The Los Angeles Kings are almost at the top of the Pacific Division. With Drew Doughty out of the lineup, a new defenseman has emerged in Slava Voynov. In this episode we talk about the games against the Devils and Stars, celebrate winning with a special segment and re-visit an old segment entitled “How’s That One Guy Doin’?”. Question of the Day: Should the Kings Trade Bernier?

With heavy hearts & deepest sympathies, the show must go on. In tribute to the late Jon Moncrief, KingsCast presents the next installment of the 2nd Annual Post-Season media roundtable. In this episode, we talk about the Power Play & Jamie Kompon, Brayden Schenn, Andrei Loktionov and other prospects looking to make the jump. Cheers Jon, thanks for your contribution, support & friendship, you’ll be deeply missed.

I really like that picture to the right, a lot. Is it because of the intensity of the shot? Nah. The black and white effect? Nah. Because Kevin Westgarth‘s face is blacked out? Yes. Look, I wouldn’t take shots at the guy all of the time if Terry Murray STOPPED PUTTING HIM IN THE LINEUP. JEEZ. The Kings showed their ability to hang with the San Jose Sharks Thursday night, and it’s vital that they don’t fall back on that precedent. Everyone knows who the favorite is, who’s expected to win, that we’re without our best asset in Anze Kopitar, and now our key player in the face-off circle and secondhand scoring outlet Jarret Stoll. The excuses could go on, but I expect nothing less from this club than what they showed Thursday, only with fewer miscues. As for the first installment of the playoff round, all who were expecting a Sharks win – myself included, were right. But not exactly, as the Sharks just barely muscled out the win in Overtime on a very well executed odd-man rush. Which brings me to the point that staggers in my mind as the single-most important aspect to the Kings having a chance in this series: Conservative defense, say it with me now. The back-end of this team is what’s going to win games, plain and simple. Capiche? Capiche.

Hey fellas, thinkin’ what I’m thinking?

And it ain’t politics.

To have any chance, defense must be stressed as the primary factor every shift. That will feed to Jonathan Quick‘s success, and will provide the forwards with more opportunity to transition off of turnovers. You look at the Sharks’ game-winning goal Thursday night, and notice how vulnerable we can be when our defense creeps into the offensive zone. Especially in overtime, we cannot afford to be playing with the puck up-top, granted there’s powerplay and/or ample time and space available. Neither of those were the case. You give San Jose open opportunity, and we’re all but finished. We maintained that mindset throughout, but faltered at a terrible time. Now, I will call myself out here. If Alec Martinez does control that puck, and/or Wayne Simmonds is able to posses it, you’ve got a prime scoring chance in the works. That’s playing the risk and reward game, guess how that turned out.

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Stoll-en from the Lineup

Jarret Stoll will serve a one-game suspension for his hit on Ian White. Don’t enjoy saying it, but Stoll deserved the suspendo. So, how did Oscar Moller end up filling his void?

Hey, looks like Oscar’s playoff beard is improving by the year!

I’d be grouchy myself if I was victim of seriously questionable roster choices, time after time. Well, the Kings opted not to call up Brayden Schenn after his team was eliminated from the WHL playoffs. Even though he still had a one-game cushion before burning a year off of his NHL contract, the Kings looked the other way. Not saying I like the decision, but can’t hate it. Maybe playing it a little too safe, Dean? The kid could’ve come out and had a huge influence, even for just one game. And hey, who knows, maybe the Kings would’ve sought burning a year off of his deal worth his addition.

The Kings then pursued calling up John Zeiler from the Manchester Monarchs. What?

Zeiler couldn’t clear waivers in time for the NHL to grant his presence to the Kings’ lineup tonight, so Oscar Moller slips back into Terry Murray‘s notepad again. Moller will manage his duties on the 4th line, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see some in-game shuffling for the Swede. He’s solid in winning races to loose pucks, especially on the forecheck. He won’t necessarily win those battles, but he’ll certainly disrupt the opponent enough to have an impact.

