-The quote that has stuck with me more than any other quote this season belongs to Dustin Brown. He offered it after the loss in Detroit – then the team’s fourth in five games – in what was an excellent effort for nearly all of the game’s 60 minutes. “Sometimes you say at the end of losing streaks and at the end of winning streaks sometimes you’re losing games you shouldn’t, and sometimes you’re winning games you shouldn’t, as well,” he said before the team rattled off wins in seven of eight. Not to cast an ominous cloud over the impending Vancouver game, but if the Kings are going to take two points from Rogers Arena on Saturday night, they’re going to need to show more than what was offered in a fortunate home win on Wednesday.
-The notes I took for most of the first 50 minutes of last night’s game weren’t exceedingly positive. I used a lot of exclamation points. That was until the Kings’ best players made their impacts on the game, and L.A. won a game in which it was not necessarily the better team. As the Kings struggled earlier this season, it seemed as though the game coursed from poor first period, to excellent second period, to variable third period. That trend is no longer relevant. Since Nick Foligno’s goal late in the third period of L.A.’s 2-1 win over Columbus on February 15, the Kings have outscored their opponents 10-0 in the third; Los Angeles now has a plus-seven goal differential in the third and a plus-five goal differential overall. Still, what’s up with the iffy starts? Two penalty kills had an effect on the Kings getting into any sort of a rhythm, but the first 10 minutes of last night’s game were reminiscent of the first 10 minutes of the games at Nashville and Chicago. It is because of Jonathan Bernier’s rebound control and his ability to be the team’s best penalty killer that this game was not 2-0 (or worse) after the first ugly 20 minutes of hockey. Is it possible to have a terrible-but-successful penalty kill? If so, the Kings had two of them in the first 10 minutes.
-The positives: Bernier is playing his best hockey as a King. Jeff Carter doesn’t need to score goals with his lightning-quick release. That ability to redirect the puck between his legs with his back to the net off a seam that only he and Mike Richards saw is another example of the nose-for-the-net inherent in his play and in the game’s true goal scorers. Dwight King has assists in three straight games and has started to find results after Darryl Sutter pooh-poohed any ideas that he’d be removed from the lineup. While the boards work by King and Trevor Lewis set up the game-winner, don’t overlook Anze Kopitar’s light shove of Cory Emmerton into Jonathan Ericsson to create the separation needed to execute that world-class move.
carter is 2strong
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TheAcaciaStrain Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 11:39 am
@7MILforHickey, he’s 3strong5us
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Maybe sutter needs to start yelling before the games?
Obviously during periods after the lousy play I can only imagine what he expresses.
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King John Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 4:09 pm
@Lake Forest, Announcers said that Darryl Sutter was one of the best in-game on-the-fly coaching strategists around (Babcock is too). They both make in-game adjustments and it’s such a welcome change from TM’s time. TM just stood there quietly and stared. Sutter seems to counter the other coach’s actions, in order to change the dynamics of the play until we build momentum and find success. And he can get animated too.
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Kings had no business winning that game, but I’m glad they did.
We are certainly spoiled having two top caliber goalies, aren’t we?
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FKA PakiFro Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 11:33 am
@Tyler,
I think the Kings were playing bad, rather than the Wings playing good for the start of the game. By no means would I say they “had no business winning the game”. It wasn’t a roll reversal from the last time they played. The Kings clearly dominated that game start to finish and this one was just sloppy. You could see that they just weren’t in sync for much of the night. But, good teams find ways to win and that’s what they did last night. The Wings are a team that the Kings *should* beat. The Kings have an edge in all areas of the ice from goaltending to 4th line. Just a decent effort should be enough, and they got that half way through the third and in enough time to win.
As Jon said, they’ll need a much better effort in Vancouver though. If the Kings beat Vancouver in regulation on Saturday, they’ll pass them in the standings (points wise) as well.
On a side note, how strange is it that the Red Wings were the let-down game after an emotional win, rather than being the one that the Kings get amped up for?
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kissmyblarneystones Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 11:41 am
@FKA PakiFro,
If you consider the division that Vancouver is playing in, they are looking that fat with 24 points and a game in hand on everyone in the division.
