Friday practice update

The Kings had an optional skate, and Colin Fraser returned to participate along with Kyle Clifford, Davis Drewiske, Dwight King, Trevor Lewis, Andrei Loktionov, Alec Martinez, Jordan Nolan, Brad Richardson, Kevin Westgarth, Jonathan Bernier and Martin Jones.

Facing the assembled media were Rob Scuderi, Mike Richards, Jeff Carter, King and Darryl Sutter, with plenty of questions about Dave Tippett’s “embellishing” comments from last night. None of the Kings added any fuel to the fire, but said the didn’t particularly notice increased embellishment around the league.

Richards showed up for his interview wearing a Texas Rangers hat. “They won last night,” Richards deadpanned. The other quote of the day came from Sutter, when asked about King’s growth. “Growth?” Sutter said. “He’s still 232 (pounds). After games, he’s 228.” More notes and quotes to come…

109 Comments

  1. Deader2818 says:

    I remember how Philly fans used to get so upset because Richards would wear Yankee hats, etc. Personally, who cares. Its not even the same sport.

    [Reply]

    Minnesota Kings Fan Reply:

    @Deader2818,

    I’ve seen him wearing a San Francisco Giants on several occasions. Obviously, a man with good taste!

    [Reply]

    mrbrett7 Reply:

    @Minnesota Kings Fan, On NHL36, he had a Yankees hat on.

    [Reply]

    shawn in arizona Reply:

    Ummm, good taste if it is a Dodger hat

    [Reply]

    Jgomez Reply:

    @Deader2818, Agreed. As long as the only NHL team hat he wears proudly, be that of our KINGS!

    [Reply]

  2. vinny says:

    he mustve pulled a brad richards..

    [Reply]

  3. Stuart says:

    we are 238! we are 238! Weeee arrree 2-3-8!!

    [Reply]

    Stuart Reply:

    d’oh make it 2-2-8! LOL

    It’s time to be an android not a man!!

    [Reply]

    Lake Forest Reply:

    @Stuart, In the EYEEEES OF TIGERS!!!!!!

    [Reply]

    Stuart Reply:

    @Lake Forest, the live version with Henry Rollins screaming in the background!!!

    Gotta hear it now… oh yeah!!! do you think we are robot clean – does this face look almost mean…inthe eyyyyyyyyyyyyyeee of the tiiiigggggerrrrr!!!!

    That should be blaring at warm-ups!!

    [Reply]

  4. Michael Ortiz says:

    Dodgers won last night too. Still waiting to hear when Richards wears his supposed LA hat.

    [Reply]

    Deader2818 Reply:

    @Michael Ortiz,

    Rangers didn’t even win last night…

    [Reply]

    Joe Reply:

    @Deader2818, Back off dude. I’m a DODGERS fan as well but could care less whose hat Richards wears as long as the KINGS keep playing awesome hockey.

    [Reply]

    Joe Reply:

    @Michael Ortiz, Back off dude. I’m a DODGERS fan as well but could care less whose hat Richards wears as long as the KINGS keep playing awesome hockey.

    [Reply]

    Michael_DD8 Reply:

    @Joe,

    Sat next to Richards and Carter before the start of the PHX series at a restaurant in Hermosa, Richards was wearing a Dodgers hat then. I think with him its more looks then likes.

    [Reply]

  5. rontheking says:

    The Kings need to get sharper again…the last two games have been a steady slide backward in play.

    [Reply]

    Joe Reply:

    @rontheking, Tell that to Yotes!

    [Reply]

    What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:

    @rontheking, I’m not too concerned. Giving up the first goal last night was like a mini wake-up call. They can’t blow this series without trying really hard, and I don’t think Sutter is going to let them get close anyway, with the Rangers and Devils decapitating each other for their chance to be “next!”

    [Reply]

    shawn in arizona Reply:

    @rontheking, wasn’t game 2 a 4 nothing win?

    [Reply]

  6. Kissmyblarneystones says:

    I want to congratulate the players for all of their sucsesses during this years Playff run. I have expected no less of you this season and am happy that you have met the expectations of me and so many others, in and out of the know.

