This is the second of four meetings between Los Angeles and Anaheim this season. On February 2, the Ducks defeated the Kings 7-4 at Honda Center. After tonight, the two teams will meet on Sunday, April 7 at Honda Center and Saturday, April 13 at Staples Center.
Los Angeles has won five of six games, holding opponents to one goal in the five wins. Anaheim has won six straight games – trailing in all six – and will attempt to equal the franchise’s longest winning streak, set from February 20 to March 7, 1999. Only the Boston Bruins – who have played 15 games – have appeared in as few games as the Kings and Ducks this season. Anaheim has allowed the game’s first goal in 11 of 16 games.
The Ducks are expected to start Viktor Fasth in net. The 30-year-old rookie who spent the previous two seasons with Stockholm-based Elitserien club AIK has never faced Los Angeles in his career. Overall, Fasth is 8-0-0 with a 1.78 goals against average and .933 save percentage. He is 5-0-0 on the road with a 2.04 GAA and .928 Sv%. In his last appearance, he stopped 32 of 34 shots through overtime and two of three shots in the shootout as Anaheim concluded a 5-1-0 road trip with a 3-2 shootout win at Nashville.
The Ducks are playing the second game of a back-to-back set and of a five-games-in-seven nights portion of the schedule. Last night they defeated Colorado 4-3 in overtime on Corey Perry’s power play game-winner with 46 seconds remaining in the extra session.
Jonathan Quick is expected to get the start for the Kings. He is 11-5-2 with a 2.52 GAA and .904 Sv% lifetime against Anaheim and was pulled in the February 2 meeting between the teams after six minutes, having allowed two goals on three shots. He is 2-1-1 with a 2.17 GAA and .892 Sv% at home this season.
Rankings and Statistics:
Goals/Game: LAK – 21 / 2.44; ANA – 3 / 3.31
Goals Against/Game: LAK – 8 / 2.38; ANA – 14 / 2.56
Power Play: LAK – 26 / 14.1%; ANA – 4 / 26.9%
Penalty Kill: LAK – 18 / 81.4%; ANA – 28 / 74.6%
Shots/Game: LAK – 9 / 29.8; ANA – 25 / 27.6
Shots Against/Game: LAK – 2 / 24.9; ANA – t-9 / 27.9
Faceoffs: LAK – t-13 / 50.5%; ANA – 23 / 48.6%
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: Keaton Ellerby and Jake Muzzin have rotated alongside Drew Doughty over the previous three games. Rob Scuderi is a plus-6 over his last three games.
Projected Lines – Anaheim
Matt Beleskey – Ryan Getzlaf – Corey Perry
Bobby Ryan – Nick Bonino – Teemu Selanne
Andrew Cogliano – Saku Koivu –Daniel Winnik
Patrick Maroon – Peter Holland – Kyle Palmieri
Sheldon Souray – Francois Beauchemin
Bryan Allen – Cam Fowler
Luca Sbisa – Toni Lydman
Viktor Fasth
Jonas Hiller
Notes: Toni Lydman, who did not play in last night’s win over Colorado, is likely to play. Head Coach Bruce Boudreau is mindful of playing Lydman on back to back nights, meaning last night’s scratch indicates he’ll be in the lineup tonight. If he doesn’t go, Ben Lovejoy would draw back into the lineup. Francois Beauchemin recorded four assists last night and is a plus-13 in February. His plus-15 rating leads the league. Sheldon Souray ranks second in the NHL with a plus-13 rating.
8-0 Rookie, 30 year old going against the Champs. You’re going down tonight buddy.
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Jody Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 5:27 pm
@LA_1968, hear hear
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Picking up where harty, goldielocks and Shotongoal finished the last thread, it’s nice to see Ryan Clowe finally get suspended for another one of his bench antics. He should be a Duck I tell you.
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LA_1968 Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 3:43 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), What? Not just a too many men on the ice call?
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puck73 Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 3:47 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), I still think The League blew it by not sending a message to Clowe, and The Sharks organization when he stuck his stick over the boards and knocked the puck away.
