Drew Doughty for Norris? We kid. In this episode we talk about the Jack Johnson trade rumors, the search for the elusive left winger, Anze Kopitar’s scoring drought, Jonathan Quick for MVP, the surprising lack of Kings on the All Star lineup, and (of course) LA Kings hockey. Strap in, Episode 138 is live!
.
Double Deuces
Four goals in a single game
Bigger Than You’d Think: For the first time in 14 contests, and for the first time since November 22nd, the Kings managed to score more than two goals in regulation. In fact, the Kings tallied four goals – in a proverbial ‘four point game’ against the Pacific Division foe Phoenix Coyotes. With the regulation victory over the Sun Dogs, the Kings sit even with Phoenix at 39 points to share the 3rd & 4th slots in the Pacific Division‘s rankings.
Out of the Woodwork
Out of the Gate: We’re seeing clear differences with this club with Darryl Sutter housing the Kings’ bench. It’s energy, it’s effort, and we’re starting to see it early in games, and in the third period – missing components that have plagued this roster throughout the season.
When it comes down to good coaching, 2nd Period play is important, it’s about maintaining consistent effort and mentality from the roster. However, it’s not often going to make or break your overall output. Fast starts and strong finishes are the true gauge, the Kings are starting to exemplify those situations, and made perfect example of such tonight.
If you’re going the pessimistic route, you’re going to target tonight’s second frame, in which the Phoenix Coyotes took back complete control of the game. The Coyotes handled the middle frame in dominant fashion, but the Kings began, and finished tonight’s contest in a form that we’ve rarely seen all year long.
And that’s the key
Ahoy, Cap’n!
All smiles on board
Here’s some proof
Tune into KingsCast’s Episode 136 *Holiday Special* HERE
Follow the blog on Twitter HERE
Get your Official KingsCast Apparel HERE
KingsCast Hockey Podcast on — Facebook - Twitter - Youtube
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.
.
Live from Two Places
The Simultaneous Series
Los Angeles Kings @ Phoenix Coyotes – 7:00PM – Jobing.com Arena
Los Angeles Kings VS Phoenix Coyotes – 7:30PM – Staples Center
This means three things: Empty seats, gaudy uniform numbers, and goals.
Main roster players from both clubs will get their first live in-game action tonight, along with a heavy slew of prospects who are still in tryout mode. The Kings won’t make their first Training Camp cuts until tomorrow, deeming this do or die for a handful of names, most of whom wouldn’t be in serious contention for a roster spot anyway. So yes, that means split-squad, where both the Kings and Coyotes will ice two rosters balanced with veterans and prospects.
The Phoenix Coyotes’ season-ticket holders (4) had a little fun with this gig last year, deciding to “Split-Squad View” the games. How clever! Fred and Marissa (pictured) stayed put in Glendale, while Bob and Kim (not pictured) traveled to LA! Bob and Kim won’t make it this year unfortunately, they sold their season seats to subdue the tax raise they’re getting slammed with just to keep the Coyotes in town.
I
Probably too much, probably.
About that time – Interior Design
Fresh Surface: The Staples Center staff began paint application to the Kings’ new ice surface this morning, a process that will likely take a day or two longer to complete. As noted in a couple of previous blogs, the new ‘LA shield’ logo will make it’s center-ice debut on September 21st in a split-squad preseason contest against the Phoenix Coyotes. This replaces the black, purple, and silver crown as the rink’s featured art-work, where it was tucked inside the center-ice circle since the 2002-2003 season. However, the crown is hanging around, creatively implemented into the red-line.
Talking Aesthetics, Again: Just when you think the Kings were settled on uniform plans for the 2011-2012 season, another questionable decision blindsides the fanbase. It was understood that the Kings’ former primary home uniform would be implemented as the new home alternate, making room for the new ‘LA Shield’ primary home and away sweaters. Well, not quite the case. In what was first reported via MayorsManor, and later released in an official statement from the Kings, purple has been dropped from the repertoire. But, has it? Not really, which justifies this decision as being terribly senseless.
The purple-less crown (left) will take place as the new crest on the template shown (right).
And it makes no sense: The Kings didn’t actually rid of purple from the wardrobe, unless I’m missing something here. So, while keeping purple on the elbow piping and shoulder caps on the “new” alternate uniform, you’re going to eliminate purple from the uniform’s crest? This is going to look terrible, and it will last for two years – maximum. Mark my words. Talk about an ugly ending for the crown and the black hem-lines.
Speaking of ugly endings.
Joe Thornton will never have a bigger moment than this in his NHL career.
