Pressure Now Squarely On Luongo As Kings Lead Series

April 21st, 2010 by Jeremy Smith

The Kings, AEG and Staples Center know how to throw a party. The team’s first playoff game in 8 years was more than just a game, it was an event. The outside of Staples Center was decorated with balloons and banners, the arena’s iconic Magic Johnson, Oscar De La Hoya and Wayne Gretzky statues were all adorned with the Kings’ new home playoff sweaters – the “Back in Black” jersey as it’s become known. Live music was played, local radio stations had promotional booths set up, and Bailey and the Kings’ Ice Crew roamed the perimeter interacting with fans. Inside, the Kings pulled out all the stops too. Black light’s helped accent the white rally towels handed out at the gates (although I was a bit perplexed – they asked all fans to wear black – why were the towels white?). The inspirational video segment with Bob Miller played on the jumbotron, and the Kings’ welcome song “This Is LA” was played live in house by The Briggs. The crowd noise was deafening. Kings fans all look forward to PA Announcer David Courtney’s traditional “Ladies and gentlemen, YOUR Los Angeles Kings!” as the team takes the ice, but on Monday the crowd was so loud that Courtney could hardly be heard over them for team and player introductions. Everyone in the house was on their feet as the team took the ice with AC/DC’s “Back In Black” blaring on the loudspeakers.

The game itself, didn’t start the way the Kings and fans hoped. Early in the first period, the Canucks’ Ryan Kesler circled the Kings’ net and found Mason Raymond wide open on the far side. Raymond buried the puck and the Kings were in an early hole. The tide would turn after that though. The Kings’ special teams were magnificent – and Drew Doughty would score the first of 3 straight power play goals to tie the game at 1. Michal Handzus scored the next two power play goals, and Brad Richardson scored on a great play, hustling deep in the Canucks’ end on his own and stripping the puck away from a Vancouver defender and slipping the puck past Roberto Luongo. To the dismay of many Kings’ fans, that was the end of Luongo’s night.

Vancouver would score twice more to cut the Kings lead to one in the third period, and had a goal waved off that in some circles has been controversial. The NHL’s War Room in Toronto ruled that the puck was kicked in by Daniel Sedin. In defense of those that are unhappy with the call, the NHL’s wording in the rule book isn’t very concise, and I’ll agree that the rule needs an overhaul (my suggestion would be to completely disallow any goal that goes in of an offensive players skate, accidental or not. For safety reasons, we can’t have the rule go the other way and have a bunch of NHL players making like Pele around the net. The amount of injuries resulting from this would be catastrophic.), but based on the NHL’s explanation I think the call was correct. Sedin appeared to put his skate forward with the express intent of redirecting the puck into the net. While it may not mimic David Beckham, in my mind it’s still a kick. If the Kings are in the same situation and the goal is disallowed, I’m not going to lose any sleep over it. Instead many Canuck fans are trying to suggest that the NHL has some sort of conspiracy theory against their team. Somebody in Vancouver is going to get rich selling tinfoil hats. If this group of Canuck fans wants to keep disrespecting the Kings and co-signing their team’s poor performance thus far in this series, if it makes them feel better taking the accountability out of the players’ hands by thinking the league is out to get them, so be it. Let me know what your conspiracy theory is when your golf game sucks too.

After the goal was waved off (Sedin would score the 3rd Canuck goal minutes later), Ryan Smyth, gassed at the end of a shift, skated into the Vancouver zone and blasted a slapshot that deflected off Vancouver defenseman Christian Ehrhoff and past Canucks’ backup Andrew Raycroft, who replaced Luongo after the Richardson goal.

Kings were 3 for 3 on the power play and perfect on the penalty kill. Special teams have been a big reason why the Kings lead in the series. Admittedly, the Kings need to play better 5 on 5. You can’t count on getting power play opportunities (especially with the inconsistency in officiating in the playoffs). The Kings were great 5 on 5 in game 2. They will have to be better if the Kings hope to make quick work (pun intended) of the Canucks.

Meanwhile, Vancouver’s biggest question mark still lies between the pipes. Luongo was shaky at best Monday night. He did what he does when he’s not on his game – he dove, he flopped, he tried to draw penalties, but he didn’t look comfortable in the net. His last two outings at Staples Center, Luongo has given up 12 goals in less than 5 periods. When he left the net Monday night, he looked completely mentally broken. He’s been outplayed by Jonathan Quick in every game in the series so far, and if Luongo doesn’t bounce back tonight in LA, the Canucks are in real danger of heading home for game 5 down 3 games to 1. The pressure is on Luongo to deliver tonight. If he doesn’t, the Canucks can start polishing up those golf clubs. They’ll need them soon.

