Depending on how things go in the next few days, there might be a lot of movable parts for the Kings at left wing. Dustin Brown seems set on the first line. Today in practice, Darryl Sutter stayed with what he used near the end of Game 5 against Vancouver, with Dustin Penner as the second-line left winger alongside Mike Richards and Jeff Carter, and with Dwight King as the third-line left winger alongside Jarret Stoll and Trevor Lewis. Brad Richardson remained on the fourth line, and the wild card is Kyle Clifford, who has been out since Game 1 while recovering from a concussion.
Clifford did some post-practice conditioning skating today, but until/unless Clifford gets into a couple full-team practices, he won’t play. If he is able to play, it would be interesting to see what Sutter does. Richardson looked strong in Games 4 and 5. King’s size could be a bonus against the Blues but he has struggled to keep up with playoff pace at times. Penner, throughout the season, has proven himself to be a wild card. If Penner can hold down a spot on the second line — a big if — might Sutter move Richardson to the third line? Sutter didn’t commit to anything today.
SUTTER: “We’ve got to continue to move around. We’re lucky that we’ve got guys who can play everywhere. … We keep trying to find stuff that will work. We did it in Vancouver.”
Penner is our Charlie Kelly.
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colo king fan Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 4:51 pm
@Capt Jam,
WILD CARD, (expletive)!!
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USHA#17 Reply:
April 25th, 2012 at 8:11 am
@colo king fan,
Odd as it may sound I predict Penner’s play will be the difference between success and failure in this series.
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Find that stuff DS!!!
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FKA PakiFro Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 4:04 pm
@Stuart,
I’m surprised he didnt say “We keep trying to find (stuff) that will work”
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Sean Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 7:02 pm
@FKA PakiFro,
Worked enough to win the first 4 of 16 games! I just read the Leiweke post and laughed at all the people that must NEED to hate. The guy is a Kings fan and that should count for something. If I had stock in his company I might wonder why they don’t want to make a profit on one of their investments. Are not companies supposed to make money? Last I checked, companies that don’t go extinct. Ticket prices are reasonable as I don’t make much money but normally buy a game pack. If you hate Leiweke for trying to keep the company he represents profitable, it really does not make much sense. If not, why? All I have seen as a Kings fan is support for the organization.
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BigSeeGas Reply:
April 25th, 2012 at 7:56 am
@Sean, Agree. People from Vancouver find it cheaper to fly out to LA to watch a game than watching it in their own city! I have seen tickets in the 300s for less than 10 bucks!!!! What a joke. As a season ticket holder (4 seats in the 200s) I feel that I get a great value for my seats and think its never about money… It’s always about value. If the kings can put together a winner or at least look like they are trying to put together a winner I’m all in. Even when the kings sucked (rebuilding) I felt the same way. Go Kings Go!
Keep mixing it up boys, men, keep hmm guessing that’s what I say!
Go Kings Go!
The Cup Is Waiting at the end of the tunnel!
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for once this is a problem i don’t mind the kings having lol…..
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Shakes Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 5:53 pm
@gwtc, Especially at left wing!
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Penner needs to start playing like a big man and stop playing like hes 5 ft tall and cant skate! im tired of his sluggish game!
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Lake Forest Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 4:28 pm
@ish, Ummmmmmmmmm, you know how much he weighs right?
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Dominick (defrim65) Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 4:32 pm
@ish,
He’s got a game winning goal, an assist, and has made some key plays on other Kings goals. He’s caused some outnumbered attacks, and he had 2 breakaways last series. He’s also a + player. Stoll has 2 game winning goals and is a + player. Lewis has 2 points, and is a + player.
Richards has 3 points, no game winning goals, Carter has 2 points, and no game winning goals (or goals for that matter), and both are – players. King has 0 points, and is a – player.
Why single out Penner? He might be able to help those 2.
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letswinthecup2012 Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 4:41 pm
@Dominick (defrim65), with ya dom
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Mik3ysfv Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 5:36 pm
@letswinthecup2012, Penner =Luongo default whipping boy to those not paying attention to the little things that win games. Those pwople (whore (all of us, really) expect the 30 goal guy w/a sick hands. This isn’t the freewheeling system of the Oil or Anaheim Putz. He is however contributing in every way he has the chance. IMO
Fireplug Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 5:11 pm
@Dominick (defrim65), Penner plays like he is asleep. He is out of position many times. A player have his size looks at him sideways and he falls or loses the puck. I want a player who shows and plays with passion.
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Shakes Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 5:56 pm
@Dominick (defrim65),Dom i think being anti- penner is like my TL comment this afternoon… When you actually look at what he’s doing )and not his contract number)I think he’s been pulling his weight. He looks enthusiastic. He’s playing within himself and he’s the ultimate wildcard. I am happy with his contribution.
