The Kings now have a second opportunity to win the Stanley Cup on home ice. The first chance came last Wednesday, and it ended in a Game 4 loss. Before that game, Kings players talked about how they would maintain focus and wouldn’t allow outside distractions to impact them. In hindsight, it doesn’t appear as though that was totally the case. Drew Doughty gave some interesting insight today when he talked about the challenges the Kings faced before Game 4, in terms of friends and family getting prematurely excited about the situation. Often, these folks — understandably excited — don’t understand what a distraction they can be to players. That said, it’s the players’ jobs, as professionals, to set that aside, and Doughty discussed how the Kings intend to change their preparation for Game 6.
DOUGHTY: “I don’t think (playing in) Jersey was as big of a distraction as it was for Game 4. With the Cup being in the building and everything being at home, I think a lot of guys were distracted by flying their family members in, their friends in, making sure everybody was taken care of. We’ve talked a lot about it in the room. We can’t be doing that. Family is always first in everyone’s minds, but right now, at this point of the year, it has to be hockey first. All we’ve got to think about is getting ourselves ready, individually, to play our best hockey. After that, things will come a lot easier.’’
Question: It’s just about turning off the phone, that sort of thing?
DOUGHTY: “Exactly. You just deal with ticketing, and things like that, days before things start. From that point on, it’s all about the next game. It’s Game 6, Game 6. That’s all we’re thinking about.’’
On the New Jersey side, coach Peter DeBoer has been a media master, publicly pontificating about how the pressure is all on the Kings. A smart man, and a good motivator, DeBoer even talked today about how his team drew motivation, before Game 4, from driving to Staples Center and seeing “10 limos parked on the road, ready for the after-party.’’ Now, if DeBoer and the Devils truly encountered, on their bus ride from the hotel at 2:30 p.m., 10 limos parked on the street for a (presumptive) late-night after-party, I’ll drive the Devils’ team bus for them tomorrow. More realistically, DeBoer is trying to shift media pressure onto the Kings by painting his team as the scrappy little underdog with nothing to lose. His players are believing it, which only increases the importance of Kings such as Doughty and Anze Kopitar putting aside distractions.
KOPITAR: “We all know how big this is. It would certainly be nice to finish it off at home and get it done. … It would be really nice, but it’s going to take a big effort from everybody to finish it off.’’
DOUGHTY: “We’ve got to put all that in the back of our minds. It’s not about that. It’s about playing as a team and winning as a team. Whether we win it in L.A. or we win it in New Jersey, it really doesn’t matter to us. We just want that thing so bad, and we’re going to do whatever it takes.’’
time is now . . . a chance in Game 6 to win the Stanley Cup on home ice. C’mon, how much better does it get than that? Kings need to absolutely dig deep and seize the opportunity. The Devils are good but not the team the Kings are. Get it done boys. Its time to be done with all of this!!
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Joe Reply:
June 10th, 2012 at 5:26 pm
@rt16, Totally Agree, but I think Kings Really Need to Play this Game as If It Were GM7 tomorrow Night.
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Kingstane9 Reply:
June 11th, 2012 at 3:00 am
@rt16, indeed, season ends today!
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I’d say Brodeur is right up there with DeBoer with this: “I think they’re so close to winning the Stanley Cup that I’m sure it’s getting to them a little bit, to be able to have all these chances and not capitalize on them.”
Sure buddy. Keep talking.
Here’s Doughty, along with Brown, Kopitar, Richards, Gagne and Sutter today, plus some analysis by former Kings Melrose and Murphy… http://kingsnewsdaily.com/pre-game-videos/
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Daniel Reply:
June 10th, 2012 at 6:25 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
Larry Murphy sure told it like it is. Ouch. He’s right, though.
Go Kings!!!!
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Again, ….let’s win game 6 for our Goalie in the sky….Stu Nahan!!!!!
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Instead of the players having to deal with all the ticketing for there family and friends why don’t the teams higher someone or a team to deal with all that, so the players don’t get distracted. Just have them get a list of the people who are coming to the games and take care of it. Sounds simple enough. That way the players don’t need to be distracted by all that.
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rumpa#19 Reply:
June 10th, 2012 at 5:53 pm
@Jeff_R, There agents would take care of it, whats with that?
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Michael J. Reply:
June 10th, 2012 at 5:58 pm
@rumpa#19,
Maybe someone hire in the organization could, or they’re agents.
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Duncanz Reply:
June 11th, 2012 at 3:23 am
@Michael J., Ewe sarky, sarky bassturd,@J.!
SantaMariaKing Reply:
June 11th, 2012 at 9:29 am
@Michael J., Fox
It’s the facts of life
Simarosa Reply:
June 10th, 2012 at 6:13 pm
@Jeff_R,
I’m surprised that Sutter hasn’t taken everyones phones away.