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Trap Game

This is most definitely a trap game for the Kings tonight, but the other way around. Usually when you’re talking this terminology, it means overlooking a sullen opponent and losing because of it. For tonight, it’s about the Kings not expecting to be neck and neck with the Sharks like the case was Thursday. A heartbreaking loss like that can often translate into a complete abomination in the contest to follow. Don’t come out just as hard, come out harder – with a vengeance. Focus on maintaining stay-at-home defense, protect Jonathan Quick, and execute on every offensive opportunity available. Get back what they took from you on Thursday, and head to Los Angeles with home-ice advantage.

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*Photo Credit:
Kyle Clifford, Jack Johnson, Kevin Westgarth – SharksPage at www.sharkspage.com

The Los Angeles Kings were playing great hockey….and, then, Anze Kopitar went down for the season. Is all lost for Kings fans? In this episode we talk about the implication of Kopitar’s injury, discuss the games against Colorado and Edmonton and, in the spirit of the 1980′s – we do some lines.

I don’t expect imminent change regarding Kevin Westgarth‘s position on our active roster. It would be a different story if the Kings’ were desperate to find open spots. Not the case. So, why am I bothering to touch on this? He hasn’t done anything. Really, he’s yet to even drop the mits. The enforcer role that factored into Westgarth making the team out of training camp has been nonexistent. The other enticing aspect of having the Princeton alum on the Kings’ roster was his respectable offensive output last year with the Manchester Monarchs. His contributions to the Kings’ offense this season? Snag your thesaurus for synonyms under ‘nonexistent’. The enforcer types of the old NHL are flirting with extinction. With the league’s recent evolution keying on speed and skill, teams can’t afford to ice 4th line players solely for intimidation. You need a player that boosts a 3rd or 4th line both physically and offensively. He’s failed in both roles. Already with four years of experience in the AHL, is more time in the minors a viable solution anymore? I’m not sure, my gut says no.

This is where Kyle Clifford joins the picture. He’s a better fit for the 4th line enforcer role. He’s got the physical dimension to go along with an offensive skill-set that has deemed much better this season than Westgarth’s. Clifford, more so than Brayden Schenn, is better off staying with the Kings this year. His style of play is begging for more immediate NHL experience, whereas Schenn still needs to utilize the WHL to polish the flashes of brilliance he’s shown this season. He needs to learn how to finish.

Kyle Clifford won’t take Kevin Westgarth‘s role by way of a roster move this year. He’ll have to do it throughout the course of the season with his play rather than Westgarth’s miscues. Westgarth needs to become a satisfying asset, and soon. More important than his fighting is his presence to the Kings’ offensive game. He’s got one shot on goal in ten games, and is doing nothing spectacular on the other end of the ice with a -4 rating. He has shown an inability to adapt to the NHL, and Clifford may enhance that weakness. If Kyle Clifford does remain with the Kings, which signs are pointing to since he’s dressing tonight, he’s going to get ice time. You don’t keep a prospect with the big club to be a healthy scratch. Ice time isn’t a problem for Clifford in the OHL, development is.

Forward Andrei Loktionov has been assigned to the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League. Good. He needs it. Sorry if I’m coming off blunt, I’m not trying to bash the guy. He’s got tremendous potential, but this is simply the right move. He wasn’t a burden to the offense, but just wasn’t producing at a high enough level. His time is better suited working on his development in the AHL. Loktionov entered the year with only one game of NHL experience under his belt, which was cut short due to a shoulder injury. As expected, he made the team out of training camp and dressed in seven of the Kings’ first eleven games. With only a bank-shot goal and an assist to his name, he just wasn’t an offensive factor worth keeping in a prospect-heavy lineup. Loktionov filled left-wing slots on the 4th and 1st lines, leaving his natural position at center. The Kings’ 4th line is already overflowing with centermen Brayden Schenn, Kevin Westgarth, and Trevor Lewis. To make a claim that Loktionov is a better fit than those three is pointless, even if true. It doesn’t matter, he got his thorough taste of the NHL game, and showed need for a longer tenure in the American Hockey League. The kid simply needs development! And, **Paging Mark Morris** at Center! That just seems to be a better fit, no? Loktionov doesn’t strike me as a winger, a position where you’re asking for more physical work and puck control along the boards. His style, from what I’ve seen, is best used to support his line-mates with slinky slot presence to open lanes; while jumping on loose pucks with his speed and small stature. Whatever position the organization decides to direct toward his development, building strength is going to be stressed. This is not a setback for the 20 year-old Russian, just another path to his future in the NHL. Don’t be surprised to see Loktionov in a Kings uniform again this season; Either as an injury replacement or an option if both Brayden Schenn and Kyle Clifford re-join their respective junior teams. He will continue to be an attractive future addition to the Kings, but improvement is needed before he can start looking for a condo on Manhatten Beach. Almost there. See you soon, Andrei!

