Before the Phoenix Coyotes flew to Los Angeles today, coach Dave Tippett addressed reporters in the Phoenix area. Here’s how the session went…
Question: What can you do to generate some offense in this series?
TIPPETT: “We have to have better execution with the puck. We had some opportunities last night. We had two or three decent opportunities. We missed the net. We have to create more opportunities like that. It’s pretty simple. The execution up the ice, the execution in the offensive zone has to be better. That goes 5-on-5 and our power play.”
Question: You juggled some lines. How do you think it turned out?
TIPPETT: “I thought Gordon and Boedker and Korpikoski were solid against the Kopitar line. I thought the game was fairly even until we started getting ourselves in a lot of penalty trouble. The game went downhill from there.”
Question: What do you expect from Shane (Doan) in the next game?
TIPPETT: “We expect him to be better. That play last night, you’ve seen something like…that I know there’s a lot of focus put on hits from behind. To me that’s a hockey play that a player puts himself in a vulnerable position. I said last night, if you ever played that game, you’re in that position, at the split second that guy turns, you can’t stop. It’s not surprising to me that Shane didn’t get any disciplinary action on that. Is an unfortunate incident that happened. I expect Shane, any player, it would bother him. He’s our leader. He wants to come back and have a strong game. I expect him to come in and have his best game of series.”
Question: Any expectations regarding Hanzal?
TIPPETT: “Wait and see how that one goes.”
Question: You talked about raising the bar at the conference-finals level. Why do you think that has been a challenge for some players?
TIPPETT: “It’s interesting. There’s some players that this is very new to them. You take a young player like Ekman-Larsson. Game 1, didn’t play very well. Was a little tentative. I thought was much better last night. There’s players that, as they go through this experience, will continue to grow, and hopefully they continue to recognize the level you need to get to in order to have an impact on the game. We just need some more players to find a way to have an impact on the game. In that sense, they raise their bar.”
Question: What do you want to do on the power play?
TIPPETT: “Execute. You watch how many times we get the puck and we fumble it or don’t make a good play. Hard to grab any momentum when your execution is so poor.”
Question: You liked what you saw early on. Do you like the new line combination?
TIPPETT: “The Kopitar line was very good in Game 1. We want to make sure they didn’t have the same success in Game 2. Our guys we put against them, I thought did a fairly good job. We need everybody to contribute. We’ve talked about that from day one. If we have a couple players play well, a couple don’t play well, we’re not going to have success. We need everybody to play well. The execution and the ability to generate some stuff, as well as defend better, all can improve. Even though it was a little better last game, obviously the results aren’t there. We’re going to have to try to improve again.”
Question: After the game, Smith had some critiques for how the team played. Sometimes people think it’s not the goalie’s place. Is that part of the package with this guy, he’s the leader in the room?
TIPPETT: “He plays hard, just like everybody else. We expect them to play hard. I think it’s frustration right now from our group, that we haven’t played as well as we like. I think Smitty feels that frustration just like the rest of our players do. They care about what we do, they care about winning. When you don’t get the results you want, there’s emotion and frustration that comes into play. ”
Question: Was the night as tough for Jonathan Quick as it was for Mike Smith?
TIPPETT: “No. Our execution hasn’t been near what it needs to be to get enough pucks towards their net. You know, you see their mindset is just to dump as many pucks as they could into our net. The reality is their execution is better up the ice to allow them to do that. Our execution, the ability to get pucks towards there, has to be there. The ratio of our execution to pucks at the net is not working out, what we’d like to see. That has to be more.”
Question: The Kings had to scramble to get into the playoffs. Yet, in the postseason they have dominated. What is the biggest difference in their play from the regular season to the postseason?
TIPPETT: “They scrambled because they struggled the first part of the season. The last part of the season, they played well. They’re not your typical No. 8 seed. They’re a team that has good depth, good talent. Because they’re the eighth seed doesn’t mean that’s where their personnel put them. What it says, it says a great deal about the parity in the league right now. It’s hard to make the playoffs. When you have a team like that squeeze in, and still play as well as they have in the playoffs, there’s a lot of good teams that even don’t make the playoffs.”
Question: You have a pretty good read on your team most of the season. What is your assessment of this club right now?
