I think he'll be the best player in the World by the time he's 22. Yes, better than Crosby. He has all the tools.
I have to disagree. The NHL playoffs are the best in sports, easily. Nothing is like them. NFL playoff games feel pretty similiar to a regular season game to me. NHL playoff games are so different than a regular season game. Regular season v. playoff hockey feels like two totally different sports.
This is very very true. Location does matter alot, though. There's nothing like the NHL playoffs when you live in a hockey town.
Annnnnd, the Kings complete the reverse sweep. San Jose is shell shocked. Their players, coaches and fans are just dumbfounded. And now the Kings go a duck huntin'
sharks, canucks, capitals and penguins all have a touch of the sucker about them. its a shame with the sharks cause they are a fun team to watch
i agree. there is nothing like the building intensity of a close series and absolutely nothing and i mean nothing compares to overtime in a playoff game
Every time the Kings trade for an underachieving, extremely talented winger from Columbus, good things happen in the Stanely Cup Playoffs for them. Marian Gaborik had duck for dinner.
Jeeezus, you had no business winning that game lol. If there is one team living a charmed life in these playoffs its the kings. Its almost a perfect recreation of your stanley cup run two yrs back.
They executed the end of game goalie pull, perfectly. So yes, a little bit of luck, but I give them credit for executing perfectly. Now here is hoping they aren't as flat on Monday.
Getting worried about the d line injuries. Both Mitchell AND Regehr? It is amazing that the remaining D guys are playing to a super human level. Doughty (well he's always this way, plus he's hurt), Martinez (what can you say? he's been magical this year), Muzzin (has really picked it up in the playoffs last few games), Voynov (not as stellar as the first three though) and Greene (again, not as stellar as he used to be but still solid). Were the Kings fortunate to win last night? Perhaps. How many times did the Ducks hit the goal post? Going to be a long series. But I think the Kings played their game last night, as opposed to the first two vs San Jose. Winner of the series gets the Blackhawks though, and the way they've been playing, it's probably not going to matter.
Chicago has net minder problems, but yeah, that team is stacked otherwise. The injuries on defense are starting to be troublesome. I don't think we will see Mitchell again, unfortunately. I am hoping that Regehr can come back as he was really starting to play his type of game towards the end of The Sharks series. I don't trust Schultz to come into this series and be effective. The one thing I did like was that all of the defensemen pretty much said they LOVED the extra ice time last night. It helped them get into a rhythm and play better as the night went on. But over the course of a long series, that may prove to be harmful.
Kings lost game 1, but looked good in the loss. They just destroyed Chicago in game 2 (5 goals in the third period) to even the series up. I really think they have a very good shot at upsetting Chicago and going back to The Stanley Cup Finals.
Both The Rangers and Kings are a game away from the Stanley Cup Finals. NY vs. LA has got to be the NHL's dream. Original six vs. Second six. Two largest markets. Superstar goalies on both sides. This is going to be fun.
If it happens, closing out Chicago isn't going to be easy Sam. Also I would think that NHL and its fans would rather see a series between 2 actual Original 6's no?
really stings... two blown third period leads last two games... another game 7... either going to be a classic like the last two games or the Kings won't show up (I'd hate to see it end that way, they aren't that kind of team, but how much did the last two take out of them emotionally?).
Can't even put into words. The 2012 team came in like a wrecking ball (sorry Miley). This team? Just Steady Eddy throughout. It is unreal how cold this team's collective blood runs. As most know, I do stand up comedy, and had a BIG gig tonight while this game was going. My phone was in my pocket while I was on stage and going NUTS while I went through my set. I wanted nothing more than to end this and check everything on my phone. I am a happy freaking camper right now.
Congrats brother, there was some stat like they are 7-0 in elimination games this postseason and something else that was equally as gawdy....
I had to watch it live after the first period (too much cheering going on in my neighborhood ). My voice is a little messed up this morning. Crazy game. Crazy series. Last three games were tremendous. I can't judge it as an all time great series due to my bias for the Kings, but I wonder if neutral fans see it that way? 3 straight game sevens won on the road by the Kings, never been done before. Just speaks to their unity and solidarity as a team. Sutter needs a statue at Staples Center quickly. This team has so bought into the system but they could also play with the Hawks when the game went into its frenetic, open ice pace. I think the Kings won the 5 on 5 battle yesterday and that was why they won the game. The Hawks needed two PP goals to get to their four total. A ton of crazy bounces. Chicago has an amazing team, bottom line though. Too bad they couldn't meet in the SCF. I don't think we'll take the Rangers lightly. They'll be a big underdog yes. But I think it could go 6 (hopefully not seven!).
