On the team’s recent performances:
“A lot of guys stepped up their game…One player’s not going to win a game, right? We’ve got a lot of guys that are filling a lot of roles for us and doing a lot of things, and it’s starting to show with some wins”
On whether he feels that things are beginning to come together:
“Yeah, it’s a step in the right direction. I think we’ve worked hard to kind of round our game out. Obviously it wasn’t where we wanted to be. It’s still not where we want it to be, but we’re going in the right direction here. We’re getting comfortable with winning these close games again. Goalies are playing great.”
On whether the goaltenders’ performances have boosted the team’s confidence:
“Absolutely. Both guys have been playing great for us. They’ve both been working hard, as everybody has, to kind of get their game rounded out. It’s not easy in the shortened season and whatnot. It’s good to see. It gives us a lot of confidence when we know that those guys are at the top of their game back there, so it’s been going well.”
On whether he’s found a nice offensive rhythm:
“I feel good. I’m getting a few lucky bounces here and there. I’m getting some nice setups by my linemates, so it’s been going well.”
Carter is a beast. His scoring touch is obvious, but he is playing an excellent all around game as well. Best trade ever by Lombardi.
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LT21 Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 11:08 pm
@rick, Yeah thank goodness for that trade. Could you imagine where we would be without it?
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Shakes Reply:
February 21st, 2013 at 8:05 am
@LT21, no Cup in 2012 AND half the wins this year… although if we didn’t have Carts it’s hard to sort out what the counterfactual would’ve been…maybe a bigger push for Parise or something?… but even in the narrow vision of this season, i still wouldn’t swap Zach for Carts
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Ed Reply:
February 21st, 2013 at 10:28 am
@LT21, I’ve been using the same word for the past couple of weeks..A BEAST! he’s been on his game since the very first day and is was very obvious early on that he is in shape and strong. His size and skaking ability make him very hard to defend. They guy just glides effortlessly. He looks way better than he did last year, even when he caught fire in the playoffs
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pautna Reply:
February 21st, 2013 at 7:00 am
@rick, Yes, love having a sniper like him on board!
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BigSeeGas Reply:
February 21st, 2013 at 2:10 pm
@rick, I agree! I remember people thinking that it was going to distract Mike Richards and that they were going to be partying all the time… I think carter is more of a leader than I expected. He obviously is talented and I see him working hard every game. I am thankful for having him on the kings roster.
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Including you Carts!! You stepped up pretty nicely tonight in the DZONE….I love when forwards help out the D!!!
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rogiesbackup Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 11:07 pm
Carts looks faster then last season…maybe it’s just my eyes. Kopi…well….he looks somewhat slower but still has the hands and scoring touch.
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Duncanz Reply:
February 21st, 2013 at 12:30 am
@rogiesbackup, It’s always been the case with Carts. He’s incredibly deceptive when it comes to his speed and strength, to opponents and to spectators alike.
He’s sharp and sees the ice extremely well.
Jeff Carter is a very special asset for the Kings, indeed.
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Forum Gold Reply:
February 21st, 2013 at 9:25 am
@rogiesbackup, I thought last night Kopi was skating the best so far this season. GO KINGS GO!!!
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Just think, when we were all asking for Kovalspank, Parise, and even Iginla, DL was lying awake in bed, putting together his master plan, focusing on Jeff (who in the hell is this prima donna party boy from Philly who doesn’t want to be in Columbus but then again who would?) Carter as the offensive savior for the Kings. Once again, DL outmaneuvered all of us Insiders and all of the other GM’s in the NHL to determine that Carter was available, we had the resources to make the deal, and that once he Carter was put in the right situation, his scoring touch would comeback. You just have to wonder if Mike Richards dropped a hint in DL’s ear when he came on board? In DL we trust!
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phil sykes Reply:
February 21st, 2013 at 12:23 am
@DesertKing, and to think we got this stud for only jack and a first rounder .. in other words … nothing .. sweet move by lombardi . i mean everyone was talking about nash this – nash that ……. the damn dude is better than nash …….. love it ……… what a deal
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Deke'r Reply:
February 21st, 2013 at 1:30 pm
@DesertKing, ….well…not ALL….
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King John Reply:
February 21st, 2013 at 4:53 pm
@DesertKing,
You ask who would want to be in Columbus…
Jack Johnson, of course. He loves it there. Gets to be the big D and play lots of minutes.
Actually, I think Columbus is gonna be on the right track now with the changes and new GM and players like Johnson who are excited about playing there. It’s good for the league to have a successful team in Ohio.
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The Carter-Matic: When healthy, deadly. Philly
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Why not pair Carter with Kopi?
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
February 21st, 2013 at 12:35 am
@DEH, Because Kopi isn’t from Philly.
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Gustavo Reply:
February 21st, 2013 at 7:05 am
@DEH,
Carter has the chemistry with Richards well established after years of playing together. The same goes for Kopi and Brown.
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Deirdre Reply:
February 21st, 2013 at 10:53 am
@DEH, In addition to MR and JC having history/chemistry, yoiu can’t put Carter with Kopi becauase on separate lines, it makes the opposing coach decide what line and top D he puts out against who. On the same line, it takes all the edge away that the Kings have by Carter and Kopi as separate threats.
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BigSeeGas Reply:
February 21st, 2013 at 2:12 pm
@DEH, would be cool to see that on a power play though.
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Jack who?? Seriously, I used to get blown away by JJ’s +- rating. Now we have DD at -10 and Slava Voynov at +9! I still don’t miss -17 JJ, and I expect DD will smoothe out if we get a veteran or two back. Other than his huge ice time, and recent turn overs, any insight into DD’s hiccups of late?
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KC23 Reply:
February 21st, 2013 at 3:18 am
@McSorleyfan,
Voynov is playing head and shoulders above DD.
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vinny Reply:
February 21st, 2013 at 6:04 am
@McSorleyfan, probably confidence..he was so used to being able to escape from guys by being very composed, but has gotten turned over a few times this season, and its messing with him (my guess)..plus theres the missing coverage from time to time which beats me. just a little too much puck watching i suppose
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KingsGRT Reply:
February 21st, 2013 at 8:05 am
@vinny, Yeah and at least wrt his -3 in the last game and the chi game all three play were when he was doing his job on the other side of the net and whichever of the carousel of dmen playing with him brokedown. It also looks like he is seriously waking up in the O zone lately. Besides lets take a step back for a second and look at the fact that he has been playing very close to E over the last 7 or 8 games.
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Kopi should sit out some games and get that knee to 100%. It may be bothering him as he looks a bit slower than usual. Get well for the post season, where it counts.
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Gustavo Reply:
February 21st, 2013 at 7:06 am
@King2Peat,
Agree 10000000%
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a Brilliant all-around game from #77 – he’s The Man!
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