Projected Starting Goaltender, Los Angeles – Jonathan Bernier
Season: 4 GP (3 GS) / 3-1-0 record / 1.80 GAA / .916 Sv% / 0 SHO
Career vs Detroit: 3(1) / 0-1-0 / 4.79 / .811 / 0
Last Game vs Detroit: 12/17/11 / 51 MP / 15/20 shots / ND
2012-13, Home: 1 (1) / 1-0-0 / 1.00 / .923 / 0
Projected Starting Goaltender, Detroit – Jimmy Howard
Season: 17 (17) / 8-6-2 / 2.88 / .901 / 1
Career vs Los Angeles: 11 (11) / 6-5-0 / 2.75 / .915 / 0
Last Game vs Los Angeles: 2/10/13 / 60 MP / 45/47 shots / W
2012-13, Away: 5 (5) / 1-2-1 / 3.99 / .870 / 0
Leading Scorers, Los Angeles
Total Points: Anze Kopitar (5-10=15)
Goals: Jeff Carter (10-2=12)
Assists: Anze Kopitar (5-10=15)
Plus/Minus: Slava Voynov (+12; 3-6=9)
Penalty Minutes: Mike Richards (30; 4-8=12)
Leading Scorers, Detroit
Total Points: Henrik Zetterberg (6-19=25)
Goals: Damien Brunner (10-6=16)
Assists: Henrik Zetterberg (6-19=25)
Plus/Minus: Kyle Quincey (+10; 0-0=0)
Penalty Minutes: Jordin Tootoo (51; 2-2=4)
A stick tap goes to: The Red Wings’ hockey operations and European scouting. They’ve found another gem in Damien Brunner, who is on pace for a hefty raise from his one-year, $925,000 contract if he chooses to continue to forego his Swiss lifestyle for a career in Detroit, Michigan.
A fist shake goes to: The large swaths of red that will take over entire sections at Staples Center. Who are you? How did you get those tickets? Are you Kings fans the 362 days of the year that these teams don’t meet, or did Kings fans sell you their seats? It’s not as big of an issue as it was 10 to 15 years ago, but when Detroit visits L.A., there’s plenty of support for the visiting team.
Why the Kings need to win this game: They would like to sustain the momentum gained from an emotional win over Anaheim and a strong second half of February. A win would also complete the weekly trifecta of defeating teams they had lost to earlier in the season (see: Avalanche, Ducks). They’re in 10th place, and there’s going to be a glut of around eight or nine teams fighting for five playoff spots.
Rankings and Statistics
Goals/Game: LAK – 19 / 2.59; DET – 5 / 2.95
Goals Against/Game: LAK – 9 / 2.35; DET – 18 / 2.84
Power Play: LAK – 23 / 15.2%; DET – 20 / 16.5%
Penalty Kill: LAK – 17 / 80.8%; DET – 24 / 76.9%
Shots/Game: LAK – t-11 / 29.5; DET – 14 / 29.1
Shots Against/Game: LAK – 2 / 25.0; DET – t-14 / 28.6
Faceoffs: LAK – t-8 / 51.3%; DET – t-2 / 53.5%
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
Jake Muzzin – Drew Doughty
Rob Scuderi – Slava Voynov
Keaton Ellerby – Davis Drewiske
Jonathan Bernier
Jonathan Quick
Notes: Keaton Ellerby and Jake Muzzin have rotated alongside Drew Doughty over the previous four games. Rob Scuderi has recorded a plus-2 rating in each of his last four games. Slava Voynov is a plus-10 over his last eight games. Jeff Carter has recorded goals in four straight games. Dustin Brown has recorded goals in three straight games. Anze Kopitar and Mike Richards have recorded points in three straight games. As always, line pairings are educated assessments and not definite alignments.
Projected Lines – Detroit
Johan Franzen – Henrik Zetterberg – Damien Brunner
Justin Abdelkader – Pavel Datsyuk – Daniel Cleary
Tomas Tatar – Joakim Andersson – Patrick Eaves
Drew Miller – Cory Emmerton – Jordin Tootoo
Niklas Kronwall – Jonathan Ericsson
Kyle Quincey – Brendan Smith
Brian Lashoff – Jakub Kindl
Jimmy Howard
Jonas Gustavsson
Notes: Brendan Smith is likely to return after missing 11 games with a shoulder injury. Former King Kyle Quincey is likely to return after missing two games with a sore ankle, per MLive. Valtteri Filppula is unlikely to play because of a shoulder injury. Ian White and Kent Huskins are projected as healthy scratches. Carlo Colaiacovo is nearing a return. The Red Wings have won two in a row, outscoring Vancouver and Nashville 12-3. As always, line pairings are educated assessments and not definite alignments.
Very fired up for tonight’s game. Just like last game.
