This is the second of three meetings between Los Angeles and Colorado this season. On January 22, the Avalanche defeated the Kings 3-1 at Pepsi Center, marking L.A.’s first regulation loss in 96 games in which it led after two periods, ending an 86-0-9 stretch. After tonight, the two teams will meet at Staples Center on Thursday, April 11.
Lots more after the jump…
Colorado has won three of four in advance of its three-game California swing, which begins this afternoon at Staples. The Avalanche are 1-3-1 against the Pacific Division and 2-5-0 on the road. In the team’s last outing, Semyon Varlamov’s 33 saves were propped up by David Jones’ goal with 17 seconds remaining in overtime for a 1-0 win on Wednesday, marking Varlamov’s second shutout of the season.
20-year old team captain and dynamic playmaker Gabriel Landeskog is expected to return to the lineup Saturday after missing 11 games with a concussion. He is likely to skate on the left wing, opposite David Jones, on a line centered by Paul Stastny.
Semyon Varlamov is expected to draw the start for Colorado. In his lifetime, he is 4-1-0 against Los Angeles with a 1.77 goals against average and a .942 save percentage. He stopped 28 of 29 shots to earn the win in the teams’ previous meeting this season.
The Kings have lost five consecutive games to the Avalanche, going 0-4-1 and scoring six total goals over the span. Their last victory over Colorado was a 4-1 win at Staples Center on March 26, 2011. They are 3-1-1 against the Northwest Division this season.
Los Angeles is likely to go with Jonathan Quick in net. Quick is 7-4-1 lifetime against the Avalanche with a 2.73 GAA and .894 Sv%. In the January 22 game, he stopped 28 of 31 shots.
Jonathan Bernier has played 40 minutes against Colorado in his career. On February 22, 2011, he entered the game to start the second period and stopped 15 of 16 shots in a 4-1 loss.
Saturday’s game opens a stretch for Los Angeles in which it plays 13 of 16 games at home and only leaves the Pacific Time Zone to travel to Phoenix.
Rankings and Statistics:
Goals/Game: LAK – 25 / 2.33; COL – 22 / 2.47
Goals Against/Game: LAK – 12 / 2.47; COL – 18 / 2.87
Power Play: LAK – t-23 / 14.3%; COL – t-26 / 13.0%
Penalty Kill: LAK – 18 / 81.8%; COL – 21 / 79.1%
Shots/Game: LAK – t-8 / 30.1; COL – t-11 / 29.9
Shots Against/Game: LAK – 2 / 25.0; COL - 27 / 31.7
Faceoffs: LAK – t-12 / 50.6%; COL – t-19 / 49.4%
Projected Lines – Los Angeles
Dustin Brown – Anze Kopitar – Justin Williams
Trevor Lewis – Mike Richards – Jeff Carter
Dustin Penner – Jarret Stoll – Dwight King
Kyle Clifford – Colin Fraser – Jordan Nolan
Keaton Ellerby – Drew Doughty
Rob Scuderi – Slava Voynov
Jake Muzzin – Davis Drewiske
Jonathan Quick
Jonathan Bernier
Notes: There are likely to be adjustments defensively, as Doughty has recently seen shifts at even strength strength with Ellerby, Muzzin and Drewiske. Los Angeles has won 73-of-117 faceoffs over the last two games. As always, line pairings are educated assessments and not definite alignments.
Projected Lines – Colorado
Jamie McGinn – Matt Duchesne – P.A. Parenteau
Gabriel Landeskog – Paul Stastny – David Jones
Cody McLeod – John Mitchell – Milan Hejduk
Aaron Palushaj – Mark Olver – Chuck Kobasew
Ryan O’Byrne – Matt Hunwick
Stefan Elliott – Greg Zanon
Jan Hejda – Tyson Barrie
Semyon Varlamov
Jean-Sebastien Giguere
Notes: Defenseman and former first overall pick Erik Johnson is out indefinitely with a head injury. Forward Steve Downie is out for the season due to a torn ACL suffered in the win over Los Angeles on January 22. With Landeskog’s return, Patrick Bordeleau is likely the player to drop out of the lineup. As always, line pairings are educated assessments and not definite alignments.
Another opportunity to avenge an early season loss. The Oilers have been vanquished; the second Chicago game wasn’t exactly revenge, but the Kings had Chicago fans very nervous in the 3rd.
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Shuchuk Reply:
February 23rd, 2013 at 9:24 am
@Robert R, let’s go boys, go get ‘em. I just grabbed a ticket online. WOOOOO!
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Michael J. Reply:
February 23rd, 2013 at 9:56 am
@Shuchuk,
Nice! Tix on stubhub for as little as $19.50.