    My previous posts have included the phrase ‘Winners win when they need to, and champions win when they have too. I think last night summed up for me what it believe champions are supposed to do. Last night, their was a chink in your armour, but you found a way to overcome that and you took control of the game.

    As far as I’m concerned, I’ve seen enough to make me believe with all certainty, that the Cup is yours for the taking. All that is left for you to do, is to decide whether or not you want it more than anyone else. You boys are a world class outfit, with the emphasis on ‘class’. Now go get what is rightfully yours!!!

    GKG!!!

    [Reply]

    370455VinSD Reply:

    @Kissmyblarneystones, I just charged out of the locker room (my office) yelling with my fist raised. My boss didn’t appreciate it.

    [Reply]

    Kissmyblarneystones Reply:

    @370455VinSD,.

    Too funny

    [Reply]

    Stuart Reply:

    @Kissmyblarneystones, is that gravatar Iggy Pop?

    [Reply]

    Kissmyblarneystones Reply:

    @Stuart,

    No, it’s a logo that I developed for something entirely different.

    [Reply]

  7. Gustavo says:

    Wear a KHL hat for all I care…JUST WIN, BABY!!

    [Reply]

  8. Capt Jam says:

    Well, at least Richards isn’t wearing a NY Rangers hat.

    [Reply]

  9. Gustavo says:

    As for the embellishment accusations I can see how the league brass, starting with Buttman, is laughing their collective heads off at Tippet….”..This coming from the leader of a goon squad that got a player with 25 game suspension and a captain who’s been suspended twice and is at the top of the “most watched for cheap shots” Shanahan list?..”

    [Reply]

  10. Harty says:

    Go with the two big guys on each side of Fraz………(Nolan and Clifford)
    They were awesome in the league stretch run……….remember that…..

    [Reply]

    Stuart Reply:

    @Harty, can you honestly, unbiasedly tell me that you think the 4th line has played better without Fraser these last 2 games?

    [Reply]

    What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:

    @Stuart, Really, I’m looking forward to getting Fraser back into the lineup…not to mention re-
    signed.

    [Reply]

    Stuart Reply:

    @What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, me too! he’s a better centerman than BR and I think the line as a whole has a little more umph to it. I really do like Cliffy, but he’s a step slow (understandable after his layoff) and a bit hesitant right now… and we all know what happens to he who hesitates…

    Harty Reply:

    @Stuart, that’s not what I said, I said play cliffy and fraz and nolan. I like fraz didn’t say not to play him……trade out richardson though……..understandable being off cliffy is one step back however he can only get caught up if he plays otherwise sits till season is over……

    [Reply]

    Stuart Reply:

    @Harty, IMO he sits this one out… I can’t see taking out BR, he’s quick and he’s been all over the place. If Cliffy isn’t bringing the bang he isn’t bringing anything right now. No shame in being a team player at this point in the season.

    mrbrett7 Reply:

    @Stuart, Pretty sure he was saying that he wants Frasier back in. So the answer to your question would be no.

    At least for me it’s a no. You can tell by their ice time they have received. The 4th line hasn’t been nearly as good the last 2 games.

    [Reply]

    Marc Nathan Reply:

    it’s not gonna be an issue to sit Clifford and re-install Fraser… at least not with anyone that has a lick of sense :)

    [Reply]

    vinny Reply:

    @Harty, thought they read off of each other really well, and it was nice seeing such a punishing pair out there with the fraz, but im not so sure it’ll happen, based on richardsons solid play

    [Reply]

    Harty Reply:

    @vinny, thanks guys, I wish I could attend the party at the end in LA, but we will have one here in Ayr Ontario for sure.

    [Reply]

    jason Reply:

    @Harty, sit richardson, play the other 3.. richardson had a bad giveaway and has the worse D sense out of all 4..

    [Reply]

  11. variable says:

    i was very fortunate to go to the game last night with PUCK73…and it was a great night….

