Johnson's big night
The selection of the first star last night couldn't have been more appropriate. Jack Johnson played a smart, aggressive game, and got rewarded for it with two goals -- one of which would have made highlight reels if the game had been recorded, etc. -- and one assist.
Johnson, last night, looked like the defenseman we've seen in highlight videos from his college days. If he can maintain that, and if the Kings find the correct partner for him, the defense will improve even further, and so will the offense.
Here's what Terry Murray said about Johnson's skilled shorthanded goal:
``It was a pretty spectacular goal,'' Murray said. ``Exhibition game or not, you still have to go out and do it. On a four-on-three penalty kill situation on top of all that, it was a great effort. He took it into his own hands to do something spectacular at that time and he did.''
Here's what Johnson said about possible improvements to the Kings' power play, on which he played the point last night with the first unit:
``It's just confidence,'' Johnson said. ``You know everyone's getting to know each other more and, I mean, you can't have good players out there with no confidence. Nothing's going to get done. Last year we couldn't figure it out and we definitely had the personnel out there. I think it's just the confidence and zipping around and shooting whenever you can. Not looking for anything extra. Confidence is everything. You're not playing well unless you're confident. Those two go hand in hand.''
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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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It's hard to be confident with you're injured. Stay healthy Jack!
Kill Jack kill!
Exhibition or not, his game last night is the most exciting news I've heard yet leading up to the next season. I'm more excited about him that Smyth and Scuderi!
Way to go Jack....
Man, if he can live up to his potential...along with Doughty and Hickey, Greener...damn, we'll have the best defense in the league....Winning starts at the blue line and back. It was also good to hear TM say he was pleased with Bernier's game. There's nothing better then a good healthy competition in goal between Bernier and Quick. It can only help both guys and of course, the Kings.
I realize it's just exhibition games and they really are meaningless, but it's still nice to hear good things about guys like JJ and JW. They need to be at their best if we're going to the playoffs.
A little side note about Boyle...I caught some of the game last night NYR vs Boston...Again, it's just game #1, but he looks the same as he did with the Kings. Mostly playing on the outside and not particularly effective. He's going to need to pick his game up quickly or he's going to be ticketed for Hartford.
The Rangers are asking him to play the same way the Kings wanted him to play...tough, aggressive, and banging down low for loose pucks...
To all of the Boyle guys who were pissed at the Kings for wanting him to play that way...I guess other organizations feel the same way. It's ok...you guys can come out and admit you were wrong. :)
I've said it before and I'll say it again...JMFJ is better than Doughty. Not taking anything away from DD but with a full healthy season ahead...JJ will prove why it was so important to keep this tremendously talented player.
I'm excited about what JJ said about Smyth and Scuderi. Those were the two guys on the ice with him when he scored that goal. He said that play would not have happened without them. It did look in the replay like Scuds made a nice outlet pass to Jack to start the rush.
Nice to hear the team loves their new additions.
That goal was sick. He played a hell of a game, as did Doughty. I thought they both pinched in a ton on offense, and i'd love to see more of that.
Just in general the Kings PP looked sensational. I'm sure it was aided by the fact we were playing the b squad of arguably the worst team in the league, but i'm hoping they can keep it up.
NyKing-
I don't think too many fans were upset Boyle was traded, except for maybe one guy. I don't want to point any names here, but I can say his name begins with an "A" and ends with a "yy".
Awesome goal, preseason or not. Our Defense could be scary in the future. Even if one of our four blue chip D-men doesn't pan out. If Teubert can learn a little discipline our future D looks great.
Please, for the love of God...be October 3rd already!!!!