Projected Starting Goaltender, Los Angeles – Jonathan Quick
Season: 20 GP (19 GS) / 9-8-2 / 2.60 GAA / .894 Sv% / 0 SHO
Career vs San Jose: 16 (16) / 8-4-4 / 2.52 / .912 / 2
Last Game vs San Jose: 4/7/12 / 64 MP / 20/23 shots / 2-3 OTL
2012-13, Away: 11 (11) / 3-6-1 / 2.98 / .894 / 0
Projected Starting Goaltender, San Jose – Antti Niemi
Season: 21 (21) / 10-5-5 / 2.01 / .930 / 1
Career vs Los Angeles: 14 (14) / 8-3-2 / 2.15 / .929 / 2
Last Game vs Los Angeles: 4/7/12 / 40 MP / 23/25 / 3-2 W (ND)
2012-13, Away: 11 (11) / 6-1-3 / 1.78 / .933 / 1
Leading Scorers, Los Angeles
Total Points: Anze Kopitar (8-15=23)
Goals: Jeff Carter (17-2=19)
Assists: Anze Kopitar (8-15=23)
Plus/Minus: Justin Williams (+11; 5-12=17), Jake Muzzin (+11; 5-6=11)
Penalty Minutes: Keaton Ellerby (48*; 0-1=1)
*36 of Ellerby’s penalty minutes came as a member of the Florida Panthers.
Leading Scorers, San Jose
Total Points: Joe Thornton (5-20=25)
Goals: Patrick Marleau (13-7=20)
Assists: Joe Thornton (5-20=25)
Plus/Minus: Logan Couture (+4; 10-8=18)
Penalty Minutes: Ryane Clowe (72; 0-8=8)
A stick tap goes to: San Jose Associate Coach Larry Robinson. The Hall of Famer and Los Angeles Kings defenseman (1989-92) and head coach (1995-99) won six Stanley Cups with the Montreal Canadiens and coached the 1999-00 New Jersey Devils to the Stanley Cup. He was an assistant coach under Peter DeBoer on the New Jersey team that lost to L.A. in the Finals last year before joining Todd McLellan’s staff over the summer as an associate coach.
A fist shake goes to: Martin Havlat’s injury history. In the seven full seasons since the 2004-05 lockout, Havlat has played more than 60 games only three times. Last year, he missed nearly three months of the season due to a freak injury caused when his leg was caught as he hopped over the boards for a line change. He’s currently on injured reserve due to a lower-body injury. Without Havlat in the lineup over the past two seasons, the Sharks are 19-20-9.
Why the Kings need to win this game: There’s a rivalry between these teams, both geographically and historically. This is the first game between L.A. and San Jose since the Sharks swept the home-and-home set over the final two games of the 2011-12 regular season, denying the Kings their second divisional title. More importantly, the Sharks and Kings are a part of the playoff traffic jam in the parity-rich Western Conference, where six points separate third place from 15th. L.A. hasn’t lost back to back games since dropping a pair in Nashville and Detroit over a month ago.
Rankings and Statistics
Goals/Game: LAK – t-9 / 2.88; SJ – 29 / 2.16
Goals Against/Game: LAK – t-11 / 2.56; SJ – 5 / 2.32
Power Play: LAK – 11 / 19.4%; SJ – 18 / 17.0%
Penalty Kill: LAK – 14 / 81.6%; SJ – 3 / 87.2%
Shots/Game: LAK – 17 / 28.7; SJ – t-4 / 31.1
Shots Against/Game: LAK – 2 / 24.4; SJ – t-18 / 29.5
Faceoffs: LAK – 7 / 51.7%; SJ – 3 / 53.2%
Save Percentage: LAK – 24 / .895; SJ – t-3 / .921
Projected Lines – Los Angeles
Dustin Brown – Anze Kopitar – Justin Williams
Dustin Penner – Mike Richards – Jeff Carter
Dwight King – Jarret Stoll – Trevor Lewis
Kyle Clifford – Colin Fraser – Jordan Nolan
Jake Muzzin – Drew Doughty
Rob Scuderi – Slava Voynov
Keaton Ellerby – Alec Martinez
Jonathan Quick
Jonathan Bernier
Notes: Brad Richardson, who regularly takes warm-ups, could be a candidate to rejoin the lineup. The Kings have played in 19 consecutive games without heading to overtime, the longest non-OT stretch since finishing 22 consecutive games in regulation time between January 27 and March 14, 2003. As always, line projections are educated assessments and not definite alignments.
