Postgame notes

Hey Quisp, give us the playoff point breakdown! I'm feeling happy and I want to squeeze every drop of it.

Great game, great chat, great night... except for this damn cough...

I hate the rain.

That was fun!

If anybody says sign Calder to an extension, I'm gonna puke.

FINALLY over .500 it was almost like this team was afraid of that, get to .500 lose a few games rinse repeat. Keep it up fellas!

still at work and just checked the scores and how about that, the kings win again. if not for the bs game in frog-town montreal, the kings would be riding a pretty damn good winning streak after a lackluster january. above .500 for the first time in 3 years is a great start.

it seems the o-ffense is clicking and the goaltending is just good enough to win each night. someone earlier mentioned where we would be if ersberg and quick had started the year as the goalie tandom. apples and oranges, but i bet we'd be ahead of phx, dal and ana.

speaking of the sucks, they've lost 2 straight games. nothing makes me happier than when they lose (and the kings win of course!). nj will be a tough game on sat. seems like the boys are playing consistently well (overall) and everyone is contributing - even our unsung hero calder. you go kyle.

i think the change of scenery (the road) has actually been good for the guys. it definitely brings you closer to your teammates.

one final note, has anyone received an answer from the nhloa regarding the comments/questions we posed to them on their website? was curious.

go kings!

Another good game by Davis Drewiske,he doesn't frighten me like Greene,Harrold and OD do.

SIGN CALDER TO AN EXTENSION...How about a 4 yr deal w/a no trade clause?

Wow, Quick has been the man.

i won't say that we should sign calder to an extension, but i will say that we should not trade him. there's no reason to mess up the chemistry the kids have now. keep calder. the return we would get for him won't be that great. the kids, even if we don't make it, need to know what its like to be in the hunt for a playoff spot.

How about all those Kopi haters from a few weeks ago?? The guy tore it up tonight.

One important stat you missed Rich. Sully's goal tonight was his 100th point as both an NHL player and a King. Way to go Sully!!!

JDM, re playoff numbers:

You asked for it.

The Kings have 51 points after 50 games. There are 32 games left. The pace to 93 points (which is 99% likely to be the playoff threshold) means they need 42 points out of the next 32 games. Now, statistically, it's possible that they won't need 93 points. There is something like a 10% chance that 92 points would not be enough. And a 50% chance that 90 points wouldn't be enough (it usually isn't; but it might be).

So, to be safe: 93 points. Which means, for the last 32 games, they need to go 20-10-2, or some version of that. That's a winning % of .656.

Now, I would say, it will certainly be a challenge to do that well down the stretch. It's doable. But a challenge.

But here's the thing. It's going to be a challenge for everyone fighting for those bottom four spots. And, as of tonight, nine points separate the bottom (STL) from the fifth seed (by points, ANA).

By points, the Kings sit in 12th, four points behind the three teams tied for the 6-8 seeds, and six points behind Anaheim.

Anaheim (who lost tonight), is six points up on the Kings, but the Kings have -- drum-roll -- five games in hand. That's right, the Kings have 21 losses and 7 OT/SOLs, compared to 24 losses and 5 OT/SOLs for Anaheim.

If you adjust for games in hand, however you want to do that, the Kings close the gap. By points, we're four points out; in reality, something less than that.

p.s. 5-1-1 on this road trip so far.

What I want to know is, what the hell is DL going to do with Calder? I'm sure he wanted Calder to play well, so his stock would rise. Well, his stock's up. He's also arguably one of the best players on the team right now. DL's going to get offers. I'm guessing some pretty good ones. Seriously, if Calder is going to play like this for the rest of his career, DL would do well to -- gasp -- RE-SIGN HIM.

Sorry, Anthony.

On the other hand, Preissing + vertigo means we're stuck with him. I guess he's a buy-out at some point.

Quisp.

No need to trade calder is right.
Only if it's for that huge goal scorer I guess, but why toss the chemistry if it's still here in a month?
You're playoff numbers highlight a difference between conferences:

In the west, 5th and 15th are separated by a total of 7 points.
In the east, 7th and 15th are separated by 22.

