KBPP Preview: Kings vs. Wild

The journey up and down the Western Conference standings has looked like Mr. Toad's Wild Ride for the Kings the past few weeks, but we're finally back on top of the heap. Tonight it's time for a wild ride of a different kind -- against the playoff ousted Minnesota Wild. Yet another team with the potential to be a spoiler, the Wild will be looking to capitalize on a less than well rested Kings squad playing back-to-back games. The Kings NEED to keep accumulating points to continue riding the Pacific Division wave. I think they need a hearty breakfast for starters.

The rush of adrenaline from a huge win also works wonders, so I think the Kings have it in them to get another one today. But what do the rest of your favorite Kings bloggers think? Let's have a look.

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

• Score: Kings 4, Wild 1
• Reason: WHO NEEDS JEFF CARTER? Oh wait… yeah… we kinda do.
• Record: 17-11

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

• Score: Kings 4, Wild 1
• Reason: The Wild can score one less than the Oilers. Seriously though, just to be on the safe side, the Kings need to win the next three so they have a cushion going into the home and home against the Sharks.
• Record: 16-12

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

• Score:  Kings 2, Wild 1
• Reason: The Wild aren't the toughest opponent, but tough travel on a back-to-back could catch up with us on this one. Still, the Kings need a win and I'm an eternal optimist.
• Record: 16-12

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

• Score: Kings 3, Wild 1 the final score will be.
• Reason: Special panelist Yoda sez: Low Scoring Game I do predict. 3 Goals will the LA Kings Score. Defense sill be strong for Kings, sustained offense the Wild will not be able to muster. 
• Record: 14-14

Paul Armbruster from Kings News Daily (aka The Artist Formerly Known as Wavesinair from Deep Inside the Kings@deepinsidekings)
http://deepinsidethekings.com/

• Score: Wild 1, Kings 0 SO
• Reason: The Kings will play a tight and tired game and will take this one scoreless into overtime and beyond thanks to Bernier's 'I ain't no second fiddle' play. However, Richards can't replicate his short-handed success in the shootout, letting down his bad-ass backup, but succeeding in sleeping on the plane ride home along with the rest of the team.
• Record: 16-12

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

• Score: Kings 2, Wild 1, OT
• Reason: Less than 24 hours later, the Kings skate into Minnesota to take on a lackluster Wild team. Since Quick really wasn't tested by the Oilers, my guess he'll go tonight. The Kings will be tired, and will be ever more after the Wild keeps the game deadlocked. But Anze Kopitar will connect with a goal in OT to lift L.A.
• Record: 16-12

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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 Oilers

Two straight losses took some wind out of the Kings playoff sails until a much needed win in Calgary brought the boys back to life. Now we face the bottom-feeding Oilers, who are out of the playoffs and playing only for the joy of being a spoiler. For the first time since the trade deadline, the Kings will be without Jeff Carter which presents a challenge we'd prefer not to have. But you know what they say about adversity, right?

Can the Kings continue their climb back towards a possible Pacific Division title? Or will our playoff hopes hit an oil slick? Here's what your Kings blogger panel predicts.

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

• Score: Kings 1, Oilers 0, shootout
• Reason: Because the Kings want to make it as close as they can.
• Record:16-11

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

• Score: Kings 4, Oilers 2
• Reason: No reason. It must be so.
• Record: 15-12

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

• Score:  Kings 3, Oilers 0
• Reason: The Kings are suddenly without star shoot-first forward Jeff Carter, but the Oilers have key injuries of their own. Quick has been a rock for the Kings all season and this is the perfect chance for him to increase his record shut out total to a nice round number 10. Some contributions from the guy in the number 10 jersey are overdue and should help the cause.
• Record: 15-12

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

• Score:  Kings 3, Oilers 0
• Reason: Kings keep the win streak moving against the Oils. Kopi and Brown keep the scoring alive for a pair and Mike Krushelnyski scores the EN as the Kings go 3-0 in back to back games.
• Record: 13-14

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

• Score: Kings new and unimproved lineup 3, the stinkin oily bastars, 2...decided in overtime with Richardson scoring the game winner.
• Reason: Like the Ducks have the Sharks number, it seems the Oilers have the Kings. Interesting how the two teams battling for a spot (Kings/Sharks) are bitches to inferior teams (Ducks/Sharks) and how much this little circle of hatred is going to determine the outcome. I predict that if the Kings win tonight, they'll make the playoffs. If they lose, they're out. Therefore, I must go with my heart on this on, regardless of how much I believe the stinky Oil can very well ruin our year. Oh and by the way, Smyth is only one of two Oilers to have played every game this year. We sure could have used him if he wasn't such a quitter.
• Record: 15-12

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

• Score:  Kings 2, Oilers 1
• Reason: The Kings are battling for their playtoff lives, while the Oilers are playing out the string. Needless to say, all the pressure will be on L.A. The Kings also may have to contend with not playing with Jeff Carter, who has energized the team since joining the ranks of the Royal Regiment. Brad Richardson is getting a chance to roll with the big dogs. I'm thinking he'll respond as the Kings tap the Oil to remain entrenched in the playoffs.
• Record: 15-12

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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!

