The Kings forward lines look like the following today at practice:
Kopitar centering Williams and Brown
Richards centering Carter and Clifford
Stoll centering King, Lewis and Penner
Fraser centering Nolan, Gagne and Richardson
The defense pairings haven’t changed:
Doughty and Scuderi
Voynov and Martinez
Drewiske and Muzzin
Mitchell and Bodnarchuk
those lines are ugly…Y mess up the 4th line?
he should get sit out Penner and put Gagne in the 2nd line up and tell Penner to eat pancakes sure he be good at that.
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clifford, moving on up, moving on up, movin on up to the EASSSSSSST sideeeeeee
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rogiesbackup Reply:
January 23rd, 2013 at 1:59 pm
@Lake Forest, Yes, as I expected he’s hungry to play after missing virtually all the games in the SC play-off run. Another pair who I would imagine is hungry to play is Bernier and Gagne.
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I think cliffy can get that line going
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let’s not forget that Clifford and Nolan (King and Lewis too) were playing in the minors before the NHL season started while most of the veterans were not playing at all…I think that’s a huge reason why they have been effective so far while the top 6 has not.
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tornado12 Reply:
January 23rd, 2013 at 1:50 pm
@LB, Brown and kopi played in europe
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LB Reply:
January 23rd, 2013 at 2:10 pm
@tornado12, Yeah but Kopi is recovering from an injury…Brown is just off so far. My point is that these other guys need some more time to get going, it’s too early to call anybody out…
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McSorleyfan Reply:
January 24th, 2013 at 1:17 pm
@LB, agreed!!
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Looks like Penner is back in mid-season form- coasting and being generally ineffective.
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rogiesbackup Reply:
January 23rd, 2013 at 1:46 pm
@Jeff, Well……too early and most of the kings haven’t looked to well either. They’re killer instincts have yet to appear. Offense thus far is lacking and defense is not as good having surrendered eight goals in two games. Too early to judge.
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Jeff Reply:
January 23rd, 2013 at 2:21 pm
@rogiesbackup, it certainly looked like the Blackhawks were ready to play last Saturday and the Avalanche were ready to play yesterday, especially in the 3rd period. I hope it’s not a situation where the Kings were able to catch lightning in a bottle and last season and disintegrate this season. You would think that, being the champs, they would have come out in both games wanting to show the rest of the NHL that they are for real.
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Kings of Hockeywood Reply:
January 23rd, 2013 at 2:27 pm
@Jeff, I don’t think it was that the Avalanche looked good in the 3rd so much as the Kings took the first 5 minutes off and the Avs came out with nothing to lose.
Kenny44 Reply:
January 23rd, 2013 at 7:06 pm
@Jeff,
That’s Penner. Some shifts he’s a freight train, and some he’s the Amtrak Coaster. http://www.gonctd.com/coaster_fares_passes
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I really hope this is not a sign that DS is starting to go “TM” on us with unlimited line combinations. Clifford does NOT belong in the top 6. If you don’t think Penner or Gagne is going to get it done have DL trade for somebody who will. I’m not saying Clifford hasn’t earned the additional ice time. He has. I’m saying its misusing him to put him with Richards and Carter.
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yetiman_oc Reply:
January 23rd, 2013 at 1:48 pm
@HockeyNerd, all this talk about how the kings were set for years to come to defend the stanley cup now you want to trade? 13 should have been back in for the playoffs last year if he was healthy. that guy gives you his all each shift. and you can tell he listens to his coaches and plays the way he is asked to play. total team player who has more skills than his 4th line role has let him showcase.
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HockeyNerd Reply:
January 23rd, 2013 at 2:07 pm
@yetiman_oc, I did not say I WANT to trade anybody. What I’m saying is it makes no sense to me to expect that Clifford will have enough of a scoring touch to REPLACE Penner or Gagne. Do you really think Clifford is a potential full season 30 goal scorer? And yes if neither Penner or Gagne no longer are as well than the answer is to get a left wing that IS. The answer is NOT to have UNREALISTIC expectations of what Clifford will do.
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yetiman_oc Reply:
January 23rd, 2013 at 3:41 pm
@HockeyNerd, clifford lead the kings in goals in the 2011 playoffs. who says he can’t score 30 if given a 2nd line role. he has showed success when put in that type of role so maybe he can if given a chance.
