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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.« December 2007 | Main | February 2008 »
Purcell, Moulson and Handzus start the third, and immediately get the puck in deep. I'm sure it helps Moulson and Purcell to be linemates down in Manchester. Moulson earns a shift with Armstrong and Frolov, and gets a solid chance again.
Osgood snaps an Ivanans shot out of mid-air with authority, halting another Kings effort. Brown tattooes Kronwall by the Detroit bench, but no one notices it. They were too busy watching Franzen force the puck past LaBarbera to put Detroit up by three.
Detroit puts up a red fence, right in the middle of Staples, forming a line of forechecking that baffles the Kings' top players. Just too much experience for the youngsters' limited bag of tricks.
Blake hooks and gets caught, putting LA down a man. The Kings kill the penalty, which will help their PK rating. But that and 50 cents will get you a cup of coffee.
I have never seen Kopitar get angry on the ice, until I see his head whip around to glare down Datsyuk, who apparently angered the Slovenian.
Purcell gets a shot to play on the top line with Kopitar and O'Sullivan for a while, and he makes the most of it while they are out on a line change.
The Kings drop one to the best team in the league. Who saw that coming?
Third period: Red Wings 3, Kings 0
The Kings are slow to start the second period, as Detroit starts setting up shop in the Kings' zone. But Detroit gets a little too pushy, as Downing gets called for tripping Thornton. But again, the Kings can't get anything started against the Wings' 8th-ranked penalty-kill.
It sees to me that Detroit is just playing uninspired to start the period off again. But Handzus doesn't help matters, by holding Holmstrom, putting the Wings on th power play. But L.A. does a decent job killing off that penalty, much to the delight of the Staples Center crowd wearing purple and black.
Thornton gets two for hooking, and Detroit is back on the PP. Although Detroit has been a well-oiled machine this season, they look sloppy tonight. The Kings defense is playing well, helping LaBarbera out, which is always nice. However, the Kings have stopped shooting. The teams are now tied in shots.
Detroit is doing really well forechecking. And a great example of this is when Samuelsson strips the puck away from Johnson and skates in, firing the puck past LaBarbera's glove side to put the Wings up by two.
Osgood has been playing well, but has hardly been tested in the second.
The line of Handzus, Moulson and Purcell do have some chemistry out there. LaBarbera has a great save, when a Detroit player skates past the defense, and Jason follows him across the crease, blocking the ice with his stick.
Blakes puts an exclamation point on the period for the Kings, but they still trail by two. Purcell and Moulson have another solid shift, hustling their asses off and getting some shots as time expires.
The drummers are back. Ugh.
The Wings are without Zetterberg, which bodes well for L.A. Purcell and Moulson are on the same line with Handzus. Purcell has a nifty wrap-around attempt that almost goes in. Moulson has registered two shots so far. That line has been clicking the first two shifts they have been out there.
It's been all Kings the first three minutes, outshooting the Wings 7-1. Detroit looks a little slow out of the gate, much to the chagrin of the Detroit fans in the audience.
Detroit scores first when Datsyuk finds Holmstrom at the top of the crease to pop in his 19th of the season. Datsyuk used a Kings defender like a pylon, skating past him with ease.
For some unknown reason, LaBarbera's stick slips out of his hand. That boy needs Stick-Um on his gloves.
Moulson gets introduced into the NHL by Kronwell, as he gets hammered by the boards. Now the Kings are having a harder time skating into the Wings' zone.
The Kings get their first power play of the game, when Rafalski gets called for interference. Detroit does a great job stalling the Kings before L.A. gets a few chances on net. But there's not enough sustained pressure to get any more chances.
Blake and Stuart are paired up, as Johnson is back with Preissing for a shift. Stuart pummels Downey, as Detroit Fan grumbles.
L.A. outshoots the Wings, but are down one.
First period: Red Wings 1, Kings 0
After a three-game road trip, where the Kings finished 2-1 against the Western Conference's Canadian teams, we are back in Staples for a game against the best team in the NHL, the Detroit Red Wings.
The fans are decidedly a more reddish hue tonight, as the front-running fans are out in force. However, this game is hardly going to be a wash. Both teams are playing well right now. Detroit is 6-3-1 in their last ten games; L.A. is 6-4-0.
This is also a matchup of high-powered offense in the West: Detroit is the top scoring team in the West, L.A. is the fourth best scoring offense. However, L.A. is still dead last in goals allowed, whereas Detroit is first.
L.A. is playing their best hockey of the season right now. This will be a good measuring stick of where the kids are at this season.