LA Times Turns Its Online Back To Hockey Fans

I post a lot of links on the Kings Court Facebook page and Twitter account for two reasons. First, I like to promote great Kings hockey coverage. Second, I know not everyone has or is willing to take the time to read as much Kings coverage as I do. Going to Kings Court is a convenient place to get all the news worth reading in one step.

When I was planning Kings Court and making a list of all the hockey sites I was following, the Los Angeles Times was not on my website list. I have never been a Helene Elliott fan and the Times doesn't exactly put a ton of effort into providing hockey coverage in their printed publication. Based on the headlines (or lack thereof) during the Kings last two playoff appearances, you wouldn't think the greater Los Angeles area had ANY hockey teams, much less two.

But after thinking about it further, and looking at what more knowledgeable hockey writers and bloggers than myself were reading, I decided I should include the Los Angeles Times to provide the most thorough coverage possible to the loyal fans following my site.

Sadly, that ends now.

That's right. The Los Angeles Times has gone where many other dying print publications are going -- into the business of charging for their online coverage. While the fee is far from a Kings ransom, I refuse to give one red cent to a publication that treats hockey like an also-ran sport and would rather cover pre-season baseball or anything basketball related than give front page coverage to a hockey team playing for the most iconic trophy in sports. Especially when I can read Helene Elliott's tweets for free and have a great idea of exactly what she'll write about the Kings anyway.

Game over, mainstream media!

GO KINGS GO!

KBPP Preview: Kings vs Blues

The Kings are on a 5 game winning streak and that positive momentum could not come at a better time. Tonight will be the true test of how good the Kings really are courtesy of a match up with the Western Conference leading St. Louis Blues.

If you remember the Kings first home game of the season, the boys came out hard and completely destroyed the Blues 5-0.

But this Blues squad has fine tuned their game under a season of Ken Hitchcock and our task tonight will be anything but easy. Tonight's game may also be a preview of the Kings first round in the play-offs if the standings in the West hold steady 10 games from now.

Will the Kings continue their winning ways tonight? Or will they be signing the blues for the first time in a while? 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: Kings 3, Blues 2
• Reason: The LA Kings get two goals from Mark Messie…. I mean Dustin Penner and beat the Blues.
• Record: 14-9

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

• Score: Kings 4, Blues 3
• Reason: Well, if the Ducks can do it... Honestly, I don't care about the score anymore, I only care about the 2 points in the standings and making a statement against potential playoff opposition.
• Record: 13-10

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

• Score: Kings 3, Blues 1
• Reason: Thanks to a valiant effort from the Quacks, the Western Conference leading Blues are coming in to Staples with little less energy and a loss under their belts. The Kings are in attack mode and the Pacific Division is in sight. The power of Hanks is with us!
• Record: 13-10

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

• Score: Kings 4, Blues 2
• Reason:  If the ducks can hang a 4 spot on the Blues so can the Kings given their recent scoring mojo. I see a very physical game with at least a couple of fighting majors handed out while I once again try to shake the vision of bad memories involving Geoff Courtnall.
• Record: 11-12

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

• Score:  Kings 3, Blues 2, shootout
• Reason:  St. Louis is vulnerable after losing 2 of their last 3 and going into the second half of their back2back tonight. However, they will be ready. But so will the Kings, who have finally shown they want to move past their notoriously inconsistent tendencies. The first two games of this match up resulted in 5 goals total for each. The third game was a Blues shutout 1-0. Tonight?
• Record: 12-11

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

• Score:  Kings 2, Blues 0
• Reason: The Kings may be the hottest scoring team in the West since Feb. 25, going 9-3, but the Blues have been on fire as well, going 10-4 in that same span. But the Blues have been tapering off since clinching a playoff spot. Still, this will be a defensive struggle, as both teams are 1-2 in goals against. My guess is the Kings will be able to crack the seal at least twice, allowing Quick to do what he does best.
• Record: 12-11

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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 Sharks

The Kings are on a 3 game winning streak, and the momentum couldn't have come at a better time. Starting tonight, we begin a 3-game showdown with our division, conference and last season playoff rival -- the San Jose Sharks. The standings in the West have never been tighter, and the Sharks are one of the teams standing in the way of our playoff glory. It's us or them, Kings fans!