    PUCK73, once again, thank you for thinking of me and the invite – it was truly wonderful time…

    the staples center crowd was into the game from the moment the puck dropped to the second the horn ended the game….

    phoenix played their best over the first 10 minutes of the first period, but then the kings started to invoke their will and slowly took away the middle of the ice and forced phoenix the the boards…momentum started to change…

    both teams played very good defense, as phoenix usually had three to four players back at their bluelie, forcing the kings to either dump the puck in very little support….

    but the turning point game in the third where the kings clogged the neutral zone and proceeded to breakout with their lead passes….smith had to come up huge on several occasion…but the pressure early on was relentless…

    the kings were down 10-5 towards the end of the first and then outshot the coyotes 19-14 the rest of the way….and 13-4 in the third…

    once again, the kings stymied the coyotes towards the final 5 minutes of the game, as phoenix tried everything they had left, but it wasn’t enough….

    this kings team is fo’ reals reals….and i’m not sure anyone has a chance to beat us in a series they way we are playing now….tremendous performance from the whole team…

    ..and i was super thrilled that i got to witness it all with PUCK73…great time, buddy(!)

    [Reply]

    puck73 Reply:

    @variable, So @Variable got to hang out in a C level suite with @puck73 and @penguin76 huh? Man oh man V, you were livin the High Life sir !

    [Reply]

    Stuart Reply:

    @puck73, 3rd person? wth is @penguin76? sleeping with the enemy @puck73??? :)

    [Reply]

    puck73 Reply:

    @Stuart, @penguin76 is a blogger on here. He doesnt come on a whole lot, but he and his brother ended up in the same suite as us.

    mrbrett7 Reply:

    @puck73, All I care is that I’m there for the parade at the very least (should it happen). I may be driving 20 hours straight, but I’m coming even if it kills me.

    [Reply]

    puck73 Reply:

    @mrbrett7, mikebrnstn@gmail.com email me, and I will make sure you are taken care of if you should decide to make the trip.

  12. Donald_S says:

    At the risk of being called a whiner again, I’ll ask my question again. Does anyone know enough about TV feeds to know if it’s possible for Bob Miller to do a local (KNBC) call, of the national feed of the Cup Finals? NBC will have Emrick do the national coverage, but can someone else do the voice?

    Thanks!

    [Reply]

    DY Reply:

    NBC has the contract for all the playoff games, don’t expect them to do us any favors. It would be nice to hear Bob call a games, but it’s not going to happen. I don’t mind Emrick too much, but listening to Pierre McGuirre as an analyst is painful.

    [Reply]

    Stuart Reply:

    @DY, I do believe that a certain insider, who’s name starts with Duncan and ends in z is requesting to have Bob over to his trailer to do a personal play-by-play with all the coldest PBR that anyone one man can drink!

    [Reply]

    Donald_S Reply:

    @DY,

    I wasn’t thinking about it as a favor, more like, the local market would probably get a higher audience share, i.e. more money for NBC. But if it can’t be done, it can’t be done.

    Thanks guys.

    [Reply]

    puck73 Reply:

    @Donald_S, Gee, I apolgize for not answering your question Donald, oh, wait….

    mrbrett7 Reply:

    @Donald_S, NBC would absolutely never let that happen. Why? Ratings equal advertising dollars, and you take away the 2nd largest US market, who has a team playing in the game? Really, NBC would rather air Heidi than let Bob call anything.

    KINGCANADA88 Reply:

    @Donald_S, Nope, the only feeds that can exist after round one of the playoffs are national feeds. NBC and CBC are the only 2 feeds allowed per NHLs TV agreement. Wonder if Nick would allow Bob to jump on the mic and finish the call if the Kings were to win the cup?

    [Reply]

    mrbrett7 Reply:

    @Donald_S, Simple answer is no.

    Long answer is as long as NBC has the contract rights with the NHL for the playoffs, and as long as Bob Miller works for Fox Sports, you will have a better chance of skiing in hell than hearing Bob call the games.

    [Reply]

  13. vplaza says:

    I get the sense that Frasier is back in the lineup on Sunday. I don’t think Clifford played poorly, but that line didn’t seem to have the same impact as when he was in.

    [Reply]

    iansez Reply:

    @vplaza, agreed.