The Kings get a killer chance, when Kopitar drives in and passes over the Johnson at the last minute. But Johnson was skating the wrong way, as the Stars go on the attack.
Johnson holds on to the puck and tries top clear it out. But it's picked up by a Stars player. But Blake plays his man perfectly, causing him to cough up the puck.
Kopitar looks dead tired, as he skates across center ice. He passes it over, but doesn't quite have the speed to follow up with a pass back. He skates off with a minute left, handing it over to O'Sullivan.
Both teams are seriosuly fatigued as they skate for the shootout.
Kopitar scores!
Hagman misses!
Frolov misses!
Modano wrister saved by LaBarbera.
Brown wrister saved by Turco.
Miettinen scores!
O'Sullivan scores!!!
Ribeiro wrister saved by LaBarbera!!!
Final score: Kings 4, Stars 3 in a shootout
The Kings get an early power play, as Miettinen was called for tripping as the second period expired. But the Stars have the top penalty kill in the league, and they do just that.
Then Preissing gets two minutes in the sin bin, as the league's second-worst PK unit takes to the ice. Brown is able to wrangle the puck away for a short-handed attempt. But Turco cannot be fooled, as the Stars continue to be on the attack. Blake then gets sent to the box for cross-checking, giving the Stars a prime chance to tie the game.
L.A. kills the two-man advantage, but allow another bone-headed penalty, when Stuart gets two for delay of game, giving Dallas their third two-man advantage. The game is tied, when Modry is nailed by Niskanen's shot from the point, slowing the puck down, as it arcs over LaBarbera and into the net. The Stars still have the man-advantage.
LaBarbera makes a huge play on Halpern, as he shoots on a tight one-timer, and snaps the puck out of the air. The Staples Center crowd gives Jason a rousing roar of approval, as they show the replay. He extended fully, and made a beautiful save to keep the game knotted at 3.
The Kings are playing with some steam, trying to capitilze on the seemingly tired Stars.
L.A. gets another power play, when Ott gets a deuce for hooking Nagy. But the Stars seemingly stymie the Kings with one fewer player on the ice. Dallas kills the penalty, as both teams are slowing down now. As we head to overtime!
Third period: Kings 3, Stars 3
The Kings and Stars are now hitting hard. Brown is just a monster. As was noted on the telecast, Brown's hits aren't just lethal, they're also legal. He rarely gets a penalty for them, because they're clean. But he's not even leading the Kings in hits today. Stuart with throwing around his body with wild abandon.
Both teams seemed to have cooled considerably as the second unfolds. Every time one teams seems to get the momentum, the other comes back. Case in point, the Stars are buzzing, cycling the puck and peppering the goal. But Morrow gets two minutes for interference, giving the fourth-ranked power play a shot with a man-advantage.
And L.A. comes right out and scores, as he throws the puck on net, and Kopitar skates in front of Turco, seemingly tripping him, as he gets his stick on Blake's shot. The puck trickles in, giving L.A. their first lead of the game. The All-Star Kopitar gets credit for the goal, as Blake gets the assist. Brown should've gotten credit for the second assist, since it was his forechecking that got that started.
L.A. almost gets another, when Nagy's shot surprises Turco. But he makes an acrobatic save to hold off the Kings. The shots are even again, with each club adding 6 shots. But L.A. keeps up their hit parade. Brown has found his stride, and Blake is playing inspired hockey this game.
Second period: Kings 3, Stars 2
Dallas gets a rare two-man advantage early, when both Johnson and Guilano get concurrent penalties, giving the Stars a two-man advantage for two minutes. LaBarbera makes some tremedous saves, but Halpern puts one in with three seconds left to put the Stars up by one.
Then, 16 seconds later, Dallas strikes again. Eriksson puts in a rebound from behind LaBarbera to make it 2-0. And here we go again.
O'Sullivan gets a penalty for tripping Halpern, but the Kings kill the penalty. Then as O'Sullivan leaves the box, the puck is fed to him and he skates in. He puts the puck on net, and the rebound finds it's way to Frolov, who scores to put L.A. on the board.
LaBarbera is showing more comfort handling the puck behind the net. I guess Ranford is giving Labs some good guidance when it comes to puck-handling.
Then, less than a minute later, Armstrong scores to tie the game. As I'm listening to Jimmy Fox on FSN West, he notes that in the last 17 shots faced by Turco, he has let in 8 goals. I guess that's good for Los Angeles. Another good sign: the home team has won each game in this series. Dallas is 2-0 at home, while L.A. is 3-0 at Staples.
The shots were even, (12 a piece) but the hits were not (17-9 in favor of the Kings). It was great to see the Kings come back after being down by two goals. Not something you can count on every night. But they have made it a game again.
