This is the first of three meetings between Los Angeles and Calgary this season. After tonight, the two teams will meet for consecutive games at Staples Center on Saturday, March 9 and Monday, March 11.
Lots more after the jump…
Calgary is 2-2 against the Pacific Division, defeating Dallas twice while losing to Anaheim and Phoenix.
Los Angeles is 2-1-1 against the Northwest Division, defeating Vancouver and Edmonton while losing to Colorado in regulation and Edmonton in overtime.
Calgary is coming off a 4-0 loss at Phoenix on February 18, the seventh game following goaltender Mikka Kiprusoff’s Grade 2 MCL sprain. The Flames are 3-3-1 with Kiprusoff out of the lineup, and though their goals against per game ranks 28th in the league at 3.43, they have allowed 3.71 goals per game in his seven-game absence.
33-year old Joey MacDonald will draw the start for Calgary. He earned the win in his only career start against Los Angeles as Detroit erased a late deficit with two third period goals en route to a 4-3 win over the Kings at Joe Louis Arena on March 9, 2012, the last game before L.A. rattled off six wins in a row. He stopped 21 of 24 shots in that game. MacDonald posted the best numbers of his career while backing up Jimmy Howard a season ago, going 8-5-1 with a 2.16 goals against average and .912 save percentage. In addition to another Detroit stint, he has also appeared with Boston, the New York Islanders and Toronto. He saw the most action in 2008-09 when he appeared in 49 games, making 46 starts, for the Islanders. This will be his Scotiabank Saddledome start; he earned the victory in a 4-3 win at Dallas on February 17 and played 56 minutes to spell Leland Irving while assuming the loss in a 5-2 defeat to St. Louis in Calgary on February 15.
Los Angeles is expected to go with Jonathan Bernier in net. Bernier made consecutive starts for the first time since January 15 and 17, 2011 when he backstopped the Kings to wins in St. Louis and at home against Columbus last Monday and Friday. Bernier has made one career start against Calgary, stopping 29 of 31 shots in a 3-1 road loss to the Flames on October 10, 2010.
Following tonight’s game, Los Angeles will play 13 of its next 16 games at Staples Center. The Kings have played a league-low four home games.
Rankings and Statistics:
Goals/Game: LAK – t-25 / 2.29; CGY – 11 / 2.79
Goals Against/Game: LAK – 15 / 2.57; CGY – 28 / 3.43
Power Play: LAK – 24 / 14.5%; CGY – 3 / 26.0%
Penalty Kill: LAK – t-19 / 80.6%; CGY – t-28 / 72.9%
Shots/Game: LAK – t-11 / 29.9; CGY – 7 / 30.4
Shots Against/Game: LAK – 2 / 24.9; CGY – t-9 / 27.6
Faceoffs: LAK – t-18 / 49.5%; CGY – 23 / 48.3%
Projected Lines – Los Angeles
Dustin Brown – Anze Kopitar – Justin Williams
Kyle Clifford – Mike Richards – Jeff Carter
Dwight King – Jarret Stoll – Dustin Penner
Jordan Nolan – Colin Fraser– Trevor Lewis
Keaton Ellerby – Drew Doughty
Rob Scuderi – Slava Voynov
Jake Muzzin – Davis Drewiske
Jonathan Bernier
Jonathan Quick
Notes: Keaton Ellerby has seen his time on ice fall for three straight games and struggled against Edmonton’s speed. He averaged 37 seconds a shift against the Oilers, the lowest average in the game. Drew Doughty may see several defensive partners throughout the game, even in even strength play. After Rob Scuderi (3:31), Davis Drewiske saw the most penalty killing time at 2:49. As always, line pairings are educated assessments and not definite alignments.
Projected Lines – Calgary
Mike Cammalleri – Alex Tanguay – Jarome Iginla
Jiri Hudler – Roman Horak – Roman Cervenka
Curtis Glencross – Matt Stajan – Lee Stempniak
Blake Comeau – Steve Begin – Tim Jackman
Mark Giordano – Jay Bouwmeester
Dennis Wideman – TJ Brodie
Chris Butler – Derek Smith
Joey MacDonald
Daniel Taylor
Notes: Mike Cammalleri, Alex Tanguay and Jarome Iginla were a combined minus-six in Monday’s loss to Phoenix. Dennis Wideman leads the team with 25:12 average ice time. As always, line pairings are educated assessments and not definite alignments.
