-The Kings took 11 of the first 12 shots in the second period and outshot the Oilers 15-8 overall through the middle 20 minutes. Los Angeles has outshot its opponents 179-115 overall in the second period this season.
-The Kings won 33 of 55 faceoffs for a 60% success rate. Jeff Carter (64%), Mike Richards (63%) and Anze Kopitar (63%) had L.A.’s best success rates for skaters who attempted more than one faceoff.
-The Kings and Oilers recorded a total of 63 hits, the most combined hits since Los Angeles and Anaheim combined for 64 hits on February 2. Dustin Brown had five hits to lead the Kings, while Trevor Lewis had four hits – along with two assists and a plus-3 rating – in 11:50 of ice time. Edmonton’s Ben Eager had seven hits in 11:13 to lead all skaters.
-The line of Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Jordan Eberle was a combined minus-9.
-Slava Voynov (24:57), Drew Doughty (24:30) and Rob Scuderi (24:21) led all skaters in ice time.
-Keaton Ellerby saw his ice time fall for the third consecutive game to 13:44, his low with the Kings.
-Los Angeles is 2-1-1 against the Northwest Division this year.
Brown played like the man we know. Keep it up.
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Duncanz Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 1:01 am
@LA_1968, ‘Closer’ to the man we know, for sure.
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rogiesbackup Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 2:03 am
@LA_1968, Except he hasn’t scored.
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Perro Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 6:53 am
@LA_1968, On TSN Ferraro kept saying how invisable brown was all night. I disagreed. He played a physical game which is what we need him for.
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Kenny44 Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 7:53 am
@Perro,
It’s all relative. Brown looked more involved to us because we’ve been watching him every game this season. Ferraro’s frame of reference is likely the playoff run, when Brown was a monster every night.
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mrbrett7 Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 9:18 am
@Perro, Ferarro is a moron.
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Look at that ice time the top 3 Dmen racked up.
VV actually takes over from DD now!
Amazing for the young lad.
Necessary probably, but pretty steep, esp for Scuds with another game 21hrs after stepping off the ice tonight.
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How great would it have been if Trevor Lewis slid to the middle of the ice on his knees and then buried his face in the ice right after he scored. That would have been pretty funny.
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tornado12 Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 12:48 pm
@TheAcaciaStrain, I thought carter scored the goal
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paige Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 6:28 pm
@TheAcaciaStrain, I was thinking someone should have done that on either of the last two goals – like Stoll doing it on his emptynetter
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Really wish DS plays Gagne more to give him more opportunity to regain his confidence. We need him to produce. Yet again, our top scorers do not have that extra push to finish saved JC and now MR. Shall they ALL be bench too!!?? Only way for them to break out is to keep playing them and keeping the lines together so they’re familiar with each other.
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kissmyblarneystones Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 3:01 am
@rogiesbackup,
At the risk of reoeating myself, I think
We are in a very good position. Were
500 with a boat load if games to go. Camp
Is officially over. Gags should play more for
Sure, but things get serious from here on out.
Its time for us to start dancing with the partner
We brought.
5=Hopeful
6=improving
7=Solid
8=Out of sorts but will be there when we need him most.
10=Starting to wake up
11=Struggling to find his place
12=Trending downward, I think he’s our sleeper
13=Last man standing
14=Still hungover
15=Unfortunate
20=Wish he was still playing
23=Snapping out of it.
25=The most underated man on the team
26=One of the best defencemen we’ll ever have
27=I think he’ll be there
28=undervalued overacheiver
32=The franchise beast
33=Im glad he won his cup with us
44=He’s getting his shot
45=If he’s call in for only one game, he’ll win it
71=Last year was a blur to him
74=Is at a loss because he is no longer playing 2nd fiddle to DJ
77=The Greatest trade DL ever made. JMFJ for JC. We’re still laughing
Are there still any doubters?
Oh Ya……..The Stanley Cup Winning Zen Farmer from the butthole of nowhere.
Go MFK Go!!!!!
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kissmyblarneystones Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 3:09 am
@kissmyblarneystones,
Oh ya pt.2
22 & 24 = These guys play better after they’ve been sat.
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rick Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 8:08 am
@kissmyblarneystones, Penner is underrated? Surely you jest. A gigantic waste of flesh in my humble view.