First period: Kings 2, Stars 2
The Kings were unable to build off the power play to start the third. Since Toskala has come in, he has been solid in goal, settling down the visiting Maple Leafs.
Johnson gets two for slashing, as the Leafs try to get something going. But L.A. kills the Johnson penalty, as it seems they are content with sitting back and playing defensively. Not a bad idea, since this is Los Angeles, and they lose big leads like Pam Anderson loses husbands.
LaBarbera has played awesome tonight, really making difficult saves, and looking like the LaBarbera of old.
O'Sullivan had a beautiful chance, but was stonewalled by Toskala. The Leafs' Kubina gets called for holding, as the Kings take the PP-mobile out for a spin. But they barely get a chance to take it out for a spin, before they have to put it back in the garage.
The Leafs score another, when Tucker scores from between the circles to give them two goals. The Kings are still playing conservatively, unless the top line is out there. The Leafs are outshooting the Kings, but aren't getting many good looks at the net.
Kilger gets two minutes for hooking, as the Kings gets yet another chance on the power play. Brown has a golden chance to get a hat trick, but shoots wide.
Kopitar gets a rare penalty, a hooking penalty, his sixth of the season. The Leafs are attacking the goal with wild abondon. But LaBarbera makes save after save. he is a man possessed tonight. He even slides out of the crease and winds up sitting on the puck to stop play.
The Leafs pull Toskala with 1:40 left in the game, and go with six players with the puck dropped deep in the Kings zone. Blake just hip-hammers a Leaf into the boards, much to the delight of the Kings fans in attendance. Johnson shoots wide of the crease, missing his bid to score tonight.
Third period: Kings 5, Leafs 2
Vesa Toskala is now in goal for Toronto, replacing Raycroft. Can you believe there were reports of Raycroft to L.A.? I don't believe in internet rumors, so it doesn't surprise me. He stunk up the joint, worse than the burned popcorn in the break room.
Ponikarovsky (Man, I love that name) sends Handzus into the boards and gets a penalty. LA. gets several chances, including Brown, who has two PP goals so far this game. But Toronto stands firm, and L.A. is denied.
Blake fires one from way downtown, putting the Kings up 5-0. The Kings have been cycling and circulating the puck, and one finally makes it through. It's Blake's fourth of the year, and his first in seven games.
The Leafs have a quick two-on-one, but they are shut down by LaBarbera. Although the Leafs have 9 shots so far, he's playing well. The defense is also blocking shots, so he doesn't have to stand on his head.
Kopitar is announced to the Staples Center as the sole representer of Los Angeles, and he is greeted by a warm round of applause. The kid deserves a trip, he's been the Kings best player this season.
The glass is shattered in the corner, as play stops. I've never really noticed that it takes 10 people to change on of those huge panes of glass. It takes a little time, because it's on the corner where the net is tethered to. Usually, the glass just has a straight crack in it. But it looks like the time I threw a hammer through my bedroom window, back in 1984. I wanted to try the Hammer Throw I had seen in the Olympics. Oops.
Guilano gets whistled for hooking, and the Leafs finally get on the board. Antropov beats LaBarbera for his 16th goal of the season. The Toronto crowd cheers much louder than the Kings, which sounds more like a sigh of relief than an actual celebration.
Johnson gets two for interfering with Sundin, and gives him a little shove after the veteran dove to the ice. I can't say I blame Johnson for being a little mad. Then Sundin draws Blake into the sin bin, giving Toronto a two-man advantage.
So Modry, Stuart and O'Sullivan are out there to stem the tide. LaBarbera has a sweet save, spreading wide to halt a Leaf scoring drive. He does it again, this time with his pads, kicking away a shot with authority. He then absorbs a cannon shot from the blueline.
The Kings kill the Johnson penalty, as LaBarbera is being called on to make some heady saves. Johnson, Visnovsky, Handzus and Calder kill the Blake penalty. And with 21 seconds left in the second, Ponikarovsky (I love that name!!) gets called for tripping. So the Kings will have the power play to start the third.
Second period: Kings 5, Maple Leafs 1
Every time a goalie makes a save, fans let out a smart-alecky cheer, since both tenders have seen better runs. I'd say there's quite a few Leaf fans at Staples, as fans' electric blue jerseys stand out from the black ones of the Kings.
Modry hits a laser beam, but it clanks off the post loudly, causing the fans to moan in unison.
The Kings score first, when Calder backhands a shot past Raycroft for his sixth of the season. Raycroft has been giving up some big rebounds, and he couldn't hold on to that one. It was the first time the Kings scored first in a long time. Usually, they spot the team a few before they get going.
