The Nashville Predators are 9-1-0 in their last 10.
They have 64 points.
They are third in the Central Division, arguably the best division in the league at the moment (who would have thunk it) and only three points out first place in the entire NHL.
Impressive.
They have something like $14.4 million dollars in cap space.
Even more impressive.
They are also being held hostage by Shea Weber and Ryan Suter.
Weber’s words lead a reasonable person to believe he has no interest in signing anytime soon. Ryan Suter dropped the little bomb today that he won’t negotiate a contract before the trade deadline.
Both of them are using the “we want to see if the organization is committed to winning” line as the reason they have not signed.
Whatever. They want money, lots of it, Nashville’s financial situation is not stable and both want to play in a bigger and more secure market. Winning is part of that equation as well but the rest of it is not the “politically correct” thing to say. I doubt any of them would be honest enough to state, “we want a shit load of money from a big market team that has stable ownership and we just don’t see that in Nashville, no offense of course.”
So, what becomes of them? That is the subject of this article. Continue reading →
I slept well last night. Our boys won. They broke the 5 game losing streak. They scored 4 goals. That first period was a gem. The Predators gave us opportunities on the powerplay and we finally buried it. Failing to score on that 5 on 3 (luckily we did just as the Predators were getting a player back) could have changed the game’s momentum. In hockey, it’s not the opportunities that matter but rather capitalizing on said opportunities…a little like life. The second period was ok. We took the foot off the gas but still played a good period.
Jimmie: I can’t believe this is the same car. The Wolf: Well, let’s not start sucking each other’s dicks quite yet.
We won. We scored 4 goals. Two of the goals were of the awesome variety with one timers by Alec Martinez and Mike Richards. We got into some bad habits but, for the most part, held the fort.
Thank goodness. Losing 6 in a row would have been a hard level of suck to accept, even for a Terry Murray coached team.
Hats off, hugs and kisses for Jonathan Bernier. I love him. His hybrid style leaves few glaring open spots for shooters. He may want that Craig Smith goal back but that was one hell of a shot. It had to be perfect to beat Bernier and it was. Most importantly, the Kings gave him goal support.
7 years, $49 mother freaking million dollars? $7 million dollar per season cap hit? Have the Predators lost their collective minds?
He is 29 years old. His career GAA is 2.34. His career SV% is .920. He is a talented late bloomer. But $7 million?
My first question when I read the announcement: “Was his agent Jay Grossman or Don Meehan?” Turns out it was Jay Grossman. You remember our buddy, Jay, right? Kovalchuk? Yeah, that one. He appears to have a talent for getting his clients massive overpayments. Good for him although, like the prima donna Russian left wing, I am not so sure this is a good move for the team.
The Predators right now sit at less than $50 million in payroll. They are at the top of the league in frugality. They have an internal cap. That is what caused them to go to arbitration with stud defenseman, Shea Weber who will again be an RFA after this season. Are they going to pay Weber $7 million as well? And what about Ryan Suter who becomes a UFA after this season? He will want a big pay raise from the $3.5 per season he has received. Continue reading →
So I’m driving down the streets of LA and I see Kopitar’s face looming over a building up ahead. I get elated for a second, the same old vascular inflaming sensation I receive when I think about the Kings, because I’m weird and in love with a stupid hockey team that usually doesn’t love me back. They don’t love me back. That’s the thought that brings me down, one that will be amplified as I get close enough to read that billboard and see the words supposed to encase the greatness that is Kopitar and the Kings. Words will not just disappoint, but upset. Pride=Passion=Power. What a crock of shit. Why would the team I love mock me so? My intelligence and irrational love are thoroughly insulted. Continue reading →
Well kids, here we go. We are ready to bring you the contests for the next two tickets on November 3 (LA Kings v. Edmonton Oilers) & November 8 (LA Kings v. Nashville Predators). We now have a dedicated page for the contest rules. Click here for that. Please read it carefully. Here is the contest for the November 3 & November 8 games.
