The stat sheet might not have indicated it, but Simon Gagne played much better in Game 4 than he did in Game 4-3. Gagne played only slightly more — 7 minutes, 49 seconds, compared to 6:39 in Game 3 — and took two shots on goal, one fewer than in Game 3, but he looked more comfortable, aggressive and effective. That seemed to catch the attention of Darryl Sutter, as, in the latter part of the game, Gagne took some third-line shifts. Of course, he also had one prime scoring opportunity in Game 4, with a step on a defender and only the goalie in front of him, but Martin Brodeur played the angle well and made the stop on what could have been a massive goal.
Based on today’s practice, it seems as though Gagne will return to his fourth-line look. Can he improve further? There’s always a delicate balance for players when they return from a long-term injury. Often, there’s an initial burst of energy and adrenaline, followed by a dip in effectiveness. It will be Gagne’s challenge to avoid that. Given the situation, and his experience, he might have a better-than-usual chance of accomplishing that. Today, Darryl Sutter was asked about the decision to put Gagne back in the lineup, and what he has seen thus far…
SUTTER: “I think offense is always at a premium. If you can get a guy back to close to where he was — I think the farther you go in the playoffs, the more those top‑end guys you can have in your lineup, as long as they’re up to speed, the better your team is. It’s tough to take kids out. You wish you could play everybody.’’
26 hours until the puck drops… HURRY UP!
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Anbody see Charlie Sheen at Staples on Wednesday? I heard there was some incident.
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RobSD Reply:
June 8th, 2012 at 3:29 pm
@cromartee,
I heard he went out the VIP entrance to have a smoke and then they wouldn’t let him back in. He then flipped out. Par for the course. Celebrities thinking they don’t have to follow the rules. I like Charlie though and will watch his new show. Has to be better than that bomb Kutcher does. They really blew that show to hell. They should have made Kutcher Charlie’s illegitimate son or something… who he left all his money and house to. That way he could be a similar character. The new format of having 3 morons doesn’t work.
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Crown Royal Reply:
June 8th, 2012 at 3:40 pm
@cromartee,
I wish Pierre McGuire would go out for a smoke and they wouldn’t let him back in either!
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uno Reply:
June 8th, 2012 at 5:21 pm
@Crown Royal, Second that! Don’t care much for Pierre.
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Deke'r Reply:
June 8th, 2012 at 8:04 pm
@Crown Royal, ….I wish someone would take him out and smoke him…
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Harry Reply:
June 8th, 2012 at 3:46 pm
@cromartee, RobSD,
Here is the video.
http://www.tmz.com/2012/06/07/charlie-sheen-staples-center-la-kings-rant/
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cromartee Reply:
June 8th, 2012 at 3:57 pm
@Harry,
Thanks. Ha ha. Charlie the Devil and the security girl played King’s defense. Good job. Charlie trashed talked to her like his hooker and she ‘tells a photog she told Charlie to “* off.”‘
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
June 8th, 2012 at 4:13 pm
@cromartee,
And then there’s this response by the Devils… http://tinyurl.com/7c22zs9
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Harry Reply:
June 8th, 2012 at 4:15 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
I tweeted back to them…lol
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Jeff Reply:
June 8th, 2012 at 4:15 pm
@cromartee, Charlie Sheen is a complete scumbag. The way he treated that security person was disgusting. Someone needs to punch that drugged out, self-important, jerk-off in the nose and teach him a lesson.
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
June 8th, 2012 at 4:21 pm
@Jeff, Right, because violence solves all problems.
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cromartee Reply:
June 8th, 2012 at 4:34 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
Not all problems. But Charlie should be dropped, kicked, and stuffed.
Is there a better example of a spoiled, … what Jeff said?
Name him.
Ok, your post was funny Paul.
KingsGRT Reply:
June 8th, 2012 at 4:36 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), haha well if he were on the ice he’d get that and 5 for fighting to go with it.
Gagne has played well considering the circumstances. I like the thought of having another top 6 guy in the bottom half of the lineup cause you can never have enough goal scorers dispersed throughout your 4 lines.
GAME 5 is ours!
GO KINGS GO!
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Often think of Richardson and Clifford, they’ve been such a big part of the team, it’s gotta suck not to be out there../
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hey rich,
first sentence has 2 game 4′s in it!
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cromartee Reply:
June 8th, 2012 at 3:48 pm
@matty muls,
The second on is “4-3″ (do the math) = 1.
Gagne played better in game 4 than 1. (= true)
Gagne. Gagne. Gagne. Gagne. Gagne.
I like the guy, he’s good. I doubt he gonna be the saviour.
Gagne. Gagne. Gagne. Gagne. Gagne.
