Kings Gameday: Powder Keg
by RudyKelly on Jan 21, 2009 10:23 AM PST
30 comments
LA Kings (18-20-7) @ Colorado Avalanche (23-22-1)
6:00 PST, Fox Sports West
Johnson Watch: 17:44 TOI, 0 P, +2, 2 PIM, 2 Special Team Shifts (PK)
You ever just get the feeling that a game is going to be wild? The Kings and the Avalanche have played two games this season: one was a tightly-checked and rough contest that saw the Avalanche prevail in a shootout, while the other was an embarrassing loss for the Kings as they fell, 6-1. In the first game, John Zeiler knocked Adam Foote out for a while with a brutal check from behind; in the second game, TJ Hensick knocked Derek Armstrong out for a while with a hit to the head. The Kings have been looking for an opportunity to come together as a team and I think tonight is going to provide it. Plus, this is probably the last game Kevin Westgarth is going to get for a while and I imagine he wants to make the most of it. Plus, this is the 1st game Jack Johnson will play against Colorado since he decapitated Ryan Smyth and maybe they still might want a little revenge for that. Plus... well, no, that's it. The Avalanche have a lot of guys that can hit and fight, as do the Kings, and I imagine tonight is going to get a little rough.
***
The Kings have pretty much decided that grit is better than talent for now and have banished guys like Ted Purcell and Brian Boyle in favor of guys like Raitis Ivanans, John Zeiler and Kevin Westgarth. The weirdest thing? The grit guys played great last night. Seriously, Kyle Calder had his best game since he joined the Kings, John Zeiler was hitting people in a meaningful way, Raitis had a couple good moves... hell, even Sean O'Donnell made a few good moves on offense. The Kings haven't been getting good play from their 4th line this season and it has cost them in a lot of games (the last game against Colorado is a great example), but those guys played great last night. If they can keep it up then a lot of space will be opened for the Kings' top guys.
***
If the Kings go to a shootout tonight, they're fucked. The Kings have played in 7 shootouts and have a record of 2-5. Colorado is 7-1. Of course, Jonathan Quick (who will probably start tonight) looks to be an excellent shootout goaltender, so maybe the Kings' luck can change.
Prediction: Kings win, 4-3 (SO). Hey, they have to win one eventually. Mile High Hockey has your Avalanche perspective, which I imagine is as follows: "I'm cold."
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“I’m cold”, or “we have the worst announcers in the NHL (besides Joe Beninati)”
by Nut on Jan 21, 2009 10:54 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
"we have the worst announcers in the NHL (besides Joe Beninati)"
Don’t forget the abomination duo that is known as Tripp Tracy and John Forslund in Carolina. About the worst that the NHL has to offer, in my opinion.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
by Earl Sleek on Jan 21, 2009 10:58 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I was trying to figure out why Razor is so much better than everyone else and I think I figured it out: he talks about the other team. A lot of guys just talk about what their player did wrong instead of what the other player does right. It’s simple, but I think that’s the key.
The West Coast is the Best Coast.
by RudyKelly on Jan 21, 2009 11:03 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I do so hate when teams keep gritty guys
over talented guys.
You know what? Fuck you Sports Gods, fuck you.
by bluemax on Jan 21, 2009 11:16 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
hey man, its not cold here.
When I moved from MI, I was floored at how mild it is out here. It’s been in the 60’s for almost a solid week now, in the middle of January. Moving from MI to CO was the best thing I’ve ever done. And it was a lot better than moving to CA, which was my other option. You guys don’t even have seasons man. Lack of seasons seriously messes with you, when you’re from an area with clearly defined seasons.
That said, Go Kings. You guys are right about the Avs announcers, they’re absolutely awful, and they’re working for an awful team, on a truly awful network. If I have to see that funny looking retard on the Avs post game show talk about how blogs suck again, I’m gonna throw a brick at my TV.
by IAmJoe on Jan 21, 2009 12:28 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Apparently my roommate (and defensive partner) is bailing on our hockey game tonight, to go see this game. Who goes to an Avs game, right?
by IAmJoe on Jan 21, 2009 12:54 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe you need to be a better defensive partner? You know — go get a few more of those 50/50 pucks?
Now of course, I’ve never seen you play, so I’m definitely jumping to conclusions, but as you said, why else would your roommate go voluntarily to see the Avs/Kings?
http://www.battleofcali.com/
by Earl Sleek on Jan 21, 2009 1:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Hah, its more like I’m the Niedermayer to his Beauchemin.
Actually, a more accurate description might be more like I’m the Keith Carney to his Oleg Tverdovsky.
That’s probably an insult to Oleg too. :-/
by IAmJoe on Jan 21, 2009 1:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I’m the Niedermayer to his Beauchemin.
Ah, so probably your roommate needs his spleen removed. Or has a fractured jaw. Or a broken leg. Or whatever crazy ailment fits Beauchemin’s fancy these days.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
by Earl Sleek on Jan 21, 2009 3:09 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Lack of seasons seriously messes with you, when you’re from an area with clearly defined seasons.