Surly hates our slogan Pride=Passion=Power. Just like the home plate logo on our jersey, he is convinced we could do so much better. I agree with him. So, your mission is towrite a new slogan for the Los Angeles Kings.Continue reading →
After Shea Weber’s arbitration award of $7.5 million came down, I wrote the following in an August 3 article entitled Shea Weber, Drew Doughty & Market Value:
Shea Weber received an award of $7.5 million for one season. That makes him literally the highest paid defenseman in the league. For one season. That does not establish “market” value for top defensemen who seek contracts for more than a season, anymore than Surly getting lucky with a hot, drunk, 20 something year old blonde who is angry at her ex boyfriend, on one random night establishes his target market for the rest of his potential scores. It does not “raise” the market value for any player that will enter into a multi-year contract. Only the “market” does that and that market includes other contracts, with specific multi-year terms, for reasonably comparable players at or about the same age. If the years go up, then the cap hit must come down, at least in this circumvention by any other name era. Are any of those in the $7.5 million dollar range? No.
Others claimed that whatever Drew Doughty was asking for just went up and even went so far as to proclaim the market for all defensemen went up. Exaggerated? Absurd. From the NY Post today via Puck Daddy:
Finally, an arbitrator who did more than split the difference between a club’s submission and the player’s. Finally, an arbitrator who did more than color by numbers upon reaching his decision.
… the arbitrator reached his decision based on the compensation due Keith and Seabrook this coming season, including signing bonuses, rather than on their respective cap hits over the course of their long-term contracts. This was not about a multi-year deal; this was about compensation for 2011-12.
There is an old adage in the legal business that sometimes all it takes is an a-hole and a filing fee to file a lawsuit. So, I suppose arguments (like opinions) resemble that hole in some respects and anybody, even an experienced agent, can make an argument for his client using an inapplicable and irrelevant precedent. However, intelligent and not reactionary discourse dictates that a 1 year contract for an elite defenseman does not “raise” the financial bar for all elite D, much less every Tom, Dick & Harry D-man. The arbitrator correctly gave Shea Weber $7.5 million because he recognized what you do as well – if the “years” are going to be less (or, in this case, all of 1), then the dollars will be more for one of the best in this game. Years get longer, dollars get less.
It was nice reading something from Larry Brooks that didn’t give me a small migraine. That was a bonus. GO KINGS!
Insert grain of salt between your cheek and gum. Ready? Read.
A Mart is very happy with the two year deal. It gives him a chance to prove himself. A one year contract would not have necessarily been a vote of confidence. This is. Good for Alec. Surly & I are very happy for him.
Is Brad Richardson going to remain an LA King? Good question. Don’t know the answer for certain of course but don’t be shocked if he doesn’t start the season or finish it wearing the crown. Consider this informed speculation with teeth.
Anze Kopitar may have had a minor set back in his foot healing. Nothing serious. He should be ready for camp…put down the knife…step away. No Seppuku necessary. I knew you would overreact to this.
There is a certain kid invited to camp that Dean Lombardi loves…however, we don’t know who. 3…2…1…research.
Rumors regarding Dustin Brown and any trade are crap. Treat them accordingly.
For those coveting Alexander Semin to LA (and you know who you are), don’t you think another deal would have to precede it? I think so. But who? Who? Use your head. Don’t get your hopes too up.
Keep an eye on the Nashville Predators. Since discretion is often the better part of valor, I will take the Forest Gump approach and finish with, that’s all I have to say about that.
This comes from a source I trust, one that has nailed each fact he has brought to me. I learned after the last word I received from someone other than said source that I can trust only him. Because he is right. Every damn time so far. Got that? Good.
Now, here is the word. Relax about Drew Doughty. There is no signature yet but there is a deal in place. It’s awaiting signature. It may not be announced immediately. There are reasons for that. Just know that, as of 10:04pm this evening, I have heard Drew Doughty will be a Los Angeles King. I don’t have the details and, even if I did, I would not post them until it was official. But seriously, was there ever any doubt?
