Once again, the Kings get another long break between playoff series, and the breaks have grown in league. After the Kings eliminated Vancouver, they had five full days before the start of the second round. After they eliminated St. Louis, they had six full days before the start of the conference finals. Now, after they eliminated Phoenix on Tuesday, the Kings will have a total of seven full days before they open the Stanley Cup Finals on Wednesday. That’s a lot of sit-and-wait time, and most players and coaches will say they would prefer not have a long break between games, but there’s no evidence, so far, that it has negatively impacted the Kings, given that they won Game 1 against both St. Louis and Phoenix.
Dustin Penner, Darryl Sutter and Willie Mitchell talked about the break, and being able to use it in the proper way…
PENNER: “It’s something we have dealt with before. We’re not worried about the break. Rest isn’t the enemy. We’ve got a lot of time to go over game tape and watch the other teams play live now. … I think everybody is going to take the opportunity to watch and see who we could potentially play. We’ll take the rest now.’’
SUTTER: “It’s quite a bit different than the last one. Both of the last (two) rounds, we either didn’t know when we would play or we didn’t know who we play. This time, we know it’s one of two teams and we know when we play. So there’s a difference.’’
MITCHELL: “It’s nice. It’s really nice. Obviously the wear and tear of competing at this time of year, it’s another level. You guys see that. The checks that are made, the checks you’ve got to take, and just the games are at such a high level. It’s big. It allows the aches and pains we have, and the nicks, for a little more time to rest and kind of go into the series being healthy. You talk to guys who have done it all, and you’ve got to get on a bit of a roll, feel good as a team, play well. Obviously goaltending is always big at this time of the year, and stay healthy. The less games you play, the less wear and tear on the body, allows our team to be pretty healthy. That’s a good spot to be in at this time of year. You want to be as healthy as you can, throughout the playoffs, not only going into the Final. I think the shorter series has allowed us to be pretty healthy as a group, and hopefully we can use that to our advantage.’’
Question: Does that mean you’d like to see the East series go to seven games?
MITCHELL: “I don’t know. I’m not really worrying about that, to be honest. I think it’s more worrying about getting ourselves some good rest here, starting to prepare and, to be honest, it would be really nice to know when we have an opponent, because then you can get your mind set in the right place, know who you’re playing, to prepare a little bit more. It will be nice, when that series is done, just for our own preparation.’’
Awesome stuff Rich – “All Penner All the Time”
[Reply]
iansez Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 2:48 pm
@Michael J., it’s so refreshing to see some personality isn’t it? Most of them are so canned and boring. Loved Penners comment last post game about “Vezina-Smyth” Quick, he makes interviews way more interesting..
[Reply]
Michael J. Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 2:53 pm
@iansez,
Yup, no platitudes from this guy.
[Reply]
Pasadena Hockey Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 6:10 pm
@iansez, I agree, I don’t know if this is the right thing to write but you just kind of sense that he is a smart guy or at least is quick witted and has a sense of humor.
[Reply]
Scarletcat Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 8:13 pm
@Pasadena Hockey,
Of course it’s the right thing to write. I believe his off-ice drama interfered with his play most of the year. The guy we’re seeing now is who Lombardi traded for, not the guy that was around earlier in the year. With the Kings or another team, I hope this one sticks around.
So far the weeks’ rest between series has been good to us. I’m glad we got it again. And yeah, let the Rangers win in 7… for the third time in a row. They’ve already shown signs of fatigue.
[Reply]
vplaza Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 2:48 pm
@LA_1968,
The Rangers have also played the equivalent of almost 6 OT periods, so that’s almost another two games they’ve played.
I don’t care what people say, a team that has played 14 games versus one that would have played over 21 games? One of those teams will be more tired, especially when games get to the third period.
[Reply]
MontanaKingsFan Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 2:51 pm
@LA_1968, I heard a stat that I will repeat with the risk that I heard it wrong. But I think I heard that no team has ever won the first two rounds in 7 games and ended up winning the Cup. Sorry Ranger fans!
