For the Kings, doing a better job of defending Vancouver’s Daniel and Henrik Sedin has been a major topic of discussion in the past few days, and nobody knows the Sedins better than Willie Mitchell. Since the Canucks’ twins came into the NHL, Mitchell has either played with them — for four seasons in Vancouver as a teammate — or against them. Mitchell offered a strong analysis of how he thinks the Kings need to better defend the Sedins, who were on the ice for all three of Vancouver’s goals in Game 4.
MITCHELL: “I know them really well. I played four years with them and played in the division against them a number of years, matched up against them every night in Minnesota. Everyone has their own way, or own belief, on how you play them. Personally, I think you deny them the puck. That means, when other players on their team have the puck, you make sure they don’t get it. So meeting them before the puck gets there. If they get the puck, it’s not about eliminating time and space, in my opinion, because if you’re too aggressive against them, there’s going to be ice opened up in the middle of the ice. They make those blind passes, and their whole game is about creating those 2-on-1s.
“It’s about bringing the (defender) into you, and wherever that guy was, putting the puck to where that guy was. So it’s a fine line, being aggressive when they don’t have it and, if they happen to get possession, sometimes you’ve got to sit. They’re not Steven Stamkos, right? They don’t have world-class shots, but what they are is world-class playmakers and world-class at creating those 2-on-1s.’’
I continue to be impressed every time Willie Mitchell explains something. He makes the whole mental side of the game make better sense than anyone I’ve ever heard. Whenever he retires, which I hope will not be anytime soon, he’ll have a great future either as a coach or a broadcast commentator.
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Pili Reply:
April 22nd, 2012 at 12:08 pm
@Joel, Yaeh we’re fortunate to have him on the team.
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Fil Reply:
April 22nd, 2012 at 12:14 pm
Hey guys, Canuck fan here. I was pretty sad when our team decided not to re-sign him, and was glad when LA gave him a chance coming back from that concussion. He’s a great guy, his teammates love him and a top-notch defensive defenceman, so completely agree with you guys on Mitchell.
Good luck tonight! Here’s to hoping for a game 6!
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Pili Reply:
April 22nd, 2012 at 1:27 pm
@Fil, Hey. I’m sorry I can’t even say good luck; it might work lol. True about Mitchell
.
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Shotongoal Reply:
April 22nd, 2012 at 2:01 pm
@Fil, You would seem to be a rare (decent) VAN! You are so right about Willie Mitchell, and we live this guy too! With that said hopefully your summer starts tonight!!
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Shotongoal Reply:
April 22nd, 2012 at 2:02 pm
@Shotongoal, VAN fan. Love not live…..
Kissmyblarneystones Reply:
April 22nd, 2012 at 3:36 pm
@Fil,
Drop Dead!!!
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Niko Reply:
April 22nd, 2012 at 12:22 pm
@Joel,
IMO Dean’s best signing
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KC23 Reply:
April 22nd, 2012 at 12:26 pm
@Niko, Without question.
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red49er Reply:
April 22nd, 2012 at 3:41 pm
@Joel, right?
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I say punch their lights out!
Philly did it Crosby & Malkin, kings can do the same!
GKG BEAT THE nucks…
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Sammuch Reply:
April 22nd, 2012 at 12:21 pm
@Sammuch,
Ok! Hear we go Caps & the B’s! Go Caps, I hate the B’s…
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Less than 5 hours. I need a drink.
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Sammuch Reply:
April 22nd, 2012 at 12:23 pm
@Pili,
Hold off! You don’t want to miss the game!
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Pili Reply:
April 22nd, 2012 at 12:31 pm
@Sammuch, Oh no don’t worry I’m counting down to the drop of the puck
. This is so exciting because this Kings team really is good enough. This is our best shot in a long time.
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Sammuch Reply:
April 22nd, 2012 at 1:22 pm
@Pili,
red49er Reply:
April 22nd, 2012 at 3:45 pm
@Pili, less than 1.5 hrs and 4 drinks in…can we reach 6 by game time? Should be a piece of cake. after all its only work tomorrow, that may always be there but Kings with a legitimate chance to eliminate the ‘Nucks is a real rarity.
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I’m still feeling that the best defense to these guys is a good offense. The Kings need to worry about their own game, keeping possession and creating their own chances, and keep these guys on their heels all game, not the other way around. If they can do that, they will limit the 2 girls chances, and most likely win the game.
