After the St. Louis Blues’ morning skate today, coach Ken Hitchcock told reporters that Alex Pietrangelo will play tonight in Game 3. Pietrangelo missed Game 2 because of a lower-body injury, sustained from a hit by Dwight King. The Blues are also expected to make a couple other lineup tweaks, with Matt D’Agostini moving up to the first line. These types of moves are to be expected from a team trailing in a series. The Vancouver Canucks made a lot of moves in the first round. The Kings’ challenge, as Willie Mitchell pointed out this morning, is to stay consistent in their game. Whatever the Blues do with their lineup, the Kings won’t change in repsonse…
MITCHELL: “No. I compare it to our penalty kill. A lot of teams change their power play against our penalty kill. We don’t really change too much. I think we’re confident with what we’re doing, and we’re kind of focusing on the stuff that we need to do. Same goes with lineup changes. Obviously, with individual personalities, you kind of know the style of players, if a guy is really physical or a guy is really patient or has a great shot, stuff like that. You pay attention to that, but as far as the general scope of it, we play a similar style of game and it’s a matter of just being prepared and executing our game.’’
Mitchell also talked about the return of Pietrangelo to the Blues’ lineup…
MITCHELL: “For us, we’re going to focus on the same things. Obviously, he’s been a key player for them this year. But like I said, it’s more about what we’re doing. If we execute what we should, then we’ve got a shot to win a game. That’s what we want to do. A strong start again, like last game, and improve on our game last game. We felt we didn’t play very well after we got the early lead. Sometimes it’s tough, mentally, when you get a lead like that. We’re just looking to play more of a solid 60 minutes.’’
This is the mood in St.Louis HeeeHeeee!!
•I think the Blues are looking very outmatched. L.A. just looks too good at everything. Bigger, stronger, faster, etc etc. I think the fat lady is warming up backstage.
by deek5/3/2012 5:42:58 PM 10:42 AM
Permalink
Read more: http://live.stltoday.com/Event/Blues_chat_at_noon#ixzz1tq1CK4mn
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mrbrett7 Reply:
May 3rd, 2012 at 1:16 pm
@ItsAKingThing, Some really smart people there in St. Louis (sarcasm on).
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
May 3rd, 2012 at 1:30 pm
@ItsAKingThing, I liked this:
What is the culture of hockey in LA? Are they standing behind their team or are they more worried about the Lakers and Albert Pujols at this point?
by JS 12:15 PM
It’s a Lakers’ town, but the Kings get some love too.
by jrutherford 12:15 PM
Yes, Los Angeles is a monoculture. We all have the same thoughts, watch the same events, etc. Hey, St Louis! There are hockey fans in LA, no matter what you’d think when watching/reading/listening to the local media.
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mrbrett7 Reply:
May 3rd, 2012 at 1:48 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, Pretty much what I was getting at. That, and the guy talking about Kyle Clifford saying he was a 3rd liner all season (which he wasn’t). That one I can let slide though…I had no idea Lagunbrunner and Arnott played such small roles.
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Lake Forest Reply:
May 3rd, 2012 at 1:49 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, I would not disagree for a second with his comment when comparing the two sports in LA.
and I hate basketball
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LVKINGS88 Reply:
May 3rd, 2012 at 1:58 pm
@Lake Forest, Here,here, not a fan, #1 Hockey #2 Football and #3 Angels BB, after that I can care less. You going to Cabo’s to keep the streak alive?
Lake Forest Reply:
May 3rd, 2012 at 2:24 pm
@LVKINGS88, I am trying to get out, but probably won’t make it.
My friend is going and he is bad luck, so i don’t want to also jinx Cabo.
Is everyone else going?
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
May 3rd, 2012 at 2:36 pm
@Lake Forest, The problem is, I’m not a collectivist. I have a brain. I think for myself. Not particularly a basketball fan, but huge Kings fan. LA is not a monoculture. Someone responded to him and said that the Lakers are the show, but the Kings have rabid fans. That’s fair.
QUICKsilver Reply:
May 3rd, 2012 at 1:53 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, what always irks me about this kind of talk is that since LA is such a HUGE market, even though the percentage of fans is relatively smaller here, the total volume of fans (actual people screaming Go Kings GO!) is actually higher.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
May 3rd, 2012 at 2:39 pm
@QUICKsilver, Yup…and they group everyone together into a unit, which is not right for any city. Then there’s the NFL. The Raiders won two Super Bowls in (and around) LA (one immediately before moving there and one in) and they couldn’t fill the Coliseum, partly because there don’t seem to be many football fans at all in LA and partly because the Coliseum is a toilet. I used to go to the game and cheer just to see other “fans” jeer at me for cheering. If you cannot support the 1982-84 Raiders, You cannot support NFL football.