Deep breath.
So, this Nashville thing is pretty interest, eh? They don’t make the qualifying offer on time and a nice list of RFAs may become UFAs. It’s headed to arbitration. Some good names on that list? Perhaps. Look at that list carefully – Sergei Kostitsyn, Nick Spaling, Matt Halischuk, Chris Mueller, Andreas Thuresson, Linus Klasen and Cal O’Reilly. Anyone on that list the LA Kings may want? Any other Predator we may want? I am asking questions, not making statements. I’ll let that one percolate.
Lots of things happening.
I may be a little slow on the trigger finger the next few days as I will be distracted by sandy beaches and ocean waves but the moment I am behind a computer and hear something worth sharing, I will do so…because sharing is caring. GO KINGS!
Guest writer Anthony Paulsen brings you his round 2 NHL playoff predictions
What a great first round of playoff hockey we’ve witnessed this year! I’ll go as far as to say that this is probably the most exciting first round of playoffs that we’ve seen in at least a decade. Nothing is more exciting than a game 7 in the Stanley Cup playoffs and this year saw four of them. I also feel pretty happy with my first round predictions as I predicted 7 series victors correctly (Chicago came so close!) and 4 series’ on the spot. But, the time to reflect has come to an end and it is time to look forward in this year’s Stanley Cup contenders.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
#1 Washington Capitals vs. # 5 Tampa Bay Lightning: I have to start by saying that the Eastern Conference is definitely going to be the tougher one to foresee. As far as this series goes, this will be one of two very good matchups in the East. Washington showed their offensive power against the Rangers but Tampa Bay also saw a good amount of scoring production from their depth. Defensively, both teams stack up about the same with Washington having the advantage on offensive production from their D-men. As tough as this is to call, I’m going to say that Tampa’s advantage in net isn’t enough to hold back the Washington offense. Caps win in 7 games.
#2 Philadelphia Flyer vs. #3 Boston Bruins: A rematch from last year’s second round which saw the Flyers make history by being only the 3rd team to ever come back from a 3-0 series deficit. As for this year, the Bruins have the goaltending advantage again, which I believe they would have over any team. The Flyers have more depth on offense but I feel the Bruins have had the fortune of a number of younger players who have stepped up toward the end of the season and in the playoffs, specifically Brad Marchand and Chris Kelly. Defensively, they match up pretty well, both have a big strong defenseman who can shut down opposing scorers as well as good depth on the blue line, but there is one X-factor to this series: Boston coughed up a 3-0 series lead last year. After winning the Winter Classic in overtime against the rival Flyers, the Bruins gave up a 3-0 series lead in the second round of the playoffs in 2010. This loss has definitely continued to fester and you can bet that Boston will be ready to avenge last year’s mishap. Another tough one to call and should be a very exciting series, but I say Boston Bruins in 6 games.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
#1 Vancouver Canucks vs. #5 Nashville Predators: The only series victor that I predicted incorrectly, Vancouver, takes on one of my spot on predictions, Nashville. As expected, Vancouver and Chicago kept us on the edge of our seats. As a Colorado Avalanche fan, I hate the division rivals, especially Vancouver, but I try my best to put my biased opinion aside. I give a huge tip of the hat to Chicago for really making that series exciting, but I also feel that Vancouver has really pushed their luck too far. We’ve seen in the past how Vancouver has struggled to get it done in the playoffs and the first round is a pretty good portrayal of Vancouver’s habit of just that. They may have moved on but only by hanging on by the skin of their teeth after nearly having that series swept. But, as the playoffs get deeper, the series’ become tougher. Nashville will, yet again, get great goaltending and also continue their quietly effective style of play. There may not be any big name scorers on the Predators’ roster but they know how to keep the puck out of their own net. Their defensive play will restrict the Canuck offense and Nashville wins in 7.
