Like a big Thanksgiving meal, the Kings left everyone with plenty to digest at the end of the first period last night, so many improbable moments that added up to a remarkable 20 minutes. A goal 31 seconds into the game? Another shorthanded goal? Two back-breaking goals within the final two minutes? The Scottrade Center fans booed at the end of the period, but the reaction seemed to be more exasperation than anger. The Blues continued to play hard, but for all intents and purposes, the game was over.
The Kings, once again, went into the barn of a team with an outstanding home record and pulled some larceny, as they took the first two gams of the series. They did not achieve perfection though, or anything close to it. The Kings took far too many penalties, and while they maintained their comfortable lead over the game’s final 38-plus minutes, they recorded only five shots on goal in the final 40 minutes. The Kings, by circumstance, were managing the game in order to maintain their lead, but they will have to ramp up the intensity again on Thursday. What was the key aspect of the Kings’ 5-2 victory over the St. Louis Blues in Game 2? I present three options at the link below, and you can vote for your choice…
—–
For those who enjoy the traditional game recap, it can be found by clicking here.
What do you think Crom”been” was thinking when he dropped the gloves against King and strarted to get his “been” kicked. Lets look at the choices:
“Uh oh”
“Oh shXX!”
“He’s bigger and faster than on video”
“Hey, he ain’t scared of me?”
“Why am I upside down?”
“I’m gonna need that 5 minutes to recover”
“Next time Petro can fight his own battles”
“Hey, what is up with these guys, they don’t wuss out like the Sharks do”
“Man, I am gonna need a bigger helmet”
“Screw Hitch!”
“Are we still losing?”
“I’ve “been” better”
“This isn’t going the way I planned”
“Help, please, someone, ref, a little help here, ouch!”
I vote “all of the above.”
By the way, our PK got us that game by stopping allof their PP’s, taking away their ability to even it up after our early first goal, and then taking away all of their confidence with that shorty and creating the 2-goal lead. Jon Stevens is a defensive genius.
[Reply]
[Reply]
DiggerRocket Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 9:12 am
@DesertKing, That was awesome. ..especially the “help, please, someone, ref”
[Reply]
Pili Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 10:00 am
@DesertKing, Oh man DK you had me spitting out coffee with a few of those….”Why am I upside down?” lol
[Reply]
I voted for the “Williams restores order” simply because it killed any momentum that the Blues hoped to gain by scoring so early in the 2nd. If they get the next goal, it’s a 2 goal difference with more than half the game to play.
But the power of the early first period goal can’t be understated either.
[Reply]
BigSeeGas Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 8:43 am
@vplaza, I also voted for Williams. When they scored I had a flashback of San Jose then it went away. I was seriously still nervous in the 3rd but the boys look so focused that it’s weird… I am so happy to see the team playing well. Can’t wait for Thursday I’ll see you all there! Go kings go!
[Reply]
Sean Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 9:04 am
@BigSeeGas,
I went PK. It seemed like we were in the box the entire 2nd and 3rd periods. Can’t believe there was not a game misconduct for repeatedly punching Brown when he was down on the ice. Anyway, they tried to muscle us to change up series. GKG!
[Reply]
Jgomez Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 9:09 am
@Sean, I thought the Blues physicality was a bit of an illusion. With the Kings up 5-1 and it looked like we were getting handled a bit? We definitely had the foot off the gas pedal when you see the 4th line on the PP.
PK was huge though. It seemed like the Blues were frustrated out there and I enjoyed seeing that frustration. Bring on game 3!
vplaza Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 9:12 am
@Sean,
PK was huge. Has been so far this year and in the playoffs.
Sean Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 9:05 am
@BigSeeGas,
I went PK. It seemed like we were in the box the entire 2nd and 3rd periods. Can’t believe there was not a game misconduct for repeatedly punching Brown when he was down on the ice. Anyway, they tried to muscle us to change up series. GKG!