Also not to be overlooked is the effect that the Kings’ cycle – particularly the Richardson-Handzus-Modin line is having on the already bruised up Canucks’ defense. As the series goes on, Vancouver’s backliners look more and more tired.

Meanwhile, if Drew Doughty isn’t the best defenseman in the NHL right NOW, he’s in the top 3. He may not win this year’s Norris Trophy, but he certainly deserves it. Jack Johnson has also emerged as a playoff beast. Unfortunately for the Kings, Peter Harrold looked like a fish out of water Monday night, prompting Terry Murray to re-insert Randy Jones into the lineup for Wednesday’s game. Not sure why Murray won’t play Davis Drewiske, who is much less mistake prone than Jones. Jones is almost to the Kings what Andrew Alberts has been to the Canucks in this series, and it’s troublesome that Murray seems to have some kind of unreasonable loyalty to him.

Speaking of scratches – Justin Williams, one of four Kings with a Stanley Cup ring to his credit, will sit again Wednesday.

Big game for both teams tonight. If the Kings do good work 5 on 5 (and hopefully get a couple more PP chances) and Luongo struggles again at Staples, the Kings will have a chance to put the Canucks out of their misery Friday in Vancouver. If Luongo and the Canucks rebound, it essentially becomes a best of 3 series.

Game 3, 7PM start time at Staples tonight.

GO KINGS!

-JS

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Kings Even Series In OT Thriller

April 18th, 2010 by Jeremy Smith

After coming a half a puck short of winning game 1 of their playoff series against Vancouver (despite not playing their best game), the Kings got even in game 2. Vancouver took a 2-0 lead in the first ten minutes of the first period, a period in which, in truth, the Kings didn’t show up in until late.

From the puck drop in period 2 on, the Kings took control of the game. Increased offensive zone possession, good scoring chances and smart play finally led to the Kings’ breaking through Roberto Luongo, who looked much more confident tonight than he did Thursday. The Kings got their first goal from Fredrik Modin (what a pickup that’s proved to be) on the power play, after Luongo stopped Jack Johnson. Johnson got his own rebound and skated around the sprawled Canuck goalie, wisely dishing it to the front of the net where Modin would collect and bury the puck to cut the Vancouver lead in half.

35 seconds later, The Kings top line of Ryan Smyth, Anze Kopitar and Wayne Simmonds, got a 3-on-1 rush. Kopitar fed the puck to Simmonds who buried it. 2-2, just like that. The Kings would carry much of the remainder of play, but I thought were a bit sloppy in the last 5 minutes of regulation. Vancouver was in the Kings’ zone for a good chunk of that time, and you got the feeling by watching that the Kings were hanging on by a thread. The Kings’ defense made plays (a magnificent play by Drew Doughty to break up a 2-on-1 for the Sedins) and Jon Quick held the fort, and the Kings managed to escape to OT.

In the OT, Quick made several critical saves, and the biggest blunder of the game was made by the Vancouver bench – a too many men on the ice penalty that would give the Kings the power play – and ultimately seal the Canucks’ fate tonight. On the man advantage, The Kings were able to establish possession and managed to keep the zone and control the puck despite the Canucks’ best efforts. Finally, Jack Johnson faked a shot and passed to Drew Doughty, who fed cross ice to Anze Kopitar. Kopitar’s one-timer was blocked by Vancouver’s Ryan Kesler, but Kopi collected his own rebound and beat Luongo. Game over, Kings win.

A testament to the Kings’ strong play: The Sedin twins were -2 and had 0 points on the night.  Mikeal Samuelsson continues to be a King killer, as he had another goal tonight.

Not without mention is the strong play of Quick in the Kings’ net. After standing on his head and giving the Kings every chance to win game 1, Quick’s goal allowed to Samuelsson I’m sure left a lump in the throats of many Kings’ fans. Samuelsson’s shot came from the top of the circles, and it appeared to be deflected by the stick of Matt Greene. While I can tell you from personal experience as a goalie, that wasn’t a routine save by any means, it definitely doesn’t look good. In the end it didn’t matter. The important thing for Quick was how he responded to that goal. Instead of allowing it to rattle him, he tightened down the hatches and was perfect after that. The Kings needed him to be. Through the first 2 playoff games, Quick has a 2.21 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage. Where are all the haters now? Quick has been stellar.

While I don’t necessarily agree with coach Terry Murray’s decision to sit Justin Williams, it’s amazing how much better the Kings look WITHOUT Randy Jones or Raitis Ivanans in the lineup, isn’t it?