[Reply]
absoludicrous Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 3:57 pm
@MontanaKingsFan, there is also a stat that the 95 red wings, 03 ducks, and 08 penguins made it to the finals easily and lost. anything can happen. those teams have nothing to do with the kings. their destiny is in their hands.
[Reply]
MontanaKingsFan Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 11:21 am
@absoludicrous, Cup half empty. Cup half full.
bbb7 Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 4:33 pm
@MontanaKingsFan, In fact, no team has ever gone seven games in both the first two rounds and even won the 3rd round. Lots against the NYR.
[Reply]
mask0425x Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 3:45 pm
@LA_1968,
I think AEG should simply acquire the maker of WD-40 as opposed to buying it by truckloads. First our robo-captain running on that stuff, now the whole team trying not get rusty..
BTW, the “40″ in the name stands for the number of tries it took them to get it right, a little quicker than Kings-44
[Reply]
Hey Rich, in your previous post you mentioned the “stick wielding Mike Smith..”. Are you ONLY referring to when he whacked Brownie in game two? OR did you happen to notice his ‘swing and a miss’ at Richards in the crease immediately after Penner’s goal?? I can’t be the only one who noticed!
[Reply]
Trey A Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 2:46 pm
@edwin, you are not the only one who noticed, but it was a swing and a miss.
[Reply]
luuc Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 2:46 pm
@edwin,
IDK if Rich is referring to it or not, but its been mentioned a few hundred times already on this blog since it happened, you are far from the only one.
[Reply]
MontanaKingsFan Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 2:48 pm
@edwin, I noticed it too. My wife believes he wasn’t swinging at Richards. However, I beg to differ. I agree with you edwin…he was going for the kill. Berger bites, a link that Mr. Hammond posted earlier today, had a photo showing the attempt. It is the only one I have found so far.
[Reply]
FKA PakiFro Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 3:19 pm
@MontanaKingsFan,
Pretty good blog that Berger Bytes is.
[Reply]
QueenInVan Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 3:23 pm
@MontanaKingsFan, Of course he was swinging at Richards, he wanted to swing at the refs too, but chickened out and just threw his stick at them.
[Reply]
Gary Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 3:46 pm
@QueenInVan, Where are you in Montana? I’m in Idaho Falls Idaho, and work in Montana, all the time. Have watched Kings games up there. Drove through last week.
Gary Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 3:47 pm
@MontanaKingsFan, Meant that post for you obviously.
On Smith, what about him raising his stick up in the air as he yells at ref.
[Reply]
MontanaKingsFan Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 3:56 pm
@Gary, Missoula.
John K. Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 8:39 am
@Gary, Don’t worry everyone. The fluke season for Smith is over. Next year he will be back to his mediocre self and we won’t hear about him, or the dogs any more…
Gold Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 3:31 pm
@edwin, Wait, did anyone also see, and im sure you did, and i think it was from Game … s, i dont know which game… but Smith was facing Brownie’s back and started kind of whacking his stick up between Brownie’s legs like he was insinuating or lightly hitting him in the nads?
again i forget the Game now, it was recently, either 4 or 5, but it was definitely post-slash… and there this guy is essentially hitting a player in the balls with a huge goalie stick. he didnt do it hard enough to injure but it was WEIRD looking
[Reply]
BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 3:41 pm
@edwin,
…Both.
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Dominick (defrim65) Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 3:43 pm
@edwin, This ain’t baseball.
[Reply]
I’m presuming by that comment that the Grizzly Penner bear is about to enter into a 5 day slumber in preparation for the next round…
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Dominick (defrim65) Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 3:42 pm
@iansez, When he awakes he will be hungry.
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Penner has gone from Mr. Pancake to Mr. Media Darling. And well deserved. I have to admit. I have trashed his play all year. But he has been great in the playoffs. He is actually making me to start to like him.
Keep it up Penner. You are winning back fans daily!
[Reply]
Jack Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 2:51 pm
@MontanaKingsFan, I think he will have a killer season 2012/2013…imagine, with Gagne, Parse, Penner, Richards, Carter all having some time with the team, experiencing success, and still having another gear to go into…
[Reply]
MontanaKingsFan Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 2:54 pm
@Jack, I believe Penner is a UFA this off-season. Right? That will be a tough call if he is.