[Reply]
Shuchuk Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 4:15 pm
@LA_1968, I hope Bernier is as fired up as you are, buddy! GKG!
[Reply]
LA_1968 Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 5:32 pm
@Shuchuk, Without a doubt.
[Reply]
Saw a kid at the game on Saturday wearing a Kopi jersey (autographed) and a Chartreuse Flings cap. I said to my son “What’s up with that?” The kid left at the intermission and came back later wearing a brand new Kings cap with the red rag hat in a Team LA bag. Yep, another full convert from the evil red empire into the beautiful sun drenched Kingdom. GKG-AGAIN!!
By the way, I would have loved to fill one of those seats at Staples, but the Kings ticket office didn’t include them in my ticket package.
[Reply]
FabKings Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 3:31 pm
@DesertKing, love it!
[Reply]
Okay here is what we know about Detroit………..”you must play a full 60 minutes”.
Com’on boys lets snap the wing on Detroit……….
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 3:41 pm
@harty,
Stop Datsyuk, win game.
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 4:03 pm
@DesertKing, This guy Brunner out of Switzerland is extremely dangerous.
[Reply]
Kenny44 Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 4:14 pm
@Duncanz,
Attacking those around Brunner will neutralize him
Also in the match up game………
-line 1 and 2 match up even somewhat…..
-line 3 Kings have the advantage
-line 3 Kings have the advantage for sure, just don’t let Tootoo run around
-D we win hands down
-G isn’t even fair, Kings by a landslide
so again as I said above a full 60 minutes and we win on line matchups or hard work and energy
[Reply]
harty Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 3:34 pm
@harty, oops, that 3rd bullet ;point should read 4th line comparison
[Reply]
Kenny44 Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 3:39 pm
@harty,
You saw the last game, right? And the stats for Howard?
[Reply]
Neil Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 3:40 pm
@harty, Looking forwards to lots of A’s after the game from you !!!!
[Reply]
harty Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 4:22 pm
@Neil, it all depends Neil……..on how they play
Michael J. Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 4:29 pm
@harty,
While I agree with you on every point on the matchups I am reminded that Howard seems to save his best games for the Kings.
[Reply]
Deke'r Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 5:41 pm
@Michael J., ….you can credit that to our “snipers”….
Solution to the realignment quandary: unchain the Red Wings from that forsaken, decrepit city, and allow them to roam all the League’s venues for the entire season as The Mike Iltich Long Gone Traveling All Stars & (Former) Motor Kings. So long as they account for an average of 15% of ticket sales for their games, they get an option of qualifying in either Conference for playoff seeding. At least then we’d have some rational basis for having to suffer these transplants and bandwagoners.
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 3:43 pm
@Kenny44,
I’m good with it. Its easy for the merachndisers too since none of their ugly gear says “Detroit” on it.
[Reply]
At least when Detroit fans come into our building they will see a banner with the words…”STANLEY CUP CHAMPS”!!!
[Reply]
jess Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 3:48 pm
@Neil,
I’ve always wondered how Detroit fans can flee their crumbling city, move to L.A. clog up out freeways, use our water, enjoy our sunshine, our mountains and beaches, then still have the gaul to put on a red jersey, come to Staples and act like complete idiots… ????
[Reply]
Neil Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 3:56 pm
@jess, or like Steve Martin would say……”EXCUSSSSE ME !!!!!!”
[Reply]
pr0cess Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 3:58 pm
@Neil, who?
DesertKing Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 3:59 pm
@Neil,
I just wish they would get “HAPPY FEET!!” and then leave wearing some Cruel Shoes.
“It’s not as big of an issue as it was 10 to 15 years ago…”
I think it’s bigger. Kings winning the Cup should vastly change the massive influx of opposing fans on nights like tonight. At least I’d hope so.
I’m curious how you know ahead of time about the seating Jon. Is that kind of info readily handed out by the Kings prior to games? And how does they know who’s a fan of what team? Group sales?
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 3:47 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
Its like with VanHoover. I am not sure if the Kings ticket sales personnel know who buys tickets, but the travel agencies in VanHoover buy hundreds of tickets right when they go on sale and include them in California travel packages. Yes, we sell out. No, its not always to Kings fans. Kind of like a Raiders/Chargers game in San Diego or a Kings/Ducks game in Anaheim.
[Reply]
Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 5:47 pm
@DesertKing, Totally. I’m hoping those numbers skew towards Kings fans now that they won the Cup.
[Reply]
Kings714 Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 3:52 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), I don’t think it’ll change ,it’s our city. The weather and entertainment industry, among other things, attract people from the whole country so although it irritates me to no end I don’t see anything changing.
[Reply]
Kenny44 Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 4:04 pm
@Kings714,
Yes. THAT is the point – it’s just better here. That’s why they show up more in our building than we show up in theirs.