Now, the Kings head back to Staples Center having taken home-ice advantage from the Canucks. The pressures of the first home playoff game for many of the Kings’ players could be a factor. Based on the Kings loose attitude thus far, I’d wager not. If the Kings play as well for the rest of the series as they did tonight, it’s going to be another disappointing spring in Vancouver.

GO KINGS!!!

-JS

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Series Preview: 3) Vancouver vs. 6)Los Angeles

April 15th, 2010 by Jeremy Smith

I had intended to give my typical opinionated preview of all 8 playoff series, but since I waited until 3 game ones were in the books, I’ll stay close to home and preview the series that matters most to me. My beloved Los Angeles Kings against the Northwest Division Champion Vancouver Canucks.

If you look at the regular season series between the two teams, the Kings have managed only one victory against the Canucks (both at home) in each of the last two seasons. In the first 3 games between the two clubs this season, the Kings struggled to find offense, scoring only a goal in each tilt. The 4th and final meeting was another game entirely, an 8-3 Kings romp that saw all-world goalie Roberto Luongo struggle.

While both teams have had outstanding seasons (and are close to dead even in many statistical categories), both have questions heading into this series, and they both center around the men guarding the net. Both Vancouver’s Luongo and the Kings’ Jon Quick have been less than stellar since returning from the Olympic break. Having seen every Kings’ game since, and only a handful of Canucks’ games, I would say both players are suffering from the same issue – problems with focus. In Quick’s case, he hasn’t been in his pre-Olympic form, but he did post two shutouts and got little goal support in each of his 8 consecutive winless games to end the regular season. One thing is for certain – each of these men will need to be solid in order for their team to advance. For Quick, it’s his first kick at the playoff can. For Luongo, if he loses another series in the first two rounds, his reputation is starting to look like that of a playoff underachiever.

The Canucks strength is their offense. They have the NHL’s leading scorer in Henrik Sedin, and his brother Daniel – each scored 29 goals this season. Add Ryan Kesler, Mikeal Samuelsson, Mason Raymond and Alex Burrows – each eclipsing the 20 goal mark this season, and you’re talking about a lot of firepower (I have to admit, I always thought of Burrows as the consummate pest and it kind of shocked me just a bit that he scored 35 goals this season). Christian Ehrhoff and Sami Salo are both solid offensive contributors from the back end as well.

The Kings strength – defense. Drew Doughty at 20 years old is a legitimate candidate for the Norris trophy this year. Expect Doughty (who many thought was Canada’s best defenseman at the Olympic games) and defense partner Rob Scuderi to play major minutes against the Canucks’ top line of the Sedin twins and Burrows. Matt Greene is one of the league’s most underrated stay at home defenseman – a guy who makes smart plays and hits like a freight train. Jack Johnson has improved tremendously defensively this season. Veteran Sean O’Donnell can burn up some quality minutes. As a defensive corp, the Kings do a very good job in their own end (Doughty and Johnson can do a hell of a job in the offensive zone too), and they’ve got good support from their forwards as well. Anze Kopitar has developed into one of the league’s premiere two way centers, and the shutdown line anchored by veteran Michal Handzus and second year star Wayne Simmonds (their left winger to start the series will be Brad Richardson, a pretty capable guy defensively with great speed) has played a ton of minutes against opponents’ top lines all season. They’ve been effective in helping to shut down stars like Alex Ovechkin of Washington and Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby in Kings’ wins this season. Coach Terry Murray has instilled a defense first system in the Kings’ players – and when they’re on they buy into it perfectly.

But the Kings are no scoring slouches either. Kopitar scored a career high 34 goals – and Dustin Brown, Ryan Smyth, Michal Handzus all broke the 20 goal mark. Alexander Frolov (will be interesting to see if he finds the extra gear in postseason) potted 19, and Doughty, Simmonds and Jaret Stoll each scored 16. The Kings aren’t exactly slouches on offense either.

The series is going to be determined by goaltending – and the guy that can regain his pre-Olympic form will likely be moving on to round 2. If one or the other is unable to find form, it could potentially be a short series either way. If both goaltenders rise to the occasion, I believe the Kings’ defensive system will allow them to at least do a respectable job containing the Canucks’ potent offense. The Canucks’ defense is banged up – they’ll be without their top defenseman Willie Mitchell, and Aaron Rome and Sami Salo are both going to be playing at potentially less than 100%. The Kings’ cycle and puck possession down low over the course of the series may take it’s toll on the Canucks’ defense corps. It’s often said that you win with defense in the playoffs and the Kings have a decided advantage here in my opinion.

