The marine layer is burning off to give way to what should be a warm afternoon in the South Bay. It was a fairly late arrival last night – because of restrictions on late takeoffs and landings at San Jose International Airport, the team touched down in Oakland at a quarter to one before busing south to downtown San Jose, where we’ll be stationed for the next 36 hours. The team will take the ice at the Sharks’ practice facility shortly after 1:00 pm, which should allow enough time for this blog reflect on last night’s loss to Phoenix. “Waking up with the Kings” will be posted later this morning. A good day to all of you in the Kingdom.
Good Day to you Johnny!
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I was disgusted last night. I Can’t believe I actually recorded that garbage in anticipation of viewing it later in the evening. Phoenix came to play, and the Kings didn’t. Tired my ass!! You got schooled by a team that wanted it more than you!!
Rest up Stanley Cup Champions because what you faced last night, is what is ahead of you for the remainder of the season.
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Kings Fan In Temecula Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 10:16 am
@kissmyblarneystones, i came in when it was 5 to 1 and asked my myself, what the hell happened?? haha, still havent figured it out
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BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 10:39 am
@Kings Fan In Temecula,
Considering that the scoring went 0-4, 1-4, 2-4, 2-5, I can understand why you may ask yourself, my God, what have I done?
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Duncanz Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 12:13 pm
@BakeCAkesCondorsGuy, Ooh, Byrne!
My take on last night and some questions posed here… http://kingsnewsdaily.com/a-step-behind-kings-cant-keep-up-with-coyotes/
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Looking forward to watching the Kings bounce back in SJ. I’ll be at the game if anyone else will be let me know.
Last night was the second game where I missed the beginning and Quick got.lit up. How would you rate his play last night?
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Lake Forest Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 10:34 am
@WTF, defensive breakdowns. 2 or 3 goals from the slot, 1 tip in. I thought he should have had 1 or 2, but that would of been GREAT saves. JQ save of 2012 reel.
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Duncanz Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 12:16 pm
@Lake Forest, The 2013 reel is looking a little thin up tonthis point. We can only hope production begins soon..
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King Cobra Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 10:35 am
@WTF,
Rating= WNC
Weak and Not Clutch
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Hoping to see Toffoli in for Nolan, to play 4th line minutes, or maybe Lewis moves down to the 4th line for Toffoli to play with Stoli. If it goes bad, Lewis can always go back to the Stoll line. Practice notes should be interesting…
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 10:12 am
@PlayerXatHoldThePoint, Hoping? Sit Martinez, sit Nolan all while the team is playing really good. Fix the unbroken!
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PlayerXatHoldThePoint Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 10:24 am
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), He called out Martinez for a missed play, then sat him. Now he called out Scuderi, so I say instead of Toffoli in Noli to play with Stoli, Toffoli in for Scuderi. Makes perfect sense.
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 10:26 am
@PlayerXatHoldThePoint, If I didn’t know you better I’d say you were a ducks fan. Zing!
PlayerXatHoldThePoint Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 10:30 am
@PlayerXatHoldThePoint, hey man, stuff just got real… Them’s quacking words.
King Cobra Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 10:36 am
@PlayerXatHoldThePoint, King not Jordy!
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PlayerXatHoldThePoint Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 10:44 am
@King Cobra, I would agree, but Toffoli plays Right Wing. I guess you could switch Lewis over to right Wing and put Toffee in with Stoll but then the escape clause goes bad having Toffoli in RW with Fraser. Unless you do this:
Lewis Stoll Toffoli
Clifford Fraser Nolan
If it goes bad:
Clifford Stoll Lewis
Nolan Fraser Toffoli
Lotta changes in one game, making so many guys switch positions, risky but possible.
So you’re saying that Toffoli in for Scuderi is out of the question?
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BringBackKingston Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 10:56 am
@PlayerXatHoldThePoint, how is Toffoli’s defense? It isn’t so much his offensive capabilities that will be counted on – there really isn’t a problem scoring goals. The team’s problem is on the defensive end. At some point the Sharks will throw out big Joe Thorton, Patty M, etc. against his line so Toffoli’s play in his own end has to be up to snuff.
Fortunately no significant damage done in the standings with the Sharks and Stars losing as well last night. Gonna be nearly impossible to catch the Ducks now though.
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Good morning Jon hope you guys had a good flight.
Win some lose some, just regroup and go on
Go Kings Go!
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Stacy Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 11:01 am
@gailweb, I am with you Gail …. Coach Sutter will get them back on track at today’s practice …
Jon – don’t they have your beer at the Yardhouse in LA Live? my treat if they do ….