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kissmyblarneystones Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 11:42 am
@kissmyblarneystones,
I meant to say, they aren’t looking that fat…..
FKA PakiFro Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 11:45 am
@kissmyblarneystones,
Yes. They always get that benefit. It makes them seem better than they are. Perhaps the media should consider that when raising them to Stanley Cup contender status.
One of the biggest and most immediate changes Sutter made upon taking the reins last year was to correct miserable 1st periods, a bad habit Terry Murry had allowed by not holding players accountable for the mindset and readiness they showed up at the rink with. During the playoffs, they spent the nights prior to games in hotels together while at home, just to make sure everyone was prepared at game time. Given the quality of our starts this year, my question is, Where is Darrel? We won’t stay in the playoff hunt taking the first 20 minutes off on a regular basis.
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jess Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 11:41 am
@McSorleyfan,
Excellent observation regarding the mid game corrective mindset of DS vs. TM. I agree with that 100%.
Detroit came out with total speed and precision for the first 20 minutes. I could argue that under those circumstances, they could have beat just about any team in the NHL.
It was the Kings ability to weather the storm and then systematically wear down their opponent that got the W. This is emblematic of a successful playoff team and a very good sign.
It was the sustained pressure the Hawks had on our net that finally earned Detroit that flukey goal. But no set play they had ever reached it’s target.
On the other hand, The Kings goals were very well orchistrated.
I say we absolutely deserved that win 100%, and most importantly, we got it.
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jess Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 11:49 am
*the wings
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DesertKing Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 12:07 pm
@jess,
I think you said it better than I did.
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jet Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 1:48 pm
@jess,
“It was the Kings ability to weather the storm and then systematically wear down their opponent that got the W. This is emblematic of a successful playoff team and a very good sign.”
We have a winner.
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I went last night. The Kings were bad and would have been lucky to salvage a point…..NBC must have been pissed off with the quality of hockey. No atmosphere in the building, Kings unable to string passes together. They brought Detroit down to their level.
The only bright spot (and most important) was that they did what winners are supposed to do. They found a way to win. A very good sign…….
Oh…and apologies again to the little girl and her family in front of me when I shouted at the top of my lungs ” SHOOT THE M.F’n PUCK!!!” The Kings PP was brutal. 2 5 on 3′s and they wouldn’t even take a shot. A really bad day for us, but a win is a win is a win!!!! Next!!
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Robyn Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 12:19 pm
Robynmyblarneystones, I was at the game too and I was wondering where the heck all the Kings fans were last night. The first half of the game, the Ugly Things’ fans were way louder than Kings fans (which pissed me off to no end and I nearly made myself sick from trying to out scream 9,000 other people lol). I felt like the Kings fans didn’t care until FINALLY, Carter showed us why he was worth a 1st round draft pick. Finally, fans were cheering and on their feet.
A bit disappointing at how poorly they played, but now I know how it feels to play so badly you drag the other team down to your level and beat them into submission instead of the other way around
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kissmyblarneystones Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 1:07 pm
@Robyn,
I think I heard you. I thought it was an echo!!! lol
Another thing that got my attention, though in no way upset me, was behind me were sitting 2 Hispanic women who were having a loud full on animated conversation in Spanish. It was during the third period with the game on the line. It was another indication which lead me to believe that the crowd was not into it.
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Duncanz Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 12:22 pm
@kissmyblanketyblanks, You always manage to take the lassies by surprise wherever you go.
I think the problem is that these ill-prepared innocents are coming into these games with too little gas in the tank and really need to get tanked up like you are to compete.
Then they will be able to better withstand the storm in the first periods, stay strong and stand up for themselves in the 2nds and the 3rds and get out of the arena without getting their integrity breached and with their morale intact!
GMFKG!!!
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kissmyblarneystones Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 12:35 pm
@Duncanz,
When you say tanked up…………? Did you have a discussion with @Jeff_R today?