[Reply]
Steve W Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 4:03 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), There could be more Kings fans going to see the Kings play the Wings at the Joe, but how many of them would want to live in Detroit?
[Reply]
Shakes Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 6:51 pm
@Steve W, that’s it… It’s a vacation for visiting fans to come to LA (and some of their fan bases are from more traditional hockey markets) while its a pain for us to leave paradise
[Reply]
JonRosen Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 4:29 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), I’m just basing this on the large number of Red Wings fans I’ve seen inside the Forum and Staples Center since Detroit’s resurgence in the mid-1990′s. There are lots of Detroiters in LA; several of my Michigander friends who moved out here come to a few games a year and casually support the Kings, but when the Red Wings are in town, they’re wearing red.
[Reply]
Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 5:45 pm
@JonRosen, I see. Basing it on the past. Hopefully it changes dramatically tonight!
[Reply]
JonRosen Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 4:32 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), It’s like this when Detroit visits any NHL city; one Detroit front office member referred to “Pred Wings fans” when Detroit visits Nashville…
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 4:41 pm
@JonRosen, And likewise, as @DessertKing makes out elsewhere, maybe there are a bunch of Red Kings fans lurking around these parts.
[Reply]
edwood2 Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 4:41 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), I do my part by always wearing my Kings jersey to the Pepsi Center in Denver.
[Reply]
Regarding the legions of Detroit fans that go to the Kings game…I doubt that it will change much until the Kings win a few more Cups. It might be a little better now, but I think that in past years, it was too easy for people here to identify with the Wings because, let’s face it, it’s too easy for people to bandwagon than it is to follow a team through thick and thin.
I mean, I don’t mind a local person who came from that area continue to be a Detroit fan. I get that. You grew up with the team and you owe your allegiance to it. What I don’t get is if you’re not from that area, yet you chose to associate with them for no other reason than they were winning the Cup and so that you can wear their jersey and say to people, “look at me, we have X number of Cups, what do you have?”
Again, I get it if a local person had some ties to that area and continued their devotion to the team. It’s the ones who have zero ties to that area but then act like it’s their team. That would be like me rooting for the Patriots or the Yankees when I have no links to those areas.
Maybe that’s just me.
Having said that, I do understand that we do live in a place where there are many transplants, so opposing team jerseys are to be expected.
[Reply]
Neil Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 4:23 pm
@vplaza, My rules are this…Either you are from that city……you mom/dad is from that city……..or you are a bandwaggoner !!!!!
[Reply]
vplaza Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 4:26 pm
@Neil,
You’ll need to extend that a little, I think. I’m not from or born in LA, but grew up in a suburb. Does that make me a bandwaggoner? LA was the closest team when I was growing up.
[Reply]
yetiman_oc Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 4:36 pm
@vplaza, bandwaggoner. i bet you don’t have that silly 3rd jersey they used to wear in the mid 90′s!
vplaza Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 4:39 pm
@yetiman_oc,
Shhhh, I still have that Burger King jersey.
Neil Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 5:47 pm
@vplaza, yes I will extend that !!! LOL
“And now for Craig Button’s amazing out-of-work GM perspective….”
BUTTON: “Hey where’s my 1/2″ 100 ft. pipe, -can’t find it anywhere..”
[Reply]
Note to the Happy Farmer:
Just kick Babcock’s.
( read that quote somewhere)
[Reply]
How come no one has brought up JB probably starting in place of Quick? The Kings have 2 days in between games. I know he needs to be kept fresh because he’ll be needed in March especially, but I don’t see the need for JB to start this game. Give Bernier the start against Nashville on monday, not tonight.
[Reply]
jet Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 4:16 pm
@CB14, less physical team = smaller goalie?
[Reply]
CB14 Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 4:41 pm
@jet, Mabye?
[Reply]
jess Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 4:18 pm
@CB14,
I posted a few days ago that it might happen, but now that it has happened, I’m really surprised about it.
Kinda stoked about it though, Bernier has been in the right position way before the puck gets there. Last few games, opposing teams have drawn Quick out of the net and out of position for rebounds. I think we got pretty lucky against the Ducks a few times. Also he has been doing that weird skate out and awkwardly handle the puck thing again. Anyway he’ll work through it as always, but I’m not opposed to starting JB tonight at all.
[Reply]
vplaza Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 4:19 pm
@CB14,
Maybe they’re showcasing JB.
[Reply]
vplaza Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 4:29 pm
@CB14,
Shades of…..Startergate????
[Reply]
CB14 Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 4:37 pm
@vplaza, I wouldn’t go that far. That was BEYOND stupid. I just don’t understand the reasoning behind Sutter’s choice.
[Reply]
vplaza Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 4:45 pm
@CB14,
Maybe Sutter already penciled in JB on the calendar.
CB14 Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 4:55 pm
@vplaza, Hehe
Michael J. Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 4:33 pm
@CB14,
3 starts 1.0 GAA???
