You want LA Kings hockey? You’ve got it right here! In this show we talk about the games against the Dallas Stars, Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers and the Vancouver Canucks. We also give a SEE YA to Ethan Moreau, talk t-shirts and more!
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Unfortunate Headshot
Cat Nipped: Thursday night’s meet with the Florida Panthers brought home two points for the Kings by way of a 2-1 victory, but at an extremely healthy cost. Willie Mitchell, the most stable Kings defenseman other than Rob Scuderi, lasted one shift before calling the night in order to tend to an undisclosed lower body injury – never to return. Mike Richards, undoubtedly the Kings’ most vital asset on the offensive side so far this season, suffered a solid – yet subtle, blow to the head from Florida’s Sean Bergenheim. Richards, who has been placed on the Injured Reserve, is very, very likely to be suffering from concussion symptoms.
Not to say our defense has struggled, because it really hasn’t. But, it has been unstable in terms of personnel and pairing, which has lost this blue-line’s aggressive impact in the offensive zone. Mitchell poses to be a new missing threat for the Kings’ back-end, the loss of a stay-at-home defenseman. So far, Davis Drewiske has filled the gap, and he may continue to dress even if Alec Martinez returns before Mitchell does. Martinez has shown to be somewhat of a liability in the Kings’ zone, Drewiske could possibly see all games available until Willie Mitchell returns to maintain solidity in the defensive zone.
Talk about the last guy you want to see seriously injured, the guy with 10 points in his previous 11 contests, 9 of those points being goals. Mike Richards, he’s been the spotlight performer in all aspects of the Kings’ offense, 5-on-5, the powerplay, and the penalty kill (two shorthanded goals, a hangnail away from three). There wasn’t much luck without Richards in uniform Saturday afternoon, a lone goal being scored off of a Dustin Penner deflection overshadowed by a game filled with missed opportunities and draggy puck movement.
Have you seen puck movement like this from Kings jerseys once this year? Here’s a nice example of entering the offensive zone in valiant form, rather than taking the puck wide for a weak, bad-angle shot with no bodies to even seek rebounds.
At least Kostitsyn’s got ties with the Russian Mafia.
That’s kinda cool to couple with an NHL gig
Just to finish
Broken Record Player: You can’t depend on shot totals to link honest analysis, because for the Kings this season, it’s become somewhat of a scapegoat. And when saying this, that’s a mental reaction to their play. Sure, they’ve got no problem going shot-for-shot with another club over a 60-minute span, but if they were to cut down shot total, while raising the percentage of shot quality, we’d be in a better suit.
Looking simple can be great, looking simple can be awful. The difference? The mental status. The Kings are at awful, and it’s coming to the point where smart (yet non-intrusive) passes and decisions are being made to cure a terribly sterile offensive strategy. That means hitting Kopitar low along the boards, or going cross-ice to a defenseman with flat feet. There’s no such thing as simple wrist-shots, snap-shots, or anything you do with the puck to just get it ON NET with this offense. Well actually, I guess there is:
While you were in total shock of Dustin Penner scoring a goal, you missed the player (Doughty) who actually made it happen. Downright spectacular foot movement inside the zone, creates space for a simple snapper ON NET. Damnit! Can’t you see?!?
The Week Ahead: This may be the most important string of contests on the slate so far this season, the Kings are set for two Pacific Division puck-drops, and a meet with the team atop the entire Western Conference and the NHL. Tonight will be the third installment of the Kings’ six matchups with the Anaheim Ducks, who continue to sputter out of contention early, honed at the bottom of the Pacific Division and 14th in the Western Conference with a 1-7-2 record in their previous ten. If Bruce Boudreau is in fact the fix for Anaheim, the results won’t show this year.
