Kings vs Blackhawks: Dustin Delivers

"What can Brown do for you?"

A couple of seasons ago, that tag line accompanied highlight reels of our captain dishing out some of the hardest hits in hockey. I've heard more than one Kings fan lately muse where Dustin Brown has "gone" because he doesn't hit like he used to.

Last night Dustin Brown proved he hasn't gone anywhere. And he ISN'T going anywhere if he has anything to say about it.

Let the doubters talk, because when it counts Dustin Brown delivers. He was an offensive MACHINE last night with a natural hat trick and an assist. Four huge points. But he also brought something even more important than that. He brought focus. He brought leadership.

Ever wondered what a leader looks like? THIS is it.

He energized an entire team with his dedication, an entire team focused on righting the ship and getting back to the business of winning. Dustin Brown isn't flashy or vocal, but he is determined. And this is the point in the season where determination means everything

But what about Jeff Carter, the man the Kings also hope will play a significant role in turning this team around?

There were plenty of cheers as he took the ice, playing on a line with Mike Richards as expected. While he contributed no goals -- in fact, not even a point -- Carter is a very fast, fluid skater, good passer and was strong on the puck on all night. He was out with Richards and Doughty on the first PK and fit right in. He got a few looks on the power play. He made a beautiful cross ice pass to Richards in the second period that almost turned into goal number 5. For his first night on the ice with a new team without the benefit of a single practice, he looked surprisingly at home.

Other thoughts from The Queen...

• All the talk in the crowd tonight was about the Johnson-Carter trade. Most people I overheard didn't seem to miss Johnson too much. Neither does the Kings organization, since they have already re-cut the game intro video and erased every trace of him.

• I love my usual seat buddies. I just wish they hadn't sold their seats to a couple of Blackhawks fans. Luckily they turned out to be REALLY cool. Not only complimentary of our players but in agreement a couple of the calls against us were bad. 

• Jonathan Quick earned his HNL high 7th shut out for the season. Amazing what an already stellar goaltender can do with some goal support, eh?
  

• Plenty of writers have called out the guys wearing extra letters on their sweaters to lead by example. Dustin Brown did it with four points. Anze Kopitar got zero points, another bogus goaltender interference penalty and almost broke something in his face. I'm still waiting for Kopitar to rediscover his scoring mojo, but hopefully Brown showed him the blueprint tonight.

• Dustin Penner worked harder tonight that he has since he was doing lunges on the beach this summer. Guess he's not wild about the idea of the weather in Manchester.

Last but not least, it was super cool to see two of Dustin Brown's team mates give thanks to their captain online. Love is all around this locker room.

 

The Kings get their next chance to build on this positive momentum Monday night in Smashville. Bring on the Predators!

GO KINGS GO!

KBPP Preview: Kings vs Blackhawks

So I go on the road for work, and the Kings go on the road for a couple of games. I have some pretty successful meetings and the Kings start looking like the Titanic. So Dean Lombardi makes his trade move and decides Jeff Carter is the man to help save the sinking ship.

Will it work? Or does this team have enough holes that it takes more than one move to plug them? Here's what your favorite Kings bloggers have to say.

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The Royal Half from The Royal Half
@theroyalhalf
http://theroyalhalf.com/

• Score:Blackhawks 6, Kings 5
• Reason: Despite Jeff Carter's 5 goals, the Kings lose at home to the Blackhawks.
• Record: 5-6

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

• Score: Kings 4, Hawks 1
• Reason: If trading Jack Johnson didn't get it through to these guys, nothing will. Dean proved yesterday that he'll willing to make tough moves and the players have one game left to prove their worth.
• Record: 4-7

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

• Score: Blackhawks 5, Kings 4
• Reason: An offensive explosion followed by offensive language
• Record: 6-5

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

• Score: Blackhawks 5, Kings 2
• Reason: Because the more things change, the more they stay the same. And because I have absolutely NO IDEA what to expect from this team any more.
• Record: 5-6

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

• Score: Kings 3, Blackhawks 2
• Reason: Carter makes it happen in his first game with a pair of goal in his LA Kings Debut and Justin Williams out the other with a Kopi helper.
• Record: 4-4

Wavesinair from Deep Inside the Kings@deepinsidekings
http://deepinsidethekings.com/

• Score: Blackhawks 4, Kings 1
• Reason: The slide continues to edge ever closer to the abyss. JMFJ nets the only goal. What? Did I miss something.
• Record: 4-7

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

• Score: Kings 3, Blackhawks 1
• Reason: The offense looks to get a jolt from Jeff "The Cannon" Carter, but it'll be Mike Richards who benefits, as the besties show instant chemistry. Also, the defense will show the depth that allowed Lombardi to trade away Jack Johnson.
• Record: 4-8

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

GO KINGS GO!

KBPP Preview: Kings vs Coyotes

The Desert Dogs started the Kings slide out of play-off position last week. Will the Kings come back with a vengeance tonight -- or will they get bitten again?

Tonight PLEASE keep the puck away from THIS guy!

Here's what your favorite Kings bloggers have to say.