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I say everytime they touch the puck you knock them down.
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KIngsfanforlife Reply:
April 22nd, 2012 at 12:27 pm
@chuckrocks, YES somebody hit them PLEASE
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Sammuch Reply:
April 22nd, 2012 at 12:27 pm
@chuckrocks,
AGREE!!!!!!
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Dilapidus Reply:
April 22nd, 2012 at 1:08 pm
@chuckrocks, I think Willie is saying that going at them for the hit is playing their game. That gives them the space they need to make the passes. Keep them outside and don’t give them passing lanes.
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chuckrocks Reply:
April 22nd, 2012 at 1:27 pm
@Dilapidus, my point is if you hit them enough they wont want the puck when they have a hard time even getting up off the ice.
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Let’s shut down these guys, put this series away and move on! Can’t listen to anymore Sedin talk. Get ‘em Mitchell!!
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Let’s wrap this up tonite. ***blood pressure rising***
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Mitchell knows so much that he can pass on to VV and DD and AMart. I sure will he will coach someday. Tonight we need sometihing from Carter and Williams both have been silent so far.
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Just pummel the fairy dust out of the wonder sisters and it’s game over.
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Off topic, but I just had to share the following excerpt from a recap of the Flyers-Penguins series:
In goal, Marc-Andre Fleury finishes with a 4.63 GAA and a .834 save percentage in six games, and was once again a liability in Game 6. He came into this series as a “Stanley Cup winner.” By the third period Sunday, Bruce Arthur of the National Post called him “Dan Cloutier with a ring.”
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Duncanz Reply:
April 22nd, 2012 at 1:10 pm
@Jon G,
Makes Bryz’s 3.89, .871 looks like Babs without a ring – mind you ….
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Feel like forever since we last played
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KC23 Reply:
April 22nd, 2012 at 12:45 pm
@2cups2la, I think the lay off works in the King’s favor. Carter getting better and pressure mounting for Vancouver to deliever on home ice. The pressure is all on Vancouver’s players.
We get ahead early and the pressure will be crushing for Vancouver.
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aKinginVancouver Reply:
April 22nd, 2012 at 12:52 pm
@KC23, I agree. Plus, the momentum from their game four win is not as strong as if they played one or two days later.
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aKinginVancouver Reply:
April 22nd, 2012 at 12:52 pm
@KC23, I agree. Plus, the momentum from their game four win is not as strong as if they played one or two days later.
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bbb7 Reply:
April 22nd, 2012 at 12:53 pm
@KC23, Agree. The momentum starts again at zero and it’s either team’s to grab.
A three game series starts tonight, and the Kings just need to win one. Might as well be the first one.
GKG
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CPMC29 Reply:
April 22nd, 2012 at 12:55 pm
@KC23, Agreed and plus the momentum they had from that win is gone. Fresh slate. GKG!
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
April 22nd, 2012 at 12:52 pm
@2cups2la,
I still say it’s been a great break as a fan.
If you would have told me the Red Wings and Sharks (as well as the Penguins) would be eliminated before the Kings AND that the Kings would hold a 3-1 lead, I’d have said, ‘yes please!’
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2cups2la Reply:
April 22nd, 2012 at 12:58 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), I agree, i just want it to be 5, sick of watching the other series
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Duncanz Reply:
April 22nd, 2012 at 1:13 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
Not to mention, the Bruins on tbe brink!!
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To restate what BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy pointed last night, how about them Monarchs people! Ending the #1 seed’s 29 game winning streak and tying the series 1-1. Yes, Norfolk had won 29 games in a row. Huge win by boys in Manchester. Goals by Vey (2), Andreoff, Kozun and Czarnik. Martin Jones went the distance, giving up only 2 of 39 shots. Awesome stuff. Game 3 is on Wednesday.
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variable Reply:
April 22nd, 2012 at 1:07 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
maybe it will be used as inspiration for the varsity team to close it out tonight, eliminating the #1 seed…
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Sammuch Reply:
April 22nd, 2012 at 1:30 pm
@variable,
Vey, Andreoff, Kozun, Czarnik & Jones are the kings future in the next 2 to 3 years… maybe hickey & Muzzin & Forbart!
