Kings Gameday: My Dreams Come True

by RudyKelly on Jan 8, 2009 9:25 AM PST Comment 51 comments

LA Kings vs. Anaheim Ducks

7:30 PST, Fox Sports West

Frolov and Kopitar are going to play together. Awesome. It's weird, they've been on the same team for the past two years and haven't played together but for a few preseason games in Kopitar's first few games. I really like the idea because nothing else seems to be working so far, and I'm also pretty sure that Kopitar and Frolov would work well together. Kopitar's best attribute used to be his ability to enter the zone and get a shot, while Frolov is best working the corners; put those two together, and I think some magic could develop. Wayne Simmonds should work with that line because he won't have to carry the offensive load like he's had to when partnered with Frolov and Handzus, plus he's pretty good in front of the net. The line will probably play against Getzlaf's line tonight, while Handzus' line gets secondary defensive duty against Brendan Morrison. If you figure that Stoll's line will play against Pahlsson, it's likely that the only scoring will be done by the top lines. Should be exciting to watch.

I'm a fan of the other two lines, with a caveat. The other two lines are:

Calder-Handzus-Brown

O'Sullivan-Stoll-Purcell

I like the idea of Handzus' line helping out on the defensive end while Jarret Stoll's line helps out offensively. The only thing I want to see (you can probably guess already) is Moller in Kyle Calder's place. I'm pretty sure people think I hate Kyle Calder or something, but I really don't; I just think he kind of sucks. Put him with Brian Boyle and Raitis Ivanans, though, and I think he can do some good.

The Kings have had a lot of trouble scoring recently: since their Finals Week in the middle of December, they've scored 19 goals in 10 games. That works out to (let's see, carry the one...) 1.9 goals a game. That sucks. Nothing else has seemed to work out so far, so why not Frolov and Kopitar?

***

Here's a picture of Parros from Tuesday's game:

Parros' moustache has gotten a little out of control. He looks like Cy Tolliver.

Prediction: Kings win, 6-1. Goals by Frolov (x3) and Kopitar (x3).

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Comments

who wouldn’t want a ’stache like Cy Tolliver? Unless you could grow a Swearengen ’stache, of course.

by Nut on Jan 8, 2009 9:46 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

ugh

Even the name Cy Tolliver makes my stomach turn. I hated that guy soooo much. His sliminess made me want to take a shower. Al Swearengen, on the other hand, is the best f-in enter 10 letter c-word ever.

by schtimpy27 on Jan 8, 2009 1:05 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Best part about tonight's game

No Ahlers and Hayward. I really hate it when the Kings play at the Pond.

by LA Seitz on Jan 8, 2009 10:29 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I really hate it when the Kings play at the Pond.

Well, I guess the bright side about Tuesday was that very few Kings came to play. :)

Great Parros picture, RK — that one turned out crystal clear.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Jan 8, 2009 10:44 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

That one’s all my brother. For some reason my pictures all look I tried to photograph Bigfoot or something.

The West Coast is the Best Coast.

by RudyKelly on Jan 8, 2009 10:48 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, me too. The camera on my cell phone has ceased operating, but that’s probably for the best. I keep taking pictures of marks on the glass.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Jan 8, 2009 10:51 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

It’s amazing how the best pictures are the ones where nothing seems to happen. I mean you capture a picture of a guy sitting on a little bench and it looks like the Mona Lisa.

Moller should be in the lineup tonight, so hopefully no more Zeiler. Richardson (Who the fuck is he?) should be back in a couple games, so hopefully no more… I don’t know, but hopefully Calder gets the scratch. Also, Quick should be healthy enough to go for the Kings tonight (made it through the entire practice yesterday with no problems), so look for another 2-0 Kings loss, with one of the goals coming via empty net.

Also, check out my comment on Sleek’s Gameday post.

Fuck you, Denis Gauthier

by Kevin Y on Jan 8, 2009 10:59 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Hmm, apparently your boy Moller has a fractured clavicle.

Oops, I meant lower body something or other.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Jan 8, 2009 11:32 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Isn’t the clavicle an upper body injury?

NOOOOO!!!! Are you serious? I knew he had gotten hurt, but it wasn’t considered serious and he was practicing and everything.

Crap, I was so stoked for tonight’s game to see #9 out there.