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Robert R Reply:
February 23rd, 2013 at 10:00 am
@Michael J., I still remember my Stubhub ticket for Finals game 4 for $660
Shuchuk Reply:
February 23rd, 2013 at 11:24 am
@Michael J., yeah, I grabbed a $19 ticket around 9 AM…couldn’t say no!
Jon, “Avalanche defeated the Kings 3-1 in overtime” ?? YIKES!! a 1st….
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Neil Reply:
February 23rd, 2013 at 8:42 am
@Real 7, The last goal was so amazing that the scorekeeper gave the Avs 2 goals for it …thus the 3 1 OT score…
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Real 7 Reply:
February 23rd, 2013 at 9:02 am
@Neil, I *KNEW* there was an explanation…incredible!
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bfarm Reply:
February 23rd, 2013 at 9:05 am
@Real 7,
I’m pretty sure that if you get a slam dunk it’s 2 points, and if you score from behind that blue line it’s a 3 pointer..
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Jjimbo Reply:
February 23rd, 2013 at 9:16 am
@Real 7, …and a “regulation” loss in overtime, to boot!
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Real 7 Reply:
February 23rd, 2013 at 9:44 am
@Real 7, now corrected -Thanx Jon- good job! very much enjoying the insider, as you can tell…
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It’s an afternoon game so hopefully the Kings don’t sleepwalk through most of it. A solid effort and a “W” would be real nice.
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Shuchuk Reply:
February 23rd, 2013 at 9:25 am
@Jeff, you can’t slack it on Lappy Appreciation Day.
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BTW What is the pp success rate since that 0 for 30-something start?
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Real 7 Reply:
February 23rd, 2013 at 9:05 am
@Robert R, I don’t knew, but Doughty’s shooting 0 for 32….he’s Definitely Due..
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Robert R Reply:
February 23rd, 2013 at 9:57 am
Kings are 9 for 63 on the pp. Assuming an 0 for 30 start, that’s 9 for 33 which is 27%. Not bad.
There are many comments that strictly focus on players’ shortcomings, mistakes. Then we read George Johnson’s article in the Calgary paper that states how the Kings “ground up and spit out” the Flames. It’s good to read the outsider’s view ( thanks Jon). I’m not suggesting that we whitewash poor performances, but a little less gloom and doom would be nice.
Example: there are several players who have zero goals after 15 games. If Sutter felt that these players contributed nothing positive to the game, these guys would sit and Sutter would search elsewhere for someone better. Players’ overall games must be judged–defense, positioning. There’s a lot of ways to be effective without scoring–battling in the corners, supporting the play when the puck comes free, cutting off passing lanes in the D-zone. Try watching the play away from the puck too see what’s going on. You usually won’t get it from the TV feed.
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neil Reply:
February 23rd, 2013 at 10:13 am
@Robert R, I think one of the reasons for the improvement on the PP is practice time. DS has never had a regular training camp with this team. Same as Payne. Now with the team at home and more practices…we are headed in the right direction….
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Yes Duncanz..I was reading last nights posts !!!! Hi to all the late nighters who are still sleeping this morning.I wonder if the Kings will start staying at the hotel before day games if they dont win today. Nice to see the lines are still the same(sorry Bob Seger reference)A good start is needed esp since its a early game..GKG !!!!!!
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Real 7 Reply:
February 23rd, 2013 at 9:07 am
@Neil, a good start is ALWAYS needed…
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Duncanz Reply:
February 23rd, 2013 at 9:49 am
@Neilinghurtsthenees, And most importantly, we need … NO LINE CHANGES !!!!!
GDSG & GKG !!!!
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neil Reply:
February 23rd, 2013 at 10:12 am
@Duncanz, We dont need no stinking line changes !!!!!
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The way to beat a team with speed is to hit them, nobody likes to get hit. “They hit they win, they don’t they don’t” simple. I hope if Penner plays he is aggressive like he was vs Calgary. Go get Kings. 16 games in a row in the same time zone. No excuses. Time between games to practice, sleep in your own bed. It’s time to climb up the ladder in the standings. Catch the Ducks after the 16 games.
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The Stat that stood out for me in the above is
Los Angeles has won 73-of-117 faceoffs over the last two games.
If they can do that today, then they keep control of the puck and puck possession time. You keep the pressure in their zone and increase your chances of winning . They need those faceoff wins esp onthe PP, every time Kopi loses one, the Kings lose at least 15 seconds chaaing bck to their own end.
If they play as good as they have in the last 2, smothering forechek, physical and putting pressure on, they should do fine. Carter and Richards are hot right onw and I’m looking for that line to continue how impressive they’ve been. I’d love for the Kings to go out to a good lead, a 2-0 lead by the midway point. Then lock it down.