[Reply]
Sean Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 9:06 am
@Sean,
Sorry. I didn’t mean to submit X2. One for each win I guess. Hopefully, I can post the same thing X3 this Friday.
vplaza Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 9:13 am
@BigSeeGas,
Yeah, I had that brief moment of concern seeing them score so early in the 2nd, but the Williams goal made it A-Otay.
[Reply]
FemaleFan #1 Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 9:30 am
@vplaza, I voted other only because there wasn’t an all-of-the-above option. This is what we have been waiting for for SO long. EVERY SINGLE player on this Kings team is showing up, every game, every shift. The chemistry is visible and palpable and every single team that remains in the running should be terrified. Cause we are here to stay!!
[Reply]
Kingstane9 Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 9:44 am
@vplaza, but goals to put us ahead by 4 were just as important,¸just sayin. If Kopi wouldn’t score two, the score wold be leveled with that goal. We can argue about this for sure. I voted for PK cause it has Quick included and he was just as important in this win…
[Reply]
Okay, maybe there is something to this shaving thing. The only game the team has lost so far is the one game I shaved on the day of the game. Haven’t shaved since then and they haven’t lost yet.
Hmmm…..
[Reply]
Jgomez Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 9:07 am
@vplaza, Yep I have my scruffy beard going as well. I was going to shave it after the first series but thought better of it. I want to sport it on Thursday for sure. I cannot wait to be at that game!
[Reply]
vplaza Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 9:15 am
@Jgomez,
Well, I’m going to a conference, so I guess I’ll be scruffy (as scruffy as I can get, I suppose) during the sessions.
[Reply]
Michael J. Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 9:43 am
@vplaza,
Wow, what a coincidence! Your unshaven beard has the same effect that my black T-shirt has.
Who knew these things could influence how well the Kings play?
[Reply]
LVKINGS88 Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 10:07 am
@vplaza, No shaving until they win the cup.
[Reply]
vplaza Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 10:15 am
@LVKINGS88,
Lol, may have to see how that goes.
[Reply]
Pili Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 10:07 am
@vplaza, I’m as superstitious as anyone, so I’m afraid to STOP shaving now. My lucky shirt is 6-1. I haven’t washed it so it also serves to keep the wife from trying to distract me during the games.
[Reply]
Jeff_R Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 10:50 am
@vplaza, Both times I shaved they won, including yesterday. Not sure what that means.
[Reply]
Solid complete team effort by the Kings last night! The way the KIngs are playing this series might end in five games with the Kings winning 4-1. What an excellent way to start my second week of my visit to California by celebrating a Kings win. I am going to Game 3 at the Staples Center and I expect another KIngs win. Let’s go Kings!
[Reply]
A few things I noted. Quick didn’t look like on his game. He was going down on his knees and going flat too early. Blues’ 2nd goal reminded me of Sumuelsson’s goal 2 years ago. While I understand with all the momentum we had, it was hard to concentrate all game long, Quick needs to be sharper than that.
Yes … Blues’ 2nd goal. That was started with horrible turnover by Voynov. But … we need to be patient with this young man. What he lacks is experience. I don’t think DS is 100% confident with him yet as he throws Mitchell – Greene pair in the key situation. But at the same time, he’s showing his confidence over VV a little by little, knowing he can learn from his mistake, and adversity is a good teacher for him.
All the praises go to our top players. But I really liked the small things our 3rd and 4th lines did last night. They didn’t show any results on the paper but they performed their part well. There was this moment that the 3rd line had 3-on-2 (or was that 3-on-3?), Lewis was going into the O-zone with the puck on the right side, and I was pretty sure he was going to shoot but he made this beautiful cross ice pass instead. Unfortunately, it didn’t connect but as long as he makes a play like that, his contribution will come along.
Sutter threw the 4th line on the PP a couple of times. Was that the message to the other guys or trying to keep momentum on our side? The confidence he shows with the 4th line is really something. And the 4th line is answering his call with the energy ever last. Fraser understands his role as a 4th liner and he never betrayed Sutter’s confidence. He is exactly the veteran 4th line center we need.