Also, WTF is going on with those Pacific Division Standings in the side bar? What’s up with those W and L totals?

Fuck you, Denis Gauthier

by Kevin Y on Jan 8, 2009 11:41 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Isn’t the clavicle an upper body injury?

Uh, I was being misleading? I really have no idea.

Also, WTF is going on with those Pacific Division Standings in the side bar? What’s up with those W and L totals?

That’s a pretty good question. Maybe SBN got overly depressed at the Sharks’ record. Oddly enough the OTLs are right. I’ll just assume some other hockey blog will complain and get that fixed.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Jan 8, 2009 11:47 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I’ll just assume some other hockey blog will complain and get that fixed.

Shit, I was thinking the same thing about you guys. We’re hosed.

Fear The Fin: Where The Second Round Is Overrated

by Mr. Plank on Jan 9, 2009 1:03 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Although you guys wanna know what really pisses me off about this Kings team?

Jason LaBarbera with Kings: 5-8-4, 2.83 GAA, .893 Sv.%
Jason LaBarbera with Canucks: 2-0-2, 1.93 GAA, .938 Sv.%

The lowest Sv.% he has had in a GAME with the Canucks is .919 (34 saves on 37 shots, an OTL against the Thrashers). I guess this just goes to prove that it wasn’t LaBarbera, it was the teams.

Fuck you, Denis Gauthier

by Kevin Y on Jan 8, 2009 11:44 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I wonder what Rob Blake’s record is :)

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Jan 8, 2009 11:48 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Well Rob Blake is a total bastard. I don’t give a shit what “record” he has… for numerous reasons.

Blake’s his P/Gm is up by .23 (on average, one more point for every five-game stretch), his plus-minus has gone from -19 last year to +10 this year, and he’s only 3-2=5 away from reaching last year’s totals, having played 32 fewer games thus far.

But I’m betting my parent’s house (haha) that those stat increases (except for maybe goals) are more because of playing with Thornton, Cheechoo, and Marleau, rather than Calder, Handzus, and some random third player.

Fuck you, Denis Gauthier

by Kevin Y on Jan 8, 2009 11:59 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

It’s amazing what an old guy can do with some talent and structure, isn’t it?
On the flip side, don’t look up Grebeshkov if you want to feel sane the rest of the day. Taylor shit the bed on that one.

Be prepared for the Truth

by the eight-O-five on Jan 8, 2009 12:56 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I remember Grebeshkov. I believe we traded him and Tambellini to the Islanders for Parrish. I think he plays for the Oilers now?

Speaking of Tambellini, I just finished a BAP game against the Sharks.* He got a freaking assist!

*I’m trying to get 8 games done a day so I can complete a season in like a couple weeks. I’m midway through the 2010-11 season, and even though we’re winning, I’m tired of the Kings. My contract expires after the season, and want to go somewhere else. By the way, my NHL stats: 202 GP, 307 goals, 124 assists (431 points), 599 PIM, +246, and 79 GWG.

Fuck you, Denis Gauthier

by Kevin Y on Jan 8, 2009 1:12 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Assists are pretty tough to come by in that game — my guy is a playmaker, and through one season barely had more assists than goals. One helpful tip — I pass to Getzlaf and Perry nowadays and let them decide if they want to shoot. That seems a bit more successful than me pulling their trigger.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Jan 8, 2009 1:17 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I’ve done much better assist-wise in my games today. I’m currently playing my fifth (0-0 @ COL, 2nd intermission), and so far today I’ve had 2 goals (one EN, the other an OT game-winner) and 7 assists. I’m not shooting as much (was taking 13 shots per game, only 4 per game today) and am dishing the puck to Brown and Purcell (an 81 overall player) every time I get the puck down low.

I’m a power forward, by the way.

Fuck you, Denis Gauthier

by Kevin Y on Jan 8, 2009 1:30 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Do any ducks fans refer to big Ryan as – GRETZ-laf?
I know he’s not remotely the same player, but he is a force, for sure.

Be prepared for the Truth

by the eight-O-five on Jan 8, 2009 1:53 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

God, I hope not. The one thing the Kings have that the Ducks don’t is Gretzky fame.

Fuck you, Denis Gauthier

by Kevin Y on Jan 8, 2009 1:57 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Do any ducks fans refer to big Ryan as – GRETZ-laf?