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Duncanz Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 12:44 pm
@kissmyboozystreaks, Nope, are there even more good stories in the can?
kissmyblarneystones Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 1:08 pm
@Duncanz,
Jeff might have a few, though everything seemed normal to me.
rogiesbackup Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 12:48 pm
@kissmyblarneystones, LOL….it’ one of the things I remember hating going to ducks game in their first season…felt like “family entertainment.” RELAX kings games IS NOT supposed to be clean – cut entertainment otherwise it’s not HOCKEY!!
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kissmyblarneystones Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 1:11 pm
@rogiesbackup,
Disney can have that effect on you.
They frown on it in Toronto surprisingly.
Florida you can get away with it because usually you are the only one there.
Philly fans get offended, if you don’t
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mash-ola Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 2:30 pm
@kissmyblarneystones, The Kings were definitely playing in a fog last night. I’ve never seen so many whiffed shots, whiffed/bad passes, bad bounces and lack of puck recognition. Getting out of the zone was an adventure every time. Mike Richards looked like he had grease on his stick cos he couldn’t hold onto the puck for the life of him. On one play, he bobbled the puck, skated into the Detroit slot, and not knowing he lost the puck, took a shot of air on Jimmy Howard. I startd rolling my eyes. They were definitely terrible last night.
But somehow, they won the game and got two points over the Redwings and their evil fans.
Yay.
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kissmyblarneystones Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 2:43 pm
@mash-ola,
I remember that Richards play. All I heard in my head was Dan Patrick saying…”The Whiff…” It was really bad at times.
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JLyons79 Reply:
March 1st, 2013 at 8:22 am
That’s funny because my wife and I were wathing the game and at the same time we both screamed at the tv the SAME exact thing lol
@kissmyblarneystones,
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great comeback win, gotta win the ugly ones. better lace it up tight against Vancouver.
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mash-ola Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 2:33 pm
@yuri, Ugly is too kind a word… I’d say more like FUGLY! If they play this way against Vantown, they’re toast. No doot aboot it.
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Watching a replay of Ovechkin playing yesterday. Me thinks the dude watched “Platoon” right before the game. Dafoe would have been proud!
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tornado12 Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 12:37 pm
@DesertKing, mike mibury was glowing about Ovie’s play…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aicwKSikBeM
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No question they have to play a better game if they’re going to get any points against VAN.
You always take the win and 2 pts and as fans we can be thrilled, but the team should know they caught a break last night and if they want to continue with the winning streak, they’ll have to play a lot better than they showed last night.
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jess Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 11:47 am
@nykingfan,
VHOOVER is a different situation altogether.
Take the body with them and they will deflate like a cheap mail order blow-up doll.
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jess Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 11:48 am
From China.
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DesertKing Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 11:53 am
@jess,
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DesertKing Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 11:56 am
@jess,
(tap,tap,tap) hello, hi, hellooooo, anybody there? anybody? it’s me, henrik, helloo? could somebody open that little door please? just a little? hellooo, yea, i’m down here on the ice. oh, gee, thanks, had a little problem with a train, the #23 train out of la. yes, thank you, i think i will wait a little before i go back out. oh, we lost? again? oh well, time for a jacuzzi and check my mail. bye bye.
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puck73 Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 12:10 pm
@DesertKing, lol
Melissa Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 12:16 pm
@DesertKing, That is my all time favorite DB hit.
jess Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 1:27 pm
@DesertKing, +1 (!!)
“While the boards work by King and Trevor Lewis set up the game-winner, don’t overlook Anze Kopitar’s light shove of Cory Emmerton into Jonathan Ericsson to create the separation needed to execute that world-class move.”
–
that’s a GREAT observation, Jon, and one which absolutely nobody else pointed out…
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DesertKing Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 11:57 am
@Real 7,
Go back a few threads…..
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Hey, sometimes when your playing top teams you need to sit somewhat in the weeds and wait.
Essentially the way the Kings beat the Red Wings last night is the same way the Wings beat us earlier in the year.
Good teams will find a way to figure it out and get a win.
At times it may appear a team isn’t playing well however they are mitigating situations all over the ice. Which could have been the case last night at the staples centre.