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cromartee Reply:
June 10th, 2012 at 8:26 pm
@Simarosa,
I agree with Jeff_R and you. If a player has to spend more than a half-an-hour talking to family and friends for any reason then it’s too much distraction. Hearing that from Doughty is troubling.
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Its pretty simple. Your best players need to be your best players. In the two losses, the best forwards were Williams, Stoll and Penner. Good for them, but a few others need to step up.
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I’m glad someone finally admitted there were distractions. It seems they learned from the experience. The drawback of this young team is most of them don’t have wives to take care of this stuff for them. Hopefully they’ve all taken a step back from the personal and family stuff and are totally focused on playing game six like its their last game.
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Someone needs to step up in the locker room tomorrow night and vocalize that this opportunity may not ever come again. They ALL need to play the best game of their life – give everything they have each and every shift. I want the KIngs to not only win tomorrow night, but win big. Tomorrow night needs to be the best game of the playoffs for us, if not for each and every player’s career. The time is now. Lets do this!
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kopiSTAR Reply:
June 10th, 2012 at 6:06 pm
@Dave N, I know obviously all the boys want the cup, but you can absolutely tell that Doughty wants his dream to come true tomorrow night.
-turn the cell phones off, no twitter!
-put blindfolds on the players while walking over to staples so they won’t see all the hype
-play confident, not cocky
-WIN
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sam. t. Reply:
June 10th, 2012 at 9:46 pm
@Dave N, The names of our players are already engraved on the Stanly Cup
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Duncanz Reply:
June 11th, 2012 at 3:35 am
@sam. t., @Michal J.,
I rally hop thy’r good ngravrs!
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This from the guy who stood grinning on the ice in the middle of the game to watch Will Farrell hamming it up on the monitor…
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Kings Fan In Temecula Reply:
June 10th, 2012 at 6:06 pm
@InTheCrease, that was pretty funny
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Lavamantis Reply:
June 11th, 2012 at 8:23 am
@Kings Fan In Temecula, Didn’t Joe Montana once crack everyone up in the huddle by asking if John Candy was in the stands? Then he went on the game winning drive to win a super bowl? I have no problem with that.
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kingrussell Reply:
June 10th, 2012 at 6:33 pm
@InTheCrease, You can’t win if you’re uptight.
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We WILL win tommorow night, but I do have some advice for DS:
1. Chain Quick to the crease.
2. Short, quick breakout passes. Not long ones.
3. Keep shifts very short, use all 4 lines.
4. Emphasize that the defenseman MUST get the shots from the point on net, low, and hard.
5. In the offensive zone if we get the puck out of the corners or the boards get someone in the slot IMMEDIATELY. Don’t wait!
6. Give Voynov a jersey with Velcro on the OUTSIDE.
7. Use whoever you want on the 4th line. I trust you.
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Forum Gold Reply:
June 10th, 2012 at 6:16 pm
@HockeyNerd, Shots on net. Someone agree’s with me. If it takes a garbage goal to win it I’m OK with that. Just get some rebounds on Marty and light the lamp. GO KINGS GO!!!
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Itchy Reply:
June 10th, 2012 at 6:44 pm
@Forum Gold,
Or garbage power plays… I don’t [and The Cup sure as heck doesn't] care how the goals happen, just make them legal.
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Mars Reply:
June 10th, 2012 at 6:35 pm
@HockeyNerd, Gotta keep Brown and Penner in front of the net.
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Robert R Reply:
June 10th, 2012 at 6:37 pm
@HockeyNerd, 1) when possible, goalies control the puck behind the net rather than have it come to a forechecking winger.
2) when available, the home run pass can spring someone on a breakaway.
3) point shots aren’t easy, especially when you have a maze of legs and someone going down to block a shot. Quick east-west passes until a lane opens where your teammate is the only one in front–that seems best.
4) I’d love to see wingers lurking where rebounds come. Brodeur has given up some big rebounds to the side of the slot opposite the side from where the point shot originates. If #8 shoots from the right point, I’d love to see Carter or Penner or Williams swooping in from the left into the face-off circle. Those rebounds don’t seem to come back flush towards the point man.
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HockeyNerd Reply:
June 10th, 2012 at 6:56 pm
@Robert R, I know, I know it’s all easier said than done. I played hockey too, albeit at a beginner’s level. I tell you one thing though–when I started playing it was when I stopped screaming at the Kings from the stands.
As far as long breakout passes, very true they can very easily send a forward in on an outnumbered rush. But they can also backfire and then THEIR forward has that same opportunity.