DL said on his comment that he should have brought King and Nolan up a little earlier. He was right. Two rookies are making impact constantly. As 3rd and 4th line wingers, they may not have numbers but doing the right things everytime they are on the ice.
Penner … oh, Penner, Penner. He’s been considered as an X-factor from the very begining of the season but he wasn’t. And now in the post season, some still think he would be an X-factor including DS. Wow .. literally, the sleeping giant has been awoken. With the intensity he brings, the 2nd line looks really scary.
I predicted this series goes 4-0 Kings. They are living up to my prediction so far as I said that they are getting better and better as the series goes on, that there is still place to improve. Wouldn’t that be great if their peak will be coming at the very very right time, the SC final?
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 8:40 am
@goldielocks, I predicted a 4-0 sweep as well for the Kings. I cant tell you why either, just a feeeling I had going in. Then again, I predicted the Canucks in 7 in the 1st round so what do I know! lol. Very good post.
[Reply]
Shakes Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 9:17 am
@goldielocks, my 2 cents:
- I agree with you on Quick. Yesterday was perhaps a game where he was allowed to be good but not great…which frankly could turn out to be somewhat of a relief to him. A couple of bad bounces or non-whiff by St. Louis and they could’ve had 2 more goals. BUT as his own postgame comments indicated he recognizes there are things to improve upon
- One thing I’d add is that a huge improvement was our d-men getting the puck out of our zone. Barring a mishap or two (not counting the turnover) they were able to avoid the forecheck and pass the puck out pretty efficiently. In Game 1, we had a few adventures where the agreesive Blues forecheck really hemmed us in
- You almost have to wonder that big Penner hit (for the record it was a good clean hit) may ultimately do more harm to the Blues than good… don’t tick off guys who are starting to play well and finding their legs. they don’t need even more motivation to hate you (the Blues)…
[Reply]
FiG17 Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 9:32 am
@Shakes,
I completely agree with you on the Penner hit. I saw a Blues fan complaining about fighting after a good clean hit like that and my thoughts were…
Blues statement hit: We’re not going to let you walk all over us.
Kings statement fightback: Yeah… we’re not going to let you, either.
I think they would have gained so much more momentum had the Kings not stood up for themselves. I know it put us on the penalty kill, but at that point we had already taken all the confidence out of their power play.
[Reply]
goldielocks Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 9:33 am
@Shakes,
I agree. I didn’t see any cycling down below by the Blues other than their PP. I’d bet Hitch was thinking like “Oh, my god. They stole my game plan. That was my game plan!” I knew that if we do the same thing in D-zone (quick outlet pass), we have the advantage cause our Ds are more talented and skilled. Sorry, Hitch. You need to go to plan B if there is any …
[Reply]
colo king fan Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 9:20 am
@goldielocks,
I think he threw the 4th line guys out there because a lot of the top line guys were used so heavily on PKs. Could be wrong though.
[Reply]
goldielocks Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 9:46 am
@colo king fan,
Yup. That might be the reason. I laughed at the announcers when they sounded like dumbfounded “The Kings are on the power play. F … Fraser behind the net. He makes the pass to Richards … no … Richardson. Nolan goes to the net … (What the heck is going on?)”
[Reply]
trytodethroneus Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 10:00 am
@goldielocks,
They couldn’t do any worse than the skank losers power(?) play
BigSeeGas Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 2:43 pm
@goldielocks, I feel that you are correct to a certain extent. Quick is a smart goaltender. He is best at side to side movement. If players want to score on quick they need to go up top! I think everyone knows that but the kings aren’t giving the blues time to shoot up top. Either way, the kings are winnin as a team right now and I am excited for game 3. See u all there.
[Reply]
My pick: top 2 lines showed up at the same time. Big goals & big physical play.
Just stay out of the box next game.
[Reply]
Congrats to Kopi for his #1 top ten plays on espn last night!