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hey jon! just a random question, any idea what the longest stretch without a shutout in kings history? im sure its longer than the 28 game streak we have going now, but just curious. hopfully JB or JQ can break that soon!
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And a very good day to you too Jon!!!
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Better pic today, Lets hope things get better for the team, Have to stay in the hunt
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shiny Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 10:39 am
@pr0cess, I’ve never been to SJ but it’s not hard to beat the lifeless pit of Phoenix, AZ
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pr0cess Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 11:08 am
@shiny, Well i live in ABQ and it looks alot like AZ but alot nicer i think
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shiny Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 11:28 am
@pr0cess, never been to ABQ but from what I’ve seen it’s pretty. I think NM is.prettier than AZ but NM.has.more.greenery.
Duncanz Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 1:00 pm
@pr0gresso, What’s ABQ …… a BBQ for ‘A’-listers ?
Tough to judge the Kings..Quick’s back..Issue??? Confidence??? Defense in front?? Little bit of all??..I think Quick was the right choice against Phoe. Kings need to figure out what Quick is this season..The number one goalie?…a goalie coming back from injury?? Kings MO has been trying to get the team to play for 60 minutes.Cant be fatigue cause they played well in the third and last week they had a great comeback in the third.Also the MO is size.You take King out and replace him with Toffilo then you lose some of that size…also what about keeping stuff in the locker room..DS calling out players every game(even after a win)Cant be good can it??
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Lake Forest Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 10:37 am
@Neil, I’m sure any concern he has about a player, he already told them prior to the media guys. Also, I dont think it’s wrong acknowledging the breakdowns any certain player has.
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shiny Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 10:40 am
@Mr. Handsome, oooh them’s fightin’ words, right there!
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Lake Forest Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 11:15 am
@shiny, I can’t fight. face is too pretty.
it’s not easy being beautiful!
Duncanz Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 12:25 pm
@Thick Forest, …. or green!!
What’s with the Kings not being competitive in losses? The last three have been 5-2 scores. What happened to losing 2-1 or 3-2 or a OTL or SO loss? If you’re going to lose, at least try to get a point out of it.
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Oh goody, more chaos and panic on this post! Last night brutal and once again, Kings got their butts handed to them. Is it time to panic? Not in my mind, but I’m just a powerless, lowly observer. I trust DS and DL to make the right decisions for the team.
Kings can and will bounce back, of that I’m sure. They are not the Hawks to just roll over and die because of a loss
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TK Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 11:06 am
@shiny, What reason do you have to just trust DS & DL??? Seriously, what have they done to make you believe that one bad game is just one bad game? I cannot recall anytime during my fandom that this organization or anyone on the team earned that. Of course I have only been a fan since June 12, 2012 BUT STILL!
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Neil Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 11:13 am
@TK, I would trust DS and DL more if they didnt give Hickey away for nothing ….I KId..I kid !!!!
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TK Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 1:14 pm
@Neil, Is it bad I’m still kinda upset about Purcell? Moulson hurts too, but he only spent 29 games in the LA sweater, and I really like Teddy.
BrokeKingsFan Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 11:16 am
@TK, “What reason do you have to just trust DS & DL???”
That big, beautiful, shiney thing that players drink boos and stuff out of…you know the thing with hockey players names all over it from way back in the day to present. what the freak is that thing called again? Oh yeah….THE STANLEY CUP!
If thats not reason enough than nothing is…
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Duncanz Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 12:29 pm
@BrokeKindlFan, Ha ha, you didn’t read the last line of his post, did you…
TK Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 1:11 pm
@BrokeKingsFan, “THE STANLEY CUP!” What’s that? Wait isn’t that the thing Kris Draper’s daughter pooped in? What does that have to do with my sense of rage over life as we know it ending due to losing a game after playing the night before and having to travel to Phoenix (Talk about a toliet)?
shiny Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 11:35 am
@TK, oh well welcome bandwagoner
just kidding.