The Leafs only have one shot so far, as the Kings look a little more focused than last game. LaBarbera makes two very nice saves when the Leafs finally register a few shots. I think fans are ready to jump all over LaBarbera again if he lets in another soft goal.
Antropov tries a wraparound, but LaBarbera is there. Dustin Brown draws a penalty when he's held by Kaberle, as the Kings go on the power play. And Dustin Brown knocks it in, when O'Sullivan's backhand toward the net and Raycroft fails to pull it in. Brown skates after it, and the puck dribbles in. O'Sullivan and Kopitar with the assists.
Frolov joins in on the fun, as he skates around the goaltender, turns wide and fires it past Raycroft. I guess three goals on seven shots is acceptable north of the border, because Raycroft is staying put. Nagy and Armstrong with the assists.
Wozniewski hits the puck over the glass and gets two for delay of game. And Brown scores his second of the period to give L.A. a 4-0 lead. The assists go to Visnovsky and Blake. The Kings have 11 shots in the first, and look dialed in.
Kings 4, Maple Leafs 0
It has been since 2003 that the Maple Leafs have made the trip to Staples Center. And if it wasn't for the sheer curiosity of having Toronto finally playing in L.A., this game should be a snorer.
Both clubs are last in their respective conference. The Leafs lost last night against the Ducks, 5-0, so I'm sure they're a little punchy. The Kings have lost three in a row, and after the team's last game... let's just say things are bleak in L.A., as far as hockey is concerned.
For a good article about the Leafs and the Kings, head over to the Globe and Mail website.
Linemates Kopitar and O'Sullivan are leading the Kings on ice time. But both have a shot each.
I'm starting to think this will be a case of payback for Nashville. Back on October 23, the Kings shut out Mason and the Predators, 6-0. That was an ugly game for Nashville, and I'm sure they remember that.
Bailey the mascot is parked below the press box, and I've now lost interest in the game. The Kings could be out-hitting the Predators, and causing blood to spill across the ice. And I'd still be watching that stupid lion. It's been half a season, and he's starting to grow on some of the fans. And if he'd stop stirring up the fans directly beneath me, I could concentrate on the game. Then again, the outcome to this game is already predetermined. I might as well try and get a t-shirt from one of the Kings Crew.
The Kings have 15 shots so far, but none real good chances past Mason. Guess his bid for a shutout will remain. (Yes, I am trying to jinx Mason. Why not? I'm not cheering in the press box)
Ivanans tries to stir something up, but no one was biting, and he heads to the box for two minutes to think about what he's done. The Preds then come out and Dumont scores to make it 6-0. That's right, the exact score back in October. Then, they come right back and put one past Aubin, this time by Ortmeyer.
I'm half expecting the Kings to start an all-out brawl. But it seems they just don't have their A-game tonight. I can already hear the callers tonight. Maybe I'll stick to jazz or classical music on the ride home. Honestly, this is quite possibly the worst I've seen the Kings play.
Final score: Predators 7, Kings 0
Aubin skates out to play the puck and try to help the Kings get going. But his pass goes awry, and Nichol skates in and beats Aubin glove-side for his second of the season.
After that, Crawford juggles the line, putting Kopitar on a line with Frolov and Nagy for a shift. Armstrong is paired with Willsie and Calder. Crawford's trying everything he can to jump-start L.A.
De Vrie gets whistled for interference, as the Kings only bright spot takes to the ice. However, they can't get anything going.
Nashville scores again, illiciting more boo-birds from the crowd. Aubin fails to cover up the puck from Erat. There is a rush around the goal, and it looks like it was kicked in. But it's by Blake. The Kings protest, but it stands.
A "Fire Crawford" starts up in the nosebleeds, but I'm not sure that's the answer. Then again, if I knew what the answer is, I'd head down to Toyota Sports Center tomorrow and tell someone. "Pssst, the reason why you guys are losing is because you are tying your skates up all wrong. Plus, you need to eat a half a peanut butter sandwich and a glass of milk before the game."
The Kings start pumping the puck on the net, and have almost caught up with them. Nashville is in a defensive bubble, so they are just playing safe.
Frolov and O'Sullivan are centered by Kopitar, who is getting a ton of ice time.
Ortmeyer gets called for a penalty, but once again, the Kings are empty. When Nashville kills the penalty, more boos are heard. As time winds down, the crowd is getting more and more bitter. This has been ugly.
Second period: Predators 5, Kings 0
The Predators and the Kings are smack dab in the middle of the pack when it comes to goals scored. But L.A. is second to last in goals against. Yikes.