[Reply]
FKA PakiFro Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 3:31 pm
@MontanaKingsFan,
Yep. He is. Do you give Toffoli his spot? Pray Gags comes back in full force for 82? It’s tough indeed. Toffoli might be ready, but one can’t expect too much from a 20 year old.
Unless his name is Doughty, in which case expect him to lead the league in every statistical category
Osaka Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 3:55 pm
@MontanaKingsFan, Penner, Parse, and Stoll are all UFA’s
OFF TOPIC ALERT……..
Hey Ryan Smythe…….. How’s your golf game coming?
[Reply]
thecupinla Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 2:57 pm
@Otto Ped, OOOH! OUCH!
[Reply]
Otto Ped Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 3:11 pm
@Otto Ped, OOPS. Sorry about the E…….SMYTH. Ah who cares
[Reply]
Michael J. Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 3:28 pm
@Otto Ped,
Not really a valid point. if DL doesn’t dump Smyth’s 6.2M cap hit there is no money for Carter and DL is still holding out.
Either way I’m glad he’s an Oiler and so is he – call it a win-win.
[Reply]
Michael J. Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 3:28 pm
@Michael J.,
Doh! DD not DL
[Reply]
Go Kings Go!
[Reply]
Quick did look a little rusty in game 1 in but he also didnt face a shot the first 10min. But now that they have been through it maybe it will help them this time and have them prepared. I’m alsoreally glad that they are starting off on the road, they just seem to play better.
[Reply]
Pili Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 3:21 pm
@rtana, I would bet that Quick won’t be rusty this series. This man is on a mission and the culmination isn’t so far any more.
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If the Kings end up facing NY Rangers, the Rangers will have played 21 games to the Kings 14. In other words a full 7 game “series” more than the Kings.
[Reply]
BrokeKingsFan Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 3:16 pm
@NOW IMPRESSED, not inlcuding the multiple overtime periods they have needed to get past rounds 1 and 2 and maybe 3. More like 22 or 23 games at this point.
[Reply]
first road game is a must win…better to have the team doubting themselves from the start.
[Reply]
To keep the Kings sharp during the long layoff, how about a friendly scrimmage between the Kings and Yotes this weekend? No? Too soon?
[Reply]
Hello Insiders,
I’m a long time Kings fan and seeing Kings play in finals life at Staples is a dream come true for me.
Can anyone give me an advise where to purchase 2 tickets for home games 1 or 2. i’m low on $$ so looking for a good deal,
If you can help please email me at everest40@live.com
[Reply]
Dominick (defrim65) Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 3:05 pm
@Onetimer1966, Games 1, and 2 will be in the East. Tickets will be expensive no matter where you buy them.
[Reply]
Onetimer1966 Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 3:17 pm
@Dominick (defrim65), Thanks
I meant to say home games, which are game 2 and 4.
[Reply]
Gary Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 3:52 pm
@Onetimer1966, tickets say home game 1 and 2, which are series games 3 and 4.
Ose Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 3:17 pm
@Onetimer1966, Good Luck l know l will be paying $$$ for bleeders.
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 3:28 pm
@Onetimer1966,
Try the Kings Ticket Exchange on the main page. Season ticket holders will sometimes throw their tickets on there at the last minute at basically their face value if they suddenly cannot go to the game and just want to get their costs covered.
[Reply]
Onetimer1966 Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 3:38 pm
@DesertKing, Thank you Desert King,
I will try.
[Reply]
anonandonanon Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 5:15 pm
2 tix for lower bowl. Behind Kings bench half way with season deposit 2k dollars_ Guy i know sez he’s been told x2 in Ny.
Love the Kings dearly but I’m a working stiff.
GKG!
[Reply]
DHH Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 4:00 pm
@Onetimer1966,
If you can find them (ticketmaster, stubhub) you are looking at $400 plus for the 300 sections.
[Reply]
DHH Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 4:01 pm
and that’s for one ticket!
[Reply]
As long as the Boys keep the mind set of what needs to be done, the rest is well deserved and needed.
