KBPP Preview: Kings vs Lightning

The "Kings of the Road" have been anything but this road trip, and they have a tough challenge against the offensively talented Tampa Bay Lightning tonight. Will a weekend of rest and watching Eli Manning show what it means to be clutch be enough to put the boys back on the win path?

Top 6 forwards, please play like this guy but with a bigger trophy....

I'm hoping so. Let's see what the rest of the KBPP had to say.

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

• Score: 5 Lightning, Kings 2
• Reason: Tampa Bay knows how to score goals… they just don't know how to keep them out. But since they are starting Dwayne Roloson tonight… I'm sure he totally remembers how to be a goalie again.
• Record: 0-3

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

• Score: Kings 5, Lightning 2
• Reason: If the Kings are as pissed off as I am, they come out flying, hitting everything that moves and crashing the net. How do you score in today's NHL? By getting shots to the net and your big ass in the face of the opposition's goalie!
• Record: 1-2

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

• Score: Kings 7, Lightning 4
• Reason: Quisp didn't give a reason, but based on his score prediction I imagine he's feeling good about the Kings chances. He must be on drugs.
• Record: 1-2

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

• Score: Kings 5, Lightning 3
• Reason: One of our top 6 or Offensive D is due for a breakout game
• Record: 1-2

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

• Score: Kings 3, Lightning 2
• Reason:  Two losses in a row SHOULD be enough to light a fire under the Kings, but until the roster changes I'm not expecting much in terms of goal production.
• Record: 2-1

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

• Score: Lightning 3 Kings 2
• Reason: Tampa is the 8th best offensive team in the league. If Carolina can put up two goals, Tampa can put up three. Tampa's GAA is the leagues worse but Kings simply can't score. I'll give the Kings 2 goals tonight but will add; if they get shut out against the Bolts, the yearly fire sale should start ASAP and see our beloved team as sellers as the NHL trade deadline approaches.
• Record: 1-1

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

• Score: Lightning 4, Kings 3
• Reason: The Lightning give up goals, but they score a ton too. And while the Kings 'O' gets back on track, its to the detriment of key coverage at times, allowing the Bolts talented forwards to exploit a frustrated Quick.
• Record: Record: 3-0

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

• Score:  Lightning 3, Kings 2
• Reason: With the worst goals against in the league, the Lightning might not be able to stop teams from scoring on them. But they have nothing to fear from the worst offense in the league, which happens to belong to the Kings.
• Record: 1-2

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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. Canes: Blown Away

Kings fans, here are the facts.

1. The season is half over. 
2. Every game matters.
3. Our play-off spot is by no means secure.
4. Our penalty kill is ranked 5th in the league.
5. Our power play is 21st.
6. Our goal average of 2.09 is THE WORST in the NHL.
7. We barely beat the worst team in the Western Conference on Wednesday. 
8. We lost to the worst team in the Eastern Conference today 2-1 in regulation.

We should be worried because our players are playing like they are not aware of these facts. They should have a hard time looking at themselves in the mirror right now. If I could look at any of them, I wouldn't be able to do more than shake my head. Except for our goalies. I'd hug them both. Neither of them deserve this.

Come to think of it, the Kings fans don't deserve it either.

A few other thoughts from your Queen:

• Lotkionov in, Voynov out. Are we only allowed one Russian in the line-up per game now?

• Justin Williams is a former Carolina Hurricane and won a Stanley Cup with them in 2006. Cam Ward was the Canes goalie then too. Maybe that was how Williams knew to set Kopitar up for that first goal. I just wish he had remembered some other cool tricks like that during the rest of the game.

• In one 14 minute time period, the Kings only managed two shots. It doesn't take higher math to figure out why we can't score with that kind of performance.

• Two games in two days with a flight in between is tiring. But it's also your job as an athlete. Build a bridge and get over it.

• I'm thinking Bernier might make an appearance on Sad Goalies tomorrow. 

• Brad Richardson's birthday is today. Since the Kings don't play Tuesday, I'd say he has a great reason to get really drunk tonight.

Finally, some tweets from the evening that echo my frustration. I'm most shocked that Helene Elliott of the Los Angeles Times actually tweeted the word "Yo." She's usually so journalistic.

One tweet, however, stood head and shoulders above the rest. Sometimes the truth REALLY hurts.

Now the Kings have a couple of days to think about how to right the ship before they take on the Tampa Bay Lightning and the league's leading scorer Steven Stamkos. Maybe he'll feel sorry for us and share some shooting tips....

GO KINGS GO!

KBPP Preview: Kings vs. Canes

I don't know about you, but I'm liking this prognostication game, and so far I'm doing pretty well. That's good AND bad, since I predicted the Kings loss last night. But today is another day, albeit a Saturday AND the second of two back-to-back games for the boys, but if one thing has held true for this team all season it's that for every up there is a down.

So what so you think, Kings fans? Will the boys rock Carolina "Like a Hurricane" or get blown away? Let's see what your favorite bloggers think.

Get ready to rock your face off, Kings fans!