Another thing to keep in mind – the playoffs are a time for ugly goals – and the Kings have two guys in Ryan Smyth and Dustin Brown who have turned the ugly goal into an art form.

My prediction: The Kings’ D keeps the Canucks’ reasonably quiet, their forwards wreak havoc on the battered Vancouver D down low and generate enough offense to win a series of close games. Quick steps up when he’s needed, and the Kings win in game 6 at Staples Center.

Homer pick, I know. :-)

Series starts tomorrow night at GM Place in Vancouver, 7PM on FSN.

It’s been a long time coming.

GO KINGS!

-JS

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Another Comeback Win Sets Up Playoff Series vs. Canucks

April 11th, 2010 by Jeremy Smith

As has been the case most of the past two to three weeks, the Kings did very little offensively in the first two periods. As has also become the norm lately, the Kings played a much better third period and forced overtime – the fifth consecutive Kings’ game unable to be settled in 60 minutes.

In the final minute of regulation, Dustin Brown and Alexander Frolov had a 2 on 1 and a chance to win it. Brown had Colorado goalie Craig Anderson cheating off the post and elected to to shoot, instead making the anticipated pass to Frolov that was stopped. In OT, Brown quickly redeemed himself by collecting the rebound of Drew Doughty’s shot, making a quick move with the puck and burying it to solidify only the third 100+ point season in Kings’ history.

Erik Ersberg, starting to give rest to Jon Quick, played very well, but the Kings’ offensive ineptitude over the first 40 minutes should prove to those who are paying attention that the Kings main concern is not between the pipes. When the team fails to generate offense and score goals in the first two periods of hockey for a lengthy string of games, does it really make sense to blame the goalie? Regardless, Ersberg did look sharp today – a welcome departure from his struggles early on this season, and it is nice to know that if we need him, he will be ready to go.

On to more important things! Chicago’s OT loss to Detroit coupled with the Kings’ win, secures the Kings a 6th place finish in the West and a first round matchup with the Vancouver Canucks. San Jose will face Colorado, Chicago faces Nashville and in perhaps the first round’s most intriguing series, Phoenix draws Detroit. I’m sure nobody in the Desert is happy about that!

Schedule has yet to be announced, but should be up sometime this evening per Kings’ insider Rich Hammond.

I’ll preview the series int he coming days, but for now…what do you guys think of the first round matchup? What are the keys to success in the series, how many games does it go and who wins?

It’s playoff time! GO KINGS!

-JS

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Dear Kings’ Fans…

April 11th, 2010 by Jeremy Smith

Tonight’s blog post is both a statement and a request, because it seems to me like many of us (Kings’ fans) are losing sight of the bigger picture here.

Let me start by saying, I think the Los Angeles Kings have the most loyal and dedicated fanbase in the Southwestern United States by far. We have largely stuck with the team through thick and thin (something that can’t be said for other teams) and this season, we’ve been rewarded with a good team and a playoff berth. The rebuilding process is paying dividends, and we couldn’t be happier about it. This is still a young team, which mean’s room for growth – which means this season’s success is just a sign of things to come.

Today’s afternoon tilt against Edmonton made me feel pride that nearly moved me to tears as the Kings took the ice to a standing ovation. By the time I left though, the reaction of many fans made me want to projectile vomit.

A pretty good portion of Kings’ fans right now are choosing to throw Jon Quick under the bus. He was jeered after every goal against today (two of three of which, couldn’t be considered his fault in any universe I’ve ever visited…). Listening to “Kings Talk” with Nick Nickson and Daryl Evans leaving Staples Center today, every single call I heard was full of criticisms for the team’s starting goaltender. Apparently, he’s now yesterday’s garbage. I hope some if not all of you reading this realize how asinine this is…

Jon Quick has more wins this season than any other goalie in Los Angeles Kings’ history in any single season. He is a huge part of the core of the young Kings, without whom the Kings wouldn’t even be dreaming of sniffing the postseason right now. He’s the best Kings’ goalie we’ve seen in more than a decade (yes, that includes Felix Potvin, and yes, that’s just my opinion). He’s a mere 24 years old with an entire career ahead of him, and apparently his 39 wins has earned him the right to sit in the press box in the eyes of many? Balderdash, I say.

How quickly have we become spoiled here? Remember, this is a team that finished 14th in the Western Conference last season. In one year, they’ve developed into a potential fifth seed. The core of the team is one of the league’s youngest, and undoubtedly will continue to develop and improve. The team’s window for Stanley Cup contention is wide open starting now, with an organization chock full of talent at nearly every position. This isn’t an aging team who must have the Cup this year or bust. GM Dean Lombardi has assembled this team the right way, and they’re going to compete for much longer than just 2009-10. But some of us as fans are prepared to jettison our star goalie for a winless streak that’s still managed to secure a spot in the postseason and gain points in 6 straight? Let me post a question I believe is pertinent to the situation.