Kings are on a modest winning streak and deserve credit on thier effort, energy and ability to come back against a very good Detroit team and get a win.
Its good to see several players stepping up now nearing the 20 game mark.
(Kopitar, Carter, Richards, Williams, Brown, Doughty, Voynov, Stoll, Penner, King, Lewis, Scurderi, Quick, Bernier and oh ya, Clifford)
We will be fine, last year should have taught fans its not where you finish but are you in the playoffs……
Side not on East vs. West teams……the West is so much faster, stronger and more defensive minded teams then the East. I know all the Simon Gagne lovers just couldn’t wait to shove this one back, but really its against Washington not Chicago or Anaheim’s D.
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kissmyblarneystones Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 11:59 am
@harty,
DD2, Ellerby, and Muzzin have made great strides under a lot of pressure and high expectations. They deserves a shout out too!!! When you have that many 1 goal against games, it comes down to defense, not just the goalies. It has been a total team effort.
Great coaching!!!
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harty Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 12:11 pm
@kissmyblarneystones, I agree with the comments regarding the D and team defensive efforts in our end.
At times though some guys are on the wrong side of the puck in the nuetral and offensive zone, they way you can tell is watch the body position and are they reaching and essentially raking leaves motion to get the puck.
On the coach item, I like DS and I think he is very good hockey person. However at times I question his motives and decisions.
Yes he won a cup and some would say, “ye have little faith or your blind”, but I’m not impressed by his hillbilly answers to questions and he certainly gives an impression he is above everyone else.
I would really like to know the true chemistry inside the room or are the guys somewhat fearing the outcome if they cross him. There certainly has to be respect but fear is a short term answer. Ask Mike Keenan………
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Neil Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 12:51 pm
@harty, I would think the players give DS more respect cause of last season….but you need to balance the yelling.I hear bloggers calling for DS to yell every time the Kings have a bad period..That would get old quickly if DS does that…I beleive that DS has learned thru the years what it takes to be a good coach…yet a locker room can change if you dont understand personalities…
kissmyblarneystones Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 12:51 pm
@harty,
The press is it’s own worst enemy. You can’t say anything to them because they’ll take a sentence like ” I don’t think we played real bad.” and turn it into “………we played real bad.” in the next days edition.
So you are another one of the bloggers who feels DS is brow beating the boys into submission. And if true, will wear out his welcome in the locker room…….I really don’t think that is happening at all. Our local hockey press is nothing like what he was used to in Canada, but instinctively, when he’s dealing with the press it’s all about damage limitation/control. They will hang you out to dry the first chance they get, none of them are his friend and they will forget about him the moment he leaves.
I don’t know what is going on in the locker room, but whatever it is, it is predictable in my opinion and it is clearly healthy. Otherwise we would have heard about it or heard suspicions of it. When practice becomes a closed session, you can start to suspect something is up.
harty Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 1:40 pm
@harty, all healthy dialogue….and I’m sure DS is doing his very best to build a leadership group.
It must be very hard with A type personalities and those making much more money then likely DS is at the moment.
Job security is much better for the players then the coach for sure in this league but I just think DS could settle somewhat it sketchy situations.
I’m sure DS will know when to pull the “in your face” card. He’s been around for sure.
I watch the crazed man behind the NYR bench, JT and he needs a sedative at times.
Jps Reply:
March 1st, 2013 at 5:42 am
@harty, Whether its fear or too heavy handed – its working – we have the cup – we’ve had good teams that have never played this hard and this disciplined – la is a laid back place for hockey – a little fear and tough love seems to be working – would you rather have a chance at 3 or 4 cups on this run with Sutter and then a burn out – or 6 years with a softie with no cups?
mash-ola Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 2:39 pm
@harty, After watching him closely last night, I would have to say that Muzzin is gaining confidence and poise in the OFFENSIVE zone. But when he’s pressured in his OWN zone, he’s weak. He coughed up the puck, I counted, at least seven times last night, two time unforced errors. On the power play, I’m fine with him being out there. When it comes to the PK and holding onto a lead late in the game, I still don’t trust him yet. That is Muzzin’s most glaring weakness.
