The Kings are quick to point out that, in terms of adversity, they’ve had their share this season. Having a coach fired midseason, and having to rise from 11th place in the final weeks of the season, simply to make the playoffs, certainly qualifies as adversity. But in terms of having to battle in the playoffs, within a series, the Devils have gone through more. The Kings didn’t trail in any of their four playoff series. The Devils, in the first round, trailed Florida 3-2, then won Games 6 and 7 in overtime. In the second round, the Devils dropped the first game to Philadelphia, then won the next four. In the conference finals, the Devils trailed the New York Rangers 1-0 and 2-1 before they won three consecutive games.
That is, almost certainly, one reason why the Devils didn’t fold when the Kings won the first three games of this series, but Drew Doughty said he didn’t necessarily think the Devils derived any advantage from having trailed in previous series.
DOUGHTY: “I don’t think so. Even though we’ve closed out the past series quicker, we’re prepared to go the distance in the Stanley Cup Finals. This is the toughest team we’ve played throughout the playoffs. They’re a great team. They play really well and we knew it was going to be a tough challenge. Now it’s going to be up to us, individually, to get ourselves going and play as a team.’’
Kings are saying all the right things, but let this be the last time these things need to be said at all!
GKG!!
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pr0cess Reply:
June 11th, 2012 at 12:37 pm
@Stuart, they talk a good game but can they play a good game??
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binus Reply:
June 11th, 2012 at 1:42 pm
@pr0cess,
We will put tons of pressure on the Brodeur and the Devils early and actually get a goal from all the hard work! Then we will ride our defense and fantastic quick to our first Stanley cup (and not the last either with this group)!!!!
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Did the Devils sweep any of those series? I don’t think so, and they’re not going to “sweep” our Kings either!!!!
Let’s get it on!!
GO LINGS!!!!
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Daniel Reply:
June 11th, 2012 at 12:24 pm
@Daniel,
GO KINGS!!!!
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QueenInVan Reply:
June 11th, 2012 at 12:25 pm
@Daniel, LOL
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SuperPartyRobot Reply:
June 11th, 2012 at 1:23 pm
@Daniel, They swept Philly =/
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I really want the cup in LA, for the team, for subjective reasons, for personal reasons………..
but I think we are making a mistake with no changes. Time will tell and I hope I’m wrong from a team perspective. But I think we will need to make line changes.
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Daniel Reply:
June 11th, 2012 at 12:29 pm
@Harty,
Let’s trust DS knows what he is doing. He didn’t get stupid all of a sudden. DS is the reason we are still blogging on 6/11/2012.
I want the cup, first and foremost, for the Kings organization. After that I want it for all the loyal, long suffering fans who have lived thru mostly lean times over the past 45 years. Geez, I’m tearing up already at the thought of winning the Cup.
GO KINGS!!!!
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Dave K. Reply:
June 11th, 2012 at 12:35 pm
@Daniel,
I think ALL of us – each and every insider – wil have a hard time keeping it together when we win the Cup!!
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red49er Reply:
June 11th, 2012 at 12:38 pm
@Daniel, no he didn’t get stupid, just over coaching. hope gagne proves him right tonight.
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goaliemom Reply:
June 11th, 2012 at 12:31 pm
@Harty, are you the coach? are you clarvoyant? Just believe…………GKG!
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Lake Forest Reply:
June 11th, 2012 at 12:38 pm
@goaliemom, no, but he is clairvoyant
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
June 11th, 2012 at 12:31 pm
@Harty,
There have been a lot of line changes. If things stay true to form, you’ll see Gagne on multiple lines and Fraser/Nolan barely on the ice.
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red49er Reply:
June 11th, 2012 at 12:35 pm
@Harty, you mean something like putting in a player who hadn’t played in 6 months and then losing 2 out of 3? , or going back to one who is all energy and grit with the touch of a bronze statue? I say go with option #2 because our 4th line was playing great when BR got benched for a player who is past his prime coming off a brain injury who hadn’t played in 6 months. everyone who wants to point out what a wonderful pass he made is missing the point, this team is a TEAM and we need to hound the other team which BR does and SG does not. More important than all that though is Brown’s willingness to take the needle to help us get over the hump , cuz he sure is playing like he is injured – that and Kopitar needs to re-imerge from hiding and help produce a couple goals that will help put his name on the cup.