#2 San Jose Sharks vs. #3 Detroit Red Wings: San Jose may be the higher seed but I think that there is no questioning this series. Detroit, once again, will be at least as good in the offensive zone, and better in the neutral and defensive zones. The Sharks also experienced shaky goaltending in the first round, which means that Niemi likely hasn’t found enough confidence between the pipes to be able to steal games yet. Even if he has, Detroit is still a very good defensive team who possesses offensive skills at least equal to the league’s best. Also considering that San Jose has earned a reputation as playoff choke artists, I have to say that Detroit wins this series in 5 games.
Now let’s sit back, critique my predictions (always welcomed and encouraged) and watch some more exciting playoff hockey!
It will shock you. Its seemingly superfluous to Kings hockey, but I tell you now, I have located the karmic energy infecting the Kings.
A source informs me that Nashville Predator forward and rehab attendee Jordin Tootoo has been working out for the last two weeks at a gym in the greater Los Angeles area. In the interest of respecting Jordin’s privacy, we will not reveal where this gym is, but trust me when I say it is too close for comfort. Certainly close enough for his odor to waft towards Staples Center.
Is it a coincidence that Tootoo’s arrival is directly in sync with the Kings recent struggles? Probably. But where is the fun in that?
Scapegoats are so much easier to wrap your head around.
To balance things out here, the source says Jordin is a very pleasant dude, ripped little hulk that he is. So get well soon Jordin, hop on your sled and get back to Nashville where you belong. And take this loser stink hovering over Los Angeles with you, please.
The Nashville Predators have confirmed a Darren Dreger report that Jordin Tootoo has voluntarily entered in-patient care as part of NHL/NHLPA Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program. Kings’ fans know Jordin as a hard hitting, border line dirty and all around pest of a hockey player. That is his hockey persona and life. His personal one, like that of his family and deceased brother, have been a difficult one. We wish Jordin all the best in his recovery.
I left it with a smile and ready for the Vandals’ x-mas concert at the House of Blues.
Gonna change the world
With my hockey stick
Gonna make a real difference
Feed the poor and heal the sick
A nice kickstart to the night.
When Dustin Brown passes, good thing happen. The first such good was great. Brownie, who drove to the right wing side again despite playing left wing and confusing the hell out of everyone, sent a pass to Williams. The puck bounced off Williams’ stick, then kindly deflected off the hapless defender, and came back to Justin who, with his body behind the red line, popped it in and past Hatchback to give the Kings a 1-0 lead 15 seconds into the game. This goal all started with a breakout with speed, something that when the Kings execute well often results in high percentage scoring opportunities.
I’ll practice in my yard
Or in the showers every day
Until I get so goddamn good
That someone really super rich will say
“Here’s a million dollars
You can spend it how you like,
You can change the fucking world
Or turn it into something nice”
Poni told Terry Murray where he can put his dog house by working his tail off tonight. The Kings got the second goal thanks in large part to his hard work. He held the puck from behind Nashville’s net, to the left boards, above the slot, to the right circle, back-hand (seriously!), forehand and then sent a pass that once again received a selfless deflection (this time courtesy of JP Dumont) and directed to Trevor Lewis who back-handed the biscuit into the basket. Poni looked like an anabolic version of Frolov on that play. Note also where Lewis scored the goal – right between the hash marks, where pure goal scorers make their home.
I’ll use my stick for foreign matters
Giving meaning to our planet
And anything we ever wanted
We will get to have it
And it’s all thanks to my hockey stick
And skill in which I use it
A hero to humanity
I swear I won’t abuse it
Doughty made it 3-0 in the first on a mad scramble. Drew’s goal came from? Any guesses? Come on…that’s correct, RIGHT between the hash marks! Drew was playing with his hair on fire up to this point, looking to generate offense on every shift. Serious props to Kyle Clifford on the play that led to this goal. He skated without fear after the dump in and allowed Wayne to attempt a shot that never got to the net but caused the ensuing chaos.