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vplaza Reply:
June 8th, 2012 at 4:33 pm
@cromartee,
Where’s Gagne? Is he going to get his name on the Cup?
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cromartee Reply:
June 8th, 2012 at 4:35 pm
@vplaza,
Will he get a rung?
As I posted yesterday wishing Gagne flipped with Penner and Williams flipped with Nolan.
JW not helping Kopi enough right now-losing the puck frequently and getting beat in puck races.
Penner played well enough last game but Gagne’s speed combined with Carter’s speed on the opposite wing would be too much for the Devils to deal with for an entire game.
What DS said is true, too bad everyone-Richardson, Clifford, Drewiske and even Bernier couldn’t get into the lineup. No, NOT suggesting Quick be replaced. LOL!
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Michael J. Reply:
June 8th, 2012 at 4:01 pm
@Crown Royal,
I thought Williams helped out pretty well on Kopi’s Game 3 goal.
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Stuart Reply:
June 8th, 2012 at 4:06 pm
@Michael J., not to mention Kopi’s game 1 OT winner…
I just think everyone was a .25 step behind at different points in game 4… not a big deal, tighten it up again and take it home… I refuse to be nervous until it comes to a game 7. if that point gets here I will be beyond a mess.
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Stuart Reply:
June 8th, 2012 at 4:06 pm
by “take it home”, I mean the CUP, not the NJD…
Michael J. Reply:
June 8th, 2012 at 4:12 pm
@Stuart,
Yah, I think Williams is fine. Its part of his game to lose pucks off his stick, just like Brown falling when he turns left
Crown Royal Reply:
June 8th, 2012 at 4:10 pm
@Michael J.,
Yes, he did but he’s also been turning the puck over way too much lately. Mostly losing it off his stick. Not providing any jump either. JW is a smart player but physically hasn’t done that much during the playoffs. He hasn’t been playing like a first line winger for awhile. I hope that changes soon!
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cromartee Reply:
June 8th, 2012 at 4:17 pm
@Crown Royal,
Really, you actually thought he was a first line winger at some time? I’ll bet you’re having a hard time figuring out how the Kings have won all those games with JW on the team, let alone the first line. Might want reevaluate after the series is over.
Michael J. Reply:
June 8th, 2012 at 4:19 pm
@Crown Royal,
I don’t know. Statistically he’s ding well: 18 3 11 14 +7 12
Not many playerd doing any better.
Crown Royal Reply:
June 8th, 2012 at 4:22 pm
@cromartee,
Sorry, don’t understand your post at all. JW has been a valuable player for the Kings. What I’m suggesting is he is not playing all that well right now. If you think he’s played well in the last two series (Phoenix and New Jersey) you might want to reevaluate and watch the tapes of those two series…
cromartee Reply:
June 8th, 2012 at 4:30 pm
@Crown Royal,
As I’ve said before a few times he’s my favorite player so I’m definitely going to defend him when I disagree. I think he’s been playing great and I watch him at least as much as any other player. He you might note his assists. You might remember that Gretzky had more passes go awry and lose the puck as much as anybody that handled the puck as much as him. You take chances to score, to make great passes. Sometimes it doesn’t work, it’s all in percentages. When you give up the puck in your zone and it leads to a goal then you’ve really screwed up. I havent’ seen that. Williams is fine. To prove I’m not biased and had to fight off a bunch of people that thought he played good in last years playoff becuase I didn’t. I might have lost that argument but I still think I’m right. Somethings I pay attention to more than others and this one I pay attention to. Granted he didn’t look great in the last game but personally that’s the way I saw most Kings. I don’t totally agree with Darryl either. Anyways, it splitting hairs. Let it be over so I can go back to causing trouble elsewhere. Justin will settle this tommorrow.
Crown Royal Reply:
June 8th, 2012 at 4:42 pm
@Cromartee,
Gretzky didn’t lose the puck all that much. If you re-read what I posted there was no mention of his making bad passes or plays. He’s been losing the puck off his stick and getting out skated. Those are not the same things.
Jw is a good hockey player who has helped Kopi become a better player because of his smart play. I don’t think he’s played well lately. If you think he has,then we can agree to disagree.
cromartee Reply:
June 8th, 2012 at 4:52 pm
@Crown Royal,
We just disagree then. About Gretzky too who I must have watched 50,000 times as a King fan.
And I wrote “lose the puck” which was the same as what you wrote (“losing the puck”) – which compares pretty good.
cromartee Reply:
June 8th, 2012 at 4:52 pm
@Crown Royal,
No problem. Good men can disagree.
JD Reply:
June 8th, 2012 at 5:40 pm
@Crown Royal, That wasnt a very good idea yesterday either, JW has been playing fine, why would you throw a forth liner, on the first line, espically in an elimination game
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Crown Royal Reply:
June 9th, 2012 at 12:24 am
@JD,
Because in this case the fourth liner is faster than the first liner, bigger than the first liner, stronger than the first liner and can help keep the puck in the O zone more effectively for those reasons.