[Reply]
I think Sutter is playing Jedi mind-tricks on Hitch – “This is not the team you were looking for.”
[Reply]
Mars Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 9:06 am
@DesertKing, Awesome!
I think he has been playing Jedi Mind Tricks on our guys, he has been doing something to fire them up too. Whatever they did leading up to the last game bears repeating.
[Reply]
It was a great game and an outstanding effort by all, but one thing worries me. Shots on goal. After 16 in the first, it dropped to 2 in the second and 3 in the third. The Blues had 5, 9, and 15. In order for the Kings to continue winning, they have to stop overpassing and overcarrying the puck and start shooting the puck more. I’ve seen this overhandling the puck in almost every series in the playoffs. Especially on the PP. Teams are killing off their own PP by looking for that perfect pass or opening instead of shooting the puck and forcing the goalie to do something with it possibly poking in a rebound. Anyway, enough of my rambling, GO KINGS.
[Reply]
trytodethroneus Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 10:02 am
@JD,
The numbers that matter:
KINGS 4-1-0=5
stl 0-1-1=2
[Reply]
sparky Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 10:17 am
@JD, I think the reason for so few shots was the fact that the Kings spent most of the 2nd & 3rd on the PK. Our PK unit is so strong & confident that I almost like being on the Pk as opposed to the PP:-)
[Reply]
I said other. To me, it was Dustin Penner doing whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted. He put his stamp on that 1st period and brought the Blues to their knees. I believe he was on the ice for at least the 1st 3 Kings goals.
To me though, the moment in the game that typified the way things were going is when Penner threw that guy out of his way at the faceoff dot like he was a piece of trash! Dustin Penner looks determined to make up for the marriage that was destroying his on ice performance, and what better time then now !
[Reply]
BringBackKingston Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 8:49 am
@puck73, I love the way Richards & Penner were sticking up for each other last night.
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 9:01 am
@BringBackKingston,
And what about Kopi skating between Brown and the Blues player at the bench gate? They are all taking care of each other. Even Greene’s helmet was doing its part and jumping off his head and onto the ice. Now that is sacrifice!
[Reply]
KingsFan in OC Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 10:23 am
@DesertKing, Don’t forget Kopi tangling with Backes when the scuffle with Brown and Perron broke out. Thought Kopi was going to get his second bout of his career. He and Backes were really getting in to it, but Matt Greene (who was also involved with a Blues player) called to the linesmen and pointed over at Kopi. The zebra got between Kopi and Backes and Backes kept going after Kopi the rest of the night. Will be interesting to see if he takes a run at Kopi early in game 3.
YooperSkip 24 Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 8:57 am
@puck73, The trash toss just cracked me up. And it appeaared the guy was a rag doll the way he threw him. Pens played a great game and wasn’t taking any breaks all night. Was continually looking for the puck or muscelling people around. Great game! Got to keep it going. GKG!!!
[Reply]
goldielocks Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 8:59 am
@puck73,
Bigger, faster Penner Ver. … eh … whatever. His presence was so noticeable that the Blues couldn’t ignore, and while they were at it, our 1st line went under the radar like the stealth bomber. Gotta love Dustin (Tank) Penner.
[Reply]
HockeyNerd Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 9:16 am
@puck73, Yeah I don’t know what’s gotten into Penner but I like it.
[Reply]
HockeyNerd Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 9:16 am
@HockeyNerd, Pancakes maybe?
[Reply]
colo king fan Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 9:22 am
@HockeyNerd,
Twitter account, maybe? Whatever it is, I love it.
[Reply]
Too many penalties. Thursday is going to be brutal..the SLB will be throwing the kitchen sink at the Kings and desperately trying to get them called for penalties. Please, please stay disciplined with no after goal scrums. Show them up as a team of nasties and show them that clean, but hard working players win. More screening please and more crashing the net. GKG I’ll see you at Staples
[Reply]
What a game last night! This is how it’s supposed to go. Well, the first period was anyway.