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dodgervern Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 8:44 pm
@Shakes, Penner makes a lot of slick little passes that don,t get turned into opportunities cause the other players seem surprised he got the puck through to them.This line could light a fire under Carter as we all know he gets shots off real quick and this is what it might take to break Elliots timing.Also,double pumps[Richards and Kopi do this well}could upset Elliot also.Every goal is going to be huge and the boys really need to keep the puck on theirs stick and NO cheap giveaways.GO KINGS,GO!!
Alex Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 6:28 pm
@Dominick (defrim65), Agree 100%. Penner been playing much better and I thing he looked better with Richards and Carter. King was looking lost. His game went south. But looked better when he was moved down to third.
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CMaldo Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 8:19 pm
@Dominick (defrim65), I agree 100% with what you said… The problem with Penner is that he is helping out in ways other than the way people expected him to. He was brought in to score goals and HAS NOT done that. In the last series though he skated faster at times than any other player on the ice. The hustle is there, the problem is that he is a huge guy and does not have the stamina to go end to end two or three times.
I don’t know about anyone else around here, but I think that all you can ask is for a player to give everything they have and I think Pens has done that. He hasn’t had much success finding the net but neither has the rest of the team.
As long as he keeps putting in Game Winners, I am good.
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Hipcheck Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 4:33 pm
@ish, couldnt agree more. Even if he doesnt score at all consistently finishing his checks could sway a long series. Kills me to watch him so disinterested in physical play.
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Dominick (defrim65) Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 4:36 pm
Meh, I give up.
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letswinthecup2012 Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 4:41 pm
@ish, he’s been looking better..
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Fireplug Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 5:12 pm
@letswinthecup2012, Better at what? He is good for maybe one or two hits a game, wheb he finally wakes up.
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letswinthecup2012 Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 5:19 pm
@Fireplug,
backchecking, skating, shooting.. Obviously he isn’t going to the player he used to be, but at least I am starting to notice him out there.. Agreed he’s been disappointing, but he’s been looking better imho
jp Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 6:02 pm
@Fireplug, In Penner’s defense, he’s 7th on the team in hits this playoffs with a total of 11. Brown and Greene lead with 21, followed by Richards (18), Stoll (15), King (13), Fraser (12).
san Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 6:35 pm
@ish, what are say he has play very good
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Dont mess with the fourth line. it has been the most effective line to this point in generating momentum in the Kings favor. Which begs the question what you do with Clifford if he comes back for the next series. Who do you sit?
If Penner can get it going, this team is going to be hard to beat. Remember when Penner was a good player in this league?
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FKA PakiFro Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 4:05 pm
@tornado12,
King or Nolan. Maybe King in the interest of not messing up the most energetic line.
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Alex Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 6:33 pm
@FKA PakiFro, If Clifford can go I would sit King. I thing he needs to take a look at playoff hockey from upstairs. He is noT the same player he was in the regular season.
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waterndirt Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 8:38 pm
@Alex, I never understood why DS kept a rookie with JC and MR. Just didn’t make sense. Sure King had some goals and he skated well… but it was at his line mates expense.
Glad to see the change.
vinny Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 4:05 pm
@tornado12, im thinking nolan would be out, cliffy back on left and richardson on the right..it would be sad to see richardson a scratch after the last couple games he’s had on the 4th
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NBTrojan Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 4:13 pm
@vinny, I would keep Nolan on the 4th line way before I would bring Clifford back into the lineup. Clifford has been my second biggest disappointment behind Penner and hasn’t shown he can move or cycle the puck like Nolan… nor can he keep up with Nolan on a skating level. If the fourth line is clicking so well leave it alone and sit Clifford.
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bmova Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 5:08 pm
@NBTrojan, How do you come up with that determination about Clifford. He’s only played one game in the playoffs this year. Have you forgotten how good he was last year?
Donald Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 5:14 pm
@NBTrojan, Are you kidding, Nolan is prabably the slowest skater next to Penner.
Harty Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 6:50 pm
@NBTrojan, guess what your wrong, Cliffy is faster then Nolan, and geez Nolan is a relative, but who doesn’t know that from watching them alone………….
miss cliffy, hope he’s back soon. i like king on that third line, so i guess its up to penner…
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curious if this has anything to do with this comment from hitchcock:
“We’ve got a team that they’ve never seen before,” Hitchcock said. “They have three lines exactly the same and we have all four different than the one that played (March 22), so I don’t think they really know our hockey club until they play against us. So there are a lot of variables.”
