There aren’t many connections between the Kings and the Phoenix Coyotes. Phoenix coach Dave Tippett formerly worked as a Kings assistant coach under Andy Murray. Phoenix backup goalie Jason LaBarbera spent parts of three seasons with the Kings. Brett Hextall, son of Kings assistant general manager Ron Hextall, was called up after his AHL season ended and has been practicing with the Coyotes. Then there’s the best storyline, the one away from the ice. Stan Wilson has been the head equipment manager for the Coyotes since they arrived in Arizona, and has been with the Winnipeg/Phoenix franchise since 1990. His son, Denver, is in his first season as the Kings’ assistant equipment manager. Denver Wilson, who recently turned 25, spent much of his youth in the Phoenix area and learned the tools of the trade from Stan. Now, either father or son will get to work the Stanley Cup Finals. Here’s a feature that aired on Fox Sports West a couple months back on the Wilsons…
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That was an awesome feature! Ever since then, I’ve noticed Denver there by the tunnel and hi-fiving the boys after games!
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Duncanz Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 12:24 pm
@Stuart,
Speaking of such things.
Might be mistaken, but thought I saw John Davidson at the end of the bench right where the SLB players were departing after the handshake, Sunday.
I was too far away to tell if he was saying anything to them on their way by, but I noticed he didn’t touch a single one of them, nary a handshake nor pat on the back.
Is there anyone else that watched that?
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Mars Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 12:57 pm
@Stuart, +1 agreed and again awesome!
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Keys to the series in goal differential by period:
P1) Fast Start:
Kings: +7 (11GF – 4GA = +7)
Coyotes: -2 (5GF – 7GA = -2)
Advantage: Kings (+9)
In the 9 games the Kings have played, they have scored at least once in P1 7 times (6-1), have not scored twice (2-0), have lead after P1 5 times (4-1), have never trailed after P1 (0-0), and have been tied after P1 4 times (4-0).
In the 11 games the Coyotes have played, they have scored at least once in P1 4 times (3-1), have not scored 7 times (5-2), have lead after P1 twice (1-1), and have trailed after P1 3 times (2-1), and have been tied after P1 6 times (5-1).
P2) Weather the Storm:
Kings: 0 (6GF – 6GA = 0)
Coyotes: +9 (12GF – 3GA = +9)
Advantage: Coyotes (+9)
The Kings have scored at least once in P2 5 times (5-0), have not scored in P2 4 times (3-1), have outscored their opponent in P2 twice (2-0), have been outscored by their opponent in P2 once (0-1), have been even in scoring 6 times (6-0), have lead after P2 5 times (5-0), have trailed after P2 twice (1-1), and have been tied after P2 twice (2-0).
The Coyotes have scored at least once in P2 7 times (5-2), have not scored in P2 4 times (3-1), have outscored their opponent in P2 6 times (5-1), have never been outscored by their opponent in P2 (0-0), have been even in scoring 5 times (3-2), have lead after P2 8 times (6-2), have trailed after P2 twice (1-1), and have been tied after P2 once (1-0).
P3) Seal the Deal:
Kings: +5 (9GF – 4GA = +5)
Coyotes: -1 (8GF – 9GA = -1)
Advantage: Kings (+6)
The Kings have scored at least once in P3 7 times (7-0), have not scored in P3 twice (1-1), have outscored their opponent in P3 7 times (7-0), have been outscored by their opponent in P3 twice (1-1), have never been even in scoring (0-0), and have been tied after P3 once (1-0).
The Coyotes have scored at least once in P3 4 times (4-0), have not scored in P3 7 times (4-3), have outscored their opponent in P3 2 times (2-0), have been outscored by their opponent in P3 5 times (3-2), have been even in scoring 4 (3-1), and have been tied after P3 6 times (4-2).
Notes:
The Kings only loss came in the one game where they were outscored in the second period, and the only game in which the Kings were a negative in special teams points (2 PPG allowed). For the Coyotes, 6 of their 11 games have gone to OT (55%), and 4 of their 8 wins (50%) came in OT.
Will the Kings be able to continue their first period domination? Will they be able to keep their distance through the second? Will they be able to shut down any chance of a comeback and make comebacks of their own in the third?
GO KINGS GO!
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Pili Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 1:00 pm
@aeon, Interesting period by period comparison.
