On whether the team is playing at its highest level of the season:
“I think we’re definitely playing better than we did early on. I still think there’s a lot of room for improvement. I think some of our key players have been playing better hockey, and that needs to continue for us to be successful. We still have a lot of work to get to where we want to be.”
On what it says about the Kings that they’re surging despite the absence of Mitchell and Greene:
“A big part of that is the way we play as a five-man unit, six man unit. Goalies have been good, as always, for us. Some of the guys that have had to step in and play have been playing extremely well. I think it was a little bit of a learning curve there in the first few games for a few guys – just the speed of the game. A lot of these guys haven’t had a whole lot of NHL experience. It takes a little bit of time. I think ultimately, though, we’re playing better offensive hockey, which, in turn kind of eliminates the need to play that much more D.”
Given the results, on whether this current run feels like last spring:
“It’s kind of hard to compare. The games – I don’t want to say ‘the approach’, because the approach is actually the same – it’s just the magnitude of the games, I’ll call a spade a spade. A regular season game
is not the same as a postseason game. It’s just a matter of trying to keep on getting better, because you want to be playing your best hockey at the end of the year.”
On what Justin Williams brings to his line:
“It’s the same thing with Willie all the time. Kopi probably gets all the attention – and rightfully so – with his skill set, but Stick does a lot of the dirty work. His vision on the ice, he can kind of do the corner work. For not a huge guy, he’s pretty good in the corner and he finds that quick play that springs a guy or gives a guy a great scoring opportunity. A lot of times that’s me coming as the high guy because Kopi likes to get in the corners as well. I think we just complement each other really well, and Stick probably goes unnoticed.”
On what Williams has provided recently that may not show up in the box score:
“I think when you look at people, I mean you look at Kopi’s stats – a big reason why he’s getting the numbers he’s getting is Stick. Even though [Williams] has not maybe been getting the assists or the points or the goals that he wants, he’s creating havoc in front of the net. Early on when we were struggling as a line, it was pretty evident we weren’t working hard enough, and now, the Anaheim game was a good example. He had a big impact on a lot of those goals and didn’t have a point. That’s when you can tell our line’s going really well. Regardless of his point total, he’s contributing in big ways.”
Yes…but I’m not seeing that “D” first mentality from either our young D and need more help on the back check from our forwards.
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Kenny44 Reply:
March 2nd, 2013 at 5:18 pm
@rogiesbackup,
We don’t play “D first” anymore. We’d rather keep it in the O zone than play defense in ours. Sure, that means more effort back checking, but that 200 ft of pressure is our game. No more “sound the retreat” once we. Lose the puck. We go get it back. I much prefer thisstyle
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after watching practice yesterday i had these thoughts….Saw Stevens giving instructions one on one with Kopi. Saw a team that was practicing hard…I have also seen a team whose PP is improving since the Kings have had more practice time…..Give this team a full preseason with DS and his staff and watch out….Remember DS still hasnt had a full camp with this team…
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Well observed, ‘key player’ !
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Expecting a big come back from Brown after that last game. One of the worst games I’ve ever seen Brown play. A real turnover nightmare.
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Give it up for Stick!
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Real 7 Reply:
March 2nd, 2013 at 2:43 pm
@scarr77, really glad to see Brownie give credit to JW…very well deserved…
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‘Stick’ it to ‘em tonight, J Dub! lol
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So they call him “Stick”? I was unaware. Coming from NHL Players, that is probably one of the highest compliments you can pay a guy.
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Duncanz Reply:
March 2nd, 2013 at 1:44 pm
@kissmyvalleyshoots, …. in some other prominent industries, too …
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kissmyblarneystones Reply:
March 2nd, 2013 at 2:11 pm
@Duncanz,
I haven’t a clue what you’re talking about.
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Neil Reply:
March 2nd, 2013 at 2:22 pm
@kissmyblarneystones, Baseball..my favorite nickmame…. The BIG Unit !!!!!
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Duncanz Reply:
March 2nd, 2013 at 2:26 pm
@Neil, And your favorite name; ‘Randy Johnson’ !
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Shakes Reply:
March 2nd, 2013 at 2:50 pm
@Duncanz, whoa i literally had never thought about the double entendre until just now
Kenny44 Reply:
March 2nd, 2013 at 5:30 pm
@kissmyblarneystones,
I bet this nickname has nothing to do with what he carries on the ice. Maybe it’s this other suggestion already offered above (Stick instead of Willie). But I haven’t heard it before. I’m thinking that one of the new guys wanted that nickname, so Brown gave it to Williams instead, or maybe JW’s wife packed him gel deodorant for a road trip and he went on a rant about it in front of the guys. Something obscure like that is the only reason DB would keep on going to it in an interview like he did.
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During the 1st 3 rounds of the playoffs last season I got the sense they could do better even though they went 0-3 every round.
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KC23 Reply:
March 2nd, 2013 at 2:15 pm
@Dominick, I’ll just assume you meant to say 3 – 0
, but point well taken.
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Anyone know how Stewart is doing?
Would it have been better to trade for a d-man?
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KC23 Reply:
March 2nd, 2013 at 2:17 pm
@KLos, Not really, we have one too many d-men on the roster as it is. IMHO, the next move the Kings make will actually see a d-man leave the Kings. I bet it is either DD2 or Elleby. I’m hoping we can find a decent AHL goalie and some draft picks.
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jet Reply:
March 2nd, 2013 at 4:45 pm
@KLos, his size was needed, the Narch’s lost King, Nolan, Clune, Muzzin half was thur the season.
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First “Stitch” and now “Stick”
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