Some notes from last night’s game…
– The Kings missed an opportunity to make history, as they lost to the New Jersey Devils 3-1 in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals on Wednesday night at Staples Center.
– The Kings now have a 3-3 record in this postseason with a chance to clinch a series. They also lost Game 4 to Vancouver in the first round and Game 4 to Phoenix in the Western Conference Finals. They beat Vancouver in Game 5, Phoenix in Game 5 and St. Louis in Game 4 in the second round.
– The Kings allowed three third-period goals in Game 4. The Kings had allowed one third-period goal in their previous nine games. Before Game 4, the Kings had outscored opponents by a combined margin of 15-5 in this postseason.
– The Devils outshot the Kings 24-22, including 13-8 in the third period.
– The Kings went 1-for-4 on the power play and 3-for-3 on the penalty kill.
– Jonathan Quick stopped 21 of 23 shots.
– Drew Doughty scored a power-play goal, his fourth goal and 14th point of the playoffs. Doughty has three goals and three assists in his last five games. In 30 career playoff games, Doughty has nine goals and 16 assists.
– Mike Richards had a power-play assist, his ninth assist and 13th point of the playoffs. In 81 career playoff games, Richards has 20 goals and 43 assists.
– Anze Kopitar had a power-play assist, his 11th assist and 19th point of the playoffs. In 24 career playoff games, Kopitar has 10 goals and 14 assists.
– Dustin Penner recorded a team-high three shots on goal. Dustin Brown, Matt Greene and Jarret Stoll each recorded a team-high five hits. Willie Mitchell and Rob Scuderi each recorded a team-high three blocked shots.
– Drew Doughty led the Kings in ice time, at a game-high 24 minutes, 46 seconds, followed by Willie Mitchell, at 23:52. Anze Kopitar led all Kings forwards in ice time, at 22:09, followed by Dustin Brown, at 19:50.
– The Kings won 29 of 63 faceoffs (46 percent). Anze Kopitar won 12 of 21 draws (57 percent). Jarret Stoll won 6 of 16 draws (38 percent). Mike Richards won 6 of 15 draws (40 percent).
“The Kings now have a 3-3 record in this postseason with a chance to clinch a series.”
That’s a lot of series! Guess the NHL is changing their format to include all teams in the playoffs.
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Tom Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 11:12 am
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
So everytime were at 3 wins its a chance to clinch. Could be a game 5 too “right”
At 3-1 in a series you have that chance to clinch , we have only lost 3 times when leading a series 3-whatever say 0 or 1
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 11:18 am
@Tom, Ah, yes, thanks! Didn’t get it at first. Kinda like match points in tennis. Let’s just hope they don’t go 3 and 6!
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bbb7 Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 11:17 am
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), Every game after you win the 3rd is a clinching opportunity, so the Kings have had 2 in rounds 1 and 3, 1 in round two and so far one in the SCF.
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Kingsfanone Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 11:22 am
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
Thank you again, waves, for the watch party at Casey’s Pub yesterday! We had a great time, except for the whole Kings not winning the game thing!
We appreciate you getting that done!
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 11:36 am
@Kingsfanone, You’re welcome! It wasn’t the best place but still probably better than any place at LA Live. I was just glad we could all get together. I think TSC would be the perfect spot on Saturday since they are out of town. Plus, it would be far, far more comfortable. Insiders unite!
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Kingsfanone Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 11:46 am
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
I like that idea! And they have food & drink there also. Would be more comfortable me thinks? They have enough chairs my only concern (my GF would not “stand for it”).
We are there!
Kingsfanforlife Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 11:54 am
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), was at the game, but way too many people at LA Live, took some of the pleasure out of it being there,,,,couldn’t even move much less get a drink!
Duncanz Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 12:22 pm
@Kingsfanforlife and others,
) accommodated so that everyone could enjoy the fantastic experience down at Nokia Plaza and actually grab a beer and a ganders at the game as well.
Those that arrived at LA Live for the festivities without scoping out a good spot to watch the game on TV might’ve been disappointed.
People presumed the game would be shown on the giant screen outside but the powers that be were having none of it.
Monday was enough to have a pretty good idea what would happen yesterday.