Nashville looks a little tired, after playing in Anaheim, but are still able to play a good defensive game early in the period. Forechecking, tipping passes away, and spending time in the Kings' zone. The only line that has maintained any time in the Preds' zone is the top line.
Darcy Hordichuk scores his first of the season (!) when he shoots a Nichol rebound off LaBarbera. And less than thirty seconds later, Arnott sends the Kings reeling, when he shoots a juicy rebound past Jason for the Predators' second goal. A chorus of boos echo as the teams line up for the faceoff.
Then, less than a minute later, LaBarbera is chased from the game, when Legwand knocks in another rebound to make it 3-0. The boos turn to jeers when LaBarbera is replaced by Aubin. Labs allowed three goals on seven shots, which effectively takes the Kings out of this game.
Wanna hear something scary? Every time the Predators scored, an entirely different line has been out there. Only three Nashville players have a plus/minus of 0.
The Kings look unfocused after those rat-a-tat goals from their opponents.
Willsie gets called for holding, putting the league's second-worst penalty-kill out on the ice. The Kings may be near the top on the power-play, but it's apples and oranges. The Kings are able to kill the penalty. The Preds miss on a golden chance, as the puck sails behind Aubin to the side.
Every time Aubin makes a save, Kings fans over-applaud out of frustration. The team has definately come out flat in the first.
First period: Predators 3, Kings 0
As I was walking up to Staples Center tonight, I noticed it's back to being illuminated in blue. I always hate when they switch it to green for the holidays. Blech.
The Kings need to win tonight. I mean, they need to win every game. But they need to put a notch in the W column, because if they don't, it'll be three in a row. And everyone knows what that's called.
Dustin Brown is playing tonight, thankfully. He's a warrior. He'll be on the top line with Kopitar and O'Sullivan, with Blake and Johnson on defense. LaBarbera starts in goal.
The Kings come out aggressive to try and get another goal on Kiprusoff. And their hard work pays off, as Brad Stuart shoots on net through traffic and past Kipper to make it 3-2.
The Kings get their fifth power play with a lot of momentum on their side. But the top line isn't out there to start it off. Visnovsky hits it so hard that the rebound winds up on Frolov's stick, who tries to shoot it, but it gets deflected to Nagy, who knocks in his ninth goal of the season. He has been on fire the last seven games: he has eleven points, including his hat trick against the Hawks.
The Kings get a power play, when Sarich smacks Calder in the face with his stick, as L.A. takes to the ice for a double minor. Calder is shown getting stitches on the bench, which makes me wince. I'm sorry, but if I'm getting stitches, I want to be underground and away from anyone who would hear me scream like a schoolgirl.
The Kings get a goal, with a two-man advantage, when Blake shoots it on goal. Calder whacks at it, and the puck sneaks behind Kiprusoff, where Kopitar picks it up and puts the Kings up for the first time on the evening. Regehr checks Kopitar into the crossbar, but Anze shrugs it off. And to make things better, they still have the two-man advantage.
But to make things worse, Brown is reportedly not going to return to the game, after ramming into the board with his shoulder chasing a puck. Brown's willingness to muck it up in the corners has its disadvantages, and that's one of them. Not the first time he loses some ice time due to his shoulder.
Then the Kings start getting sloppy. Frolov gets a penalty, and Iginla finds Huselius in front of LaBarbera to tie it up at 4-4. Then Willsie gets two for tripping, and Langkow pops in a puck to put the Flames back up by one. It's Langkow's second of the game, and the Kings look like they might be spent.
Brown is now back out there, so reports of his demises have been exaggerated. (Way to go, Patrick O'Neal.) Brown has become the team's gritty goal-scoring leader, and to have him and Cammalleri out there may prompt a death knell for the Kings.
The Kings pull LaBarbera with less than two minutes to go, and the Kings fail to recapture the intensity earlier into the period. Huselius steals the puck from a reeling Visnovsky and pops it in to give the Flames their two-goal lead back.
It was exciting to see the Kings come out and score three goals in the third period, but it's frustrating to see the game slip away in such a fashion. The Flames were on the ropes, but, in typical Hollywood fashion, battled back against the odds to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
Another maddening fact: the Kings outshoot the Flames, 14-4, in the third. But they score on three out of four shots for the victory. Had the Kings been able to lock up the Flames in the first, and not miss some defensive assignments, we may have taken them to overtime or even skate out of Staples with a hard-fought win.
Hopefully Brown isn't too dinged up after this game, because that would have serious reprecussions later on.