I think we look pretty playoff worthy if we can cut out the 3rd period shenanigans.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/teamstats.htm?fetchKey=20092ALLAAAAll&sort=avgGoalsPerGame&viewName=goalsByPeriod

Anthony,
Why do you hate Calder so much? I don't understand why everyone is so down on Calder. No, he is not the greatest offensive player ever to play for the Kings or the best defensive forward but no team has a team filled with superstar players on all lines. Calder is a valuable complementary player in my opinion that shows a willingness to go to the front of the net and battle which is a difficult thing to do because in the NHL when you go in front you know that you are going to be hit and punished. Calder is a solid player and can show an offensive spark. Last year I remember he was injured for a large portion of the season. Regardless, he is not even the worst player on the Kings as I would much rather have a player like Calder than Zeiler or Ivannas.

Lately he has been producing at a good rate and has been one of our better forwards for the past 5-10 games so I don't understand all the hate for him. WHY???

-GoKings09

I echo Marty above, Drewiske looks solid in his role. Good composure with the puck and haven't seen him get beat badly yet.

Eat, I forgot to mention:

51 points! That's one more than you said we'd get all season!

(Sorry)

Kings are the front page story on NHL.com!

Also, Lubo Visnovsky is on the IR. http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=407940

Great win for the Kings!

Just like with your criticisms of Kopi before tonight's game, I'm ecstatic to have to eat that one, Quisp.
Cheers.

I have to say, I'm a Lombardi guy in a way, now.
I like how all the guys we bring up look ready to play.
Something I haven't seen from a Kings team, ever.

Things are certainly looking up.
Now if we can just get Murray to open it up a bit in the 3rd...

Per Bruce Boudreau after the game:

“The first period wasn’t pretty, but the second period was downright ugly,” Boudreau said, adding moments later: “They’ve beaten us twice and we’re a better team than them.”

Uh, Bruce... it's called scoreboard. Why don't you show some class and give the Kings (your former employer) some freakin' credit!

What a goal fest. I was driving home in the rain and holding my breath with that finish!! J.Quick is a freakin' stud. He definately won this one for the team. If Fro buried a couple of those chances in the 1st and 2nd it wouldnt have been so close. Good win!

Not only are we front page on NHL.com, even the hockey elitist on TSN are starting to show us some respect. We still need to learn how to close teams out. Tough game next against the Devils. The game they played at Staples was one of our worst of the season, so we have something to prove to those guys.

A shout out to KingFan4Ever and a bit F-U to Bruce Boudreau.

KingFan, I agree. Boudreau sounds like a bitter fool. It's getting annoying reading the recaps of these games and hearing players or coaches say, "Oh we should've beaten them;" or "They're a better team than people think;" or "We're a better team." Los Angeles has been a waste land for the NHL for a long time, but I think the Kings have proven this year that they command respect. You lost, Bruce. What a fool.

p.s. Rich, please ask TM why the Kings struggle so mightily to match the intensity of their opponents in the last few minutes of close games. Watching them protect a lead is like watching someone trying to catch a live grenade. They must lead the league in goals surrendered in the last minute.

He's right though...they're a better team and they've lost to us twice. They played a pretty pitiful first two periods and we were very opportunistic. It's a good game for us and a bad game for them. I don't have any problem with what he said.

Nick

Perhaps Boudreau meant to say "We're a better team THAN that" That would be okay but, I think he was really feeling pretty sour losing to an "inferior" team in his mind.

It's fine to assume one is coaching "the better team" but to say it out loud to the press is plain rude. Coaching 101: Set a good example by showing some class.

I freakin love this team. They battled their asses off last night. The Capitals threw everything, including the kitchen sink, at us in the 3rd period and we held them off for a well deserved 2 points. The more I see Quick in net and how he handles the pressure, the more impressed I am. He looks like he could become something special. The experience he's getting playing these types of games will serve him well in the future.