Flames will be hungry also……we need to match thier speed and desire to win puck battles…….
Com’on boys lets get the win…….
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Dooms Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 3:31 pm
@harty, Only they don’t have any speed. Did you see there projected line-up?
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harty Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 3:44 pm
@Dooms, they may surprise you with Tanguay, Iginla, Hudler, Horak and Stempniak.
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Kenny44 Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 4:59 pm
@harty,
But for that group to average half a goal per game more than ours? I know the Kings are much defensively, but that just seems ludicrous.
jet Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 3:58 pm
@Dooms, They seem okay, other than not having a 1st line.
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KC23 Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 4:25 pm
@harty, Calgary is the 2nd worst team in the conference. We had better win because games don’t get much easier than this.
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xeropoint Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 4:37 pm
@KC23, I really, REALLY hope no one in the locker room is thinking this.
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I’m glad Bernier gets the start, he put two solid games together for us last week. With a good performance tonight it will make his value go way up and even make Sutter’s job a little harder picking a goalie for Saturday.
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CB14 Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 3:33 pm
@Bradapiller, I don’t think there’s a chance in hell that Bernier will start on Saturday.
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phil sykes Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 3:35 pm
@CB14, gotta love midday afternoon hockey games ……. puke puke
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BrokeKingsFan Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 3:49 pm
@CB14, yeah..me either
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Robyn Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 3:39 pm
@Bradapiller, if Bernier and the defense can hold off the Flames tonight, it’ll be a nice problem for DS to have (2 good goalies, trying to decide which one would fit better where)
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KC23 Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 4:28 pm
@Bradapiller, No way Bernier plays Saturday. Not a chance.
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JD Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 5:22 pm
@Bradapiller, I don’t think Quicks 50 million extension has even started yet, no way they start a goalie controversy. It’s Quicks job no matters how he plays. Just hope he keeps playing like last night
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I remember that loss. It was devastating to some Kings fans, and a few swore we needed to rebuild. Glad to see no media blitz on the “Sutter connection” with Calgary (for the 10th time)and how he feels coming back.
Good game for the boys to start stringing a few wins together. Kings are 3-1-0 since the Detroit game (which I think they should have won). The 1 loss came to an undefeated Chicago team that’s clicking on all cylinders. Kings are 3 points out of a playoff spot with 2 games in hand on Detroit and Dallas.
Interesting that Minni has scored the same amount of goals as us and we’ve played 1 less game and yet they have to pay $190 something mill to just 2 of their players before anyone else gets payed.
GO KINGS!
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phil sykes Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 3:38 pm
@Dominick, agree …….. but just imagine if they didnt have parise ……. then theyd actually never score …. at least now they have a chance at making the playoffs i suppose …. considering their defense and goaltending is sound … sound familiar
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Dominick Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 3:40 pm
@phil sykes,
They need to open up their system. Too defensi……yea! sounds familliar.
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Dominick Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 3:42 pm
@phil sykes, They were at the top of the league most of last season without Parise though. They are a tough team to play against.
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phil sykes Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 3:44 pm
@Dominick, not in goals . they were last with the kings ……… as is the case this year
Dominick Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 3:45 pm
@phil sykes,
Standings.
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phil sykes Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 3:50 pm
@Dominick, yea i know sugarpie
KC23 Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 4:30 pm
@Dominick, That game was definately the low point of last year. I certainly had writen off the Kings playoff chances until Mitchell re-upped saying it was because he wanted a chance with the cup.
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We lost to Edmonton in overtime.
Sneaky Calgary, their stats surprise me.
Lgmfk
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duncanz must be getting his beauty sleep … or doing the laundry … or hitting the brothels
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Dominick Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 3:49 pm
@phil sykes, He’s out digging up dirt on DD
. Nice to see you behaving.
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Bonvivant Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 6:26 pm
@phil sykes, They have brothels in LA? Oh that explains the Lakers demise.
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Not likely but I hope Lewis score the goal and finally breakthrough. I mean really.