Projected Lines – San Jose
Logan Couture – Joe Thornton – Brent Burns
Ryane Clowe – Patrick Marleau – Joe Pavelski
James Sheppard – Scott Gomez – Tommy Wingels
Andrew Desjardins – Michael Handzus – Adam Burish
Matt Irwin – Dan Boyle
Douglas Murray – Brad Stuart
Marc-Edouard Vlasic – Justin Braun
Antti Niemi
Alex Stalock
Notes: Lines via Kevin Kurz of CSNBayArea.com. Brent Burns, a converted defenseman, had a goal in his debut as a Sharks right wing in San Jose’s 4-2 loss to St. Louis on Tuesday. Antti Niemi recorded his first career win on March 1, 2009 against the Kings. As always, line projections are educated assessments and not definite alignments.
GO KINGS GO!
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….I see Clown is leading in the usual category….
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shiny Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 5:01 pm
@Deke’r, foolishness?
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WAY OFF TOPIC….listening to some Bee Gees and what an amazing group….60′s 70′s 80′s ETC ETC…Great music mentality !!!
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LVKINGS88 Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 5:39 pm
@Neil, Are you just ‘JJJJJive talking”?
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Duncanz Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 6:19 pm
@Neil, ‘Spicks and Specks’
No no… verdad es, te digo!
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Just remember They are stayin alive and WE ARE ALIVE!! To another CUP!!!!!
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interesting Marty is back against a big team. I am happy for him and think he is overall better than 44DD, but if there is one team I mihgt go with the bigger guy it would be SJ. Let’s go boys
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YoBro Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 5:49 pm
@jet, Marty makes a great 1st pass (most of the time) and can carry the mail. I hope he has a better outing than his last. Do you or anyone know which of he or Ellerby is playing on their off side?
Go Kings
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jet Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 5:54 pm
@YoBro, ellerby got the right side last time, but he was beat to the middle, so that may change
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Duncanz Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 6:56 pm
@jet, Remember 3 of SJS’s lines are speedy too.
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Kenny44 Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 7:25 pm
@Duncanz,
That’s the more dangerous element of this team, over the past few years against us. They’ve done most of their damage on the rush against us.
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It takes a lot for me to THOROUGHLY DESPISE another team. Being in the same geographical market as my team (Ducks) is not enough. Having classless fans and diving players who can’t check (Canucks) is not enough. Gooning it up instead of playing Hockey (Blues) is not enough. Having a GM that isn’t forthcoming with a players health plus a player who tied our GM’s hands in going public with a trade request (Edmonton) is not enough. Thinking the entire league revolves around them (Pittsburgh) is not enough. Having N overpaid whiny supposed superstar ( Washington ) is not enough. No, for a team to make me THOROUGHLY despise them they have to completely lack any class.
Phoenix is one such team.
Oh, and tonites opponent.
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jet Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 5:19 pm
@HockeyNerd, you had me until Mr. T, if you google ‘I suck’, his picture comes up. I would draft Adam with one of our 3rds and tell him rookie camp is in Alaska. It is difficult to despise anyone more than Sather, but it has happened.
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jet Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 5:20 pm
@jet, but having said that, I hope DD plays pin the tail on the donkey
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jet Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 5:56 pm
@jet, hipchecks Clowe thur the boards
HockeyNerd Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 5:40 pm
@jet, Oh I didn’t say I don’t despise Edmonton. Hate them too. But Thorton and Clowe can take their hypocritical cheating kiss blowing classless sticks off the players bench and stick them where the sun don’t shine. (I’m in a good mood today so I won’t tell you how I REALLY feel about them).
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jet Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 5:54 pm
@HockeyNerd, Well then, I concur
Mars Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 5:32 pm
@HockeyNerd, Agree.
I hate phoenix more than anyone else out there.
CaSucks are a second for me, I was born on a Kings casucks tie.
Casucks used to be first, but that changed after the wcf.
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paige Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 5:46 pm
@HockeyNerd, haha. I am far more generous with my hate.
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LA_1968 Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 6:11 pm
@HockeyNerd,
Hey Clowe! What’s next? Punch an announce during the in-game bench interview? That’s all that’s left I think.