Beside the final score tonight in Calgary, is there much else to view in a negative fashion about the first two games? I’m finding it easier to look past tonight’s loss since it’s so early, and since the Kings have impressed in almost every aspect. How stellar has the defense been? Beside a couple of miscues, of course. Those top two pairings couldn’t be better, and Jake Muzzin has been a pleasant addition out of training camp. You couldn’t have asked much more out of the new tandem of goalies Jonathan Quick and Jonathan Bernier. This has all intentions of the Kings putting together one of the lowest ‘goals allowed’ stat lines in the league. As for the offense, they haven’t been bad. Facing a Stanley Cup Favorite in the Vancouver Canucks, the Kings did everything but finish. Facing an expected Playoff team in the Calgary Flames, the Kings faced an angry defense coming off of an embarrassment in Edmonton, blocking a barrage of shots and exposing the Kings to working the outside all night. You’d be stubborn to not have to be pleased with the play the Kings are bringing home Tuesday night. Below I’ve got thoughts on the weekend trip to Canada, and what to look forward to Tuesday night.

Sweet Revenge: Man oh man. Not only were the Kings able to beat the team that eliminated them from the playoffs last year, but for you fellow USA Hockey fans, Jack Johnson sealed the win beating Roberto Luongo off the left post. Nothing like aiding pent-up frustration and sorrow from last year’s Winter Olympics and NHL Playoffs on one wrist-shot. How Sweet it is!

The Jonathan’s Impress: Our first look at the Jonathan Quick – Jonathan Bernier duo was awesome. Allowing a total of 3 goals on 55 shots in the two games combined is excellent. Both goalies were able to keep a Kings offense, which struggled to finish scoring opportunities, in both games. Jonathan Quick stabilized his label as the #1 goalie, and Jonathan Bernier did nothing but continue to exploit himself as a highly touted prospect. Quick stood on his head, plain and simple. The only goal Quick surrendered was due to Alexander Edler‘s presence in front of the net on a powerplay. Edler attracted Kings wingers to the top of the slot, and lost the interest of Kings defensemen to find an opening that left Quick hanging dry. Bernier played well, 29 saves against a playoff-caliber lineup. Bernier got beat on the penalty-kill by Curtis Glencross off of a turnover. Don’t blame Jack Johnson here, Anze Kopitar needs to shovel that puck into the corner. Craig Conroy, however, set the tone in what would ultimately result in a loss with a wrister from 15-20 feet out. Weak goal, but Bernier did have a couple of saves thereafter to keep it close. Jonathan Quick faces a highly underrated young Atlanta Thrashers offense on Tuesday night.

How About Those Rookies?: Brayden Schenn is already wearing out his name with broadcasters, having a big impact on our offensive zone presence on Saturday night, just missing on two scoring chances. Schenn was solid in the offensive zone tonight as well, just missing on another scoring opportunity. Really, Schenn is just inches away from having 2 or 3 goals. Kyle Clifford has shown promise as well, as that fourth line has gained early trust from Terry Murray, seeing ice time late in both games. Kevin Westgarth, the partner to those two on the fourth line has been alright. Nothing great, physical play, no fights, and a bad defensive zone turnover in Vancouver.