Ellerby’s size, reach and physical play compensate for some of his other shortcomings (reading plays and his breakout passing), but he’s served adequately coming into a new conference and playing under a different system and new teammates.
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I agree with your positives above, Jon, and am surprised everyone sounds so down on the team after this win. A game is 60 minutes, gang. you can stink it up, as long as your goalie is GREAT (he was – should have had a shut-out), and then close the door in the last few minutes with a great power play goal of incredibly skilled redirection, and a fluky oppportunity given to the player with the best hands in the NHL. If you capitalize, you DESERVE to win. Capitalizing is what these games are all aobut. Detroit didnt, our great Kings did. At the end of the day, that is what a Cup winning team looks like!!!! Have some FAITH!
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Like babcock said, we are a much bigger/physical team, therefore they were playing the puck possession game. If you don’t score goals that’s not going to help.
Sooner or later, the top players showed up. He played physical, we played hard on the boards.
I feel good knowing how pissed sutter must be and him giving them a lashing between periods. Ever since that Vancouver win, I don’t feel the game is over until it is over.
Glad to see them keep trying and get those 2 points.
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Some are saying that the Kings did not deserve to win last nights game. I would disagree for the following reasons:
1) Detroit had scored 12 goals in their prior 2 games – they only scored one last night and that was a fluke
The Kings are now showing an ability to adapt to whatever team they are playing against. It usually takes them a period to figure it out and then start to assert our style of play over the opponents. Anaheim and detroit are different teams with different styles, and the Kings beat both of them playing “King’s style” hockey. That is extremely important.
2) Detroit had 1or 2 of their best players return to the line up and the Kings kept them from scoring
3) Detroit came in on a hot streak, ahead of us in the standings, and left with their tails between their legs and couple of spots below us.
4) The Kings style of play (banging, grinding, waiting for mistakes) is not conducie to a fast start. They wear the other team down physically, which takes a couple of periods, then drop the hammer on them in the 3rd when the other team starts to make mistakes because they are worn down.
5) The Kings were playing a quality, well coached opponent, not CBJ or Calgary. Quality opponents will disrupt your passing and force you to take penalties (until your wear and then break them down)
6) The Kings and Wings play a similar style – play defense, clog up the neutral zone, wait for a mistake. The Kings made some mistakes but surivied them with team play and good goaltending.
7) The Kings never gave up. The entire team showed a strong effort through the whole 60 minutes, Even Penner was engaged. If the team seemed to just glide and mail it in, then yes, they would not have deserved to win that game. In the end, Lewis, King and Kopi showed what playing with a full effort at the 55 minute mark will get you – a beautiful goal and a win.
All in all, the Kings did deserve to win that game, and they did. Detroit looked desperate during the 3rd period, taking stupid penalties and then trying to dive and get their own. That is a sign that the other team is superior, and they knew it. Right now I am feeling pretty good about our Kings and watching them gel into the team we saw in the playoffs, and getting similar results with similar play. GKG-AGAIN!!
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kissmyblarneystones Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 12:05 pm
@DesertKing,
So you’re saying that you think there’s a chance?
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DesertKing Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 12:08 pm
@kissmyblarneystones,
Always, as long as you hang on to that silver and black 4-leaf clover
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kissmyblarneystones Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 12:11 pm
@DesertKing,
I am a shameless homer!!!
BrokeKingsFan Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 12:07 pm
@DesertKing, 2 thumbs up!
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puck73 Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 12:13 pm
@DesertKing, Very nicely stated D King
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deepsea_drumz Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 12:14 pm
@DesertKing, Bravo Zulu to Bernier; He was solid when the Kings were not. It could have been 2-0 or 3-0 by the start of the 3rd period.
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Cav Pilot Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 12:50 pm
@DesertKing, Excellent analysis. My thoughts are very similar on who “deserved” to win this game. Last time I checked, you have to actually score goals to win a hockey game.
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jess Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 12:51 pm
@DesertKing,
Agree (obviously
)
Great post.