LA_1968 Reply:
January 23rd, 2013 at 2:21 pm
@HockeyNerd,
TM would change all the guys around but not really demote them.
Coach Sutter, is a whole new animal. He’ll call you out, bench you, scratch your butt if you’re not doing your job… no matter who you are. Penner getting scratched last year was brutally honest.
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RobBordson Reply:
January 23rd, 2013 at 3:23 pm
@HockeyNerd, I think it’s more of a wake-up call for the other guys. Penner was pretty good in game 1. I actually commented to my wife about how he was actually skating instead of looking like the tin man. As good as he was in game 1, he was horrible in game 2.
Cliffy has done well so far. It doesn’t hurt to reward him and to wake the others up.
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TM style change up!
Prediction:
Since the top two lines appear set in practice, they will stay the same tomorrow.
Brown – Kopitar – Williams
Clifford – Richards – Carter
Good for Cliffy. He was arguably the Kings best player in both games.
As for the new ‘bottom’ six (filled with ‘top’ six players) here’s how I think it will go…
King – Stoll – Lewis
Gagne – Fraser – Nolan
Scratches: Penner/Richardson
Yay? Nay?
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rogiesbackup Reply:
January 23rd, 2013 at 1:40 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), would be nice to see Gagne on the PP and if possible have him play with Richards. He and Richards a better pair as oppose to he and Carts.
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nykingfan Reply:
January 23rd, 2013 at 1:46 pm
@rogiesbackup,
Yay!
Penner certainly deserves to sit after his embarrassing performances.
Time for Gagne to step it up and earn his $$.
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yetiman_oc Reply:
January 23rd, 2013 at 1:46 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), Gagne is not effective on the 4th line imo. i’m no fan of richardson but at least he’ll run around and create some energy and try to hit someone/something(even if there is little chance it is the back of the net) out there.
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rogiesbackup Reply:
January 23rd, 2013 at 1:49 pm
@yetiman_oc, Yah Gagne use to play that way…sniper yet a chippy edge to his game. Wonder why “we” loose that as we age a little??
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rogiesbackup Reply:
January 23rd, 2013 at 1:51 pm
Don’t these guys watch videos of themselves in the past and maybe try to emulate what you did during the past? That’s what I would do.
brian spain Reply:
January 23rd, 2013 at 4:48 pm
@rogiesbackup, Gagne had a tumor in his neck last year. he had some chances in the Finals on line #4. He will be fine on line #4. I agree with him on the power play. he is a sniper type.
GailWeb Reply:
January 23rd, 2013 at 1:51 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), Yay
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kissmyblarneystones Reply:
January 23rd, 2013 at 1:54 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
Yep!
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LA_1968 Reply:
January 23rd, 2013 at 2:25 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
Maybe we should keep our best line the way it is.
Kidding but those guys didn’t skip a beat after 6 months off.
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CB14 Reply:
January 23rd, 2013 at 3:38 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), If the top 2 lines are indeed set for tomorrows game, I would put Gagne at RW with Stoll and King, and Penner with Fraser and Nolan. The Kings need to score goals, and Lewis doesn’t bring much to the table in that regards. I’d also like to see Penner play on a line with a couple of grinders (Fraser and Nolan). Mabye he’ll follow their lead and throw his weight around a little.
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Harrison Merkin Reply:
January 23rd, 2013 at 7:32 pm
@CB14, The problem with pens “throwing his weight around” is that tends to leave it there. He create a loose puck but, cant seem to find it after contact. He needs the puck on the wing and in stride to get off that heavy wrister. BTW Has anybody seen Richards? He’s been the most ineffective guy on the ice through two games. 46 and 2 just ahead of me….
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Kings need Gagne on the PP. I still think he needs to be on the second line with Carts and Richards…..especially when Kings play fast young teams like Oilers and Avs.
Keep eye on Kings offense as two games they’ve only scored THREE goals.
AND, I still feel Penner plays really good on the third line…fits his style of game.
I think teams AND players who didn’t fair good last season will have something to prove so maybe play them more especially during the “stanley cup hangover.” Good time to play them; they’re hungrier!!