Final score: Flames 6, Kings 3
Kiprusoff has been a workhouse for coach Mike Keenan. He's only missed five games all season long, and has been the goalie of record for every single Flames victory. What would it be like to have a reliable goaltender like that?
Well, maybe I spoke too soon. Kipper skates behind the goal to play the puck, and Frolov is there to pick up the puck and wrap it around and in to get the Kings on the board. Maybe all those games made Kiprusoff a little loopy. The Kings, although in last place in the West, aren't slouches when it comes to scoring. There are tied with the Maple Leafs and the Sabres for seventh in the entire league. I am salivating thinking about the Maple Leafs game coming on next week.
The goal seems to have the Kings re-energized, as they start playing the Flames closer. Nagy has replaced O'Sullivan on the top line. But here's the problem: The top line has failed to register a shot thus far in the game.
Iginla has a quick release and fires it past LaBarbera to help the Flames regain their two-goal advantage. The goal comes off the rush, as Eriksson skates in, then passes it quickly to Iginla, who is simply the best player on the ice anytime he's out there.
The second period ends with the Kings again down by two. But there's some improvement. The Kings finally unleash their shots, finishing with 13 shots. They get more offensive chances, and seemingly have the Flames back on their heels several times.
Jack Johnson and Rob Blake are given credit on Frolov's goal during the second intermission. With the league's fourth best PP, it was just a matter of time before they connected.
Second period: Flames 3, Kings 1
The Kings are taking on the Flames tonight, who are winners of four straight. L.A. is hoping to halt Calgary's streak and start their own.
The Flames strike first, when Robyn Regehr scores past a confused-looking LaBarbera for his fourth of the season. The thing that makes this one sting is the fact that this was a battle of fourth lines. The Kings had Ivanans, Thornton and Guiliano out there, against Godard, Yelle and Conroy. Stuart was in position and as he held Regehr, and the puck appears to have gone off his stick and is redirected past LaBarbera.
The next goal comes under two minutes later, when Daymond Langkow receives a puck in front of LaBarbera in an unusual way. It comes from above. Owen Nolan pops it over the goaltender, a la Hit The Ice, in front of LaBarbera, where it gets knocked around, before Langkow tips it in.
The Kings do settle down, as they finally get the puck several times in the Flames zone. But they can't really sustain any real scoring threat. The Flames outshoot the Kings, 11-6, and are lacking in the faceoff circle. I imagine Crawford is giving them an earful in the locker room.
First period: Flames 2, Kings 0
I counted three Brown hits in his first shift. That's the sign of Dustin trying to fire up his club.
Stuart gets tripped by Peca, putting the Kings back on the PP. Nagy wins his fourth faceoff of the game, but the Kings can't hold it in. It seems the Blue Jackets play in the nuetral zone has stymied the Kings, as they can't skate in. Brown had a beautiful chance, when he directed an O'Sullivan pass into Norrena's pads. But he stops it, and the BJs kill the penalty.
O'Sullivan skates with the puck, and heads behind the net. The puck gets hit by a Blue Jacket, and the puck bounces up off the top of the goal. The puck winds up on Sully's stick, as he knocks it in unassisted for an amazing goal. The goal is reviewed, but it stands. One of the most amazing goals I've witnessed live.
The game is tied as the Kings suddenly have a second wind. They have outshot the the Blue Jackets thus far, and have shown signs of getting faster. But the Blue Jackets are looking feisty. They are putting the wood on every dark jersey they see.
Johnson almost turns it over deep in the Kings zone, but LaBarbera picks it up and sends it right back out to Jack. He feeds it to Armstrong immediately, and the Kings catch the Blue Jackets in a line change. Nagy skates it in and almost gets a clear backhand, but Norrena covers it up.
Columbus scores their fourth, as Peca scores his second of the game. And now the Jackets seem content with playing keep away from the Kings. The LAD line comes out with 3 minutes left, but fail to get anything started. Brown lines up one BJ in the corner, and almost hammers another, but wisely sidesteps away.
The Kings pull LaBarbera from the net, then Peca gets whistled for hitting the puck over the glass. So now, the Kings have a two-man advantage. After an exciting exchange, the Kings fail to put the biscuit in the basket. Columbus outlast the Kings in a hard-fought battle.
Third period: Blue Jackets 4, Kings 3
The Kings tie the game in the first 13 seconds, when Willsie scores a nice deflection from Blake's shot from the point. I was in the bathroom when I heard the screeching horn, the second time that's happened the past week.