Kings games are not like that. The house is full, and the house is rocking, regardless of what’s going on in the media.
ItsAKingThing Reply:
May 3rd, 2012 at 2:45 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, Lol, I know. I just can’t wait for us to be recognized and respected as an Elite team. I think when you do, what we’re doing, to these “Elite” teams in the first two rounds…… We get the title by attrition, right? I love the sound of it The Elite Los Angeles Kings! tick toc, tick toc….almost game time GKG!
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kb Reply:
May 3rd, 2012 at 2:10 pm
@ItsAKingThing, doesn’t mean we should get overconfident
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ItsAKingThing Reply:
May 3rd, 2012 at 2:49 pm
@kb, here, here. It just feels different this time. I’ll try to reign it in a little though. Pun intended.
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if the kings can get that first goal, the blues may start running around again taking penalties and get off their game. They will be desperate and quick will have to be huge again and make the key saves as he always does.
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NMKingsFan Reply:
May 3rd, 2012 at 1:01 pm
@tornado12, I agree 100%, the Blues are mentally fragile right now time to put maximum pressure on.
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Gotta win this one, Game 4 is an afternoon game, and those rarely go well for us. Go up 3-0 in the series, I think we win in 5… If we’re 2-1, I feel we head back to St Louis 2-2…
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Pili Reply:
May 3rd, 2012 at 1:16 pm
@Bluecoconuts, If we disregard the two games in Europe, they went 0-4 in noon or 1:00 games. I have to go with the due theory. They’re due to win one….
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Mikey Reply:
May 3rd, 2012 at 1:20 pm
@Bluecoconuts,
I think the noon game is in our advantage considering the blues live by a more eastern time zone than the kings.
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Ben Reply:
May 3rd, 2012 at 2:16 pm
@Mikey,
That means its 2 pm there. Night games help us more because they are going to feel like its midnight.
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Capt Jam Reply:
May 3rd, 2012 at 1:37 pm
@Bluecoconuts,
STL lost in CHI and won in WIN by SO in their only afternoon road games this season. Not exactly dominating.
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I just hope the Kings come out strong and play like they have been these playoffs. I worry more about their effort at home than on the road where they seem to execute their will on other teams. Penner’s strong efforts are just what this team needed and what I hoped we would have all year, keep it up Penner! Our top two lines are dominant and the talk of the league, every outlet I see is talking about the Kings, great time to be a fan. Wish I lived closer, I would be in that suite cheering with the rest of you. Let’s enjoy the ride.
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…obviously…
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I’m getting so sick of teams who hang their collective hats on one guy. We saw it in the Van series…”Oh, it only Daniel was here, then you’d be sorry.” He had little impact once returning and the same thing applies here.
This is a team sport and if you have built your club around ONE guy, faceplanting should he get injured lands squarely on your shoulders. I remember reading a story about should Toews come back in the lineup, danger…danger. How’d that work out for CHI?
That is one reason why I think that the Kings have been so effective. Their scoring is so spread out. It’s not simply a matter of shadowing Kopi or Richards. Each line is a force to contend with. They’ve built a smart offense. One that gives the opp issues on every shift.
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pr0cess Reply:
May 3rd, 2012 at 1:10 pm
@themahi, Lets not kid are selfs when the sister came back there power play was alot better and infact he had a hand in all of the goals from that point on… The kings will do good to be humble about everything going on.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
May 3rd, 2012 at 1:11 pm
@pr0cess, That too.
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themahi Reply:
May 3rd, 2012 at 1:41 pm
@pr0cess, Certainly…without a doubt. Stats don’t lie. Their PP was horrendous pre-return and was the only thing I got a little sacred of with him back in the lineup. But that was it…
My point, I guess, is the making of excuses for poor overall play. You win and lose as a team.