Bareback was handed his ass and asked to plant it on the bench.
Hello rookie goalie, Mark Dekanich. Hope you used plenty of lube.
I’ll change the world
I’ll make a difference man
I’ll change the world with my hockey stick
Solving all our problems…
Like crack and aids and murder, violence, syphilis…
Global warming, floods and arson, rape, and birth defects
And things affecting ever person
Steve Sullivan scored a goal…big deal…
The Kings received a powerplay with just over 5 minutes left in the period. They cycled down low until the puck worked its way to Stoll at the point. Jarret without hesitation slapped it to the net, it hit Brown and came to Ryan Smyth who took a whack at it and appeared to miss…”appeared to” being the key words because the next thing we see is the puck arching in the air Krushelnyski style, over the befuddled goalie and into the net. Boom. 4-1 Kings.
War on crime and racism are problems of the past you see
Thanks to the greatest hockey player
That would be me
World leaders are united
From the joy to watch me playing
As the planet gathers ‘round
For the chance to hear me saying
“This place is now utopia
And heaven is on earth”
Me and my hockey stick
Can finally built this earth
More, damnit, more, I pled! Shane O’Brien, an imp posing as a talentless punk, stick handled himself into a turnover behind his own goal. Moller picked up the puck, he and Lewis then played keep away until Moller sent a back hand to the net. All work, no quit Ponikarovsky made one hell of a highlight reel goal by batting the puck on a forehand with his back against the net and while the puck fluttered above the ice surface. Pretty.
By this point, Nashville wore a soft brown coat and was about to become a serving of Osso Bucco. Predators, my butt. By my eyes boys, the only predators tonight hailed from L.A.
I changed the world
I made a difference!
I changed the world with my hockey stick
I changed the world
Yeah!
I changed the world with my hockey stick
I solved all our problems
The Kings’ 6th goal started with Oscar Moller intercepting an errant pass at the blue line. Moller worked the puck down low and the Kings started their relentless cycle. Smyth brought the puck to the front, partially fanned on it but still put it right on Jarret’s stick who again without hesitation sent it to the net. Stoll’s bid missed the net, bounced off the glass and came to Ryan in front who banged it in before the puck reached the ice and bestowed a Lindback style shame on the third string Dekanich.
People don’t appreciate the glory I have brought them
I saved this planet in its darkest hour
So they will grovel beneath the man that saved them from the curse
Appoint myself ruler of the universe
And lots of family masses they will grovel at my feet
And their lives will serve no purpose
Other than to honor me
And this stick it will now rule their lives
And dictate all their thoughts
And I’ll re-write our history
And thus reside as God
No goals in the third. I secretly wished for a snow man. Seemed particularly appropriate given the time of the season. Alas, I will have to wait for one…perhaps a late Christmas present against the Ducks on the 26th.
So…my mind is now a calm still pool. Some guy in a cowboy hat can hum a Garth Brooks tune and live to tell the tale.
I’ll rule the world
I did it!
I’ll rule the world with my hockey stick
I’ll rule the world
Yeah!
I’ll rule the world with my hockey stick
Just because I am that good
OI TO THE KINGS BABY!
And for those who have never heard the song and do not generally partake of the Vandals…broaden your horizons and enjoy this tune and creative fan video.
Every smug face at the gym today looked like Steen…and forced me to turn away or risk imminent assault. At the gas station, a fifty something year old man with a St. Louis Rams hat walked to his truck…I suppressed the temptation of spraying him with the gas pump and launching a match. I must manage this anger at the 6-4 loss Thursday night. Medicine lies in tonight’s game.
The Predators. They are 8-0-2 in their last 10. Hunchback…blowback…camelback…Lindback, that’s the misbegotten name of Nashville’s goaltender who has danced with success the past several games. Bernier is expected to start for our soldiers. He is at the very center of my prayers. His success is the Kings’ success or Murray may ride Quick into the ground like he did last season.