Then it’s the NHL‘s best in the Minnesota Wild, who have taken role atop the entire league with 37 points, currently running with four consecutive wins. Their offseason dealings with the San Jose Sharks have paid off dearly, both Dany Heatley (17 pts) and Devin Setoguchi (13 pts) providing serious output for their new club. To finish the week, it’s a meeting with the only club higher in the Pacific Division than the Kings – the Dallas Stars, who sit just one point ahead. This will already mark the fourth meeting this season with Dallas, the Kings faring well for the most part going 2-0-1; however November 23rd’s meltdown still remains a sour aftertaste.
The Five Goal Club: In the Kings’ 26 games played this year, they have managed to hit the 5-goal mark in just four of them. However, that’s where this week’s opponents share a common trait – the Kings have found offensive success against Anaheim (5-3W – 11/17), Minnesota (5-2W – 11/12), and Dallas (5-3W – 10/27). This doesn’t mean much, but facing clubs that the Kings have found relatively recent success against could be a notable mental jolt for this lost offensive group.
Ahh yes…Time for another round of this unecessarily labeled cross-town rivalry
Since Bob Miller no longer can stress the deliciousness of Carl’s Jr. chicken tenders, which are breaded “ON THE PREMISES”, I’ve yet to decide what’s better this season…
Telling us to “Feel the Mexcellence”
Or going bad-ass bold marketing the Outlaw Burger
No child’s play for the Kings this week, especially with Minnesota on the slate
Tune into KingsCast’s Episode 132 HERE
Follow ‘Dancing in the Reign’ on Twitter HERE
Get your Official KingsCast Apparel HERE
KingsCast Hockey Podcast on — Facebook - Twitter - Youtube
The Los Angeles Kings came lumbering back to Staples Center clearly still full on their Thanksgiving treats. In this episode we talk about the games against Blues, Stars and Blackhawks as well as what we’re thankful for. It’s not our most positive show but, hey, it’s the holidays. Thanks for watching!
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Out of State: For a club that plugged through possibly the most difficult travel schedule in recent NHL history to start the season, the Kings have been settled in ideal confines for some time now. In the previous six contests, the Kings have hosted five dates at Staples Center, marking the visitors category just once with a quick jump on the highway to see the cross-town Anaheim Ducks.
In that six-game span, the Kings posted a 4-2-0 record, accounting for 8 of 12 possible points. The lingering gray areas surrounding this team’s performance certainly make those results acceptable. The Kings losses came at the hands of the Vancouver Canucks and Detroit Red Wings; both slow, frustrating offensive performances. However, the Kings were able to take both matchups from the Anaheim Ducks, although handing a point Anaheim’s way allowing a late goal that extended the first contest to OT and a shootout.
Unique Uni’s: This will be a quick road trip, with back-to-back dates tonight against the St. Louis Blues and tomorrow night against the Dallas Stars. The Kings won’t be donning their regular visitors’ wardrobe, but a sweater that has only made one regular season appearance away from Staples Center in team history – November 2, 2009 at Jobing.com Arena against the Phoenix Coyotes. It’ll be the black and purple crown hemline shirts for both contests on this trip. The Kings are 1-1 in the purple hems this season.
Berning up
Bernier for One: As expected, and as predicted, Jonathan Quick got the nod for both contests against the Ducks and for Detroit’s visit. Previously looking ahead to Bernier’s next start, I tabbed tonight’s date in St. Louis to be the most plausible – and Terry Murray has notioned those same feelings, as Jonathan Bernier will be in net for the Kings tonight at the Scottrade Center.
It’s best to let Quick occupy the crease against a Pacific Division opponent in Dallas tomorrow. Bernier has just two starts in the Kings’ previous 13 games, and the performances have been nothing above average. Then again, it’s tough to perform well under such a spotty schedule. Quick, like the rest of the Kings roster, looked flubbish in Saturday’s 4-1 loss to Detroit, and was also riding his 5th consecutive start. Murray’s goaltending decisions regarding this two-game road set are completely validated.