Also in fairness, I don’t think it’s so much that Quick is a bad puck handler, it’s just that of he’s going to play the puck outside the crease (and you are 100% correct, at NHL level it’s not really a choice) he’s GOT to know EXACTLY what it is he wants to do. The difference between Quick and Brodeur in that respect is astronomical. Hopefully, he’s learned his lesson.
Good post and good points.
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Robert R Reply:
June 10th, 2012 at 7:29 pm
@HockeyNerd, I’m the same way–I’ve been playing pick-up for 13-14 years, and when I hear someone holler “(Player), you stink!”, immediately I think, “Oh no he doesn’t!” All of these players are magicians, as far as I’m concerned.
That’s it. Would love to be there tomorrow, but after driving 1800 miles to NJ (900 twice), and flying 9200 miles to SoCal (4600 roundtrip twice), I’m tired. I’m at the mercy of NBC.
m.r.morris Reply:
June 10th, 2012 at 6:42 pm
@HockeyNerd, Forget Velcro, the puck would also have to be made of the stufff… USE STICK-UM, BAT TAR, Maybe DOUBLE SIDED TAPE or do an over night order of the AMAZING STICCKY you see sold on CABLE…
GO KINGS GO
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HockeyNerd Reply:
June 10th, 2012 at 7:36 pm
@m.r.morris, Hmmm. Does anything you get on cable work correctly?
Definitely not NBC announcers!
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Take the magnets out of the puck and Brodeur’s posts!
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HockeyNerd Reply:
June 10th, 2012 at 6:08 pm
@kopiSTAR, Yeah, that too
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I need help getting ahold of the players. Gotta ask them about which party room to reserve. Worse comes to worse, I’ll catch them and take a poll at the pre-game skate 20 min before opening face-off.
Actually, it would benefit the team to ignore the media entirely–don’t look at TV sports reports, news articles in the paper and web. The players don’t need to see what this guy or that guy said (especially that guy). De Boer’s or Brodeur’s statements are meaningless anyway.
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HockeyNerd Reply:
June 10th, 2012 at 6:19 pm
@Robert R, No need for any of that. What we want you to do is go to a hardware store, get the STRONGEST tube of cement you can find and spread it all over Voynov’s Jersey.
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Reign Mafia Reply:
June 10th, 2012 at 7:07 pm
@HockeyNerd, I’m sure Jersey would not let that happen to their leading scorer in this series!
Just Finish this already…I can’t take anymore of these pinhead announcers!!!!!
Go Kings Go!!
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Robert R Reply:
June 10th, 2012 at 7:15 pm
@HockeyNerd, Put Voynov in front of New Jersey’s net.
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It’s time to stop the kidding,
And all the jokes as well;
Just follow these instructions,
To break the devils spell.
I can’t believe we missed it,
It was right before our eyes;
They played the scene from Seinfeld,
Which cast the spell desired.
We must work fast and earnest,
And relive that spell full scene;
But rather dress like one of them,
You must look just like a King.
So grab the face paint Puddy,
The Kings Jersey as well;
Relive that scene of long ago,
To break their magic spell.
Now get dressed up in Royal wear,
And to the game you go;
Don’t be quiet or ashamed,
Let everybody know.
Re-do the scene just like a King,
And break the devil’s curse;
Film it if it’s possible,
You might have to rehearse.
I see it now just watch the crowd
They see Puddy at the game;
But unlike memories from the past,
He doesn’t look the same.
He’s all decked out with Kingly clout,
The face paint makes the day;
And all at once they begin to shout,
Sit down, you’re in the way.
Undaunted by the heckling crowd,
He shouts out all the more;
Until they suddenly realize,
He’s a Kings fan they adore.
In one accord into the game,
The stands become alive;
The devil’s know they’ve met their match,
They spell did not survive.
The Kings react to the roar,
Echoing from the fans;
They do attain the winning score,
The devils cannot stand.
The Kings now have the Stanley Cup,
Just forty years it’s been;
The Puddy curse is blown away,
A King fan once again.
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Duncanz Reply:
June 11th, 2012 at 3:45 am
@Corey Schreiber,
That was great.
Now I have to watch that episode of Seinfeld.
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Real 7 Reply:
June 11th, 2012 at 3:54 am
@Duncanz, oh no! not the Seinfeld curse….silly puddy, I say…
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Since we already live in a media world and internet too, and too much hooplour all the time anyway, yes get our boys to the hotel now, take away there phones, turn off the phones in the rooms, take away the papers take the TV out of the players rooms too.
Since I cannot grow a beard and have not cut my hair, and cannot see hardly please let us try to get this done tomorrow as I need a haircut.
Also one of my front crowns are loose, way to go if it falls out I will almost look like a hockey player funny, one can try can’t one?
Get rest boys and men either way your LA Kings Fans Love you!
