On Saturday night’s game:
“Yeah, you know what? We got down early and battled back. It was the one game we played this year I didn’t like our team game. It’s funny. People talk about your power play and all that, well, it’s such a small portion of it. Our power play’s been really effective the last three games. It just tells you the details of everything else and how you need great goaltending and how you need to play mistake-free hockey in your zone, how you’ve got to play on the right side of the puck. Basically, the fundamentals of keeping games in the range of what your team’s capable of doing, and that’s what we have to make sure we continue to work with these young guys with.”
On what he’s liked from his power play over the last three games:
“It’s not much different than earlier in the year. Just, they finished. They finished the opportunities. I felt we wanted to get more from the points in terms of – not so much opportunities – but just creating or presenting different looks to the other teams, and Mike gives us that playing on the point. It’s not something we really wanted to do, but that’s what works best right now.”
On pulling Quick in the first period:
“You know what? I hate myself for pulling goalies. I do. It bothers me because I just don’t like highlighting somebody. And it’s always taken as a criticism, right? My feeling is when you pull a goalie, first off, that guy that’s going in better be ready. And secondly, the guy you pulled better be ready again. That’s the way I look at it, because that’s the mental part of it. And that to me is more important than anything else in it. I literally, I bet I can’t count on – I know it’s not seven, eight times in coaching that I’ve pulled goalies. I just don’t believe in doing it, and I’d rather rally around them. It’s like an indictment. Right away, it’s an indictment. Hey, we want our goalies to play better. They’re not protected species, that’s for sure. Both of them have to play a hell of a lot better if they both want to be starting goalies, right? Our save percentage right now has to be a lot better. In a tight schedule, shortened schedule, your stats – if you use only your stats – then you’re going to be way up there one day and way down there the next day, because that’s what everybody uses, right? So it’s natural for you guys to look at ‘em and go, ‘they’re there’. It changes on a daily basis. You’re looking more at the consistency of it rather than the highs and lows of it.”
On Justin Williams and veteran forwards:
Sometimes, he just has to slow it down a little bit. Simon goes in and out during games. It’s an issue with two or three of our older guys. They can’t go in or out during games, or else we’re better off playing younger guys that are learning it. The whole thing – and again, I’m not singling Gagne or Willie out or anybody like that – but hey, this is a totally different team, quite honest, when you’re playing those kids on defense…It totally changes how your team has to play, or what you’re trying to do. So it puts a lot more onus on that veteran group to be consistent. If they’re not, then you’re just going to struggle with it. It’s really not that hard to figure out.”
On working deep in the defensive zone against a team with sizeable forwards:
“Anaheim’s top guys are bigger guys, right? They’re bigger, powerful guys, and they put you on your back and use their hands. So it’s not so much defending against them. It’s getting into position first. Quite honest, boy, Slava did an awesome job last night, and he’s our smallest defenseman. He did an awesome job. Well, you break it down, and he just needed some more help. We’ve seen that with him last year. He’s capable of doing that. He just needs some help from his partner.”
Have to agree on pretty much everything DS has said here.
[Reply]
King$ Reply:
February 3rd, 2013 at 8:40 pm
@Goring 19,
Absolutely. I like the young D, but it can get frustrating from the side lines watching them get beat on plays that willie and greener never would have. Let’s just hope the guys rally around Sutter’s instructions – who always seem to be the right medicine anyways.
[Reply]
PK could use a little bit of work in practice too. Not too many games so far in this young season where the Kings blanked the other teams power play completely and this team for a couple of years now has shown that they are very capable of shutting it down on the PK for 5 or 6 games in a row without even breaking a sweat.
[Reply]
Longest answers ever given by DS. Quite impressive !!
[Reply]
Kenny44 Reply:
February 3rd, 2013 at 9:08 pm
@Cup4la,
Throwing @Duncanz a curve ball, that’s for sure
[Reply]
His team came in out of shape yet he has kept his mouth shut and has excepted it, by and large, for what it is.(A SCC with extended down time) How could you not want to play for Sutter. He’s a total class act.
Muzzin got schooled yesterday, Whiskey has a broken nose, Green and Mitchell are hobbled, Scuds is working OT and there are no real D-Men out there to trade for.
Yet there is no doubt in my mind that we’ll be OK with the Farmer in charge.
[Reply]
Kings Fan In Temecula Reply:
February 3rd, 2013 at 10:01 pm
@kissmyblarneystones, i wish i had ur optimism but then again its outta character lol, DS is doing as good of a job with the peoples he’s got, thats all a coach can do
[Reply]
mask0425x Reply:
February 3rd, 2013 at 11:07 pm
@kissmyblarneystones,
You mean the ZEN Farmer, doncha? Still clueless as to what he meant by Williams and Gagne going in and out… Are both of them suffering from urinary tract problems? They might be old geezers in hockey terms, but still!
