Defense (and goaltending) wins championships? Well, based on this year’s playoffs — particularly in the Western Conference — that’s a strong argument. This season, a total of 30 players scored at least 30 goals. Depending on how today’s two Game 7s go, there could be as few as four 30 goals-scorers in the second round. In the West, it’s even more stark. In the regular season, 12 players scored at least 30 goals. Six of them (Corey Perry, Michael Ryder, Jordan Eberle, Jarome Iginla, Bobby Ryan and Rick Nash) missed the playoffs entirely. Five more (Patrick Sharp, Logan Couture, Daniel Sedin, Patrick Marleau and Joe Pavelski) were eliminated in the first round. Phoenix’s Radim Vrbata is the only 30-goal scorer on any of the four remaining Western Conference playoff teams. I asked Rob Scuderi what he thought that meant. Is it a victory for defense and goaltending, or just a coincidence?
SCUDERI: “It’s certainly not a coincidence. The years I had with Pittsburgh, we had some prolific guys on the offensive side of the puck, but defensively, we had a great goaltender and we played great team defense. Even as well as they did offensively this year, if you look at that Pittsburgh-Philadelphia series, the team that won has the team that finally was able to keep it to a couple goals (against).”
Question: Is a maybe a victory for depth, too? Not just having one great line but three or four good ones?
SCUDERI: “Depth goes a long way in the playoffs. You can key in on matchups, especially when you’re the home team, and if those guys aren’t able to break through the line, and the D pairing that the coach wants to play against those guys, not to mention probably a hot goaltender at this time of the year, it’s that much more of a plus to have guys who can fill the net every once in a while.”
The Kings’ leading scorer this season, Anze Kopitar, had 25 goals, while St. Louis’ leading scorer, David Backes, had 24. In terms of goals scored in the Western Conference, Nashville finished fourth, Phoenix finished sixth, St. Louis finished ninth and the Kings finished 14th. Defensively, in terms of goals allowed, St. Louis was first, the Kings were second, Phoenix was fifth and Nashville was sixth. High-scoring teams: out. Good defensive teams: still playing. Darryl Sutter sort of went both ways on this topic…
SUTTER: “It’s still better to have all those goal scorers, right? [grins] You look at our series that we just finished, and you want to handle the three big guys on their team, even though Ryan (Kesler) didn’t have as big a year, numbers-wise. Even-strength goals, they didn’t score one, the Sedins and Ryan. On our side of it, we got five goals from Jarret Stoll, Dustin Penner, Trevor Lewis and Brad Richardson. So, it’s not always about stars. In fact, we just showed that it wasn’t.”
I love the fact that we get a comment from Scuds on 30-goal scorers. I don’t think he has 30 goals or points in his whole career, but he is definitely one of the guys I want on the ice when the other team’s 30-goal guy is out there.
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KOHO Reply:
April 26th, 2012 at 10:24 am
@DesertKing, Right on!
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Slim N Nunn Reply:
April 26th, 2012 at 10:49 am
@DesertKing, Carrer: 6, 68, 76
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Slim N Nunn Reply:
April 26th, 2012 at 10:50 am
@Slim N Nunn, *career
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DesertKing Reply:
April 26th, 2012 at 10:51 am
@Slim N Nunn,
Scuds is an offensive machine!
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Zeley Reply:
April 26th, 2012 at 12:56 pm
@Slim N Nunn,
6 plus 68 does not equal 76
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Stuart Reply:
April 26th, 2012 at 1:01 pm
@Zeley, true, but it is the spirit!
schlocktober Reply:
April 26th, 2012 at 1:27 pm
Scuderi has the worst shot I’ve ever seen in an NHL player. He makes Matt Green look like Al Macinnis.
SLIM Reply:
April 26th, 2012 at 3:17 pm
@Slim N Nunn,
Hey I’m SLIM but ain’t no NUNN…
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Game 1 seems so far away!
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Forum Gold Reply:
April 26th, 2012 at 10:25 am
@Stuart, 1827 miles. GO KINGS GO!!!
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mrbrett7 Reply:
April 26th, 2012 at 11:06 am
@Forum Gold, I’m in Denver…I’m closer. So there.
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Pili Reply:
April 26th, 2012 at 12:23 pm
@mrbrett7, Springfield, MO here. Even closer
.
Damjan Reply:
April 26th, 2012 at 10:29 am
@Stuart, my thoughts exactly. Bring it on! GKG
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The guys that go to the front of the net get rewarded in the playoffs. It’s the dirty, greasy, slimy goals that win Cups whoever mucks it up more will come out on top.
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Lime Reply:
April 26th, 2012 at 10:42 am
@KOHO, True but it would be nice to see Richards and Carter rip a hole in Elliot’s glove.
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KOHO Reply:
April 26th, 2012 at 10:49 am
@Lime, No doubt! There is always a place and time for that and I hope it comes early and often.