This is your final sighting of the Kings’ Crown on ice. Let’s talk in two years, I guarantee more uniform changes. This has been a complete disaster, I’m looking forward to the amendment of this summer’s uniform debacle. I can deal with it, this club is a legitimate Stanley Cup contender. Unfortunately, the organization failed in providing a solid wardrobe for the show.
If recent games have portrayed anything other than the Kings’ dismal power-play, it’s got to be the rise in importance goaltending looks to be for a postseason berth. But really, when is it not? In analyzing the reoccurring inconsistencies that have plagued both the offense and the defense, you’ve got to turn your attention to the single-most important variable — goaltending. Take a look at the two victories in the Kings’ previous five games, the primary factors hit the eye immediately. A shutout performance from Jonathan Bernier notched two points Thursday against the Phoenix Coyotes. And tonight, Jonathan Quick had a dandy against the Detroit Red Wings stopping 28 of 29 shots. With just 15 regular season games remaining, they’re undoubtedly going to be prominent factors in the Kings’ playoff pursuit.
You may hope the issues are resolved, but you can’t depend on this power-play for ample support. A man-up, the Kings are a horrific 1 for 13 in their previous three games, and at times resembling confusion that makes you uncomfortable just observing the disaster. The offense in it’s entirety has been streaky throughout the year, it hasn’t justified itself as being the determining factor for these final 15 games. You can certainly argue that the defense has recovered from early-season woes to become a consistent asset, which attains to Jonathan Quick and Jonathan Bernier signifying vitality.
There’s a clear-cut difference in the goalie situation this year than it’s status last season. That difference? Having two dependable names in the crease. After expressing his discontent to start Erik Ersberg early last season, Terry Murray used and abused Jonathan Quick to the extremity of exhaustion. This affected Quick’s play after the 2010 Winter Olympics, which carried into the postseason. Quick appeared in 72 games during the ’09-’10 regular season, and has gotten Murray’s call only 48 times this year. We’ve got two good things happening here: Jonathan Quick is getting consistent rest, and his back-up is one you can trust. Even better, the goaltending turntable has yet to show any negative mental effects from either Quick or Bernier. And if you look closely at Terry Murray‘s goalie decisions this year, they’re spot-on. He’s been able to decipher between the positive and negative effects of his goalie selections, which was not the case last season. Looking at the Western Conference standings, you’ll notice that the extra point for grabs in overtime and/or shootout games becomes quite crucial. Here, both Quick and Bernier have a huge effect. The pursuit of a second consecutive playoff berth hinges on every single point available, in every single game. Having two trustworthy goaltenders supporting a tumultuous roster helps the cause.
*Photo Credits:
Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings, Away Primary: Getty Images/Ronald Martinez
Jonathan Bernier, Los Angeles Kings, Home Primary: Michael Zampelli
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 February 7 with a look ahead to the week of February 14.
——————————————————————
The Week That Was: The week started with a four-day break from action as the Kings prepared for an East Coast swing which called for a contest on Thursday night and a pair of matinees on Saturday and Sunday. The Kings, with a 2-0-1 record this week, have recorded at least one point in their last ten games with a record of 8-0-2. The injury-ridden Pittsburgh Penguins were the downpoint to the week, the Penguins recovered from a shocking loss to the New York Islanders with a 2-1 overtime victory with the Kings in town. Jordan Staal continued his strong return to Pittsburgh’s lineup with the OT decider against the Kings. Saturday afternoon called for 3rd period goals in bed. In what was a 9:30 AM puck-drop Pacific Standard Time, the Kings’ overwhelmed the Washington Capitals with three unanswered third period goals, leaving the Nation’s Capital with a 4-1 victory. You couldn’t have asked for a sweeter finale on Sunday, the Kings knocked off the Eastern Conference‘s elite with a 1-0 shutout victory. The win snapped the Philadelphia Flyers‘ three game win streak, a team who is also a stellar 13-3-0 in their last 16 contests. Anze Kopitar tallied his first goal in 11 games in Washington, just his second goal in his previous 20. Goaltenders Jonathan Quick and Jonathan Bernier enter the week on good terms allowing only 3 goals combined with no regulation losses.
Pacific Division Standings
TEAM GP W L OT PTS
Dallas 56 31 19 6 68
Anaheim 57 32 21 4 68
Phoenix 57 29 19 9 67
San Jose 57 30 21 6 66
Los Angeles 56 31 22 3 65
Pacific Division Notes: Although the Kings have grabbed points in ten consecutive games, they continue to vacate the cellar of the Pacific Division. The San Jose Sharks, who jumped to 2nd in the division last week find themselves back in 4th with a 2-2-0 record this week. The Dallas Stars manage to maintain the top slot with a 1-1-1 record following three consecutive losses. They’ve surrendered their cushion with a 3-6-1 record in their last ten games. The Phoenix Coyotes and Anaheim Ducks continue to win, both clubs snagging six points this week with 3-0-0 records respectively.