Now, I know the league will say, ‘well, we dont have a rule in place’.Nonsense. Rules have nothing to do with what Clowe did. He broke a major cardinal rule of sports by interfering when he wasnt direcctly involved in the play. Gary Bettman should have been on the phone the next morning with Clowe, his agent, and Doug Wilson abd said something to the effect of…’ Gentleman…NOT IN MY GAME! NOT NOW, NOT EVER! Ryan Clowe, you are suspended for 10 games, and this organization is fined 100,000 for disgracing the game.
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Neil Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 3:54 pm
@puck73, But if a King did that(jumping over to send a message to an opp) how would you feel???
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DesertKing Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 3:56 pm
@Neil,
There is only one Ryan Clown. No need to worry about a King doing that.
puck73 Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 3:57 pm
@Neil, The same way Neil. Thats something that cannot happen! If this happened in The NBA, David Stern would have reamed that player and his team !
FKA PakiFro Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 4:01 pm
@Neil,
I’m pretty sure it was Adam Mair that did it about 10 years back against the Senators in a brawl filled game that had Felix Potvin fighting Jani Hurme. He was an idiot for doing so. And it cost the Kings a roster spot when someone came back from injury. The Kings were forced to waive someone to make room and lost that player to waivers. Not a significant player, but a real consequence of Mair being an idiot.
KC23 Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 4:24 pm
@Neil, the thing is everyone knows that if say Torres does that against the Leafs or Bruins Bettman does something. Because it happened on the west coast it just doesn’t matter to him.
40YearKingsFan Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 5:15 pm
@Neil, Embarrassed.
Michael J. Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 3:55 pm
@puck73,
Yup. That play brought the NHL one step farther from legitimacy and one step closer to pro wrestling.
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tornado12 Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 4:07 pm
@puck73, I agree completely. its about the integrity of the game and not a single play, game, team, player or whatever. But honestly, can you say you were surprised by Bettmens (non) reaction? I am not at all. The guy has no spine.
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puck73 Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 4:17 pm
@tornado12, You are right. No I am not surprised that Gay did nothing, but that was definately a situation that called for agressive action by a commisioner for cheapening the game.
LA_1968 Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 5:51 pm
@puck73, An old play in the NFL from around the 50′s involving the Bears if I recall. Before my time but I read a kids book with the story. Basically, there’s a turnover and the ball carrier runs down the sideline and gets tackled by a guy on the bench. No rule in place. Refs awarded a touchdown.
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goldielocks Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 3:49 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
Some legal line change in less than 10 sec to go. BS.
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Neil Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 4:01 pm
@goldielocks, Iam talking about jumping over the boards to start a fight….. I just miss the good ole bench clearing days !!! Great way to stand up for a teammate…eh ??
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puck73 Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 4:05 pm
@Neil, NO,I dont miss those days at all. Totally over the top, and a waste of time. I hated those Flyer teams because they would pull cheap stunts like that to get back into games they couldnt win legitimately.
KC23 Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 4:25 pm
@Neil, I also don’t miss those days. People felt hockey was a joke largely because of just that kind of stuff. Philly made a complete mockery of the sport in the 70s. I don’t ever want to go back there again.
Mars Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 6:54 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), HAHA
That is what the looser gets.
He should be on the yotes
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Our forwards have to help out Ds especially Muzzin and DD2 or they will be eaten alive by oversized ducks behind the net.
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Michael J. Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 3:56 pm
@goldielocks,
Oversized ducks??? Geese???
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Harrison Merkin Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 4:35 pm
@Michael J., Now thats funny!
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KC23 Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 4:27 pm
@goldielocks, Agreed. Having last change makes a big difference plus our new boys have a several games under their belt since then.
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Boys just keep going to the net, and shooting, you will be fine then, keep going forward
Go Kings Go!
See ya guys tonight!
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LA_1968 Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 5:53 pm
@gailweb, Perfect Plan.
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Tora!Tora!Tora! Go banzai on the Ducks!
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UglyinLA Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 4:54 pm
@DesertKing,
Banzai is technically not a war cry. It actually an expression of enthusiasm and means “long life” and should be shouted three times for maximum effect. The word was part of a phrase used during WWII by Japanese soldiers who shouted “Tennouheika Banzai” which means long live the Emperor as their final dying words. But hey, this is Hollywood so BANZAIIIIIIIIIIIIII !!!!
