On what will be key in the performance against Calgary:
“I think it’s just in our preparation, playing back to back, getting what you need this morning and getting ready to go. I think it’s our first opportunity to get above .500. That’s a big thing for us, especially considering we’ve played 11 out of 15 games on the road.”
On the importance of getting on a roll with so many home games in the future:
“I think just the consistency factor in our game – we’ve had a few good games in a row, followed up by a bad game. We’ve got to just get that consistency. Once we have that consistency and we start playing to our capabilities, I think that’s when you start to see the wins pile up.”
On whether so few home games presents a challenge:
“I think it’s pretty normal for us. Even in a normal season in February, we play a lot on the road because of the Grammy’s and just how the scheduling works with Staples. So I think any guy who plays in L.A. for the last few years understands that it’s kind of a normal thing for us this time of year. It probably feels a little different considering the shortened season, but we need to be prepared and ready to take advantage of being at home.”
On whether there’s a sense of panic in the shortened season, or confidence that they’ve been in a similar position before:
“I don’t think it’s a panic. Like you said, we’ve all been in the situation in years past and battled to get where we need to be. There’s definitely a sense of urgency and a sense of attention to detail to get the job done.”
Given the back-to-back, on whether they’re aware of and have seen video of Calgary’s tendencies:
“I mean, with the addition of Wideman, I think he’s pretty well known around the league as a pretty good offensive defenseman. Giordano, Bouwmeester and all of them really can skate pretty well. It’s important for us to just play our game. We’re a grinding, physical team and when you start banging their back end, it makes it more difficult for them to jump in. We have to be aware of those guys and finish our checks on them.”
On the luxury of throwing a goalie of Bernier’s caliber in to give Quick a rest:
“I mean, that’s the beauty of having two good goalies, especially in scenarios like this when you’re playing back to back. Bernier’s played well for us when he’s gotten the opportunity this year. Even going back to last year, he hasn’t had a lot of opportunity, but he’s always seemed to come in and play well.”
Bouwmeester??? Isn’t he that angry guy that hates toys?
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Mik3ysfv Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 5:33 pm
@Michael J., bergermeister meisterberger. Nice.
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i wonder which of the 3 games tonight will be the featured game on nbc …………… hhhhhmmmmmmmmmmmm
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SDGolfer Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 2:41 pm
@phil sykes, Who cares if its not featured on nbc. we get Bob and Jim.
If it was on nbc, people would b!tch they have to listen to Doc Emerick
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phil sykes Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 2:48 pm
@SDGolfer, oh yea of course .. hate those idiots at nbc .. i was just saying how typical it is for them to feature an east coast game ………. and that out west we get no respect . but yea , in the long run its better cuz we get bob and jim
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Mik3ysfv Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 5:37 pm
@SDGolfer, I miss Gary Thorne.
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Just got done watching last night’s game. Brown looked a lot better, more active, taking shots and hitting people, but I was totally impressed by Lewis. 110% effort, hitting people and making things happen. He just needs to hang out with Carter next summer and learn how to “finish” and he could be a top 6 forward on most teams in the NHL.
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Forum Gold Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 2:01 pm
@DesertKing, You said you had to work last night so I just wanted to see if you had a chance to watch Pavel Datsyuk’s end to end rush from last nights game. It is on the NHL.com page. Very similar to the goal he scored on us. Amazing talent. GO KINGS GO!!!
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Dooms Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 3:10 pm
@Forum Gold, Datsyuk is an unbelievable player…and might be the only Red Wing I really enjoy watching. Guy’s amazing!
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Pili Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 2:14 pm
@DesertKing, Yeah Lewis had great jump, seemed like he was all, over the ice. My man Doughty is really struggling. Not sure what’s happened. I like Muzzin’s shot.
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jet Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 3:46 pm
@DesertKing, Brown is better on the left. it was good to see a real first line.
Fast guys like the Oiler ice and Lewis did look fast. The finishing will come, be patient with him.
Drew also looked great. He was like 1 1/2 defencemen, covering up for Ellerby as needed.
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KC23 Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 4:10 pm
@DesertKing, He just needed not to be with Stoll.
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Bernier hasn’t exactly been in the trenches this year and when he did have a high powered team coming at him, he have up 4. Although St. Louis was his best game. We’ll need that effort tonight as well as a competent D to get the W in C.
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Forum Gold Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 2:09 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), If we keep Cammalleri off the scoreboard I like our chances of picking up another 2 points. GO KINGS GO!!!
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Mars Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 3:03 pm
@Forum Gold, agreed
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 3:38 pm
@Forum Gold,
I’ll call it like this: Cammy gets the only goal for the Flames and the Kings win 5-1.
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Mik3ysfv Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 6:03 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), i like the prediction, but Bernier will shine. The more work he gets the better he plays.
if we win we will still be 1 game below winning 50% of our games played. so a .500 winning percent. I hate how incorrect that stat is. We have a .500 points percentage but have not won .50 percent of our games.
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KC23 Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 4:13 pm
@Perro, Agreed. Every time I look at a team’s record I look at wins Vs the combination of loses and OT loses. To me that is what the real record is.