But the Jackets come right back, when Lindstrom pops one over Aubin's shoulder to put Columbus back on top. Fedorov gets the assist. It quickly quiets the half-filled arena, who were just screaming their heads off for Willsie.
The goals are coming once a minute now, as O'Sullivan backhands one toward Norrena, and Brown smacks it under the pads for his 20th goal of the season. O'Sullivan is so fluid, skating out of the corner and throwing it on net. Kopitar gets credit for the second assist.
Willsie gets called for a penalty, and Columbus' 24th-ranked power play unit takes to the ice. The Kings have the third-worst PK unit, so there's something for the Jackets.
Columbus goes back on top, when Peca scores on Columbus fourth shot of the period. Aubin is replaced by LaBarbera, after letting in 3 goals on 15 shots. Apparently Crawford has seen all he needs to see for tonight, as the book closes for Aubin.
Ivanans has a teeth-rattling open ice hit on Chimera that sends ohhs and ahhs throughout the arena. Chimera comes up with his helmet all-cockeyed, and another Jacket comes to his defense. The organ plays music that sounds like the Kings will get a penalty, but it was clean as a whistle. And that whistling is coming from the gaping, bloody hole Ivanans left in Chimera's head.
Kings get a power play when Hejda gets whistled for hooking, but the Jackets manage to get it in the Kings Zone. After trying to cycle it out, Nash comes up and trips LaBarbera in the crease, illiciting some complaints from Kings fans. But play goes on.
Blake and Hainsey exchange diet tips, as Blake tries to smack home a loose puck, and the scuffle stops play and kills the Kings power play. That's the third PP tonight the Kings have missed on. Blake has picked up his game as of late, looking like he's at 100 percent. Which is good, because being paired with Johnson, he's the perfect compliment.
Brown just hammers Hejda with a trademark BrownTown hit. It was so nice, they showed it twice, and it got an equal response the second time.
The Kings kill a late Nagy penalty, and head to the locker room down by one goal. The Kings only muster 6 shots on goal, but showed signs of coming to life after the Ivanans hit. Brown tallied 5 hits in the second,
The Kings are riding a three-game win streak, their second of the season. The last one happened over two months ago. The last game against the Blackhawks left the team with a little breath of fresh air. The Hawks really didn't have their A-game in goal, as Khabibulin and Lalime must have had a nice New Year's Eve.
The LAD line of Ladislav Nagy, Alexander Frolov and Derek Armstrong had a stellar game against Chicago, with ten points between them. Lost in the excitement of the Kings' first hat trick since 2006 by Nagy, Frolov scored his 100th goal as a King. Dustin Brown also added a goal and an assist on the night.
LaBarbera is getting the night off, as Aubin starts in goal, opposite Columbus' Norrena. LeClaire played last night against the Ducks, in a 2-1 loss.
Three minutes in, and both teams haven't tallied a shot, but Modry gets the gate for hooking. L.A. is easily able to kill the penalty.
Westcott gets two for holding (more like clotheslining) Nagy, as the NHL's fourth best PP takes to the ice. Brown, Kopitar and O'Sullivan are paired once again, with Visnovsky and Blake on the blueline. Calder replaces Armstrong between Frolov and Nagy. L.A. gets some solid chances, but come up empty. The beautiful thing is L.A. has the second most power play opportunities, right behind Carolina. And it's the DAM line of Brown, Kopitar and Cammalleri leading the team in PP points.
Fedorov scores to put the Blue Jackets up, on a one-timer from Lindstrom. The shot was right in the slot, as it slid under Aubin for Federov's seventh of the season.
The Kings go on the PP when Malhotra gets called for hooking. But there's nothing there for the Kings to capitalize on.
I'm a big No Doubt fan, but I'm a little tired of hearing that B-A-N-A-N-A-S song they start to play, with the drum crops and deep base line. For some reason, it just doesn't fit for hockey. I'm sure it's cool for the Lakers or at USC games. But, it just has a whole "You-Got-Served" feel that makes me want to skip it on my iTunes.
Nagy joins Brown and Kopitar as time expires, and they get some opportunities.
First period: Blue Jackets 1, Kings 0
Ladislav Nagy scored in the first minute to become the first King to score a hat trick since Jan. 1, 2006. Two years to the day! Amazing. Nagy has now tied his career record for points in a game with 5. In a stroke of genius, Team LA has offered all Kings fans a discount for hats to replace the ones that were thrown on the ice.
Ivanans is able to bait Koci again, when the teams are bunched up in front of Labs. Ivanans reaches over and gets Koci to swing at him, giving him a ten minute penalty.