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Kings fans watch for Bodnarchuck…..he might give Marty/voynov competition…fast and shifty player, but Voynov was beast against the Avs!
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Kingsfan602 Reply:
January 23rd, 2013 at 3:26 pm
@rogiesbackup, I dont think Salva is going anywhere. If anything it will be DD2 or Muzzin
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LaKings11 Reply:
January 23rd, 2013 at 3:31 pm
@rogiesbackup, Slava not going anywhere. Specially with the Greene injury. DD2 or Muzzin if anything. And Muzzin played a good game last night.
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In the initial press conference (after the lockout), the words “I’m sorry” never came out of Dean Lombardi’s mouth. He said Kings fans want us to win and we intend to win. The players better make something happen soon, or I feel some changes in personnel coming.
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DrHockey Reply:
January 23rd, 2013 at 3:39 pm
@OCKingGirl,
I don’t think anyone at any level of the kings organization is mulling over a major change when they are just coming off their first STANLEY CUP VICTORY. Especially after just 2 losses. Lots of contenders have had a slow start. A lockout will do that to you. Give it a week and everyone will filly stupid/silly about requesting (and or predicting) obnoxious solutions to a slow start.
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D-pairings need to change… 8 goals in two games is unacceptable!
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Still NOT a lot of movement on the PP!!!!
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Its a coin toss with regard to who is winning or losing in the league right now. The boys are at a disadvantage because the fire in the belly isn’t there and their lack of scoring prowess will wear them out if they don’t break the cycle. They were crap at scoring all last year and only by jumping on the back of Quick did they make the playoffs. The scoring only changed after the discovered that they could beat the best (Vancouver). Everything changed for the top two lines after that win.
Its a stretch to think that quick will repeat his feat this year. Call me crazy, but those two lines need big bodies up front who can take and deliver a licking. Clifford moving up is a good call, I haven’t given up on pancakes yet because he can deliver the pain.
Carter needs to snap out of it. He has had a few good scoring chances. But then he can’t score much without big bodies clearing the lines.
I can’t figure Richards out, nor Brown for that matter. Doughty is taking more shots then they are!
I say at the earliest opportunity, DL should put Gagne, Bernier and Stewart on the block, and get someone to fill in for Greene until his return and then take over for Mitchell or Scuderi when that time comes. Also in that deal, a hungry sharp shooter should be acquired to keep Richards, Carter and Brown focused.
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HockeyNerd Reply:
January 23rd, 2013 at 2:44 pm
@kissmyblarneystones, Other GMs are looking for needed pieces for THEIR teams and it is very naive to think that trading the players you named, even all 3 of them would get you a good stay at home defenseman AND a sniper. And what would you do for a backup Goaltender? I’m sure DL is listening to offers but if I were him I’d just make do with what we have. Mitchell will be back soon (hopefully!) and I trust DS to light a fire under either Penner OR Gagne.
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kissmyblarneystones Reply:
January 23rd, 2013 at 3:28 pm
@HockeyNerd,
There’s that word again (naive). I don’t expect Mitchell to be as effective this year due to rust, age and achieving the holy grail I think He’ll be gone in a year(actually now that I think of it, he’s trade bait as well), Scuderi and Gagne are approaching their sell by dates, so we need to start thinking about replacing those 2 D-men anyway. Bernier wants to go, Quick is going to get the bulk of the starts anyway and I was under the impression we had a kid in the system that looks good.(am I wrong?)
Maybe it is naive of me to expect a trade the way I want it to go. However, I don’t expect it. What I do know is that defense got us to the dance last year and, as is it appears now, our top 2 lines are lacking the ability to due what they are paid to do. So I say you dance with the girl that brung ya, and shore up the defense!
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kissmyblarneystones Reply:
January 23rd, 2013 at 3:30 pm
@kissmyblarneystones,
My eyes are really bad. Its hard for me to read the fine print, forgive me typo’s.
