KBPP Preview: Kings vs. Blues

Well folks, here's the latest from your Kings bloggers with the KBPP and it AIN'T PRETTY. Seems several of us (myself included) are a bit worried about the boys chances under The Arch tonight. Check it out and let us know what you think.

Image Courtesy of Wikipedia

And on a side note, a big Kings blogger welcome to none other than The Hipcheck from LGK and LA Kings Road Talk Radio!

********************************************

Fake Chris Kontos from The Royal Half
http://theroyalhalf.com/

• Score: Kings 4, Blues 2
• Reason: After playing Cher's "If I Could Turn Back Time" in the dressing room prior to the game, the LA Kings regain their scoring touch... from pre-season.
• Record: 0-1

Jon Gillette from Rink Royalty
http://rinkroyalty.com/

• Score: Kings 4, Blues 2
• Reason: The Kings don't wait until the last second, or any chance of controversy, in this one.
• Record: 1-0 

Quisp from Jewels From the Crown
http://www.jewelsfromthecrown.com/

• Score: Kings 7, Blues 3
• Reason: A reason? Hmm. Well, I have this sports stats book from the future...
• Record: 1-0

Hipcheck from LA Kings Road Talk Radio
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/letsgokings

• Score: Blues 3, Kings 1
• Reason: If it took the Kings 60 minutes and 1 second to score 3 against the BJs 31st ranked defense I don't like our chances against the team ranked #2 in GAA.
• Record None yet

Bobby Scribe from Surly and Scribe
http://lakingsnews.com/

• Score: Kings 8, Blues 1
• Reason:  If I am right, it will make Quisp's head explode, given his prediction.
• Record: 1-0 

Meg Jarrell from Kings Court
(That's me so you don't need no stinking link --- you're already here!)

• Score: Blues 2, Kings 1, OT
• Reason: Because we always seem to struggle against teams from the Central Division, and this one is actually decent.
• Record: 1-0 

Paul Armbruster from Deep Inside the Kings
http://deepinsidethekings.com/

• Score: Blues 2, Kings 1
• Reason: Rust: Part 2 - Now it's the Blues turn to shake off the long break. Hot before, I see them staying so at home. Plus, they've lost both games against the Kings this year, so that's good motivation. The Kings will battle as usual, but their not-so-good play against Columbus, coupled with the 'lucky' last second goal, will be reminders that they are still struggling with the 'O'.
• Record: 1-0 

Matt Murray from Life In Hockeywood
http://www.lifeinhockeywood.com

• Score: Kings 2, Blues 1
• Reason: The Blues were white hot in January, but cooled right before the All-Star Break. They also haven't played in ten days. The Kings should be able to grind one out against the Blues for their third win of the season series.
• Record: 1-0 

***********************************************

Got a prediction of your own? Leave it in the comments and see how you stack up against the KBPP!

GO KINGS GO!

Kings vs Blue Jackets: Controversy

I was insanely happy when I left Staples Center last night. The Kings got a huge win, my baby Dewey got the game winning goal and was named 1st Star of the Night. And I had the game winner on video.

I don't care what they saw about you. You'll always be my #1.

Who even knew there was a game clock issue?

Not me, until I got home and started seeing tweets and blog posts. But I tuned it all out and focused on my happiness. So the clock had a little twitch -- it couldn't be THAT big of a deal, right?

Based on the reaction of the blogopshere, you'd think the Kings had played Game 2 of a Stanley Cup final and got caught with an illegally curved stick on the ice or something....

I've got lots of thoughts about everything that has been said and written on the clock subject, but that will involve a long rant which will come soon. For now, I'm just happy to have a win -- no matter how controversial -- to start the boys off on the right foot before their six game road swing back East. Was is their most stellar effort of the season? Absolutely not. But over the course of a long, grinding season it takes some sloppy wins along with the nice ones to get to the promised land. Sloppy or not, lets just hope this is the first of many more wins to come during the second half of this roller coaster season.

