Ducks Gameday -- Welcome to Exampleville
by Earl Sleek on Mar 19, 2010 11:02 AM PDT
179 comments
New York Islanders (whatever) at Anaheim Ducks (whatever), 7 pm
Lighthouse Hockey and Anaheim Calling offer differing perspectives on Jason Blake.
My first comments immediately after the Wiz hit:
Wisniewski is going to get suspended here, I imagine — this one’s pretty deserved.
I have no idea how the result of all that was 5-on-5 hockey.
I guess the refs just don’t care any more.
I mean seriously — James Wisniewski responds to a hit on Perry by flying in below the opponent’s goal line to deliver an elbow to the head? Which immediately knocks Seabrook out? And nobody in stripes seems to care?
This is like bizarro refereeing. They must have hit the green beer early or something.
Just so it's clear, I have nothing against the NHL suspending Wisniewski for his out-of-position slamming of Seabiscuit -- it was definitely stupid and ugly -- but still, I don't know who was expecting that he'd get suspended to a NHL-season-high degree. Mirtle claims there have been 28 suspensions so far this year, with Wisniewski's being the first to eclipse five games. Why this sudden leap in severity? Uh...
How I imagine things went in the imaginary NHL courthouse.
Still, whatever -- wins this season aren't terribly important any more (even if the Ducks end with the 10-2-1 from last year, they're still 73.9% likely to miss the playoffs), Wisniewski's summer raise probably just took an unsuspecting hit, and it's a lazy Friday -- I don't have much arguing energy today. I would like to see the NHL get suspension-severe on another franchise someday, but I can save that for a year when Anaheim plays more competitively over the first 3/4 of the season.
Prediction: The Ducks are bizarre as ever -- lose every game after the Olympic break except against the best two teams in the west. Unfortunately, the Islanders aren't that intimidating on paper, so the Ducks accordingly lose. Inspired by longtime buddy Paul Kariya's 400th career goal last night, though, Teemu Selanne pots #600 -- that'd be fittingly awesome.
Go Ducks.
179 comments | 0 recs |
Kings Gameday: Welcome Back, Bob
by RudyKelly on Mar 18, 2010 2:36 PM PDT
53 comments
Vin Scully is kind of like a grandfather. Like most people growing up in Los Angeles, I grew up listening to Scully on the radio or television and I was always comforted by how he never got too high or too low, how he never took any loss to hard, how I always knew there was a game the next day and Vin would be there with me to explain it.
Chick Hearn was kind of like that crazy drunk uncle that your mom doesn't like but you think is hilarious. He was biased as hell and you were never quite sure what he was talking about, but he was fun and vibrant and he made you excited to be watching basketball.
Keith Jackson always reminded me of an extended cousin, because I only saw him a few times a year (usually on holidays) but he was always really great and I felt like I had known him for a long time.
Bob Miller... doesn't feel like a family member. Bob's more like your dad's work friend; you know he's a funny, pleasant guy, but he never really shows that around you.
Those 4 are the giants of Southern California, the Mount Rushmore of announcers, and I grew up listening to all of them. 2 of them are gone now; Chick Hearn is dead and Keith Jackson is pretty much retired. Vin's retiring next year (and he only does division games now anyway), so Bob's pretty much the only one left. I never really gave much thought to the idea that Bob is going to be gone soon but this recent illness kind of reminded me that yeah, Bob doesn't have too many years left. He's starting to flub a few more names than he used to and he's starting to confuse numbers more than he used to. I'm conflicted between feelings that I don't want Bob to ever leave and my feeling that I don't want to see him mess up anymore. I don't know, it's tough. Ultimately I want him to stay just because I don't know what a Kings game, or even a Kings team, would be like without him.
53 comments | 0 recs |
"I Don't Know, Is He Selling This, John?"
by RudyKelly on Mar 18, 2010 9:12 AM PDT
136 comments
Yes, of course he is.
136 comments | 0 recs
Ducks Gameday -- Happy Irish Day
by Earl Sleek on Mar 17, 2010 12:34 PM PDT
169 comments
Chicago Blackhawks (whatever) at Anaheim Ducks (whatever), 7 pm
Second City Hockey and Anaheim Calling for more informed views.
Well, this is going to be an awfully uninformed gameday post. The good news is that after a solid week of steady dedication, I'm now fully caught up on "Lost" -- now I've seen them all. The bad news is that in that time I've completely ignored NHL hockey and this blog -- I really haven't even investigated what's been going on outside of the games I went to on Friday (yuck) and on Sunday (yay).
But it's time I took some Dharma Initiative and put together something to comment on tonight:
I'll drink to that.
Happy drinking tonight! I'll get back up to blogging speed on Friday.
Prediction: I'm supposed to play Spade some NHL09 before tonight's game, where I figure he'll finally score past my diving-man defense. Ducks then lose early so we can rematch.