    [Reply]

    Donald Reply:

    @vplaza, Goals for/against are 7-2 for LA in the last 2 games….Phoenix has a push on now and the series are getting tougher…..4th line played just fine

    [Reply]

  14. iansez says:

    What, no Willie Mitchell?! Slacker..;)

    [Reply]

    vinny Reply:

    @iansez, lol

    [Reply]

  15. Gail Web says:

    Go Kings Go!

    That a way boys!

    Rest up!

    Smell Ice?

    GKG!

    [Reply]

  16. vplaza says:

    The crowd on Sunday will be epic. WCF clincher? Gonna be crazy.

    [Reply]

    DesertKing Reply:

    @vplaza,

    And we are gonna be there. Never seen a “handshake” ceremony before!

    [Reply]

    Stuart Reply:

    @DesertKing, saw my first last round! scratched it off the bucket list! Two more Kings related on the list: SCF game, and that handshake/victory lap with the cup!!

    oh, 3: the banner raising game next year!

    [Reply]

    DesertKing Reply:

    @Stuart,

    100%

    vinny Reply:

    @DesertKing, saw one vs the sharks :(

    [Reply]

    370455VinSD Reply:

    @DesertKing, I was at game 6 in ’01 against Detroit, that was the first handshake I saw live, and I was at game 4 against St. Louis. Unfortunately I will not be able to make it this Sunday as funds are a bit low but I will be chanting “Go Kings Go” at Stout this Sunday. We sustained the chant for the last 5 minutes or so last night, I’ve never done that at a bar before. It felt awesome.

    [Reply]

  17. Capt Jam says:

    It’s good to see Colin Fraser back in the fold. I don’t mind saying that I hope he gets back into the lineup in place of Cliffy. I love KFC, but he’s not looking like himself out there.

    [Reply]

    puck73 Reply:

    @Capt Jam, Agreed. Colin Fraser definately needs to be centering the 4th line, thats where he does his best work. As for Clifford, I have always felt he played his best hockey when Westgarth plays on his off wing. I think with Westy, and Colin beside him, it allows Cliffy to just concentrate on playing his game instead of worrying about being an enforcer.

    [Reply]

    westside Reply:

    @Capt Jam,

    Totally agreed. One of the things I like is that the lines have two centers on each line..Of course not the first line but you get the idea…more skill the better.

    [Reply]

  18. Kingsfanone says:

    Did something of some importance happen last nite? :D

    [Reply]

    Stuart Reply:

    @Kingsfanone, not as important as what will be happening in about 2 weeks!!

    [Reply]

    Kingsfanone Reply:

    @Stuart,

    Hahaha! Nice return!

    [Reply]

    puck73 Reply:

    @Stuart, I thought the most important thing was acquirring Rick Nash ?

    [Reply]

    Stuart Reply:

    @puck73, I too thought you wouldn’t be following the Kings anymore this season? :D

    Put Nash in where Carter is and everyone still gets slotted correctly and he probably has more goals than Carter. But I’m good with where we’re at!

    nykingfan Reply:

    @puck73,
    No way dude
    They were asking for JJ :)

    puck73 Reply:

    @Kingsfanone, Where have you been Grandpa ?!!

    [Reply]

    Kingsfanone Reply:

    @puck73,

    Been going out to the kids house an awful lot to see a certain new member of the family!

    [Reply]

    Stuart Reply:

    @Kingsfanone, ahhh! Congrats on the recent addition!

    vplaza Reply:

    @Kingsfanone,

    No. You don’t get nothin’ for winning 3 games. The Yotes have the Kings right where they want them.

    [Reply]

    Kingsfanone Reply:

    @vplaza,

    Yeah…….apparently its called “embellishing”, right Tippet? :D

    [Reply]

    EmptyTank Reply:

    @vplaza,
    If Phoenix has the Kings right where the want them then the Yotes must WANT to go golfing. I heard the San Bernardino municipal course is running a two-for-one on Tuesday in their honor.