‘Casey’s’ itself rapidly filled up to bursting point (Ow! My knees!) and I don’t know about the other bars in the vicinity but I guess there was a mad dash up to the drinking district at game time and though the 1st period by 1,000s of “outsiders” looking for a nook or cranny somewhere to get a decent view.
Hearty thanks once again to the erstwhile @wavesinair for having the foresight to get those that properly follow the blog (
SPECTACULAR!
Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 1:23 pm
No worries on chairs! Not sure what it was like yesterday, but all the times I’ve gone there, there’s been plenty of room and they have a zillion chairs in storage if need be.
OneTimer Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 11:22 am
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
As Tom said, (or said an easier way):
The Kings have now played in 6 games with a chance to clinch. They’ve lost 3, and have won 3.
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 11:41 am
@OneTimer, Yep. Thanks. Or here’s one more way of saying it…
vs. Vancouver Game 4 – Loss
vs. Vancouver Game 5 – Win
vs. St. Louis Game 4 – Win
vs. Phoenix Game 4 – Loss
vs. Phoenix Game 5 – Win
vs. New Jersey Game 4 – Loss
vs. New Jersey Game 5 – ?
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Kingsfanforlife Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 11:55 am
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), would love to see Win in 5, but still think this will go 6…if they can hang on to their mental toughness
Rich, need to fix the title.
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 11:12 am
@todd, I prefer Postgame Oats personally. I was hungry afterwards..
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Here are my postgame comments: (1) “Thank you Kings” — It was worth every cent to be in the building last night. (2) “Win it for Bob”
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DesertKing Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 11:09 am
@Weasel,
+1
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A_Cup_Before_I_Die Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 11:34 am
@Weasel, Jum, Nick and Darryl too. Bob especially tho
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A_Cup_Before_I_Die Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 11:35 am
@A_Cup_Before_I_Die, Jim*
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It would have been crazy there if we had won it in overtime….
Would love to see NJ fns cry in the stands, please take that picture Berger.
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I agree with others that the Kings didnt hit enough last night. For that reason I think putting Richardson back in for Game 5 is a good idea. Or Clifford.Otherwise, no changes needed, just play agressively.
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Steve Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 11:24 am
@bbb7, We may see Richardson or Clifford next game.
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Jeff Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 11:25 am
@bbb7, I wonder if Brown isn’t at 100%. He doesn’t seem to have the same jump that he had in the prior series and I don’t see the big hits coming from him as in the prior series.
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Lake Forest Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 11:27 am
@Jeff, people mentioned this after the Hanzel hit…..it’s a good possibility.
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cromartee Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 11:28 am
@bbb7,
It won’t matter which of the three is in cause we’re going to win.
I think Darryl is highly likely to continue playing Gagne but he doesn’t listen to me. And I do a poor imitation of him.
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Kenny44 Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 12:06 pm
@bbb7, There was plenty of hitting intent from the Kings – when the opportunity was there, they finished their checks.
But when you’re consistently skating into the O zone with outnumbered attacks, you’re not going to dump it into a corner to get a hit or start cycling just so you can bump some guys.
The fact that NJ is opening up and we’re gaining easy entry to their zone is a by-product of all the hitting the Kings have done so far. People keep comparing Game 4 to Games 1 and 2, but from the Jersey side I think they played worse. Especially in the neutral and defensive zone. The Kings had an unbelievable amount of open looks last night. Just have to cash them in next time.
If Jersey tightens up in their end, I’m confident the Kings will be there to bang them off the puck, crumple, fold, mutilate and spindle them.
I’m just worried that all the talk about the officials was the Clarkson call. The Kings got the bad end of the officiating, but again all anyone talks about is that “soft” call. If the refs feel like they have to call a King on a marginal hit on the boards, that could back the Kings off which would be a big advantage for jersey.
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Duncanz Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 12:28 pm
@Kenny44,
Wouldn’t it actually just be a big disadvantage for hitting?
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Kenny44 Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 2:02 pm
@Duncanz, Yes. Ask anybody about whether Jersey is digging the hitting in this series. The only rational answer is – not so very much. Go ahead, ask anybody now, I’ll wait. Even Don Cherry, ask him. On this, there can be no debate!
A game with lots of hitting favors the Kings, ergo less hitting is to Jeresy’s advantage.