Go Ducks.
169 comments | 0 recs |
Praise for the Best Center in Southern California
by RudyKelly on Mar 16, 2010 1:36 PM PDT
86 comments
(I know what you're thinking: what about Chris Kaman? Yeah he's pretty good but he's also a ghoul so screw 'im.)
You know who's pretty awesome? Anze Kopitar. We (and by "we" I mean "I") don't really say it a lot but it's true. Kopitar is indeed awesome. I sometimes overlook him because I'm focusing on Simmonds' progress or how much I hate Ryan Smyth or whether Frolov got a haircut (I think he did). I expect Kopitar to be great so when he achieves my expectations it's just kind of like, "Yeah, great, you did your job. Now get some sleep." But Kopitar is indeed awesome and here are a few reasons why:
1) He might score 40 goals this season. Probably the biggest change in Kopitar's offensive game since he first came into the league is that he's shooting a lot more. When Kopitar was first starting most of his points came on the rush, where he'd get past the defense with a speed move and then hit a trailing man for a scoring opportunity. Now he's not getting those same opportunities to enter with speed in Terry Murray's system so he's adapted by shooting the puck more. Here are his shot totals since he first came into the league in 2006:
2006-07 (72 games): 193 (217 over 82)
2007-08 (82 games): 201
2008-09 (82 games): 234
2009-10 (68 games): 216 (253 over 82)
As you can see, Kopitar has a lot more shots this season than he did in the past. I think the reason for this is threefold: one, he's getting good opportunities from improved linemates this season; two, he's getting more ice time this season; and three, he's been more confident with his shot, especially on the power play.
Kopitar has scored 32 goals in 68 games this season. Barring injury, he's on pace for 37 goals. However, since January 1st he's been on a torrid pace, tallying 16 goals in 27 games. If he can keep up that pace for the rest of the season he should get 40 goals. That would be awesome. Of course, he could fall into another slump like the one he had in December (2 goals in 14 games) and then he won't get near 40 goals. That wouldn't be awesome.
86 comments | 0 recs |
Quisp's 2011-12 Los Angeles Kings
by RudyKelly on Mar 15, 2010 4:03 PM PDT
22 comments
The other day fellow blogger Quisp had an excellent question: with all the different projects and prospects in the Kings' system, how can the Kings possibly get them all into the NHL in the next few years? We both decided to write down our best guesses without looking at the other person's line-up and then compare them. You can see my correct prediction over at Jewels From the Crown while Quisp's horribly inaccurate line-up is below. A few things to note about Quisp's line-up:
-He has Andrei Loktionov above Brayden Schenn and both of them above Jarret Stoll.
-He has Kyle Clifford making the team.
-Jordan Nolan? Jake Muzzin?
I asked Quisp a few questions about his line-up and he'll answer them in the comments soon. What do you guys think? Which prospects will make the team and which ones will be left behind?
Alexander Frolov/Andrei Loktionov/Oscar Moller
Kyle Clifford/Brayden Schenn/Dustin Brown
Richard Clune/Jarret Stoll/Brad Richardson
(Jordan Nolan)
Rob Scuderi/Drew Doughty
Jack Johnson/Jake Muzzin
Vyacheslav Voynov/Matt Greene
(Thomas Hickey)
Jonathan Bernier
Jonathan Quick
Questions for Quisp:
1. Looking at your line-up, it seems like you're pretty bullish on Andrei Loktionov and Jake Muzzin. What is it about these guys that tickles your fancy?
2. Where do you see Wayne Simmonds being in 2 years? Is he on the top line because he doesn't need the puck or do you see him being more talented than Oscar Moller or Dustin Brown?
3. Clifford-Schenn-Brown. I don't have a question, that's just a really cool line.
4. Jordan Nolan is going to someday make the team? Seriously?
5. How good do you see this team being in the 11-12 season?
22 comments | 0 recs |
Kings Gameday: But I Want it Now!
by RudyKelly on Mar 14, 2010 10:30 AM PDT
7 comments
When I was a kid, I loved to set up scenarios. I'd play with my brother or a friend (just kidding, I had no friends) and we'd do a toy draft to see who got to play with what. The first pick was always the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Pizza Shooter, then the blimp, and then usually Snake Eyes. We'd work our way down, from Turtle to Ghostbuster to GI Joe to the random stuff, the Dick Tracy action figure and the Batmobile and my sister's Barbi pink Cadillac . (The turtles could fit in it, it was awesome.) Then we'd set up my room into a battle zone, trying to gain the high ground to prevent Cobra Commander from seizing the day. This whole process would take maybe 2 hours and then by the time everything was all set up we were pretty tired and bored with the whole thing so we'd put everything away. We were so transfixed on making everything perfect that we'd foreget to actually play.