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mash-ola Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 2:41 pm
@DesertKing, The Kings didn’t deserve to lose to Detoilet on Sunday 2/10, either. But that’s hockey, right?
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ForumFan Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 3:27 pm
@DesertKing, I agree completely. See my post further down the comment section. We dominated the 3rd when the game was still up for grabs, and turned that domination into goals, unlike Detroit in the 1st.
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luc20rules Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 6:16 pm
@DesertKing, Nicely done. As were my nachos in Suite C-12 last night.
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Corky B Reply:
March 1st, 2013 at 8:54 am
@DesertKing, You got it, dude – These scared Kings fans sound like the boys didnt win the Cup last year. Too many years of dreck losses on your minds? Faith kids, Faith. We are still a great team – and they find a way to win – just like the third period.
Now, just dont Peak TOO EARLY, boys. With this schedule, you have to have gas in the tank when you enter playoffs – cause its all going up a couple notches when you do!
GKG – REPEAT ……..
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My POV….. Sutter wanted this game more then other games…
Having Cliffy and Fraser killing penalties help keep Kopi and others fresh
Clify had some great puck possesion
Interesting that Ellereby had more time killing penalties then Muzzin
4th line were great during the first twp periods
Like the line of Carter…Penner…Richards…
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puck73 Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 12:13 pm
@Neil, Good observations
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harty Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 12:14 pm
@Neil, the team is molding nicely into a solid unit once again.
As repeat Stanley cup winners everyone is quick to benchmark the end of last year vs. regular season this year. Be careful to all as Neil your correct more are stepping up and we will need this to repeat.
Go Kings Go…..
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Shiny Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 12:26 pm
@Neil, thought Ellerby did a good job killing penalties. I think he tends to be more aggressive on the kill vs. Muzzin who likes to play dump and chase with the puck
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puck73 Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 12:34 pm
@Shiny, I also think Ellerby is doing a decent job as well. Look, none of these young guys can do what Willie Mitchell does, and that includes Scuds and Greene, that being said, they are doing a decent job, and maybe just as important getting valuble game experience at The NHL level.
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Shiny Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 12:48 pm
@puck73, if you look at DL’s comments from the other day, he’s pretty impressed with how well our defense is doing. They’ve all had extremely limited NHL experience (w/ the exception of Doughty of course, but he’s never had this much responsibility before) and it’s a very steep learning curve, especially because of the shortened season. They’re not going to play perfectly every night and they will have regression points. It happens, it’s expected and you just have to learn from it and move on. DS thought this was their best game of the season, which we all know is the equivalent of him singing their praises.
The D is really starting to improve. Scary given their limited experience
Shiny Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 12:49 pm
@puck73, scary in a good way
luc20rules Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 6:22 pm
@puck73, Good Point, I don’t think it can be stressed enough in this compressed schedule the need for depth at every position. When Mitchell, Martinez, & Greene get back we will be even stronger and won’t be staying up late at night wondering if we have Dmen that can handle the job if we are hit by injuries. That question has been very positively answered. That said we are a stronger team beyond measure with Mitchell and Greene in the line up. The NHL should be shaking in their skates thinking about what the full strength Kings can again do in the 7 game playoff format.
KC23 Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 3:07 pm
@Shiny, Also thought Elleby did a very good job. I think Keaton is better with placing his stick in the passing lanes during the PK Vs Muzzin is at this point of his career. They are all doing extremely well so far considering their lack of experience. Other GMs must be salavating waiting for all those young King defensemen to become available through wavers, trades and UFA.
We need to try and get something for one of these defensemen. Campbell now has to clear wavers to go back to Manchester.
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I saw two different KINGS teams play last night. I hope the team from the first two periods doesn’t show up Saturday night in Vancouver.
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Slow start could also being the result of the opposition being UP for a game against the Champs !!! The opposition know that they have be bring their A game…its also a bigger game for them then us…..Its hard to be champs !!!!
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DesertKing Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 12:18 pm
@Neil,
Didn’t think about that, but also never been a Stanley Cup champion team fan before. Excellent point!