    [Reply]

    vplaza Reply:

    @EmptyTank,

    Maybe a frequent golfer card for each Yotes player as well.

    puck73 Reply:

    @vplaza, So funny ! The Yotes know there is NO Way they are beating Quick 4 in a row, NOT HAPPENING.

    [Reply]

    vplaza Reply:

    @puck73,

    The odds are definitely stacked against the Yotes. I can’t see them beating Quick and the Kings four in a row when they clearly haven’t been good enough to win one game against them so far.

    The only way they beat the Kings if they get help from the Kings.

  19. Shakes says:

    Quick thing regarding the stat that the last two team to go 3-0 in their first three rounds of the playoffs both lost in the Cup finals..

    - my stat teach always told me that two data points is not enough to make any sort of statistical analysis
    - one possible theory for their failure could be that the Oilers (’83) and the Wings (’96) didn’t face adversity to build them for the Finals. There is something to be said there, the Oilers outscored their opponents in their first series 74 (!) to 33. The second round scores against Calgary are nuts. The Wings outscored their opponents 54 to 28. Both teams with massive numbers. The Kings on the other hand are really winning with defensive outscoring team 37 to 17 (granted we have at lesat one more game in this series to count).

    The point being that generally the Kings games haven’t been blow-outs, and we have a far better defense/goaltending. Defense wins championships and we have it. The others didn’t

    [Reply]

    Whodawat Reply:

    @Shakes, The Kings haven’t really faced adversity in the playoffs either….

    [Reply]

    Shakes Reply:

    @Whodawat, Agreed because well i think from a series perspective they haven’t (haven’t experience must win games in the playoffs, etc, but part of the reason is that we’re not trying to outscore people to death (see Philly in round 1). Generally during the season we didn’t really experience blow out losses. Our defense always kept us in the game.. it’s just that our offense took a while to come around

    Also i do agree with Brownie by saying they’ve basically been facing adversity since March because of the hole they dug themselves in

    [Reply]

    Stuart Reply:

    @Shakes, I’ll add that the layoffs between rounds probably played against them and I can’t see that happening to this team!

    check out the far bar after ramen! :)

    [Reply]

  20. bbb7 says:

    I’m still at a loss for words about the way this team has played in the playoffs; it’s almost like they are a transformer and during the season they had a rough-edged shape and lumbering style and suddenly the parts turned and fell into place and clicked and.. wow, it’s a perfect hockeybot!

    Regardless of how the rest of the playoffs go, I have seen the first 12 games and doubt I can expect to ever again see such a Kings playoff machine firing on all cylinders. It makes me wonder what the posts here will be like next season, when the team starts slow and is 8-7-4 in the early going. Remembering that all it takes is a ‘ticket to the dance’ will people be more patient and less manic? Nah.

    Lots of players have grown up in this post-season, particularly Doughty (and he’s only 22!), Martinez and Voynov in the back end.

    And it’s been so nice not to have to see 100 ‘suggested lines’ posts every day! What a difference familiarity makes! You go, DS!

    [Reply]

  21. letswinthecup2012 says:

    Lewis has been a hero for this team !!! GKG

    [Reply]

  22. pr0cess says:

    OK if we make it or when that is… I just dont know how ill make it there, but i just dont see how my soul would survive if i was not there for SCFs… tickets will be threw the roof and i cant drive again… i would need to fly… I guess i could sell a kidney?

    [Reply]

  23. Hey, BergerBytes.ca here… You folks have one amazing team this spring. Please enjoy my photo-blog from last night’s game at Staples… http://www.bergerbytes.ca/2012/05/romping-kings-clearly-l-a-s-hope-2/

    [Reply]

    Stuart Reply:

    @Howard Berger, nice of you to join us on this historic run! A couple of Insiders have posted links to your page the last few weeks! good stuff!

    [Reply]

    Howard Berger Reply:

    @Stuart, Thanks. It’s been a privilege to attend every Kings playoff game. There’s a photo-blog on my website (in Archives) from each one. Enjoy.

    [Reply]

    vplaza Reply:

    @Howard Berger,

    I’ve been pimpin’ your blog ever since I heard your interview on NHL This Morning on XM Radio after one of the Nucks games. I really like all the shots of the game, the crowd, and the surroundings of the venues.

