From The Mercury News's David Pollak Michal Handzus swapped his Los Angeles Kings jersey for one with a shark on the crest during the off season, so he’s a pretty good person to ask if his old team sees its mission as knocking his new one off its perch at the top of the Pacific Division. “I think so,” said Handzus, who played with the Kings for four seasons. “They were always talking … [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...]
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 POST GAME: GIVE THEM NOTHING. TAKE FROM THEM EVERYTHING!
March 13, 2011 By
First, I was like this... Then, like this... And with 20.8 seconds left... The LA Kings beat the Dallas Stars 3-2, have 83 points, jump over Dallas and the Chicago Blackhawks and are in fourth place. Michal Handzus (Zeuuuus!) played hero with exceptional honorable mention to Alexei Ponikarovsky (who also played a role in the first goal) and Wayne Simmonds for that all balls, … [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...]
LET’S PLAY “TERRY MURRAY’S ADJUSTMENTS TO THIS LOSS WILL BE…”
January 17, 2011 By
Let's try and predict the very predictable Terry Murray. Since there will be no adjustments made to the actual offensive scheme, we can expect: 1. Quick to start; 2. Westgarth will likely be out with Harrold in; 3. Potential line shuffling, possibly with Handzus and Ponikarovsky moving up to play with Clifford while Lewis, Harrold and Richardson take the fourth line role...or something … [Read more...]
I WANT A PONI
December 6, 2010 By
For a month, we have been asking for our Poni back. Well, we got him. Ponikarovsky is expected back this Thursday. Let's all collectively give him a break and not expect him to play like he hasn't missed a game. It may take a couple or more. While Clifford has filled that role admirably, that beautiful shut down chemistry between he, Handzus and Simmonds was sorely missed. Willie Mitchell is still … [Read more...]
SCOUTING THE DETROIT RED WINGS
December 3, 2010 By
GOOSE: "That's him. Iceman. It's the way he flies, ice cold, no mistakes. He wears you down, you get bored--frustrated--do something stupid and he's got ya." Transition. That’s the Wings’ game. They wait for you to make a turnover, make a mistake and immediately swarm to your net and then make you pay. By their position through the neutral zone, they are ready to expose the opposing … [Read more...]
WHEN EXPECTATIONS MEET RESULTS – A WIN BEYOND THE W
November 14, 2010 By
Writing a post game about the Kings' total destruction of the New York on Saturday night 5-1 is unnecessary. There isn't much to break down. Staples Center ice resembled a slaughter-house and the beef was a tender New York cut with a special Islanders' marinade. What's necessary is reflection on what the victory evidences about the Kings' season. We speak of games we should win. "Should" … [Read more...]
FIERCE. FUN. KINGS SHUT OUT AND SHUT UP LIGHTNING 1-0
November 4, 2010 By
I'd like to thank the following people for an entertaining game and hockey night. Let's start with Justin Williams. You are the apple of my eye. The bees of our knees. You are a hard skating, no stop, all go, big heart, almost as good-looking as me superstar who needs a contract extension quick... Speaking of whom, Jonathan, Kings' fans are at ease with you defending the net. You are … [Read more...]
THREE FIRSTS NET FOUR AS KINGS TAKE DOWN HURRICANES
October 20, 2010 By
Kopitar with his first of the season. Loktionov with his first NHL goal. Bernier with his first win of 2010. Kings win 4-3 but lose Doughty to the dreaded upper body injury. He will steal your girlfriend in the middle of the night and bring her back early morning before you wake. He will pick your pocket, spend your money, and return it before you notice. He will score a goal from behind … [Read more...]
THE WINNING HAS BEGUN – KINGS BEAT COLORADO 4-2
September 22, 2010 By
After going down 2-0 early in the game, the Los Angeles Kings kicked off their preseason with a victory over the Colorado Avalanche. The Kings scored 4 unanswered goals, scored, in order, by Michal Handzus, John Zeiler (yes, really), Brad Richardson and Justin Williams. Jonathan Bernier gets the win after letting in what Nick Nickson describe as two goals scored on the short side. Sounded … [Read more...]
LOS ANGELES KINGS SEASON PREVIEW: FORWARD THINKING, RULE OF THIRDS
September 22, 2010 By
Keeping in step with NHL tradition, the Los Angeles Kings third line is built to shut down and shut up the best of the rest. Returning to their checking roles are Michal Handzus and Wayne Simmonds. Joining them is the Kings' lone forward mercenary for the year, Alexei Ponikarovsky. Whereas the Kings' top two lines of Smyth-Kopitar-Brown and Parse-Stoll-Williams are designed to put pucks in … [Read more...]
KINGS COACH TERRY MURRAY TINKERS WITH A PINCH OF THIS AND DASH OF THAT
October 22, 2009 By
We fans know what we are talking about...sometimes. So, a few of us have wondered why Williams (who most of us like) plays the point on the powerplay. It exposed us defensively and we weren't sure about his shot from the point. Today, we find out that Terry is moving Williams off the point. His concern? Defense. On the powerplay? Yes. An aggressive penalty kill, like that of the Blue Jackets, … [Read more...]
LITTLE BIG MAN: MICHAL HANDZUS
October 17, 2009 By
It is very hard to find a little play with a big impact in a game where the Kings could not do the little things right. Even though there is nothing 'little' about him, Michal Handzus is one of the better Kings at making little plays. Handzus makes a play like this nearly every game, and since no one else did much worth writing about against Detroit, I'll give 'Zus this one, even though he … [Read more...]
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