Western Conference Standings
TEAM GP W L OT PTS
5. Nashville 56 30 19 7 67
6. Phoenix 57 29 19 9 67
7. San Jose 57 30 21 6 66
8. Minnesota 55 30 20 5 65
- – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – -
9. Los Angeles 56 31 22 3 65
10. Calgary 58 28 22 8 64
11. Chicago 56 28 22 6 62
12. Columbus 56 28 23 5 61
Western Conference Notes: For the second consecutive week the Kings pocketed five out of the possible six points on the board. Even without a regulation loss, the Kings dropped out of the top eight, just goes to show how tight things are this year. The Pacific Division remains a stronghold in the playoff picture with the Kings as the only team in the group out of playoff position. A week away from the Western Conference allowed for point-implications to center in on this team, with extra points only available to the Eastern Conference. The previous two weeks have done little in separating contenders from pretenders, which may have an effect on moves initiated at the trade-deadline. The only way to keep pace in the conference is with wins. Three teams are within striking distance of the Kings’ 9th slot, with only 4 points separating the 12th seeded Columbus Blue Jackets. Add the Colorado Avalanche to the list of outsiders, they’re sinking fast with seven consecutive losses. You can safely count out the St. Louis Blues and Edmonton Oilers from playoff contention as well. 12 out of the 15 teams in the Western Conference are wholeheartedly in the playoff hunt. Not a ton of room for error.
The Week Ahead: Three games are slated for the week, two more contests with Eastern Conference opponents along with the third meeting of the season with the Columbus Blue Jackets. The franchise-record ten game road trip hits it’s 7th, 8th, and 9th installments with a Midwest twist. The Kings start the week in Ohio against a Blue Jackets team that is riding two consecutive wins, just four points behind the Kings in the Western Conference. The remainder of the week calls for New York, Thursday night at Madison Square Garden against the Rangers and Saturday night in Uniondale against the Islanders. The Rangers hold the 7th spot in the Eastern Conference, the Islanders own the 14th position. Extra points are for the taking in New York, but Wednesday night’s visit to Columbus can’t afford much but a regulation victory.
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 January 31 with a look ahead to the week of February 7.
The Week That Was: The Kings resumed play with a donut in Minnesota, but managed to snag five out of the six points on the board this week. Extra points were surrendered to Western Conference counterparts Minnesota and Calgary with shootout implications in each contest. After Niklas Backstrom blanked the Kings in 65 minutes of play and three rounds of a shootout, the Kings responded with six goals in their next two games, three of those goals coming on the powerplay. The offense has seemed to embrace a heavy-shooting approach since the drought in Minnesota. Jonathan Quick has two consecutive wins, and Jonathan Bernier is riding a shutout. Justin Williams was a factor in Calgary, and it’s been too long. Williams’ tallied three points in the game, equaling his total in his previous eight games. Dustin Brown decided to take part in Saturday night’s scoresheet as well, with a goal and an assist. Brown recorded his first goal since December 8th, and his two points in the game eclipsed his total in his previous eight games.
Pacific Division Standings
TEAM GP W L OT PTS
Dallas 53 30 18 5 65
San Jose 53 28 19 6 62
Anaheim 54 29 21 4 62
Phoenix 54 26 19 9 61
Los Angeles 53 29 22 2 60
Pacific Division Notes: The San Jose Sharks were the story of the week, jumping from 4th place to 2nd in the division. San Jose knocked off Pacific Divison clubs in the Anaheim Ducks and Phoenix Coyotes to return from the break. The Sharks finished the week in Boston with a shutout victory over the Bruins, giving them a 2-0 start to their season-long seven game road trip. Just as notable, the top spot in the division remained idle, as the Dallas Stars failed to add to their 65 points with three consecutive regulation losses. Anaheim and Phoenix fell one spot in the division standings respectively. The Coyotes finished the week with a 1-2-0 record, and the Ducks split their two games going 1-1-0. What seemed far-fetched just a week ago suddenly becomes a realistic goal, a Pacific Division championship. The Kings, although still sitting in the basement, are only five points out of first place.