Rangers have a great goalie and speed. They also have a humongous horseshoe up their collective rectums. St. Louis is playing out of his mind, but L.A. is a massive team, size wise, and has the experience advantage. If they can put bodies on New York's players, they will choke them out. If not? Then it will look a lot like the Chicago series. Fast, open, and high scoring.
Mr. Game 7 turned into Mr. Game 1. Kings took forever to get into this game, but once they woke up, they took over.
Pretty much a foregone conclusion now... Kings really stepped on their necks last night to go up 3-0. Some lucky bounces? Absolutely... but you make your own luck. Quick was brilliant, best game of the playoffs. Although it would be counter to the rest of the Kings playoffs run if they sweep the Rangers, I wouldn't mind it. Who is the Conn Smythe Trophy winner for the Kings? Quick. Not as dominant as two years ago. TIMELY saves... but not sure he's worthy of the trophy... Doughty. Hard to argue against him, he's been a beast both ways. Gaborik. Top goal scorer. None were bigger than the goals against Anaheim in game 1. Williams. Again, hard to argue against what he's done this post season. Probably our best player since game 5 of the Hawks series. Carter. Big goals, big moments. Kopitar. Steady as uuuge... Brown. Big goals, big hits, big moments. Really hard to pick one. Probably helps explain the Kings resiliency the last 7 weeks. I'd probably go with Drew Doughty.
I posted this question on a Kings board. My top five in order, going into the Final, was: 1. Kopitar 2. Doughty 3. Carter 4. Gaborik 5. Williams Now? 1. Doughty 2. Williams 3. Carter 4. Kopitar 5. Gaborik I should point out though, that even with the new order, it may boil down to which of those five has the biggest game in the clincher. Essentially, the margin between Gaborik and Doughty is razor thin. I do think though, that Doughty's performance has been the eye opening, in terms of the journalists who vote on this. Williams has a really good shot at it as well. The dude went from being an anonymous role player, to being considered the most clutch player in the history of the universe. It is unreal how much publicity (and rightfully so)he has gotten. Me personally? I am a HUGE Kopitar fan and hope he can bust out a crazy scoring game to jump to the top and win it, but I won't be disappointed in any of the others. Also, I would love to get Robyn Regehr into a Stanley Cup Final game, as he has earned it. His name will be on the Cup, regardless, but I would love for him to have that experience. But I also can't justify sitting anyone else. Mitchell and Greene have been playing really well and no way do you sit the young guns (Doughty, Muzzin, Martinez, Voynov). I just hope he gets to dress and celebrate with the team when they clinch. Same for Jordan Nolan.
yeah if Regehr is at all healthy it would be nice to see him out there, he certainly deserves to be lifting the cup. is he even skating though? I'm sure they'll have Nolan/Regehr/Fraser and even Jeff Schultz in the building tomorrow. Schultz was huge in the half dozen or so games he played this post season. Does Ben Scrivens get a ring?
Scrivens doesn't qualify, the Kings could petition to put him on, but I doubt they will. I COULD see them petition for Schultz and Fraser though. Kings petitioned to get Terry Murray on the 2012 cup and that was AFTER he was fired and replaced by Sutter. Regehr is skating and healthy. He was ready to go before Game One, but Sutter is rolling with what he has, which is smart. I just feel bad for Regehr who is/was a big reason we are here. But until (if) you lose a game, you can't really make that change, especially coming off the suffocating defense that was just played in front of Quick.
ah, didn't know that about Regehr. Before last night's game, I would have said he should replace Greene in the lineup, but Matt was out of his mind last night.
Exactly. Greene played himself back into Game Four. You can dress 20, so I am wondering if Sutter goes all in and keeps Martin Jones off, in order to have Regehr/Nolan dress. Would be a very bold move to run with just Quick on the roster as a goalie. If he got hurt or completely fell apart, you would have to dress one of your defensemen to play goalie from there. And looking ahead to next year, the Kings will probably get even YOUNGER as Mitchell and Greene will be replaced with Regehr and Schutlz (assuming Schultz re-signs) and Linden Vey figures to make himself a presence on the roster, as will Pearson, obviously. It is very possibly that we are seeing the last run of Gaborik in L.A. Unless they plan on letting Dwight King go and possibly trading Nolan. Fraser is an UFA as well.
Good game. L.A. wins this at home. Sloppy ice literally stopped two goals from going in. But those are the breaks. We take the Cup on Friday.
Kings are playing better in Bach game and New York shot their wad trying to avoid the sweep. They played well, but they are done. If the damned shaved ice hadn't stopped TWO pucks that got past Hank, I am naked and gloriously drunk and taping every post game show ever. In other words, L.A. is better, New York sucks and this beard is itchy.
Yeah felt the Kings played their best of first four games last night. Luck certainly on Rangers side yesterday. Friday night. Lets do this. Kings need a better start than first two games here though.
