FINAL: Kings 5, Blackhawks 2
That's now seven points out of a possible eight for the Kings in their last four games and, perhaps even more importantly, a combined total of 16 goals in their last three games.
Some notes and quotes to come...
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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
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Vincent Bonsignore is a sports columnist for the Los Angeles Daily News. E-mail Vinny at vincent.bonsignore
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Great win.
We're at 500 now.
Ducks - 22 losses
Kings - 20 losses
You got to love that.
Does anybody else notice that something is up with Kopitar?
Or is it just me.
OK, I take back what I said about you jinxing the Kings with the backbreaker commenton Sully's 3rd goal since that indeed did turn out to be the GW.
In what way Anthony?
Some people a dillusional.
what's wrong with Kopitar? The guy probably had one of his best defensive games, handing out 3+ solid hits and when he was wide open no one passed the puck to him.
Good game all round!!
Go kings
A good win. Quick played great. Some hard work resulted in goals and we capitalized on a good number of our scoring chances. And it was a nice touch that Frolov passed to Brown for the ENer.
Something's been up with Kopitar all season, save a roughly five-game stretch last month when he was really moving. He just looks slower and slower. He also seems to be taking too long of shifts; he's usually the last one on his line to change-certainly that was the case today. Also, I wish someone would break down which zone Kopi is in the most, cause it sure seems like he and his line spend a long time in the defensive zone. Very little sustained pressure on offense. It is true that no one passed him the puck in the O-zone today; Sulli can't pass and Frolov only looks to pass it to the D.
It's very easy to see the difference between Calder-Stoll-Brown and O'Kopitov. The former are really working from behind the net to the front of the net; the latter go from the corner up the boards and to the point, maybe with a wrap-around thrown in now and again. As a group they are netaphobic. Especially Frolov-he tantalizes you with the puck on his stick, but he does not look to the net and he certainly will not GO to the front of the net. And while they all had points tonight, none came when they were all together.
Good game from the boys last night. There was a stretch that they took some time off and it was a good timeout by Murray to rest them and settle things down.
Thank god for center ice :)
I'm hoping I don't have to watch in French tomorrow...oye vey.
Nice win for the Kings. They certainly earned it.
Now, let's take a look at the playoff picture realistically. Since the lockout it's taken at least 91 points to make the playoffs in the Western Conference each year. That means the Kings need at least 41 points over their final 35 games to have a shot. The Kings have 11 home games left. If we were to assume they get wins in all 11 home games, that puts them at 69 points. They'd then need 32 points in their 24 road games. The Kings have played 17 road games and have picked up 15 points in those 17 games. If they play at that pace the rest of the year, that would get them 27 points over their 24 road games.
In other words, I know the Kings are 4 points out right now, but with all the road games the Kings have coming up, I'd say their chances of making the playoffs are very slim. They had to make hay in their home games and they haven't.
And yes, I think my math was off about the road games. But the point is, they have a very tough task if they want to make the playoffs.
I'm gettin a jeresy made with "O'Kopitov" on the back...
On Kopitar: Although I didn't watch the game as intently last night, I did notice that Kopitar was attacking the offensive zone and stick-handling around defenders on entry better than the whole year last night. I didn't notice a speed problem, but I can't say as I was paying total attention.
I agree that Kopitar is becoming a better all around player. I also noticed the number of checks later in the game, and his work on the back-check this year.
I will also say that Frolov is even throwing more hits than ever before. They are by no means devastating, but he doesn't stop up before the contact anymore. Interesting change to see for me.
I think the playoffs are a tough one this year, but I am totally enthused by their play over the last four games. It used to be pretty standard for the Kings to stink it up after a long break. That wasn't the case yesterday.
As for the O'Kopitov jersey, I think that TM will change the line before your Jersey is delivered. I hope I'm wrong, but history would predict that to be true.
Go Kings!