TIPPETT: “I think there’s a combination of things. One is frustration of knowing we haven’t played as well as we would like. Haven’t played to our capabilities. That frustration can’t get the better of us. We have to find a way to go out and do the things that allow us to be successful. Sometimes people expect us to come out and dominate a game. That’s not going to happen. We’re a team that goes out and we hang around the game and we find a way to win. The frustration of not being able to do that in the first two games certainly was evident. We have to get back to playing the way we can, playing our style, that we can find a way to win.”
Question: Over the course of this season, this team accomplished many milestones. And gotten farther than many predicted. Do you think maybe the perception became that this accomplishment was enough, just to get here?
TIPPETT: “Not a bit. The times when you get to this point are few and far between. You better take advantage of them when you get here.”
Question: The way the Kings are playing, is that pretty much a model example of how you should play at this level, at this stage of the season?
TIPPETT: “Well, they’ve played well. We can play better. I’m concerned about our team. We can get better. I’m sure Darryl is concerned about how they can get better. That’s the reality of coaching. Until we play to what we feel like is our capability on a consistent basis, then we’ll find out our judgment then.”
Question: What did you think of Stone?
TIPPETT: “I thought Stone was fine. I thought it was unfortunate the one break there, I thought should have been an icing call, they waved it off right at the end on him and put him in a little bit trouble. But he jumped in. For his first playoff game, he was solid.”
Question: Aucoin’s status?
TIPPETT: “Skating again today. We’ll see where he is tomorrow.”
the kings are having a lot to say about how the coyotes have been playing….
they are beyond frustrated…they seem overwhelmed…
we are in complete control of the series and need to continue our plight towards the ultimate goal…i expect us to be up for any challenge the coyotes are ready to unleash….
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kb Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 6:14 pm
@variable, Yeah.. i don’t think these guys are gonna be able to bounce back. Kings gotta keep the A game going tho.
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Duncanz Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 6:34 pm
@variable, ” … continue our flight … “
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luc20rules Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 8:16 pm
@Duncanz, Continue the King’s Quest the Silver Chalise is with in arms reach.
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Duncanz Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 8:53 pm
@luc20rules,
We shalt continueth our crusades all the way to Yorke towne to slay the fire-breathing drag-on and and all his defending cavedwellers with doppelganger names of our guys and phony trophies (that might start with a ‘V’) …..
He wants it to be respectable, but it sound like even he believes its lost.
Go Kings Go!
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Stuart Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 8:45 pm
@luc20rules, I thought he sounded defeated in the post game presser…
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Not playing up to the team’s abilities seems to be happening a lot to teams playing against the Kings this post season.
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DesertKing Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 6:06 pm
@Helvetica,
+1
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Duncanz Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 7:51 pm
@Helvetica, I was wondering about this the other day too.
What a strange coincidence, isn’t it?
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John K. Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 8:30 pm
@Helvetica, Excellent observation. It’s so true…
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FemaleFan #1 Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 10:02 pm
@Helvetica, Team meltdown seems to be a more accurate assessment. These are hardworking, successful teams. Enter the Kings and they just fall apart. The chemistry on this team right now is beautiful. Total domination from the Kings. Oh, and did I mention that we are only 6 wins away?!?! 6!!!! GKG!
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Keep searching for answers Tippett. Just like vigneault and Hitchcock did before you …by the time you figure it out you will find yourself riding in green pastures with the sun on your face.
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Munchrat Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 6:01 pm
@tornado12, Smith is a club thrower…
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tornado12 Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 6:09 pm
@Munchrat, from germania?
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DesertKing Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 6:09 pm
@Munchrat,
Yep, he actually played professional softball then came back to hockey per a special background piece done by NBC. I didnt even know there was a pro softball league and thought DL was just joking about El Cid.
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They are not playing up to their capabilities because we won’t allow it!
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It’s hard to play to your potential when you’re being dominated in every way.
GKG!
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Sandy Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 6:10 pm
@stagger, Bingo.
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Just like Vancouver and St. Louis weren’t playing to their potential. Man, the Kings are so lucky ths year! I can’t remember the last time the top 3 seeds in a conference all played below their potential for no real reason.
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Deke'r Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 6:09 pm
@vplaza, …..bingo….we have a winner..
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Steve Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 6:49 pm
@vplaza, Yeah, it’s so weird!
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Rangers score on a penalty to Porno…
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won’t matter anyway, play up to your abilities and Kings will still beat them………
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Keep playing our game. Battle to battle, shift to shift, period to period. With humility and the will of a champion.
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Good grief! This the third series we’ve heard the same thing. “My guys aren’t plating to their potential”, “We need to be better”, “Blah, blah, blah. Same, same, same.”