A few other thoughts from The Queen:

• I love Dustin Brown, but I'm not sure who he thought his line mates were last night. Every pass he tried to make missed the mark, some by as much as a foot. Are he and the wife busy making more babies?

• Paging Anze Kopitar and Mike Richards. Please report to the net and slap in some goals. PLEASE.

• Justin Williams is the hardest working guy in the lineup right now -- and he has the goals to prove it. And I love that he's trying to teach the other guys his skills during warm-ups.

THIS is now you run a wrap-around, bitches!

•  Dustin Penner had an actual highlight reel goal last night. Those are the hands we bought for $4 million a season. I'd like to see them more often.

Oh hey Pens! What's cooking?

•  I love everything about Jonathan Quick, so he gets a photo just because. Bonus points because I caught the puck while it was still airborne.

• Choirs singing the National Anthem are a GREAT thing. GIVE ME MORE.

Finally, no one on the KBPP (that's Kings Blogger Prediction Panel) got the game outcome and score right, but I was one of the few that came close. I predicted a 3-1 win for the Kings and we got it 3-2. Not bad for a rookie....

So now the Kings are on the road for practically FOREVER and we don't see them again until February 16. Or at least most of you don't see them until then. Yours truly will actually be attending one of the East Coast games! Bonus points if you can guess which one. STAY TUNED!


GO KINGS GO!

Kings-Blue Jackets Preview: Introducing the Kings Blogger Prediction Panel!

There are some wonderfully creative folks that blog about the Kings, and I thoroughly enjoy reading and promoting their work here at Kings Court. So when I was approached by Matt Murray of Life in Hockeywood about participating in a blogger panel, I couldn't resist.

The idea is simple -- a panel of your favorite Kings bloggers predict the score of each upcoming Kings game and provide a sentence or two explaining our picks. Matt collects everyones input and sends a compiled list out to the entire group, which we can then use in our own blog as we see fit.

Simple. Fun. Genius. I'm calling it the KBPP from here on out -- because I love acronyms and because the rules say I can do what I want with my blog as long as I don't change anyone's predictions.

So without further ado, here's the first list of predictions, including my own. I feel pretty good about the fact that a couple of other bloggers are on the same page as me. Usually Bobby Scribe doesn't agree with me on much, so he must be in a good mood today. Each pick also includes a link to the blogger's site, so if you're not reading them already in my posts on the Kings Court Facebook page, now you can find them yourself.

I predict a Kings win!

***********************************************

Fake Chris Kontos from The Royal Half
http://theroyalhalf.com/

• Score: Blue Jackets 2, Kings 1, SO
• Reason: After watching the Columbus Blue Jackets lose 6-0 to the San Jose Sharks Monday night… I'm fully prepared for them to beat the LA Kings 2-1 in a shootout.

Jon Gillette from Rink Royalty
http://rinkroyalty.com/

• Score: Kings 4, Blue Jackets 1
• The Kings have had 9 days to reflect on their poor performance and have to be itching to get out there and show everyone that they're ready to kick some ass down the stretch and grab the Pacific Division.

Quisp from Jewels From the Crown
http://www.jewelsfromthecrown.com/

• Score: Kings 3, Blue Jackets 2, SO.
• Reason: it's a 3-2 league.

Bobby Scribe from Surly and Scribe
http://lakingsnews.com/

• Score: Kings 3, Blue Jackets 1
• Reason: dun dun dun dundun dun dun dun dundun dun dun dun dundun dundundun JACKETS SUCK!

Meg Jarrell from Kings Court
(That's me so you don't need no stinking link --- you're already here!)

• Score: Kings 3, Blue Jackets 1
• Reason: The Kings play the day before Groundhog Day, and I'm convinced the boys didn't see their shadow during the All-Star break.

Paul Armbruster from Deep Inside the Kings
http://deepinsidethekings.com/

• Score: Kings 3, Jackets 1
• Reason: Rust vs. Must: Kings struggle early, trying to find their legs, while the boys from Ohio play desperate 'must win' hockey after being embarrassed last night. In the end, the Kings do just enough to squeak out a win after scoring an empty netter with under a minute to go.