Anze Kopitar led the entire NHL in points for a good portion of the first quarter of the season. When Kopitar suddenly went 11 or 12 games without a goal, were we ready to ship him back to Slovenia in a coffin? When Dustin Brown went through one of the longer goalless streaks of his career, were we ready to strip him of the captaincy and trade him for a bag of pucks and a few rolls of tape? I think that the vast majority of fans would answer these questions with a resounding “Hell no!”. Why then, aren’t we willing to give our goalie the same courtesy here, especially when his win streak has come at a time when the TEAM has shown some of it’s worst play of the entire season?

Since the Olympic break, Quick has had minimal goal support, and he has been behind a team that has struggled to put forth a consistent 60 minutes of hockey since the beginning of March. Quick has been lifted twice – in both cases as a motivational tactic for the team, and in both cases after he was victimized by goals off his own defense. There was a recent stretch where in four consecutive games, the Kings had at least one goal go off an own player.

It seems to me like some fans’ expectations of Quick have been unreasonable lately. Quick isn’t costing the team games right now. He hasn’t been at his absolute, game stealing sharpest – that’s not something I think many would argue. But the team in front of him isn’t giving him much help.

It takes a TEAM to win. Some nights, your goaltender carries the team. Some night’s it’s scoring, or solid defensive play. Those nights should pale in comparison to good TEAM efforts. Be honest, aside from the 8-3 rout of Vancouver, when was the last time the Kings put forth a great TEAM effort?

Quick needs to take his lumps, just like Kopitar, like Dustin Brown, like Doughty, like Jack Johnson and all the rest of the Kings’ players who are about to experience postseason play for the first time. Not winning the Cup in year one of the playoffs isn’t going to be the end of the world. If you were to ask players on the defending Cup Champion Penguins (current King Rob Scuderi, a Penguin last season could probably tell you a lot about it) – part of what helped them develop into the team they are today was getting manhandled by Ottawa in the first round of the 2007 playoffs, and losing to Detroit in the 2008 Cup final. These are the battles, the learning experiences that every good young hockey team must experience; the trenches they must wage war in together. To give up on one of the team’s most valiant soldiers before the real battle (the playoffs) even begins would be a huge mistake. The decision makers in the Kings’ organization know this.

While we the fans complained about Dean Lombardi’s lack of a big free agent signing, his trading of veterans for picks and prospects, he stuck to the plan. In year 4 of Lombardi’s tenure, his philosophy has bore fruit and turned the Kings into a playoff team. Jon Quick will be in goal when that playoff team takes the ice next week, and it shouldn’t be any other way. Part of Quick’s growth into an elite NHL goalie is the team’s choice to let him learn to deal with the rough spots. Quick hasn’t given up, and he’s refused to make excuses for himself. He’s maintained the best possible attitude throughout. And he deserves a chance, as a core member of the Kings, to feel the playoff heat.

I ask all of you, all of US and Kings’ fans. Let’s not take the easy way out and let 22 other guys off the hook by pointing the finger at one guy for the team’s very recent struggles. I ask all of you support our Kings TEAM, and every player that’s played a critical role in getting us this far.

Most importantly, I ask every Kings’ fan out there, to take a deep break and remember – the development of a Stanley Cup winning team in the NHL’s salary cap era, is a process and not an event.

Go Kings!

-JS

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Wil-E-Coyote Always Loses in the End.

April 9th, 2010 by Jeremy Smith

A season full of miraculous comebacks and wins; risen from the ashes of bankruptcy, perennial mediocrity and potential relocation. On the surface, the Phoenix Coyotes seem like a nice, heartwarming story. If I was a hockey fan in Arizona I’d be pretty happy with it. For the critical thinking, intelligent hockey fan though, something smells a little fishy. We’re expected to believe that all the sudden a team that finished 13th (technically tied for 14th except for head-to-head) in the West last season are now world beaters with a couple personnel changes and a new coach?