Unsung heroes from last night:
Alec Martinez
Rob Scuderi
Colin Fraser
All three played THEIR game very well. Martinez will be a star in this league in a couple years. He’s one of our best kept secrets. Fraser is just a beast out there, throwing his body around as well as getting right back up after getting knocked down numerous times. And Scuds is Scuds, but even more so. This is why we got him, for the playoffs.
I think The Blues will come out with a game similar to what Vancouver did in game one. They’ll be trying to take the body at all costs. It will be up to The Kings to show the same type of composure as they did against the Canucks.
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 9:19 am
@Stagger, Good post. You are right about Scuderi. This guy plays his best hockey when the stakes are the highest. Also, a guy with tons of character, and an even keel. Fraser is a warrior, a guy that never seems to take a shift off. As for Alec, he reads the game very well, has good wheels, and gets his shots thru quite often.
[Reply]
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 9:53 am
@puck73, I think Alec is probably the most improved over the season…then of course, there’s Penner–totally different player in the postseason this year.
[Reply]
Pili Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 10:12 am
@Stagger, MArtinez getting more ice time has been my favorite aspect of the JJ trade. Carter’s wrist shot is a very close second lol.
[Reply]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BViiEiHyD4&li
[Reply]
The refs had a golden chance to take control of the game when brown got taken down and was taking punch after punch while laying on the ice. instead they call brown on a phantom charging call, where he was playing hockey, making a legal hit, and then a Blues player goes right after him, not a legal play while brown in on his knees, and then goes on to punch him while he is face down on the ice. how the hell did the blues come out of that even. then later nolan gets a 10 for doing much less. Sutter was right, calling out the officiating team, they were horrible. its not that hard to read into the situation. the home team is being embarrassed and are going to lose so they decide to goon it up. yet time after time the refs kept letting things go.
all that aside, what a fantastic first period, and then a great response to the early 2nd period goal allowed, to take all the wind out of their sails and to prevent what we witnessed last year at staples after being up 4-0.
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 9:02 am
@Sebastian,
Ask Hayward. He had an answer for everythng. They were all wrong, but he had an answer.
[Reply]
trytodethroneus Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 10:07 am
@DesertKing,
As usual, that jackhole does more talking than the play by play announcer
As with the ducks, he has an “oral” contract with nbc.
[Reply]
Mars Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 9:14 am
@Sebastian, They tried to goon it up, but our guys are much tougher.
One thing I have said before several times, no post goal celebration or high fives etc. Just race to line up to get going again.
That would strike fear into the other team, show them they are hungry and going for more.
[Reply]
ten for instigating Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 9:17 am
@Sebastian, Agree 1000%. All the refs had to do was give the kings the power play instead of 2 min against Brown for throwing his face into someones glove multiple times. By evening it out, they gave the Blues free range to do whatever they wanted for the rest of the game. From Beer league to the NHL its always the same story. Games get out of hand when refs allow it to get out of hand.
[Reply]
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 9:51 am
@Sebastian, I was stunned. Brown was owed 2 for instigating and 5 for fighting. I don’t know WHAT the officials were looking at. I was looking forward to all those penalty minutes as finally making up for the mess that happened int he forum about 15 years ago. Guess I’ll have to settle for the wholloping they put on them in their own building instead.
[Reply]
Unless King was feeling guilty about the hit, there was no reason for him to fight when he did. The only place for personal pride in a playoff game is when the loser has to shake your hand. Hitchcock was that close to a total meltdown by his team, might’ve lost them for the series if the Kings take the high ground when they started headhunting–which the officials seemed more than obliged to allow.
[Reply]
FKA PakiFro Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 9:45 am
@Phoolish Move,
Considering the Kings scored three goals after that in the period, that was a good time to fight. Get it out of the way early. Crombeen was going for him last game and it was good to see King hold his own. Well done I think.
[Reply]
Kopitar’s Shortie was unbelievable. 35 years of watching Hockey and that may have been the prettiest Goal I’ve ever seen.