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Weasel Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 1:49 pm
@aeon,
HA! Nice, I’ll buy into your analysis. It says we should win.
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TerryCrispsTie Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 2:58 pm
@aeon, MoneyPuck
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purplereign Reply:
May 10th, 2012 at 12:27 am
@aeon, I think you just outlined how to win a hockey game for any team in any league, barring any statistical aberrations.
Williams said it best, healthy players and a hot goalie win cups.
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Awesome storyline! Just gave me the chills reading it! I remember seeing this piece earlier in the season! Bragging rights for one of them! Let’s hope it’s for the son! GO KINGS
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Duncanz Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 12:27 pm
Cheers @Laura – & Eric!
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Laura Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 12:32 pm
@Duncanz, Hey Duncanz!! Are you going to be going to any games for Round 3? We were able to buy extras. Can’t wait!!
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Duncanz Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 12:34 pm
@Laura, Wow! We should talk!!
yeah…i remember watching this piece when it first aired…
it’s gotta be such a huge thrill for both of them…
denver looks like a teenager still…(!)
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Sorry Stan, but you’re going to have to ask Denver what the Stanley Cup Finals are like. Oh and time to change your name to LA, Denver.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 12:59 pm
Or Cal. Even the Denver team doesn’t call themselves Denver.
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Michael McCann Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 1:36 pm
I live in Denver, though I am far from an avs fan (especially after this season). This city is fantastic.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 5:36 pm
@Michael McCann, I’m sorry you missed the joke. Most people here know I live in Colorado. Nothing meant against the city. For a metro, I consider it above average. I’m referring to the act of naming your kid “Denver.”
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 5:37 pm
…and I am right about the Avs…they and the Rockies call themselves the “Colorado…”
Can Denver sneak me into Phoenix?
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Jeff_R Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 12:36 pm
@DesertKing, Shouldn’t Subby be asking that?
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Denver huh? That’s a throwback.
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Steve W Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 12:46 pm
@LA_1968, Speaking of Denver- Go Nuggets!
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Duncanz Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 1:10 pm
@Steve W, Never miss a chance, do you? LOL
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Couldn’t access the feature on the iPhone.
Is that the same Denver that suits up in net in practices sometimes?
If so, does he have any trade value?
GKG !!!
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I wanna work for the Kings :[
I met the Kings equipment manager before a Kings Ducks game in Anaheim.
They were doing a ball hockey event and he was there and he had custom Kings shoes so we chatted it up and he gave me a lil advice in how to get into the system.
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Duncanz Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 12:32 pm
@Subby, Hey Sub.
Just a thought.
I don’t know what sports teams’ hiring practices are, but if I were hiring and somebody let on to me that they were a huge fan …
I mean, imagine if you were a hiring a petsitter and Rob Schneider showed up!
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I’d like to forget labarbera was ever our goalie. Talk about frustrating days!
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Subby Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 12:31 pm
@Hat trick, remember that game that one bad game he had? lol
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Jeff_R Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 12:41 pm
@Hat trick, Maybe we can get Jackman to run into Smith like he did Halak. Then they would have to play Labarbara.
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Duncanz Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 1:09 pm
@Jeff_R, Babs would find a way of beating us just to spite us – just imagine!
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The absolute best part of that feature…the very beginning and the very end…Kings 3, Phoenix 0. It’s an omen!
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BluLiner Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 1:29 pm
@Matt R, problem is, I think the Kings ended up losing that game.
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Man I need 3 tickets…but I can’t think about it till I know the days…
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Just make sure theres no illegal curved sticks laying around when we get to the finals! Handle it!
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Hurry up and set the schedule, NHL, Denver Wilson needs to know his open dates for auditions!
(It’s LA and his name is Denver Wilson. Simple math, right?)
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I hope the old Tippet doesn’t show up this series . We had one of the best powerplays in the league when he was our assistant coach and in charge of the powerplay. Find it a
Bit puzzling his team had one of the worst powerplays this year…
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Jeff_R Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 1:35 pm
@Rudedogg, Except when they played the Kings…..
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Rudedogg Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 2:41 pm
@Jeff_R, Don’t remind me the King killers Doan and Vrbata! I was kinda hoping Nashville would comeback so I wouldn’t have to see those two.. Ahaha
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