Read more: http://www.stltoday.com/sports/hockey/professional/a-nasty-blues-los-angeles-series-is-forecast/article_a0f24977-8c39-5e27-855b-feb706842690.html#ixzz1t0CFMaU6
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tacomakingsfan Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 4:29 pm
@jmsalsa,
MEH… Sounds a little cocky.
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SLIM Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 4:45 pm
@tacomakingsfan,
Hitchcocky?
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Duncanz Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 5:11 pm
@SLIM,
Kitsch…
Hockey..
Dominick (defrim65) Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 5:12 pm
@jmsalsa,
He’s not being “cocky”. I’ve been watching as many interviews with him as I can find, and the main thing I came away with is that he respcts this team a lot. He respect the physical nature of the Kings game most, and his comments have been extremely well thought out.
He has a point on the Kings not having seen his team yet. McDonald was injured, and Steen also. Those are 2 key players in their line up right now, and the Kings haven’t played against them yet.
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Duncanz Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 5:51 pm
@Dominick (defrim65), I don’t think Hitch has been quite as cocky as Penns … what about you?
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Not to mention if Parse gets going late in the series. Best problems ever.
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In the Net Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 4:27 pm
@Bradapiller, Parse???? Really???
Sorry but I don’t even think he’s eligible unless he finds a miracle cure PLUS someone’s injured and removed from the playoff roster. Even if he was, DS isn’t going to introduce such an unknown into the playoff scenario. Personally, although I’ve always liked his game and think he could be good in the NHL (Moulson, Purcell,etc.) I don’t think we’ll ever see Parse in a Kings uniform again.
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SDGolfer Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 9:53 pm
@Bradapiller, LOL. I hear Gagné is coming back too. wahoooooo!
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What is going on with Gagne?
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FKA PakiFro Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 4:26 pm
@giftman,
Nothing. Sutter doesn’t even know if he’s on the planet anymore.
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 4:32 pm
@giftman, out for the season..Always a nice fit in my words…
if not coming back
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MM Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 4:34 pm
@giftman, Ah, the obligatory “Where in the world is Simon Gagne?” question. I hope everyone who reads this has the “Where in the world is Carmen SanDiego” theme song stuck in their heads like I do.
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Lake Forest Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 4:53 pm
@MM, you SOB. I do now.
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colo king fan Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 4:54 pm
@giftman,
Last I heard he was on Mars or something.
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Duncanz Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 5:12 pm
@giftman, He’s gone fishing … with Peter Brady.
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I thought it was great that he moved King “down” to the line with Stoll and Lewis to get them jump-started, and it worked.
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Duncanz Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 5:44 pm
@Mel Powell,
Jarret Stoll and the Kings have been flying under the radar – and Dwight King makes a good decoy!
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i like penner on 2nd line, king on 3rd line, richardson on 4th.. give cliffy some time
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Fireplug Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 5:19 pm
@letswinthecup2012, I disagree. I think the Cliffy gives any line he plays on a jump. He is not afraid to give up the body and is in the corners fighting for the puck. I just wish Penner would show that he wants to do those things.
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san Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 6:38 pm
@Fireplug, he is
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Harty Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 6:51 pm
@Fireplug, Penner stays due to contract and upper management saving face………….
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OT, pretty cool to see Peter Harrold get play-off minutes, even if its for the Devils.
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Jeff_R Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 5:11 pm
@louis zypher, He just got an assist on Devils 1st goal.
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Why don’t we use the same van we used
For sneaking Ethan out of town and
Sneak Sam Gagner into Simon Gagne’s jersey…
With the helmet on maybe no one will notice….
Thinking outside the “Box”…
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BarMade Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 5:02 pm
@SLIM, why stop there? Doesn’t Taylor Hall have time on his hands?
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SLIM Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 5:11 pm
@BarMade,
He’s still hurt…
I guess you missed the play on name…
Nevermind..
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Duncanz Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 5:14 pm
@SLIM, … your bullocks..
Can we please just get a temporary moratorium on “when is Gagne coming back?” questions. He isn’t, folks.
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SDGolfer Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 9:55 pm
@colo king fan, Does anybody know when Gagné is coming back. I heard him and Parse are close.
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Watching all 6 games in nj vs fl neither team is as good as us
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tornado12 Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 5:05 pm
@2cups2la, hate to argue, but those teams had winning records against the kings in the regular season this year
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2cups2la Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 5:08 pm
@tornado12, Best of 7 in finals id feel confident but i dont see either coming out of the east
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tornado12 Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 5:37 pm
@2cups2la, after beating the best team in league for the last 2 yrs, im confident as well. more importantly, the players should be too
Jeff_R Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 5:15 pm
@tornado12, Kings and Panthers split the 2 games. Devils beat the Kings both games, but one was in a SO.