For the record, I’m no conspiracy theorist. I didn’t spawn this idea myself, but I heard a couple of credible people on TV and radio bring it up, and it just makes too much sense. I distrust Gary Bettman enough to believe he would meddle with the outcome of games to save face for his controversial insistence that a team hemorrhaging money stay put. Do I believe it’s definite that this has happened/is happening? No, but it’s certainly plausible. I just can’t look at the Coyotes roster and say with any sort of conviction “this is a 100 point plus team”. As someone’s who’s team faces them 6 times a season, there’s nothing about Phoenix that says “these guys are world beaters”, and that’s what makes foul play a reasonable idea. Dave Tippett is a good coach, but he was given more to work with in Dallas than he has been in Phoenix. Those who support the “It’s coaching” theory seem to forget that. Personnel-wise, other than having a pretty good goalie in Bryzgalov and a courageous captain in Shane Doan, the Coyotes roster is largely composed of players who have been claimed off the scrapheap in recent memory. Do the names Radim Vrbata, Lee Stempniak, Vernon Fiddler, Wojtek Wolski, Matthew Lombardi, Mathieu Schneider or Ed Jovanovski strike fear into the hearts of the opposition? Adrian Aucoin? Didn’t think so. And most if not all, have played with more talented teammates at some point in their careers. While I don’t want to believe the NHL is meddling in on-ice affairs, the more I look at the Phoenix situation, the more it’s hard to imagine that team having this kind of success without outside help. Makes me sick to my stomach thinking about it, but it also makes me wonder why more people haven’t brought it up. I suspect fear of punishment from the league has a lot to do with it. Regardless, nobody except those involved will ever know the answer to this question. Moving on…

Kings played a pretty good game for 50 minutes tonight. Two mistakes in the last ten minutes allowed the Coyotes to tie in regulation. Two points were on the table, and the Kings needed a major shootout failure to lose this one with Jason LaBarbera in net for Phoenix. Anze Kopitar waited for “Welfare” (any of you who’ve been reading my blog for awhile know why I call him that) to show pokecheck and then smoked him clean. Jack Johnson, Dustin Brown and Jaret Stoll and get epic FAIL points for shooting right into the slowest, least laterally mobile goalie in the entire NHL. All it takes is a nice fake and deke, and unless you miss the net you’re practically guaranteed a goal. Instead the last 3 Kings shooters didn’t even challenge the former King goalie (lots of painful memories associated with that) – they each simply shot right at him. It’s almost as if they thought it would be too easy to score. For that, the Kings lose the extra point, and I for one, hope that Jack, Dustin and Jaret are all ashamed of themselves for it.

Having earned a single point tonight, the Kings have 98 points now – tied with Nashville and Detroit for 5th in the West. Kings have games at hand on Nashville and more wins than Detroit, so were tonight the season finale, the 5th spot would belong to LA. If the Kings win their last two games – a home meeting with Edmonton Saturday and the season finale in Denver – they have the inside track on 5th. Funny enough, that would give them Phoenix in the first round. The obvious reason that matchup doesn’t worry me, is that there are no shootouts in the playoffs (and the Coyotes have more shootout points than any team in the league). There’s more to it than that, but I’ll withhold further analysis until we know who we’re getting in round one. A single point (or an Avalanche loss)would guarantee the Kings no worse than 7th in the West heading into the playoffs. Even if the Kings don’t do much damage in the postseason, I don’t expect Phoenix to get far. Wil-E-Coyote never wins.

While the majority of my post has been venting over a loss that I thought was extremely lucky for Phoenix, the highlight of the night was Drew Doughty’s misplacement of LaBarbera’s jockstrap. Drew Doughty Terrific Goal on YouTube. One of the most impressive King goals of the season, if not the entire league.

Next up for the Kings – lowly Edmonton. Expect to see Erik Ersberg in goal against the league bottom feeders. Hopefully the Kings are pissed off enough after tonight’s dissapointing loss to dispatch the Oilers.

See you at Staples.

-JS

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Kings Crush Ducks’ Playoff Pipedreams With Monster Comeback

April 7th, 2010 by Jeremy Smith

The Kings have beaten the hated Anaheim Ducks in 4 of 6 games this season, but no win over the Ducks in recent memory is quite as momentous as this one. The Kings at one point trailed this game 3-0 and later 4-1 before roaring back in the third period to tie the game at 4. Dustin Brown, Alexander Frolov, Justin Williams (a highlight reel goal) and Michal Handzus (off a beautiful pass from Williams) had the Kings’ regulation goals.

The overtime period was end to end action, with Erik Ersberg (who relieved Jon Quick after goal #3, in attempt to park the team, not because Quick was stuggling) making the bulk of the great saves before the Kings Jack Johnson scored to tie the shootout (Anaheim scored in the first frame at one). Ersberg stopped Saku Koivu to set up Anze Kopitar’s game winning shootout goal.