I don’t know of any, but I’m sure there’s somebody that’s probably doing it. I hear a lot more “Getzy” than anything, though.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Jan 8, 2009 2:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Gee I hope not…let the guy have his own damn identity!!!

GO DUCKS!! Girlwithapuck.blogspot.com

by SK eleven on Jan 8, 2009 2:11 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Hey, Getzlaf is already one of the best Ducks players (skaters) in team history, probably only behind Selanne and Kariya. I know the Ducks have only been around for 16 years or so, but I think he already has enough an identity.

Fuck you, Denis Gauthier

by Kevin Y on Jan 8, 2009 2:16 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I say we start calling him Gretzlaf as soon as he completes his first 200-point season.

by brokenyard on Jan 9, 2009 3:32 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Labarbera with the Kings: Expectations of grabbing the number one goaltender position and out preforming young up and comers like Ersberg and Quick

Labarbera with the Canucks: Play well until Luongo is healthy and then sit on the bench.

Some guys can handle pressure, some can’t

by Nut on Jan 8, 2009 12:01 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Check this out if you want to know how much some Vancouver fans appreciate Labs…

http://worldhockeydaily.wordpress.com/2008/12/31/labarbara-dumped/#comment-214

Be prepared for the Truth

by the eight-O-five on Jan 8, 2009 1:55 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

God, I couldn’t tell if that guy was bashing or commending Kings fans. But basically, LaBarbera was the third best goaltender we have, and DL wanted to get something before he left as a free agent. Remember, Robitaille, the greatest King of all time, was a 9th round pick, going 171st. There were 170 picks ahead of him. Only one, Mario Lemieux, had more NHL points, and only Lemieux and Brett Hull had more goals. The draft did have Patrick Roy also, so I’ll say that Robitaille had far better NHL careers than 167 players who were selected ahead of him (Tom Glavine, of course the 6th round pick by the Kings that year, has had an exceptional MLB career).

In other words, nobody knows how a 7th round pick will pan out. In fact, in that ’84 draft, only two other 7th round picks even played an NHL game: Gary Suter, 844 points in 1145 games, and Jim Thomson, 7 points in 115 games. So every draft pick is very important.

Fuck you, Denis Gauthier

by Kevin Y on Jan 8, 2009 2:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

So every draft pick is very important.

Well, if you include the word “potentially”, I won’t give you a hard time. Your Robitaille story, though, really tells the story of lots of draft picks that were quite unimportant :)

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Jan 8, 2009 3:13 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Okay… “So every draft pick is POTENTIALLY very important”.

Fuck you, Denis Gauthier

by Kevin Y on Jan 8, 2009 3:27 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Ducks - May = ...

Fill in the blank.

The Litter Box: Your SBNation Florida Panthers Blogging Colossus

by Whale4ever on Jan 8, 2009 3:50 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

A second straight first-round playoff exit

Fuck you, Denis Gauthier

by Kevin Y on Jan 8, 2009 3:56 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Still better than the Kings… :)

GO DUCKS!! Girlwithapuck.blogspot.com

by SK eleven on Jan 8, 2009 4:15 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

slightly less suckerpunchy.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Jan 8, 2009 5:20 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Fill in the blank

the beginning of the path of Ducks that will find their way to Toronto

by chris in torrance on Jan 8, 2009 4:59 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Parros' moustache has gotten a little out of control. He looks like Cy Tolliver.

I was thinking more like Gallagher…

by anonymous1 on Jan 8, 2009 5:05 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Wow. why would they trade May? To clear cap space?
Crazy that Dallas has the highest cap payroll in the league.
Dummies.

Be prepared for the Truth

by the eight-O-five on Jan 8, 2009 5:09 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

It’s not about cap space — May makes near league minimum. But he wasn’t getting a lot of playing time — fourth line minutes were going to Marchant, Carter, and Parros instead.

Bob Murray claims he did it for May’s benefit, and as this is probably the first time I’ve heard BM speak since the day he was hired, I don’t really have any reason to doubt him.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Jan 8, 2009 5:19 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Not a surprise that Burke’s first move would be to acquire a player he knew well. And plus, the Leafs could always use a little bit more grit.

Well, I’m off to the game now. I’m wearing my autographed Kopitar third solely because I wore it and they won last Saturday. Sorry I couldn’t give away the other ticket, but in all likelihood, I’ll have another game my parents can’t go to because of prior commitment.