It was great to see the old Kopitar back last night. When that line is scoring, the rest of our lines become more potent. Kudos again to Calder for another outstanding game. Anthony you are out of your mind.
It can't be a good thing when Frolov can't beat a forward playing goal. If somehow we would have lost that game, he would have been the goat. He's getting a ton of chances which means he's working hard, but he needs to bury a few of these.

I think TM and the coaching staff deserve a ton of credit for last nights win. They saw something on video with the Caps defense. They were constantly trying the long pass when Green was on the ice against them and they had numerous scoring chances because of this. The Caps announcers kept mentioning it during the broadcast. I guess this was something other teams hadn't done against them because they seemed genuinely surprised. Sometimes its the little things the staff and organization do that help you win. Most times it's not publicized.
It seems that all of the line switching that TM was doing during the 1st half seems to have paid off. All of the lines look in sync and he has found prominent roles for players we all thought were useless(Calder).

As for the Caps announcers....Other than the dead calls on the Kings goals, they were by far the best announcing crew I've heard...Other than Fox and Miller of course. Even their version of Patick O'Neill had informative information to pass along. I was amazed at how prepared they were for the game. They knew things about the Kings that could only be found thru hard work and preparation.

The next game will be a tough one. NJ is so disciplined in their own zone. It would be sweet to get a point or 2 there and set up what could be an amazing road trip and something that just might springboard this team to a playoff spot.

IS kopi hurt??? After that one hit he was grimcing? and was a lot slower and more tentive with his play? Anyone have any idea?

OK my blood pressure has equalized overnight so I can comment a little bit more...I know you're all happy about that right?

The opening of the first was a little scrambly and lack of coverage and handling of the won faceoff led to the first goal. After they got the power play and scored it settled the boys down and they really hammered the first and second period.

Kopi and Sully played well but did you see how fast Sully got that thing top shelf? Damn that went up in a hurry. Calder was crashing the net and Brown too. They keep that up and the goal totals will keep coming.

Quick is playing great for the boys. Not many "bad" goals of late which is all you can ask. He's keeping them in the game.

Frolov is all over the place! He's a bit snakebit but if you're getting that many chances then your linemates will eat up the rebounds and chances from being open and that happened last night.

Defense is playing well for the most part but it seems OD has lapses and I'd like to see DD and JMFJ get some more point shots, especially on the PP. It's like they're looking for the perfect shot and not taking any.

PLEASE open it up a little in the third with a lead. You don't have to rush 3 guys deep but at least let the offense flow...that's how you got that lead you're sitting on!

I have a bet on the Jersey game so don't let me down!

I can answer for Anthony.

He hates Calder so much because he doesn't understand the game of hockey. He thinks hockey is played by high priced superstars and there is no need for role players.

Re-sign Calder? I'm not so sure his role can't be filled by Simmonds next season. But trade him? Is it really necessary? These kids, even if they don't make the playoffs, will learn a hell of alot from making a run towards the playoffs.

Calder looks so good now because TM took him off the first line finally and put him on a line with grinders where he belong. It just happens that his linemates are also talented scorers. His game hasn't changed.

Next step for Kings is learning how to play with a 2 goal lead. They seem to go into a bit of a defensive shell..like a prevent defense. Then give up quick goals. Same if they are ahead going into the third. Our veterans need to step up and bring some composure.

I can wait til Thursday to be a Staples Center...long time in between home games.

Honestly Calder has no future with this team he played poorly all last season (ya I know most of the team did). He played poorly a majority of this season, him being on the roster is blocking a prospect from coming in. If Dean can trade him for a decent return then do so if not keep him and don't resign him unless its for a lot less then hes making now. Calder is playing well cause his contract is up in 30 games he needs to get another deal.

I have a big problem with what Boudreau said. They play in the weakest division and we play in one of the toughest and he wants to talk down to us?? We've played them twice and beaten them both times. We scored 10 goals in 2 games against them and they're the better team??