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The Royal Half from The Royal Half
@theroyalhalf
http://theroyalhalf.com/

• Score: Phoenix 1, Kings 0
• Reason: he LA Kings become the 1st team to ever have a goalie record 3 consecutive shutouts and also be shut out 3 consecutive times in the same season.
• Record:3-6

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

• Score: Kings 3, Coyotes 0
• Reason: That’s right! Kopi getting rid of Brown should ignite the scoring engine. Crap, at least that’s what I want to believe.
• Record: 4-5

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

• Score: Kings 2, Coyotes 1
• Reason: It can't rain forever
• Record: 5-4

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

• Score: Kings 3, Coyotes 2 OT
• Reason: he Kings will be looking for payback but it will take extra time - and some extra goals from Brown and Kopitar - to quiet Coach Sutter.
• Record: 4-5

Wavesinair from Deep Inside the Kings@deepinsidekings
http://deepinsidethekings.com/

• Score:  Kings 3, Coyotes 2 shootout
• Reason: Reason: On the verge of historic humiliation, it's come to this. And you know what they say about that: When the going gets tough... So this is finally the moment the Kings play to their potential. You know, the potential everyone knows they have. And the tough get going. To be continued...
• Record: 4-5

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

• Score: Coyotes 2, Kings 1, shootout
• Reason: Darryl Sutter caled out Kopitar and Brown, then broke up his top line. Brown is at his natural RW position, and the rookies now share a line with the top centers. Will this jump start the offense. Doubtful, as this team will stall after a quick start. I predict both goaltenders will play out of their minds again and send the contest to a shootout.
• Record: 2-7

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

GO KINGS GO!

Line-up Changes: The Kings Crew Loses A True Original

The Kings have brought a lot of really fantastic people into my life. To a person, hey are fun, energetic, passionate, thoughtful, and steadfast. They are like family. And one of the people who has been all that and more to me is Michael Timoney.

 

I met Mike when he joined the Kings Crew in it's inaugural season. He has a huge smile and infectious energy, and he would always say hello to me on the concourse before every game. He shared that enthusiasm with each and every fan he met because he took his role as a Kings ambassador seriously. Being a member of the Kings Crew wasn't just a job -- it was a calling.

Mike rolled thousands of t-shirts, handled a t-shirt cannon, scraped up ice shavings, sold calendars, built surfboards, waved flags and even wore crazy costumes -- anything that would bring joy to the fans supporting his team. In return, legions of Kings fans loved him back, making him the only member of the Kings Crew ever to be honored with his own Fan Appreciation  Day.

My heart broke a little when he took a job with the Dallas Stars and left the Kings Crew. I still find myself looking for him on the concourse at every game, but as much as I miss him I'm happy he's getting a chance to advance his career. And I envy the Dallas Stars fans that are having fun with him now.

Even if he's no longer haunting the halls at Staples Center, Mike Timoney will ALWAYS be a member of MY Kings family.

GO KINGS GO!

Kings vs Flames: Flaming Out

Last night was painful to watch. It's even more painful that I don't see things changing for the Kings before the end of the season.

Regardless of who -- or even IF -- the Kings add to the roster before the trade deadline, the defense first mentality of this team is so engrained in it's DNA that the best we can hope to do is limp into the first round of the playoffs, play 4 or 5 games and take the summer off to think about what we've become.

"If I could just take the beach with me, I'd go back to Philly...."

"Oh shit, you heard that, didn't you?"

Sadly, right now we've become an also ran.

THIS makes me sad.

The Kings are running out of time in more ways than one.

Random thoughts from The Queen:

• I thought it was very classy of Charlie Simmer to thank both teams for their patience in waiting through his ceremony since so much was at stake for the game. I just wish he had strapped on some skates -- I think he could have helped the Kings last night.

• I totally forgot about Mike Cammalleri playing for the Flames until halfway through the game. Did the little bastard have to remind me with a goal?

• Dustin Penner is hopeless. I suppose I should be happy he was the Panasonic "Tough Hit Of The Game" but I'm still operating under the delusion that he's supposed to help us score. Maybe IHOP will give him a job when this hockey thing he's doing is over...

• I think some of our Kings players have dogs. I wonder if they can smell pucks? Maybe they can sniff out some goals...

Lastly, here are some of the most inspired tweets I saw last night.

The Kings next game is against Phoenix, the very team that started their slide out of playoff position in the West. Will a road trip to the desert get the Kings back on the straight and narrow path? Let's hope so.

GO KINGS GO!

KBPP Preview: Kings vs Flames

The stakes tonight couldn't get any higher for the Kings. After giving up a spot in the standings to the Phoenix Coyotes on Thursday, our boys find themselves in 8th position in the Western Conference standings with the same problem against the Calgary Flames. A loss tonight would drop the Kings out of playoff position and move the Flames into the 8 seat.

Will the Kings rise to the occasion tonight? Or will we witness another Staples Center flame-out? Let's see what your favorite Kings bloggers have to say.