Later, everybody. Go Kings! And fuck you, Denis Gauthier.

Fuck you, Denis Gauthier

by Kevin Y on Jan 8, 2009 5:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, and it wasn’t as if the Ducks were heavily using Mayday.

In their last 14 games, he dressed 3 times and played a total of 18 1/2 minutes. Better to send him somewhere where he’d be useful (or at least used).

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Jan 8, 2009 6:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Well, the result sucked

but it’s hard not to like the B-Ry show. I’m starting to get really excited about what happens when Perry and Selanne return.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Jan 8, 2009 10:10 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Also cute

How the Kings gave him 2nd star of the game :)

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Jan 8, 2009 10:22 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

The Kings aren’t going to give Ryan the first star if the Ducks lost. Now, at Honda Center, you know he’d be the #1 star, and Giguere would be the #2.

Fuck you, Denis Gauthier

by Kevin Y on Jan 8, 2009 11:54 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs

That fourth Kings goal was disappointing. What a waste of an amazing hat trick. That third goal…

And yep, I’m also ooking forward to seeing how this team improves after Perry and Selanne return.

Oh, by the way: I’m not keeping up with the rest of the hockey blogosphere. Has there been much talk about this little goalie controversy we’ve got here? It’s just one game, but those first two goals that Giguere allowed seemed kind of… soft

by g r a c e on Jan 8, 2009 11:19 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I was surprised to see Jiggy in net to start the game. I don’t think I’ve seen him play at 100% yet this season.

I think if Hiller would have started the game…Ducks might have pulled out the win.

GO DUCKS!! Girlwithapuck.blogspot.com

by SK eleven on Jan 9, 2009 12:19 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Me too!

I don’t know what to make of the situation. I get that Carlyle wants to get Giguere back in the game, to maybe take his mind off his personal loss. At the same time, Hiller has been consistently better. Then again, is it better to continue playing Giguere and having him work through his sub-par play now, so that, come playoff time, he’s (hopefully) back to form? In negative terms, would it be a good long-term decision to take the No. 1 spot away from Giguere? Ack.

by g r a c e on Jan 9, 2009 1:25 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t know about long term with Jiggy right now.

I do know this…it seems that with time, Hiller just keeps getting BETTER!! Perhaps they are on different sides of the slope…Hiller on his way up, Jiggy on his way down. I sure hope that’s not the case. Jiggy has had moments like this in the past where he gets a bit off his game. But it also seems that in the past when he was threatened by his backup, Bryz and now Hiller, he would come back in and step it up and play solid for a while. That’s not happening right now and we saw a bit of that last night.

GO DUCKS!! Girlwithapuck.blogspot.com

by SK eleven on Jan 9, 2009 6:25 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Hmm, I can’t comment, really, because for some reason I decided to only watch about 2:21 of this game off my DVR.

I didn’t even realize Giguere started the game until later.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Jan 9, 2009 6:26 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I’m assuming you watched the most worthy 2:21. Nice.

GO DUCKS!! Girlwithapuck.blogspot.com

by SK eleven on Jan 9, 2009 6:40 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

God, this game was awesome. And as much as I hate to say this… WOW!! Bobby Ryan’s third goal was absolutely incredible. The way he spun around twice, getting around the defenseman Harrold, freezing Quick well out of the crease to finish it off and to tie the game with a natural hat trick, with all goals in a two-minute span. That was just something amazing. This is coming from a Kings fan: Ryan just had the single best three minutes possible, and that goal is going to be the goal of the year.

Too bad the Kings got the win though! This was the first game that Quick had allowed more than two goals in a game since his first start against the Red Wings, but really, can he be faulted for allowing the third goal? The first two were ones that shouldn’t have been scored, and the offense bailed him out tonight (wow, how weird does that sound?) I’m not raising the red flag here, but I think I’d like to see Ersberg start Saturday against the Devils. I wanna see how both goalies react to a game like this.

However, the highlight of the night came during the first intermission. Somebody, either a Kings fan or some really fucked up Ducks fan, decided to have a little fun and put a Ducks’ player card in each urinal in the bathroom!! Is that insane or what?

Fuck you, Denis Gauthier

by Kevin Y on Jan 9, 2009 12:06 AM PST reply actions 0 recs