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Kings20 Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 10:05 am
@kissmyblarneystones, Agree with most of it, except #5. I think so far he is been a pleasant surprise.
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mash-ola Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 11:15 am
@kissmyblarneystones, Sorry, but Jake Muzzin just sucks right now. A LOT of mistakes and seems to lack poise. I know he’s young, but to me, he’s not up to snuff and when pressured he does not have the saavy to work his way out of it.
Davis Drewiske is showing a few cracks in the armor as well. And while he’s a serviceable backup option on a short-term basis, I think he’s maxed out as far as potential. He looks to be a decent 6-8 d-man and that’s about it.
Ellerby is doing ok, but the speed of Edmonton exposed a weakness as fast skaters can go around him a lot.
Anyway, yeah.
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nykingfan Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 5:13 am
@rogiesbackup,
Why?
Gagne’s last regular season goal came 17 games BEFORE the concussion he suffered last December. He hasn’t come close to scoring a goal since.
I’ll be very surprised to see him back in the lineup anytime soon.
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KC23 Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 7:59 am
@nykingfan, Well said. I do feel bad for the guy, but he’s just not getting it done. His forecheck isn’t good enough to make up for his clear lack of scoring.
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rogiesbackup Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 10:57 am
@KC23, I remember Jim Fox was just talking about the problem he posses with opposing players on the forecheck with his speed a couple games ago.
rogiesbackup Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 10:55 am
@nykingfan, That was about the same time the rest of our scorers went into hibernation leading to the firing of TM. JWilliams went scoreless for 14 games! Remember? He eventually came out of it, why?? Because he was PLAYING.
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Paul Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 11:13 am
@rogiesbackup, don’t get me wrong I would do the Carter trade again and again x1000
but there’s something that bugs me about that 1st round draft pick, especially since they deferred it to this year
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did anyone notice that Kopitar keeps going down, falling, losing his edge/balance….
perhaps he’s not 100% with the ankle….also, just doesn’t seem to want to drive to the net like he has in the past….such an awesome talent should be much more noticeable out there…I’d sure luv to see him “bring it” tonight….sorely missing the OLD Kopi…
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Bonvivant Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 5:44 am
@Real 7, absolutely. Good point.
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IceGuy Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 6:39 am
@Real 7,
IIRC, Kopi has not been cutting to the net much for about 2 maybe 3 years.
I distinctly remember him cutting from the right boards toward the net in Dallas. He got clocked big time by a defender. He’s never gone back in with any regularity since.
Defenders know if Kopi hasn’t cut for the net before he reaches mid-board, he’s not going in. They ride his shoulder as he circles behind the net.
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DLB Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 7:23 am
@IceGuy, That’s not true. He drove to the net after the Dallas hit (and that’s good, or we wouldn’t have a big shiny Cup). Sutter would have reamed him if he hadn’t.
There’s a marked difference in his play this season. It’s time to accept his knee is still a factor, unfortunately.
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IceGuy Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 9:09 am
@DLB,
The key phrase in my original comment is “with any regularity”.
I’m not saying that he hasn’t cut to the net and taken the punishment for that kind of move. I’m saying that he’s done it less.
KC23 Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 8:06 am
@Real 7, Yeah, mentioned it after the Chicago game as well. The brace absolutely takes away an important part of his game on the boards. Even Brown seems to stay on his skates more than Kopitar these days. That line did look better though. At least they didn’t allow any goals.
Kudos to DD on a plus 2 night. He needed that almost as badly as he needs a goal.
The 4th line looked solid. Congrats to Lewis on his plus 3 night. Very impressive.
When Quick is on his game we’re tough to beast. Quick was on his game.
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mrbrett7 Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 9:20 am
@Real 7, It was his knee, and yes, I have noticed that.
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Real 7 Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 9:39 am
@mrbrett7, knee not ankle…got it…
anyway, Kopi spent more time ON the ice than Real Lemieux ….
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rogiesbackup Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 10:58 am
@Real 7, So shall we sit him out too??!!
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Kopi’s problem is Williams. When he snaps out of it
And starts dishing to Kopi, his points will go up.
As an added bonus, Brown can concentrate on pounding
people instead of supporting Kopi. Which he cant do.