So Dave, go ahead and mix up your lines and goon it up. The result will be the same. Just admit it, your team just isn’t as good as the Kings. In fact, the Yotes are easily the 3rd best team we’ve faced so far in the playoffs.
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The Coyotes have been playing to their capabilities, which on their best day do not even come close to exceeding those of the Kings.
Simple explanation for what’s taken place thus far.
-Now let’s see what happens when they come to our building.
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A little off topic guys, but compared to all the games the kings have played in the playoffs, have you noticed how boring the NY and NJ series games are?? Lol…SUPER boring
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Munchrat Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 6:21 pm
@Gevo, The games are great! You are just suffering from lack of Kings hockey!
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Mikey J. Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 6:22 pm
@Munchrat, That’s a good answer.
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Gevo Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 6:23 pm
@Munchrat, Lol…or that….be honest though, not as great as our games have been…thats maybe why
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Munchrat Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 6:35 pm
@Gevo, I can’t get enough Kings coverage!
Hear that, Rich???
I love the fact that we are getting covered ad nauseum.
Let the haters hate. Let the praisers praise!
GO KINGS GO!!!
Munchrat Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 6:37 pm
@Munchrat, And let the disbelievers believe!
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Steven H Brown Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 6:40 pm
@Gevo, Does seem a little bit like soccer rather than hockey in comparison. 40+ shots by the Kings in both games in Phoenix, not sure since Philly took out Pittsburgh if any seres in the East, is averaging 40shots a game for both teams!
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Gevo Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 7:02 pm
@Steven H Brown, More like baseball..lol
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Sniff, sniff? Is that desperation or defeat I smell?
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DesertKing Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 6:27 pm
@Diego,
Its the smell of victory fkr the Kings.
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Duncanz Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 6:43 pm
@DessertKing,
Pho barbecue?
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Diego Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 6:52 pm
@Duncanz,
Let’s not bring politics in.
Couple of off topic tidbits….
Bud Holloway signed an extension with his Swedish club. It’s unclear if that will preclude him from coming to camp.
Ethan Moreau is in town playing golf in Palos Verdes.
Carry on…
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tornado12 Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 6:36 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), I thought EM had post conclusion syndrome
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Mars Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 6:40 pm
@tornado12, I thought it was PMS not PCS
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DesertKing Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 6:38 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
Something about Swedish girls……
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Duncanz Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 6:41 pm
@DesertKing, Bet he misses golfing in PV!!
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DesertKing Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 7:02 pm
@Duncanz,
Swedish girls > PV (and just about everything else)
Duncanz Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 8:04 pm
@DessertKing,
Going down to Ikea when I get into town to check out the saucy sales assistants is the closest I ever got, m’self.
Unfortunately, there are precious few of them situated out here in lovely Pahrump …. and even fewer Ikea stores for that matter, as well!
Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 6:46 pm
And to clarify about Ethan, I believe he lives here, so ‘in town’ isn’t the best choice of words. His concussion lives in Manchester though
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Belexes Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 7:24 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
Both Dwight King, and Jordan Nolan heartily thank Mr. Holloway for his decision to bolt.
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Ranger power play is clicking…
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Santa Claus Jackson Reply:
May 17th, 2012 at 11:05 am
@Munchrat, L.A. penalty kill fears no little man power play…New York power play shall be crushed like little grape…East Coast hockey shall be destroyed!!! L.A. Kings…STRONG LIKE AMERICAN BULL!!!
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Not playing to our capabilities….well…that’s what VAN said..and STL said, and now PHO is saying….
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They didn’t have many opportunities because they took them away from themselves.
Unless Tippett does something about getting his players to go from goon to pro mode they won’t have a chance.
Tippett is a good coach, I am not bashing him. The Yotes are just not ready or just got lucky this far. They played two teams in a decline mode. We are just on fire right now.
This is by far the most excitement I hav had as a Kings fan in a long time!
At the beginning of the year I knew we would be here, half way through I had some doubts! But of course they have been squashed!
Even if our post season ended this month, without a cup, I would still be happier than I have been with this team in a long time!
That said, Brown needs to stay a King for his ENTIRE career!
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Did anyone bother reading the full Tippett interview?
If so, were there any nuggets not worth panning for?
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Steven H Brown Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 6:44 pm
@Duncanz, Yeah I read it all, but it was all the same old song and dance. the game was pretty even until we melted down, even though they were down 2 goals, to a team, that hasn’t allowed consecutive goals, to a team in 10 of 11 playoff games.