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We need to warned the Flames Tonight that if Bernier is the Goalie for tonight we are not doing a Grease boarding Interference hit on Jonathan Bernier that means the Flames Players are going for a Minor Game Suspended for 3 Games so what do you think and we are not allowed to hit boarding really hard of Good Players from LA Kings like
Anze Kopitar
Captain Brown
Mike Richards
Simon Gagne that means the Flames will have a choice is play nice or a Suspended call from the Ref’s so what do you think
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phil sykes Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 4:02 pm
@Adam M, u are french canadien eh ?
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goldielocks Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 4:11 pm
@phil sykes,
How can you tell? They don’t use punctuation at all?
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jess Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 4:08 pm
@Adam M,
I tried my best to read this straight through, but ran out of breath in my mind.
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jordan Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 4:23 pm
@jess, holy run on sentence eh?
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Michael J. Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 4:16 pm
@Adam M,
What exactly are you trying to say? That Bernier should board Kopitar? That Bernier did board Gagne?
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kissmyblarneystones Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 4:31 pm
@Michael J.,
Man oh man!! His posts get better ans better. I actually feel sorry for him because I think this poor MF’r is locked away in Siberia with no one to communicate to but us. He clearly possesses balls that go Clank. I think he’s a stud!!
@Adam M, You’re my hero!!!
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xeropoint Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 4:33 pm
@Adam M, Yea… You’ve gotta watch out for those grease-boarding, interference hits and hit boarding, really hard of good players. You fail to mention, however, the hard, very really behind from hits on good players of LA Kings. Should the refs do hard, very big suspend on those such hits? Or just on the aforementioned grease-boarding interference hits? Just wanna know where you stand on these very prominent issues in today’s NHL.
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408kingsfan Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 4:56 pm
@xeropoint, Grease boarding and jock slinging on really good players is only a 2 minute minor penalty under the new CBA so it’s all good
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Jeff Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 5:58 pm
@Adam M, Dude, lay off the crack! It’s messing up your brain.
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I will say it for JR…….The lines above is just a educated guess… Cliffy never made it to the first line.Lot of us(me included) are really underestimating the loss of our 3 defensemen.One of the biggest change was when DS let Lewis out of TM’s dog pound…..You need players like Cliffy and Lewis. Now if our top players play like top players we will start rolling….
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linny Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 6:30 pm
@neil, totally agree about cliffy n Lewis but I was one of those who mentioned we would have a tough time getting into playoffs without WM n MG. Depends on learning curve of muzzin n ellerby n drewiskie (is he progressing or regressing? If DL pulls off some miracle for a top Dman it would certainly help.
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jon rosen staying at the ramada renossiance quite possibly ….or i think that was the name when i used to go to calgary ……… forum inn across from gretzky statue in edmonton rocks … although jon it appears was staying downtown
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cup4kings Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 4:19 pm
@phil sykes,
Ut-Oh Phil, you stalking Jon?
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phil sykes Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 4:27 pm
@cup4kings, just recognise the pics and brings back great memories of my many jaunts to alberta to watch the kings …. and ps … i only stalk underage teenage girls
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cup4kings Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 4:29 pm
@phil sykes,
Classic!
The flight home before a long home stand sure would feel good with a win tonight. Kings would have won 4 of last 5 and could carry some momemtum towards securing a playoff spot. Let’s do this Kings!!
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So who’s heading to the poker tourney tomorrow night? Side bets?
http://kingsnewsdaily.com/poker-shootout-whos-going-all-in-tomorrow-night/
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13 of the next 16 games at home. I sure hope this is a blessing rather than a curse. Predicting a Kings win tonight 4-1 with Brown, Doughty, Kopitar & Penner lighting the lamp.
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KingsGRT Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 4:52 pm
@King Alex, would love to see that but i doubt that both brown and kopi score without carter or richards scoring
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Gailweb Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 5:14 pm
@King Alex, would be nice for Kopi to get one in
I think he is not having fun out there and needs
to forget about his knee for a while
Go Kings Go!
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Watching Flyers vs Penguins game. Other than their individual skills, it’s like pond hockey level.