Duncanz Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 3:18 pm
@WtfKenny44,
Well, it might affect certain lines or players in either side more than others.
Our second line hits the least as only Richards consistently finishes checks.
And yet that line can and has won us games.
Of course, NJ relies on heavy hitting from Zubrus, Clarkson and its depth players.
And was a godawful call, by the way.
But don’t guys like Cal Clutterback, for one, do a lot better when they are balancing out their hitting with looking to create offense (with the puck)?
Sometimes, the team doing the most hitting is not the team creating the most effective offense.
And I think Don Cherry would certainly agree with me on that … just like you should kids!!!
Kenny44 Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 3:27 pm
@Duncanz, Ah, the old argue with someone by repeating what they say as if it’s your side of the argument trick. That’s the second time I’ve fallen for that this week.
Jeff H Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 5:28 pm
@bbb7, I Agree, why pull Clifford after all the games he played this year..Richardson also..Gagne looked slow last night…He just missed to much of the season.
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Kenny44 Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 7:43 pm
@Jeff H, Seriously? Brodeur thought was skating fast. You don’t get the chances he got last night by being slow.
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Both goals were scored on Voynov. Breakdown on his part.
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Jeff Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 11:25 am
@Maury, yes, he has trouble going into the corners and digging out the pucks.
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socaljsb Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 11:33 am
@Maury, he’s a rookie, but thankfully he’s only played like a rookie in a couple games this postseason.
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Kings Fan In Temecula Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 11:39 am
@Maury, glad i wasnt the only one that caught that, he’s burned us before in these playoffs D:
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Weasel Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 11:56 am
@Maury,
He’s tentative so the Devils jump him every time he handles in his own zone — Next year he’ll be a beast, but right now it’s abit scary. On the second goal King didn’t help – he could have used his size to puch the puck into/through center ice along the boards but inside just tried to chip the puck past the Devil’s player towards the center of the ice – from that point the Devils had control of the play until the goal
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vplaza Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 11:57 am
@Maury,
You hate to single anyone out, but I agree that Voynov has been the weakest link in the defense so far. His inability to handle the Devils forecheck has cost the team. He’s not the only one to blame (WM has made some less-than-WM type plays in the defensive zone), but he’s the one who seems to be struggling the most in his own zone in the face of the forecheck.
And the Devils know it.
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responsible D Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 12:15 pm
@Maury,
I didn’t like the way Mitchell played on either of those goals. He was down on a knee trying to play goalie on the first one and deflected the shot, interfering with Quick’s rebound control. On the second goal he was turned away from the forward who made the pass to Henrique, allowing that pass to happen. Both small lapses, but ones with a big cost, and they suggested to me that he’s playing a bit tired. Hopefully an extra day off allows him to regroup and settle back into being the rock that he’s been all season.
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Duncanz Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 12:34 pm
@responsible D,
That’s a really good theory and summation on WM’s part on those goals.
Agreed that, by rights, he should come back with a monster game on Saturday!
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Robert R Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 12:19 pm
@Maury, Last night on Kings Talk, Nick Nickson said that Voynov “looked like a rookie” in game 4
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Maury Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 12:26 pm
@Robert R, I didn’t hear that; I was too busy sulking back home and making plans where to watch Saturday’s game.
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dmoney Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 1:01 pm
@Robert R, Thankfully, he IS a rookie. I recall JJ playing like a rookie from time to time and being a liability in the D zone, and he was costing a lot more money than Voynov. I think he’ll figure it out, plus he’s got great support with WM.
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Robert R Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 4:34 pm
@dmoney, We’re used to seeing him play way beyond rookie level, but this is tough sledding with the pressure of the forecheck and playing for all the marbles.
ziggy99 Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 1:18 pm
@Maury, voynov and mitchell, i think alot more mitchell
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I know that it’s just one loss and that we have lost game 4 in 2 of the prior series and then come back to win game 5, but is anyone else concerned that the Kings could actually lose 4 in a row? I mean, these are the Kings and they are experts at breaking the hearts of their fans. My fear is that if the Kings lose on Saturday and have to come back to LA for a game 6, that ALL the pressure will be on the Kings and they may start gripping their sticks a little too tightly. They really haven’t faced a lot of adversity during these playoffs. If they lose on Saturday (and I know that it’s a big “if” considering how well they have performed on the road), I’m a little concerned that they may not react well to the pressure of the series now being much closer and the Devils being on a roll.