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Happy Lappy Reply:
June 11th, 2012 at 12:38 pm
@Harty, I think DS has a reason for his lines to stay the same, as he did make very few changes since he got here. Unlike TM, DS realizes the importance of stable linemates playing together, can’t argue with the results. Richardson may show more energy on the 4th line, but, he is no scoring threat. Gagne may just be a part the goal that wins it all tonight.
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Harty Reply:
June 11th, 2012 at 12:48 pm
@Happy Lappy, Everyone above who has blogged in, I have faith in Darrly to make the proper moves but it seems we have lost some of our edge lately, last two games for sure. Yes they were close, yes they perhaps could have gone either way, but you know what we are now 3-2 in a 7 game series. If we were to loose one more then what, going to NJ for game 7 is suicide for the Team. We must have tonight and everyone has to realize and pull their weight.
biggest problem is getting professionals not to be nervous or excited, it happens at all levels in the work place, so here’s hoping DS can calm these guys into sticking to the game plan and not budging.
Forecheck the crap out of Devils, give and take hits and score when the opportunity presents itself. Meaning no more half shots on breakaways and certainly not just you Stolley but hit the net, its frustrating to see pucks going over the net from 20′ and not even getting a shot on net. Keep it down for rebounds and loose pucks, Broduer is terrible on low shots through he wickets, get pucks to him in this area for success.
Finally we are marginally under 4 hours till game time, I would think all players are in the Staples Center by now and it becomes who wants it more. Lets ramp up our drive and passion for the cup.
If your at the game lets hear it loud and clear, GO KINGS GO……….
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
June 11th, 2012 at 12:54 pm
@Harty,
This team won’t fold no matter what. They haven’t and won’t, even if it goes to a Game 7. It’s that tight a series, may the better team win and we all know who that is!
mrbrett7 Reply:
June 11th, 2012 at 12:58 pm
@Harty, Yes, because a guy with a career total of 12 goals or something in 2 years, and plays a total of about 7 minutes can make all the difference.
I know Cliffy is from your home town, but c’mon…
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I’m only 34 and I don’t know how much more my heart can take. Do me a favor a kings and light the freaking lamp tonight.
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Newf Reply:
June 11th, 2012 at 12:48 pm
@GoonSquad, I’m 35, and I’m not sure how much my liver can take.
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mrbrett7 Reply:
June 11th, 2012 at 12:59 pm
@GoonSquad, I’m 35, and my beard has WAY too many gray hairs that weren’t there about a week ago.
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Drew Doughty's Mustache Reply:
June 11th, 2012 at 1:10 pm
@GoonSquad, I’m 40 and I don’t know if I can stay up past 8p.m.
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spidey35 Reply:
June 11th, 2012 at 1:18 pm
@GoonSquad, I’m 47 and don’t know if I can double up my blood pressure medication….
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LVKINGS88 Reply:
June 11th, 2012 at 1:32 pm
@spidey35, That’s what I’ve been wondering, I’m 50, eat lots of celery,drink lots of water and eat plenty of brown rice,the celery in your vodka and soda’s, don’t forget the water backs with you hard liquor and the brown rice in your burrito before you start drinking oh and a banana, that should keep your HBP in check,now your kidney’s and weight are another thing.
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spidey35 Reply:
June 11th, 2012 at 1:44 pm
@LVKINGS88, Lol….
Forum Gold Reply:
June 11th, 2012 at 1:24 pm
@GoonSquad, 42 year Kings fan and I’m um, um, um, a 42 year Kings fan. GO KINGS GO!!!
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kylek Reply:
June 11th, 2012 at 1:31 pm
@GoonSquad, I’m 53. My heart, liver, and probably a few other organs I don’t keep track of are shot. Oh, and my playoff beard is too long and way too gray. But, unlike the fans of 28 other teams, we’re still in a position to gripe about the effect of a long Cup Finals series–it’s that little factoid that’s keeping me going!
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Kings stay with it…but take it up a notch on Brodeur….
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4 hrs. and 18 mins. but who isn’t counting at this point
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If previous series meant anything we would already have the cup. What NJ did before means squat.
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According to this logic, if the Kings win in 7 games, they still wouldn’t have trailed in a series, and therefore, they wouldn’t have faced (as much) adversity! Hogwash.
