Postgame notes (1/20)

Rich, you rock...and there is NO WAY that you are married. Hammond in 2016!

I would have liked to see Westgarth get in a few extra shifts. If anybody wonders why the Kings had so much room out there, its because Ivanans and Westgarth were dressed. Toughness makes way for offense. I didn't see any Wild players taking cheap shots at any King.

I hope TM plays Gauthier next game as well, as he is much more solid of a d-man than Harrold. Ivanans and Westgarth is the toughest line in the league and will keep opposing players honest on the ice. TM is the best coach this organization has had in a very long time...

Anonymous, Are you on Shrooms? Play the Goat? No way he sees the ice again. Quick played great. Harrold saved the play that lead to Caldars goal. Zeiler can go Drago can go and keep Army on the 4th line all the time TM (DONT MOVE HIM) he is not a 3rd 2nd or 1st line guy ever. Old Man you Rock!

I love the Kings and all but ...

How sure are we that the Kings had a good night instead of the Wild having a bad one?

I just sayin.

I thought Zeiler had a great game. Stoll is still missing open nets and taking bad penalties. Nice to see Jack Johnson back. Kopitar moved his feet. Peter Harrold is very quietly having a great year, I think. He is capable of Doughty-esque moves and speed, and has quite a few points in the last month. I am not anti-Gauthier (though I see his lapses) but I agree the defense seemed more solid with Johnson and Harrold in and Preissing and Gauthier out. I am frankly surprised at how poor Preissing is, but there you have it. Frolov/Kopitar/Simmonds looked good to me. I don't even mind POS/Handzus/Zeiler, though you could swap out Zeiler and drop in Brown, since Zeiler is playing essentially the role of Brown on that line (i.e. forecheck with vengeance and cause turn-overs). I look forward to the return of Moller.

It would be nice to be 19-20-7 at the break.

[question: why does Minnesota announce every goal twice, once by a male announcer, once by a female?]

"I hope TM plays Gauthier next game as well, as he is much more solid of a d-man than Harrold. "

ARE YOU SERIOUS???

The Female Voice you hear in the backround is Rob Blake trying to break into the PA announcer business. They offered him 6.7 mil a year to announce the wild games and he took it. Go figure, Rob would go for the pay day....Old Man, would you not agree on this?.

Since I missed the Dallas game, I would like to say it was nice to see Johnson back to add another strong skater to the back end.

And to whomever commented on Gauthier being more solid than Harrold. That may be true (muscle mass and such), however, if you haven't missed it, Harrold has been growing into his own.

He may not throw the checks that you adore, but he isn't a turnover machine which you must long for when Gauthier is out of the lineup. He was helpful in the transition game tonight, getting the puck up ice to the forwards.

He's getting steadier in his play with each game...which could be why the coach went with him and scratched your boy.

m -

Maybe also because, aside from Frolov, Harrold has more goals than anyone else on the team since sometime before xmas...

We ll see how long the coach stays with these lines...We have a week off after tomorrow but lets see if the lines and the focus stays with us...

Proof is in the pudding.When you pressure the puck you create turnovers.We could of played like this from day one.The goals we allowed came because we didn`t put any pressure on them.Goat reminds me alot of blake,good for two hits a nite and three turnovers.I don`t know who you are RJB,but we think alike.Great game KINGS!

wow, I can't believe I am saying this but Zeiler really played well today. He kept his speed all the time, and moved the puck forward very effectively. I was pissed when I saw him in the line-up with POS and Zus but if he keeps playing the way he did today, he will definately stay in the line-up.

two games in a row JMFJ drops the gloves. he's added a spark to this team, hope he can stay healthy.

So Lemaire thinks the Wild took the Kings lightly, eh?

A solid game all around. Most importantly was the play of the defensemen. They minimized the turnovers and moved the puck effectively. The forwards played with more confidence, in turn led to some timely goals. Minnesota took the night off thinking that it would be an easy two points. But underestimated the return of JJ to the lineup. With JJ in the lineup the Kings are a different team. Other teams are going to discover this fact when they face the Kings. Hope they can build on this win and get two points in the next game.

Roger

Everybody that plays on Sullys line plays good,thats why he should be playing with the better players if you want to beat the upper teams in this league.What a waste.