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

• Score: Kings 3, Hurricanes 2
• Reason: The Hurricanes are the last place team in the East. The Kings beat Columbus, the last place team in the West, 3-2. That's not an opinion. That is Science.
• Record: 0-2

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

• Score: Kings 3, Hurricanes 2
• Reason: Last night was an embarrassment and I would hope that this team has enough pride to grind one out when presented with their first chance. It just so happens that the chance comes today and the Kings would do well by their fans to fly out of Raleigh with 2 points. The unfortunate piece; this is a non-conference game so the net gain in the standings is only the 2 points given to the winner.
• Record: 1-1

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

• Score: Kings 4, Hurricanes 3
• Reason: Because Quisp likes the number 7. All his guesses add up to 7.
• Record: 1-1

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

• Score:  Kings 2, Hurricanes 1
• Reason: Tuomo Ruutu with the game winner for the Kings...that's right, they trade him between periods.
• Record: 1-1

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

• Score: Kings 3, Hurricanes 1
• Reason: The Kings will want to avenge last night's loss, but let's not get TOO excited – this is still an offensively challenged team.
• Record: 2-0

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

• Score: Kings 2, Hurricanes 1
• Reason: Canes defense is horrible and they are middle of the pack offensively, Kings should be able to muster up 2 if they play at the level they did last night.
• Record: 1-0

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

• Score: Hurricanes 3, Kings 0
• Reason: Carolina might be 'Columbus East' but they also have 13 more points than the Jackets and as many wins as Anaheim. Couple that with the 3-0 beat down of Boston two days ago and this trip could get ugly really fast.
• Record: 2-0

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

• Score: Kings 3, Hurricanes 2, OT
• Reason: The league's worst offense was at its craptastic Friday night, getting shut out for the sixth time this season. However, L.A. has responded well, winning four out of the five games following a shutout this season, with that one loss coming in a shootout to the Penguins.
• Record:  1-1

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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 Blues: The Royal Half Shoots And Scores!

So the Kings started their six game road trip tonight, and I have to admit I was a little worried. The Blues are a VERY different team under new head coach Ken Hitchcock and the Central Division has not been kind to us this year. Sadly, I wasn't expecting a win, but I guess I was hoping I'd be wrong.
Here's what went through my mind during the game....

Pre-game and First Period
Shit, the Blues have won A LOT of games at home -- wish we could do that.
Please God, let's not get "Halak'ed" tonight....
Man, Kien Hitchcock's voice DOES NOT match his body at all.
No goals in 30 games Lokti? You're SO much better than that.
If I see one more blog about "Clockgate" I'm gonna....oh wait, I'm writing one.....
OK, we got 5 shots off pretty quick. Maybe this will be OK.
Richards, Penner and Clifford. It's either gonna be epic or like the Three Stooges out there.
"Kopitar gets leveled." Gee, thanks Nick Nickson. Kings, can we maybe keep Kopi from getting tripled teamed?
No more chances for Langenbrunner please, he's too close for comfort.
Uh, what happened to our shot total boys? Have we hear of puck possession?
Penner got bumped hard and lost the puck? *shocked*
Kings outshot 11-1? in 14 minutes? YIKES
It's only the end of the first and I'm already seeing a cocktail in my future.....

Second Period
"Clifford trying to feed Penner..." -- I could say something but I won't.
Jesus, Jason Arnott is still playing. Isn't he the oldest active player in the League or something?
The Blues are playing their first game in 10 days and out-shooting the Kings. Apparently they don't know what rust is.
Jackman is a GREAT hockey name.
The Blues have 9 SHUTOUTS this season? 9?
Guys, I TOLD YOU to keep the puck away from Langenrbunner!!!!!!!!!!!!! No surprise he scored.
Damn Drewster, did it have to be you?
At least the Blues have SOMETHING in common with us -- a sucky power play.
I think if Richards can just get a shorty to happen, the rest of the goals will come.
AND we finally get a power play. Here's your chance Drew....
We are ABSOLUTELY getting Halak'ed on this power play.
I'm gonna need chocolate. Very soon.
Halak isn't even in the crease and manages to stop the damn puck! Kill me now.

Third Period
Blues are 20-1-1 when leading after two periods. We are SCREWED.
Clifford is leading the team in shots. This explains EVERYTHING.
Now I'm snacking. Salt & vinegar chips to start. The chocolate is next.
Brownie can't get a goal, but he can still hit. Jason Arnott is too old to handle that Brownie.
Is ANYTHING POSITIVE going to happen for us in this game?
Even Williams can't get a goal! Halak'ed AGAIN!
Shit, I knew I should have started drinking....
AND WE GOT HALAK'ED.

You know, I really hate it when I'm right. I predicted the Kings would lose 2-1 in OT. I gave them too much credit. We couldn't even get ONE goal. Final score 1-0.

For my favorite tweets of the evening, I had to start with a collection of epic missives from The Royal Half. Simply en fuego tonight on the comedy front!

 

Dennis Bernstein from The Fourth Period got in a few choice digs as well, even if the second one is a Captain Obvious statement.

And finally, some other choice gems.  

Although this one is possibly my favorite tweet of the night....

The Kings are back in action tomorrow. On a Saturday. Lord help us. At least it's only a bunch of Hurricanes. How bad can that be?

GO KINGS GO!

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!

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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 

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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 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!

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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.

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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!