I hate Sharks for the 4-0 lead we blew 2 years ago. Also for that kiss Thorton blew to Staples crowd. That’s my short list. Dicks.
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Goring 19 Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 6:19 pm
@LA_1968, the beat L.A. chant should be retired as well, but forgive them, they know not what they do. Their general ignorance of the game confirms that. As for Mr. Thornton, when the guppies come to Staples all the fans can reflect the light off their replica SC Champions rings into Mr. Thorton’s eyes.
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shiny Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 6:42 pm
@Goring 19, my ring doesn’t fit but at least I can wear it on Saturday to the game and ponder aloud to some wayward Sharks fans how many cups they have…
LA_1968 Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 6:44 pm
@Goring 19, Yes, “Beat LA” is so blase. It’s right up there with the teal uniforms. Your great point was about the Cup and Thorton. I think it took me 10 minutes after the final horn last year to think of that guy hehe… I have always “disliked” all bay area teams. A long time ago I used to pity the Sharks. I should have learned my lesson in the 70′s with the 49ers. The whole 80′s listening to obnouxious fans who never knew anything before Montana.
shiny Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 6:22 pm
@LA_1968, nah, even he can’t get away with punching an announcer. But he might try that stick move again. It was a great move, too bad he played it from the bench.
Sutter’s crack about texting the refs is still priceless to me lol. Some teams just ain’t got class, like Sharks and Coyotes. I hate the Coyotes because their goalie is a frickin goon and their captain is the biggest cry baby ever. Sharks are just classless, no other way to really put it. Nobody likes them.
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shiny Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 6:28 pm
@shiny, sorry for the duplicate comment. I’m borrowing a phone since mine is dead and I’m not at home
Hoping Quick is on his game tonight
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If you like math, you might like this wonky post giving the pseudoscience behind the kings chance at winning the cup. Los Angeles Kings: Masters of puck possession: http://www.broadstreethockey.com/2013/3/13/4099158/kangzzz
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Com’on boys lets get a win……..
Darryl play all 4 lines you will need the speed in the end.
Kopi get your butt in gear and open the scoring.
Quicker get on your game.
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After reading the LA Insider after dark thread, I’m ready to get back to some Hockey against a team that I don’t particularly care for all that much.
@Duncanz, I think you were a victim of being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Might I suggest a Sutter thread after the game tonight in order to resurrect your….Rep…..
@What’s the Frquency, Kenneth?, I think you handled yourself eloquently against @philistine. You are are definitely a dark horse, so remind me not to square up against you.
@Philsykes, Keep on swinging brother, it’ll be over soon.
Now, to the matters at hand, GMFKG!!!!!!! Squish the Fish!!!!
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LA_1968 Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 6:05 pm
@kissmyblarneystones,
I don’t hate so much against the other teams now that we have the cup but I’m sure the Sharks will push my limits back up.
@Duncanz and @What’s the Frquency, Kenneth? are top notch. Re @Duncanz rep… even Kopi has an off night.
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Duncanz Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 6:12 pm
@LA_1911, Right?!
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LA_1968 Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 6:48 pm
@Duncanz, I don’t know what happened but I recall that the guy comes on once the jack kicks in about midnight PST. I get up at 5am your time but that’s over tomorrow for a few weeks. I’ll be there.
Mars Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 6:10 pm
@kissmyblarneystones, ooooh What thread? I will do some in game reading at home soon.
I’m usually up til 1-2am (PST) nightly, and will jump in on some of that!
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kissmyblarneystones Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 6:45 pm
@Mars,
Pity you weren’t up that late last night.
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puck73 Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 6:26 pm
@kissmyblarneystones, Im really glad you find rubbish like that entertaining. The fact is, some of the people you described are bringing this site down slowly but surely. And as far as your assertion that Duncan is just in the wrong place at the wrong time is absolute nonsense. Duncan knows exaxtly what he is doing. He purposely responds to Phil, kind of like throwing gas on the fire so he can watch a self absorbed dimwit unravel before our eyes.
I like Duncan personally, I have met him several times at Staples and he couldnt be nicer. That being said, he needs to leave Phil alone so maybe this guy who for some reason is obssesed with the blog for hours on end, and likes to antagonize others will finally just go away.