Now, either Mitchell has to come back pronto or I’d like to see DD2 paired with Slava who needs some size and muscle to back him up. He did well against the Ducks – great! Let’s not overexpose him though to physical abuse this early in the season. That, of course, assumes that DD2 did not suffer any long term damage when he did his best Greener imitation. Otherwise, anyone still got Sean O’Donnell’s phone number?
Last but not least, Muzzin should keep his game REALLY SIMPLE. I liked him when he played a few games a couple of years ago. Maybe it was too small of a sample but he seemed more ready back then. Looks like he’ll be the first one out when Mitchell is back.
[Reply]
I’m not too sure what he was actually saying about Williams and Gagne, but whatever it is he said made me realize that Staples Center needs an In-N-Out inside as one of the concessions stands.
[Reply]
Kings Fan In Temecula Reply:
February 3rd, 2013 at 10:00 pm
@Wilmonde, you have my vote
[Reply]
PRMan Reply:
February 4th, 2013 at 5:51 am
@Wilmonde, Sorry, with McDonald’s as the corporate uber-sponsor, that’s never going to happen.
[Reply]
goaliemom Reply:
February 4th, 2013 at 12:09 pm
@Wilmonde, he is saying that their play is running hot then cold….
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
February 4th, 2013 at 9:54 pm
@Wilmonde, maybe he’s making an A Clockwork Orange reference?
[Reply]
Nice little piece on Tim Leiweke on CBS 2 by Pat Harvey was just on. Accidently came across it. Ran for like 10 minutes or so. Interesting. He talked about AEG plans and whatnot.
Might be available on their website as they are running one now aboutDDodger owners.
[Reply]
I am so glad we have DS for next 4 years.
[Reply]
bernier totally did not stop any shots when counted on. the kings rallied from 2-0, 3-2, and 4-3 to tie the game YET he did nothing to give the kings a chance to win. Defencemen will make mistakes. Thats why u need the goalie to make those stops. we didnt get any, thus the loss
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
February 3rd, 2013 at 10:02 pm
@gcheng, You said the key thing about Bernier..”When it counted”. Its an intangible that you see quite often with JQ. And make no mistake about it…as crappy as The Kings offense has been in the regular season the last 3 seasons, without JQ…NO WAY the Kings make the playoffs.
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
February 3rd, 2013 at 10:08 pm
@puck73,
100% agree.
[Reply]
kissmyblarneystones Reply:
February 3rd, 2013 at 11:44 pm
@DesertKing,
Ditto
nykingfan Reply:
February 4th, 2013 at 5:19 am
@puck73,
Exactly!
Great points!
[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
February 4th, 2013 at 5:19 am
@puck73,
Exactly!
Great points!
[Reply]
Our Stanley Cup gear looks better than Baltimore’s Super Bowl gear.
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
February 3rd, 2013 at 10:37 pm
@DessertKing, That trophy doesn’t look like much fun either.
What are you gonna do, smear peanut butter all over it and lick it off?!
[Reply]
Mars Reply:
February 3rd, 2013 at 11:49 pm
@Duncanz, Yeah, other sport Trophy’s pale in comparison.
[Reply]
Shakes Reply:
February 4th, 2013 at 10:09 am
@Duncanz, mmmm… peanut butter…
[Reply]
Better late than never; some shots from todays practice. Enjoy!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/73037499@N02/sets/72157632682062197/
[Reply]
I am hoping practice went well and the guys are taking this loss personal and using it to gain momentum.
Glad to see we are capable of bouncing back, Scoring and not giving up.
I think we will be fine assuming they can get all points of the game firing at once.
[Reply]
LomitaKingsFan Reply:
February 4th, 2013 at 7:49 am
@Mars, Practice was way more intense that the typical Sunday practices (which are usually optional). Much more serious too with little of the usual chirping and horsing around that goes on when the team is feeling good. Even waiting afterwards to try and get some autographs you could see most of the guys leaving in the facility were in pretty dour moods.
[Reply]
Kings issues can probably be easily linked to the Kings record with and without Mitchell in the line up. Not sure exactly what it is, but I think it is the key to what makes the Kings successful.
[Reply]
kab285 Reply:
February 4th, 2013 at 9:32 am
@KC23, they all look calmer with him
[Reply]
Something doesn’t seem right. Mitchell has had no setbacks, but is still not skating. Something doesn’t jive there. IT sure doesn’t seem as if he’s coming back any time soon. With both him and Greene out, it puts us at a serious disadvantage..especially in shot blocking.
I can’t disagree with any of DS comments. The veterans need to step up and we need some decent goaltending right now. I expect JQ to bounce back.
Bernier’s trade value continues to plummet.