[Reply]
CB14 Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 4:40 pm
@Michael J., So then he should start the rest of the games over Quick?
I’m not saying Bernier’s a bad goalie, he’s certainly more than capable of beating Detroit, I just don’t understand the reasoning behind the decision.
[Reply]
LT21 Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 4:36 pm
@CB14, To be honest I think Quick had some sort of an injury related issue in the last couple days that the LA Kings camp is kind of not talking about. Quick was supposed to make an appearance on Tuesday in the afternoon at a Long Beach Staples with Fraser and Muzzin and 45 minutes before the appearance we are told Quick won’t be coming anymore and the only reason they gave was he needed “therapy.” My question is, unless it was really needed at that time, why would they have it over his appearance? I think he probably tweaked something (nothing too serious) that needed to be addressed but to err on the side of caution they decided to play Bernier tonight. Give Quick a little extra time to heal from whatever reason had him canceling his appearance at the last minute. We know he wouldn’t do that for just no reason. I just hope he is ok.
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 4:50 pm
@LT21, No doubt you are onto something here, @LT.
There’s no way JQ would not be starting this game under normal circumstances.
Relax underpriveleged beings and your ilk.
[Reply]
jess Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 4:50 pm
@LT21,
Hey that’s a really valid point.
I ran into a local from El Segundo with his two sons last night at a local deli, he told me the same thing -that him and his boys were going to get JQ’s autograph and he cancelled when they had all but showed up.
[Reply]
remember vancouver play off games 2 years ago.
Or maybe it wasnt even play offs, but they did this whole tour with 2 or 3 buses of fans.
I think those fans show up more than any other group
[Reply]
To be honest I think Quick had some sort of an injury related issue in the last couple days that the LA Kings camp is kind of not talking about. Quick was supposed to make an appearance on Tuesday in the afternoon at a Long Beach Staples with Fraser and Muzzin and 45 minutes before the appearance we are told Quick won’t be coming anymore and the only reason they gave was he needed “therapy.” My question is, unless it was really needed at that time, why would they have it over his appearance? I think he probably tweaked something (nothing too serious) that needed to be addressed but to err on the side of caution they decided to play Bernier tonight. Give Quick a little extra time to heal from whatever reason had him canceling his appearance at the last minute. We know he wouldn’t do that for just no reason. I just hope he is ok.
[Reply]
jess Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 4:53 pm
@LT21, I think you’re on the money with this one.
[Reply]
LT21 Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 5:16 pm
@jess, I just think the missed appearance and starting Bernier when there is plenty of time between games is too much of a coincidence. I really do hope Quick is ok and am sure it isn’t too serious right now or they wouldn’t even have him practicing. Why not just rest him for this game when we have a capable backup? Fingers crossed it is nothing long term for him though because even though Bernier is a good goalie, I am not as confident with him leading us to the cup again.
[Reply]
jess Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 5:28 pm
@LT21, I agree.
BringBackKingston Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 5:06 pm
@LT21, If there was a morning skate today, I wonder if Quick participated in it?
[Reply]
LT21 Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 5:20 pm
@BringBackKingston, I heard he did participate in it which leads me to believe it isn’t too serious. But enough of a reason to give him a game off. Like I said, he wouldn’t cancel last minute for no reason and taking tonight off when he is doing well and plenty of time between games… just weird. I think the Kings camp will just swing it as “Gotta have both of our goalies rolling into March” which is a good point, but I just think the missed appearance so suddenly is interesting
[Reply]
Love this match up of one team with fast forwards all under 6 feet and 200 pounds and one team with all forwards over 6 feet. Brwon, Richards, Nolan need to say hello early and often
[Reply]
If quick is hurt, THIS, is why you don’t get hastey in trading bernier away…
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 5:00 pm
@jest, What about if we can get Nash?!?!?!?!?
[Reply]
jess Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 5:02 pm
@Duncanz, Yeah or Doan or Suban or or or….
[Reply]
vplaza Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 5:06 pm
@jess,
Bring back Labarbera to back up Quick so we can trade Bernier. His cap hit is only $1.25M and he certainly doesn’t deserve a raise. But, hey, you get what you pay for.
[Reply]
jess Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 5:11 pm
@vplaza,
Labarbera couldn’t carry Bernier’s jock.
[Reply]
vplaza Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 5:19 pm
@jess,
But he wouldn’t cost us an arm and a leg.
jess Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 5:13 pm
@vplaza, I get it, -you’re kidding right???
[Reply]
vplaza Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 5:20 pm
@jess,
Zactly.
In my seats now at Staples oh yea can’t wait
Go Kings Go!
Just got my new Bailey pillow at the store
Team LA too !
Go Kings Go!
Come on let’s win this one boys go to the net
the net remember the net !
[Reply]