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Jeff_R Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 5:16 pm
@2cups2la, If the Kings meet Florida in the Finals the Kings would have home ice. They would also have home ice against Ottawa and the Caps. So go Florida, Ottawa and the Caps.
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Thats easy take out Frasier hes sucks …Put in Clifford at wing Move Richardson to Center
So it will look like this
4th Line
Clifford Richardson Nolan
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Jack Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 5:37 pm
@FIlip Kings 12, You cant do that…Fraser has been Milbury certified…he loves him.
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Harty Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 6:52 pm
@FIlip Kings 12, Fraser is a relative of Sutter, he stays in on this alone
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I hopw we start friday
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I like the effort we showed in smoking the nucks – the boys are going to have to really ramp it up for the blues – that team is no joke – I thought Lewis was great and should get more time – going to need King and Nolan to really throw the body – and get JW to give us some timely goals – we should be ok – its a toss up series – but really looking forward to it – it will be by far the best 2nd round match up -
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I’m reading this article. So let me see …
Cliffy is a “wild card” … and so is Penns … AND he’s “a big if” …
Advantage Cliffy in that little faceoff, I suppose ….
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“We’ve got to continue to move around. We’re lucky that we’ve got guys who can play everywhere. … We keep trying to find stuff that will work. We did it in Vancouver.”
The meat of the issue. For all the complaining about line-juggling under TM (I was one of the complainers) it created a team on which anyone can play with anyone else, and it creates headaches for opposing defenses–at least it does if you have enough talent to spread around.
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rogiesbackup Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 7:25 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, Agreed!! What I was thinking in game 5! Awesomeness DS!!
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Clifford, prior to injury, was playing dumb, taking bad penalties. Richardson, hungry and experienced. I love that 4th line as it currently stands and Penner has way more upside…
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Duncanz Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 5:36 pm
@dcaps55, Wait tll the series actually starts, and it’s a hard grinding, tough skating scrappy struggle for every single loose puck and square inch of the ice.
It might really change a few whistler’s tunes if both teams stick to the tried and true, and don’t try to rewrite the script!
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Harty Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 6:53 pm
@dcaps55, Brad isn’t consistent………..also he is on the ice physically full body more then he is on his skates, the blues will make you change that statement by game 2 guarnteed
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Why don’t we use the same trunk we used
For sneaking Trent out of town and
Sneak Steve Bernier into Jonathan Bernier’s jersey…
With the pads on maybe no one will notice….
Drinking out of the “Box”…
I guess you missed the Kurt Cobain…
Nevermind..
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Hitchcock’s done a great job but he shoes a trace of cockyness. It’s good fodder for Sutter as he prepares.
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Clifford has to come back into the lineup if he’s healthy. He was our leading scorer in the playoffs last year.
Richardson had to stay in the lineup for the speed and grit.
Penner has to stay in the lineup because he has won a cup and has performed well in the past.
Fraser has to stay because he has won a cup, and DL worships him.
Lewis has to stay for speed, penalty kill, and DL loves him.
That leaves the rookies. Either King or Nolan need to go. And that is a tough decision. I think Nolan has better potential in the long run. So I would reluctantly bench King.
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gee wouldn’t Schenn and Simmonds look good in a king’s uni ??? Mike where are you ?
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SDGolfer Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 9:58 pm
@don, Wouldnt moulson, Purcell, cammy (and on and on and on) look good in a King uni?
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I think the only thing that’ll work is to PRESSURE both Nolan an dKing to produce more. Simply reminding them might create that spark that they are an integral part of this Kings success.
Gagne!!!! We need you, bud!!!!! He’ll be our man next season.
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i’d like to see richardson on the second line. richards and carter don’t always seem to have that spark and richardson has shown the ability to be a sparkplug. put him on that line to be a dogged forechecker and hope he can put the pressure on the blues D like williams does on the first line.
let clifford sit until we know he’s 100%, and maybe even chomping at the bit to get in. or maybe just bench penner. he’s been a little better lately but is that really enough. maybe i’m just bias.
i like nolan but wouldn’t be opposed to having him sit a little if need be. he’s a young kid, sitting is part of the process of becoming a pro. work hard in practice, wait for your chance, come back hungry when you get that chance.
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Does that mean Gagne is coming back soon?
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SDGolfer Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 9:59 pm
@Scott, He’s comming back and Parse is comming back too.
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I vote Penner, Richardson, and Cliffy. Have King a healthy scratch.
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Great note about Richardson being important in Games 4 and 5. In last year’s playoffs, Simmonds and he were the only ones giving a lot of trouble to SJ.
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