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...]
Let’s Do Lines
July 5, 2011 By
I promised I wouldn't do this anymore. I quit for an entire year. I resisted temptation though it was all around me. All my friends were doing it. Surly was doing it for a while...daily. This morning, I finally broke. I am off the wagon. Let's do some lines, LA style. The additions of Mike Richards and Simone Gagne, coupled with the subtraction of Michael Handzus, Alexei Ponikarovsky and Wayne … [Read more...]
THE ROYAL REPORT CARD III: LA KINGS’ BOTTOM SIX & DEPTH PLAYERS
May 10, 2011 By
Harry Halkidis brings us his third installment of the Royal Report Card. The bottom six forwards and depth players will be scrutinized, analyzed and graded. Michal Handzus (B): Handzus is one of Terry Murray's most reliable checkers, as the veteran leader led all Kings forwards in short-handed ice time. His play on the penalty kill helped the team rank fourth overall in penalty killing. … [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 CLINCH THE PLAYOFFS
April 6, 2011 By
I said this to Nick and Daryl. I will write it for you. If Kyle Clifford was a girl, I would make out with him...a dog and I would hump him...an idol and I worship him. I love Kyle Clifford. I watch him out there with Simmonds and Richardson and I see a player in his rookie year that fits in a high energy, offensive game. He has already shown the necessary heart, guts and drive for a … [Read more...]
OVER-ENTHUSIASM COSTS KINGS AGAINST CANUCKS
April 1, 2011 By
Everything was going so well. The first period against the Vancouver Canucks, the Kings first true test of playing without Anze Kopitar & Justin Williams, saw fast and furious action at both ends of the ice. The Canucks keep a pace no team has been able to match for the duration of the season, but for atleast one period, the Kings took them stride for stride, culminating in a beautiful … [Read more...]
LA KINGS LAY AN EGG ON SAINT PATRICK’S DAY, LOSE TO THE BLUES 4-0
March 17, 2011 By
If you watched the game, you know that I don't need to write a thing. From the first line to the last, from the suits on the bench to the players on the ice, from goaltending to defense to the morons in the crowd who booed this team, tonight was an utter failure. A failure to prepare the team, the failure of a team to play with anything that resembled talent and drive, a failure of the fan base … [Read more...]
LA KINGS POST GAME: ANZE KOPITAR HAT TRICK PROPELS KINGS TO 4-2 VICTORY
March 12, 2011 By
Loved it. This game and last, the LA Kings have looked like a different team. Feet moving on the powerplay, quick tape to tape passes and, with limited exceptions, nothing stood stationary along the half boards. Even when they did not convert, the team had quality scoring chances. Add an already solid defense and a surging number two goaltender in Jonathan Bernier and LA Kings' fans received a … [Read more...]
WESTGARTH IN, RICHARDSON OUT, KISS MY GRITS
March 11, 2011 By
If you haven't heard, Terry Murray believes the Columbus Blue Jackets are a gritty team. Gritty. As in full of grit. What is grit? Richie played well. I liked his game in Detroit, and we moved him up, in the latter part of the game, to be able to shut that game down. He did a good job for us. We need Westgarth’s presence. They’ve got a gritty lineup, and I just think that it’s … [Read more...]
LA KINGS PLAYER PROFILE: DUSTIN PENNER AND EXPECTATIONS
March 1, 2011 By
Who is Dustin Penner? What does he bring? How will he help? Why does he fit? If you are as hockey obsessed as Surly & I, you may have read every article you could get your hands on from proclaimed (self and otherwise) experts, media, and bloggers about the Dustin Penner trade that sent Colten Popcorn Teubert, a 2011 1st round pick and a conditional 3rd to the Edmonton Oilers. But how … [Read more...]
VIDEO: LA KINGS KYLE CLIFFORD’S ESPN INTERVIEW
January 30, 2011 By
So, I wasn't crazy about the questions. The interviewer from ESPN was almost awkward in his approach but, hey, it's our boy Clifford so it's worth a look and listen. Enjoy. Wasn't Kyle Clifford's eye contact cool? That is one confident kid. … [Read more...]
KINGS VS BLACKHAWKS GAME PREVIEW: ONE STEP TO FOUR
January 3, 2011 By
I pain even thinking about this game. I walk into Staples tonight with my head balancing delicately between uplifted pride and sagging despair. Today I am not a man who chooses his own destiny, but rather, one who squirms in his seat, waiting for events to unfold that will determine his fate. The Chicago Blackhawks have either arrived at Staples Center for the first time in 2011 at the … [Read more...]
KINGS DROP ONE IN CHICAGO 3-2
December 20, 2010 By
The Kings played well enough to win. Toews had a lucky bounce. Simmonds had a lucky bounce. Kings got hosed on some calls by the refs. So did Chicago. Only one number from this game matters to me; 2. That's how many shots on goal were taken by Kopitar. Kopitar drives the net in this game and we win it. That about sums this one up as far as I'm concerned. To end on a … [Read more...]
KINGS GET OUTWORKED BY BLUES 6-4
December 17, 2010 By
Erik Johnson, Andy McDonald, Alex Pietrangelo, David Perron, TJ Oshie, Roman Polak...all but with injuries. A walk in the park tonight? Not so much. Surly gave you his take of the game. Here is mine: I am concerned about the Kings' passing. So many of them from the defensive zone connect on the opposing team's stick. We saw this again tonight and it has been a consistent Achilles Heel. I … [Read more...]
KINGS SUCCUMB TO ST LOUIS BLUES AGGRESSION
December 16, 2010 By
The title says it all. The Kings battled. Tempers flared and fists flew. They took their licks and gave some back. However in the end, an inspiring and brutally hostile game by the St Louis Blues won out over the Los Angeles Kings in a struggle that could have gone either way. It started out less than perfect with the Blues controlling the majority of the first period, immediately … [Read more...]
FLAMES LEAVE L.A. FORTUNATE TO HAVE ONLY LOST 2-1
December 10, 2010 By
This game could have been 7-0. It should have been 7-0. I am not sure what Calgary thought it was doing on the ice tonight but if it was hockey they intended, they failed. I have seen spectators give more effort. By the middle of the third, after what I believe to be three goal posts and three additional glorious scoring chances up to that point, I began to feel sorry for Flames' fans. They are … [Read more...]
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