Do not let up, go after one game at a time and stay in that moment and in the moment for the whole sixty minutes each game. Play to what is required from you individually, and the team will benefit as a whole. Us fans believe in you guys and have for several years, some 40+ years others the last 20 some the last 10, with a few additions to your fan-base the last 5. And now you have probably gained much more than you have expected over the last month. This has been huge to the NHL for SoCal, for you guys (the TEAM). We know you Boys are from all over the U.S., Canada, Slovenia, Russia and other parts of the world, but right now at this moment, our moment, YOUR moment,we couldn’t ask for a better group to represent SoCal than you guys. Thanks Sutter for keeping on these guys and holding them to their potential, thanks Murray for making our D as sound as it is and for the scouting that you have continued to do. As a fan we know that your as responsible for this run as Lombardi. This whole franchise has done great and has shown the rest of the NHL that LA and the rest of Southern California has as HARD CORE of a Fan base than any of the teams from back east to Canada (thanks for giving us HOCKEY by the way). I’m just looking forward to the day when our own LOCALS will contribute to the this great organization.
GKG!
[Reply]
Pili Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 3:34 pm
@steveo, That’s an awesome post. Thank you. I’m an original LOCAL that now lives in Missouri. Not sure that I understand your last statement, unless you’re talking about the TV stations.
[Reply]
monkeyboy Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 3:48 pm
@Pili, i think he means players
[Reply]
steveo Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 3:48 pm
@Pili, Players, that is. It’s going to be something when we are cheering one of our own home grown plays contending for the Cup again, and I believe this will be very soon.
[Reply]
steveo Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 3:43 pm
@steveo, Would also like to thank Bob Miller and Jim Fox when I was able to catch the game on the internet and making me feel like I was at home, along with Nick Nickson and Daryl Evans when the game was blacked out in San Antonio Texas. You guys are the best in the business.
[Reply]
Piliull Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 4:42 pm
@steveo, Sorry for misunderstanding. Much agreed! Now I feel really far away
[Reply]
steveo Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 5:09 pm
@Piliull, Sorry Bro,
My appologies if someone has already mentioned this but Tim Leiweke was on the Petros and money show and had a great story about how no one wanted anything to do with the Campbell Bowl. It was sitting in the dressing room and none of the players went anywhere near it. Leiweke came in, talked to a few players then turned to DL and said so dean what should we do with this thing? Dean said I don’t know we do t want to touch it. Leiweke then said well dean, we have to get it back to LA let’s just get it on the plane. Dean says the players dont even want it on the plane, you take it. So Leiweke took it and Petros asked him what he did with it and Leiweke says it’s in my trunk, It’s been in there the whole day. I don’t know what to do with it!
Funny interview and it’s on iTunes if anyone wants to look it up
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 3:20 pm
@KingEleven,
Now that is what you call “focus”!
[Reply]
steveo Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 5:10 pm
@KingEleven, What is the Petros and money show KingEleven
[Reply]
KingEleven Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 7:32 pm
@steveo, It’s a sports talk radio show. I dont usually listen to it but while i was listening to a podcast called all the kings men they said Leiweke was on so I checked it out. If you love to hear people talk kings, the podcast I mentioned is where it’s at!
[Reply]
The great one said he will be at the game on June 4th!
Go Kings Go!
We know you got this!
Thanks for all you do for us fans, (Kings!
Bob, Jim, Rich, and Daryl and all the rest thanks too!
Go Kings Go!
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 3:25 pm
@Gail Web,
Juras Mikus? In Staples? Oooooh yeeeeaaahhh!
[Reply]
Michael J. Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 3:34 pm
@DesertKing,
I’m heading over right now!
[Reply]
Slim N Nunn Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 3:47 pm
@Gail Web,
Dear Wayne, Do you have an extra ticket?
[Reply]
mrbrett7 Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 7:05 am
@Slim N Nunn, I was more hoping he would just buy me one. I think I may need my kidney’s.
[Reply]
After the rest before the playoffs, and ending 3 strait series’ early, this is business as usual. Kings now how to use this time off already. All 3 series the Kings have taken 3 games to none leads before the other teams even know what hit them. This is nothing new.
