets with the player in person, it’s going to be a multi-game suspension; otherwise, it’ll be a fine or a game or two. I believe it’s in the CBA and now that I think about it, I may have read that with Duncan Keith’s suspension on, of the two, the Ugly Doppelganger – you know the one with the weird-cut beard. Point being, it’ll be multi-game suspension.
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KingsNewsDaily (formerly wavesinair) Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 3:11 pm
@Spanky,
You’re right…it was a multi-game suspension. But I can’t give you credit since it was reported 30mins ago.
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People got mad at that tweet? Its a good thing they didn’t see my tweets.
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You guys want to see something hilarious and ridiculous go to TSN.ca and look at the comments by the Canuck fans whining. CANUCKS’ BITZ FACES DISCIPLINARY HEARING FOR HIT ON CLIFFORD
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KingsGuy Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 3:35 pm
@flutie16, You got to put the link to make it easy! But thanks for the heads up
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=392953
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The Knuckleheads need a player named Kibbles on the same line as Bitz. As we already know, Bitz does play like dog excrement!
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Marc Nathan Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 3:29 pm
@King Alex, or name his son Wetzels…
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So, as I was walking around the city, representing the Kings, I received a lot of respect from Canuck fans. They were (except for the girl who flipped me off on the bus) very impressed and see the Kings as a much tougher team to beat. Also, every fan of another Canadian team is on the Kings side in this series! Looks like we are getting that respect. Let’s keep wining because for every one game we win, they must win two. The more we win, the less chance they have to win those two!! Go Kings Go!!!!
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FabKings Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 4:36 pm
@aKinginVancouver, I was in NYc last year during Sharks vs Kings 1st round, near times square a busload full of Ranger fans were making noise in the streets getting ready for the game that night. I had my black KINGS sweater on and pointed to the logo as the bus passed me. One girl looked at it and gave me the finger!! Priceless, it’s so NY and I was cracking up right after that, she even smiled as she flipped me the bird.
Boy I’d love a RANGERS VS KINGS finals!!
Go KINGS Go!
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Kopi centering Williams and Brown
Richards centering Carter and Penner
Stoll centering Lewis and Loktionov
Fraser centering King and Westgarth.
Done.
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FKA PakiFro Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 3:32 pm
@Marc Nathan,
Why would you sit Nolan?
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Pumpernicholl Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 3:59 pm
@FKA PakiFro, Yeah, Nolan should play. He got a penalty in the 3rd period last night but it was truly bad luck (automatic slash call for a broken stick). He is doing everything asked of him as a 4th liner, a better skater and generally better option than Westgarth.
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Gustavo Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 4:15 pm
@Marc Nathan,
Lokti simply does not have what it take to deter a cheap shot attack bu any of the Vancouver cannots goons. Westy does.
Leave Nola in the third line and see if he can do something with Lewis and Stoll.
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Dominick (defrim65) Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 4:41 pm
@Marc Nathan, Lokti can’t play wing, that’s why he spent the rest of the season back in Manchester.
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Dominick (defrim65) Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 4:42 pm
@Marc Nathan, Stoll can’t play wing either, that’s why Lokti spent the rest of the season in Manchester.
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Lotki will absolutely get pounded by the Canucks if they put him in the line-up…. He will be the Russian AK47, Run and Gun. Minus the gun part, haha.
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I still do not see anything on BITZ…
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KingsNewsDaily (formerly wavesinair) Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 3:52 pm
@lakingbob(chi),
https://twitter.com/JimFox19/statuses/190553918269423617
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in other news, Brent Sutter and Calgary have mutually split ways…
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Duncanz Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 4:27 pm
@kopitaristheman, Now they know they held onto the wrong brother.
In unrelated news, Mike Keenan is taking the day off TV tomorrow to upate his resume.
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Nice of the NHL to admit they screwed up the off-sides call in the Philly game but can’t admit they screwed up the Clown Incident and Clock Gate. In the ACME world, these people are known as “maroons.”
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Sdgolfer Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 4:04 pm
@DesertKing, Bettman just said a few minutes ago on the NHL Network the Clowe play should’ve been a penalty and the refs missed it.
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Take it from someone who tried to do what Weber did last night, you can’t generate much force with one hand to throw the guy head into the glass. A guy staking into the head like the Clifford hit is no comparison when it comes to force or violence. Although Weber’s hit looked bad, it wasn’t that dangerous. It was disrespectful and it was targeting the head, which the league says it wants to eliminate, so by that standard alone Weber should have gotten a game. It really wasn’t as bad as it looked though. Bitz in the other hand probably had no intention of targeting Cliffy’s head, but he must be responsible for his actions because of the dangerous nature of the play.