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Shakes Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 5:06 pm
@UglyinLA, whoa. Actually, it’s pronounced “mill-e-wah-que” which is Algonquin for “the good land.”
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UglyinLA Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 5:19 pm
@Shakes,
Thats funny. You know, you couldve just said STFU and I would have gotten the hint. LOL
Lake Forest Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 5:36 pm
@Shakes, dude that was/is e best!
DesertKing Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 5:15 pm
@UglyinLA,
“Horrywood!” – “1941″
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LA_1968 Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 5:54 pm
@UglyinLA, I thought it was tequila bonzai as they did a shot before their suicide mission.
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Hoping the Kings win tonight for two reasons…..My pleasure…..and JonRosen’s sake !!!!
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LA_1968 Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 5:55 pm
@Neil, And for DD’s sake. What a callout he made yesterday flatout saying the Ducks are inferior.
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Neil Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 6:10 pm
@LA_1968, and I should say for my wife’s sake….Iam easier to live with after a win !!!!
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LA_1968 Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 6:34 pm
@Neil, Yeah man. A lot of good things can happen, with wives, after a win. Even though the cup has helped that deal too.
Dusck suck, Kings RULE!! GKG-AGAIN!!
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DesertKing Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 4:31 pm
@DesertKing,
See, the Dusck suck so bad, I can’t even spell their name right!
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Duncanz Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 4:54 pm
@DessertKing, Ashes to ashes, Dusck to dusck..
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DesertKing Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 4:56 pm
@Duncecanz,
LOL
Come on, Kings! Not in your house! Play like you did the past two games and make it tough on the rookie goaltender!
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Hmmm, a win tonight coupled with a loss by Dallas and the Kings move to 2nd in the Pacific? Who knew!
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Deke'r Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 6:35 pm
@vplaza, ….looks like Dallas figured out how to beat Rinne…..
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So pumped to watch this game tonight…OC kings fan relocated to HI
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How does a lying cheating POS like Clown get an “A” on his jersey? No wonder San Josuck can’t win the big games. No character in that organization.
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goldielocks Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 5:04 pm
@DesertKing,
IMHO, Clowe should gets “C” as in clown instead of “A”.
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Ashykon Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 6:05 pm
@goldielocks, well he is an a**
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LVKINGS88 Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 6:37 pm
@Ashykon, He’s an A@@ Clown.
Kenny44 Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 6:20 pm
@goldielocks,
Or they should invent a new one for that no talent AC
(Fans of Office Space will understand)
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408kingsfan Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 6:15 pm
@DesertKing, He’s a rude ***-hole off the ice as well.. I will pull a Tanya Harding before I ever watch the Sharks win a cup
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The Quacks like to initiate their scoring opportunities from behind the opponent’s net and the passer looks for the shooter in the high slot. The Kings have been good about not allowing the opposition to setup behind the net and they need to do the same tonight.
My unsolicited keys to victory:
1. Keep an eye on the high slot.
2. Dont let the Quacks setup behind the net.
3. The cheating SOB Corey Perry needs to be hit hard early and often. That will totally throw his game off.
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LA_1968 Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 6:02 pm
@UglyinLA, Kings also like the boards, turn, hit backdoor man (not Jim Morison).
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This has to be the biggest game so far in this short season. Kings are playing well and it’s time to show thay can still beat anyone. GKG!!!
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Nice to see Scuds’ play improve lately. The man is a rock and I think some of his struggles were just being gassed out there earlier. Fatigue makes cowards of us all – Vincent Lombardi
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LA_1968 Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 5:58 pm
@Kenny44, Thought you might enjoy this photo from Edmonton:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/zhyqpspgm57b4gk/DSC00285.JPG
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Kenny44 Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 6:22 pm
@LA_1968, nice pic! No distortion from the glass or anything.
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LA_1968 Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 6:32 pm
@Kenny44, Out of 50 pictures only a couple are any good so I had to show you, a Scuds fan.
Kenny44 Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 6:36 pm
@Kenny44,
Thanks man! That is serious frame-worthy stuff.