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Lake Forest Reply:
April 26th, 2012 at 11:28 am
@KOHO, it’s STB specialty when they score their goals….. they need to be cleared out constantly.
Like Hitchcocky said, it’s going to be a nasty series (not just us)
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I’d rather be in the second round of the playoffs anyday over having 30 goal scorers on my team. If they can’t get their teams to the playoffs they dont have much to brag about do they?
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Didn’t see this in previous threads…
Cause for celebration. The one man we’ve loved jeering (and probably thought would send us packing in the first round) has asked for a trade.
If you told me the Kings would not only beat Vancouver, but (in effect) cause Roberto Luongo to ask to be traded, I would have said you were certifiable. And yet, here it is…
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/roberto-luongo-asks-canucks-trade-list-reportedly-maple-134700505.html
What a thing of beauty. I have not been this proud be be a Kings fan in a long time. Couldn’t have happened to a better franchise!
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vegasking Reply:
April 26th, 2012 at 10:42 am
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), Thanks, you just put a huge smile on my face
for the whole day.
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Stuart Reply:
April 26th, 2012 at 10:42 am
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), In locker room interviews on NHL network, he straight said “sure” when asked if he’d waive it, but I never thought he would actively pursue the move. He probably HATES playing in Vancouver… not that it would be any better in TOR… My wish is that he gets traded and CS doesn’t sign an extension and tests free agency!
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King$ Reply:
April 26th, 2012 at 11:00 am
@Stuart,
Lu actually loves playing in Vancouver. Always has (minus the whole wife thing). He was one of the biggest reasons the ‘Nucks were able to attract players that got them to the where they are.
That said, when Schneider was put in, in Gm 3, that was it for Luongo. If the team can’t trust him to bring them the cup, how could he keep playing there. He actually was a class act throughout the whole thing, but in the end, there’s no way a #1 goalie, getting paid $5M+ a year, will “want” to play second fiddle.
But, like I’ve been telling my friends here, the writing was on the wall. Canucks management fired Luongo’s goalie coach, constantly messed with his head and, most importantly, pulled him in Gm 3 even though he played stellar the first two games.
Any normal competitor would ask for outs after that slap in the face.
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Stuart Reply:
April 26th, 2012 at 11:04 am
@King$, good info, thanks. I thought he was getting tired of the media, but I’m sure he’s ready to start over for all the reasons you posted.
PRMan Reply:
April 26th, 2012 at 11:11 am
@King$, Wow. I didn’t know all that. No wonder he’s done. He will probably end up in Tampa.
DesertKing Reply:
April 26th, 2012 at 10:56 am
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
And the left rear wheel has just come off of the #1 Vancouver Canucks, Valvoline Oil, Coke-Free, Extenze, Viagra, M&M’s NASCAR race car and we anticipate a really bad wreck when that car hits the #3 turn. Its a beautiful day in the NASCAR/NHL Kingdom as we prepare to watch a diving team start to dismantle itself. Maybe the Canuck team can get Digger to be their new netminder.
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Happy Lappy Reply:
April 26th, 2012 at 11:41 am
@DesertKing, “boogity, boogity,boogity, lets go trading boys”!
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goes to eleven Reply:
April 26th, 2012 at 12:23 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), I am a bigger Nuck fan than most people on this site (which ain’t saying much), but I will be glad if I don’t have to listen to that stupid “Louuuuuuuu” every time he makes a save on a 40 ft bad angle wrister. Hope he ends up in the east.
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colo king fan Reply:
April 26th, 2012 at 12:46 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
Question – does the hate for Luongo go away as soon as he puts on a different uniform? Personally I hope he gets traded to the Eastern Conference and is a huge success, just to shove it in Vancouver’s face.
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
April 26th, 2012 at 3:07 pm
@colo king fan,
I never had any hate for him personally. He’s a good player and seems like a good guy from what I know. Once he’s gone, I really don’t care at all.
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Here at work (LAX) watching them prep the Kings Air Canada A/C for the flt to St. Louis.
looking forward to them boarding and getting on the way for the 2nd round. Go Kings Go
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
April 26th, 2012 at 10:49 am
@OnTheFly, Put a different perspective on your name! Make sure they have enough gas to get there please.
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DesertKing Reply:
April 26th, 2012 at 11:00 am
@OnTheFly,
See, the King’s really are Canada’s team!
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kingschick Reply:
April 26th, 2012 at 11:06 am
@OnTheFly, I hope u measured the blades! I don’t want a McSorely repeat…was that the most f’d up thing ever?
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PRMan Reply:
April 26th, 2012 at 11:12 am
@OnTheFly, Pix?
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OnTheFly Reply:
April 26th, 2012 at 11:33 am
@PRMan,
The Team appears to be boarding now. Sry no pix..no smart phone..ticket prices went up remember?
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Capt Jam Reply:
April 26th, 2012 at 11:17 am
@OnTheFly,
Air Canada to STL? Better make sure the pilots aren’t Clarence Oveur and Roger Murdock.
