On what the team would like to improve on from its last game against Phoenix:
“I think our start, for sure. I don’t think we had the start we wanted to in Phoenix. Just the energy level and the compete – all those things – in the hard area, we weren’t very good. Our PK has got to be better. Our power play’s been OK. We just need to be harder on them in the tough areas of the game and be ready to start the game. The first goal is very important, so make sure we’re ready to start the game.”
On whether Mike Smith has any particular tendencies that the Kings will try to exploit:
“Not really. You could say the same thing about most goalies that are good or that are playing well. You’ve just got to make them work. An easy night is going to be an easy night. Getting guys there, driving the net, getting in front of him, frustrating them, and obviously [getting] a lot of shots – all those things that you’d say against a goalie like Brodeur, Lundqvist, any of those guys. Not much changes with him.”
On his line’s forechecking habits that were working well on Saturday:
“Just all of us getting on it together [and] not having a big gap between the F1, F2 and F3. We’re all tight. We’re all working hard together, and when you do that, as an opposing team, it feels like there’s more than three guys on the forecheck some times. I think that’s our key – if F1’s up on the play, working hard, making sure F2’s close by and F3’s close by and [working] together and not giving up any odd-man rushes and turn over pucks. So we had some success the other night. We’ve just got to make sure we keep it going.”
of mike Smith “well he likes to slash a lot and is pretty emotional so we do plan on sticking out our tongues at him while skating by. Probably a comment or two about his mother.”
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letswinthecup2012 Reply:
March 18th, 2013 at 11:35 am
@Lake Forest, classic
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Simarosa Reply:
March 18th, 2013 at 11:42 am
@Lake Forest,
Obviously, that’s an awesome comment.
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PRMan Reply:
March 18th, 2013 at 12:31 pm
@Lake Forest, Hilarious!
Realistically, “When we stand in front of him and he can’t see, he doesn’t usually stop it.”
And, “When we have an open attempt in the middle of the slot, he tends not to cover everything.”
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Strollsie, who you going with on Saturday night – Erin or Paulina?
Well, actually I am looking at some new talent and making a call up. Some new player named Kate Up-something. We’ll see how that goes.
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Lake Forest Reply:
March 18th, 2013 at 11:33 am
@DesertKing, did you see the sports illustrated cover? HOLY CRAP
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DesertKing Reply:
March 18th, 2013 at 11:35 am
@Lake Forest,
No, did it show Kopi scoring one of the sick goals? That would be HOLY CRAPTASTIC!
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Lake Forest Reply:
March 18th, 2013 at 11:42 am
@DesertKing, No, it’s better than scoring goals!
BrokeKingsFan Reply:
March 18th, 2013 at 11:48 am
@Lake Forest, I saw it…along with the other pictures. All I can say is Daaayyyummmm. My girlfriend is particularly jelous of her volumptuous upper body.
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letswinthecup2012 Reply:
March 18th, 2013 at 11:36 am
@DesertKing, strollsy i love it! Let’s go Kings!!
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Matt Reply:
March 18th, 2013 at 1:35 pm
@DesertKing, Kate Upton is a little thick~ Paulina and Erin are way better and around his age.
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Deke'r Reply:
March 18th, 2013 at 3:22 pm
@Matt, ….right…..
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luc20rules Reply:
March 18th, 2013 at 5:01 pm
@Matt, Wouldn’t it be Super Great Fantastic to have problems like that? LOL
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yaaaaay ds is playing the guy that got us all here instead of the average backup
please have fun crying to this statement.
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Lake Forest Reply:
March 18th, 2013 at 11:52 am
with a name like 7MILforHickey, we already have fun.
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Deke'r Reply:
March 18th, 2013 at 3:23 pm
@Lake Forest, ….Ha!…
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wobsse6 Reply:
March 18th, 2013 at 12:06 pm
@7MILforHickey, I am a Kings fan, I have confidence in both goalies and support the team whoever is in goal.
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Go Kings Go!
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Anyone else notice Mike Smith’s tendency to “duck and cover” on hard shots up high? I’ve noticed it on about a dozen or so high shots but never really heard anybody comment on it as a weakness in his game. Thoughts?
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Gustavo Reply:
March 19th, 2013 at 1:18 pm
@TaylorInSpokanada,
It’s very hard to slash a high velocity incoming puck. Hence, he ducks.
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