If things had broken a bit differently, Kyle Clifford might have just completed his junior-hockey career and might just be starting on a stint in the AHL playoffs. Instead, after making the Kings’ roster coming out of training camp and establishing himself as a lineup regular, Clifford is in the Stanley Cup playoffs at age [...]
Archive of posts tagged Kyle Clifford
Clifford excited for next challenge
Among the Kings’ current group of 12 regular forwards and six regular defensemen, only five — Kyle Clifford, Trevor Lewis, Alec Martinez, Oscar Moller and Kevin Westgarth — have yet to appear in an NHL playoff game. Clifford, who turned 20 in January, is the youngest of the group, but Clifford already had his “playoff [...]
Clifford postgame quotes
Kyle Clifford’s postgame thoughts… (on his line’s play…) CLIFFORD: “We came out strong. Simmer and Richie have provided energy for this team all year long, so they did a great job out there.” (on finding chemistry with Richardson and Simmonds…) CLIFFORD: “Absolutely. I’ve played with both of them, here and there, throughout the season. It’s [...]
Handzus escapes injury; Clifford stays on ice too
Kyle Clifford’s punishment, for his hit on Vancouver’s Christopher Tanev last night, was limited to the five-minute checking-from-behind major and game-misconduct penalties he received from the on-ice officials. The NHL did not issue any supplemental discipline today, and after practice today, Terry Murray said he was not concerned that Clifford would be suspended for the [...]
Practice/Clifford updates
A couple quick things… The Kings will now practice at 1 p.m. today, and there isn’t expected to be any supplemental discipline given to Kyle Clifford for his hit last night on Vancouver’s Christopher Tanev. Clifford received a five-minute penalty for checking from behind, plus a game misconduct. The hit was automatically subject to review [...]
Clifford in, Williams out
Just to complete the story on Justin Williams, here’s what Terry Murray said today about the possibility of Williams playing again this season. Four weeks would put Williams at April 19, which would be the range of late in the first round of the playoffs, should the Kings qualify… MURRAY: “It will be a rehab [...]
`Brawler’ Clifford not concerned with status
Kyle Clifford certainly got in his work today. Clifford was on the ice for the entire morning skate, then stayed out for about a half-hour of conditioning skating with healthy scratches Davis Drewiske and Peter Harrold. By all indications, Clifford isn’t suffering from any type of concussion symptoms, which is the most important thing, and [...]
Clifford back on ice
As he and the Kings had hoped, Kyle Clifford is back on the ice for today’s morning skate. Clifford is still not expected to play tonight, but his on-ice presence today certainly increases his chances of playing Thursday. More updates from the skate to come…
Kyle Clifford update
Kyle Clifford stood and watched most of practice today, his left eye still a nasty shade of purple and slightly swollen, but Clifford was able to do off-ice workouts today and apparently is not suffering from any concussion symptoms right now. Terry Murray’s hope is that Clifford will be able to return for Thursday’s home [...]
Clifford status update
To follow up on the earlier note, here’s what Terry Murray said today about Kyle Clifford’s status. Clifford left Thursday’s game late in the first period after a fight, with what Murray later described as a head injury. Clifford did not practice yesterday or today and is not scheduled to play tonight… MURRAY: “I talked [...]
Kings to `back off’ on Clifford for now
Kyle Clifford’s status for beyond the weekend is not yet known, but Clifford will not play tomorrow night against Anaheim. Brad Richardson will take Clifford’s spot as the fourth-line left winger alongside Trevor Lewis and Kevin Westgarth. Clifford did not return to last night’s game after his first-period fight with St. Louis’ Ryan Reaves, which [...]
Friday practice; no Clifford on ice
Kyle Clifford, who left last night’s game after his first-period fight, is not on the ice for practice today. Presumably, there will be an update on Clifford’s status after practice. The Kings are skating in their purple-and-gold gear in preparation for tomorrow’s “Legends Night” game against Anaheim. More updates to come from practice…
Clifford out of action
Kyle Clifford has not returned to the bench at the start of the second period. Clifford was scheduled to spend the first three-plus minutes of the second period in the penalty box, after his fight, but was not in the box. We’re awaiting word of Clifford’s status… New NHL standards require players to return to [...]
Getting started on the right foot (or hand)
The necessity of fighting in the NHL can be debated — and, in fact, is, endlessly — but it seemed pretty clear that the Kings got something of a boost less than three minutes into the game, when rookie Kyle Clifford dropped his gloves and did a pretty decisive job of battering Flyers tough guy [...]
Kyle Clifford, one bad dude
After he praised goalie Jonathan Quick last night, assistant captain Matt Greene made a point of singling out rookie winger Kyle Clifford for giving the team a lift through his first-period fight with Boston’s Shawn Thornton. Greene referred to Cliiford as “one bad dude,” and it’s tough to argue. Today, I asked Greene to elaborate [...]
Lewis line seems on right track
As noted earlier, the Kings stayed with the same lines in practice this morning that they used in last night’s game, meaning that the new-look line of center Trevor Lewis with wingers Kyle Clifford and Wayne Simmonds will get a second game together. That line didn’t generate much offense — it combined for two shots [...]
Birthday boy Clifford gets promotion
Kyle Clifford turned 20 today, and now that he’s no longer a teenager, perhaps he’s ready for some increased responsibilities… Clifford will be in a top-six role for the first time — at least at the start of game — tonight when the Kings host St. Louis, and Clifford’s rookie season has been a steady [...]
Higher-profile role for Clifford
The big “winner,” in terms of today’s Kings line shuffling, would seem to be Kyle Clifford, who jumped from a fourth-line role to a spot on the second line alongside center Michal Handzus and right winger Dustin Brown. Clifford previously skated with Handzus on the third line, so there will be some built-in familiarity there, [...]
Canada’s loss is Kings’ gain
We’ve been following the World Junior Championships here, and it’s easy to forget that Kyle Clifford could easily be in Buffalo right now playing in that tournament. Clifford doesn’t turn 20 until next month, so he was eligible for the World Juniors — and participated in a summer training camp for Team Canada — but [...]
Kings go with middleweights, not heavyweight
For a third consecutive game, the Kings are expected to go without Kevin Westgarth in the lineup tonight. Given that the Ducks have dressed enforcer George Parros in all but one game this season, it’s likely that the Kings won’t be matching “heavies.” The Kings are expected to go with a fourth line of Trevor [...]