And looks like we can just press the recording “we haven’t played our best Hockey yet” as we win game after game.
And maybe we should play the whole game shorthanded too.
I don’t think any of this was what we expected, even the more positive “keep the faith” posters……
[Reply]
Pili Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 10:16 am
@HockeyNerd, I hurt my back jumping out of my seat on the shorty. GREAT goal; disrobed a very good goaltender.
[Reply]
And Brown’s play just to get it to him….. Seemed like sorcery, just a routine pass in the Blues zone and he picks it off.
[Reply]
Just keep rollin’ boys. This is starting to feel really good. Had a couple of thought’s I wanted to get off my chest. First how hillarious is it that ” every so called hockey expert”, didn t think our Kings could do what there doing right now. Second, I don’t know about the rest of you, but I take great pleasure in having to hear Brian Hayword have to mesh his words, and try to be “professional”. Especially after what he said and did to Jim on the last Ducks/Kings telecast.( I’d personally liove to snove that Godly ugly ring up his A$$.). Third and finally I don’ t know about any off my fellow King fans, but I’m finding it becoming inreasingly harder and harder to stay as humble as I have too. History tells me as a King fan that I must. Anyways, here’s hoping this continues, and we’re all celebrating in the streets in another couple weeks. I know I’m sure looking forward to it.
[Reply]
Resedakingsfan Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 9:28 am
@P90X, I’m with you on finding it harder and harder to stay humble, but based on past history, we can’t get too cocky. That being said, I love the way this team is playing right now. This is the perfect time for them to be playing their best hockey of the year, and if they play like the did in the first period over the rest of this series, they’ll take the Blues down. They’re for sure making up for all the heartache they gave us over the regular season. Go Kings!
[Reply]
HockeyNerd Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 9:35 am
@P90X, Still a lot of work to do, but I’m “cautiously optimistic” as they say…..
[Reply]
Mars Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 9:47 am
@HockeyNerd, Me too. I stayed positive all season, even through the rough patches, now I find myself restraining my jumpin up and down and going all over the top superfan. I am trying to stay cool.
Its like seeing 4 numbers coming up on your lotto ticket and trying to stay cool.
[Reply]
FKA PakiFro Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 9:41 am
@P90X,
We have to keep the same mindset as the team. Just win the next game. As long as they do that, things will fall in place. Celebrate the win with high fives on the ice for a few, then get ready for the next one.
[Reply]
duderonomy Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 10:08 am
@P90X,
Ahhh, I remember 93 like it was yesterday. I thought the Kings were going to win the cup, and then that evil team from Canada showed up and ruined the next 18 (and counting) years of my life. I see a lot of similarities between this year and 93. But I am confident that defense wins championships, and lets go from there.
As a fan I think its important to not even think about phoenix, or philly, or the rangers, just the next game. For some reason I think it helps the players too. The momentum can swing so fast.
[Reply]
So many things are going right that it’s becoming increasingly difficult to single out any one factor as being “the” key to a victory. Nothing breeds success quite like…success, and the Kings now possess tremendous confidence. They’ve learned how to play winning hockey. They’re clicking on all cylinders. Well, OK…almost. They need to start putting the puck in the net on the PP, and need to defend against the tendency to let down after excelling. That having been said, Justin Williams did to the Blues what other teams had done to us all season, which had to be hugely deflating to the opposition. Their arena sounded like a morgue after he scored.
GKG!
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 10:08 am
@Ron Reynolds, A morgue is a fitting setting because, as @Stuey says, Coach Paul Bearer is the ‘gravest’ looking coach in the business when death is knocking at his door.
Nice day to direct a funeral, don’t you think?