Not OV-er yet
Not Russian the Process: Even though Dustin Penner and Alec Martinez are now eligible to return from the IR, neither will due to further recovery needs – and maybe, further analysis from Kings’ brass about the situation at-hand. Both Andrei Loktionov and Viatcheslav Voynov immediately injected a boost into this offense, and the roster’s overall tempo.
It was clear in the Anaheim double-take last week that the Kings were playing at a faster, crisper pace than seen so far this year. Don’t be short on admitting, Loktionov and Voynov were huge factors in the upbeat play. It’s not so much that they’ve provided production at a great level, but these two players open a lot more opportunity and space when on the ice. Loktionov has been an upgrade in every facet of a hockey player’s skill-set than Dustin Penner, and Viatcheslav Voynov has shown more poise and control than Martinez on the blue-line, also equaling Marty’s 16 game point-total in the three games he’s been back in the NHL.
Chances are, it’s going to be the same old song for Andrei Loktionov, reporting for AHL assignment upon Penner’s return to the lineup. As for Voynov, there’s no question his status upon Martinez’s return is a hot front office topic. There’s plausible options to consider in efforts to keep Voynov at the NHL level, which could involve waiving Davis Drewiske, keeping Alec Martinez as the 7th defenseman, or trading Martinez. There have been talks, but nothing worth getting into right now. By keeping Martinez and Penner out for this road trip, the Kings could be buying time for more than just injury recovery.
Where ya been?
Secondary Slump: The Kings’ 3rd and 4th lines haven’t been providing too much spark to offensive production, if any at all. Quite frankly, you’re going to have to back-track to the Kings’ 5-goal outpour against the Minnesota Wild to find any evidence, Colin Fraser‘s goal. I wouldn’t go as far to say they’ve been a detriment, but consistent scoring still should be coming from your back-end forwards.
Speaking of which, Brad Richardson and Trevor Lewis have absolutely disappeared, and it looks like they literally will tonight in St. Louis – both are healthy scratches. Both players have a single assist to their names, and have dressed in a heavy majority of games played this season. Richardson got high-praise for his 5-point series in the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the San Jose Sharks, I had difficulty buying into it – Richardson’s current output is showing why. As for Lewis, he’s seriously reliable on the defensive end, he tends to disappear when crossing the red-line.
This looks like a guy who’s got an itchy ear
This also looks like a guy who’s about to get canned.
1-7-3 in your last 11 ain’t gonna cut it, bubs – even with a new contract. That sucks.
Tune into KingsCast’s Episode 130 HERE
Follow ‘Dancing in the Reign’ on Twitter HERE
Get your Official KingsCast Apparel HERE
KingsCast Hockey Podcast on — Facebook - Twitter - Youtube
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?
The Los Angeles Kings are on an a post-Europe tear winning four in a row. Jonathan Quick is playing terrific hockey and Jack Johnson has found his “clutch”. In this episode we talk about the Phoenix Coyotes and Dallas Stars games, float out a few players that could take home some hardware after the season over and pledge our eternal love for Mike Richards.
Solidifying their status in the NHL playoffs was the farthest the Kings went in handling their own destiny. The rest was shelved on two consecutive losses to the Anaheim Ducks, and a Detroit Red Wings victory this afternoon. Although a few contests do remain on the NHL‘s regular season slate, none have any relevance to the Kings. The final horn in today’s contest between the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks officially stamped the Kings’ first-round opponent as the San Jose Sharks. The Sharks’ 2nd seeding matches with the Kings’ 7th spot, with home-ice set in Northern California. The series is tabbed to start Thursday night in San Jose. The official dates, times, and venues will be released by the NHL at 7:00PM PST tonight. I’ll provide those along with a full preview of the San Jose Sharks – Los Angeles Kings Western Conference Quarterfinal series early in the week here at ‘Dancing in the Reign’. In the meantime, a few tidbits on the NHL going Pacific.