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puck73 Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 4:11 pm
@Osaka, I agree with this assessment. I played for 31 years and I basically see it the same way do. That being said, it was still not a good thing Weber did. I would like to think Weber would get at least a 1 game suspension, but after watching the gutless Gary Bettman do nothing about Ryan Clowe, I have no faith in the commisioner, and maybe 50% faith in Shannahan.
Bottom line, Gary Bettman is nothing more then a politically correct, gutless lawyer who is incapable of doing most things right compared to David Stern and Roger Goodell.
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Osaka Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 4:40 pm
@puck73, I agree, Weber should have gotten 1 game.
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Duncanz Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 4:13 pm
@Osaka, Imagine there’s no head sin …
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Osaka Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 4:37 pm
@Duncanz, Doesn’t all sin start in the head?
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Duncanz Reply:
April 13th, 2012 at 12:56 am
@Osaka, Dude, you couldn’t find a good lyric to answer mine … ?
Westy in! He did fine last year in playoffs and we need same type of player to replace Cliffy.
Anyway, GO KINGS!
I just want to see Burrows cry on his handshake out!
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My best Idea would be put Loktionov in place for King, while putting Penner to our 4th line. He might have scored, but then we could have a guy who can score on 3rd and 4th lines….. Loktionov can get assists to Carter and Richards
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Too bad Ottawa 67′s advanced over Belleville, or we could plug in Toffoli instead of Lokti or Westy.
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R.E.M. Murray Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 4:05 pm
@R.E.M. Murray, And a side note…
If Ottawa falls tonight and tomorrow to Barrie, than Toffoli could be called up for Game 3.
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Duncanz Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 4:09 pm
@R.E.M. Murray, meet @Whats The Frequency, Kenneth? !
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puck73 Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 4:13 pm
@R.E.M. Murray, Doubt very seriously that Toffolli would be brought up during the Stanley Cup Playoffs when he hasnt had a chance to compete against grown men yet.
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R.E.M. Murray Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 4:16 pm
@puck73, He almost made the team out of training camp, so he is more than ready after the year he had in juniors.
I don’t believe Lombardi will make the same mistake he did with Schenn last season, which ended up being a big mistake. It’s not like we needed to save a year with Schenn anyways, that would have been Philly’s problem.
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R.E.M. Murray Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 11:16 pm
Update: Ottawa 67′s lost again at home to Barrie tonight, going down 3-1 in their Best of 7.
Tomorrow night is Game 5 at Barrie. If Barrie can close out on home ice, Toffoli becomes available to the Kings for the playoffs.
Toffoli has amassed 208 pts in 133 regular season games and 20 points in 14 postseason games with Ottawa in the OHL over the last 2 seasons, more than any other player over that span.
Toffoli will turn 20 later this month and history tells us he is ready for the NHL. With this celebrated junior career, that which rivals other recent former OHLers such as Tyler Seguin, Taylor Hall, Patrick Kane, John Tavares and Corey Perry to name a few, all have been selected to an NHL All Star game in their young careers.
DL needs to make certain that he does not repeat the same mistake of last season, that being a non move in not calling up Brayden Schenn which went a long ways in costing the Kings a first round playoff series vs SJ.
It is understood that Clifford may only miss Game 2, and if so, it’s understood the argument of not making any changes to the line chemistry. However, if any further time is missed by either Clifford or another player, and the only options DL and DS are considering are Loktionov or Westgarth, than not selecting Toffoli over these two would be a complete travesty!
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How many players can Kings bring up from the AHL during the playoffs?
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KingsNewsDaily (formerly wavesinair) Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 4:18 pm
@Steve C,
Four unless there is an emergency. And it isn’t for the playoffs, it’s after the trade deadline. The Kings have used 3 so far (King, Nolan, Lokti) and those players can go back and fourth if need be. Voynov was recalled before the deadline and must stay with the Kings.
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Osaka Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 4:36 pm
@KingsNewsDaily (formerly wavesinair), But does that change during the playoffs? They have an expanded roster.
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Of course the league can suspend bitz regardless of not suspending weber . . . gifford is out and zetterberg is not. stupid criteria but any dummer than fining weber $2500? how stupid is that? nonsignficant . . .
