Scoring the first goal of the game has been a subplot in the Kings’ playoff success so far. Before Game 3 against Phoenix, the Kings had scored the first goal in eight of their 11 games. The Coyotes scored the first goal in Game 3, but the Kings answered just more than two minutes later and never trailed again. In Game 4, the Coyotes scored a first-period goal and shut out the Kings. In the regular season, the team that scored the first goal won a large percentage of the games, and the Coyotes, in particular, are known as a team that looks stronger when playing with a lead. Asked, independently, today about the importance of the first goal, two veterans — Rob Scuderi and Shane Doan — both used the game word: confidence.
SCUDERI: “I think it’s just a confidence-booster. You’re playing, not defensive, but you’re just kind of waiting and you’re trying to play and do your best and see what happens. When you get that first goal, it’s a little bit of confidence, a little bit of a boost. You feel like your hard work paid off. Usually the team that plays with the lead plays a little more confident. It would be nice if we could get the first one tonight.’’
DOAN: “I think it just calms (teams) down to a certain degree, so they know we’re doing things right, things are going your way. I think confidence is everything in the playoffs, just because everyone is so, so close. With everyone being that close, feeling confident is big.’’
Darryl Sutter alluded to the same thing, and pointed out that the team that takes the lead doesn’t wan to sit back and protect it, but continue to build upon what it is doing correctly.
SUTTER: “It doesn’t matter if it’s playoffs or the regular season. In the NHL, the league is about the first goal, how difficult it is. You know what, when you get veteran coaches and experienced coaching staffs, and teams that played together and are still playing, what they’ve done really well is, not protect the lead but play with leads. That’s why they’re still playing. So it’s important. Neither team are teams that score a lot of goals. They’re close games. So the first goal is important.’’
Duncanz shoots, he SCOOOOOOORRRRREEEEESSSSSSSS
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DesertKing Reply:
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:48 pm
@Duncanz,
Step away from the NHL ’12……..
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Duncanz Reply:
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:58 pm
@DessertKing,
‘Canz lead 1-0!
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DiggerRocket Reply:
May 22nd, 2012 at 2:06 pm
@DesertKing, I played NHL 12 last night… LA vs. PHX, at Jobing.com arena…and I won. Must be a good sign.
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DesertKing Reply:
May 22nd, 2012 at 2:27 pm
@DiggerRocket,
@DiggerRocekt shoots, he scores!!! DR with the top shelf back hand turnaround wrist shot,surprising Smith and receiving the “F me” salute from the Phoenix bench. What a play!
@Rich Hammond,
Do you miss being the ONLY reporter following the Kings?
There is 10 times more information on the team out there now but I still read everything on this site.
Thanks for your work… in good and bad.
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Duncanz Reply:
May 22nd, 2012 at 2:03 pm
@LA_1968, Pues, tu no vas a descubrir mucho por leer “El Informador”, paisano …
?Y que de “El Reporter”, hay algo dentro?
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DesertKing Reply:
May 22nd, 2012 at 2:28 pm
@Duncanz,
Dos cervezas, mas frias por favor.
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vplaza Reply:
May 22nd, 2012 at 2:35 pm
@DesertKing,
Con dos chupacabras tacos?
Stuart Reply:
May 22nd, 2012 at 2:42 pm
@vplaza, chupaque?
Duncanz Reply:
May 22nd, 2012 at 2:43 pm
@vplaza,
!Chupame plazas, v!
LA_1968 Reply:
May 22nd, 2012 at 3:53 pm
@Duncanz, Amigo, Casi no leo mucho los periodicos aqui en Mexico. Debo estar mejor informado y me ayuda aprender leer el espanol con mas facilidad. Yo dudo que hay ningun reportaje acerca de los Reyes de Los Angeles. Puro futbol.
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Regardless who scores first, I hope our last goal is an empty netter!
Enjoy the magical ride.
Let’s do it Kings.
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Shakes Reply:
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:52 pm
@Coach Mike, or as we should start calling it, Carter Time
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mrbrett7 Reply:
May 22nd, 2012 at 2:06 pm
@Shakes, I’ll happily take 5 more of those.
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come on win this game or they going to have all the momentum they way!
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Other then the last game I think the Kings have demonstrated that they are a team to watch when you have a lead. Sutter is challenging his team when he stated “neither team score a lot of goals.” If they kings are playing their usual intense forechecking, the Yotes will have a hard time getting started on their offense.
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First goal is key… we also need to be pumped.. here’s how by blasting my LA KINGS playoff anthem / fight song!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOW2yaixdbo
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Duncanz Reply:
May 22nd, 2012 at 2:38 pm
@losingsand,
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Duncanz Reply:
May 22nd, 2012 at 2:39 pm
Are you JG?
Really nice job, man!
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SLIM Reply:
May 22nd, 2012 at 2:58 pm
@losingsand,
Really enjoyed this song..
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Ok! I know kings fans will be at ESPN, why, they drop hockey on TV!
ESPN started their sport channel with hockey, made them what they are today, for no other major sport wanted to sign on to the new channel! Then they moved hockey to ESPN2, we had to pay extra on cable to get that channel!!!!
So, the NHL SIGNED on to VS CHANNEL. For ESPN was telling NHL we want you, but way less TV time and we will put you on more in late part of the season which meant March on… I for one love the fact that hockey is the main sport on NBCSP and their is room for improvement, they did telecasted all the NHL playoff games on all 3 channels for hockey fans to enjoy!