In all honesty it’s because the organization has been able to turn things around since a crappy start to the season. A blowout home opener, losing the next 2 and just kind of going up and down this season. Somehow they’ve managed to get a rookie defense (collectively I’m calling it rookie) to string together enough wins good enough for 4th in the west. They seem to be able to get up, dust themselves off, dig deep and find the strength to win after suffering a loss. So in Sutter I trust :+)
(Don’t know if you were being facetious, but I thought I’d answer anyways)
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TK Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 1:21 pm
@shiny, Technically sarcastic, I wanted to build on your original comment and the fact that after Saturday all I read on this site was: “Stoll sucks” and “Scuds has been amazing” and “bench Martinez” and “Muzzin is the next great thing.” Now there is very little Stoll, Scuds should be a scratch, A-Mart was never given a fair shot it was all Ellerby’s fault, and no talk of Muzzy. It just amusses me how much people read Sutter quotes and watch his press conferences but don’t seem to internalize anything. Anyway I am starting to rant so I’ll just say WHAT IS WRONG WITH CARTER!?! TWO GAMES NO GOALS!?!?!? We never should have traded JMFJ (the MF stands for I can’t play in my own zone worth a MFer)!!!
Question for Jon or anyone who knows….The Ducks goalie was injured during practice.Ducks hired a backup in case the goalie that was brought up from the minors doenst make the game on time.The hired goalie(just for the game) starts on the bench as the backup. The goalie from the minors shows up and replaces the hired hand. Isnt that illegal??? Can you change backup goalies after the game has started???
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Neil Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 10:59 am
@Neil, http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-ducks-wild-20130313,0,103282.story
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Shakes Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 11:02 am
@Neil, i’m not an expert, but i suppose if they had an extra active roster spot they could have 3 goalies on their roster…and just hope the 3rd guy (the minor backup) gets to the rink in time so that the spot wasn’t “wasted” (as opposed to allocating towards an extra defensemen or something)
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TK Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 11:08 am
@Shakes, Even a roster spot wouldn’t be enough unless there is a special provision in the rules, because he would have been considered a “scratch.” I would imagine there is a special rule, kinda like the NFL has with QBs. But GREAT question, I am looking forward to an answer as well.
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Neil Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 11:11 am
@TK, Helene(LA Times) just answered it for me…all 3 goalies were on the roster and there is a special rule for goalies. Kings need to figure out a way to get a backup goalie who can also play a defensive position and rotate them during the game… Loopholes !!!!
TK Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 1:25 pm
@TK, Thanks Neil! I say we sign that Goldberg kid away from Anaheim, he can shoot an amazing knucklepuck and if neccessary can put on the pads as we all have seen. Fun story, three years ago I went down to the pond and had a FAnaheim uck fan ask me when they were going to do the “flying V.” God they love their sports down there, so much they name their teams after other counties and cities!
Neil Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 11:08 am
@Shakes, but to change players on the bench after the game started???
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Mars Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 11:11 am
@Neil, More importantly will they suspend Perry?
I hope so, suck it slow sucks, slllllooooowwwwwww
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Munters!
(Munters is the new “First!”)
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is SJ really considered the South Bay? I never knew…
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Duncanz Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 12:32 pm
@BalefulKingsFan, Well, they both have Sharkees!!!
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Going thru the last couple of seasons on this blog – with the heightened focus on each and every game and each individual performance that comes from such in-depth analysis – has gradually made me less affected by the ups and downs of a typical season and let me focus more on the bigger picture. You dont win them all, players dont perform to their best every night, bounces and calls go for/against you, other teams get hot/cold. Such is competition.
The important questions are:
Does the team as it exists have what it takes to make a run at the Cup? I can’t believe any serious Kings fan – after last season – would question the guys. But still, if you don’t think so, is there a way to ‘fix’ what’s wrong (via trade) that won’t repeat past management mistakes of trading youth for veterans with way too many miles on the odometer or squandering draft picks for rent-a-players?
Last season the team weakness was scoring – ‘finishing,’ some might say – and the addition of Carter has seemed to have single-handedly improved that aspect. Last year the defense/goaltending was top notch; this year not so much. I personally believe the loss of Mitchell is the difference – not discounting Greene’s impact – plus a Quick that’s still finding his way back from surgery. Can we replace Mitchell and/or Greene thru trades? No, because there just aren’t any teams with an abundance of above average stay-at-home D who would want to swap one for one of our abundant puck-moving D. TT might be our only bait for a top notch one, but who wants to lose the only real scorer in our lower system?
Having won the Cup last year I think puts much less pressure on DL to try stop gap fixes. Other teams think, ‘we’re just a piece or two away from contending’ and let that delusion damage their futures at the trade deadline. The Kings don’t have to think that way because they KNOW they have the pieces. The knowledge that THIS group of players CAN do it no matter how the regular season goes is why I don’t have any qualms about staying with the current group and letting them develop, nor about rooting for the hated Ducks and Hawks to win every game (minus games against us, of course) and thin out the herd of Kings playoff competitors for them. We can deal with those two later.