May I humbly suggest a caption? “The Piece”
Now that were firing all cylinders and Quick is back in true form… I expect our top two lines to be more than the Ducks can handle.
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Kings are now a Plus 1 wrt to scoring. I remember last season DS saying something about how good teams need to be way above on the plus side. Time to add to that column !!!!
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Time to end the Ducks’ scoring streak and take back those 2 points we handed them
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OK, just catching up on news after work. Really??? Clown entered on a legal line change with 8.4 seconds to go in the game?? Really??? That’s serious BS. I freaking hate East Coast bias!!!
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Kenny44 Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 6:25 pm
@Shiny,
Um, East Coast bias? Shanny did mention that Little Joe had been on the ice for more than a minute and Clowe was already standing up ready to jump on before the hit that Clowe eventually retaliated for
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Not a big game in the sense that the season is ending soon and we or the Ducks needs the points that badly…But as far as seeing how our younger players are improving….its huge!!! Iam sure the Ducks are also using the Kings as a measuring stick…Cause we are the DEFENDING CHAMPS !!!
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Shiny Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 6:21 pm
@Neil, the coach Budreau said this game is a measuring stick
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The blog got so quiet. Is everyone at the game?
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Neil Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 6:29 pm
@Shiny, Not everyone !!!! Its the calm before the storm !!!! Little dinner…little quiet time…for me..A drive home from work..Then its ON !!!!!
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Neil Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 6:29 pm
@Neil, P.S. Iam not driving and blogging…..will be on the road from 7 to 730 then back to blogging !!!!
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Shiny Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 6:33 pm
@Neil, oh good I’m not alone. I don’t do well with the calm before the storm.. gives me too much time to think about everything that could go wrong
Kenny44 Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 6:39 pm
@Shiny
You, my friend, need a game day ritual. @Jess recently lifted the don’t ask / don’t tell policy on his choice of beverage. Maybe he could suggest something.
Mars Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 6:58 pm
@Shiny, leaving work to go home and get tuned in!
I LOVE HD!!
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Chirp… chirp…
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Ok boys… unfortunately, I live in a household with a Ducks fan (long story), and nothing would make me happier than the Kings kicking their feathered behinds. Please don’t let me have to endure another night of his happiness (He went to the game last night).
G K G
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Lets go kings lets go……..
-each line needs playing time against the quacks
-3rd line needs to contain their big line, can Stollie look after Getzlaf
-Carter needs to continue to score
-Kopi, com’on big guy your turn to fill the net
This is duck hunting season at the Staples Centre,
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Kenny44 Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 6:52 pm
@harty,
I don’t know about Stoli. If I was matching up, I’d go with Kopi’s line. Getzlaf tends to cheat and I’d like to have someone out there to make him pay. And Stoli’s linemates aren’t exactly stalwarts in the D zone
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Tonights the night…
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Neil Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 6:54 pm
@g smith86, Yes Mr. Rod Stewart !!!! (whose son is playing hockey in the minors)
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g smith86 Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 7:24 pm
@Neil, That’s awesome! I was wonderin if someone would get that reference…and about Rods’ son…did not know that, that is some wild stuff
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I can’t stand the Duck sooo much that even bothers me that their goaltenders name is Fasth. It’s too much like Quick’s… ugh
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These Duck fans here irritate me, but turnabout’s fair play.
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Robert R Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 6:53 pm
Would love to see a victory so decisive that it shakes Anaheim’s confidence and causes finger pointing in their room.
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LittleRhody Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 6:53 pm
@Robert R, This!! /\
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soo-do-nihm Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 6:54 pm
@Robert R, That would be epic
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Robert R Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 6:57 pm
@soo-do-nihm, you can tell when the Ducks hit the ice. They fowl the air.
soo-do-nihm Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 7:20 pm
@Robert R, They even have a guy named Fowler on their team. That’s just wrong.
The LA Kings are 30th in the NHL in blocked shots but 2nd best in Shots Against.
There’s no system in desperate shot blocking defense.