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Stuart Reply:
April 26th, 2012 at 12:18 pm
@Capt Jam,
Roger Murdock: We have clearance, Clarence.
Captain Oveur: Roger, Roger. What’s our vector, Victor?
Tower voice: Tower’s radio clearance, over!
Captain Oveur: That’s Clarence Oveur. Over.
Tower voice: Over.
classic dialogue
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colo king fan Reply:
April 26th, 2012 at 12:40 pm
@OnTheFly,
I was sure they’d fly frontier… in the 737 with the dead whale on the vertical stabilizer.
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The National Press are giving the Kings a bad shake re: paltry offense:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/hockey/nhl/04/25/los.angeles.kings.playoffs.ap/index.html?sct=nhl_t2_a15
I will tell you the truth:
Since the trade deadline:
LAK 59 goals scored in 19 games (3.11 per game) (40 goals allowed)
STL 49 goals scored in 19 games (2.58 per game) (35 goals allowed)
Playoffs:
LAK 12 goals scored in 5 games (2.40 per game) (8 goals allowed)
STL 14 goals scored in 5 games (2.80 per game) (8 goals allowed)
Although Jeff Carter hasn’t personally produced incredible numbers, we are a much better offensive team since his arrival!
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KOHO Reply:
April 26th, 2012 at 11:00 am
@Kings Win, Ducks Lose, Agreed..JC’s mere presence keeps teams on their heels just because they know he can turn it up on a dime and make them pay.
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DesertKing Reply:
April 26th, 2012 at 11:01 am
@Kings Win, Ducks Lose,
God forbid the press actually do some in-depth relevant research.
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
April 26th, 2012 at 11:02 am
@Kings Win, Ducks Lose,
(insert angry Dominick comment here)
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puck73 Reply:
April 26th, 2012 at 11:09 am
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), You know Dommer will come swooping in and smack you hard with Corsi and Fenwick, Bank on it !
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DesertKing Reply:
April 26th, 2012 at 11:21 am
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
I will help Dommer out – “Sports Illustrated sucks”
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PRMan Reply:
April 26th, 2012 at 11:13 am
@Kings Win, Ducks Lose, We were facing Cory Schneider while the Blues were lighting up SJ’s awful PK.
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Shakes Reply:
April 26th, 2012 at 11:21 am
@PRMan, Heck I’d even go as far as saying that if it wasn’t for Luongo the first two games would’ve probably been blowouts for the Kings
which gets to the next point, the Blues PP vs. the Kings PK is going to be a huge difference maker
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DesertKing Reply:
April 26th, 2012 at 11:21 am
@Shakes,
Heck, even our PP was ableto score on SJ’s PK.
Capt Jam Reply:
April 26th, 2012 at 11:24 am
@Kings Win, Ducks Lose,
Oh good, this firmly plants the Kings as underdogs. I look forward to reading articles of praise over the next two weeks as they make STL tap out of this series.
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Some Vegas odds for the series:
Team Wins Series:
Los Angeles Kings…….. 2.510
St. Louis Blues…….. 1.599
Team Wins in X Games:
Los Angeles Kings 4-0…….. 20.440
Los Angeles Kings 4-1…….. 11.250
Los Angeles Kings 4-2…….. 6.740
Los Angeles Kings 4-3…….. 6.740
St. Louis Blues 4-0…….. 9.230
St. Louis Blues 4-1…….. 5.020
St. Louis Blues 4-2…….. 5.590
St. Louis Blues 4-3…….. 5.020
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goldielocks Reply:
April 26th, 2012 at 11:45 am
@LA_1968,
Good. I’m in majority here. 4-0 LA.
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watching highlights of blues games. they play a similar style i think
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Ok moving to 25R….
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LA_1968 Reply:
April 26th, 2012 at 12:08 pm
@OnTheFly, This blog even gives you the runway and direction of takeoff.
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EXCELLENT video put together by a fan. Sit back and enjoy the victory one more time…
http://youtu.be/Fy6UXM8Ots8
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Brewhemoth Reply:
April 26th, 2012 at 12:29 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
Awesome video!!
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Pili Reply:
April 26th, 2012 at 12:33 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), That was great. Goosebumps. Thanks for sharing.
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tornado12 Reply:
April 26th, 2012 at 1:27 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), doesnt get much better than that….or does it?
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DesertKing Reply:
April 26th, 2012 at 1:29 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
That was beautiful man, just beautiful……
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
April 26th, 2012 at 2:49 pm
@DesertKing, Tom Cruise in Taps?
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Dump and Chase Reply:
April 26th, 2012 at 1:35 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
goosebumps
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KC23 Reply:
April 26th, 2012 at 3:02 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), They may be an all timer. Doesn’t get much better than that. Just outstanding. Going back for a few more looks.
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cleared for take off! rolling down the runway. The Kings are on the way! next stop St. Louis!
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
April 26th, 2012 at 11:58 am
@OnTheFly,
So long, Screwy! See you in St. Louie!
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