Western Conference Standings
TEAM GP W L OT PTS
4. Nashville 53 28 18 7 63
5. San Jose 53 28 19 6 62
6. Anaheim 54 29 21 4 62
7. Phoenix 54 26 19 9 61
8. Los Angeles 53 29 22 2 60
- – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – -
9. Minnesota 52 27 20 5 59
10. Calgary 54 26 21 7 59
11. Chicago 52 27 21 4 58
Western Conference Notes: With the 5 points pocketed this week, the Kings find themselves back in the Western Conference‘s top eight. In a matter of three games, the Kings hopped three slots to improve from the 11th seed they held last week. This makes the Pacific Division the only grouping in the NHL to have all of it’s teams in the playoff picture. Breaking the top eight is no reason to sit satisfied, six teams are within six points of the Kings. 14 of the 15 teams in the conference are contending, the Edmonton Oilers have a furnished basement. You really can’t argue security unless you’re talking the Vancouver Canucks, who are undefeated out of the break, riding five consecutive wins and atop the Western Conference with 77 points. The Kings take a break on conference opponents this week, slated for contests with three teams that make up the Eastern Conference‘s top five.
The Week Ahead: The franchise-record 10 game road-swing continues with three games scheduled for the week. And boy, does it look difficult. The Kings visit Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin for their only meetings with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals this season. Pittsburgh holds the 4th spot in the Eastern Conference, and Washington is in the shadows in 5th place. For the Penguins, they’ll be without Evgeni Malkin, who is out for the season with two torn ligaments in his right knee. Crosby has yet to return from his concussion syndromes, his status for Thursday night is unclear. Pittsburgh is 8-2-0 in their previous ten games. As for Washington, they’re slowly recovering from January with two consecutive victories and a 5-2-3 record in their previous ten games. Defenseman Mike Green, who took a puck to the head off of a Brooks Orpik shot earlier today, isn’t expected to miss any time. The Kings will cap off the week while finishing their back-to-back weekend matinee series in Philadelphia. The Flyers are atop the Eastern Conference with 75 points, and hold an 8-2-0 record in their last 10 games. The Philadelphia Flyers are 1-0-0 against the Kings this season with a 7-4 victory on December 30th in Los Angeles.
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. Our first edition of Sunday Night Scoreboard Watch recaps the week of January 24 with a look ahead to the week of January 31.
- – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - -
The Week That Was: Like the rest of the league, the Kings’ had a short week of work due to this weekend’s NHL All-Star Game in Raleigh, NC. Only two games were on the slate this past week, an Eastern Conference opponent in the Boston Bruins and a Pacific Division rival in the San Jose Sharks. With victories against both opponents, the Kings entered the break on a three game win streak. The Kings now have 55 points through 50 games, here’s where they stand in the Western Conference and Pacific Division:
Pacific Division Standings
TEAM GP W L OT PTS
Dallas 50 30 15 5 65
Anaheim 52 28 20 4 60
Phoenix 51 25 17 9 59
San Jose 50 25 19 6 56
Los Angeles 50 27 22 1 55
Pacific Division Notes: If you’re looking for a surprising division, look no further. Out of this group, there were two highly touted favorites to win the division; the San Jose Sharks and the Los Angeles Kings. Hasn’t really worked out. The Anaheim Ducks and Dallas Stars have shocked the league, and they continue to win; Anaheim and Dallas have 7 wins in their last 10 games respectively. As of now, the Kings’ attention must be centered on a top 8 seeding in the Western Conference. A division championship seems far-fetched at this point, and quite frankly shouldn’t even be stressed.
Western Conference Standings
TEAM GP W L OT PTS
5. Anaheim 52 28 20 4 60
6. Phoenix 51 25 17 9 59
7. Chicago 50 26 20 4 56
8. San Jose 50 25 19 6 56
9. Colorado 50 25 19 6 56
10. Minnesota 49 25 19 5 55
11. Los Angeles 50 27 22 1 55
12. Calgary 51 24 21 6 54
Western Conference Notes: This is as tight of a conference you’ll see at this point of the season. There are six teams within five points of the final playoff position, only the Edmonton Oilers can truly count themselves out at this point, sitting in the basement with a lowly 38 points. With 55 points, the Kings sit at 11th place, but only one point from breaking the top eight. Talk about Pacific Division dominance this season, the Kings are the only team in the group out of the top eight.
The Week Ahead: The schedule out of the All-Star break certainly doesn’t favor the Kings. A season-long 10 game road swing begins tomorrow night, with three games slated for this week. Looking at the upcoming three opponents, you could tag them as “should win” games. Unfortunately, “must-win” is the only manner in which these opponents can be approached. Tuesday night calls for the Minnesota Wild, who sit one spot ahead of the Kings in the conference with 55 points. The Kings are 1-0-1 against Minnesota this season. Wednesday night is slated for the Edmonton Oilers, the cellar dwellers of the West. The Kings are 2-0-0 against Edmonton this season. The week will continue, and finish in Alberta. The Kings’ will skate with the Calgary Flames Saturday night; Calgary sits one spot behind in the conference with the 12th seed with 54 points. The Kings are 1-1-0 against Calgary this season.
Associated Press / Reed Saxon
Associated Press