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Diego Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 6:48 pm
@Duncanz,
On Prima Doana’s hit
“Is an unfortunate incident that happened. I expect Shane, any player, it would bother him.”
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SLIM Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 7:00 pm
@Duncanz,
We played better that the 1st game…
But got outshot and couldn’t a puck in the net..
1st game the at least got 2 goals..
But they played better….HUH….
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TiredOfIt Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 7:47 pm
@Duncanz, Completed it….seems as though he’s saying all of the coach things but he’s trying not to put a shroud of doom over it. Any hockey fan can see the difference in these teams the first 2 games……and so does he……It hasn’t been close….Not braggin’ and still got some work to do for sure, but, very one sided so far. Even NBC Knuckleheads are amazed and continue their comments about how PHO better get it together or its going to be a short series
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Hackwoods Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 10:31 pm
@Duncanz, The only thing you missed was Tippett using the word “execution” about 500 times.
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I think the real culprit in Phoenixgate is Dave Tippett. He was seething after the first game and the team channeled his frustration and probably his direct plan for Game 2; think Gregg Williams of the Washington Redskins without the bounty.
The league will make sure the referees for Games 3 and 4 don’t allow the games to get out of control so as to avoid more Shanahan Shenanigans..
Decisions like this have a player safety element as well as a business element; to pretend otherwise is naive. The business component involves:
1. Not decimating the competitive posture of a team in the conference finals;
2. Not alienating the fan base in Phoenix against the NHL;
3. Believing the LA fan base will quickly forget this as LA (may I say we) will win the series;
4. Maintaining the fan appeal of the controlled violence in the sport.
To expect two players to be suspended for hits against Brown isn’t real world. Brown isn’t number two in the league in hits without ever crossing the line. Ask people in St. Louis and Vancouver if they consider him just a good Boy Scout. He didn’t get a reputation for embellishment without some justification. While he probably didn’t embellish last night, his reputation obviously played a role in the decision. Rightfully or wrongfully, the call on the ice, as the first finder of fact, was embellishment which gives Shanahan a bit of cover.
I am not persuaded that the NHL ownership of Phoenix plays a role in these decisions. None of the decision makers have a financial interest in the NHL, and although they work for the league, the financial impact of the Phoenix ownership is diffused and indirect. It is a convenient conspiracy theory to advance in the absence of a more persuasive position.
In closing let me simply add-Phoenix blows.
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TiredOfIt Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 7:51 pm
@JackKent Cooke, I object to the use of the word probably sir, as in “probably didn’t embellish last night”. Just saying……the rest of it, spot on.
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JackKentCooke Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 9:35 pm
@TiredOfIt,
Objection sustained.
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Are king and nolan ….the real deal? Both came up without alot of fanfare and have done better then expected….
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SLIM Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 7:03 pm
@neil,
King with the most goals for a rookie in PO’s…
Not to shabby..
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DesertKing Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 7:09 pm
@SLIM,
Krieder is much better. Just ask NBC and the NHL Network.
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Kings x Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 8:49 pm
@DesertKing, Lol. Classic.
Steven H Brown Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 7:06 pm
@neil, I think King and Nolan are the real deal, although possibly neither is a top 6 forward, during their careers. Think about the size of the forwards who played in LA in 2010-2011, who played elsewhere this year. Handzus, Poni, Simmonds, Smyth are all above the league average in size and their replacements, Richards, Gagne, Hunter, all average or less than average size, for forwards in the NHL. Melrose said when he was the coach here and ever since, you always want to get bigger, stronger, faster and younger King and Nolan, do that for this team.
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Duncanz Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 9:01 pm
@Steven H Brown, Too right, oh you of the hallowed surname!
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http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/globe-on-hockey/kopitar-shines-as-big-fish-from-small-pool/article2435136/
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Good – Devils tied it up. Not that I care who wins the series, just want them to beat each other up for 7 games.
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Maybe the Kings sbould get Jack Nicholson to attemd all their games so he can help opposing teams with their anger management issues. It seems that everyone is mad at the Kings nowadays,
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Duncanz Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 9:07 pm
@DessertKing,
We shouldn’t do stuff like that if only for one reason.
It is clear that the only place that that future car bonnet basher, Smith could possibly have perfected his swing is at the Jack Nicholson Golfing Academy …
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Dave Tippett:
“Execution”
TRANSLATION: “Ability”
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OT FYI: Peter Harrold is playing for the Devils tonight.