[Reply]
I go with other, Dustin brown stepping up as the most legitimate captain in the NHL and leading the young kings by example is why we r where we are… Oh yeah, and that guy, what’s his name?? Quick.. Yeah, that’s it
[Reply]
I picked other basically for “all of the above “as well as Penner has come too play and Quick and the PK are on fire. Some funny stuff in your post this morning, the comparison with a big turkey dinner, I assure you I slept like a baby after that game, with a smile on my face just like after eating a Thanksgiving turkey. The larceny comment has got me a little worried, I know Haywood is calling the game but is his boyfriend Aholers there with him, just had to chuckle at your post this morning, you must be having fun, oh who’s gams are talking about,LOL. Thanks Rich
[Reply]
I picked “Other”.
This, like essentially all the others in the playoffs, was a TEAM victory.
The players have bought into Sutter’s one at a time “Park & Ride” philosophy. You can read it in the comments after the games. Generically, “Yeah we really played good in that part of the game, but we have to get better on _______ have to improve on our _________ and, yes, we feel good about the win, for like 5 minutes. Now we’ve got to prepare for the next one.” The Event Horizon is just the next game, no further. That’s the slow and steady path toward the ultimate prize, The Cup.
On a personal note, after Kopi’s “Deek Deluxe” shorty, I had this flashback to the ’93 run. I seem to remember thinking every time we went on the PK back then that it was an opportunity to score. It’s about confidence. Really, how the hell else can you explain the Kings actually being +1 on the PENALTY KILL in the playoffs?! How else do you explain Quick feeling he’s got to get better and the team has to cut down on the opponent’s CHANCES, much less shots? The first 9 minutes of the game last night – Quick posted a couple of ads on Craigslist, finished “War and Peace” then texted his wife asking if she wanted him to stop at the store on the way home from the airport. THEN, he faced his first shot.
I also said, back in August, that if the Kings rolled 4 Lines throughout games, the opponents would have a very hard time figuring out who to defend. It has come to pass. Sutter is showing particular confidence in the 4th Line, and they are giving him every reason to do so. The big question for Thursday night is – Which Players Will Step Up? Scoring is coming from everywhere, and sooner or later the likes of Lewis, or King or Richardson are going to pot one, which will only add to the Blues’ woe.
What we’re seeing in this Playoff version of the Kings is Dean’s Dream come true. Big, fast gritty guys who won’t crack, a goalie who refuses to give up on shots and a Coach whose job description must be “unobtrusive Bitter Beer Face, good motivator, disciplinarian as necessary, low key wicked wit (Right?) and not so snappy dresser.” The “three teams” comment was an absolute classic line, but his “Park & Ride” edict is what’s pushing this team forward.
They all seem focused on the job at hand, which is twofold. One, winning. Two, taking care of each other. Richards jumping in after Penncakes got flattened is the perfect example. And Brown, after being tossed into the goal, gets up and delivers a huge hit on the guy with the puck. Third man in tosses Brown to the ice, then two Blues pummel him while he’s down. Result? Brown goes to the box. WTF? His reaction? I think I saw him chuckling behind the glass. And, of course, even the helmetless Kopi was in on a scrum. Kopi?! Oh yes, this is a total team effort.
I imagine Sutter will have a few words for the team regarding the 9 penalties. Lack of discipline does not make his day. And the good thing about that is the team already knows its coming. They know what is expected of them. They know their roles. They know it’s one game at a time.
There’s an odd sense about the Kings right now. I liken it to playing golf. Golf is an entirely internal game – you vs the course. The Kings seem to have that same approach now. Each guy is working hard to play his part of a team sport. Each is striving to play his role the best the best way possible. The combination of that determination is what we see now on the ice. The Whole is greater than the sum of the Parts.
Tee Time is 7PM Thursday.
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 10:02 am
@IceGuy, Good one.
[Reply]
I went with the PK. That 5-3 shutdown was IMO was the key to the game. Not to mention the other 7 PK’s. They were solid. I just read the SL Post Dispatch, and I find it completely hilarious how the writer keeps keeps whining about Petro and accusing of King being a dirty goon. Did he see the penalty. While it was a penalty it was not malicious. Petro lost his balance and slammed headlong into the boards. Another thing I wanted to gripe about from last nights game is how they called a charging penalty on DB. He never left his feet! but Backes gets nothing for his hit on Penner (which I think was a clean, good hockey hit) but he was much closer to a charge than DB ever was. The officiating tried there best to get this series even, but the PK was a strong as ever last night. I also love how Penner’s game has stepped up since being on the Richie, Carts line. Hope he keeps it going. GO KINGS GO!!
