Monthly Archives: March 2016

Kings-Sharks preview

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KINGS AT SHARKS

Faceoff: 7 p.m.

TV/Radio: NBCSN / 790-AM

Update: The Kings (45-25-5) ended a three-game losing streak and edged closer to their first division championship since 1991 with a 6-4 victory Saturday over the last-place Edmonton Oilers. It wasn’t as crisp and clean as left wing Milan Lucic would have liked. He said the Kings must clean up their act defensively if they hope to play at their peak level to start the playoffs. The Kings have given up 175 goals, the second-fewest in the NHL. Lucic tied a career high with three assists Saturday. He has 49 points, including 32 assists, in his first season with the Kings after a trade from the Boston Bruins. Jeff Carter scored twice against the Oilers, giving him 20 for the ninth consecutive season and the 10th in the past 11. The third-place Sharks are 41-28-6, but only 18-18-3 at home. Their latest defeat was a 4-2 loss Saturday to the Dallas Stars. The Sharks can clinch a playoff berth with a victory over the Kings.

LA Kings coach Darryl Sutter’s quote of the night

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Kins coach Darryl Sutter talks to players during practice at the Staples Center in Los Angeles Tuesday, June 3, 2014. The New York Rangers will face the Los Angeles Kings for the Stanley Cup. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht/Los Angeles Daily News)

King coach Darryl Sutter. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht/Los Angeles Daily News)

Here’s what Kings coach Darryl Sutter said about center Vincent Lecavalier, who has eight goals and 15 points in 35 games since he was acquired Jan. 6 from the Philadelphia Flyers: “Two months ago, three months ago, they said he was done. They just didn’t finish the sentence. He’s done well.”

Lecavalier had one point, an assist, in seven games with Philadelphia.

Game report: Kings 6, Oilers 4

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Key play: Tyler Toffoli’s tiebreaking goal early in the second period propelled the Kings to a 6-4 victory Saturday over the Edmonton Oilers at Staples Center. Toffoli raced down the right wing and broke a 2-all tie with his second goal of the game and his team-leading 29th of the season.

Pivotal performer: Kings left wing Milan Lucic assisted on the Kings’ first three goals to tie his career high for assists in a game. It was his fifth three-assist game in the NHL, his first since Oct. 21, 2014 against the San Jose Sharks while with the Boston Bruins.

Quote, unquote: “We need to clean things up defensively and stuff like that,” Lucic said after the Kings ended a three-game losing streak. “I know it was great we got six goals tonight, but giving up four against is kind of unacceptable. We’ve got to clean that up with seven games left.”

Injury update: Kings left wing Kris Versteeg sat out for the fourth consecutive game because of a foot injury suffered when he blocked a shot during a March 19 game against the Boston Bruins, a 2-1 victory. Versteeg skated on his own after his teammates completed their morning skate.

Ducks left wing David Perron returns to Orange County for MRI exam on injured right shoulder

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Ducks left wing David Perron suffered an injured right shoulder during their 3-2 overtime victory Sunday over the Winnipeg Jets. How serious it is will be determined by an MRI exam. Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau told reports Perron has returned to Orange County for further examination. Boudreau said Perron is “week to week.”

LA Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick named the NHL’s second star of the week

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"Kings#32 Jonathan Quick and Kings#27 Alec Martinez stop a shot by Bruins#25 Matt Fraser in the 2nd period. The Los Angeles Kings played the Boston Bruins in a regular season NHL game. Los Angeles, CA. December 2, 2014. (Photo by John McCoy Daily News)"

Jonathan Quick. (Photo by John McCoy Daily News)”

Kings goalie Jonathan Quick on Monday was named the NHL’s second star for the week ending Sunday. He was 3-0-0 with a 1.32 goals-against average, a .953 save percentage and one shutout. He was in net for the Kings’ 2-1 playoff-clinching victory Saturday over the Boston Bruins, their sixth postseason berth in seven seasons. His week began with a 5-0 victory March 14 over the Chicago Blackhawks, his 41st career shutout, the most by a U.S.-born goalie. He shared the record with Frank Brimsek and John Vanbiesbrouck. Quick has 37 victories this season, two shy of his career-high set in 2009-10.

Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins was the first star.

Sean Monahan of the Calgary Flames was the third star.

Game report: Kings 2, Bruins 1

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Key play: Defenseman Alec Martinez’s goal early in the second period proved to be the game-winning score as the Kings held on for a 2-1 playoff-clinching victory Saturday over the Boston Bruins at Staples Center. The Kings returned to the postseason after a one-season absence.

Pivotal performance: Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick made several spectacular saves among the 27 shots he stopped to bail out his teammates. His best might have been a right toe save on the Bruins’ Brad Marchand in the first period to keep the game scoreless.

Between the pipes: Quick appeared in his 58th game of the season, with his career high of 72 still within reach. Tuukka Rask returned to the Bruins’ net after Jonas Gustavsson suffered the loss in a 4-0 defeat to the Ducks on Friday. Rask made 18 saves.

Quote, unquote: “A lot of credit goes to our first period, our goaltending and our penalty-killing,” Kings left wing Milan Lucic said. “That’s the goal of the season, to clinch a playoff spot as early as you can. Last year, falling just short, definitely gives you motivation. There are still 11 games and we want to finish as high up as we can in the standings.”

Dropping the gloves: The Kings’ Dwight King and the Bruins’ Adam McQuaid fought a lengthy battle in the first period, with King sending McQuaid’s helmet flying with a haymaker. McQuaid landed several punishing body shots with his right hand. In the end, it was a draw.

Boston Bruins left wing Matt Beleskey talks about his Honda Center return and getting high-sticked near the eye

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Here’s some of what former Ducks left wing Matt Beleskey said about his return to the Honda Center with the Boston Bruins on Friday and also taking a stick in the face that left quite a mark near his eye: “It was fun. It was fun to come back here. Obviously, the outcome is not what you want. It was weird sitting on the other bench tonight, but the first one is out of the way and you have to move on.

“Supposedly, there was no high stick call. I don’t know if he (Ducks defenseman Simon Despres) was shooting the puck. I thought he tried to lift my stick and hit me. It’s just another black eye.”