Good for Harry!
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Stuart Reply:
May 17th, 2012 at 8:13 am
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, he’s seen a lot of time for them in this playoffs, IIRC…I know he got some forward time, and on the PP, to boot, when Cobbleschmuk was out. I’ve been pulling for him as well.
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Duncanz Reply:
May 17th, 2012 at 8:22 am
@Stuart, Well … just don’t get caught!
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It’s not the size of a dog…
in a fight….
It’s the size of the fight
In a dog….
Coyotes are like Toy Poodles who chew up shoes…
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Steven H Brown Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 7:13 pm
@SLIM, It’s a nice saying, but we have a player who both proves and disproves the saying. Early in the year Penner had no fight on the ice. Now that he is playing like the Big Dog he is,there is no smaller man who can handle him, no matter the size of their fight.
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SLIM Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 7:23 pm
@Steven H Brown,
So you’re point is we have one player like that…
Opposed to a whole team of player’s like that…
Okay….
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TiredOfIt Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 7:51 pm
@SLIM, Wow….poor poodles
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Kings x Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 8:51 pm
@SLIM, that was so hustle & flowing of you
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Compare the reactions of Ken Hitchcock and Dave Tippett. Both faced the same situation against the Kings. Tippett reacted with denial and petulance. Hitchcock showed the wisdom and grace that can come with maturity.
Memo to Dave-”Grow up and maybe you too can be like KH or DS”.
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Steven H Brown Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 7:19 pm
@JackKent Cooke, A better comparison, for Tippets remarks, might, just be Terry Murray’s post game comments in November and December of 2011, we just have to get our compete level up!
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Duncanz Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 9:16 pm
@JackKent Cooke, Hitchcock is not as desperate to win as Tippett, and Tippett is not as able to win as Sutter, and Sutter is …
the man who knew too much for Hitchcock & Tippett !
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We know what your team capabilities are, Dave…we just ain’t gonna let you use them, lol
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dodgervern Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 8:43 pm
@Gustavo, I’d say Kings better be on their toes as the yotes are capable of much dirtier tactics since thats about all they have shown so far as far as capabilities go.Smith should have gotten a hefty fine,Hanzel 2games.That cfap with Smith is like telling kids its OK to smack someone from BEHIND with a stick if you aren’t good enough to compete.Worst sportsmanship display ever,IMHO!GO KINGS,GO!!!
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g smith86 Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 11:25 pm
@dodgervern, They got away pretty clean with the last game…I don’t think any cheap shots will go unpunished from this point forward…
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Tippett is grasping at straws. Of course he can not over praise the Kings and he has to direct his attention to “the lack of effort” by his players. When the Coyotes have had the success they’ve had this post season I can understand the frustration as it has abundantly manifested on the ice last night. The Kings are a frustrating team to play against.
My only concern moving forward is that the Kings have not had to face much adversity during this playoff run. They’ve never really not had to play from behind, they’ve not been down in a series. Things have not even been close. They’ve made winning look easy. When we do make it to the finals I expect that they will face some adversity against either the Devils or Rangers. Of course if we keep playing the way we’re playing and get the powerplay going we must end up running the table. How sweet would that be?
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g smith86 Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 11:24 pm
@Bonvivant, no adversity…isn’t it great! Enjoy the run!
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OT. Tonight’s NJ/NY game has been awesome! Two good teams playing a good clean game. Very different from what we’ve been seeing in the Western Conference.
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Cav Pilot Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 7:35 pm
@Cav Pilot, One more thing, “It’s a 3-2 league.”
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Seems kinda strange that the Kings are the ONLY team in the playoffs that they have played so far that seem to be able to play up to their potential.
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The Coyotes have no answers for the Kings Juggernaut!!
All they have is more and more excuses….
Kings Juggernaut: A massive inexorable force, campaign, movement that crushes whatever is in it’s path!
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Tippett math:
Execution/shots=?
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He sounds as bewildered as TM did, …not too long ago…
…It’s not a Juggernaut…It’s a freakin Apoccalypse to your season. Tippet! It’s the Kings…playing like a team on a mission…and your boys are playing like…well,..Boys!
this is a Mans’ league…and the Kings are “Man-ing Up”
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Duncanz Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 11:31 pm
@g smith86, Kind of like how the Broncos are “Manning up” ?
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