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dtalker Reply:
June 9th, 2012 at 8:20 am
@Crown Royal, I agree with your analysis. A Brown-Kopi-Gagne line would be more effective right now and would also allow Richardson to return to the 4th line which was never a problem in the first place. JW has made some nice passes, but he needs to do much more as a 1st line player in this series (i.e., win pucks along the boards, play better defense, and contribute on the physical side along the boards). If the effort is not there in game 5 then I would make a change. Today, we really need to see all the Kings contributing and finishing their checks (i.e., not just Brown, Stoll, Lewis) and the SC will be on the return flight back to LA.
I knew we had a good record under DS but WOW……..40-16-11! thats pretty damn impressive. I realize 18 games are playoffs so it might be alittle misleading as some of our wins could be oveertime/shootout loses…but Geez! 40-16-11….had to say it to myself once more. Our team is as focused as i have ever seen them and you can tell by all thier interviews they are dialed in. As a long suffering Kings fan as we all are i can honestly say this time I am confident we will win this! If not tomorrow than no later than game 6
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Michael J. Reply:
June 8th, 2012 at 4:09 pm
@BrokeKingsFan,
How about 27-7 with Carter in the lineup?
CRAZY!
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Don’t know if anyone has posted this video of Game 3 of the Calder Cup Final from last night but it’s a must see for any hockey fan just to witness one of the most bizarre goals ever… http://bcove.me/el8qhdk0
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
June 8th, 2012 at 4:29 pm
Here’s a better video: http://youtu.be/rnNIQ2iaHyk?hd=1
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King Alex Reply:
June 8th, 2012 at 4:50 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), Thats just wrong on so many levels. can you imagine if the Kings lost a game 1-0 on a goal like that????? Talk about being forsaken by the Hockey Gods!
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bbb7 Reply:
June 8th, 2012 at 4:58 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), Since there was a guy offside when the puck went into the zone, shouldnt the goal not count? If you shoot a puck at the goalie with a guy in the zone, the play is offsides if a goal is scored, so is this really different?
The fact that the guy got onside wouldnt seem to matter as the puck entered the zone with him still in it.. If it does matter if he ‘touched up’ would a goal count against a goalie if an offensive player was offside on the shoot in but got back across the blue line before it reached the goal?
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
June 8th, 2012 at 5:19 pm
@bbb7,
You hit it on the head.
“AHL admits Admirals overtime goal shouldn’t have counted”
The problem is game officials didn’t notice Norfolk had at least one player offside when the puck was shot in. According to AHL rules, the goal should have been disallowed.
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/story/2012/06/08/sp-ahl-admits-admirals-overtime-goal-shouldnt-have-counted.html
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you mean DS didn’t put him in so he could get his name on the cup??? LOL
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Do we have a chance at blowing this series? NJ seems pretty confident.
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Crown Royal Reply:
June 8th, 2012 at 4:17 pm
@Bonvivant,
No, the series won’t go seven games. The Devis are not better than the Kings. The series is about where it should be at this point. The Kings probably win game five, if not a game six win is a lock.
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Michael J. Reply:
June 8th, 2012 at 4:20 pm
@Bonvivant,
Not as confident as Vancouver was.
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King Alex Reply:
June 8th, 2012 at 4:53 pm
@Bonvivant, The same chance you have in winning super lotto or being struck by lightning. Keep the faith brother, the Kings will deliver us from the Devil(s)!
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bbb7 Reply:
June 8th, 2012 at 5:00 pm
@Bonvivant, The more confident they are, the better.
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So, is the watch party tomorrow at Paul’s house or Puck’s?
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Today’s video. Tons of analysis and interviews… http://tinyurl.com/7gvppx6
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OT, maybe some good news for the Kings. Before Game 5 against the Yotes, they announced new ownership for the Yotes, then the Yotes lost.
Before Game 5 against the Devils, they announce that a new investor group is finalizing a deal to join the ownership of the Devils and help ease their debt.
Coincidence? I THINK NOT! Hey, every little bit….
Go Kings Go!
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No coincidence. This is the year of patterns.
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I see what DS sees in Gags. He is going to score tomorrow. He has 5 SOG in just over 13 min ice time. Come on Gags, prove me right tomorrow!!!
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As I stated before ” in Sutter I trust ”
I can’t believe how good gags looks for a
guy who hasn’t played since Christmas.
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Gags is a stud and looked comfortable on the ice Wednesday.
Finish This.
We Believe!!!!!!
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I second the notion of Gagne scoring, or at least assisting on a goal.