The best stat for showing a team where they really are is point diff. King’s are -4 which isn’t all that bad considering not playing with 2 or 3 of your regular defensemen.
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King John Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 5:53 pm
@Perro, But the stat is great because it makes most of the teams look like they are above .500 and keeps the attendance going and hockey rising in popularity. You don’t feel like your team stinks too bad….
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Kings are beginning to look like the team we saw in last years playoffs. This season has been BS from the start. The guys finally are playing together and it seems as if the chemistry is coming around. Lewis {Salt Lake} along with Clifford have been soild all year long. We should be able to pick up two more points tonight. Once we get home we must get some home town MO-JO going. If we are going to make the playoffs we will have to have a strong homestand. Just like in years past, I’ll be watching. Players who need to produce more… Williams, Penner, Stoll. These three get it going and the wins will start to pile up. Thank you and Good Night!!!
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Dustin know’s what is on the line with these games against teams that are below you in the standings.
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Big hits from Brown will = a Kings win
Brown really sets the tempo for the team.
Look at the playoffs.
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BrokeKingsFan Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 2:36 pm
@Mars, Berry Melrose? is that you?
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So my wonderfull mother got me and my girl tickets to saturdays game against the Avs…cool, cool…but I had no Idea its going to be Lappy night. Im over the moon right now! Lappy memorabilia? bobble head? Lappy towel? does anyone know if they are giving the fans anything Lappy-esque?
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phil sykes Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 2:43 pm
@BrokeKingsFan, … lappynight …………………. u got to be kidding …….. why dont they just have a phil sykes night ? ………………….. man ziggy palffy gets absolutely zero respect ………………… strange
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Mars Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 3:00 pm
@BrokeKingsFan, giving out a puck that night
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Mars Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 3:01 pm
@Mars, confirmed on last nights game by Bob and Jim
It’s part of the legends night
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BrokeKingsFan Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 3:01 pm
I found something on it…Puck giveaway night
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Michael J. Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 3:10 pm
@BrokeKingsFan,
No thanks, I get enough of that guy already!
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jet Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 3:49 pm
@BrokeKingsFan, Uhh, does your girlfriend know it’s lappydace day?
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BrokeKingsFan Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 4:32 pm
@jet, I hope so!
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yea everything is fine and dandy in kingsland since we won a game we easily could have lost – everythings fine …. everybodys happy … we are definately trending in the right direction etc…………. until we lose tonights game that is ….. and then it all changes becuase of one game ………….. do u guys hear yourselves ………… the kings play has been terrible all year , and will continue to be terrible as long as kopi is playing on this injured knee
i also believe jon rosen is overstating the whole -9 line from edmonton last night
u do realize 1 of the goals was an empty netter ……… and the other one they were flowing the wrong way only because the puck unexpectedly hit the linesman ….. that accounts for -6 right there
and if taylor hall scores on that point blank chance early in the third , the kings probably lose the game 2 – 1 – thank goodness quick came up huge right there or the commentary around here would be quite different
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fsd1 Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 3:00 pm
@phil sykes, Why are you so miserable? I imagine you’re a little pissed off we won the cup.
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phil sykes Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 3:12 pm
@fsd1, well i did have money on st louis , right duncanz ….. lol lol lol ………….. my favorite duncanz quote …… “i think gameday serves as a clove of garlic in the case of this entity” …………. but not today however ….. yesterday was pizza day ……. today its stay home all day bag of peanut m & ms day , lamenting my uglyness , lack of girlfriend , and subsequent depression ……… but of yea , theres a kings game on later too ….. woohoo …. and of course , may as well come on the blog
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phil sykes Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 3:13 pm
@phil sykes, but yea *
BrokeKingsFan Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 3:35 pm
@fsd1, This one has an identity crisis….he’s a Ducks fan underneath it all
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Dooms Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 3:18 pm
@phil sykes, things have not been going our way this year, but the Kings have been playing decent hockey, espically of late, and it’s just a matter of getting some puck luck and along with goaltending we’re used to, like last night. They dominated the Oilers after the first 7 or 8 minutes of the game and it was just a matter of time before they capitalized on their momentum.
Kopi is fine and there is nothing different from years past, he always takes months off and eventually ends up near a point per game at seasons end.
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phil sykes Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 3:24 pm
@Dooms, nice civil responce dooms …. its greatly appreciated …… however i disagree kopi is fine …. therefore kings wont be fine , unless others like richards step up , which im skeptical of …. but we shall see …….. we disagree …. no big woop
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KC23 Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 4:17 pm
@phil sykes, Anyone can play the “do you realise” game till the ends of the earth. Plenty of games we lost that you could play that game just the same. A win is a win and a loss is a lose just the same.
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phil sykes Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 4:23 pm
@KC23, yes thats why i rate how they are playing , because thats a better barometer , cuz anything can happen on a given night win or loss because of bounces or bad luck or whatever ………… and the kings have been terrible all year ……. considering the standard we should now all hold them to …….. but the reasons are obvious , kopis on one leg and some defensive issues …… and those things arent going to change , so therefore i expect the offense and defense to continue to struggle
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HockeyNerd Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 4:39 pm
@phil sykes, Since you are so convinced the Kings are playing terrible and it isn’t going to change maybe you should save yourself some time and trouble and take up stamp collecting, hunting, Tennis or something else to keep you busy. The rest of us will continue to support this team, point out what needs changing AND what they are doing well. Without your help.