Matt Murray from Life In Hockeywood
http://www.lifeinhockeywood.com

• Score: Kings 2, Blue Jackets 1, SO
• Reason: All season, the Kings haven't been scoring. I doubt they will have solved that glaring issue over the past nine days... Quick will continue to shine, however.

***********************************************

Got a prediction of your own? Leave it in the comments and see how you stack up against the KBPP!

GO KINGS GO!

Kings vs Senators: Ending on a High Note

For their last game before the All-Star break, the Kings had their work cut out for them playing against the Ottawa Senators. Although the Kings have fared pretty well against Eastern Conference opponents this season, the Senators came in to Staples Center boasting a recent 5-1 road record and a lot of big, skilled players. Beating that kind of team takes a solid effort from your best players, right?

No. Winning took exceptional efforts from some unlikely heroes.

The Kings third and fourth lines worked their asses off. Kevin Westgarth set up a great screen that contributed to Willie Mitchell's goal, the Kings first of the night. Trevor Lewis stunned the Senators and buried a penalty shot chance, scoring the first "McFlurry Minute" goal of the season. And Kyle Clifford -- The Big Red Dog -- stole the hearts of the Staples Center crowd, earning his first Gordie Howe hat trick.

There were other contributions as well. The defencemen did what we've come to expect them to do from the blue line. Colin Fraser was tough and determined. But the stars were silent. And yet the Kings won. It's a ending that could only happen in Hockeywood, the perfect big red bow tied to the end of the first half of the Kings roller coaster season.

A few more thoughts from The Queen:

• Not sure where brownie was looking when Wiliams put a nice pass right between his skates early in the first period, but it wasn't at the puck. Guess that explains why the first line had a tough time putting any shots on net.
• Nice to see The Big Red Dog get back to being scrappy. Zenon Konopka is a lot to handle and Cliffy held his own.
• To the rude guy in the row behind me -- just because the Canadian National Anthem isn't YOUR anthem doesn't mean it's not "real." In my section, we respect everyone.
• Patrick O'Neal must read tweets about him because he asked much better questions during his in-game interview with Colin Fraser.
• I'm starting to think this team has been playing defense first hockey for so long they've forgotten how to do a power play. Anyone got a Power Play For Dummies book?
• Can someone please explain how Stolly being charged by the Ottawa goalie is interference on Stoll?
• It's a crime the 3 boys behind me didn't make the Dance Cam. They were jammin'!

There were lots of awesome Tweets to choose from during the game, but these definitely stood out!

Next, the Kings enjoy an extended break during the NHL All-Star game festivities. After one more home game on February 1st, they leave for a 6 game East Coast road trip. Until then, check out Jonathan Quick as he represents the Kings at the All-Star game in Ottawa on Sunday, January 29th.


GO KINGS GO!

Kings vs Avalache: Slashing and Burning

The new year has been a roller coaster for the Kings. Winners on the road, yet losers at home. Spurts of brilliance offensively, yet plenty of 2 goal games lost by one goal. This team has had a Jekyll and Hyde reputation the past couple of seasons and just can't seem to shake it and find consistency.

Even though we're not at the All-Star break yet, the match-up with the Colorado Avalanche had HUGE playoff implications. The Kings were in 7th and the Avs right behind in 8th as the puck dropped. The Sharks also lost in regulation to the Canucks, giving the Kings a shot at sole possession of first place in the hotly contested Pacific Division.

Did they do it? Of course not. This IS the Kings. This team couldn't grab an opportunity if it slapped them in the face and started a fight.

After a back and forth first, the Kings lit the lamp first at the beginning on the second period. Good start, right? Then then Avalanche put their foot on the gas, controlled the tempo completely, and never looked back. The Kings spent the rest of the evening chasing the game. NOT GOOD. Sadly they never caught up with it and lost another 2-1 contest thanks to anemic scoring, lackluster effort, mental lapses....you know, the usual stuff.