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Tweeners Reply:
May 3rd, 2012 at 1:45 pm
@themahi, Your point is taken, however the return of a premium player usually has a positive effect on the team as a whole, thereby elevating their play…The Kings just need to maintain the same compete level they have displayed throughout these playoffs..
crashin'da net Reply:
May 3rd, 2012 at 2:05 pm
@pr0cess, As Kings, we need to take heads, not names. Keep playing yer game – Xs & Os.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
May 3rd, 2012 at 1:10 pm
@themahi, Remember last season when Kopi was out? I’m pretty sure the Kings would have won the first round with him and a healthy Williams.
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themahi Reply:
May 3rd, 2012 at 1:39 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, No doubt, things fell apart when he went down…and there in lies the problem. It doesn’t change my sentiment on the situation should LA pull that. It’s a bonehead move no matter who’s doing it.
I think that this season is much different (at least the stretch/playoffs) with the structure. Potent on all levels…net to net.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
May 3rd, 2012 at 1:41 pm
@themahi, I think this season the Kings would be pretty screwed without Kopitar and a fully healthy Williams….
tornado12 Reply:
May 3rd, 2012 at 1:13 pm
@themahi, strong post
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Lake Forest Reply:
May 3rd, 2012 at 1:17 pm
@themahi, In reality I disagree. They are much more like the kings offensively. No 30 goal scorer, but definitely 4 or 5 20 goal scorers.
If your point is they are making excuses for themselves, well then I would agree with that.
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themahi Reply:
May 3rd, 2012 at 1:35 pm
@Lake Forest, That’s mainly it…the excuses. Granted, Van was much more guilty of my main point. Stl is much more like the Kings in spread out O.
Perhaps I’m hearing more Press/Blog views than coaching staff…still bugs.
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Mik3ysfv Reply:
May 3rd, 2012 at 1:52 pm
@themahi, we never cried once about missing Gagner or the Colonel. Nor do we cry last year when we lost Kopitar. I don’t want anyone injured not even for the other team I want to beat them at their best. Then no one can say we won by default. GKG!!!!
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QUICKsilver Reply:
May 3rd, 2012 at 1:54 pm
@themahi, well to be fair, that’s kinda what the Kings did last year with Kopi out.
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Weasel Reply:
May 3rd, 2012 at 2:06 pm
@themahi,
Actually he had a huge impact and it would have been much tougher had he been there for game 1. Credit where credit is due — with him that first line can do things that are unique compared to other teams. For example those two can fake a rush and pull back to create space better than any other two on any team. Most great offensive players are always pushing forward – those two create by stepping backwards.
Of course, the Kings might simpler be the better and certainly tougher team right now – with or without D.Sedin playing…..
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I love the fact that our opponents are reacting to us, rather than us reacting to them. We all need to start chanting “Ellllllliiiiooooot” from minute 1.
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vegas13 Reply:
May 3rd, 2012 at 1:11 pm
@DesertKing, “I love the fact that our opponents are reacting to us, rather than us reacting to them.”
My sentiments exactly!!
GKG!!!
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pr0cess Reply:
May 3rd, 2012 at 1:12 pm
@DesertKing, how about 3,2,1 Elliot sucks,Elliot sucks, sucks, sucks
Sorry just heard this at both east coast games last few days
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ItsAKingThing Reply:
May 3rd, 2012 at 1:16 pm
@DesertKing, Clearing my throat now, hmm hmmm, for a long night of Ellllllliiiiioooooottt!
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LVKINGS88 Reply:
May 3rd, 2012 at 2:06 pm
@DesertKing, How about if they play ET saying ” Elliot Elliot” in the movie ET, ET’s voice is funny.
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With Pietrangelo’s return, will the Blues want to come out hitting harder than usual, or will they stick to their normal level of physical play trying to avoid interest earning payback? Can’t wait to see…
on a side note; does anyone know whether those octopus chucking fans in detroit are escorted out after there toss, ’cause if Penner scores, I would like to put some pancakes on ice, without missing the rest of the game.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
May 3rd, 2012 at 1:12 pm
@socalkings, I’m pretty sure it’s considered a safety hazard to throw anything at all on the ice, and they’ll escort you out if they know you did it.
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pr0cess Reply:
May 3rd, 2012 at 1:14 pm
@socalkings, i think its a far rule that if your caught throwing stuff on the ice your getting kicked out, But man you would be famous and on the highlights all night!!
So don’t get caught :p
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mrbrett7 Reply:
May 3rd, 2012 at 1:18 pm
@socalkings, I would help pay for your bail if that was needed.