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Duncanz Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 6:28 pm
@puck73, Entirely true, cheers!
GKG
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LA_1968 Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 6:36 pm
@puck73, He’s still doing that? I was the target of one of his early antics. I didn’t want to remove the gloves. Sounds like the folks have gone on the offensive. Oh, not talking about Duncan who gets along fine with people.
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Duncanz Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 6:45 pm
@LA_1968, Despite himself …. sometimes
kissmyblarneystones Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 6:44 pm
@puck73,
To be honest with you, I thought I would have been the one to be caught up in that non-sense last night. However, my point is that I don’t condone what happened, I agree that it brings down the intellect of the blog. I’m surprised @Duncanz even entertained as long as he did. But he did, and I still hold him in high regard.
There are a lot of people who appear on this blog, but if Jon isn’t going to regulate it, then who’s to say what can and can’t go on here. It’s a free for all and we all have to take it or stay silent, and that’s no fun. @WTFK was dead right squaring up to you know who.
Personally I’ve met some good people through this blog, you included. I use this blog as entertainment yes, because I am really clueless about the workings of a professional hockey club. But, It personalizes the one team in all of sports that I support feverishly. That’s why I’m here. The rest of it is just silly stuff.
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Neil Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 6:49 pm
@kissmyblarneystones, I just want to eat one of your meals !!!! A good cook eh !!!
kissmyblarneystones Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 7:10 pm
@Neil,
Have a watch party at your house, and I’ll cook for everyone!
Neil Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 6:53 pm
@puck73, Duncanz…Nice?? No way…Only reason I hang with him is cause he got a great kid…who BTW got his picture taken with Bailey !!!! I kid about Duncanz not being nice..I can honestly say that every insider that i have met has been really cool !!! and awesome and neat….The only onw that seemed a little weird was neil…with little n…
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Duncanz Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 7:11 pm
@Neiling Bates!
Lets win tonight so the “Night Crew” will be easier to digest….
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Duncanz Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 6:26 pm
@Neiling, phil me up, buttercup..
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harty Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 6:29 pm
@Duncanz, these guys must never sleep…….crazy dialogue last night……geez
lets stick to hockey tonight boys……
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Duncanz Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 6:34 pm
@harty, Go Cliffy Go!
@kissmybillyshakes, Runnin’ 42 miles (hi @f/f Kenneth!) in bloated bloggin’ insider bootcamp, even as we speak!
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kissmyblarneystones Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 6:52 pm
@Duncanz,
That should put you around Chino Hill, if your coming from Pahrump that is. Get to steppin man, The game starts in a half hour!
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Neil Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 6:55 pm
@kissmyblarneystones, do double time !!!! “Been Thru the Desert with a Horse with No Name”……BTW did America ever name the dam horse???
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Neil Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 6:56 pm
@Neil, for duncanz since he is the one going thru the desert…
Duncanz Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 7:14 pm
@Neil, Yes … ‘Sister Golden Hair’ !
If you SJ Kings fans see an ugly bearded Kopi jersey wearin’ lunatic in some corporate bribe suite …
That me.
GKG!
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shiny Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 6:35 pm
@Token, bring our boys luck!
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kissmyblarneystones Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 7:11 pm
@Token,
Brother!?!?
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I’m sure our lads have been well versed to leave Ryane Clowe alone, at least until action NEEDS to be taken.
Given time and a shovel (errant stick), this guy will dig his own hole and bury himself.
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shiny Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 6:39 pm
@Duncanz, I keep hoping for that, but so far he’s been getting off way too easily. A two game suspension for leaving the bench on a “legal” line change with 10 seconds to go in the game. The minimum is 10. He must have some pull somewhere because his actions do not merit the consequences
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OCKingGirl Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 6:42 pm
@Duncanz, Can you imagine how tempted our boys must be to chirp him about the stick over the boards move. A tall order. That being said, I totally agree w/ you. Give him rope.
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Duncanz Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 6:52 pm
@OCKingGirl, Chirping will automatically occur of course, but I’d be disappointed if someone took a gratuitous run at him at a pivotal point in the game and Kings paid with the worst of the penalties.
If anyone, it ought to be JS early in the game – presumably at DS’s behest – as is normal.
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So, Niemmi is playing for Calgary tonight? Advantage Kings!
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Duncanz Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 7:18 pm
@edwood2, nice catch!
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