Vey is the one to watch out for… Future Star
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It just shows to go ya…
You can have a lot of offensive talent
And still lose the series…
As good as the red heads are
They don’t deserve the respect, space and time
We are allowing them…Make them pay…
Real nervous for today’s game…
Richards pretend it’s game 1 again..
GKG..
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puck73 Reply:
April 22nd, 2012 at 1:25 pm
@SLIM, Word!
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variable Reply:
April 22nd, 2012 at 1:34 pm
@SLIM,
i hope the kings are on the same page (this one, too) that we are…
we have the chance to move on and be where nashville and st. louis are, instead of how phoenix and new york feel..
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Dump and Chase Reply:
April 22nd, 2012 at 2:50 pm
@SLIM,
I think Richards shows up to play when he feels it’s necessary. In game 1, he set the tone from the start and was clearly the best player on the ice. I hope he realizes the need to win this game and shows up tonight.
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red49er Reply:
April 22nd, 2012 at 3:48 pm
@Dump and Chase, I really agree with your opinion and unfortunately it is something that can so easily come back to bite us on the ass. Flipping the switch is a dangerous way to approach sports. Go hard all the time, every time and make your own luck.
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So happy I no longer have to argue with anyone about Crosby or Malkin being the best in hockey.Warned them for 2 years ,C Guiroux.
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Jeff_R Reply:
April 22nd, 2012 at 1:32 pm
@rumpa#19, Until Giroux has a cup in his hands there is no comparison.
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rumpa#19 Reply:
April 22nd, 2012 at 2:23 pm
@Jeff_R, Do you believe OV is better than Backstom? The other obvious of the media driven non actual watcher of the game not the league pump up watchers.
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Can we drop the puck already! Seems like a week, since we played oh yeah, except for Wednesday’s game it has been.
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Could’nt be happier for Schenn & Simmons. Big win.
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I wonder how much a coach takes into account a player’s first hand experience against opposing teams. I feel like Mithcell’s knowledge on the team can help us out.
I am feeling really good about tonight’s game. Call it a hunch, but I see the Kings closing it out tonight. GKG!!!
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puck73 Reply:
April 22nd, 2012 at 1:46 pm
@aKinginVancouver, If the Kings close it out, I want footage fron you when cars and buildings are on fire.
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Kenny44 Reply:
April 22nd, 2012 at 4:06 pm
@aKinginVancouver, which coach? DS probably would value Mitchell’s input. OTOH, there’s only one “right way to play” to some coaches.
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Alot of blacking out the pool sheet already.
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i AM EATING THE STEAK DINNER WITH THE TRIMMINGS AND SOME RED WINE,, nappy time for 2 hours then game on… Priceless..
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puck73 Reply:
April 22nd, 2012 at 1:44 pm
@lakingbob(chi), Ruths Chris cowboy ribeye?
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lakingbob(chi) Reply:
April 22nd, 2012 at 1:48 pm
@puck73, $15.00 T-BONE,Grilled on the grill ,baked potato,bottle Red Wine, No wife, went to BINGO knowing this is an important day for me.. again PRICELESS!!!
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red49er Reply:
April 22nd, 2012 at 3:49 pm
@lakingbob(chi), a good wife..now a great wife also would have ******* before she cleared out.
rumpa#19 Reply:
April 22nd, 2012 at 2:26 pm
@lakingbob(chi), Skip the nap and check out NBC ,sum cool stuff going on.
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Here’s an early afternoon pre-game video roundup. Mostly talk about the Canucks, but at least Daryl and Rich talk Kings…
http://kingsnewsdaily.com/pre-game-video/
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variable Reply:
April 22nd, 2012 at 2:03 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
i watched all of them…thank you kind sir…
this game is not gonna be an easy one for anyone to play or…perhaps…even watch…every play early on figures to be extremely important…like what RICH posted yesterday, whomever dictates the play from the start has the best chance of coming out on top…
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puck73 Reply:
April 22nd, 2012 at 2:12 pm
@variable, Big V… The King of Westwood.
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variable Reply:
April 22nd, 2012 at 2:34 pm
@variable,
bigger P…the king of figueroa and jefferson…
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It just goes to show ya…
You can have a lot of horticultural talent
And still lose your berries
As good as the red ones are
You don’t preserve with raspberry, spice and thyme
We are boiling them…Bake a pie….
Real famished for toffee cake…
Rich, hard … preventing going 2 again…
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