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The Royal Half from The Royal Half
@theroyalhalf
http://theroyalhalf.com/

• Score: Calgary 3, Kings 2
• Reason: It's a 3-2 league and Brent wants to be just like his big brother, Darryl.
• Record: 2-6

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

• Score: Kings 3 - Flames 2 in OT
• Reason: Well, the Kings HAVE to win, don't they? But, of course the Flames will get a point. Let's not get too out of control and separate from the pack. Wouldn't want Kings fans to sleep easy.
• Record: 3-5

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

• Score: Kings 3, Flames 2
• Reason: Because hope springs eternal
• Record: 5-3

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

• Score: Flames 3, Kings 1
• Reason: Because this team refuses to obey my expectations and I'm willing to have MY record take a hit if it means this team can FINALLY find a way to score.
• Record: 3-5

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

• Score: Flames 2, Kings 1
• Reason: Sadly the scoring woes will not end, nor will they ever. Wayne Simmonds will have a better chance of scoring for the Kings tonight.
• Record: 3-4

Wavesinair from Deep Inside the Kings@deepinsidekings
http://deepinsidethekings.com/

• Score: Kings 3, Flames 1
• Reason: There's no reason to believe this game will be much different than the last. We'll hold the Flames to 1 goal, no doubt. But will the Kings score one of their own? Let alone 2? All signs point to hell yes! They'll bury those chances this time because, well, because I say so! :)
• Record: 4-4

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

• Score:  Kings 2, Flames 0
• Reason: Coming off an embarrassing loss to divisional rival Phoenix, coach Sutter will have this squad ready to respond. After all, the defense is still working. Quick is still working. The PK unit is still working. Let's hope the boys can put all the trade talk on the back burner and unleash hell.
• Record: 2-6

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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 Coyotes: Hair of the Dog

Dean Lombardi talked at the beginning of the season about the Kings taking the next steps in the process of learning to win. I'm pretty sure last night proved that not only has this team NOT take a step forward, they've taken two steps back. And pine after Rick Nash all you want, but we need a lot more than one band-aid -- even one that big -- to stop the bleeding.

The work was there last night. We put pucks to the next. We fought board battles. We fought with our fists. With the Kings and Coyotes, that's how the game has always been played. Even when both teams have been terrible in the past, the Kings and Coyotes crash and bang. Hell, these two teams would start a bench brawl over a plastic trophy. But seriously, who pissed in the Coyotes cornflakes before the game last night? I love physical hockey but they were a bunch of cheap shot bastards last night. When Quick skated out to center ice in the midst of the Mike Smith-Anze Kopitar pile-up, I almost thought he was gonna go full Hextal on us.

And who could blame him. This team gives him NO goal support. They're ruining what should be his first legitimate shot at a Vezina nomination. I hope AEG has a wad of cash stashed away when it's time to renegotiate his contract -- which if they're smart would be right about now. He's been the one bright spot on this team ALL SEASON LONG.

I'm guessing Quickie is praying to the Hockey Gods for some goal support...

The one thing the Kings didn't do last night is the one thing that matters -- score goals.


I wondered as I watched from my seat at Staples last night whether this team truly has the desire to win. The stakes couldn't have been much higher. A division rival. A team that has fought the Kings tooth and nail for every game in the past. A tight play-off race with less than half the regular season to go.  It was a HUGE opportunity for the Kings -- and another one missed.

I'm trying to stay optimistic, but it gets harder as each lost opportunity passes us by.



Other random thoughts from The Queen:

• Nothing gets me going more than a good Captains fight.

• Jordan Nolan is afraid of nothing. Sticks to the face. Elbows to the face. You name it and it happened, but the kid was a warrior out there. And he handles the puck pretty well too.  He can stay.

• Apparently I need to re-read the NHL Rule Book. Kopi gets shoved into the goalie by another Coyote player and Kopi gets mugged for it? And he gets an interference penalty? At least Mike Smith got a roughing call.

• Davis Drewiske was clearly fighting for a spot last night. It's only one game, but if I had to make a decision based only on that 60 minutes, I'd say he's earned one.

• The Jumbotrom volume on the bleeding eardrum setting last night for some reason. Gotta remember to talk to Jay Flats about that.

• Mike Richards worked his ass off last night and got nothing but a game misconduct to show for it. I wonder if the TV cameras got footage of what he said to the refs.

• Note to SOME of my fellow fans in 116: When a player from the other team goes down, don't call him a baby, or a pussy, or anything else that implies he's faking. If that was one of our guys, you'd be part of the lynch mob to attack the opposing team. Hockey players are tough. Even if he is a Coyote, give the poor guy a break.

• My favorite in-game moment of the night was the to the left of me in the lower bowl screaming that the refs worked for Bettman.

• Last night was another sellout, folks. And you wonder why your season seat prices are going up?

The Kings have their next chance to right this sinking ship on Saturday against the Calgary Flames. It's also the Kings final Legends Night of the season, and thank goodness we're honoring Charlie Simmer. The guy knew how to score in his day, so we might have to suit him up after the ceremony...

GO KINGS GO!