The reason the Kings didn’t fall behind in any series (and be forced to comeback) is because they are the better team. If they end up losing to the Devils, it will be because they didn’t play to their potential. Put both teams at max performance, the Kings win. It’s really that simple to me.
One more thing. As I just got done saying to poorman73 on the phone,
everyone seems to be forgetting about the one guy who got us here.
Not Clifford or Richardson, not Gagne, not Sutter or Brown or Kopitar… but Jonathan Quick.
Quick alone won’t be beat 4 games in a row. Know that.
If it does happen, by some strange cosmic coincidence, it’s because he had nothing left in the tank. But I don’t see it happening and I don’t care if it takes a Game 7 to prove it.
In the end, Quick gets the Conn-Smythe and robbed of the Vezina. But he gets the Cup and the torch gets passed from a hall of famer to a future hall of famer.
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topshelfshot23 Reply:
June 11th, 2012 at 1:17 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), LOVE IT!!!
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Pili Reply:
June 11th, 2012 at 1:30 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), Great post. I had the same thought on the adversity comment. There’s a reason, and that’s execution. The Kings have done it better than any other team in the playoffs. GKG!!!
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If the way I’m feeling right now is any indication, a game 7 would most certainly be the death of me. Please end it tonight.
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SportsGirl101 Reply:
June 11th, 2012 at 2:58 pm
@FiG17, I am excited and Pumped…I know in my head and heart the kings will win tonight!
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Just for fun I looked to see what we were discussing here one year ago. These are the topics around this day last year:
The latest quartet of the “My Story” series, including Clifford, Handzus, Smyth and Bernier. Rich also noted “Trevor Gretzky was drafted today in the seventh round by the Chicago Cubs, thus ensuring that the family’s run of pro-sports championships will end at four.”
The Summer Preview of the Pacific Division.
Breaking news that the Kings would play Pittsburgh in a pre-season game in Kansas City.
“Starting to Feel A Draft,” about the upcoming draft in Minnesota in which the Kings didnt have a pick until the 2nd round, #49.
“Kopitar on (the) Course” chronicling Kopi’s rehab in Slovenia from his ankle surgery. (This was before we learned his name is actually Kopitja in Slovenian and Kopidor in Newsanchorese.)
How sweet this playoff season has been!
GKG!
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
June 11th, 2012 at 12:51 pm
@bbb7, that’s great. it’s always fun to go back and read old comments.
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And please…no overtime!
Go Kings Go!!!
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One less post hit and we wouldn’t be talking about the Devils at all. Go Kings! Get it done!
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pr0cess Reply:
June 11th, 2012 at 12:54 pm
@DLB, So we are Kings of horse shoes and hand Grenades.
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
June 11th, 2012 at 1:00 pm
@DLB, It’s all about the guy between our pipes, not theirs. Quick is in an incredible position to seize the moment and cement his place the NHL. He has 2 more chances to do so and I have no doubt he will.
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An nbc anaylyst and a referee walked into a bar
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
June 11th, 2012 at 1:21 pm
@cromartee,
And the bartender said, “we don’t serve your kind here.”
And the analyst said, “what kind is that? professionals?”
And the bartender replied, “no, idiots.”
And then the ref said, “i may be an idiot but at least i don’t work for NBC.”
wha, wha, wha, whaaaaaaaaaaa
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cromartee Reply:
June 11th, 2012 at 3:04 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
You and the bartender nailed it!
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Funny funny feeling Justin Williams is going to be real special tonight. Just a hunch.
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Just enjoy it kids. I’m as thrilled as anyone by this run, but I felt the season was a victory when they beat Vancouver. Just that accomplishment alone was sweet. This has been a magical run and we should enjoy it while it lasts. If the Kings need 7 games to win the cup, so be it. Just one more game to watch in a great season.
All of that said, I think tonight is the night. They outplayed NJ in the last game. Two fluke goals by the Devils and some bad bounces for the Kings. No worries. Kings pound it tonight and win 3-2 in OT. Sweetest victory ever.
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kylek Reply:
June 11th, 2012 at 1:33 pm
@dmoney, Does it have to be OT? Heck, never mind, I don’t care if it’s triple OT as long as a King lights the lamp.
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Go Kings Go!
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Pili Reply:
June 11th, 2012 at 2:11 pm
@Gail Web, ….and so another thread is complete. Go Kings Go!
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