    Hopefully, you get to snap pics of the SCF with the Kings in them.

    [Reply]

    puck73 Reply:

    @Howard Berger, Great slide show Howard, very well done. I hope you bring similar pics during the finals !

    [Reply]

    Kingsfanone Reply:

    @Howard Berger,

    Outstanding as usual! Thanks!

    [Reply]

    Howard Berger Reply:

    @Kingsfanone, Thank you all for your kind words. When you cover the Toronto Maple Leafs for a living, you hit the road after the second week of April (last home playoff date: May 4, 2004). And, there is no better place to spend the Cup tournament than SoCal. My wife is from L.A. and my in-laws’ live up in Calabasas. We spend our summers here. I never thought I’d be spending spring here, but it’s wonderful.

    [Reply]

  24. LDC7hockeyfan says:

    Hey coyote’s fans

    Have you met OWEN?

    Owen Three lol

    GO KINGS GO

    [Reply]

    puck73 Reply:

    @LDC7hockeyfan, drum roll symbol crash !

    [Reply]

    ILLEGALSTICK33 Reply:

    @puck73, What about Tipa? Have they heard of Tipa? Tip of my ……..

    GO KINGS GO!!!!

    [Reply]

  25. SaveByCechmanek says:

    Tippet has resorted to whining about calls because he’s got nothing left. His team has reached the absolute limit of their abilities and can’t go any further. That’s just the plain truth. We as Kings fans should know this because it’s happened so many times in the almost five decades the franchise has been in existence.

    Finally the talent and more importantly, the identity of the Kings is so clearly defined. But this didn’t happen overnight. Tippet, you guys have to eat it for a while before you can get a sniff of the cup. It’s our turn first because we’ve earned it.

    [Reply]

    puck73 Reply:

    @SaveByCechmanek, I love this post.

    [Reply]

    Kingsfanone Reply:

    @SaveByCechmanek,

    I agree totally! Well said!

    [Reply]

  26. vplaza says:

    More respect for the Kings…from Bruce !@#$%@$% Boudreaux of the Ducks:

    http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-bruce-boudreau-los-angeles-kings-look-unbeatable-right-now-20120518,0,4890647.story?track=rss

    “Looking at the L.A./Phoenix series, it looks to me that Phoenix gave it everything they had in the first two series, but maybe this is as far as they can go. Taking nothing away from them, they have worked as hard as they can, but L.A. is really impressive. The Kings aren’t getting weaker, they are getting stronger.”

    “It will be interesting to see the Kings play the East winner, assuming they do win the West. Because to me, they look unbeatable right now.”

    I’m sure that DS will do everything he can to ensure that his team doesn’t buy into all of this until the deed is done. The praise is good. The recognition of the hard work that the team has done is good. But there is no time to read your own press and pat yourself on the back just yet.

    Five more games to go and then they can do that all during the offseason.

    [Reply]

    puck73 Reply:

    @vplaza, I take it that you and I might finally meet for the 1st time at the parade should the Kings win it ? Her is my email address mikebrnstn@gmail.com Just email me, and I will sende you my cell number and make sure you meet everyone.

    [Reply]

    vplaza Reply:

    @puck73,

    That’s a deal, puck. I don’t want to miss a Kings parade if we were fortunate enough to get one. I’ve never cared to go to a Lakers parade when they won all those championships growing up, but this is TOTALLY different.

    I wish I could take the family to this Sunday’s game, but at $200 a pop, a bit steep. I was so open do going to Phoenix for game 1 if it was on a Saturday or a noon game on Sunday, but the kids’ school didn’t allow for it. Now, a Stanley Cup Champion parade? I can handle that. :)

    [Reply]

    Kingsfanone Reply:

    @vplaza,

    At $200 PLUS a pop, I found that to be a “little” steep also!

    Kingsfanone Reply:

    @vplaza,

    That’s about it in a nutshell.

    [Reply]

    SaveByCechmanek Reply:

    @vplaza, Apparently Boodrow agrees with me.. see my post just above yours.

    [Reply]

Leave a Reply