Anonymous: Gauthier a more solid defenceman than Harold? - are you kidding? Gauthier scares the devil out of me everytime he is on the ice. I keep waiting for the inevitable turnover, penalty, or wiff whenever he has the puck. Harold has played solidly and continues to get better with every game. He is part of the future of this team, not Gauthier. Did you even watch Harold tonight - he was so responsible for helping to set up the first goal. Thank God the return of JMFJ and solid play will help to keep Gauthier out of the line up.

Good to see Zeiler have a good game. One of the best road games for the team all season.

Goat is as good as gone, Harold IMO is going to be a great asset for this team, I hope to see him as the 7 d-man playing forward on the 4th line and covering D if needed, much better than Z man.

Zeiler may have been moving his feet but was totaly out of place with a scoring line. He was running over everybody, even our own players. He is can be replaced by any player in manchester.

great game by our boys, I think I see what TM is doing with the movements, giving DL a good look to see what is moveable and what needs to stay. I see the future and I'm on board.

Go Kings Go

I think we should trade Hickey and Purcell to Buffalo for derek Roy

I thought it was the beginning of the end, per usual, as far as surrendering the lead, with that penalty on Stoll with 4 minutes to go in the game.

They finally matched the intensity level of their opponent during the closing minutes. Finally!

I would like to nominate Quisp as our Captain and MVP.His or her posts are always well thought out and to the point.Thank you sir or madam,your knowledge and wisdom are second to none.

Not sure if anyone else caught this but it seemed to me that Sully didn't look very happy after his empty netter. In fact his face was expressionless. I has that he has got to be unhappy with his role but you would at least think that he'd be happy with the W. I think he might want of of LA although I have nothing to base that on except for that. Also I didn't get to see the post game as I have center ice and they always cut out after the game ends...annoying.

Hey Rich,

Not much of a big deal but the link to the Wilds' blog is sort of messed up. It shows up like this:

http://insidesocal.com/kings/www.startribune.com/russo

Just some FYI.

Always enjoy reading your insights.

Great game by the Kings. I'm also not a Goat hater, because he does hit like a truck, but also must admit defense looked pretty sharp out there. Really nice to see some goals, that diving, falling forward goal of Brownies was great. I thought the fight (what there was of it) was pretty even. Personally, I don't think either one really wanted to throw, so it seemed a little half assed (though theres no way I'd step up to either of them!) Nothing much to complain about, though I'm not sure if it was in the 2nd or the 3rd period I found myself thinking Quick seems to give up lots of rebounds, maybe against a better team they would be getting more 2nd/3rd chances at the puck? Just a thought. Anyway, give em hell tonite in Denver. Go Kings!

Gauthier needs to be traded to Detroit! If you go back to the two home games against Detroit this season you may remember him setting up the Wings for multiple goals. The game tying goal with about one minute to go and two in the last game.

ATTABOY RAITIS.Your fans appreciate you.Next up,that punk ass Cody MacLeod.A goal and a few solid checks would also be great.

Harold is way more solid than Gauthier. He is such a smart player, composed with the puck and has some slick moves on the blue line, especially on the PP. Gauthier consistently turnsover the puck at key parts of the game and cannot make plays under pressure, his defensive lapses and slow skating is hurtful to the team. JJ is only gonna get better. Once he gets back completely in the flow of the game, he is gonna give our team such a boost with his physical presence, puckmoving skills, speed, and shot. Good game by him last night, cant wait until the full power of the station is felt.

Mike...I would do that trade in a heartbeat.

smokiemcpot, I noticed that about O'Sullivan, as well. His body language has suggested he's unhappy for some time, actually. Even Rich's quote from him about his time in Minnesota made it seem like he misses it.

Goat's ok if it's not againt Detroit. I, too, thank Zeiler played well. You can't complain when a player comes out on his first shift and levels 2 guys, come on.
Quick had a nice game. I stand corrected-Quick should start again tonight. Bernier soon, though.

This was a nice win overall. We need to stop the bleeding against Colorado, though. We've yet to beat them this season.

Terrific road win by the Kings. Everything seemed to come together last night. they played hard for 60 minutes...got good PK later in the game and got a timely PP goal. Can't ask for much better than that.

Zeiler played his best game as a King. He was all over the ice making things happen. All 4 lines were rolling last night.

