Let's go through what we discussed in the pre game review and what occurred: I look at the LA Kings’ powerplay as a key to tonight’s game. The undisciplined Devils have given up 13 powerplays in the first two games. If we can force them into bad penalties early on and strike with the man advantage, the Devils will be out of their element and forced to take chances. Credit to the Devils … [Read more...]
Thoughts & Tidbits From Preseason Game 1 of Kings v. Coyotes
September 21, 2011 By
Andrei Loktionov played a hell of a game on both ends of the ice. He has a unique skill of vanishing and reappearing behind opposing defenders. On twitter, I dubbed him Loktiwizard. I want to see this kid make the team. He looked great at camp and in this game. I don't buy the "top 6 or bust" theory with Loktionov. To the other "ov", how about Slava Voynov? I knew he had offensive skills, but … [Read more...]
Surly & Scribe’s L.A. Kings’ Season Preview: The Goalies
September 20, 2011 By
This is weird...it's great, but it's weird. On the subject of goaltenders, I am not nostalgic of the old days. Remember when we entered each season wondering just how much we were going to suck between the pipes? No more. This franchise's greatest weakness has become its strength. Now, we have two young stars in the making and one impressive third in 6'4" Martin Jones. I don't have any … [Read more...]
In Defense Of Drew Doughty
September 9, 2011 By
Drew Doughty has spent three seasons with the LA Kings. He made the team out of camp as a rookie, had a solid inaugural season and appeared poised to become one of the best young defensemen in the league. In season two, promise intersected with production and Doughty exceeded every level of expectation by playing like an experienced and perennial All-Star as evidenced by his Norris Trophy … [Read more...]
THE ROYAL REPORT CARD, PART I – THE GOALIES AND DEFENSE
May 2, 2011 By
Harry Halkidis is a knowledgeable LA Kings' and hockey fan, an excellent writer and an all around good guy. I have been courting him for nearly a year to join us at Surly & Scribe and he finally honored us with his puck wisdom and written words. Surly thinks of Harry as S&S's third jersey and we hope to see much more of him going forward. Here is part I of his Royal Report Card. First up, … [Read more...]
THE JONATHAN QUICK SCOUTING REPORT
April 26, 2011 By
This is an interesting look at a scouting report of our very own Jonathan Quick. The Goalie Guild conducted this scouting report and gave it to the San Jose Sharks. Now that the series is over, they have published it. It provides their insight into Quick's strengths and weaknesses. Here is a snippet from the article. Click on the link for more. Prior to the start of the Los Angeles Kings vs. … [Read more...]
SUPERSTITIONS, ODDS AND PRESSURE. A GAME SIX JAMBALAYA
April 25, 2011 By
Last night, I broke out and held the black jersey with the Scribe on the back and proud number 9. I put it back on the rack. That jersey won big in San Jose for game 2 but lost badly in games 3 and 4 at home. Tonight, we're at home. I picked it up again. I cursed Surly. I am not superstitious. He is. I held the black jersey in my right hand and stared at it. I reached and picked up … [Read more...]
JONATHAN QUICK STEALS ONE FOR THE KINGS 3-1
April 23, 2011 By
My heart sank when we went up 3-0. I tried to keep my emotions in check. I chewed on my LA Kings' hat. I lost command of the English language. In the middle of the second, the wife asked me how the Kings were doing. I barked at her. It confused my dogs. By the middle of the third I was on the living room floor making saves to each of the San Jose Sharks' shots on goal. Four got past me. Quick … [Read more...]
LA KINGS COACH TERRY MURRAY PLAYS A DIFFERENT KIND OF DEFENSE IN RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS
April 22, 2011 By
I read with somewhat surprise the following quote from Terry Murray. Murray’s answer was in response to the question whether he intended to make any personnel changes going into Game 5 that might help turn things around. Terry Murray’s response was: “I’m playing what I’ve got. Kopitar is not coming back, guys. He’s got a broken leg. So you play with what you’ve got. I can make … [Read more...]