I guess I’m just calling for stepping back and watching the season develop. The team has been playing well so no need to over-react to each loss; only if the playoffs ever seem to be in jeopardy do you consider making a major change.
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Gianni_B Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 11:13 am
@bbb7,
Solid Post. Well-said.
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BrokeKingsFan Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 11:19 am
@bbb7, Dude…you are way to rational
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Mars Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 11:35 am
@bbb7, You are far too cool calm and collected.
Go drink a Vodka redbull or two, then try that again.
Seriously though, I agree.
After the loss I may get rough on A mistiake or TWO on a player.
But it is never a complete meltdown, just a mistake that is capitalized upon.
I dont think any trades or moves are appopritate al all right now.
Well… Unless someone else is desperate enough to toss us a bag of gold.
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shiny Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 12:02 pm
@bbb7, +54 (min. required points for a playoff spot)
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Mars Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 12:36 pm
@shiny, I thought you meant 54 mins to read it at first.
54 points?
We need to play Kings bingo. I think I can make up cards with the schedule.
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Duncanz Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 12:56 pm
@bbq7, Exactamundo. Never been one to panic.
Although, I think I maybe I should be sometimes …
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Michael J. Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 2:33 pm
@bbb7,
Best post of the week.
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KC23 Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 3:38 pm
@bbb7, all well said. Especially the part about trading for a stay at home d-man. That just isn’t going to happen for a number of reasons.
Things I’m concerned about are:
Mitchell. Mitchell comes back healthy and suddenly you’ve gotten one of the best stay at home defensemen in the league replacing a marginal young defensemen. That will be huge.
King. Don’t know what is going on with him, but he seems to be a step slower for whatever reason.
Things I’m not at all concerned about, but others seem to be:
Quick: He’ll be there when it counts.
Doughty: He is just one of those players that gets better as the season goes on.
Brown: He is keeping himself healthy. You can’t spend the regular season hitting like he does in the playoffs. He’ll be ramping up as the playoffs approaches and then you’ll see Kopitar start to get more room.
Pleasant surprises:
Lewis: Looking much better playing the left side
Muzzin: Offensively very gifted. VERY gifted. He has the skills defensively, but lacks the required experience, it’ll come with time.
Carts: I knew he was good, but wow. He is GOOD.
Powerplay: Huge improvement. I actually think we have one of the better PP in the league. Voynov and Muzzin up top on the PP is money. Kopitar reads are getting much better. Kopitar is finally not hanging onto the puck too long and getting the occasional one timer.
If we get Mitchell back healthy for the playoffs we have as good a chance to win the cup as anyone. If Mitchell doesn’t make it back its still possible, but not likely.
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If we had gagne, or Lokti we would have won….
Just saying!
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Duncanz Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 12:49 pm
@Lokt Boxest, Thank you! That’s what @Adam M and I have been saying all along!
A lot of slow catcher-onnerers around these parts, I’m afraid …
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Hearing trade talks between Kings Sabres.
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Mars Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 11:26 am
@goldielocks, Link?
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 12:34 pm
@Mars, Voices in his head. Hard to link there.
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jet Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 1:07 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), why, the screams all sound the same?
Michael J. Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 2:35 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
I think they make something for that.
Belexes Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 12:47 pm
@goldielocks,
Vanek for Richardson?
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Duncanz Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 12:51 pm
@goldiestalks, Robin Regehr’s girlfriend?
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Start Bernier…..please.
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The LA Kings will put Bernier in Goal Tomorrow Night and this Saturday Night and put Quick to start in Goal next Monday at Staples center so what do you think
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Neil Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 12:51 pm
@Adam M, you are the only one that makes sense..just dont call the cops… lol..
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Duncanz Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 12:53 pm
@Neiling, “Knees against the wall, punk!!!”
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Adam M Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 3:19 pm
@Neil, okay @Neil my point is send all the Comments from LA Kings Insider to have rules is no Nasty comments or is Jail time
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wobsse6 Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 12:56 pm
@Adam M, I don’t mind if DS decided to ride quick as the #1 goalie, in fact, I hope he does…just don’t start the dude on back to back nights, its pointless to do so, and history has proven the team will go pointless too.
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We need to warned the Sharks because the Sharks likes to play a hard way against the Kings and if Bernier will start in Goal do not do Interference hit hard on Bernier and Alternative Captains that means the Ref’s will make a Suspended call right away
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go kings go beat the sharks win.
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