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jess Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 5:25 pm
@goldielocks,
At least their going at the net on both ends
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SLIM Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 5:27 pm
@jess,
East coast hockey at it’s best…
But alot more dirty stuff..
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jess Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 5:29 pm
@SLIM,
See that fight with Simmer and Glass? That was a good one.
SLIM Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 5:33 pm
@jess,
Simmonds…imho…lost that fight…
But what a crazy game….
Of course that…POS….Cooke in the middle of everything..
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My prediction
Kings win 4-1
One goal from each line.
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Bonvivant Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 6:28 pm
@Mars, Please. We’ve not scored more than 3 goals in two consecutive games this year. 1-0 LA pitches the shut out.
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Go Kings Go!
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It seems like Carter gets a point in every game….
So, going with that impression…not fact….
Carter with the hat trick tonight…
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KC23 Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 5:37 pm
@SLIM, yet Kopitar and Carter are tied with the same number of points. Weird isn’t it? Feels like Kopitar is no where near Carter, yet those are the numbers.
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If the Kings can stay out of Penalty Box they will win tonight. Calgary is 3rd overall on the Power play at 26%.
I believe the Kings will continue the hurt on Calgary’s top line, after their -6 performance against the yotes.
I’m looking for a big game from our top line. J-DuB bury some pucks
Go Kings!!!
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@KC23, Yeah more probably because we pay more attention to goals than assist.
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Given the fact that 2013 is such a short season, in my opinion this is Playoff Hockey. I believe what we witness last season is the Kings raised hockey to a new level, with their furious fore-check and back-check, the anticipation & support getting out of their own zone, the grinding around the boards fighting for every puck, the outstanding penalty-kill & the discipline to stay out of the box. By the time opponents figured out what was going on, every series was 3-0.
All around the NHL teams know that the Stanley Cup Defenders are the team to beat and they’re bringing their best game, no team should be taking lightly as we did in the season opener. Even in the heart-breakers against Detroit, Columbus or Chicago, I thought they played their best games so far!
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RE: @Adam M’s comment about “Grease boarding, Bernier, etc”…IMO a couple of u insiders (KMBS for one) r really crossing the line. I can’t understand what he’s saying either n most likely English is not his first language.
But you r like kids torturing insects in between telling Helen Keller jokes n making fun of people in wheelchairs. If u want to call people “‘A-holes, ridiculous absurd, idiotic” , etc…about a hockey realted comment, n the mods r ok with it, fine…I have no problem with that…but this is much different and IMO whoever is running n moderating this site should draw the line here!
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neil Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 5:54 pm
@linny, I commented before about maybe Adam having a learning disorder(Iam a Father figure to one such person who is a big Kings fan)so please respond kindly to Adam …..
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linny Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 6:08 pm
@neil, I just want to make sure we’re on the same page here. U realize I was saying that a few of those comments went way beyond the line right. Not Adam…the one’s responding!
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neil Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 6:21 pm
@linny, Yes I was backing you !!! I have seen worse reaction in the past to Adam and it didnt seem fair…Could be a language problem also…..I have a feeling its something else…. Glad to see you stand up for Adam !!!!
YoBro Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 5:56 pm
@linny, Adam has been around here for a coupla yrs; We all know whats coming, but can’t decipher it anyway. I doubt if anybody is trying to be mean about it, we all really get a kick out of his posts. So what do you think?
Go Kings
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SLIM Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 5:58 pm
@YoBro,
I’m with @Puck73 here…
I think it is Rich Hammond having a lark….
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linny Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 6:03 pm
@YoBro, 3 insiders went way past having a little chuckle…u can tell which…it just seems distasteful IMO
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jess Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 6:22 pm
@linny,
I don’t get it linny. How do you know this guy’s in a wheel chair? And you seem to be the one calling him an insect with your analogy. I have a hard time finding that anyone crossed the line. If we ignored him, that would be the saddest of all wouldn’t it?
Let me ask you something linny? Is everything ok today? Because it appears you found a cause to lash out about.
And please let me explain something. Inviting the PC police to come into the insider and start shutting people up, where does it end. You want to see disgrace and profanity, go check out the Devils blog. Insider does pretty well on it’s own. There are enough rules and regulations in the world. We don’t need extra ones here so you can feel better about yourself!