Where have the goals been?: The Kings haven’t been able to score, tallying just two goals in regulation this weekend. They’ve had little presence in front of the net, and when they have scored, that’s where they’ve been. The Kings have been forced to take a lot of wide shots with no rebound threat. The Canucks and Flames put a lot of pressure on Kings pointmen and cycling ability. Don’t make assumptions just yet, this offense was a break or two away from exploding this weekend.
Speaking of offense, here comes Atlanta: If you’re wondering what to look out for from the Thrashers on Tuesday, it’s their young offense. Atlanta, through trades and high draft picks, has developed a bright future. Forwards Evander Kane and Niclas Bergfors are just two key pieces to what could be an offensive force in two years. Yet another good test for our defense, and expect the Kings to face journeyman Chris Mason in goal for Atlanta. Here’s to wishing the best to Ondrej Pavelec in his recovery from his sudden collapse during Atlanta’s opener, the cause of which has yet to be determined. The Thrashers are coming off of a 5-3 loss to Southeast Division rival Tampa Bay Lightning, but opened eyes in Georgia with a shocking 4-2 win against Alexander Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals. You could argue that the Thrashers are where the Kings were two years ago. Thrashers’ GM Rick Dudley seems to be taking a very similar approach to Kings GM Dean Lombardi. Dump older, short term talent for draft picks and prospects. And that’s what they have. Young talent, not enough experience. A franchise that was supposed to crumble after losing Ilya Kovalchuk is suddenly posing as a contender in the near future.

We’re just four days from the puck dropping on the 2010-2011 season. The Kings will stay on the West side, but head North for a rematch of last year’s Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Vancouver Canucks. This will undoubtedly be a good test, and a tough one at that for a Kings roster icing a couple of new veterans and a handful of fresh prospects. You couple the seething anticipation surrounding this year’s club with an opening night match-up against the team who eliminated us from the playoffs, and you better expect the Kings to come out hard. Don’t think for a minute that playing Vancouver doesn’t add a little more intensity to the lineup. The Kings are looking to start a crucial season as their development into an elite NHL club continues to drive, and it starts against the team who sent us packing last year. As Saturday night’s opener approaches, I’ve got some last minute thoughts below:

This year’s opener will be more successful than the last. Yes, you remember that debacle against Phoenix. It would be difficult to play worse than the Kings did in the opener last year. The hype surrounding that team was a bit premature. They were in Los Angeles against a comfortable Phoenix Coyotes opponent, and were expected to make the playoffs for the first time since 2002. Media and public relations piled on extraneous pressure and pumped up egos that needed to be tamed. Most players were affected by it, but each in their own way. Escorting the players into Staples Center like it was the freakin’ Grammys while completely exposing them to the public just two hours before the game had disaster written all over it. I was looking over my shoulder in hesitant anticipation for the players to jump on floats into a parade down Figueroa. Good fanfare, but added unnecessary distractions to the team. Expectations continue to skyrocket leading up to this year’s opener, which is why starting on the road is a good thing. Better to have distractions of opposing fans than too much hype. Extra pressure is often built in front of the home fans after a long summer, playing with clear heads against an important opponent is an attractive fit.

Turn back the clock. Not literally, we’ve got another month or so of evening daylight. However, the Kings will be rocking the retro gold and purple uniforms that were worn by the franchise from their inception in 1967 until 1988. The uniforms were tweaked a few times during that 21-year period, but nothing substantial. The jersey piping and number borders were the only subtle changes, and I’m not sure which specific set the Kings are going to unveil. The Vancouver Canucks are celebrating their 40-year anniversary this season, and both teams will be donning vintage sweaters for all four match-ups this year. Too bad they’re not celebrating 20 years, I’d rather see the 90′s silver and black.

Roster Finalized to 23 Players today. The Kings announced the set roster they’ll be working with to start the season. Most notable are the prospects who survived training camp. Forwards Andrei Loktionov, Kyle Clifford, Brayden Schenn, and Trevor Lewis will be competing for long-term spots, and defenseman Jake Muzzin will get time on the blue line. Scott Parse, who was tabbed as the favorite to take the second-line left wing spot, looks to be starting the season on injured reserve as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury. Look for one of these forwards to be assigned to Manchester once Parse returns, unless that player is Kyle Clifford, who is qualified to return to the Barrie Colts of the OHL unless he plays in 9 games for the Kings. The competition between Brayden Schenn and Andrei Lotkionov for a 4th line centerman spot should continue to play itself out. Not to say this year’s results have any long-term impact on the two, but could ultimately pinpoint which player is ready to have a solid impact this season.

