Matt Murray has been a Kings fan since the late '80s, when Wayne Gretzky grabbed headlines by defecting to the West Coast. Since then, he has been a card-carrying bandwagon member as the club soared in popularity with their sole Stanley Cup appearance to their position near the bottom of the Pacific. But things are looking brighter, as he is anxious to witness the rise of the new Kings.
Coyotes shut out Kings
Kopitar, Nagy and Brown start the game off, with Anze getting a few chances from the get-go. Cammalleri moves down to the Frolov/O'Sullivan line. It looks like Crawford is picking up where he left off last game, mixing the lines, to see if he can shake up the lines and start getting some of the forwards going.
Phoenix seems to be the perfect fit to do this, since they have had problems scoring the last two games, In fact, they have been shut out twice in the last three games against the Sharks. One thing they have decided to do to claim Ilya Bryzgalov off of waivers from Anaheim. The Kings were rumored to be one of the teams interested, but they were too far down to be serious contenders for Bryzgalov. But he may have been a nice addition for L.A., who are third from last in goals against in the entire league.
Ed Jovanowski gets a penalty, putting the seventh-ranked power play unit of the Kings on the ice. Remarkably, Frolov, Nagy and Armstrong are out there for the first shift, with the DAM line spelling them midway through the shift. The Coyotes kill the penalty, but not without some serious pressure.
After Jovanowksi's penalty, the Coyotes start peppering LaBarbera, catching up with L.A. in shots. But L.A. has seemingly been in the Coyotes' zone most of the game thus far. Kopitar and nagy almost hook up for a pretty goal, but the puck flies away. Nagy seems to be energized on the top line, but has yet to get a shot.
Visnovsky still seems out of sorts out there. Perhaps maybe Crawford should juggle the defensive pairings. Lubo and Blake have been paired seemingly all season. Maybe it's time to put Visnovsky down on a line with Stuart or Modry, and elevate Stuart or Johnson. I'd like to see Johnson and Blake out there, but that's the fan in me talking. Both players play similar styles, and may not match well on the ice.
Brian Willsie gets called for holding with just over two minutes left, and the Kings go on the PK. Blake and Modry are paired on D for the first shift, with Stuart and Johnson out there on the other line. Stuart and Carcillo get a little fiesty in front of the net, as play starts. A glove flies through the air, as play stops. But nothing happens, and L.A. has killed the penalty to Willsie.
First period: Kings 0, Coyotes 0
What is it with early 80s metal bands and arena music? So far, I've heard Ozzy, Motley Crue and Van Halen, all circa 1985. Deiter Rhule busted out U2's Vertigo, but that's not the same. If we are going to head in that direction, I suggest we replace the Kings Drummers with a monster drum kit and Tommy Lee, hammering away from the rafters. It can lower down, and Tommy could just pound away.
Zbynek Michalek gets two minutes for delay of game. I just have to say, I was going to name my firstborn Zbynek. But I got voted down. Too bad, because that would have made a great girl's name. It just rolls off the tongue.
I'm not sure what the deal is with Stuart. At minus-6, he needs to step it up more defensively. At times, he seems a little out of sync with the rest of the guys on the ice. Then, there are glimpses of brilliance.
The Kings get a penalty, when Visnovsky gets called for holding. And no sooner do David Courtney announce it, Rob Blake gets called for hooking. So, we have a 5-on-3 going for close to two minutes. Handzus is out with Johnson and Stuart. But Shane Doan connects on a one-timer, bouncing the puck off the back of the net, to put the Coyotes on the board. So now, O'Sullivan joins the other PKers, and kills off the Blake penalty.
LaBarbera has been money this period, keeping the Kings in it. So far, the Coyotes have outshot the Kings in the second period so far, and with the exception of being down two guys, Jason has played well enough to keep it a one goal game.
Niko Kapanen gets whistled for holding someone's stick, and the Kings go on the attack. The DAM line is out with Blake and Lubo, who play catch along the boards a little too long, causing some boo-birds to come out.
The second period is one I'd like to forget. Uninspired hockey, to say the least.
Second period: Coyotes 1, Kings 0
Kopitar is now out with Moulson and Brown, but the team isn't playing with a sense of urgency. No shots in seven minutes just shows me something is awry. Call me kooky, but is putting Moulson on the line with Kopitar the best fit? I mean, the kid's got skills, but I don't think he's quite there yet.
Crawford must've felt his ears burning, because he reunites the DAM line, and they get their first real chance on goal. Nagy is back with O'Sullivan and Willsie. Johnson and Visnovsky have a shift together. Stuart was in the right place at the right time, as he deflects a backhand shot on an empty net to avoid another Phoenix goal.
Crawford has shortened his bench, as the DAM line is getting on the ice every other shift.
I tink I have figured out why the 80s metal bands are played more than anything. Audioslave's Woman comes on the Staples Center speakers, and it sounds very distorted. It's the speakers, they can't handle the rock!!!
LaBarbera makes a diving save to thwart a Phoenix rush. He's made 37 saves so far, and we still have 6 minutes to go.
The Coyotes have another delay of game penalty, allowing the Kings to go up a man. And the DAM line is out there. The fans are begging for something, anything to happen, in this lackluster game. Chanting ensues, as well as lots of clapping, without any prompting from the P.A. But a lot of nothing happens, as the man-advantage is gone.
Slowly, the Kings are tallying shots. Jovanowski gets another penalty, and the Kings pull LaBarbera for a 6-on-4 attack. But Visnovsky can't hold the puck in, killing the momentum the Kings had. The game ends in a chorus of boos.
Third period: Coyotes 1, Kings 0
