My weekly feature on LAKings.com examining the parity in the Western Conference is now available by following this link.
Keep in mind that last year’s Western Conference Finals participants, Los Angeles and Phoenix, were respectively seventh and 12th in the conference after 48 games a season ago. Though Chicago is on an unprecedented run in the Salary Cap Era, the competition throughout the rest of the conference remains incredibly tight as three points separate fourth-place Los Angeles from 11th-place Nashville.
Other comments on the conference’s parity that weren’t used in the article:
Darryl Sutter, on whether there’s an added mental element in persevering through the shortened schedule:
“I think so. I think we’ve talked about that lots in parts of parking and riding, right? So that’s what you do.”
Drew Doughty, on the conference’s parity:
“Yeah, this year’s tough. You can’t take any game off. In the past, you could let one game here and there slip, even though you don’t really want to, but now you just look at the scoreboard. [Saturday] night, if we would have won, we could’ve been all the way up in fifth or something like that, and now that we’ve lost, I’m sure we’re maybe not even in a playoff spot after [Sunday]. It’s tough, and every single game matters so much. We need the two points, no matter what.”
Mike Richards, on parity:
“I think it comes down to consistency, and who can play their game the most consistent on a nightly basis. Usually the team that plays obviously the best is going to win. When you don’t play well, you’re not going to win. Whoever is going to make the playoffs is whoever can go with the most amount of games with playing their best.”
Richards, on the mental strength needed in the tight standings:
“I think it doesn’t allow you to take a break and rest and get complacent. You know that you have to play your best every game to stay in the race. We just won five in a row, or lost one in six, and we’re in the playoffs now. So I think that just shows what kind of consistency you need really just to make the playoffs.”
Crazy to see a King 2nd in scoring ahah ;D
Gonna be a lot of Carter jerseys showing up :p
I know I want one mwhaha
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shiny Reply:
March 6th, 2013 at 10:40 am
@Subby, tried to buy one at Team LA store last night, but they were all sold out
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Mars Reply:
March 6th, 2013 at 10:42 am
@Subby, I decided that I have to buy one.
Wonder if I can get a retro one though.
That Gold and Forum blue is just so freaking georgous!
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Shakes Reply:
March 6th, 2013 at 11:35 am
@Mars, i’m in the same camp, but i can’t find them online!
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overall the season has been very interesting…….I
IMO here is what I see………….
Quick – needs to be more consistent, a very good goalie but has had some ups and downs this season.
Bernier – his confidence is likely an issue, knowing what happened last night. He will figure it out and support down the stretch.
Voynov – really big surprise and over achieving and getting it done, wow can he skate…..
Doughty – he does so much more than just score, he is a proven asset on the blue line
Scuderi – good past track record, he will be there when required..maybe somewhat tired right now, who know’s
Muzzin – has caught fire and getting it done also, has to stay when/if Greene and Mitchell returns
Martinez – injury has hurt his game, he’ll be fine A-Mart will rebound
Ellerby – sorry, just not sure yet but his size really helps, just keep it simple and things will be fine
Drewiski – keep working things out at the Toyota centre Drew, you’ll get there just on another timetable right now
Kopitar – I would agrue anyone he is the best in the west and likely top 5 in all of the NHL, go kopi go…..
Williams -he’s not the big scorer we think he is, he is a play maker for the other two guys on this line, he’s doing fine
Brown – now that he has figured out he has to hit his game has got better, really good hands also with the puck
Richards – just getting in game shape now, he will start to turn it up each time out
Carter – prolific scorer with a real good shot, reminds me of Mike Bossy, pure sniper and good teammate
Lewis – effective PK guy, does what is asked but with limited scoring ability
Penner – starting to light up, he has good size and personally I’m starting to warm up to Pancakes Penner, keep it going
Stoll – struggling, why does Jarret take dumb penalties and his shot is so high all the time, get dialed in buddy, time is ticking
King -big body and just needs to use it on every forecheck opportunity, park that big ass in front of the net and stay there
Fraser – keep playing with an edge, that is what keeps you in the line up
Clifford – getting some different roles this year, PK time, 5v5 but must stay on the ice, fight when necessary to change the game and keep going to the net, big, fast and scoring will come without question his history suggests so in every league he’s played in
Nolan – big body and play that way, good speed and forecheck with purpose not to just pressure, he will be fine
Richardson – well this is our safety net, not playing and Brad likely wants out just doesn’t know if anyone would want him
Coaching staff – doing there part, ensure everyone commits to the system and it is all about puck battles all over the ice, stay positive and play all lines so no one is tiring in any game………
Nust my opinion folks………
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Michael J. Reply:
March 6th, 2013 at 10:37 am
@harty,
I just looked at your grades from last night and I think you missed it on Cliffy. I think he deserved an A or A- based upon that scrap. Not only did Polak miss a fair part of the game afterward but the fight gave a strong message indicating the Kings were not going to be bullied.