That was supposed to be a big (not bit) F-U for Bruce Boudreau and it still is, F-U Boudreau!!

Great job Quick. You have been a major difference for this team. Some fantastic saves.

Someone .... anyone .... even Anthony???? Why did TM play the "Let's Play Shutdown" crap once again in the 3rd period and almost lose it again. If the guys kept playing as they were in the first two periods and kept the pressure on the Caps it wouldn't have been as close as it turned out. Come on Terry, look at the tape and say "thank you" to your "kids" for saving your a$$ again.

As I watched Quick tonight, my main thought was that you just don't see him give up easy goals. When people are scoring on him, it's not like he misses and doesn't make the save, it's that the other team beats him...and hell, some of the time he makes those saves too.

He must have made amazing strides in his technique over the last couple years because he looks really solid. From what I've read, if Quick becomes a star player, we should all probably say a word of thanks to Bill Ranford and the Kings goal coaching squad.

Al,

I agree with your assesment and I don't know why we're becoming so passive with 3rd period leads.
By periods, we've allowed the most goals against in the 3rd period. We also have a horrible winning percentage when WE score first.
I think Murray needs to realize that with a 3rd period lead he needs to get EVERY player on our side of the ice HITTING AND PUNISHING the team we're already hammering on the scoreboard.
This should be the time that Brown, Handzus, and Kopitar use their size to PUNISH.
I wish they'd go back and look at tapes from the first month of the season and see how dominant we were throughout 3 periods. Think back to the game against the Ducks, the shutout over St. Louis, the shutouts over Columbus.
We've got the size to totally manhandle teams.
Let's use it.

Plus, where's the "payback" for Ovechkin and his run at Brown in the first game?

Ziggy, I don't know if it is the way the road games have been televised or if Kopitar has finally come out of hibernation, but he has really looked fast and the shot has been like a laser. If he continues then I will gladly admit I was wrong about him, but in order to win a Cup in the future, you have to be able to play the way it will take to win it now. I think what the Kings need to do with Kopitar is, hide him from the family. Huge change on the road compared to at home. Hey "Eat The Rich" how about that Quick??

I laugh whern I hear people blaming the coach for a team going into a 3rd priod shell. Does anyone believe that in between the 2nd and 3rd periods, he's telling the guys to back off? No coach worth his soul would do that...and especially not a veteran coach.
It's not that coaches are completely without blame...but the biggest reason that it looks like the team's playing a "prevent defense" is the other team is attacking with everything they have in the 3rd period. The other team is rushing 4 guys or more every time they get a chance. When you're trailing in the 3rd period, you don't worry about the odd man rushes the other way, you attack..you double and sometimes triple shift your best players with the only goal being to create scoring opportunities.
Washington and Montreal are highly skilled offensive teams. Wehn Ovechkin is being triple shifted and told not to worry about getting back on D...what's your team supposed to do? How are they expected to react to this? You have to fall back and protect your own end. The main objective for the Kings is to get the puck out of the zone. You can try to break a forward out of the zone early to create an odd man rush the other way, but if the puck doesn't get out...good luck stopping guys like Ovechkin with the game on the line.

Some people need to understand the game a lot more than they think they do. This is not football.

NY...

YES, coaches do preach more defensive responsibility up by 2 going into the third...Then the team goes into a defensive mode, bringing an extra forward back. They stop being aggressive offensively and with such a young team the get caught on their heels and give up 20-25 shots in the 3rd. If other team could afford to play that offensively for 60 min. they would...but they can't. We're not N.J. or Minn. that not how the Kings are going to be successful.

MarkE

How can you continue to keep being aggressive offensively when the other team is rushing 4 or more guys up ice?
If you do try to remain aggressive and don't score or get it out of the zone...you're going to let guys like Ovechkin have great scoring chances and the odds are likely they will bury those chances. Your 1st priority with a lead is not to relinquish it. If you're playing a team that's offensively challenged, that's a different story. But against teams like Montreal and Washington...that's suicide!