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neil Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 6:24 pm
@jess, http://www.lyricsfreak.com/j/jackson+browne/song+for+adam_20068551.html….song for Adam !!!!
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phil sykes Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 6:32 pm
@jess, are u sure yur a lezbo , because with that response we should be a match made in heaven …. what do u say ? ….. maybe you just havent met the right guy
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jess Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 7:39 pm
@phil sykes,
Forget it phil. I’m a man, and I like women.
xeropoint Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 6:43 pm
@jess, THIS^^^
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linny Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 6:49 pm
@jess, wow…that’s hysterical! First, I wasn’t talking about u…next, u twist my words when it should b obvious that the “insect, wheelchair, etc..” comments r not literal n aimed at those who went overboard in making fun of somebody’s sentence structure (KMBS n XEROS comments). Next, I never said anyone should be banned or moderated but that perhaps keeping this HOCKEY BLOG on the subject of hockey might b a good idea. And finally it appears that u, not I, are in fact the one having a bad day. I had a great day…still am…and I certainly did not make my statement to feel better about myself…I don’t know what u do for a living but u r probably not a psychologist. I am going to watch the game now so we can continue another time if u wish
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phil sykes Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 6:56 pm
@linny, bull linny , u did talk about moderating on your original post ….. why dont u go hang out with chris hansen and ruin some other peeps lives , when all they are trying to do is get laid
Hansen gets a 1 game suspension for his hit on Hossa.
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Just wanted to post a thought about Browns hitting.
I was watching the replay and at one point in the first, the puck was passed around the boards by EDM, behind their own net to a player on the other side of the ice. It looked like Brown was about to light that guy up, but stopped to cover the point as Muzzin was pinching.
My thought is with the new defencemen maybe Brown (and others) aren’t as likely to make the big hit and take themselves outof position since they aren’t as confident that the defencemen will be there to cover up or, like I mentioned above, he is having to hesitate to see if they are going to pinch or whatnot vs. having the ‘chemistry’ to insticitviely know.
Just an observation.
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SLIM Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 5:55 pm
@LittleRhody,
While this is a good observation…
And quite possibly true….
Somehow I feel Dustin’s wifey has put down her foot…
“We have three little children to take care of and I need you around when you’re career is over”….
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YoBro Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 5:58 pm
@SLIM, Uhh,,,, highly doubtful. At least he now has his ring to match HER title!
Go Kings
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 6:02 pm
@LittleRhody,
It’s a great point to make. I’m not sure it’s been helping if that’s what’s going on. Brown absolutely leveled Nugent-Hopkins in the 3rd, which was great to see and I think set the tone for the rest of the game. But to your point, I wouldn’t be surprised if some forwards are looking to cover for inexperienced d-men at times, which is a good thing but may have cost the Kings offensive opportunities. Tough balancing act with 3 non-regulars on your blue-line.
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Bonvivant Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 6:31 pm
@LittleRhody, I could not agree more. The players seem to be more tentative about making plays that puts the overall system in jeopardy. Micro plays like the one you described is a perfect example. Trust in any system is paramount. The trust is not their yet.
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Luke Schenn is leading the league in hits…
Go figure…
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SLIM Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 6:00 pm
@SLIM,
I mean Braydon…oops…
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I wonder if there will be a Kopitar or Brown sighting tonight? Haven’t seen those guys most of the season. Anyone know where they are?
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Bonvivant Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 6:31 pm
@Jeff, Ithaca and Jesenice.
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LVKINGS88 Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 6:58 pm
@Jeff, I’ve seen them before, during and after each game as well as non game days but I know what you mean,yeah more hitting ala RNH last night and more goals from Kopi.
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To DL:It’s time to start to resign some player,one by one,or one big & one small at same time…GKG…
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phil sykes Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 6:04 pm
@John Shaw, yea , wheres jay zygmut when u need him
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patrick o neil rocks ……. love the guy ………… great dude and kings fan …… but wallys daughter …. dont know about that one …. yikes
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I hate the RED SWEATER crowd…reminds me of the jersey wearing Colts gathering in Indy.
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Damn! is Foxy’s jaw getting bigger or what? It’s almost muskie size or snapping turtle.
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