[Reply]
spidey35 Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 10:04 am
@LuckyEleven, I too wonder if people can see that Petro was staring to move forward and lost his balance. King didn’t hit him with his full body force and if he did, it would have shown intent.
[Reply]
My opinion has been, against Vancouver and St Louis, that the shorthanded goals are the real back-breakers. They take away the opponent’s will, and the fans start playing with their food and sitting on their hands.
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 9:52 am
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, I hope they don’t get too much nacho cheese stuck between their toes!
[Reply]
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 10:05 am
@Duncanz,
[Reply]
Before the game my friend and I said there were 3 King forwards that really needed to step it up, in this exact order.. Richards, Carter, Williams. anyone could have figured out that these guys needed to step it up, but it was awesome when they all scored, in that order, with Kopitar getting a few in between.
[Reply]
From now on I will call him Penner ver. 2.0
[Reply]
trytodethroneus Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 10:15 am
@Jack,
From a “short stack” to “more than you can handle”
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 10:45 am
@trytodethroneus, From a short stack to a silk purse.
Canadian bakin’ …
[Reply]
Domination, that’s my option. The Kings best players were their best players. It took everything from scoring, penalty kill and goaltending. The only thing missing is the power play.
[Reply]
Gustavo Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 12:13 pm
@spidey35,
No, it was not missing. Our PP is defined by sending one of our players to take a 2 minute penalty. Then we send Kopi and Brown to score shorties.
Sutter’s strategy is working, it not only puts points on the board, it rests players and demoralizes the opponents.
(Yes, I’m kidding..:)
[Reply]
by “other” i meant a vote for “all of the above”!
[Reply]
Game 2 was all about LA playing their game. The more they hit STL and scored on them the less interested STL was in trying to tie/win the game and the more interested they were with trying to “get even” with the Kings by hacking them and playing dumb hockey.
The more STL plays the style of hockey they played last night, the sooner they’ll be on the link.
If LA can figure out how to not follow STL to the box, LA will have a better chance of winning the cup.
[Reply]
I don’t have too much to add. All you hockey mavens have said a mouthful – some of you several!
So I’ll put in a word again for GM extraordinaire, and noted ” ’58er “, the good Dr, Dean Lombardi, the Master from Massachusets.
Now that we are finally starting to see the real (?) Dustin Penner, Lombardi’s canny 2011 deadline X Factor acquisition, is looking a lot more like a glue type of player in the Kings squad than the prime candidate for the glue factory he had been.
Amazing to see him playing a central role nowadays instead of the marginal part he had been acting out since his arrival.
Mr Lombardi had been taking a right pasting in these here pages, but now the true degree of his savvy is being realized, on the ice and off the ice.
It doesn’t hurt that it looks like our Glimmer Twins, Carter & Richards duly appear to be coming to the party, as well.
Add to that the fact that that other ’58er he picked off the dust pile has been .. gettin’ a few things right (Right?) .. the Kings are looking like a team that’s going to at least take a decent bite out of that ten-ribbed titan they still have left on their plate.
So GDLG & GKG !!!
The time is now for the Kings, and the end is nigh for the Blues.
We got this !
[Reply]
The Kings’ late-season acquisition of power forward Dustin Penner has sure made a positive difference. Gotta love those mid-April roster moves.
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
May 1st, 2012 at 10:47 am
@Mel Powell, I inevitably wish to be so succinct!
[Reply]
Don’t sure how any one could come up with anything beside the PK. It was clearly the difference in the game. The refs gave the Blues several, what I call, pity power plays (including a 2 man advantage for 1:10) and still they couldn’t break our PK down.
[Reply]