I WANT SOMEONE TO BLAME TOO
April 21, 2011 By
Terry Murray for being an inflexible and stubborn old man. Dustin Penner for being a coward. Jamie Kompon for walking through life still searching for a clue. Michael Handzus for having the game pass him by. Drew Doughty for being young and dumb. You pick a fight with Nichol and taking yourself off the ice...Nichol. Jesus. Jonathan Quick for letting in 12 goals in 2 games even if … [Read more...]
A GREAT GAME ENDS IN DISAPPOINTMENT – SHARKS TAKE GAME ONE IN OT 3-2
April 14, 2011 By
An excellent game. The LA Kings showed up in the second period and never wavered. They had their chances, God knows the game nearly ended on Brad Richardson's stick. Alas, hockey is a game of inches. I don't know how this series will end. I do know this. The Kings proved the Sharks mortal and well within our ability to beat even without Anze Kopitar. Build on this effort and this series is … [Read more...]
TOP TEN WAYS L.A. CAN STEAL THE KINGS v. SHARKS SERIES
April 11, 2011 By
10. While the Kings have the puck but unable to get shots on net, David Courtney belts out over the mic "LOS ANGELES GOAL! His 26th goal and 2nd of the game, AN-ZE KOPITAR!" In the ensuing Sharks' confusion, all five Kings drive to the net and bang it home on the third attempt after missing the net two additional times. 9. Terry Murray fakes an epileptic seizure and falls on the ice during the … [Read more...]
SO CAL v. NO CAL. THE LA KINGS DRAW THE SAN JOSE SHARKS IN PLAYOFF ROUND 1
April 10, 2011 By
LA Kings v. San Jose Sharks So Cal v. No Cal The Hockey Gods have humbled the Chicago Blackhawks and put their playoff hope at the mercy of the Dallas Stars v. Minnesota Wild. Out of this, we drew our foes to the north. Excited? I am just glad we made the playoffs and while the prospect of Justin Williams being back for game one does tickle my fan-cy, my expectations are tempered, even … [Read more...]
GIVE ME VICTORY OR GIVE ME DEATH
April 9, 2011 By
Kopitar and Williams. Excuse number 1. Excuse number 2. That is exactly what those injuries have provided. The LA Kings, from top to bottom including the coaching staff, have this pretext at their disposal. Use it and Terry Murray's job is probably safe for another year. Rise above it and you send a message to the entire league that to underestimate us shall be your demise. I saw a team last … [Read more...]
IT’S ALL ABOUT WORK ETHIC
April 5, 2011 By
A week before season's end is no time to learn new tricks. The cliché if you haven't figured it out by now, you're f***** applies in many circumstances and the end of the regular season & one win away from clinching the playoff spot is one of them. The LA Kings, coming off a humbling butt kicking in San Jose last night 6-1, have to answer a simple question. Do they trust the system? If the … [Read more...]
LA KINGS POST GAME: KINGS BEAT SHARKS IN SHOOTOUT 4-3
March 24, 2011 By
I am not certain which was uglier - Joe Thornton's mug or the officiating. Let's compare. The morons in stripes called a phantom slashing penalty against Jarret Stoll (as a friend explained in a text, you can't "slash upward"), a second non-existent tripping penalty against Alec Martinez in the third period, missed several muggings behind the goal including a trip against Oscar Moller, … [Read more...]
LA KINGS POST GAME: ****!!
March 20, 2011 By
Sometimes, poetry yields to profanity. Profane was Jack Johnson's turnover. Profane was the mental and stature challenged midget in stripes waiving off Alexei Ponikarovsky's goal when Ponikarovsky was clear as crystal violently shoved into Ray Emery for everyone other than the white cane, no able fool to see. I enjoyed watching said fool one faceoff later view a couple of the six replays … [Read more...]
CHECK THIS. CHECK THAT. THE LA KINGS JOURNEY CONTINUES
March 16, 2011 By
Having a real life talented first line left wing in Dustin Penner? Check Anze Kopitar coming alive as a result? Check Continuing to play excellent team defense? Check Drew Doughty looking like a star again? Check Jonathan Quick playing great? Check Jonathan Bernier playing just as well? Check Our head coach Terry Murray and/or powerplay coach Jamie Kompon having a mini lobotomy … [Read more...]
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