The only real difference is that the Kings have fewer targets to focus on, and more time to devote to each one.
Whoever they face will find that the Kings will be well prepared, and their game plan will be tailor made to stop them, and score on them.
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 3:26 pm
@Dominick (defrim65),
Just hope they can find some way to improve the PP (see,I even said it nicely and no horses died in the conveyance of this post).
[Reply]
Dominick (defrim65) Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 3:38 pm
@DesertKing, Everytime they fail on the PP, a sparrow dies, and an angel somewhere sheds a tear.
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 11:25 pm
@Dominick (defrim65),
WTH? LOL!
Piliull Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 3:44 pm
@DesertKing, I’m in full appreciation of this post. but the Kings fare so well full strength, not to mention disadvantge, it’s a non issue at this point.
[Reply]
Timere Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 4:04 pm
@Dominick (defrim65), This will be pretty much like the last series. The Kings only needed to worry about the Yotes or Cats.
[Reply]
This may have been asked before, but does anyone know when the tickets for the final will go on sale for general public?
[Reply]
Mikey Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 3:37 pm
@Fan Since Gretzky, If you have an Amex card, then right now. Tomorrow i believe tickets go on sale
[Reply]
DHH Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 4:02 pm
Amex already sold out – I was on right at 10am and couldn’t get any
[Reply]
Football players wait 2 weeks to play the Super Bowl after the Conference finals. Somehow they all manage to be focused and ready to go come game time…
[Reply]
Dominick (defrim65) Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 3:45 pm
@LB, They also only play 1 game a week.
[Reply]
LB Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 5:12 pm
@Dominick (defrim65), Yeah that’s right and they can still maintain focus with a week off at a time, so if it’s handled properly it’s no big deal. Maybe Sutter is talking with some NFL coaches for advice…I’m sure he knows Ditka from their Chicago days in the 80′s
[Reply]
If (and it’s a BIG IF) the Kings do happen to win the Cup, the names Loktionov, Gagne, Westgarth, Parse and Drewiske will likely NOT be on it.
[Reply]
Michael J. Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 3:53 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
Is there a chance Westy gets into a game this series?
[Reply]
Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 4:15 pm
@Michael J., Anything’s possible, right? I don’t see it though.
[Reply]
Dominick (defrim65) Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 3:54 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
I was talking with puck73 about that. He’s believes they are on the roster, and therefore eligible. I could see the others, but Parse, and Gagne are not active, they are on IR, and LTIR. Westgarth, and Drewiske haven’t played a game yet, but have been with the team in prectices. Loktiionov has played 2 games, and been practicing with the team the whole way.
Can anybody confirm what the rules are in these cases as far as getting their names on the Cup?
[Reply]
Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 4:09 pm
@Dominick (defrim65),
The prerequisites are 41 games in the regular season or 1 game in the Finals. All others must be approved by… Bettman.
[Reply]
LB Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 3:54 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), Didn’t the Bruins get Marc Savard’s name on the Cup and he was out with a concussion all year?
[Reply]
FKA PakiFro Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 4:00 pm
@LB,
Yea, the team can petition the league to get some non-regulars on the cup. I think Parros got his name on there as well, even though he didnt play much in the playoffs.
[Reply]
Gary Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 3:55 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), another reason for Gagne to skate like mad. (If he plays one game, he’s on it.)
[Reply]
mrbrett7 Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 7:06 am
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), They will be on it. I see no reason for Bettman to no approve them.
[Reply]
I understand but believe that Lokti and Westgarth should be included.
[Reply]
I thought in the first period of Game 1 against the Coyotes, Quick wasn’t as sharp because of the time off. It must be real tough on goalies out of all the players. He looked great as always after that first period.
[Reply]
The short series have also been kind on the fans pockets. Only six home games played so far. Lombardi may not like it, but we are grateful for that extra benefit.
[Reply]
mrbrett7 Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 7:08 am
@Gustavo, Lombardi loves it. AEG may have a problem with it.
Lombardi’s job has nothing to do with the business of the team. Nothing to do with the profit, etc.
Well, that’s not entirely true…the product he puts on the ice ties to the profits. But, it’s not his job to do anything for profit.
[Reply]