Ask me which LA Kings player had a good game and I would pause...I may not be able to give you a single name. Ask me who played like they were hung over or nursing a case of the sucks and I would reply, "you want the whole list or just the top 10?" That was garbage. The Kings played the part of refuse for the better part of the second period. By the time they showed up in the third, it was … [Read more...]
An Unpopular Opinion: Play Jonathan Bernier
October 23, 2011 By
In our goaltender preview, I wrote: If Jonathan Quick can drop his GAA under 2.10 (he was 2.24 last season) and get that SV% up to .930 (from .918), this Kings’ fan will be smiling. As for Bernier, I want the same or similar numbers although they will likely come in less games. I don’t take much Terry Murray says before the season on face value (been there and seen everything is subject to … [Read more...]
Wayne Simmonds May Be Your Huckleberry
October 15, 2011 By
Mike Richards has the spotlight. I look elsewhere. Wayne Simmonds. Superman. The player we loved, still do and, while I do that trade 100 out of 100 times, few wanted to see leave. I was of the opinion, one shared by others, that Wayne Simmonds did not get a fair shake last season. Murray matched him against the opponent's toughest lines, Wayne embraced his defensive role and naturally … [Read more...]
Westgarth In, Hunter Out, Drewiske In, Martinez Out? Wow.
October 15, 2011 By
If you, like me, have a file drawer in your head for Terry Murray's moves, file this under random, nonsensical lineup changes not based on fact or reason. It seems Trent Hunter is Murray's 2011-2012 scapegoat, at least so far. He is replaced by Kevin Westgarth, a fan favorite for some, but most would agree offensively and defensively unproductive. Westgarth will make our 4th line slower and a … [Read more...]
L.A. Kings Drop Game To Devils 2-1
October 13, 2011 By
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...]
An L.A. Kings Euro Trip Full Of Positive Momentum
October 9, 2011 By
Hockey emulates life. Positive and forward momentum often wins games. Against the Sabres, Luke Adams' goals within 3 minutes built an energy the L.A. Kings never reversed. In the previous game against the Rangers, the first period domination dictated the match's pace and, even though the game went into overtime, the L.A. Kings never surrendered control. Just like life, if you build that positive … [Read more...]
Let’s Give Scott Parse Our Full Support
October 5, 2011 By
If Terry Murray didn't make random and illogical roster changes that contradict objective observation or even his own spoken sentiment, he wouldn't be Terry Murray. Expect the unexpected is Murray's Mantra. Let's not hold that against Scott Parse. The fact Parse has played below average this preseason and arguably earned nothing in either of the past two seasons (27 years old, 64 career games, 12 … [Read more...]
Voynov Kicking Ass + Parse Sucking = Parse On Roster?
October 3, 2011 By
Today Rich Hammond has all but officially announced the final roster cut as being bestowed sanctimoniously upon Slava Voynov. We get the following quote from Terry Murray: “I can’t speak for management. That’s probably a conversation we need to sit down and have, but I would say the chances are not very likely that we would keep him around. With Drew back now, and the players that we have … [Read more...]
Terry Murray’s Pause…Let’s Speculate
September 30, 2011 By
Let's have some fun. Before the game, we got this from Hammond: NOTE: Dustin Penner was a late scratch from the game, with an undisclosed injury. I’m hoping for an update after the game. Upper body? Lower body? Out of body? Immediately after the game we got: … [Read more...]
The Rich Hammond & Terry Murray Interview You Won’t Read Anywhere Else…
September 27, 2011 By
So, Surly did the noble thing and decided to go to Kansas City for the Kings v. Penguins game. His boss technically told him he couldn't have the day off, but I suggested Surly pull a homeless guy off the street, take him to work and let the man just stand there holding a video camera because nobody would notice. I am told it worked. Given his stealth nature and ability to blend, Surly somehow … [Read more...]
So, This Is How You Promote Chemistry? Through Chaos?
September 26, 2011 By
Rich Hammond tells us that this is how the LA Kings are expected to skate against the Penguins tomorrow. Penner-Richards-Hunter King-Stoll-Brown Nolan-Loktionov-Williams Clifford-Lewis-Moreau Scuderi-Johnson Martinez-Greene Drewiske-Voynov Yesterday, Terry Murray said the following after the Ducks' game: … [Read more...]
Evaluating Terry Murray’s Post Game Comments
September 25, 2011 By
Let's look at this game through Terry Murray's eyes. The following quotes come from team beat writer, Rich Hammond. My comments follow each quote: They worked hard. I think, on our side of it, it showed that all the new players were in the lineup and we’re trying to get some of that team chemistry put together. We looked out of sorts for the first half of the game. … [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...]
Top 10 Goods Or Services S&S Will Offer Drew Doughty If He Signs Before Camp
September 15, 2011 By
Since Surly & I don't have the sufficient millions to offer, we came up with the second and third best thing to provide Drew Doughty if he signs before camp...unfortunately, we both realized that sex (#2) with Drew really doesn't work because neither Surly nor I are of that persuasion (not that there is anything wrong with that) and giving Drew drugs (#3) seems counterproductive to a great … [Read more...]
Surly & Scribe’s L.A. Kings Season Preview – The Top 6
September 15, 2011 By
Last night we got our first taste of Kings' hockey with the rookie game versus Phoenix. Camp starts on Saturday. We are back on Staples Center ice in less than a week. Do we know our Kings? Well sure we do, to an extent, but with so many new faces, some surprises are certainly in store. Bobby already took care of the defensemen. That leaves the forwards, which we will break up into top … [Read more...]
Surly & Scribe’s L.A. Kings Season Preview – The Defensemen
September 13, 2011 By
It’s September and the best part about September is that it is almost October. The 2011-2012 NHL season is on the horizon. I generally find season previews annoying, mostly because they all say the same thing. Here is how they go: This player performed ___ last season. This season, we expect ____ from him because of ____. If the writer wants to add a little credibility to the opinions, he or … [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...]
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