California Love
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The California Republic is sending all three of its NHL clubs to the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. That’s three-times more than what the entire country of Canada is representing for the postseason. Crazy, eh? Since the trio was completed with the Anaheim Ducks‘ inauguration in 1993, not once has every California team qualified for the postseason in the same year. The San Jose Sharks finish the season at 2nd place in the Western Conference, the Anaheim Ducks at 4th, and the Los Angeles Kings at 7th. Stanley Cup dreams, California dreamin’.
Playoffs on the Pacific
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The NHL is seeing a lot of ‘firsts’ develop as the 2011 playoff tree approaches full-blossom. The Dallas Stars are the lone team in the Pacific Division sitting on the outside looking in. However, they can slide into the Western Conference‘s eighth and final playoff spot with a victory tonight against the Minnesota Wild. Dallas needs two points, and they must come with a victory in regulation or overtime. If they advance to a shootout, Chicago claims the tie-breaker and clinches the final playoff spot. They need two points without a shootout, plain and simple. The Stars own the tie-breaker with the Chicago Blackhawks at the moment, they’ll send the defending Stanley Cup Champions to the golf course a bit early with a non-shootout victory tonight. If the Stars do in fact pull off a win, this will be the first time since the NHL‘s division realignment in 1993 that an entire division qualifies for the postseason. Maybe a little more respect for the oft-forgotten NHL teams located in tropical climates, no?
The Los Angeles Kings continue their journey without Anze Kopitar and Justin Williams. In this episode we talk a little about “true fans”, “faith” and winning the Cup as well as the Stars and Canucks games. Question of the Day: Will the LA Kings win a Stanley Cup THIS year?
The Los Angeles Kings are on the road one more time and they’re taking the Midwest by storm. In this episode, we talk about the games between the Blue Jackets, Red Wings and Stars, interview Rick Nash and update you on a little bet. How did you expect the Kings would do on this roadtrip? Saddle up and enjoy!
Throughout the remainder of the NHL season, ‘Dancing in the Reign’ will be recapping each week in the Pacific Division and Western Conference. Track the Kings’ push for a second consecutive playoff berth, see which teams are hot and who’s not, and note on key divisional and conference match-ups. This edition of Sunday Night Scoreboard Watch recaps the week of March 7 with a look ahead to the week of March 14.
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The Week That Was: Offensive outlets surging, goaltender turntable in smooth operation, and 4th place, and also 4th place. Could you ask for much more? The Kings bounced back from last week’s faltering finish to the homestand with three consecutive victories on the road. Overall, the Kings added seven points — in seven days, with a 3-0-1 record. The week’s slate both started and ended with the Dallas Stars. The Kings approached both meetings just one point behind Dallas, and almost surrendered extra points in both contests. A late collapse on Monday night did just that, the Stars leaving Los Angeles with two points earned in a 4-3 OT victory. Sunday afternoon flirted with deja vu, as yet another breakdown was briskly avoided at American Airlines Center. After Dallas’ Jamie Langenbrunner tied the score with just :43 remaining, Michal Handzus countered before the final horn with just :21 to play. The 3-2 victory cued the leap over the Dallas Stars in the standings. Redemption was certainly attained Wednesday night, a stellar performance from Jonathan Quick fueled a 2-1 victory against the Detroit Red Wings. A huge victory for both the Kings and Quick, ridding any lingering aftertaste of Detroit’s recent visit to Southern California. Anze Kopitar single-handedly delivered the season-ending blow to the sinking Columbus Blue Jackets Friday night. Kopitar notched the second hat-trick of his career, contributing to his monster week with four goals and three assists.