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Duncanz Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 4:07 pm
@rt16, Yes but KL had way too many responsibilites to focus on the show.
Even Regis will tell you that.
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Osaka Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 4:41 pm
@Duncanz, You are solid gold!
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For all those Foghorn Leghorns that have been messing with my Uncle Gary’s good name lately, he just stated in response to a call on the TV show that the Ryan Clowe incident (which I termed Wankergate but got shouted down) should, repeat SHOULD have been called a penalty.
Uncle Gaz’, if you’re reading this, good job and see you over there for dinner on Friday nite !
Arriba ~
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Sdgolfer Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 4:19 pm
@Duncanz, Correct. I posted that to others here about that.
Hopefully, Bettman realizes his referees have been HORRIBLE this year, and corrects that.
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Duncanz Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 4:38 pm
@Sdgolfer, Thanks, I’ll have a word on Friday..
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There’s always Trent Hunter …
Jus’ sayin’
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KingsNewsDaily (formerly wavesinair) Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 4:06 pm
@Token,
And he has actually been playing pretty good.
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Osaka Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 4:43 pm
@Token, It makes sense to call him up actually.
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bbb7 Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 4:53 pm
@Token, I’d actually rather see him than Lokti or Westy. Westy is too slow to be effective on the forecheck and Lokti will still get poudned.
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Token Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 6:04 pm
@bbb7, Westy did have 2 assists in 6 playoff games last year, despite the 4 minutes of ice time.
Not bad for muscle.
There’s more to Westy than knuckles.
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Steve C Reply:
April 13th, 2012 at 12:14 am
@Token, I agree with you 100% since he has been playing like he wants to get back to the NHL. He brings a lot more to the game than Westgarth since he can play up to 10 minutes a game and won’t get run out of the Rogers arena. But the unfortunate thing is that Darryl considered him a whipping boy. Honestly I don’t think Nolan has been any better than Hunter.
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DBking Reply:
April 13th, 2012 at 12:30 am
@Token, Wow Trent Hunter seems like 5 seasons ago. Very good point though.
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…suspension to follow. Brendan Shannahan already jobbed the Kings 1x in the past week (see Clowe), would he really have the guts to do it again????
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Duncanz Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 4:35 pm
@Chuck, Let me see. Dept of Player Safety vs illegaly but innocuosly played puck.
Doesn’t seem to pertain.
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I would put westgarth in there, I have reason to believe westgarth has something to prove since he has been a scratch for like 30 games now. Westgarth is a beast and a punisher, much like clifford.
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Osaka Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 4:46 pm
@Secret Squirrel, I’ve been scratch for over 30 years so I really have something to prove, sadly they need more than that.
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Dominick (defrim65) Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 4:52 pm
@Osaka, Westgarth is a step above chicken scratch.
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bbb7 Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 4:55 pm
@Secret Squirrel, I have NEVER seen Westy be a punisher. Nor much of an ‘enforcer’ either. You have to catch guys to punish them.
That said, he’s paid his dues if DS wants to start him.
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TSN reports that Bitz is suspended two (2) games. Read about it here: http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=392996
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Bitz has been suspended for 2 games for the hit on Cliffie.
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I think Canucks will not be as physical and will try to use their skill sets..I think all the PP might make them shy.
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Webber gets a fine for his attempt t injure Zetterberg by slamming his head on the boards. Bitz gets 2 games for the headhunting hit on Clifford. Neither penalty fit the crime accordingly. They rarely do.
These head targeting incidents will not stop until the NHL and NHLPA agree to hold the entire organization and the coaching staff accountable for every single incident where the player’s head was a target.
Fine the team $100,000 for every day a player gets suspended for a hit to the head and see how long it takes for the headhunters to disappear into obscurity. Until and unless the teams owners, management and coaches agree to own up to what their players do on the ice, every single word coming out of the league’s mouth regarding player health concerns is nothing but hypocritical BS.
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Get well soon Cliffy….We’ll miss you
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Oh DS, you jokester you. If they dressed Nichols, I’d go nuts with irrational joy. Maybe Granato could suit up as well.
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GET WELL CLIFFY……..BIG HEART AND SOUL OF 4TH LIINE AND MANY ON THE TEAM GOES AS HE GOES INTO THE CORNER……
They feed on his energy, Nolan, Fraser, King, Penner and Lewis time to bring the big physical game to compensate.
Go Kings Go
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No time to read this thread, but,
Does anyone know the severity of Clifford’s injury?
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