On the team’s performance versus Colorado:
“Yeah, it was a good game yesterday from start to finish. We didn’t draw any penalties – we drew one, but we didn’t really have a power play – so that’s something we’d like to do, to give our power play more opportunities to score goals for us and get confidence. Our PK was really good. There’s not much you can do about their goal. They scored four-on-three. It’s probably a Hall-of-Fame player in Hejduk the way he’s maintained his offensive output throughout his career. But Quickie played unbelievable. He made some big saves early on, especially in the first when we got those two quick goals and Colorado got their feet under them. They came at us pretty hard, but we held our own and it was kind of just a steady game where we got better incrementally throughout it.”
On his assist on Anze Kopitar’s goal:
“I was slashing through the middle and Kinger had the puck. We kind of made eye contact where I wanted him to chip it. So when he chipped it, it was a perfect chip where I could skate into it with speed, and it was a bit of a mismatch with the Colorado player, so I just held on to the puck, saw Kopi come off the bench, waited until he was in position, and then he made a great shot – post and in.”
On keys to the team’s resurgence since the Detroit game:
“Puck possession, holding on to the puck. It has been really good. Our special teams have been better, and I think Darryl touched on it that we’ve had some good competition between our two goaltenders. I think subconsciously – not trying to out-do one another – but just it’s a healthy competition between the two of them.”
I like Penner. He may not be scoring goals, but I think in the last couple of weeks, he’s been bringing the effort. I hope he starts getting into that comfort zone and starts shooting more and popping some goals soon.
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 1:26 pm
@mash-ola, His strong assertive effort alone has helped wear down and create havoc on the opposition. It would be great to see him get some more points, as you said. But even if he doesn’t, his efforts (and those of his linemates) are seriously helping the other guys produce.
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Shiny Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 2:04 pm
@mash-ola, it’s definitely amazing to see how much he’s improved over the last 2 weeks. It’s interesting that VV has sort of, I don’t want to say level off, but he’s not the most noticeable guy on the ice anymore. But seeing as how the whole team has improved lately, I’m not complaining
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AnaheimKingsFan Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 12:04 pm
@Shiny,
Love Penner’s play lately, if he keeps it up the points will come. Regarding VV, I subscribe to the belief that not noticing d-men isn’t necessarily a bad thing! He’s helping keep the goals out, and that’s all that matters. Doughty is the exception, dude’s a proven scorer and he’s not scoring and his puckhandling in our own zone is suspect. If we can get all these guys firing at the same time we’ll be pretty much unstoppable.
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Kozun sure is a sniper. Just watched him notch another.
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kings downunder Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 1:55 pm
@KC23, I think Kozun and his linemates are playing much better in the last week or so.
GO KINGS GO
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linny Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 4:57 pm
@KC23, do u think he’s a player DL will give a legitimate shot to play on a top line one day? He’s under 6′ if I remember correctly. I know he’s got speed too. What’s your thought on this?
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kings downunder Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 7:08 pm
@linny, I think he might be under sized but if he keeps scoring he could get a shot with the kings
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PP Anybody? Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 9:14 am
@linny, he’s actually about 5’8, and only around 160 lbs. Considering the way DL has built this team, and the fact that we have pretty decent prospects at least around 6ft (Toffoli, Vey, Pearson), The chances for Kozun are probably slim to none. Likely to fall the way of Lokti and Moller. Might get a shot somewhere else though.
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Watching Penner is always a wondeful adventure. You are either cheering him for a great play or yelling at him when he is loafing it. Unfortunately there is no middle grou.d for him but he will always be a special King for his WCF winning goal against the Yotes.
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Go Kings Go!
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Nice game Pens!
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I’ve mostly supported penner around here. I heard something (on radio maybe Evans) the other day which kinda makes sense because he’s got the talent, so obviously it’s either a motivational issue or (as was stated) he has trouble getting in, and,,,, staying in shape because of his size. That pass to kopi for a goal against AV’s was a beauty n he’s been hitting n controlling the Puck well in the corners n halfwall…could u imagine if he improved a couple notches? I think he’ll b fine rest of the year.
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KC23 Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 3:25 pm
@linny, I think his cardio-vascular capacity is just unusually low. I really don’t think he can help it for the most part. He has to put in a ton of effort just to be average it seems. Once he is in top cardio vascular shape he can keep up and then use his size to dominate, but it seems that happens only when he is in as good of cardio-vascular shape as he can possible get into.
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linny Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 4:52 pm
@KC23, sounds similar to what I heard n may b it, exactly…thanks for the inpit
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I really like what I’ve been seeing from Penner lately. Yesterday’s assist was a thing of beauty. But even more important than that is what he brings to our grinding, digging, wear-you-down puck control game, especially when he ends up with the puck on his stick and he’s moving toward the crease…which seems to be happening with increasing regularity.
I think Muzzin is turning into a pleasant surprise. He makes the occasional error that invariably comes with inexperience at the highest level of competition, but he appears to have good hockey sense, a two-way skill set, and physicality. In short, he seems to be a good fit.
You’ve got to like what we’ve been seeing on defense, lately…and this without Mitchell and Greener.
Also, I can’t help but recall a certain amount of grumbling in the wake of last season’s trade for Carter, mostly questioning the guy’s attitude (perhaps influenced by the negative articles in the Philly press). While I wasn’t among the naysayers, I had no idea he’d turn out to be such a force. I mean, this guy presents a king-sized set of problems for opponents to manage. He brings a complete game, and he’s playing hungry.
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puck73 Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 8:48 pm
@Ron Reynolds, Very nicely stated
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Say what you want about Penner, but he’s one of my favorite players to be interviewed. He’s going to be in broadcasting when his career is done, or maybe coaching.
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Duckbasher Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 4:29 pm
@garrett98, Or… he might even give Chris Christie a run for his money in a pancake eating contest. All I know is… he helped us get the cup. And he’s always going to be a special member of my all time LA KINGS favorites.
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I honestly thought it was a bad idea to resign him at the beginning of the season. I thought Gagne, King, or Clifford would fill his spot easily. But he really is playing solid the last few games. I really notice him being aggressive on the puck, which is something I’ve thought he’s lacked so far in is tenure with the Kings. If he keeps this up it’s only a matter of time until he notches a goal.
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Shots from todays practice. Don’t have all them up yet, but should within the next day or so.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/73037499@N02/sets/72157632852083936/
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