On the evolution of the game:
“We had some good shots. They just weren’t getting through. The first period was bad. The second period we were better. And then the third period we got even better again. So that’s one thing we’ve been struggling with – our starts. So we’ve got to make sure we’re well-prepared before the games.”
On the urgency of a compacted season:
“Yeah, I think we’ve sensed that urgency since the first couple games. Darryl keeps telling us we’re finally in a playoff spot tonight. We weren’t for so long, but then the next day the other teams play and they jump ahead of us. We’re in a playoff spot right now, but we’re not finished with that. We want to get all the way up there. We want to be at the top of our division, top of the conference, and we’re definitely going to have to play with that urgency in order to do that.”
On whether the experience from winning a Cup helps in tense third period situations:
“Yeah, I think so. We learned a lot from that Cup run. We experienced some things that you don’t experience throughout the regular season, and I think we can definitely use that to our advantage. We were in those tough spots when we needed goals late, or wherever it may be, and I think going on in the season, it’s going to kind of be more playoff style hockey, and that’s what I think all of us in here really relish.”
On the team’s different energy in the third period:
“Yeah, we wanted that win. We didn’t score on that five-on-three in the second, and everyone was pretty disappointed about that. That’s part of it. At the same time, we really didn’t get any momentum going for ourselves, so when we finally got that second one in the third period, we made sure we were going to score on that, and I thought from there out we played a lot better. We were more…in their end than they were in ours.”
On Kopitar’s highlight reel goal:
“It was a nice move. I don’t know what else to say. The goalie followed him on his forehand, and that was his only option. To be able to do that in that tight of a space, that’s why he’s Kopi.”
On any concern of averaging over 26 and a half minutes of ice time in a compacted season:
“No, I enjoy it. Definitely, you’re more tired after games and in-between games, but I’d way rather play every other day than have three or four days of practice. Not that practice sucks or anything like that, but it’s just way more fun being out there in front of fans and playing in a realistic game. I love those minutes, like I said, and I hope I can continue to perform at my best at them.”
We have owned third periods since Chicago. It did help that Detroit shot themselves in the foot, but sometimes you make mistakes because you are tired.
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jess Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 10:58 pm
@jet,
I knew we would wear them down. They burned themselves out in the first.
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mrbrett7 Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 7:40 am
@jet, The shift by the 4th line, I think towards the end of the 2nd period, was one of the most physical shifts I have ever seen in 35 years of watching hockey.
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Neil Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 8:48 am
@mrbrett7, Huge shift..4th line was our best line in the beginning of the game…
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jet Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 10:37 am
@mrbrett7, I tend to agree, although I did like Brown’s shift 5 minutes into the 3rd at Edmonton. We’re up 2-1, but the Oilers have the mo, and Brown comes out with three big hits on one shift and completly turned the mo around.
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MM Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 4:44 pm
@mrbrett7, I didn’t realize that shift was being run by the 4th line until I saw Nolan’s number. That was an amazing shift.
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That’s why he is Kopi.
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Shakes Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 5:08 am
@Steve Jensen, just Kopi being Kopi
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RKR–ROW KINGS ROW…GKG…
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Showing some Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Type symtoms ……..
Cocky and straight forward kid…
Absolutely “Snake Bit”…..
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Nick just sang DD’s praises on the post game show. I totally agree with Nick. Not only is DD elite, he’s world class. He’s logging all kinds of ice time and he’s having to play with d-partners who don’t have that much experience like Elerby and Muzzin because of injuries to some of our other d-men. We’re red hot right now as a result of DD’s strong play and I love how DD said that he “loves all those minutes.” GO KINGS!
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SLIM Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 11:06 pm
@Al Michaels,
I’m one who has always thought that….
Sometimes hard to do on this blog….
He does SO MANY little great things…
Every game in and out…
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Robyn Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 11:47 pm
@SLIM, I’m with ya there, Slim. I’m totally a big proponent of DD. He rocks in so many little ways that it’s overlooked and people point to his +/- and say he’s no good.