Not really. Moved to Ca from Va. When I want snow, go to Tahoe. Sun, drive just a little ways out of the immediate Bay Area. etc. I love the even temps year round and being able to pretty much wear jeans and tank top all the time. Tho I will admit to missing storms.
Ever get the feeling we are on a collision course with reality?
by ang6666 on Jan 21, 2009 1:00 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
It doesn’t mess with you? I have lots of family down in the San Diego area, and whenever I go down there to visit, especially in winter, it just feels weird. i think what gets me the most is the colors, more than the weather. In MI, you can’t throw a rock without hitting a tree, and its all green. Go out to southern California, and its all brown, except where its black, cause it recently burned. It just looks kinda depressing.
Once you start getting up into the mountains, it is pretty nice though. I’ve never been to northern California, but I gotta think thats better too. If my family were at the northern end, I probably would’ve moved out there and given it a shot.
by IAmJoe on Jan 21, 2009 1:35 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Really? You’re trying to argue that Michigan is nicer than San Diego? Now I know what you feel like when I try to say the Kings are better than the Red Wings.
by Nut on Jan 21, 2009 3:27 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
lol!
Just about choked on my innocent orange juice reading that!
by AppleSweetRose on Jan 21, 2009 7:17 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I am assuming when you say you have family in the “San Diego area” you must be referring to Riverside/S an Bernardino because your description doesn’t sound at all like San Diego. Those of us that really live in San Diego know how beautiful it is all year long. So beautiful we live here even though we have mediocre sports teams and no hockey….we don’t mind traveling to see our Kings play then travel back to paradise.
by anonymous1 on Jan 22, 2009 7:10 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed
I live west of the 5 in the 921OB, and saying that SD’s weather weirds you out is like saying Scarlette Johannson has too much junk in her trunk. From the sounds of it, I’m guessing that guy’s family lives in Santee, El Cajon or Jamul.
I miss the Gulls :::sigh:::
Paul Lo Duca is MLB's Pablo Escobar..
by DodgerBlueBalls on Jan 22, 2009 8:45 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I missed rain when I moved to LA
from Washington, then it rained once and I never had that problem again.
You know what? Fuck you Sports Gods, fuck you.
by bluemax on Jan 22, 2009 11:02 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I didn’t say that. I just said So-Cal weirds me out, cause I’m used to certain things, having been around them all my life in MI. MI weather sucks balls, but the scenery is nice. CO is a pretty good compromise.
by IAmJoe on Jan 21, 2009 3:58 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
All right, this is absolutely absurd. Kyle Calder has scored in two straight games, and is playing like he actually knows what he is doing. That and the Avalanche put in Andrew Raycroft to try and stop the damage. I find that hilarious, especially since he gave up two goals in 29 seconds.
by klink3115 on Jan 21, 2009 7:50 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Law of averages, eventually we had to score some goals.
by Nut on Jan 21, 2009 7:54 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
This game is law of averages gone crazy!
http://www.battleofcali.com/
by Earl Sleek on Jan 21, 2009 8:08 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Absolutely crazy game, but we pulled it out. Now I’m without Kings hockey until next Thursday, and that’s not even on TV.
by klink3115 on Jan 21, 2009 8:47 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
If you haven’t seen this, check it out: Abel 2 Yzerman is complaining that the Detroit Red Wings don’t get enough attention. It really has to be read to be believed. It’s like Hitler complaining that he doesn’t get used in enough inappropriate analogies.
The West Coast is the Best Coast.
by RudyKelly on Jan 22, 2009 3:23 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
The Red Wings turned down invites to the All-Star Game? Let’s blame some people who don’t wear red wheels!
And tell Hitler not to worry — we’ll try harder.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
by Earl Sleek on Jan 22, 2009 4:00 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Oh boy. I’m collecting a “type of attention” that each team receives.. I’m leaving it that because it may one day turn into a fanpost if Earl doesn’t crush my will to do so like last time. But let’s just say Detroit is in the top, well, one percent of teams that get a lot of attention.
People who save up for a rainy day are like milk. And milk goes good with cookies, so you should have those people over for cookies.
by brokenyard on Jan 22, 2009 4:54 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
…it may one day turn into a fanpost if Earl doesn’t crush my will to do so like last time.
Whoops! I meant to be encouraging, I swear! I love days when I don’t have to post anything!
It just seems these days, with all the losing, everything that comes out of my mouth is as bitter as Hitler’s recipe for sauerkraut.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
by Earl Sleek on Jan 22, 2009 5:05 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Recommended 19 times!!!!!!
Paul Lo Duca is MLB's Pablo Escobar..
by DodgerBlueBalls on Jan 22, 2009 6:55 PM PST up reply actions 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 3.20.2010 at 5:14 AM PDT)
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