No one took the loss harder than Jonathan Quick, and rightfully so. It's his birthday, he gets no support from his team, and Dan Winnik comes along and clips him in the leg. I don't blame him for that slashing penalty. Not one bit.

If I celebrated my birthday like you did, I'd have that look on my face too.

The Queen's game commentary:

• To the chick that sang the National Anthem (yes, I've already blocked out your name), not  everything should be embellished.
• As hard as I try, I still keep slipping and yelling "GO RICHIE!" at Mike Richards. Sorry Brad Richardson.
• To the idiots that ruined my video of Quick at the start of the 2nd period, I hope someone spit in your pizza. Ditto for the pain in the ass couple in my row that got up and down every 10 minutes during the game.
• I love Colin Fraser. Plays his role well, few mistakes and a scrappy attitude. He's a Dean Lombardi style player.
• When are they gonna put the Kiss Cam on two players? I'll bet Drew would kiss someones helmet.
• Kudos to the people in front of me for not letting a guy in their row get up until play stopped. Gotta teach the newbies proper hockey etiquette.
• I don't know what flavor of PennerCakes #25 ate for breakfast today, but this batch weighed him down.
• It kills me to say it, but Loktionov was having a tough time out there. He's still not quite where he needs to be with the physical aspect of the game. Not totally his fault since he's being used as a checking center when that's not his role, but that's a conversation for another day.
• Judging from the length of the in-game interviews he gets, none of the players like Patrick O'Neal.
• Little kids on the dance cam are so much better than two fisted puck bunnies.
• Someone explain how they can add guys to the ice cleaning crew, yet it takes LONGER to clear the ice than when it was only girls.

And finally, I'm adding a new feature to my game recap and sharing some of my favorite Tweets of the night. If you're not already on Twitter, THIS is why you need to join the party.

The Kings next chance to right the ship at home comes Monday against the red-hot Ottawa Senators. Let's hope we're up to the challenge.

GO KINGS GO!

Kings vs. Leafs: Turning Over a New Leaf?

After the absolute embarrassment the Kings suffered in Detroit, Matt Greene led a huge team bitch session to discuss how awful things are right now. Maybe that's the reason the Kings played better tonight. Maybe it's because more than half the team is Canadian and they were playing their first game in Canada this season. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter. The Kings came away with a much needed win against the Leafs -- final score 3-2.

Of course, being the Kings they didn't make it look easy. I only know what I hear Nick and Daryl tell me on the radio, but it certainly sounded like the overall effort was better. Although it still took a shoot out to get the job done.

Thank goodness this guy came through in the clutch.

What can Brown do for you? WIN GAMES!

There has certainly been quite a bit of discussion about Dustin Brown in the Kings blogosphere as of late, including that he should be stripped of the "C", he's not vocal enough and he's not enough of a leader on the ice. Based on his effort tonight, I think our fearless Captain still has some life left in him.

So do some other people.

And of course, there is our tireless true believer Bailey.

So the Kings are on their way home to a changed world as Daryl Sutter takes over behind the bench. Let's hope the changes are for the better. Practice Wednesday should be interesting....

GO KINGS GO!

Kings vs. Red Wings: Lowlights

It's no secret things are rough for the Kings right now. But even in bad times, a team can have some "highlights" -- just like these tonight:

• First time this season the Kings have made a goal tending change midway through a game.
• First time this season the Kings have allowed an opposing team more than 4 goals.
• Worst scoring slump in team history (11 goals in 17 games).
• A regular healthy scratch is now our top scorer with 2 goals in two games -- that would be Davis Drewiske.

No, this wasn't taken in Detroit, but the look on Greene's face says it all...

I know it's the Detroit Red Wings, but losing 8-2? We are in the midst of a total team breakdown right now -- plain and simple. Will Daryl Sutter be the answer? Will he start his tenure by bag skating this team until half of them are on IV fluids? Will we ever find our power play again? If the goals start coming back, will we remember how to play defense again?

Tonight, I've got no answers, Kings fans. Just hope that it gets better. It HAS to get better, right?

On to Toronto....

GO KINGS GO!