After the fight @LakeForest said that the whole town of Ayr must have been sky high thanks to Cliffy’s performance.
Good analysis above.
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harty Reply:
March 6th, 2013 at 11:12 am
@Michael J., the entire town was alive after the fight…….however not one of Kyle’s overall best efforts, and who better to give this young man a grade…….
He is an awesome professional and deserves everything he gets because he works so hard every shift……you can just see his heart on his sleeve at all times.
But last night, he can bring more and Kyle know’s it…….he’ll be there when the chips are down……Ayr’s favorite hockey superstar in the NHL
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Neil Reply:
March 6th, 2013 at 10:43 am
@harty, Other Bloggers opinions…DS isnt a good coack…Nopitar….DD isnt worth the money….Quick should be traded….Ellerby su.ks….Richards is out of shape..Penner is useless…Brown doenst hit anymore….Williams plays too much with the puck…Whiskey is a 7th defensemen..Muzzin is not experience enough…Lewis cant score and shouldnt been a first round pick..Stoll cant do anything but shoots wide and take penalties…Cliffy is nothing but a good 4th liner as is Frasier… King and Nolan are having stanley cup hangovers…. PP still stinks…No snipers…
Cant wait till we fix all of our problems…we might have a good team here….
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harty Reply:
March 6th, 2013 at 11:10 am
@Neil, now now Neil keep it on track buddy……it will come around
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Stiv Reply:
March 6th, 2013 at 11:18 am
@Neil, Hillarious………..I’ve never…laffed so hart in my live…….great parity, you shuld right sketch humor!
Seriously mate, I’ve thought about writing a post like yours for a while now. Good work!
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Duncanz Reply:
March 6th, 2013 at 1:31 pm
@Neiling, At ‘certain junctures’, each one of those criticisms has been justified, save for the DS and JQ ones.
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KC23 Reply:
March 6th, 2013 at 1:40 pm
@Duncanz, Stoll’s still is alive and well in my book.
Duncanz Reply:
March 6th, 2013 at 1:54 pm
KC23, If the season continues trending well we’ll all be back to singing the praises of Strollsy just like they do at Staples player parking.
It’s never for lack of effort on his part, but it seems that he’s often trying too hard and over-compensating for shortfalls of the team or of himself.
But when the machine is ticking smoothly again, as they were last playoff season, he’ll be back to being an integral cog in the aparatus.
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
March 6th, 2013 at 8:52 pm
@Duncanz, Although, I called Sutter’s mistake of starting Bernier at the beginning of last game, and I think I was right and he was wrong–prolly the only time that ever happened, but I’m taking credit.
Dave K Reply:
March 6th, 2013 at 10:53 am
@harty, very good assessment/scouting report.
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Duncanz Reply:
March 6th, 2013 at 1:45 pm
Very nice report, @harty.
Ok, I’m going to go ahead and give a current blogging grade and comment:
@harty A+: Was having a little bit of an up and down term with regards to impressions of the coaching strategy and certain spurious assertions over player salaries and abilities, notably players occupying the same position or role as a certain LW between 12 and 14 who shall remain nameless, but has buckled down recently and become a helpful member of the class and student body in general.
Keep up the positive work, @harty.
Much better!