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DesertKing Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 11:32 am
@Jeff,
No, not with DS as the coach.
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ashykins Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 11:46 am
@Jeff, the same thing happened in phoenix and vancouver. theyre fine
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Kingsfanforlife Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 11:49 am
@Jeff, if anyone’s gonna lose 4 in a row it would be the Kings….not the scenario so far in this post season, but you are who you are….just have to hope the road games will take the pressure off a bit, they just don’t perform well in front of the home town cheers
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Weasel Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 11:58 am
@Jeff,
Not worried until it actually happens — until then I wil believe they will will even inclunding a game 7 — But if they loose I will assume that they are cursed and we are all doomed.
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Cesar A Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 12:09 pm
@Jeff, Why are you a little worried about the Kings? Be positive about them. There is no reason to have negative thoughts about this series. I do not understand it. The Devils won just one game and nothing else. Don’t forget the Kings are up 3 games to 1 on the Devils.
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Maury Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 12:28 pm
@Jeff, I see the next two games as critical. We don’t want to get to game 7 where the Devils can win the cup. We need, we must, win one of the next two games.
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We have home ice advantage for two more games. We got this. And if not, the Kings have found the ultimate way to disappoint their fans. There’s nothing more they can do.
So either way, it’s a victory.
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Maury Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 1:20 pm
@Steve, I hate to tell you this but we have only one home game left, the other two are in NJ.
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Pie Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 1:25 pm
@Maury, Away ice is home ice for us
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Postgame vids including Don Cherry and Larry Murphy of all people, plus some Bob and Jim of course… http://kingsnewsdaily.com/post-game-videos/
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I have one extra ticket to the game on Saturday – shoot me a message if you’re interested. I paid $342 each for them. I’d rather sit with a Kings fan than a Devils fan.
andylee14@excite.com
Rich – Any meetup opportunities while you’re in town?
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Robert R Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 12:21 pm
@driller1, Where are ya?
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you can’t win playing only two periods, the celebrating would have been great if they had won here last nite. exiting the game the LAPD made it known that they wanted no one to stay around , they had most areas blocked off, channeling people through tight areas to choke points. they kept people moving through lanes they made right out of the area. even if they had won, we would have been screwed from celebrating. business were blocked off from fans, they lost money from exiting fans. THANKS LAKERS JERKS
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 11:51 am
@ziggy99, It has nothing to do with Lakers fans. The militarization of police is happening all across this country. Just wait for ‘austerity’ to hit the US. That will make Lakers riots look like a love-in.
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Duncanz Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 1:11 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
Surely you are overstating the changes in moden day methods that the overworked overlords are employing in suppressing the proles.
I think these smart folk are just nice gentlemen and ladies in fancy uniforms who are really just like you and me.
Sometimes I wish you wouldn’t lock the handcuffs so tight though around my wrists, though.
They kind off cut off my circulation when I’m trying to play my Rodney King and G20 videos …
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Kenny44 Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 2:05 pm
@Duncanz, Help! Help! I’m being repressed!
Hey Rich, How many hits?
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Duncanz Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 12:55 pm
@Kingsfanforlife,
We got outhit to the tune of around 11.
NHL commented on the huge 22 hit turnaround from Game 3.
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Well boys, after last night’s let down I’m headed to the Big Apple with the fam for a few days to see the Kings raise the hardware. Hope to see some of you guys there.
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DesertKing Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 11:56 am
@LA_1968,
Have a safe and happy trip!
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TiredOfIt Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 12:01 pm
@LA_1968, Please make sure the boys get that big silver thing and bring it home eh?
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Forum Gold Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 12:40 pm
@LA_1968, I want to see you jumping up when we score. Love watching for that on the roadies. Have a great time and travel safe. GO KINGS GO!!!
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LA_1968 Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 4:50 pm
Thanks guys.
@Forum Gold, We’ll be jumping for sure. It really is a reflex so we can’t help it.
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The view from Staples-
Another big day for area donut shops not because of free donuts for fans (there weren’t any) but because of an enormouus LAPD presence in the area.