Go Kings
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keeping up with the Monarchs — they won last night
“Colton Yellow Horn set up Brandon Kozun..” must be the pony line…
http://www.unionleader.com/article/20130222/SPORTS0702/130229627/1003/sports
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KC23 Reply:
February 23rd, 2013 at 10:16 am
@Real 7, Except Toffoli only scored one goal.
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In the last 10 games between these two teams at Staples Center, the Kings and Avs traded 4 game winning streaks. The Avs are currently on a 2 game streak after taking both games in LA in January 2012. Let’s hope the trend doesn’t continue.
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Spencer Maze Reply:
February 23rd, 2013 at 9:45 am
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), That little 2-gamer ends today!
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I’m thinking if quick doesn’t play well in this game we’re gonna see some more consecutive starts for bernier..
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Spencer Maze Reply:
February 23rd, 2013 at 9:44 am
@bfarm, Could be but I’m feeling that Quicker is gonna have a monster game today
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bfarm Reply:
February 23rd, 2013 at 9:52 am
@Spencer Maze, I hope so!
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KC23 Reply:
February 23rd, 2013 at 10:17 am
@bfarm, No and no imho.
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Paul Reply:
February 23rd, 2013 at 12:39 pm
@bfarm, Quick shouldn’t even be starting THIS game
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On the road and heading for Staples!
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Spencer Maze Reply:
February 23rd, 2013 at 9:41 am
@DesertKing, It’s a beautiful day for a Kings victory, wouldn’t you agree?
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DesertKing Reply:
February 23rd, 2013 at 9:49 am
@Spencer Maze,
There’s no snow
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Forum Gold Reply:
February 23rd, 2013 at 9:41 am
@DesertKing, Have a great time and get that afternoon crowd rock’in. GO KINGS GO!!!
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LT21 Reply:
February 23rd, 2013 at 10:03 am
@DesertKing, I’m on my way too! Can’t wait to watch them get a big W! Especially excited if Quick is a total beast in net.
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Robert R Reply:
February 23rd, 2013 at 11:08 am
@DesertKing, Getting some business envelopes or toner cartridges?
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5-2 Kings…..and you heard it here first
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Real 7 Reply:
February 23rd, 2013 at 9:46 am
@Spencer Maze, yes you did…but as DS says, it’s a 3-2 league, so I’ll go with that..
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Am going to the game with a friend and his son and need to buy 3 seats together. I have 2 seats for sale 328 row 2 seats 8&9, great seats in Handicap section right behind the goal where the Kings shoot twice. $60 for the pair. That is my price $35 each. Send me an email if interested and I will either email them to you or can meet you in front of Staples Center Gretzky Statue at 12:30-12:45. Need to do this quickly…..I will wait until 11am.
jrosene28@gmail.com
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Gmo Reply:
February 23rd, 2013 at 12:32 pm
@Jeff_R,
Gosh I wish I lived in a LA, hockey tickets are soooooo cheap
Go KINGS Go
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For lappy day brown is going to unleash the fury
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KC23 Reply:
February 23rd, 2013 at 10:20 am
@Lake Forest, Ya know, you may just be right. It would seem like the perfect (being Lappy’s day) day for Brown to bring out his nasty side.
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Alright, today is the Kings opportunity to end their habit of lackluster matinee performances at home. As some have mentioned, maybe some of that Lappy effort and enthusiasm will be contagious. Unfortunately, Lappy did play for Clorado too so it could energize them as well.
Let’s go Kings. “Grind them up and spit them out.” “Score early and score often”.*
*Source: Democratic National Committee (2008, 2012)
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Real 7 Reply:
February 23rd, 2013 at 10:35 am
@Michael J., should be :: DNC, vote early and often….GO KINGS GO!!
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Robert R Reply:
February 23rd, 2013 at 11:05 am
@Michael J., The DNC didn’t say “Score early and score often”.
Bill Clinton did.
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Duncanz Reply:
February 23rd, 2013 at 11:08 am
@Michael J., Cue angry response from several Kings/CA refugees in CO..
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Willie Mitchell gave away 2 tix on Twitter a little while ago! Nice!
Willie Mitchell (@Willie_Mitch33) tweeted at 10:42 AM on Sat, Feb 23, 2013:
2 tickets for today’s @LAKings @Avalanche for first tweet back stating who I played my first @NHL game against. #free #biggame
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
February 23rd, 2013 at 11:30 am
@Kingsfanone, Very cool.
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Go Kings Go !
In my Staples seat now nothing better
Go Kings Go!
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Nice touch with the throwback jerseys to honor Dr. Buss………….
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