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phil sykes Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 5:03 pm
@HockeyNerd, its a logical idea ….. unfortunately , all i care about is the kings …. i mean yea , i like ancient aliens , ufos , the universe , and stuff like that , world war 2 nazi stuff ……. i think all the that stuff is facinating ……. girls – latinas only please ……………… but anyways at the end of the day i cant get the kings out of my blood no matter how hard i try ……….. i mean yea i know kopis leg wont get any better , therefore they wont be any good consistently this year , but i must watch anyway …………. i mean everyday for 33 years – i cant stop now
as far as coming on here , i find it fascinating to see peoples opinions on why we lose , when its so obvious its because of kopitars leg and nothing else ………….. you know all the endless breakdowns and the like , when its so obvious what the problem is ……… yea , the defensive injuries are part of it , sure ……………. but they could be overcome if kopi had 2 legs …… because as shown since carter arrived with a more balanced scoring attack – the kings can score ………… however without kopi – then it all falls apart – domino effect ……….. it all flows thru him
im just fascinated at all the reasons why peeps think we are losing when it is so obvious it is number 11s leg and nothing else …………. so i come on here to see all the endless reasoning that dosent mean anything …….. crying about the ref , quick should have held on for the whistle or not , this guy should have done this or that etc ………………………………. just fascinating to me , sorry
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HockeyNerd Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 5:24 pm
@phil sykes, So now the fact that we have not 1, not 2, but THREE defenseman out has nothing to do with it? That Quick has yet to play at last years level has nothing to do with it? That several forwards are struggling has nothing to do with it? Now it’s all on Kopitar, the greatest player in the history of the game?
If we win 5-0 tonite what are you going to say? Thank God the wind want blowing the other direction or those 5 shots would have hit the post? That there must have been too much glare at Calgary’s goaltender? That someone must have slipped in a different puck when those goals were scored? That Bernier played the angles badly and lucked out anyway? That Calgary didnt start Kiprusoff so the win is misleading? That (name Calgary player) was on the ice for all 5 goals, it was only his bad play?
Seriously, WHAT DOES IT HAVE TO TAKE FOR YOU to give this team the most minuscule amount of credit for doing SOMETHING, anything right??????
Your lack of rational, objective analysis is getting really annoying.
phil sykes Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 5:18 pm
@HockeyNerd, and another reason …….. i find that this blog passes the time extremely quickly between pizza eatings and the next kings game ……. much faster than normal …. i mean i hang out here and the next thing i know its tomorrow already …. because im always longing for the time when i can get my next pizza , or watch my next kings game ………. summer can real hot and depressing around here , really bad
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phil sykes Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 5:20 pm
@phil sykes, summer can be *
phil sykes Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 5:31 pm
@HockeyNerd, didnt u see i said defensive injuries are a part of it ………………… but at the end of the day , yes , no kopi , then the offense falls apart …………. kopitar , when healthy makes everybody around him better – his line and the others because now there is less pressure on them because kopis line is carrying the load
without kopi , or an injured kopi , are forwards are not skilled enough to do anything on their own ……………. sorry we disagree
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phil sykes Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 5:32 pm
@phil sykes, our forwards *
phil sykes Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 5:35 pm
@HockeyNerd, carter playing great …. but he dosent make everyone around him better the way kopi does ………. much the same way gretzky did in his day … different styles of course
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Ruff fired today. Who will be the next coach to get the axe?
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i only saw pavel datsuk go around 1 guy – not 5 ….. still a great play , but i think being overstated a lil …. i think him and kopi are the 2 best overall players in the league …. kopi when healthy … oh yea , sedin twins as well
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Dooms Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 3:21 pm
@phil sykes, more like 3 guys…when he got to the blueline all you see is preds sweaters and Datysuk weaving around them. Only other guy in the league to do that kind of end to end is Malkin…so not quite overstated, imo.
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phil sykes Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 3:26 pm
@Dooms, dooms they were there , but only in support … he only actually went around one dude ….. but thats still 1 dude more than any kings go around …. kudos to datsuk as usual
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BrokeKingsFan Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 3:47 pm
@Dooms, Jamie Benn had a good one last year…deked the whole damn team and scored a beaut…against Columbus I think
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Duncanz Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 5:33 pm
@Dooms, Looked to me like he beat 4 guys.
phil …. i think you are thinking of the goal he got vs the terrible all year kings …
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phil sykes Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 5:41 pm
@Duncanz, only stickhandled thru 1 that i saw …. but maybe i wasnt watching closely enough since i usually trust your judgement . i mean yea all 4 guys were there , but only one guy did he actually have to beat with a stick handle ……… alot of weaving to avoid – sure …. like doughty vs devils ….. but actually beating someone – i only saw one dude …… but like i said , maybe i didnt watch closely enough
So Brown plans on, “banging their back end”. Hmmm….
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