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mash-ola Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 2:44 pm
@Neil, True, the Kings are no longer flying under the radar and teams will bring their A games to face the defending champs. But being at last night’s game, I can attest that there were A LOT of unforced errors by the Kings. Boneheaded plays, actually. So that’s on the players. Fortunately for them, the Kings found a way to refocus in the third and pull together an effort that got them the win.
But the Kings definitely will need a much better 60+ minutes Saturday to beat Vantown.
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Off topic. but hockey related. Looks like Andy MacDonald is out again for The Blues. Thats a big blow to their offense. Andy has always been one of my favorite players to watch in todays NHL. That being said, when he’s not healthy, the team he plays for usually feels it.
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rogiesbackup Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 1:03 pm
@puck73, His speed kills!!!! Wish we had a player like him, but then again we’re a “meat and potatoes” kind of a team that wins with a lil luck, some skills, but definately with a lot of grit.
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mash-ola Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 2:46 pm
@puck73, Steen is out as well… not sure if either will be back by Monday when they play the Kings…
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KC23 Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 3:09 pm
@puck73, yeah, I don’t like the Blues chances tonight. Chicago is well rested and healthy.
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“Deserve’s got nothin to do with it”
~William Munny
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kissmyblarneystones Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 12:56 pm
@Belexes,
‘We all have it comin’ kid’
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mash-ola Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 2:46 pm
@Belexes, Who is Will Munny???
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edwood2 Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 3:59 pm
@mash-ola, Wasn’t he the kid on “Lost in Space”?
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Duncanz Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 5:33 pm
@edwood2, Billy Mumy.
Duncanz Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 6:38 pm
But of course you are the second coming of ed wood, so you would know that already.
Belexes Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 4:24 pm
@mash-ola,
He’s the main character in the greatest Clint Eastwood movie ever, Unforgiven.
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edwood2 Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 8:03 pm
@Belexes, I knew that, just fishing for fun comments. Love Unforgiven!
Not sure why so many feel this is a game the Kings didn’t deserve to win. While it’s true that it was far from our best game (especially of late), and it seemed like the whole team had an awful time getting control of and hanging on to the puck, we clearly took it to Detroit in the 3rd period. The Kings dominance in the 3rd more than made up for being outplayed in the 1st., and in the 2nd I thought we played better than they did overall too. So can someone tell me why specifically Detroit deserved the win more than the Kings????
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phil sykes Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 5:27 pm
@ForumFan, lol i didnt even see your post forumfan until after i posted mine below …… almost identical
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once again …………….. dont see what was so fortunate about the win … the wings had like one quality opportunity to score in the last 2 periods combined .. we outplayred them for 2 of the 3 periods and deserved to win ….. just because the first 5 on 3 in the second period didnt work dosnet mean it was a positive necessarily for the redwings because it contributed to the fact the redwings were hardly ever in our zone for the entire period …. third period as well until the final 40 seconds ……….. so i disagree …. and well deserved win ….. i mean it was the redwings who too k all the stupid and well deserved bad penaltys that gave us 5 on 3s all game long – not the kings
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luc20rules Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 6:27 pm
@phil sykes, With the Kings playing at this level do you still stay up worrying that the Flames get and overtime point? I think we have started and will continue to pull away from the bubble teams. The only thing the Kings have to fear is the Kings themselves. If the Kings continue playing Kings hockey they will be fine, and dominate once the playoffs start the best of 7 format is made for Kings hockey.
Go Kings Go!
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phil sykes Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 6:37 pm
@luc20rules, always worry …. kings have a history of shooting themsleves in the foot . plus injuries could happen at any time … just keep trying to build a cushion
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luc20rules Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 7:26 pm
@phil sykes, Your tormented by the ghost of Kings Teams past. This team DL has built is a completely different animal its already proved that with a Championship. Its time to buy in.
phil sykes Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 7:35 pm
@luc20rules, injuries …. always worry … just in case … i mean if kopi breaks his leg again … we are screwed … if it wasnt for that we would have beat the sharks easy and be going for 3 cups in a row right now
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luc20rules Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 8:05 pm
@phil sykes, TM would not have won us a championship. If injuries cut us down a point here or there won’t matter because the playoffs won’t be win able, or atleast a long shot. We needed the change in coach TM to DS, the infusion of size/speed in King & Nolan, the skill/size/speed of Carter, the loss of JJ to make room for Voynov, and the addition of Richards leadership/intangables as well as the carry over players stepping it up to win the Championship.