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Chicago’s run should have an “*” next to it. There is no way they do that with every team having a full training camp and preseason games. Most of those first 5-10 games were a 50-50 crap shoot as to who would win and they got lucky and came.out on top. To compare them to the Canadiens team they are chasing in the records book is a travesty of inaccuracy and idiocy.
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Kopi Bryant Reply:
March 6th, 2013 at 10:28 am
@DesertKing, I thought it was Philly’s record in ’79-’80 they are chasing? Anyways, it’s great when a team is playing as well as they are but it means squat come playoff time.
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Lake Forest Reply:
March 6th, 2013 at 10:36 am
@Kopi Bryant, consecutive game streak of 35 games for Philly. I think they only difference is Hawks are doing it from the first game of the season, though if anyone could clarify let me know.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
March 6th, 2013 at 8:56 pm
@Kopi Bryant, Yup, look at how much it’s meant to Vancouver each time they won the President’s trophy.
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Lake Forest Reply:
March 6th, 2013 at 10:33 am
@DesertKing, I like how the interview with larry robinson, they ask him about the comparison and there is a slight pause and you can tell he’s trust trying to be PC about it.
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shiny Reply:
March 6th, 2013 at 10:43 am
@DesertKing, Chicago is also arguably one of the strongest teams in the west, always have been. But as you said, in a full season, it’s doubtful that they’d have this streak
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Shotongoal Reply:
March 6th, 2013 at 10:59 am
@DesertKing, yeah I have to give CHI their props for what they’ve done so far this season. If it were the Kings we would all be saying that this may be the greatest team ever, etc etc. So it is what it is and if history proves out this just may be CHI season, based on what teams that have had these types of starts end up doing in the Finals. With that said, I’d love for the Kings to ruin that!
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shiny Reply:
March 6th, 2013 at 11:10 am
@Shotongoal, wouldn’t we all?
the Kings repeating as champs and ruining Chicago’s year to prove the Cup belongs here and we are a SC contender
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Shotongoal Reply:
March 6th, 2013 at 11:18 am
@shiny, yeah if the Kings can stay healthy both physically and cap wise they should be contenders for several more years. The cap killed CHI after their Cup win, which makes this past offseason even more impressive for the Kings.
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
March 6th, 2013 at 8:58 pm
@Shotongoal, You could tell they weren’t going to be able to keep that team together, though. I predicted fire sale. By the same token, Deano planned this team to avoid that (which makes it really funny when the Kings make a minor move like the couple they’ve made and the trolls scream “fire sale!”
KC23 Reply:
March 6th, 2013 at 1:41 pm
@DesertKing, I actually think it is a much greater accomplishment than the old teams which had no cap to deal with.
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Duncanz Reply:
March 6th, 2013 at 2:04 pm
/\ /\ What @KC23 says, and anyway, good modern teams like Blackhawks, with their technologically advanced training and nutritional methods, would wipe the floor with a lot of those cumbersome old dinosaurs – providing they were playing under the rule amendments of the modern game, of course.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
March 6th, 2013 at 8:54 pm
@DesertKing, I think there were a lot of people, coming into this season, that said it will have an asterisk next to it. I think if it’s your team that’s doing well, you won’t agree, but otherwise…IOW, the “ayes” have it.
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Go Kings Go!
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SLIM Reply:
March 6th, 2013 at 1:25 pm
@gailweb,
Go Gail Go…
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Jon, are you sure it’s parity and not parody as Fox Sports West labeled it the other night
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Currently every team in the Pacific is in a play off spot!
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shiny Reply:
March 6th, 2013 at 10:44 am
@Lake Forest, insane! Hard to believe how one or two points makes such a big difference
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Deke'r Reply:
March 6th, 2013 at 2:44 pm
@shiny, …ROW number will be big in the end….
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
March 6th, 2013 at 9:02 pm
@Deke’r, Yeah, I could do without that stat geek and freak show crap. Give me two point games and a result decided by playing hockey.
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
March 6th, 2013 at 9:00 pm
@Lake Forest, I’m guessing that won’t last down the stretch, but it would be interesting.
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Best conversation is during a “Park and Ride” My wife and I will be doing this every week !!!