Kopitar came in on Cutis McElhinney and gave him the “Forsberg” move, introduced by the legendary Swede back in the 1994 Olympic Goal Medal Game shootout against Canada. The dramatic goal was the perfect exclamation point – The Kings had won and eliminated Anaheim from playoff contention. It wasn’t the prettiest, or the most dominating win over the Ducks in recent years, but no Kings’ victory ever meant more to the fans than this – a humiliation of the team’s most hated rival, and a fanbase that the majority of Kings’ fans flat out don’t like.

Honda Center was probably 65% Kings’ fans Tuesday night, and they were well heard during the TV broadcast. Perhaps one of the most enjoyable parts of having to deal with the Ducks’ Bush League broadcast team was hearing them about choke on every word as the Kings closed the gap on Anaheim, and eventually put them away.

This season, the Kings dominated their “Freeway Faceoff” series with the Ducks, going 4-1-1 against the foul fowl. While I thought the Kings were the better team – winning the season series narrowly – last season, this season, it really wasn’t close.

And the end result is evident of that. The Kings will be part of the postseason. The Ducks, will not. One day, both teams will qualify for the postseason in the same year, and perhaps at some point, epic playoff battles will happen. This year, is not that year.

A few hundred more just fell off the bandwagon in Anaheim…

Go KINGS!

-JS

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Back In Black…

April 5th, 2010 by Jeremy Smith

I realize the Kings PR department is beating that phrase into the ground the last month or so, but it’s now official so it’s appropriate: The Los Angeles Kings have clinched a spot in the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs. It’s a long awaited return for the Kings’ faithful, 8 years to be exact. The last time the Kings tasted postseason, they lost a second consecutive 7 game series to Patrick Roy and the Colorado Avalanche. Felix Potvin was in goal, and the Kings’ top line was that of Jason Allison, Adam Deadmarsh and Zigmund Palffy.

Calgary’s regulation loss to Chicago today, coupled with the point earned in the Kings’ 2-1 shootout loss to Anaheim last night, were enough to assure the Kings of at least the 8th seed in this season’s playoffs. Calgary could even the Kings in points if they were to win out and the Kings lose out, but the Kings would hold the tiebreaker for more wins.

Last night’s Anaheim game was a masterpiece by Jon Quick, who deserved a much better fate. A very questionable call against Jaret Stoll (which should’ve at the worse been two for Stoll and two for diving to Anaheim’s Corey Perry, who went down like a wet rag.) gave the Ducks a PP with just over two minutes remaining. They pulled goaltender Curtis McElhinney to create a 6 on 4 advantage, and Anze Kopitar failed to clear the zone.  Saku Koivu tied the game with 92 seconds remaining after Quick stopped 4 or 5 shots in a row. Koivu scored the only goal of the shootout as well.

So, having secured a playoff spot, the only question remaining now is “where?”. The Kings currently sit in 7th, but could conceivably finish as high as 4th. While that isn’t likely, anywhere from 5-8 is well within reach now. Of the potential matchups, the only one I don’t like, despite the Kings flame broiling Luongo like the Whopper the other night, is Vancouver. The Kings Have had success on some level against all other potential opponents.

The task at hand now is the close the season playing good hockey. The Kings can put an exclamation point on their already clinched “Freeway Faceoff” series with the Ducks Tuesday, and they get one more shot at Phoenix and lowly Edmonton before closing the season out against the Avanlanche in Denver. How it plays out will be interesting to watch, although the important battle has already been won.

Kings head to the scum filled puddle to face the Ducks Tuesday.

GO KINGS!

-JS

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Bernier Breaks the Music City Curse

March 31st, 2010 by Jeremy Smith

Jonathan Bernier stopped all 34 shots he faced for his first career shutout, and Scott Parse and Sean O’Donnell (yes, you read that right) scored third period goals as the Kings beat Nashville for the first time in 8 tries by a score of 2-0. The win reduces the Kings’ magic number to clinch a playoff berth to 6 points in any combination of Kings’ wins and Calgary losses.

Bernier, was outstanding, earning the games first star (an honor he’s gotten in each of his two starts for the Kings this season).

While Terry Murray hasn’t tipped his hand yet, there has been some voicing of concern over the workload of Jonathan Quick, and a general lack of confidence in the Kings’ usual backup goalie, Erik Ersberg. Murray said tonight after the game that Bernier would accompany the team back to LA, and one wouldn’t be too surprised if Bernier might perhaps be in net when the Kings face Vancouver Thursday at home. At least from my perspective though, there is no controversy. Quick has earned 39 wins this season, and has largely been outstanding for the Kings. Management has said their goal is for Bernier to lead the Manchester Monarchs in the AHL playoffs this season. I don’t expect that they’re changing their minds now. It’s possible that Bernier could get another start in the NHL this season, maybe even two, but Quick is the Kings’ number one guy, and he will be the guy between the pipes when the playoffs start, barring a disaster.