When the NHL signed with NBCSP (was VS) It was a bummer! Give Bettman credit for having long term vision for hockey fans to enjoy the sport today & to see it all over the USA! A specially for us west cost fans…
So, anyone going to other places to watch the game? I live in Seal beach Long beach area???
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mrbrett7 Reply:
May 22nd, 2012 at 2:08 pm
@Sammuch, Yeah, at my house, here in Denver, Colorado. Want to come over?
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Sammuch Reply:
May 22nd, 2012 at 2:15 pm
@mrbrett7,
You should told me… A good amount of kings fans there! Saw the kings at the Pepsi center it was a lot of fun! Thinking of doing it again soon…
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Niko Reply:
May 22nd, 2012 at 2:14 pm
@Sammuch, I went to ESPNzone for game 4 vs the Blues, and they Turned off the game as soon as it was over!! No interviews or anything, complete BS. Screw that place.
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Sammuch Reply:
May 22nd, 2012 at 2:26 pm
@Niko,
I agree!
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Sebastian Reply:
May 22nd, 2012 at 2:15 pm
@Sammuch, it think the lockout had a lot to do with espn not renewing the contract with the nhl. i used to love watching espn and espn2, guys like gray thorne, bill clement, nhl2nite, that was great stuff. what i cannot stand about espn, espn2, espnDeportes is they constantly scroll scores in the bottom of the screen and its very distracting. dont forget, it was OLN (outdoor life network) that the NHL went to, then turned into versus and now nbc sports. i think its a good thing where they are now, the only thing i HATE is how they completely exclude the local market broadcaster after round 1. they should change that for the fans!!
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Sammuch Reply:
May 22nd, 2012 at 2:19 pm
@Sebastian,
Yes, room for improvement, but, was not the lockout they lost there contract! They signed on in 2002 if I’m correct!?
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DesertKing Reply:
May 22nd, 2012 at 2:29 pm
@Sammuch,
Bettman sucks.
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Sammuch Reply:
May 22nd, 2012 at 2:34 pm
@DesertKing,
Yes, he’s 50/50 with me, but we sure got to watch a lot of hockey this year!! For that I give him credit that 50%…
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mrbob25 Reply:
May 22nd, 2012 at 2:45 pm
@Sammuch,
Kudos to the NBC family of networks for broacasting in 1080 resolution. CBS does too. Amazed FOX and ABC/ESPN are all still 720. Go figure. First world pains, I know.
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Duncanz Reply:
May 22nd, 2012 at 2:48 pm
@Sammuch, Yankee Doodles, but not sammuch Kings fans over there…
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Sammuch Reply:
May 22nd, 2012 at 2:58 pm
@Duncanz,
Ok! I’ll see you there…
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T Minus journeyman defenseman, now filling a secet under-secretarial position at Ivory Towers, Manhattan, USA.
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The Clippers AND Lakers are now out of the NBA playoffs….Staples Centre belongs to the KINGS!!!
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KOHO Reply:
May 22nd, 2012 at 2:45 pm
@Kinglers55, It’s ahockey first arena and hockey will be played last there this year. Feels good to get the city’s full attention from here on out. Now the Kings just need to make the most of the situation.
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Of the 4 teams remaining in the playoffs – who would have the home ice advantage moving forward? Is it still done by best regular season record?
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BrokeKingsFan Reply:
May 22nd, 2012 at 2:31 pm
@Howe9, I believe its on points…whom ever had the most points during the regular season takes the highest sead and home ice.
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
May 22nd, 2012 at 2:39 pm
@Howe9, well the East will have home ice advantage…
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ONE win away from the Stanley Cup Finals. WOW. The Kingdom is with you tonight 100%. Bring home the hardware and let this fanbase rock. GO KINGS GO!!!
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Come on LOS ANGELES KINGS, just do it!!!!! After tonight’s WIN, bring The Stanley Cup to
Los Angeles!! Will it be The LOS ANGELES KINGS vs. the devils or the ny rangers??
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Duncanz Reply:
May 22nd, 2012 at 2:53 pm
@Lizzie,
Kingers vs The Ringers!
Let me go in the record right now, & spin me right round, baby, right round …
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Bunch ‘o pre-game interviews for your consideration… http://kingsnewsdaily.com/pre-game-videos/
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Gail Web Reply:
May 22nd, 2012 at 3:10 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), Thanks this was great to watch really do appericate it!
Go Kings Go!
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KOHO Reply:
May 22nd, 2012 at 3:34 pm
@Gail Web, Good stuff..thanks!
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Eddie Olczyk,
King’s Fan!!
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Duncanz Reply:
May 22nd, 2012 at 2:56 pm
@jesst,
Well, you know what they say, podruga;
“Once a King, sometimes an Engblom …. “
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Capt Jam Reply:
May 22nd, 2012 at 2:58 pm
@jess,
I have found the exact opposite to be true about EO based on his commentary over the years, but if you say so…
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jess Reply:
May 22nd, 2012 at 3:17 pm
@Capt Jam,
The last few times he’s been on NHL Live he talks up the kings as if he was a hired PR guy.
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Please let’s get it done tonight boys! Waiting between games and the lead up to game time stresses me out…can’t focus on work. Just want to get home to the mancave and watch the game. We need a couple of lucky bounces tonight.
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Ironically, in some of the Kings’ biggest road wins in these playoffs, the opponent scored first:
VAN G1
VAN G5
STL G1
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Hunger Pang,
COYOTE!!
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Hazy, not a Kings fan.
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