phil sykes Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 8:12 pm
@luc20rules, indeed … sutter is a genius . couldnt have said it better myself …….. however i believe in all things with a healthy kopi
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luc20rules Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 8:24 pm
@phil sykes, Not too stress you out, but Col 4 @ Cal 4 with 9 mins left in 3rd.
phil sykes Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 8:45 pm
@luc20rules, the silver lining about all the 3 point games is it puts us in a favorable position for the tiebreaker against most teams . since we are not playing that many so far
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luc20rules Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 9:07 pm
@phil sykes, But actually I will be keeping an eye on Det 0 @ SJ 0 End of the 2nd. Those 2 maybe near us in late April. Although I still feel we get in the playoffs, and very few teams can challenge us in a best of 7 if we are healthy.
phil sykes Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 9:19 pm
@luc20rules, sure . of course we makin playoffs if we dont have any more significant injuries …. if we stay as we are right now …. we are making it for sure …. i just keep an eye on everybody because i know injuries can happen and throw a monkey wrench into our plans
also quick swimming 20 feet out of the net will certainley hurt our chances in the playoffs as well …. not happy about it ….. i see disaster coming …. especially against the hawks – who have scouted him well and were making passes off to the side , backwall bankshots , and soft point wristers because if defelected will make the net wide open if it falls off to the side … hawks have gameplanned quick well …… other teams should take note … quick is really begining to bug me
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kissmyblarneystones Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 10:15 pm
@phil sykes,
Dude. He won the Conn Smythe with that style. What part of the Kool-Aid, exactly, tastes rancid to you.
The only pit falls the Kings face are the ones you conjure up in your skull.
The Black Hawks don’t have a secret formula against Quick. They haven’t got him anymore figured out then any of the other goalies they’ve beaten this year. They’re on a roll, that’s it. No surprises, just a roll. It will end, and when it does, they will come crashing down to earth. The Black Hawks are no better this year then the Nucks and Blues were last year.
No Smoke, No Fire, Just one bad ass hockey team repeating. Buy in or continue to be strange. Your choice.
kissmyblarneystones Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 10:03 pm
@luc20rules,
+!
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“Anze Kopitar’s light shove of Cory Emmerton into Jonathan Ericsson” was my best play of the game. Well, that and Penner’s ridiculously powerful after whisle hit on I forgot who, how was that not called a roughing or a dive? I might be able to remember who it was if I could find a injury report, since he went straight to the locker room. I think the officials got little tired of the Wings pissin and moaning. But for the most part I enjoyed NBC’s Wings coverage.
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Real 7 Reply:
March 1st, 2013 at 8:25 am
@Jamesonafterawin, Smith…refs deemed that he was moving slightly into the path of Penner…
OR, they just didn’t see it…the guy already had an injured shoulder, thus the seeming embellishment….did Pens give him an extra hard bump?…does it hurt when a truck hits you?
you decide..
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Jamesonafterawin Reply:
March 1st, 2013 at 11:21 am
@Real 7, All good points. I just figured after the guy that got hit clean and cut by his visor, wined to offials about it for some time. That may have altered the way penalties where called. It just seemed to me the Kings came out in the 3rd and started to man handle the Wings and it put them off there game. And I’d like to see more of that. Because the Kings can handle being man handled very well, maybe not so much Doughty, but he’s getting better.
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BTW …. Was that an amazing line Sutt put out for the last powerplay that got the first goal?? Incredible line up! My view: the best 5 players on the team – throw that power on the ice, you are going to hit paydirt.
This is what the Wings saw as they readied to drop the puck: Kopi – Brown – Carter – Doughty – Richards(?) WHAT A FRIGGIN LINE UP!
Against any 5 on any other team, these guys have such scoring drive, they would just dominate. Beautiful call, Darryl.
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