Bernier’s Extension. Smart move by Dean Lombardi here, not to say it wasn’t expected. Jonathan Bernier, who was slated to become a Restricted Free Agent at season’s end, is now locked up for the next three years. Granted a two year extension through 2013, Bernier is now allotted plenty of time to continue his growth at the NHL level. The best part about Bernier’s extension is the buffer zone now provided to Jonathan Quick. This is long-term, and this is Quick’s season. To have both goaltenders signed for the next three seasons gives ample time to decide on a franchise goalie. Who knows? Maybe they’ll end up as a solid tandem and become a good rotation. They’re both just too good I think, no?

I have returned from Frozen Fury!! The game was… so-so, but they won 5-3 so it was a good ending for Kings fans. I will have a full recap in a day or two, so stay tuned!

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On the news front, according to TSN, all roster questions have been answered regarding who will make the lineup for the season opener.

• Brayden Schenn has been returned to the Brandon Wheat Kings
• Jonathan Bernier has been sent to the Manchester Monarchs along with Thomas Hickey and Kevin Westgarth

This means a few things. The first being the 4th line center position might possibly just go Peter Harrold. Secondly, Erik Ersberg will take the backup role on the bench while Jonathan Quick starts the season in net hopefully being just as awesome as he was at the end of last season. Thirdly, Raitis Ivanans is a better player than Westgarth, which is something I’ve thought from Day Uno.

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Another update from last week (23rd): Rich Hammond of the Daily News will be newly employed by the Los Angeles Kings to basically do the same exact thing he was doing before. The most important part of this news is he will be able to provide for Kings fans real coverage on the road. The lack of road coverage for almost all teams is pretty despicable so I see this as a GREAT THING. He reiterated that he will not be censored by the Kings and will have full editorial control over his content. Naive me will believe this until his content proves otherwise. I’m really excited for this venture the Kings have decided to take and am happy for Rich Hammond for being the first beat writer to gain this type of recognition, visibility, and clearance by the team.

When the story broke, Frozen Royalty gave immediate props, Jon Moncrief was quick to the draw, and James Mirtle of course took note. Today Puck Daddy wrote an interesting writeup of what this could mean for Kings fans and how they get their team news.

EL SEGUNDO, CA – After the first game of their 2009-10 Rookie Tournament, a 6-1 blowout loss to the young prospects of the Phoenix Coyotes, one might think that the Los Angeles Kings’ prospects should have stuck with the drills they were working on during the first three days of their rookie camp.

Indeed, the Kings prospects were a step slow from the opening face-off on Wednesday night at the Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo, California. They were outworked and outhustled throughout by the Coyotes prospects who seemed to be intent on skating on, over and through their counterparts.

In that first game, the Kings took some early penalties and immediately put themselves at a big disadvantage and things spiraled out of control from there.

“You get four power plays in the first period, that really set the tone [for Phoenix],” said Kings head coach Terry Murray. “We were outshot 17-4 in the first period. It gets to be an easier game once you get a 2-3 goal lead.”

“They’re good, young players,” added Murray. “They’re talented guys. They’ve got to start playing more together. There was a lot of individual stuff. Whenever you get behind by a couple of goals you want to try to do too much by yourself and, as a result, it goes the other way.”

“Especially in that first period, once you get behind the eight-ball like that it’s really tough to chip away when you’re down,” said Kings defenseman prospect Thomas Hickey. “That’s was the biggest problem. Tomorrow, our focus will have to be on starting [our] game early and getting more shots because they really outplayed us in the first and that set the tone.”

“That’s where the young guys need to manage the game better,” said Murray. “When you’re playing against a team that’s going to line up at the blue line, like they did when they had a 2-3 goal lead, the open ice is what’s behind them. Again, that’s where you get into too much individual stuff, stick-handling, over-thinking and trying to create something that’s not there.”

The Coyotes prospects were intent on taking the game to the Kings physically, and it was evident that Hickey was their primary target. But Hickey did not help himself in that regard, either.

Read the rest on Frozen Royalty.