With the Kings struggle to find a legit number one goalie, much less a homegrown one, this is a quality problem to have. Quick and Bernier will be the Kings’ two rostered goalies when the 2010-2011 season begins, but with Quick holding down the fort, there’s no need to rush Bernier along. The future for the Kings’ organization in goal, be it Quick, Bernier, or one of three other top prospects, is undoubtedly bright.

Next up for the Kings is Vancouver, who at press time is laying a pretty good whoopin’ on Phoenix. The Kings have only beaten the Canucks once in the last two seasons, and much like Nashville tonight, the Kings must collect points against a team they’re usually not great against. This is the stuff that shows fortitude.

In the meantime, we’ll all cross our fingers and hope for a Calgary loss tomorrow night against Phoenix and a Colorado loss against Anaheim. It kills me, down to my very soul as a Kings fan to have to root for either of those teams, but in this case, it’s rooting for the other team to lose, right?

Kings and Canucks Thursday night at Staples.

Go Kings!

-JS

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Not So Special Teams

March 30th, 2010 by Jeremy Smith

Two five-on-three power plays: No goals. The penalty kill, which had gone 29 straight chances without allowing a goal, all of the sudden couldn’t stop a junior B power play. This is the least appropriate time of year to have such troubles, and right now, with points at stake in the Western Conference playoff race, it’s flat out costing the Kings games.

Tonight in Minnesota against a Wild team the Kings have flat out owned the past two seasons, special teams were the difference in the game. If the Kings are able to capitalize on just ONE of five power play opportunities, or kill a single penalty, they’re leaving Minnesota with at least a point earned. Instead they’ve now equaled their season high for consecutive losses and instead of sitting 5th in the West, sit 7th, only a point against 8th seed Colorado and 5 points ahead of 9th place Calgary.

The next two games don’t look great for the Kings. Next up is Nashville, whom the Kings seem to be absolutely cursed against. Last time the team’s met, the Predators reaped the benefit of a horrible call (or non call, depending on how you look at it) and beat the Kings 3-2 at Staples. Nashville has beaten the Kings 7 consecutive times and sits 3 points ahead of the Kings at press time. Jonathan Bernier, on an emergency recall from Manchester due to Erik Ersberg’s strained back, will start in goal tomorrow night. Considering that nothing else the Kings have done has solved the Preds, I say why not. Perhaps Bernier will steal a win and help the Kings’ playoff dreams stay the course. Perhaps the special teams become special again (not in a short bus kind of way). Perhaps the Preds will continue to have the Kings’ number.

After Nashville, the Kings return home to face Vancouver, another team that has stymied the Kings’ in recent times. Roberto Luongo seems to have a spell over the Kings (as he does over much of the league admittedly) and the Kings have beaten the Canucks only once in the last two seasons.

If the Kings can manage 2 or 3, much less 4 points against two opponents who usually don’t give them much. They’re also put in the unenviable position of having to hope for victories by Phoenix, Anaheim and Edmonton (two of which are not very good teams) to keep other teams in the race at bay. Best case scenario for the Kings if they can’t manage to catch fire, is for Calgary to struggle the rest of the way. Each time the Flames lose, the Kings’ magic number goes down. Right now that number sits at 8. If the Kings’ manage to break the Music City curse and the Flames fall in regulation Wednesday, that number becomes a much more manageable 4 with 6 games remaining.

Objectively, the Flames remaining schedule is Phoenix, Colorado, Chicago, San Jose, Minnesota and Vancouver. Of those six games, the only one you might call a gimme is Minnesota, and even they would enjoy playing the role of spoiler for a division rival. If the Kings didn’t manage another point, the Flames would have to win at least 3 of 6 to get in.

The Kings’ remaining schedule is as follows: At Nashville, Vancouver, Anaheim, at Anaheim, Phoenix, Edmonton and at Colorado. With the exception of Anaheim, whom the Kings have owned this season (and still won’t be an easy game because Randy Carlyle will no doubt have his goons running full force at the Kings’ stars in that home and home), not a single one of these contests will be easy. This is going to be a dogfight, and a serious test of the Kings’ fortitude.

The fortunate thing is, once the Kings’ snap out of their special teams’ funk, they know they can beat anybody in the league. The question at this point, is, can they right the ship before playoff dreams slip away?

Go Kings

-JS

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