7 comments | 0 recs |
Kings Gameday: Team Ramrod?
by RudyKelly on Mar 12, 2010 1:08 PM PST
12 comments
Tonight's game isn't on television and I'll be otherwise occupied so naturally tonight's game will be awesome. There are a ton of storylines to focus on tonight so instead of writing about just one I'll write just a little bit about all of them. It's the blogger's dream; I don't have to actually know about anything because instead I can just spout nonsense off the top of my head that you seals will gulp down like a fresh cod. But to actually put some sort of input I'll preface each tidbit with a quote from Super Troopers since I watched it the other day and it's hilarious. Wait, it's not actually my input if I just mindlessly parrot someone else's comedy, is it. Ah well, we're living the blogger's dream today. Who wants a moustache ride?!?
It stinks like sex in here.
Omigod, Jonathan Bernier's starting tonight. In case you forgot, Bernier's the silent and smooth goaltender who set my heart aflutter by showing me his pretty, pretty butterfly. He also showed me how he stops the puck. Bernier's calm and controlled in net, a stark contrast to Jonathan Quick's frenetic and acrobatic style. You can tell the difference between the two when there's a pass from one side to the other and then a quick shot: Bernier will slide over and rely on his positioning to make the save, while Quick will usually keep his body in the same spot and try to either snare the puck with his glove or kick it out with his pad. The idea behind Quick's strategy is that it's easier to follow the puck if you keep your head in the same spot (since you're not adjusting for the puck's movement and your own), while Bernier would tell you that the shooters in the NHL are good enough to beat you so you might as well put your body in the way and let geometry take care of the rest. Is there a right answer? No, not really. The greatest goaltenders in NHL history haven't been butterfly goaltenders, but then again it's unrealistic to show some kid tape of Dominik Hasek and say, "Go ahead and play like that." It's an interesting contrast, though, and it'll be fun to watch. You know, if you could. I can't. Dammit.
12 comments | 0 recs |
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Pacific Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
San Jose
|
71 | 43 | 18 | 10 | 96 |
|
Phoenix
|
71 | 44 | 22 | 5 | 93 |
|
Los Angeles
|
69 | 40 | 24 | 5 | 85 |
|
Anaheim
|
70 | 33 | 29 | 8 | 74 |
|
Dallas
|
70 | 30 | 27 | 13 | 73 |
(updated 3.19.2010 at 9:42 PM PDT)
Northwest Standings
Central Standings
3 years old and counting!
Ducks Schedule
Next 5 Games
|
Colorado
|
Sun 03/21 | 5:00 PM PDT |
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@
Calgary
|
Tue 03/23 | 6:00 PM PDT |
|
@
Vancouver
|
Wed 03/24 | 7:00 PM PDT |
|
@
Edmonton
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Fri 03/26 | 6:00 PM PDT |
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Dallas
|
Mon 03/29 | 7:00 PM PDT |
Last 5 Games
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New York Islanders
|
Fri 03/19 | OT - W 5 - 4 |
|
Chicago
|
Wed 03/17 | W 4 - 2 |
|
San Jose
|
Sun 03/14 | W 4 - 2 |
|
Nashville
|
Fri 03/12 | L 0 - 1 |
|
Columbus
|
Tue 03/09 | L 2 - 5 |
Kings Schedule
Next 5 Games
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New York Islanders
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Sat 03/20 | 7:30 PM PDT |
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Colorado
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Mon 03/22 | 7:30 PM PDT |
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@
Colorado
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Wed 03/24 | 6:00 PM PDT |
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@
St. Louis
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Thu 03/25 | 5:00 PM PDT |
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Dallas
|
Sat 03/27 | 7:30 PM PDT |
Last 5 Games
|
Chicago
|
Thu 03/18 | L 0 - 3 |
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Nashville
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Sun 03/14 | L 2 - 3 |
|
@
Dallas
|
Fri 03/12 | SO - W 2 - 1 |
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@
Chicago
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Wed 03/10 | OT - L 2 - 3 |
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Columbus
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Mon 03/08 | W 6 - 0 |
Sharks Schedule
Next 5 Games
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@
Edmonton
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Sun 03/21 | 5:00 PM PDT |
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@
Minnesota
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Tue 03/23 | 5:00 PM PDT |
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Dallas
|
Thu 03/25 | 7:30 PM PDT |
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Vancouver
|
Sat 03/27 | 7:00 PM PDT |
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Colorado
|
Sun 03/28 | 5:00 PM PDT |
Last 5 Games
|
@
Calgary
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Fri 03/19 | L 3 - 4 |
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@
Vancouver
|
Thu 03/18 | L 2 - 3 |
|
@
Dallas
|
Tue 03/16 | L 2 - 8 |
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@
Anaheim
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Sun 03/14 | L 2 - 4 |
|
Florida
|
Sat 03/13 | OT - L 2 - 3 |
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