Dustin Brown is able to poke the puck away from Byfuglien and skate in on Lalime and score an unassisted goal. The Kings now have scored 8 goals, the same amount as the last time I was here in December against the Sabres.
LaBarbera has shaken off his iffy start and has settled down. Several fights have broken out behind the crease. Calder throws someone down, Preissing is down on the ice. When it all shakes out, Burish gets 2 for roughing, 2 for high sticking, 10-minute misconduct and a game misconduct. Kontiola then gets called for high-sticking.
Lubo scores with a two-man advantage to make it 9-2. Calder gets another assist, and the Kings are routing the Hawks.
The Kings are on their way for their third win in a row. Despite being outshot, the Kings posted a tremendous win.
Frolov scores his fifth of the season, when he redirects a Stuart shot from the point past Lalime for a Kings goal.
And in the Main Event, we have Ivanans and Koci squaring off right in front of the Kings goal. They go at it for some time, as both guys just hammer on each other, much to the delight of the entire Staples Center crowd. Both get some love from the benches as they skate off.
Ruutu gets two for tripping, as the Kings go back on the power play. They have already scored twice. Nagy gets several shots on the PP, since he's very close to something we don't talk about, lest we jinx it.
Both teams are settling down and playing decent hockey since the fight. The Kings have outshot the Hawks this period. Magnus Johannsson (I love the name Magnus. I'm gonna name my first-born Magnus, just because I like it so much) has been called for a penalty, giving L.A. another chance at a power play. Calder hooks up with Frolov to give L.A. another goal. Fro now has 2 goals, and Nagy adds to his point total with his second assist. He now has 4 points.
It looks as if Rene Bourque popped Jack Johnson in the mouth. JJ skates over to the bench, and keeps checking his lips. I sense something coming down the pike when those two meet again.
The Kings score two more this period, as we go to intermission.
Second period: Kings 6, Hawks 2
LaBarbera is in goal for the first time in three games. Nagy, Kopitar and Brown get the start, with Johnson and Brown on defense. O'Sullivan is matched with Armstrong and Frolov. Calder is with Willsie and Handzus. Cammy is scratched.
The Hawks get on the board, when Martin LaPointe snaps a Rene Bourque pass bast LaBarbera. Jason is looking a little rattled early. Of course, it doesn't help matters that Chicago already has 8 shots on goal.
L.A. gets an early power play goal, when Chicago gets whistled for hooking. Then, Tom Preissing shoots a deflected Nagy shot past Khabibulin to even the score. Frolov gets an added assist later in the period.
LaBarbera is giving up some pretty big rebounds tonight, but fortunately for him, his defense is stepping up.
Ivanans gets called for hooking, putting the Hawks with the man-advantage. The Hawks have caught onto this, and try throwing in front, in hopes of getting a puck past LaBarbera. A quick tic-tac-toe pass from Kane and Byfuglien to Patrick Sharp puts the Hawks up temporarily.
But L.A. comes right back, when Nagy picks up a loose puck in the Chicago zone and rifles it past Khabibulin's stick side to tie the game. Then L.A. gets another power play when Richmond gets whsitled for tripping. And after a solid PP shift, O'Sullivan tucks one past the Bulin Wall for the Kings' first 3 goal outburst in the first period in a long time. Brown and Visnovsky with the assists.
Chicago's Petri Kontiola gets called for hooking Preissing, and L.A. goes back out there with a man-advantage. Nagy takes a pass from past a Hawks defenseman and rips one past a crumbling Bulin wall, to give L.A. a 4-2 lead. Preissing and Stuart are credited with the assists. Why is the Bulin Wall crumbling? Because he was just pulled in favor of Patrick Lalime.
Lalime quickly stops a Willsie backhand to stop the Kings onslaught for now. Kopitar is down on the ice, when Adam Burish hammers him. Kopitar's helmet goes skittering across the ice, but he pops right back up and skates off.
First period: Kings 4, Hawks 2
Happy New Year!!! I'm high above the action in the press box for tonight's game between the Kings and the Blackhawks.
So, I'm back after a lengthy absence. Honestly, watching the Kings spiral for an 8-game streak made it sort of hard to get motivated. However, new life breathes in L.A. tonight. Being New Year's Day, I've decided to rededicate myself to covering this club, which is currently in last place. But my guess is they won't stay there.
The Kings play the Blackhawks, who they beat in their last game last year. The Hawks bring talented rookies Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane to Staples Center. It's the first time for these two players in L.A., so we'll see if they get star-struck by seeing some celebs along the ice. You know, some real A-listers like Cuba Gooding Jr. or Snoop Dogg. Oh wait, that's right, they're on the Ducks bandwagon.
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