HockeyNerd Reply:
January 23rd, 2013 at 4:23 pm
@kissmyblarneystones, If you mean Martin Jones, looking good and potentially having to be what you defend your Stanley Cup with are 2 very different things. And I think most everyone here agrees we could use another sniper in the top 6 and an experienced defenseman. Again I have to ask: what is DL going to have to give up to get this? If that list is a prospect or 2 and / or Gagne, Penner and Stewart I’m fine with it. But don’t hold your breath that that’s going to be enough. Virtually anyone else and you’ve fixed one hole by opening a bigger one. I’d advise DL against it.
kissmyblarneystones Reply:
January 23rd, 2013 at 5:49 pm
@kissmyblarneystones,
So, you won’t be a member of any club that would accept you as one?, Like you, I agree with obtaining another sniper, as I stated previously. My opinion is that outside of Kopi, Quick, Doughty, Slava, Martinez, Clifford and Nolan, Everyone else is on the table. Call me nuts but that’s my view. If you look at the larger body of work, all we’ve done over the last 5 years, is a very good, perfectly timed 8 week run. Seriously! If we’re talking dynasty, some defensive changes will have to be made. IMO!
So when do the “trade Dustin Brown” rumors start?
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Bonvivant Reply:
January 23rd, 2013 at 2:25 pm
@Jeff, Too early to panic. That thought did come to mind.
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Lake Forest Reply:
January 23rd, 2013 at 3:08 pm
@Jeff, I think FiG mentioned she heard it already
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kissmyblarneystones Reply:
January 23rd, 2013 at 3:56 pm
@Jeff,
Now! It seems to be a good motivational tool!
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Kings win or lose as a team. No need for any trades yet nor any need to start throwing players under the bus when basically the entire offence is not clicking. It’s only been 2 games. Teams with 2 losses already: Red Wings, Flames, Cryotes, Panthers, Capital, Hurricanes, Rangers & Flyers. As you see, others are struggling too. It’s up to the Kings to play themselves out of this funk and I have seen improvement from game 1 to 2 already.
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LB Reply:
January 23rd, 2013 at 2:40 pm
@King Alex,
Right on.
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Bfreedom Reply:
January 23rd, 2013 at 3:09 pm
@LB, i like that the Cryotes are losing too
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How much Bodnar can a Bodnarchuk chuck?
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
January 23rd, 2013 at 3:20 pm
@DesertKing, That poor guy has probably heard that 1000 times. And I bet he has some great comebacks.
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DesertKing Reply:
January 23rd, 2013 at 3:23 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
All in Russian too!
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Moose08 Reply:
January 23rd, 2013 at 8:24 pm
@DesertKing, Bodnarchuk isn’t Russian! 100% Canadian
BrokeKingsFan Reply:
January 23rd, 2013 at 3:27 pm
@DesertKing, 0….would have been 1 but he retired in 1955
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Bailey on SportsNation!
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Cliffy the man!
I hope the Kings can find their legs and some PP efficiency in game three.
In the meantime, Rangers-Bruins is pretty sweet time killer in the meantime.
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Why break up a good thing with the Clifford/Fraser/Nolan line? Why not just give them more playing time? If my memory serves me correctly, they’ve been on the ice for all of our goals scored this season. Play them more instead of breaking them up.
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Kman Reply:
January 23rd, 2013 at 3:53 pm
@CB14,
Totally agree on this. Killer 4th Line.
Thing is, though, MR & Carts need somebody other than Penner on that line.
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BrokeKingsFan Reply:
January 23rd, 2013 at 3:58 pm
@CB14, I think it has everything to do with Penner being…well, Penner. From the little I know of Sutter after he took over last season there is no way he keeps Penner on line 2 with the efforts hes gicven the past 2 games. So if your going to move Pens down you have to move someone up…right now Cliffy would get my vote for a promotion.
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luc20rules Reply:
January 23rd, 2013 at 6:08 pm
@CB14, That was my thought keep the lines pretty much the same, but give the 4th line more minutes. I would swap maybe Richardson or Gagne in for Penner. I would keep an eye on Stoll he was walking a bit stiffly at one of the pressers he may be injured. Now is not the time to play thru injuries. We need everyone 100% for the end of the season.
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Stuart Reply:
January 23rd, 2013 at 9:39 pm
@CB14, with you 100%!! What I dont want to see is Cliffy change his game because of who he’s playing with. If he starts to overthink his game because he feels he has to defer to his linemates, he’s sunk. let him play where he’s comfortable, on the 4th line, just bump up their minutes!
