Friday (10/12) morning skate
OK, if Jonathan Bernier ISN'T starting tonight, then Marc Crawford is the best devious genius I've ever met. Bernier was the first goalie off the ice, and LaBarbera and Aubin stayed out for a half hour to work with Bill Ranford. If that isn't a clear-cut signal that Bernier is starting, then my days as a prognosticator are over...
Not too much going on this morning. By all indications, Brady Murray will be back in the lineup. Given Crawford's criticism of John Zeiler yesterday, I would expect that switch to be made, but that's just a guess.
Crawford made a point of saying that this is a big game for assistant coach Dave Lewis, who was fired as Boston's head coach. Crawford, essentially, said he hopes the Kings win one for Lewis.
I asked Crawford about his decision-making process, in terms of how he chooses a goalie, and here's what he said: ``With Jonathan, it's just about giving him an opportunity, and so far everything we've thrown at him, he has handled it well. We've been conscious of not overwhelming Jonathan. The games are a challenge, the practices are a challenge and just the details of preparation are a challenge. We want to be conscious of making sure he handles everything well. Every time we've given him an opportunity, he's gone with it and played well and given us an opportunity to win. That's really all you can ask for.''
I also had a long conversation with Bill Ranford about the goaltender situation, so I'll transcribe that and post it this afternoon.
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About the bloggers
J.P. Hoornstra writes about NHL and IHL hockey for the Los Angeles Newspaper Group. He welcomes any and all dialogue on the finer points of hockey.
E-mail J.P. at jp.hoornstra@inlandnewspapers.com.
Jill Painter joined the Daily News in 2000 and during the last eight years she's covered the Dodgers, Cal State Northridge, UCLA, Kings, golf and everything in between. Even though she's from Colorado, she still freezes in the Staples Center press box but always manages to thaw her fingers in time to make deadline. E-mail Jill at jill.painter@dailynews
.com.
Vincent Bonsignore is a sports columnist for the Los Angeles Daily News. E-mail Vinny at vincent.bonsignore
@dailynews.com.
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How about winning one for the fans!!
That's okay, because I think winning one for anyone, or anything would be good right now. But thanks for the heads up EDDY!
No offense, Rich, but you were bluffed by a 19-year-old before the last game...I just dunno how much faith we can put in your hunches. LOL. J/K. Thanks for the great updates as always, Rich.
Pierroth...good point! Actually, I was bluffed by Crawford, who said to watch one particular net in practice but then went against what he had said. I walked past Bernier in the hallway today and I said, ``I know you're playing tonight,'' and he laughed.
Rich,
First, I want to say that this is an amazing blog; it helps me get through my long days at work, keep up the great work! I hope that those wonderful people over at the Daily News give you a nice raise.
Second, I have noticed; in your blog, and Carla Miller's at hockeybuzz(who is also amazing) a lot of negativity towards the new line changes; I, for one, think that it will help the team out a lot. I really like the fact that JMFJ is not paired with Modry anymore; I don't know if that was the reason for his lackluster play in the first 3 games; but, he played real well with Stuart, and I can't wait to see how he plays with Blakey. Who knows, maybe he'll wake him up.
I know the Cammy-Kopi-Brownie line was producing; but, as you said, Cammy can play with anyone, and make them better. I would've liked to have seen Calder on the 1st line; I don't want to say anything bad about Nagy, but he seemed to mesh well with 'Zus.
I guess time will tell if they are good line combinations; I just hope they stay the same throught the game, and for the next 2, as well.
EDDY,
Good point; but, how about just winning one in general!
Play like a TEAM for 60 minutes!
I'm tired of them always winning "just one". How about winning more than one. How about winning enough games to get into the playoffs????
It seems operant to me that one of the main reasons why the Kings are not playing well is due to their lack of just going out there and having FUN! Not too many teams win without this.
Yes, when a team starts to win, having fun follows, but if you are not having fun then are you most likely thinking too much and trying to out guess your line mates and the other team.
I would love to see us FANS try and spark the team tonight by chanting something like "Have FUN Kings". I know this sounds lame, but we at least need to have a positive attitude rather than the just don't SUCK attitude that is hard to avoid while watching them play...........just an interesting thought.
so rich, what do you have in mind as starting line combos tonight? can you post 'em. thanks.
if bernier wins this game and he doesn't get the start for the next game then crawford is a retard