Nashville touts 40 points, 6 of which are of the OT variety. They have played two more games than the Kings. Their powerplay sucks, their penalty killing is right there with ours and they otherwise match up pretty well with L.A. They also possess the no talent punk my fist to his face, Shane O’Brien, and pretty slick forwards in Steve Sullivan, Martin Erat and Cal O’Reilly. On defense is my favorite Pred, Shea Weber.
We don’t have Mitchell. I am still unclear as to whether we have Matt Greene. That’s a #2 and potentially our #5 off the defensive roster. Poni heads to the fourth line, which is amusing because two good shifts will get him right back to the third.
Will the Kings score first and gain the momentum? Will Kopitar and Brown continue their torrid scoring pace? Will Williams and Stoll regain their scoring touch? Which Drew Doughty will show up? Will Jack bring the mother f’ing Johnson on both ends of the ice? Will Clifford drop them with TooToo? Will Bernier shine brighter than hatchback? Will we win so I can forget about Thursday?
I think we will and I do know this. If the Kings lose tonight, God help the first bastard I see wearing a cowboy hat or humming a Garth Brooks tune.
From the Nashville blogging and media world. Click on each link for the full article.
There’s not much to say about tonight’s drubbing in Los Angeles, as Pekka Rinne was pulled from the game in the 2nd period after allowing 4 goals on 22 shots, and the Preds were simply outworked up and down the ice. Nashville has now dropped four straight games, and 7 out of their last 9 as they head to Anaheim for a game Sunday evening.
What would a healthy Nashville Predators team look like?
One would hope it would look better than this.
With key cogs Ryan Suter, Martin Erat and Matthew Lombardi out of the lineup, the Los Angeles Kings – the NHL’s best team – disposed of the injury-riddled Predators 4-1 in front of 18,118 at Staples Center.
Nashville has dropped four straight and are 2-4-1 with Suter out of the lineup this season.
The game was a lot more lopsided than the 4-1 score indicated. Pekka Rinne, who started the game, was tested early on and held his ground. Which, given his rough outing on Wednesday night in Arizona, was a good thing.
With the second worse offense in the NHL, the Nashville Predators were no competition for the offensively explosive Los Angeles Kings on Saturday night. During a game that saw Ryan Smyth play his 1000th career contest and score his fourth of the season, Pekka Rinne get pulled and the Kings penalty kill remain perfect at home, the Kings won their sixth straight game, 4-1, at Staples Center.
A few brief thoughts after Nashville’s 4-1 loss to Los Angeles.
The out come of this game was not com ple tely unex pec ted. The Kings are pla ying the best hoc key in the NHL right now and we all knew it would be a tough go-around for the Preds. But, the loss to the Kings sho wed the impor tance of Nashville’s ina bi lity to get at least one point from Phoe nix ear lier in the road trip.
Nashville has a lot of nerve coming into our building boasting the title of predator. From this night forth, this is their new logo.
THE NASHVILLE GAZELLE
Our past struggles against this team are irrelevant. The page has turned. The curse is lifted. Kopitar, Brown, Smyth and Stoll made sure of that as our boys showed off the Kings’ offensive depth yet again.
The Kings’ defense waterboarded Nashville. At one point, Barry Trotz was so upset he came out of his neck.
Bernier stood tall most of the game, helped in part by the post (twice) and a defense that wouldn’t let the Gazelle anywhere near the crease.
Ryan Smyth placed an exclamation point on his 1000th game by giving the Kings a 3-0 lead. He could have easily had three. A beautiful Drew Doughty cross ice pass landed on Ryan’s stick at the top of the crease but Rinne made a hell of a diving glove save. Another pass in the second hopped over his stick in nearly the same spot. He stalked Pekka Rinne all night, created scoring chances and kept the cycle alive until Rinne was finally chased off the ice.