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Deirdre Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 6:21 am
@kissmyblarneystones, Williams not not Kopi’s problem, Kopi is Kopis problem. He’s the top line center and should play like it. Williams does not affect Kopi’s decision making process. The knee/brace might be bothering him but he has looked much better in some games (mostly earlier).
And he did this last year, went 20 games w/o a goal.
That whle line hasn’t played well most of the year.
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fsd1 Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 9:26 am
@Deirdre, Sorry, but your linemates always affect the decisions you make on the ice
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mash-ola Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 11:19 am
@Deirdre, I agree. For whatever reason, Kopitar, and a lot of the top-six forwards for that matter, haven’t been driving to the net so much. They seem to be content playing a perimeter offense, which is completely ineffective for the most part. Whey do you think the third and fourth lines have been scoring more consistently than the first two lines? NET PRESENCE.
That’s what powered the Kings thru their Cup Run, driving to the net and creating traffic in front of the goalie.
Kings forwards need to grit their teeth and work a little harder for their scoring chances from in tight.
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rogiesbackup Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 11:00 am
@kissmyblarneystones, If you haven’t noticed, ALL our “scorers” have not been producing saved Jeff Carter, BUT they need to STAY in the lineup to get out of their funk. Right???
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I’ll take the 2 points any day of the year. It may not have been pretty, but if you think back before the playoffs, this was the remedy for the Kings success.. Great goaltending, defense, and an occasional goal. That’s how we got to the playoffs and it sure looks like that’s how we’ll have to get there again.
) but we’re back in the same malaise as before. I just don’t get it.
I got a txt from Puck after the game and he said the same thing.
Why do these talented forwards the Kings put out on the ice, have this incredible inability to score goals? We all blamed TM and his system, but we have a new system in place with a new coach and yet we still can’t score…I thought it was a fluky thing last year and that the hockey Gods would even things out. Well, they did more than even out (Stanley Cup
As for the game JQ had his best game of the year. Let’s hope he builds on that because we’ll need it.
I have to admit Edm is an exciting team with a ton of offensive talent. Hall was all over the ice and has insane speed..Hemsky looked like he did several years ago. When healthy, he’s as good as it gets talent-wise. Poor Ellerby had his jock turned into an atomic wedgie twice by Hemsky. Terrible job by Ellerbee last night. He deserved the limited ice time he got.
I also thought Williams played his best game of the year. He was moving his feet all night and had a couple of opportunitites. He’s always been a streaky scorer. I’m sure one is coming soon.
If we can take another 2 points tonight, it puts us in a good position going forward. The field, other than Chicago, hasn’t distanced themselves from the Kings yet. Still time to play KIngs hockey and get back in this thing.
Go Kings!
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puck73 Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 6:49 am
@nykingfan, Very well stated. Also, I will state what I said last night very carefully again. Some of you got the impression that I was a bad Kings fan last night because I posted some very negative things.
What I said was….’ I will not spend my my money at a live Kings game at Staples during the regular season if this is the kind of hockey they are going to present to me’. Look, I get it, they were awesome during the playoffs, and I spent money during the playoffs. But it seems like over the last 4 seasons or so during the regular season, they usually seem to look inferior skill wise to many other teams in the league.
Yes, I know, all skill doesnt win a championship, its part of the equation. I know that character is a part of it, and DL scored a perfect 10 in that chapter. All I am saying is…It sure would be nice to be entertained a little more on the offensive side of things instead of being dead last in the NHL in scoring.
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nykingfan Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 7:13 am
@puck73,
My question is why do we look like we have inferior talent?
Kopitar/Richards/Carter/Brown/Williams/Doughty/Voynov, etc
These are offensively gifted players that should be able to put up 30 goals a piece every year. Why is it that they come to the Kings and lose their ability to score?
I understand the attention to defense and in the end that’s what wins for us, but when we brought in a new coach, it was to open the game up offensively so these players can get back to their scoring “norms” instead of the TM style of play that you all hated.
It’s jsut the strangest thing I’ve seen in hockey in a long time. I can see 1 or 2 guys in a slump, but the entire team for 2 years in a row?
[Reply]
Robyn Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 8:58 am
@nykingfan, a third of our defense is gone, what do you expect? At least that’s the excuse we keep.making for the guys ;+)
Robyn Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 8:59 am
@nykingfan, oy, stupid smartphone.
*
mrbrett7 Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 9:22 am
@puck73, If you want entertainment, go watch the WWE…I want wins, period. I don’t care how they come.