Will the Kings rise to the challenge and serve some Shark Fin Soup for dinner? 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: Kings 4, Sharks 3 OT
• Reason: At least Four Goals in Four Straight Games. Because It's The Cup.
• Record:13-9

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

• Score: Kings 4, Sharks 2
• Reason: Because it's what all the cool kids are doing.
• Record: 12-10

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

• Score: Kings 3, Sharks 2
• Reason: Kings 3, Sharks 2
• Record: 12-10

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

• Score: Kings 5, Sharks 3
• Reason: Kings continue to ooze confidence as scoring comes in bunches and from unlikely sources. Sharks, not prepared to play a Kings team that can actually score, wilt under the pressure and play as if their fin has been cut off and used as the min ingredient in an Asian soup recipe
• Record: 10-12

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

• Score: Kings 5, Sharks 1
• Reason: The Sharks are ripe for the catching. Each team has scored the same number of goals against each other so far this year and that was when the Sharks were good and the Kings sucked. This game should set the tone for not only the end of this season, but the end of the Shark-domination era. The end is near ladies and gentlemen. The end is near. Fear the fin no more!
• Record: 11-11

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

• Score:  Kings 2, Sharks 0
• Reason: The Kings are in the vicinity of The Zone. They are playing their best hockey of the season. And they are finally playing with Balls. That's right, Balls with a capital B.
• Record: 11-11

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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 Predators

Are you feeling the Luck o' the Irish today, Kings fans?

After a huge win over the Ducks last night, there is no rest for weary teams like the Kings who are working to climb back into playoff contention! Tonight we face the always aggressive Nashville Predators and look for another two points -- and another step up in the standings.

Do the Kings have it in them on back-to-back nights? 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: Kings 2, Preds 1 SO
• Reason: Jon Bernier is the Predator hunter.
• Record:12-9

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

• Score: Kings 3, Preds 2 SO
• Reason: 4 points in 2 nights - can there be a bigger reason?
• Record: 11-10

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

• Score: Kings 3, Predators 2
• Reason: Because Drew O'Doughty is infused with the Luck 'O The Irish even though he's Portuguese. So is my O'Doughty t-shirt.
• Record: 11-10

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

• Score: Kings 5 Predators 4
• Reason: Going with my heart on this one no more no less. Go Kings in a Barn Burner with scoring being spread through all four lines. Ill go with Colin Fraser and take the 38-1 odds currently posted in Vegas for the odds of him scoring.
• Record: 9-12

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

• Score: Kings 4, Predators 2
• Reason:  4, 1, 5... Those are the goals scored by the Kings in the previous 3 meetings with the saber toothed singers from music city. The trend between these two teams is to let the game open up. But I see the Kings getting snake bit and falling into their old ways yet again and scoring 1. Which is why I'm picking them to win! It's the old super-double-jinx-reverse-method.
• Record: 10-11

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

• Score: Predators 3, Kings 2 shootout
• Reason: This one will hurt (as will any other loss this late in the season.) The Predators were one of the big winners at the trading deadline,  reuniting the Brothers Kostitsyn. With Tom Hanks in attendance, the Kings will suffer a heart-breaking loss, but one that will only test their resolve.
• Record: 11-10

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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 Ducks

Tonight is the end of a seasonal milestone -- game 6 of the Freeway Face-off Series. So far this season, the Kings have owned the Ducks. Tonight, we can only hope the trend continues since the Kings DESPERATELY need points to get back into playoff contention. And as Kings Court follower Lyon Ate Jolyon posted earlier this week, we know what happens when a King meets a Duck....

Will we enjoy another fine roast duck banquet tonight, Kings fans? Let's see what your favorite Kings bloggers think.

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

• Score: Kings 4, Ducks 3
• Reason: Jeff Carter is on the attack-ack-ack-ack-ack. You outta know by now.
• Record:11-9

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

• Score: Kings 4, Ducks 1
• Reason: Kings beat the Ducks in what we all hope is the last time we see Teemu Selanne on the ice. The guy is world class but I think we've all seen just about enough of him.
• Record: 10-10

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

• Score: Kings 4, Ducks 2
• Reason: Because Jeff Carter learned first hand how big a rivalry this is and he'll want to have another hero moment. And he knows girls love a hero.
• Record: 10-10

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

• Score: Kings 4, Ducks 3
• Reason: Voynov will stay hot and Mitchell will pot one as well. I choose Mitchell to score as well because he owes me one. Browns and Carter round out the 4 some. Brian Hayward will disagree on a refs call and Jon Ahlers will use the word "nifty" about 20 times.
• Record: 8-12

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

• Score: Kings 5, Ducks 3
• Reason: Why you ask? WHY??? Because they have to win! Anaheim is in prime position to play spoiler and they would like nothing more than to have miserable company. Please Kings, show up tonight. Hiller gets burnt like Peking Duck.
• Record: 9-11

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

• Score: Kings 3, Ducks 1
• Reason: The Kings have found their scoring mojo just in the nick of time. But will they be able to put it all together in Anaheim, where all they are playing for is to ruin in for the Kings? My guess is yes, as the Kings attempt to make up some room in the Western Conference race, which is more congested than the 91 Freeway at Rush Hour.
• Record: 10-10

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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!