On defense, everyone, including Drewiske, played well. Mitchell occupied a four-foot radius of an impenetrable force field around him that moved wherever he did. Nothing could get by or around…that is until we lost Willie in the second frame with a hyper-ambiguous upper body injury. A little birdie told me he was holding his elbow / upper arm area. As long as it is below the neck and nothing serious, we can sleep easy.
The Kings are 10-3…let that percolate for a few days because our next game isn’t until Thursday. That should give us plenty of time to work up an appetite until we feast on Dallas from the drop of the puck to the announcement of our three stars.
The Nashville Predators (herein to be referred to as the Graceland Sunday Dresses), got off to a hot start this season, playing their first 8 games without a loss in regulation. Well after winning their first three games in regulation, losing the next three in overtime, then winning two more in regulation, the Sunday Dresses are on a three game pointless streak.
Tonight, the Kings intend to stretch that record for the Sunday Dresses to four while extending their own streak to 6 consecutive wins at home, where they are so far unbeaten on Staples Center ice.
However, the building won’t be quite as loud as normal. I will not be attending this game.
Calm down. Collect yourselves. Everything will be OK.
Though I am pissed. Not just to miss a game, but to miss Ryan Smyth’s 1000th.
Smyth, who has been on fire since joining Jarret Stoll and Justin Williams on the pseudo-1st line, will be playing just his 80th in a Kings’ sweater. Incredible to believe that the hard but crooked-nosed man who still has no fear diving head first into any number of opposing defenseman with the puck, came to us with 920 games of the same under his belt.
I’m not sure, but I think Mrs. Spatz might be posting some pictures of her own (you know, the professional looking kind) of the Kings leaving practice in their mullet wigs from yesterday.
What I am sure of, is that thanks to Kasey I now know that a Graceland Sunday Dresses’ warm-up looks like a J Crew commercial.
A metaphorical premonition of things to come also took place at practice yesterday when Shane O’Brien took a puck to the sack.
Does it hurt? Looks like it hurts.
You are not a bad person for laughing at this
Think that hurt you pile of former Canuck excrement? Wait until you get a load of this year’s Kings. Wait until you see a lineup that features BOTH Kyle Clifford and Kevin Westgarth (Trevor Lewis gets to watch this one in a suit and tie).
This brings us to another point of discussion. This will either be Kyle Clifford’s last game as a King this year, or his next will be the first of the rest of his career. Tonight is his 9th NHL game. He can play no more without burning a year off his contract. While he could still technically be sent down to juniors after his 10th game, a team would have to be pretty silly wasting a year of a professional contract on a player not playing professional hockey.
Or, Terry Murray is all too fully aware of the cheep goonery employed by Sunday Dress players like O’Brien. Either way, this game is set up for a world of hurt.
Which brings us to the keys to tonight’s game:
Establish the physical game early. This game WILL get physical and nasty and the Kings will be better off to set that tone rather than respond to it.
Two passes and out. As opposed to some of the other speedy rush teams the Kings’ have faced lately, the Predators know to cycle and grind. It is Coach Barry Trotz’s bread and butter. The Kings must be diligent in their puck support in their own zone and once the puck hits a King’s stick, it must be moved quickly beyond the blueline. Failed clearing attempts are a bigger no-no than usual against the Sunday Dresses.
Use that skill. The Sunday Dresses are and always have been a team that relies on good defense and wearing down their opponents. They do not possess much highlight level raw skill. In this department, the Kings have them trumped. Kopitar, Parse and Williams should shine.
Choose your shots wisely. Pekka Rinne is a goalie who thrives on a large workload. He is not some rookie that will crumble the more shots you throw at him. Rinne’s focus will only sharpen if he sees too many ‘gimme’ shots. Yes, throwing the puck to the front of the net is never a bad idea, but in Rinne’s case one smart shot is worth three shots for the sake of shooting.
Speaking of goaltending, Jonathan Bernier, who gets the start in net tonight, needs to play better than he did in his last game. Last year Bernier came up and shut out the Sunday Dresses in a season where the Kings couldn’t buy a win in Graceland. Keep that composure Bernier.