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CB14 Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 11:10 pm
@Al Michaels, The LA Kings Insider has now reached new heights with a celebrity commenting on the blog.
Yes Al, I do believe in Miracles. One just took place last season.
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Right on Drew.
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“We’re talking about practice. I mean listen, we’re sitting here talking about practice, not a game, not a game, not a game, but we’re talking about practice”
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Steve Jensen Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 11:06 pm
@Belexes, Channeling his inner Iverson.
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CB14 Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 11:07 pm
@Belexes, Practice?
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detroit trying to pull a phoneix and dive and draw calls – and yell at the ref …… so glad the refs didnt buy it .. those were not penaltys on the kings .. muzzins hit was clean and penner was an accidental run in ….. quinceys play was a penalty on clifford and datsuk new rule so off u go ………. the game was officiated properly and kings took advantage of bad redwing penaltys – simple as that
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phil sykes Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 11:17 pm
@phil sykes, but that wont stop the wings … errr ….phoenix …. from crying about it though …. i can only imagine the crying their doing over in their postgame interviews or privately to themselves …………….. bullcrap …………… the wings dominated the 1st due to powerplay momentum and we dominated the second and third for the same reason …… i saw the kings win 2 of the 3 periods and deserved to win that game ……. dont understand why some on the blog are saying we were outplayed ….. i didnt see that at all ………… we were the better team for 2 of the 3 periods , and deserved to win
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KC23 Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 11:33 pm
@phil sykes, Funny how we have that effect on teams. All this time we thought it was Vancouver, but Blues cried, Coyotes cried and then NJ cried. Detroit was right there with the rest of them diving away.
Fun times.
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Kings x Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 11:45 pm
@phil sykes, muzzer hit on cleary – clean Penner hit on smith – interference kronwall on carter – high sticking
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Kings x Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 11:45 pm
@phil sykes, muzzer hit on cleary – clean Penner hit on smith – interference kronwall on carter – high sticking
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Robyn Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 11:50 pm
@Kings x, Muzzin’s hit was so clean, it was shiny. And the guy was trying to claim he drew blood. I watched the guy be near flat to the boards and Muzz came in casually and hit him – not THAT hard – but enough to make the guy open his eyes.
Missed Penner’s hit, was too busy freaking out.
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brian spain Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 8:24 am
@Robyn, Muzzin hit Cleary clean but Cleary’s side of his face hit the boards and his visor came up and cut him. he was pissed and so would you be pissed if your face opened up[, but when he see’s the replay he will know it was clean. Penner just ran into Smith, Smith dove and stayed down to draw a penalty. hate guys like that. hate it when Doughty does it also. Doughty is so bad at it that he usually gets a diving penalty.
play as if is your last day
go kings go
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Missed 16 minutes, what happened?
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Doughty scores at least once on Saturday. Book it.
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what do you guys think the Canucks will be thinkin?
Canucks: huh? we play the CHAMPS on saturday?OH CRAP!!!!
luongo will have nightmares prior to the game and will be praying he is benched for the game
GO KINGS GO
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KC23 Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 11:34 pm
@gmo, Kings never dog it against Vancouver. Ever. I expect a MUCH better effort in Vancouver on Saturday.
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Kings x Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 11:46 pm
@gmo, dive dive dive. D sedin where is brown, head on swivel
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Kings x Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 11:47 pm
@gmo, take ur pick as to which nuck G to light up
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Robyn Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 11:54 pm
@Kings x, Schneider. He actually won a game for them in the first round
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Robyn Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 11:55 pm
@Kings x, Not to mention, when Luongo started here in LA and Kings were at their crappiest, he sucked big time
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Robyn Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 11:54 pm
@gmo, I saw THE best Hockey Humor picture on twitter. pic.twitter.com/ei2BHlYduT
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Keep attacking Drew. It’s coming.
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