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And in my feature today, KND sidesteps on-ice news to take a look at some troubling aspects of the pending sale of AEG. Cause for concern? Or just minor complications? You be the judge.
http://kingsnewsdaily.com/the-future-of-la-kings-ownership-is-getting-cloudy/
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shiny Reply:
March 6th, 2013 at 11:01 am
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), nice article Paul. Maybe some cause for concern, but nothing concrete was offered as part of the “hazy sale” situation; all feels hearsay to me but nothin’ I can do
I don’t have $8 bill to buy my beloved team
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Robert R Reply:
March 6th, 2013 at 11:02 am
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), Should sell it to Snoop Dogg. Then we’d see weed dispensaries amongst the concessions.
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shiny Reply:
March 6th, 2013 at 11:06 am
@Robert R, then we’d be the chillest team in the NHL. And hey, it’s not Snoop Dogg anymore. The Jamaican weed scrambled his brain and he is now Snoop Lion. Get it right
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King Alex Reply:
March 6th, 2013 at 11:26 am
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), It is a cause for concern. I personally blame Michael Jackson for his own death as he was the drug addict but you never know what a jury will do and how much money they will award if they find AEG at fault. The Jackson family has been living off of Michael for decades while he was alive & Dr. Murray does not have the deep pockets AEG has. Now the Jackson family will get their court date so it’s either settle with the family or roll the dice with a jury trial. Either way, this can throw a wrench into the entire sale, especially the time frame.
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Something that made me smile this morning…the Kings are just behind the Blackhawks with the second best record in their last 10 games at 8-2-0.
And the Kings are now only 7 points behind the Quacks for the Pacific lead. Not beyond the realm of possibility at this point.
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Shotongoal Reply:
March 6th, 2013 at 11:20 am
@vplaza, the Kings have so many games left against the Pacific Division they almost control their own destiny within the division.
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kinginprague Reply:
March 6th, 2013 at 11:26 am
@vplaza, 7 points is hell of a lot right now with Quacks playing that well and Getzlaugh on hot streak. He, Kopi and Datsyuk are the best centers in the west (note: not sure if one can compare west and east players, at least according to points).
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KC23 Reply:
March 6th, 2013 at 1:50 pm
@kinginprague, Ducks will come back to the pack. They are likely going to try and get something for Perry before they lose him to free agency and that will put a big nasty monkey wrench into their season.
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Neil that guy complains about everything you should have heard his comments last year about DS and DL man now look at him sure did change his tune……
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off topic: steal somewhere first round pick and pick that Domi kid. He would fit nicely in Kings organization.
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harty Reply:
March 6th, 2013 at 11:49 am
@kinginprague, he is quite small……..he would be a Lotki size player
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kinginprague Reply:
March 6th, 2013 at 12:10 pm
@harty, well, that’s true, but gritty, speedy, great hands and 193 lb weight. that is not bad for 5feet 9 i. guy, is it? Lokti wasn’t even 180lb and not the best forechecker; that guy is quite the opposite of Lokti.
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What I’m about to say may offend some…..
I do not WANT parity. It does not make me the least bit excited. The powers that be starting with the joke we have for a comissioner have forgotten that this is supposed to be a COMPETITION. Hockey’s Goal should not be for every team to go 41-0-41. Stop this senseless madness now. Get rid of a salary cap that only protects owners from themselves. Stop giving away an extra point to the LOSER you aren’t TAKING from the winner. Stop requiring waivers for every Tom, Dick, Harry and Hickey. You want a piece of us or Chicago? BUILD YOUR TEAM. WORK AT IT.
Teams like Chicago and Columbus have records THAT INDICATE HOW THEY BUILT THE ORGANIZATION. Small market owners, are you jealous of Chicago? Good. Stop trying to “level” the playing field. Hire scouts, do your homework, get a good coach and ACT LIKE THEM. Funny little business plan there, it even worked FOR US.
There is no sudden outbreak of “parity” as much as an optical illusion, deliberately created by Bettman and the owners, that winning and losing is and should be irrelevant.
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There wasn’t a whole lot of parity in the playoffs. There were the Kings, and everyone else.
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