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I would rather see Lewis or Richardson on the 2nd line. We need some young finesse on the 2nd line. KC’s a grinder with a little bit of offensive talent. Keep him in hios element. And NO FIGHTING cuz he can’t fight!
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hbjohn Reply:
January 23rd, 2013 at 6:31 pm
@crashin’da net, Says someone who probably has never seen Clifford outside a Kings uniform. This is the most ridiculous post i have ever seen on here. Little offensive talent? Lewis has more./.. HAHAHAHAHA
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harty Reply:
January 23rd, 2013 at 7:03 pm
@hbjohn, I agree, Cliffy has been playing great. Not sure i would break up the 4th line, I may move them up in the order till others figure it out this year.
But to suggest Lewis or Richardson has more talent then Cliffy not, if he had said Brown, Gagne or Stoll okay but those two not…….
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crashin'da net Reply:
January 24th, 2013 at 4:51 pm
@harty, Gags I agree with. Still say Lewis. Richardson has been on a cold streak but I’m betting will break out.
crashin'da net Reply:
January 24th, 2013 at 4:49 pm
@hbjohn, when KC gets a hat trick, talk to me. Richardson has one. Lewis has much better hands than KC will ever dream having. And that probably goes for fighting sa well. Sure, KC scores his few goals a year. Just because he scores one all of a suden he’s an offensive talent? YOU make ME laugh. I hope KC’s doesn’t get his bell rung again and be out for awhile but odds are……
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Lot of line changes did we bring TM back?
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EVERYONE KNOWS HOW I FEEL ABOUT KYLE CLIFFORD.
But the 4th line is going very well, and they are really supporting each other.
I would not change this line for anything right now.
Why, its our top guys that need to get going?
Tell Penner, Lewis, King, Gagne, Brown that depending on their effort, energy and execution anyone of them may play or sit. Its up to them……….
Yes Cliffy deserves a promotion but he’s 22 years old and likely best moving up to 3rd line next season.
More importantly to me (subjectively) Cliffy needs a contract beyond this season. Its his 3rd year on a 3 year entry level contract. I think he can score 20 goals a year and put up 40 points. But lets not move anyone around just because……
we all know Cliffy isn’t going to stay on the 2nd line all season. This is mind games by DS.
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luc20rules Reply:
January 23rd, 2013 at 7:09 pm
@harty, I’m definately torn on this one for all the reasons you mentioned, but the way the Kings are playing don’t you think a statement greater than words in neccessary from DS. I gave the Kings a mulligan on the 1st game the ceremony the party that probably took place for a week as the season training camp was run, but game 2 disheartened me. Will this team have an extended SC Hangover even with the long break?
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crashin'da net Reply:
January 24th, 2013 at 4:58 pm
@harty, Harty – I love the guy HOWEVER I will eat my hat if he ever scores 20. And I wouldn’t mess with that line. They are clicking. I asy Lewie scores more goals than KC this shortened season
)
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1. Brown – Kopitar – Williams
2. Gagne – Richards- Carter
3. Penner/Lewis – Stoll – King
4. Nolan – Fraser – Clifford
Put someone on the trading block. We need a big stay @ home defenseman. Time to trade Bernier for a D.
Maybe another top 6 winger, move Gagne and Penner down to the 3rd line with Stoll.
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I think that Bodnarchuk should be in 1st line Defenseman with Doughty so here is the Tomorrow’s line are
1 Kopitar Nolan Brown
2 King Carter Lewis
3 Richardson Penner Fraser
4 Clifford Richards Stoll
Defenseman
1 Doughty Bodnarchuk
2 Martinez Scuderi
3 Muzzin Drewiske for Tomorrow’s Game so what do you think
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McSorleyfan Reply:
January 24th, 2013 at 1:39 pm
@Adam M, you left out Voynov. Why??
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I see Jobing.com arena’s attendance has improved by 4 people.
http://instagram.com/p/U2dZ5DPB0U/
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actally 5, one went to the bathroom. Or maybe he’s leaving during hte first period to get a jump on the crowd traffic…..
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why is Gagne not on the second line with richards and carter. They need to bench penner tonight after last game
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