Top 20 Moments Of The Kings' Stanley Cup Run- #20: Matt Greene Takes A Penalty

During Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final, Matt Greene did this:

I love everything about that penalty. Greene gets bumped by Carter and he has to know that Carter's just trying to goad him into a penalty. Greene gives him one shot and then, for some unexplainable reason, gives him a second one. It was The Ol' Fuck You but the puck wasn't there so instead it was me muttering, "Oh fuck me." Carter knew that second one was coming and... he didn't dive, really, he just kind of softened himself up so he'd take the fall, but I don't think he realized just how hard Greene was going to hit him and Carter ended up fucking flying. It seemed like he hit the ground at terminal velocity.

And then Greene yelled at the ref when he got a penalty.

As a Kings fan I should be pissed at Matt Greene. I mean, it's 3 minutes in to Game 2 of the Goddamn STANLEY CUP FINAL and he's just put the team a man down early into the game with the home crowd all fired up. It was stupid and dumb and deep down almost impressive in its recklessness.

At the same time, though... I can't help but laugh. I mean, what can you say? That's Matt Greene.

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If you watch the video through to the replay you'll see the puck squirt out to the slot and a Devil player get ready for a pretty good shot on Jonathan Quick. Greene could have slid to try to deflect the puck with his shin guards but instead he dives down to his knees and tries to put his face in front of the puck. The puck misses him (thank God) but still, you can see that Greene didn't hesitate for a split second to put himself in harm's way.

As a person, I should be pissed at Matt Greene. I mean Jesus, dude, do you realize that that puck could fuck you up? What do the Kings do with 5 defensemen when you're getting your front 4 teeth pulled out? It was stupid and dumb and deep down almost impressive in its recklessness.

At the same time, though... I can't help but feel that tug in my chest a little bit. I mean, what can you say? That's Matt Greene.

As an aside, Matt Greene was a thousand times better these playoffs than he had been the previous two:

In 2010, Matt Greene was on the ice for 7 goals against in 6 games against the Vancouver Canucks.

In 2011, Matt Greene was on the ice for 4 goals against in 6 games against the San Jose Sharks.

In 2012, Matt Greene was on the ice for 4 goals against in 20 games against the Vancouver Canucks, St. Louis Blues, Phoenix Coyotes, and New Jersey Devils.

It's funny, the Kings got Matt Greene with the idea that he'd help bring out the best in their young defenseman, but really it was Slava Voynov and Alec Martinez that brought out the best in Greene. He probably benefited from Jack Johnson's departure more than anyone else because he wasn't called on to play tough top-4 minutes in the playoffs.