Pacific Division Standings
TEAM GP W L OT PTS
San Jose 69 39 22 8 86
LOS ANGELES 69 39 25 5 83
Phoenix 70 36 23 11 83
Dallas 69 37 24 8 82
Anaheim 69 37 27 5 79
Pacific Division Notes: The Kings’ seven points maintained pace in the division, and more – as they climb to second place. The San Jose Sharks continue to sit atop the group, picking up points in all three contests this week. Extra time was needed to decide all three San Jose contests, they dropped both Shootouts, and picked up their only victory in Overtime. Not one club in the Pacific Division is showing any signs of excluding themselves from the playoff race, everyone continues to win. The Phoenix Coyotes and Anaheim Ducks went 2-1-0 during the week respectively, and the Dallas Stars posted an honorable record of 2-1-1. As intriguing as it may look, the Pacific Division standings are almost irrelevant at this point. With every team in the division at-pace for playoff positioning in the Western Conference, that goal becomes the bigger picture. Never in the NHL‘s history have all members of a certain division made the playoffs. The 2010-2011 Pacific Division is certainly making a strong case to change that.
Western Conference Standings
TEAM GP W L OT PTS
1. Vancouver 70 45 16 9 99
2. Detroit 69 41 20 8 90
3. San Jose 69 39 22 8 86
4. LOS ANGELES 69 39 25 5 83
5. Phoenix 69 36 23 11 83
6. Dallas 69 37 24 8 82
7. Chicago 69 37 24 8 82
8. Calgary 69 36 26 9 81
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9. Nashville 69 35 24 10 80
10. Anaheim 69 37 27 5 79
11. Minnesota 69 35 27 7 77
Western Conference Notes: How attractive is that 4th seed? If the season ended today, the Kings would be looking at the Staples Center advantage in the opening round. Don’t ride the high-horse for too long, as only three points separate home-ice in the playoffs, from not even qualifying at all. Three points – unbelievable. So with that, enjoy it while you can, not a ton of security here. In a realistic mindset, contention isn’t plausible for teams behind the 11th-seed Minnesota Wild. Separation is slowly taking form, with the Columbus Blue Jackets as the newest representative. It’s simply coming down to late-season success. From the third place to eleventh, it’s a matter of winning games. Teams are too close to analyze it any different, the marathon has turned into a race. Consistency has been the trend in the Western Conference. Aside from the Vancouver Canucks‘ five-game win streak, and the Los Angeles Kings‘ three-game win streak, all other clubs in contention are maintaining pace in subtle form. Every point instills huge implications, and regulation victories become the all-important factor, especially for the Kings. The remaining schedule strictly calls for Western Conference opponents, and if extra points present themselves, they can’t afford to be surrendered.
The Week Ahead
- March 14 Through March 21 -
Tuesday: AT Nashville Predators
Bridgestone Arena, 5:00 PM PST
Thursday: VS St. Louis Blues
Staples Center, 7:30 PM PST
Saturday: VS Anaheim Ducks
Staples Center, 7:30 PM PST
The Week’s Outlook: Another Western Conference slate for the Kings this week. They’ll cap off the current four game road-trip Tuesday in Tennessee, and make way back to Staples Center for the next four dates. As for Tuesday, the Nashville Predators aren’t the most desirable opponent to hit the calendar. Coupled with the Kings’ recent troubled history with the Predators, is the fact that they currently sit at 9th place in the Western Conference. A win in their building won’t come easy. The return to Los Angeles welcomes the St. Louis Blues. The Kings have to win this game, there are absolutely no justifications for explaining a loss on Thursday. St. Louis is done, and playoff-caliber teams execute on sullen clubs. When you’re talking the finish to the week, you’re looking at a grand finale. I’d be shocked if the game wasn’t sold-out already. It’s the Anaheim Ducks, it’s a Saturday night, and the implications are fu**ing ginormous. This is hockey at it’s finest, folks. Let’s Go Kings.
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*Photo Credits:
Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles Kings, Away Primary: Michael Zampelli
Alexei Ponikarovsky, Los Angeles Kings, Away Primary : Associated Press
Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles Kings, Away Primary: Getty Images/Jamie Sabau
Wayne Simmonds, Los Angeles Kings, Away Primary: Getty Images/Victor Decolongon