Greene and the rest of the defense had an outstanding game. they limited the Wild opportunities...Greene was terrific on the Pk blocking shots.

I notice that only a few people commented on the game that Zeiler had. I guess the others would rather remain silent...especially when you can't say anything bad about the guy's game last night.
I know, it's only one game....better than nothing.

It would be sweet to get another 2 points tonight in Colorado. We haven't played well aainst them this year. It's time for a good game.

Im not the biggest Calder fan, but i must admit that he have been very good the last few games. He has been very strong on the forecheck, and has been getting the puck to the net, which are 2 things this team really needs to work on.

"I didn't see any Wild players taking cheap shots at any King. "

actually, someone tried to step into Frolov at the Wild end after a whistle, and he put his gloves up and got a penalty. but yeah other than that, and the scuffle with Johnson (Jack got the better of, IIRC) not too much. the team didn't back down at all, and had their way in the neutral and attacking zones for once. which was great to see...

"Zeiler played his best game as a King."

That's funny cause I thought Calder played HIS best game as a King. 1 goal, 1 assist, +2 rating. Good vision, nice reads, good passing. I give him the MVP for the night.

I'm still hoping to be at .500 at the end of January. I've been thinking baby steps all season. We need at least 2 wins and an OTL out of these next 3 games to do it.

I don't know about you all, but I'm as happy as can be about our goal tending situation. It's been a long long time since I've said that, but I do feel that despite the inexperience, we are STRANGELY solid between the pipes.

The Yotes are quietly putting together a very solid season. I only see one reason why the Kings can't do the same thing in the second half. I think we are one player short from making a decent push the rest of the way. The time has come to trade for a forward that will make an immediate impact.

With 2 solid games it looks like our 3-4 game slump is over. Time to move on now. I too thought Zeiler & Calder had their best games. I also think Ivanans held his own against the Boogie Man. Someone mentioned he lost the fight as he went to the locker room. He went to get his hand fixed after hitting the helmet so much. Good uppercut too. I like pulling for the under dogs & on this website they are Ivanans, Zeiler & Calder. So it was nice to see all 3 do pretty well.

I don't think you should read anything into Sulli's post-goal body-language. He's rarely demonstrative and usually doesn't even crack a smile after he scores.

"Also I didn't get to see the post game as I have center ice and they always cut out after the game ends...annoying. "

agreed, if they want people to pay for that, they really have to do something. at least give a few minutes of wrap-up. goes for the XM Radio feeds too..

Westgarth Vs lappy poor lappy

If Zieler running around hitting everything that moves constitutes a great game then yeah, he had a good game. But the fact of the matter is he had a chance last nightto show he could be a complete player being on a line with POS and Zues. instead he stuck with the "ill dump it down ice, chase it and smash the guy who gets there before me" There was onedistinct moment during the game where POS looked to make a pass up ice saw Zeiler, hepulled the puck back in and tried to enter the zone with no luck. We have enough 4th line guys and myopinion is we don't need him and would have been better off having Purcel, Boyle, Moller or Lewis in that slot. Just my opinion.

I agree with the idea of dressing Harrold as the 7th D-man and having him play forward on the 4th line until needed. Better than Zeiler. He is a smart player who has speed and good hands. It would deffinatly open things up for us.

Erseberg...Sully never played for Minnesota. If he thinks he would be more happy in their defense first system, by all means.

It's not like he is actually playing for LA right now.

Brown's goal shows everything that Sully is NOT doing. Drive to the net, and good things happen.

Wavesinair, re "hoping to be at .500 at the end of January[...]need[...]2 wins and an OTL out of[...]3 games":

Here are the current playoff race standings, adjusted by total lost points. Since the teams have played different numbers of games so far (and the Kings have played fewer games than nearly everyone in the league), this way of looking at the standings focuses only on losses and "ties," which taken together look at the number of points each team has lost so far.