I didn’t see one NJ fan in Devils attire. (I know their fans were all in suits with microphones.)
The 5 pm start meant area parking lots were already loaded with regular downtown workers and meant there was no surface street parking. Some lots near Staples were charging as much as $80 .
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Duncanz Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 12:53 pm
@JackKentCooke,
The TRAIN, boss, the TRAIN!!
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JackKentCooke Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 1:50 pm
@Duncanz,
Kevin Westgarth is that you?
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LA_1968 Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 5:19 pm
@JackKentCooke, It was a total nightmare with the parking. I am ashamed to say I paid more than 80 for parking. No not pesos. American. I saw two Devil fans out of 40,000 people.
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Perhaps it’s poetic justice for the Kings to win one last time on the road!
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Duncanz Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 12:51 pm
@dMan,
There once was a Kingsman named Kevin
Who wanted a record eleven
He said t’would be nice
Just to get on the ice
But I don’t care, I’d still be in heaven!
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regardless of the loss i had a great time at staples center last night! sat next to some random kings fans at a table at some random bar by hooters. One of the nicest people i met, she gave me a free copy of nhl 12! i love kings fans!
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The question is should I drive the 900 miles roundtrip for gm 5?
At first I thought “No way” but now I’m hemming and hawing…
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Duncanz Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 12:45 pm
@Robert R,
Factor in food, gas, wear and tear & depreciation …
Is it really better than flying?
Regardless, anyone of means with a chance to attend should not even hesitate!
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Robert R Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 4:36 pm
@Duncanz, 205 bucks gets 6th row upper sides. For a game 5 in LA, it would go for $1300
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Diego Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 4:48 pm
@Duncanz,
Wish I was a person of means instead of a mean person.
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Wow..very poor job by Stolly on the draws…figures praise him one day and he makes you regret it the next. We lost a lot fo key draws as well. Good job by the Devils.
It’s ok..I still love Stolly and want hiom back again next year.
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Duncanz Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 12:42 pm
@nykingfan,
He seems mercurial on the draws, doesn’t he?
MR had a tough evening too.
AK seems to be holding his own.
Anyhow, maybe it’s just a mercurial stat for a mercurial part of the game.
I’ll have to ask @Quicksilver ….
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I think it was a jinx by those jerks at NBC to show them unloading and polishing the cup before we won it or even had a lead (which we never did). I said show watching the game last night and sure enough the Devils score their second goal.
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Duncanz Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 12:37 pm
@Maury,
Ooh boy..
Happens in every single series clinching game in every single SCF, regardless of what “jerky” network happens to have the contract in that given year.
Never jinxed anyone before and it never will.
You know why?
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TommieD Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 2:00 pm
@Duncanz, I know I know. Because it’s the Cup!!!
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Duncanz Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 3:02 pm
@TommieD,
PERFECT, @TommieD, PERFECT!
(I was gonna say because it’s bad luck to believe in jinxes, heh heh)
That’s a pretty cool photo on this article.
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Strangley as it might seem, I thought that the Kings actually played better in this game than any of the prior three. The controlled the puck more, and new jersey spent less time cycling the puck this game than the others.
I also thought that we had more scoring chances than the first two games and just as many as game 3.
So what does this all mean?
Nothing.
We will take them out next game.
Go kings Go!
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What does the corner have to do with Voynov? One goal, the Devils guy was behind an aggressive Quick, standing right next to the goal post…that is far from the corner…Someone left him alone…no one should be alone that close to the net when your goalie is out challenging shots.
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Duncanz Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 3:00 pm
@Jack,
Was that the one where WM automatically went down to block the shot shot that JQ had anticipated (but not anticipated the block) and advanced to meet, leaving room behind himself for un unchecked Patrick Elias to turn into the empty goal?
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Go Kings Go!
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We could have easily been up 2to nothing. That damn goal post. Its definitely a game of inches…centimeters actually.
Regroup and take the hardware home on the plane. GKG
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Why didn’t the first goal count? It went in but slide on the rail. WTF!!!! I gotta know. What am I missing? thank you, Angel
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Duncanz Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 7:54 pm
@angel,
The puck must completely cross the goal line for a goal to count.
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When the light went off I mean. Was is a malfunction? (2nd part to Q above)
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