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rick Reply:
May 3rd, 2012 at 1:30 pm
@socalkings, Go for it. Just make sure you throw a bottle of syrup on the ice as well.
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Blurker Reply:
May 3rd, 2012 at 1:38 pm
@socalkings, On the A side of that argument, Detroit fans have been doing it for years and it’s a tradition. I’m guessing that the security in the arena lets it slide. I don’t think the security at Staples Center even know what a hockey tradition is.
On the B side of the argument, if you get enough people they can’t throw out everyone. Otherwise the lower bowl would be empty after a hat-trick.
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Tweeners Reply:
May 3rd, 2012 at 1:42 pm
@Blurker, No Kidding!! Will it be a short stack?
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I am writing a thesis for grad school and all this Kings Hockey stuff is threatening my May 20th graduation. Good thing class gets out at 6:30 tonight!
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A wounded animal is dangerous. Put it down QUICKly!
GKGGKGGKGGKGGKG
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Remember to snicker at the loser Blues fans who will be in Blue drag at Staples tonight. Don’t fight with them because your gonna want to say good by later when the Kings send them home dissappointed (and it’ll be hard to do from a jail cell).
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
May 3rd, 2012 at 1:38 pm
@Dominick (defrim65), ….and no brooms! We’re better than that, and imagine how stupid you’ll look filing out 10 hours from now if it’s a 2-1 series, or worse, Sunday.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
May 3rd, 2012 at 1:39 pm
To explain, the idea of a broom thing was funny against Vancouver, because just about canuckleheads all expected a sweep and they were outspoken about it. True, some Blues fans looked for a sweep, but not most of them, and overall, they have infinitely more class.
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Fortunato Reply:
May 3rd, 2012 at 2:30 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, Blues fans have that southern good manners. Nuck fans just riot.
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Lake Forest Reply:
May 3rd, 2012 at 2:02 pm
@Dominick (defrim65), I was at the last game when we won in the shoot out (thanks to Puck73)….
and I was screaming all night with some help from other fans
‘HEY BLUES FANS………YOU SUCK”!!!!!!!
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
May 3rd, 2012 at 2:42 pm
@Lake Forest, I don’t mind them coming to our barn, if they can get a ticket. What I don’t like is them disrespecting the team and the fans by trying to start chants and so on. I don’t think the Blues fans do that.
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ItsAKingThing Reply:
May 3rd, 2012 at 2:51 pm
@Lake Forest, That was you? Loved it!
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5 hours and change… come on boys!!
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letswinthecup2012 Reply:
May 3rd, 2012 at 1:47 pm
@letswinthecup2012, instantly regretting that comment….. *head down*
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Pili Reply:
May 3rd, 2012 at 1:57 pm
@letswinthecup2012, Why? I’m counting the minutes as well….
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monkeyboy Reply:
May 3rd, 2012 at 2:10 pm
@Pili, Don’t worry about it, we’re all excited….when was the last time we had so much to cheer for…we just might be making history!
letswinthecup2012 Reply:
May 3rd, 2012 at 2:10 pm
@Pili, haha just the come on boys bit sounded weird in my head
mrbrett7 Reply:
May 3rd, 2012 at 1:50 pm
@letswinthecup2012, Not getting ANY work done!
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ItsAKingThing Reply:
May 3rd, 2012 at 2:55 pm
@mrbrett7, I think the economic production in L.A been somewhat hindered today. Just too excited to focus on anything else! Heck I feel history in the making. GKG!!
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JGSmall Reply:
May 3rd, 2012 at 5:25 pm
@mrbrett7, And Denver! Right there with you Brett.
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If we can handle a return from D. Sedin, we can handle Pietrangelo.
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
May 3rd, 2012 at 2:02 pm
@ChiTownKingsFan,
I like the sound of that.
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Pucky Daddy has a picture from The Royal Half with the Kings as the Avengers. HILARIOUS!!
All I have to say is Doughty as Black Widow
http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/3ZtMcmPW3gy5zTyBoRJApw–/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NTt3PTYzMA–/http://media.zenfs.com/en/blogs/sptusnhlexperts/AVENGERS_v2.jpg
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
May 3rd, 2012 at 2:43 pm
@QUICKsilver, Well, no one on the team is black, and no one on the team is female…whatchagonnado?
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squirrly Reply:
May 3rd, 2012 at 2:48 pm
@QUICKsilver, omg that was hu-lair-eeee-ussss.
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