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KC23 Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 8:10 am
@nykingfan, Good take, although some might say the Ducks are putting some serious distance, but the Ducks are headed into a very difficult part of their season and I’m betting their lack of depth will bring them back to the pack soon enough.
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nykingfan Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 10:57 am
@KC23,
I think they’re depth willb e tested. They’re also getting ridiculous play in goal from a 30 yr old rookie. So unless this is one of those seasons, I do expect them to come back to the pack.
Chicago is different. they’re a stacked hockey club.
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Robyn Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 8:56 am
@nykingfan, I can’t speak for the team or DL, but the team identify is defense FIRST. Many teams, especially on the East Coast, are offense first. If our team identity is first to defend the net and do our best to keep pucks out, the offense is going to spend less energy trying to make plays. IMHO, I think they rely on their top D guys and stellar.goal tending to drive offensive plays
But, I’m not a player on this team or a coach or anything so this.is just MHO.
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nykingfan Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 10:55 am
@Robyn,
Grat point.
We are a defensive first team and truthfully, I don’t it any other way..that’s how you win championships.
But to struggle offensively the way we have with the skill we have, it just seems really odd. the fact that we’re avergaing just a tad over 2 goals a game. Wit the talent level we have, I would think winning games 3-1, 4-1 should be the norm, but it’s not.
I’d be less concerned if this was a one time thing, but it’s not. It’s how we went thru the regular season last season.
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That face off note is huge. Finally we are winning them which makes a big difference.
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Real 7 Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 8:42 am
@Lake Forest, are you still seeing moon people???
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Random question, anyone know the 3 stars of the game? It wasn’t announced on TV.
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Jay GoLAKings Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 9:17 am
@Robyn,
Three star selections
1st: JONATHAN QUICK
2nd: NIKOLAI KHABIBULIN
3rd: JEFF CARTER
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Robyn Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 9:26 am
@Jay GoLAKings, thanks
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Melissa Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 11:23 am
@Robyn, I wish this info would be posted on this blog after every game. Center Ice always cuts off before the 3 star announcement.
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I thought Penner played his best game of the year (which isn’t saying much, but he was better). I know DS is trying to shake some guys up, but at some point he is going to have to settle on a lineup.
Brown-Kopitar-Williams – keep them together
Gagne/Penner-Richards-Carter – Gagne and Penner are top 6 guys. Whoever is going better plays on this line. The other sits.
Clifford-Stoll-Lewis – i like this line. speed and toughness with some underrated offensive ability
King/Richardson/Fraser/Nolan – Three that are gong the best play.
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KC23 Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 9:18 am
@Dave, Every single game Clifford has played is better than any game Gagne or Penner has played this season. Clifford has earned the right to be on that 2nd line.
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Dave Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 10:25 am
@KC23, i agree Clifford has “earned” top 6 minutes, but this team needs more than 2 lines scoring to win as we saw last year. if that third line gets going then that takes pressure off the other lines. with Carter going and Richards playing much better, maybe they can get either Penner or Gagne going?
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IceGuy Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 9:26 am
@Dave,
In order for Kopi’s line to be effective, Brown has to consistently start hitting some people. He had a real big hit in the neutral zone last night, and it seemed to lift the whole team a bit. For whatever reason, he’s not back to the nasty Brownie of last season – yet.
The Richards line you note is all skill. I can go with that – but I think Gagne is out of the equation. I’ve watched his play this year, and he’s just not committed to playing hard in the corners. He looks tentative when it comes to physical play. That’s not going to cut it on this Kings team, and that’s why he’s sitting.
The Stoll line is a killer if they get a chance to play together for a few games. Speed, tenacity and Cliffy’s banging bodies. I made the suggestion last year that Stoll should make a deal with the KingsCare Foundation. Every time he shoots and doesn’t hit the net – the goalie – or someone standing right in front of the crease – he donates 100 bucks. I had a good laugh last night when someone commented that if there had been a goalie in the game, his third goal would have sailed wide rather than into the empty net!
The Fraser line has got to get back to last year’s “Yipee Ky Yay” style of play – all energy all the time. And that’s really the key for Sutter to roll 4 lines effectively.
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Said it before and will say it again in all caps!
BROWN HITS = KINGS WIN!
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