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
February 4th, 2013 at 7:56 am
@nykingfan, Personally, between you and me, I like Jake Muzzin. The Kid tries real hard, and doesnt bite on stick fakes.
Respectfully Yours, Nicholas Bonnino, Anaheim Ducks Hockey Club.
[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
February 4th, 2013 at 8:07 am
@puck73,
hahahaha!!!!!!
[Reply]
Cesar A Reply:
February 4th, 2013 at 8:09 am
@nykingfan, Richards needs to start earning his salary. So far he has played like crap this season. It is due to the lack of offense that this Kings team is struggling!
[Reply]
Kopi Bryant Reply:
February 4th, 2013 at 10:16 am
@Cesar A, Richards has me frustrated. He is so out of shape and he looks one step slow on everything.
[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
February 4th, 2013 at 10:31 am
@Cesar A,
I agree.
as hard as it is obviously, if you take away his performance in the playoffs and go by what he has one for the Kings during the regualr season, the trade would be disgustingly one-sided.
Of course, the only thing that matters is willing the Cup.
I’m a fan that says “what have you done for me lately?”
In Richards case it would be less than nothing so far this season as well as last season (not counting playoffs)
I thought the combination of having Richards/Carter on the same team could be an issue, but Carter got his butt in shape and has played great.
Richards is an embarrassment so far..along with Penner!
If he doesn’t start producing, there will be no playoffs….
[Reply]
Cesar A Reply:
February 4th, 2013 at 12:26 pm
@nykingfan, This La Kings team does not revolve around Mike Richards. Kopitar, Carter, Stoll, Brown and others must pick up the “slack” since Richards is not producing. Up to now Carter, Kopitar and Brown are the only ones doing this. The others such as Stol and Penner are waiting for plays to come to them instead of making the plays. All of this is affecting Quick and his play. The offense must pick it up on this road trip or the Kings will be in a deep hole after this road trip ends. The Kings should at least win 5 out of these 8 games to keep pace with the others above them such as Chicago.
nykingfan Reply:
February 4th, 2013 at 1:38 pm
@Cesar A,
you’re right..you don’t rely on one guy…but he’s one of you best offensive players with 0 goals. that’s unacceptable anytime, anywhere.
The Kings shouldn’t be relying on a 3rd line center (stoll) to be providing the offense when the 2nd line center Richards)is doing nothing!
I agree we need to make some hay on this road trip, but unless guys like Richards, Penner, Kopi, williams get their acts in gear, it’ll be up to JQ to pitch a shutout every game so we may get a point.
The kings have the talent to go on a long winning streak……the time is now….
[Reply]
Remember when the season was starting everybody was saying how important it was to come out of the gates fast? Get on a hot streak right off the bat. Well guess what? Some teams did but we defenetly did not.
[Reply]
ESPN ranks us at #26 overall – that may be a little generous.
http://espn.go.com/nhl/powerrankings/_/season/2013/week/3
[Reply]
Shakes Reply:
February 4th, 2013 at 10:12 am
@Shoot_The_Puck!, the rumors of our demise have been great exaggerated. i still feel like we’ll be fine. the key thing is that some of our top 2 lines are starting to score. the defense is the one thing which i always feel good about and we can get that back together. it’s the offense that’s been the intangible.
[Reply]
40YearKingsFan Reply:
February 4th, 2013 at 11:39 am
@Shakes, I feel the same way, but that said, I have a question: We’re 7 games into a 48 game playoff drive. At what point do you start to worry?
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
February 4th, 2013 at 9:57 pm
@40YearKingsFan, 15-18 games… a third of the schedule will be in the rearview. And we keep messing around, so will the season.
Rumors all around the struggling teams such as Flyers, Capitals, and Kings. They could help each other via trade but the problem is they don’t have what others want.
[Reply]
we are not good right now…
we have to play better…and i think during the next stretch of away games, this team will start to hit their stride and play much better hockey…
the road has its lure and folklore…we all know how teams have an opportunity to bond and/or come together on lengthy road trips…if last year’s remarkable playoff run…well…isn’t so remarkable for this team to pull off – that’s amore, as they say – that’s good…
if the kings plan on using the 1-3-1 again on the pp, i would like to see them shoot the puck from the lower part of either circle, rather than at the point…and i would also like to see a defenseman cover the blueline, while the other one rotates after a shot…this way, you have the center and slots filled and adequate protection in case of a break the other way…that’s why the 1-3-1 is high-risk/high-reward…and so far, the kings haven’t looked comfortable at all using it…
[Reply]
PP can win a game, but PK will lose the game.
[Reply]
Really felt the Power Play was about to break out…in hives. At least Dustin Brown is getting power play goals, now we need Richards to find a way, any way, to score a goal, too.
[Reply]