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I think Gagne may have played more career games in The Rock than at The Stape. Maybe that’s a good sign. I put this in the last thread but it seems more appropriate here so I’ll post it again.
This is a little part of Fraser’s blog entry from today…
“I’ve had the chance to play with Simon Gagne the past two games after he came back from an injury. He’s played a lot of years in the League and, even more importantly, a lot of playoff games. For a guy like me to get to play with him, it is like an honor to play with a guy of that status.
The numbers he’s put up and the years he’s played, he’s obviously an elite player. He’s been playing a fourth-line role since he came back, and he’s OK with that because he wants to play any way he can. It is very exciting for me to get to play with a guy like that.”
And this article is awesome – great cause! I couldn’t agree more! Love the willingness to help – class act on and off the ice!
http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2012/06/08/kings-gagne-wants-concussion-support-group/
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I think we need to put Richardson back in just for the fact he was playing more physical. He may not have the skills that Gagne has but he has deserved his right to once again prove himself. I believe the Richardson has better chemistry with the other two guys. But I feel those two guys with Gagne… They get star stuck and doesn’t match the chemistry of there game play.
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hey I have a question,will cliffy get his name on the cup?
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luc20rules Reply:
June 8th, 2012 at 6:34 pm
@tory17, Yes, he has played in the playoffs and over 40+ games in the regular season.
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tory17 Reply:
June 8th, 2012 at 6:37 pm
@luc20rules,
thanks,thats what i was thinking but wasn’t sure
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Osaka Reply:
June 8th, 2012 at 6:39 pm
@luc20rules, And he has played in the playoffs.
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Katie Reply:
June 9th, 2012 at 7:08 am
@luc20rules, Playing in the playoffs is not the requirement. Playing in the Stanley Cup Final game is. Though it doesn’t matter for Clifford because he’s played enough regular season games.
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Osaka Reply:
June 8th, 2012 at 6:38 pm
@tory17, Yes.
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What is with all of the Gagne love all of a sudden Sutter?……who is pulling the strings on that call?
A few months ago you didn’t even know if he was around.
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kingrussell Reply:
June 8th, 2012 at 9:28 pm
@Donald, Have you even watched the last two games? Gagne has looked very good in limited minutes,especially considering he’s been out of action for months.
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Donald Reply:
June 9th, 2012 at 7:37 am
@kingrussell, Not on a 4th role, can’t hit and is slow.
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Duncanz Reply:
June 9th, 2012 at 11:02 am
@Donald,
That “North America” comment was a toungue-in-cheeker on DS’s part.
SG settles down that line which is currently playing (and was before he came in) a more positional strategy, less aggressive without the puck.
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Trust in DS. Short of bringing all of the monarchs in to play for the cup, every choice he makes seems to work out for us, so I think he has earned us not to second guess his deceision making. I have long been a suffering fan for the past 26 years and witnessed coaches trade away our talent for nothing(ie Robitaille for tocchet) so far DS and Lombardi have built one hell of a team. Go Kings Go!!!! Bring the cup home on Saturday.
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I’d rather see a grinder in there, that’s how we’ve been winning. Besides we haven’t been able to draw many power plays. The devils are doing to us what we’ve been doing to other teams, and we’ve been reduced to scoring on the rush. They are consistently beating our forecheck and surprisingly their forecheck is dominating us. I thought maybe all our playoff success was affecting us (like the lakers the more you win the less you listen to the coach, losing our edge or focus) but we have now been outplayed the last three games…the devils are better than us. But who cares as long as we perservere…Quickie is definitely gonna have to steal another in order for us to win the cup.
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Richardson / Clifford > Gagne for the 4th line…
Glad to have him back, but he’s still not at the confidence level to be physical…his speed does not negate the fact that he’s not hitting or making contact. You can tell he’s a little timid about engaging – and rightfully so considering his concussion, but that’s why we need #13 or #15 on that line to grind and battle.
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Im Kyle Clifford’s #1 fan! I’m obviously very upset that he isn’t playing! It’s sad for him and for Richardson because they both worked hard to get us in the playoffs. Now neither of them can play (even tho they both have better chemistry with the team because they actually played this season) because they want gagne’s name on the cup? And I’m not dissing gagne. He is a great player. And sutter is also amazing…but I wanna see Clifford play. That is all! GO KINGS! #13
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Duncanz Reply:
June 11th, 2012 at 12:29 am
@Kate,
I estimate you as Cliffy’s no.2 fan.
I think @Hasty, would confirm this …
Now, don’t you think that if it was because they only “want(ed) Gagne’s name on the Cup” that they would have seen their “folly” and replaced him after the requisite one game with Brad Richie or Cliffy, immediately?
I mean Kate, come on …
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