TEAM/LOSSES-TIES/LOST PTS/PTS OUT OF PLAYOFFS

EDM 19-3 41
PHX 19-5 43
MIN 20-3 43
DAL 18-7 43
CBJ 20-4 44 -1
ANA 20-5 45 -2
VAN 19-7 45 -2
COL 22-1 45 -2
LAK 20-7 47 -4
NSH 23-3 49 -6
STL 23-4 50 -7

Currently, EDM, PHX, MIN and DAL have the 4-8 playoff spots. The Kings are 4 points (or 2 games) out. I would point out the following details:

1) nine points separate all the teams.
2) Vancouver, the supposedly "vastly superior" team, is exactly one game up on the Kings. They have 19 losses to our 20.
3) Anaheim, supreme hockey power that they are, is also exactly one game up on the Kings. Same number of losses. Two fewer "ties."
4) COL, tonight's opponent, is one game up on the Kings. A Kings win tonight, and we are even with COL.
5) Of the teams in the 4-8 seeds, three of them are there by the skin of their teeth. One point drop, they're out, someone else is in. The "leader," EDM, is three points from non-playoff oblivion.
6) expectations: right now, Anaheim, Colorado and Vancouver are not in the playoffs. That would be a crushing defeat for them. The Kings, Phoenix and Edmonton are exceeding expectations. Making the playoffs would be a huge victory. For the Kings, just staying alive past the trade deadline is a victory.

A good road win to break the losing streak, but the Kings have got to be wary of the Av's who have basically owned them the past couple of years. Guys, I don't want to play spoiler here, but let's not get too excited about the win. On the end of a back to backer, this will be a tough game tonight.

I'd agree with most of you that Harrold plays with much more consistency then Gauthier and has an offensive upside in his game that Goat doesn't. He maybe smallish, but he's willing to take a hit to make a play. I also thought Zeiler played with a lot of energy as well, and really made some of the Wild players make passes before they wanted to just to avoid the hit.

I wouldn't put too much (if anything at all)into POS and his lack of emotion on the empty netter...There was only 6 seconds left in the game. You're not going to see a guy pumping his arm over a goal that has no bearing on the outcome of the game.

Brett, I didn't post anything about Sully.
Kingzzfan, That's Zeilers job-to be a checking forward, dump, chase, kick ass-pretty straightforward. He'll never ever ever ever be a finesse player.

I really don't think POS looked up, saw an open man, realized "oh it's Zeiler" and decided to keep the puck. That kind of thinking gets you benched in pee-wee. And just so I'm perfectly clear, I think there's no way POS did any such thing. If Zeiler is open and entering the zone with speed, he gets the puck. POS wants to make the best play possible. Period.

Also, I don't think the players have the same low opinion of Zeiler that some fans do.

Ersberg, My point exactly. he was given an oppertunity to elevate his game but prooved he will never be more than a 4th line checking forward. Waist of space on a wing with POS and Zues.

Quisp, I think it was more of a frustration factor with sully that anything. He plays to score when he's on the ice, the dump, chase, smash game was probibly getting to him so he opted to drive into the zone. But watching it over and over again he deffinatly looks over then drives.

We had a little more team toughness. I did see Boogie give Kopi a couple of shoves during the game. It is well know that Kopi doesn't like to be hit and disappears soon afterward. The reason Ivan was slow to drop his gloves was it was the end of the shift. He had just skated the length of the ice. You could see him huffing and puffing before he dropped. Any word on why he left the ice after the fight. It will take 5-10 games for other teams to see and feel the difference in playing the Kings, as long as Westgarth and Ivan are in the line up. Did everyone see how much bigger guys played like Fro, Harold, JJ, Zieler. Its contagious.

smolkiemcpot,

Of course Sully is unhappy with this system.
This coach constantly, shuffles him around.
He's often punished and demoted.
The coaches system prevents him from displaying his offensive talent.
I don't even think the coach is smart enough to understand his talent.
He plays with Zeiler.

I'd want out of LA too.

Thank`s Quisp for all your hard work in gathering those stats.(YERY INTERESTING)

Wavesinair
I agree about Calder. He also played his best game. They forechecked like crazy last night.

Kingzzfan
If you didn't realize that the Kings won last night because of the contributions of Calder and Zeiler, then you don't know hockey very well.
Dumping the puck in and forechecking is what creates scoring chances. You have to cause turnovers and that's what happens when you pressure the opposing teams D down low.
Not everyone in the league is as talented as Ovechkin. Somehow the 30 teams have to find a way to fill in there rosters with other types of players.
Good grief...why am i explaining this?
We won...what more do you want from them?

Anthony: we get it. Bring something new to the table, please.