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soo-do-nihm Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 6:53 pm
@goldielocks, I was reading an article earlier that said that the statistics are actually rather deceptive – like blocked shots is something you want to keep rather low because that would indicate that the opponent has less opportunity to shoot on your goal. Let me see if I can find it
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soo-do-nihm Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 6:56 pm
@soo-do-nihm, http://blogs.thescore.com/nhl/2013/02/25/breaking-news-puck-possession-is-important-and-nobody-told-the-cbc/ here it is. It’s a really good read if you understand all the statistics and numbers. (I’m bad with numbers but I think I got the gist of it)
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goldielocks Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 7:02 pm
@soo-do-nihm,
Thanks for the link. Here’s other stats. Last season, the Devils were the fewest shot blocking team in the league and the Kings were 2nd fewest.
The Ducks have been lucking their way into victories of late…and i know, they will take the luck…but, this is typical Bruce B at his lousy best somehow finding away to motivate these guys enough to play hard when it matters…no real structure in place ..(except on PP s) and yet they always seem to find a way to score the goal when it counts the most…my real fear tonight is that the kings play a great game (like in Detroit last time) and still lose …
JQ has to be on tonight…I would love a shutout…but i am thinkin a 3-1 victory tonight for the Kings
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soo-do-nihm Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 6:57 pm
@g smith86, It’s a 3-1 league, right?
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g smith86 Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 6:59 pm
@soo-do-nihm, yep…wait, I’ll ask DS and get back to you
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Kenny44 Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 7:14 pm
@g smith86,
The Ducks do create goal mouth scrambles but that is by design. They run funnel plays low to get jam plays at the net. They also cycle. It’s not all freelance, but when they freelance they are dangerous
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g smith86 Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 7:26 pm
@Kenny44, I know…I just think BB is a big blow-hole…so, I just wanted to bag on him a little
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Catching a bit of Oil v Hawks on NHL Net. Brings back memories of those old playoff series with Gretz v Savard
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STRONG 60 guys!
You know what to do.
100% faith!!
LGMFK!
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I was watching the Dallas/nashville game and then I woke up a little later to some chatter coming from the TV …they can actually score goals! …Still, some of the most boring Hockey I have seen this year
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soo-do-nihm Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 7:00 pm
@g smith86, Apparently, the Preds have been on a downward spiral lately. I mean honestly, it’s only the Stars. Though the Stars are just above CBJ….
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So it’s every journalist’s dream tonight, right? Quick vs. Fasth? Well I think our goalie is better than someone with a synonymous name – he perfected the art of the name-cliches last season so take that SUCKS!
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g smith86 Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 7:01 pm
@soo-do-nihm, well…with your insider name I can tell it’s right up your alley…no?
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soo-do-nihm Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 7:07 pm
@g smith86, Of course LOL. But I still think JQ is better than VF
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LittleRhody Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 7:09 pm
@soo-do-nihm, I agree 100%.. said so further up.
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Just turned on the TV and saw Hornqvist (Preds) trip a guy (Staley, Stanley? Stars) and send him into the boards. Hornqvist was concerned enough to ask the guy if he’s OK.
Shocking: an NHL player that actually cares about another one
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Kings have to watch out for #10 tonight….dude is heating up…and getting dirty and nasty again…He is one of those we love to hate, but if he were a King, he would be worshipped
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soo-do-nihm Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 7:16 pm
@g smith86, Who is that? I don’t know their #s
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g smith86 Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 7:16 pm
@soo-do-nihm, COREY PERRY…public enenmy #1
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soo-do-nihm Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 7:18 pm
@g smith86, I had a feeling you were talking about him LOL. I was thinking it’s either Getzlaf or Perry.
12 minutes til we start the Duck roast
Preds and Stars are all tied up
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there is an old song, off the first Motley Crue record called “public enemy #1″…they should play that before every Corey Perry shift tonight…it would be the perfect song and it’s a good one too
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Anybody have any clue whats up with Willie Mitchell and when he might make an appearance?
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Alex sucks almost as much as the blond chick…
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g smith86 Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 7:27 pm
@soo-do-nihm, Huh? Katherine Tappen…you don’t like? She is the only reason i watch NHL tonight sometimes?
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Tonight’s the night we’re going to push it to the limit…
Oh sorry, someone left Journey on…
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g smith86 Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 7:28 pm
@soo-do-nihm, that’s Foreignor
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almost game time
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I told you Cakesy was looking good tonight!
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