Go Kings Go!
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The guys need to drive the net a little more next game. They did it so well in previous games and series, but it seemed like there were a lot of chances last night where the guys away from the puck didn’t drive the net and as a result, didn’t back off the defense and weren’t there for rebounds. On Williams’ goal, Brown drove the net hard and backed off the D. Goal.
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Just Win Baby!!
Step on their necks early and don’t let up!!
GO KINGS!!
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SportsGirl101 Reply:
June 10th, 2012 at 6:47 pm
@Daniel, Do I spy a Raiders fan?
And I agree with you get physical with them!
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Will they be staying at a hotel overnight? I hope so.
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Debs seems very distracted by Brown and Penner, they need to be out there mucking it up and getting in the debs heads. Put them in front of the net and making a lot of hip checks and big hits/shoves. This will create room for Kopi, JW and JC more room to skate and shoot. Also leaving DB and DP room to pick up the scrapy rebound. Not too close to brody though, the debs keep pushing them back trying to make a false penalty of it. They are trying (not as bad, yet..) to draw and whine about penalties like Phoenix did.
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WHEN we win tomorrow night, it is going to be even better than if we had won in Games 4 or 5. Adversity makes for true champions. I actually like the fact that our backs are much farther up the wall than they have been at any point during these playoffs. The harder you have to fight for something, the sweeter it is when you get it.
Like most of you, I have suffered with this team for decades, and have become used to disappointment. I always tend towards the pessimistic when it comes to the Kings, because they have given me more than ample reason to do so over the years. Regardless, I have this unwavering conviction that Brownie is going to be hoisting the Cup tomorrow night. It is totally unlike me to be this strident about something so positive when it comes to the Kings, but I have just that feeling and it ain’t going away. TOMORROW – WE TAKE THE CUP!!!
And so it was said – and so it shall be done!!!
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Jack Reply:
June 10th, 2012 at 6:57 pm
@rick, I agree…I posted before that we have played better with a chip on our shoulder or when it really became vital..
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Minnesota Kings Fan Reply:
June 10th, 2012 at 7:27 pm
@rick,
I’m with you, man! Thanks!
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Remember the old Andy Murray mottos he’d come out with for each season? “Best Ever” was my favorite, but I think at this point The Kings should be adopting a “Whatever It Takes” motto. Ugly goals and getting outplayed lead the devils to two wins… and they aren’t going to complain about them… Kings shouldn’t be looking for perfect passing and brilliant goals, they should be playing gritty and doing whatever it takes.
I told myself I wasn’t going to make a, “This is what The Kings need to do to win, post…
We’re all having fun watching you guys play in June, go out there and get it done fellas.
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Several noted the bush-league caliber of the NBC broadcasts….today the NHL Network encored last night’s game, and, as too-infrequently do…they gave us the CBC broadcast instead of NBC. My son and his girlfriend were watching some this afternoon. I joined them for 5 minutes and heard (and SAW) more intelligent hockey talk and camera angles in 5 mins than in the entire NBC broadcast last night. For example, after the scrum in Quick’s crease with 2 min left, CBC had a GREAT shot , which they stuck with, of Clarkson skating backwards as W Mitchell was stalking him…Clarkson talking big but heading straight south as Mitchie tracked him down and got WAY in his grill. And the analysis on CBC during play just made the NBC drivel look 2nd-grade and embarrassing. If I can’t have Bob and Jim….please gimme the CBC!!!
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Doughty is right the players need to be able to focus on preparing for the game not worrying about taking care of family and friends. My advise to the family and friends…FIND AND GOOD TV AND WATCH!
LET THE KINGS WIN ONE MORE GAME!
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I believe….SERIOUSLY!
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If you see an aspiring driver with an ‘RH’ monogram on his jacket, about to board the NJD team bus tomorrow at 2:30pm, go ahead and cancel his limo.
One down, 9 to go, then!
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Real 7 Reply:
June 11th, 2012 at 4:27 am
@Duncanz, sounds mysterious, like subterfuge….the Devil[s] had better keep an EYE on you
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Duncanz Reply:
June 11th, 2012 at 4:34 am
@Camino Real 7,
Lol, you haven’t read the beloved leader’s article at the top of the page, have you …
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Real 7 Reply:
June 11th, 2012 at 4:41 am
@Duncanz, OOOH! I guess I got carried away!!
no more off-topic …. unless Rich enjoys it …. which he probably doesn’t …
of course he’s not UP ALL NIGHT, like you and me…
Duncanz Reply:
June 11th, 2012 at 4:47 am
@Spiked Drink,
Only Rhonda Shear would be proud of us …
Real 7 Reply:
June 11th, 2012 at 9:15 am
@Duncanzebra, OH! Spaceballs….