Need captions for these Kings-Sabres pics from Germany

The other day we had a lot of fun with a few Drew Doughty pictures from Hamburg, Germany - and several readers came up with some great captions.

Well, the fine folks at the O2 Arena in Berlin just posted an album of over 150 pictures taken during today's game between the LA Kings and Buffalo Sabres.

See if you can come up with an interesting caption for these photos...

#1 - Doughty asks if Ville Leino wants to do the limbo

VIDEO: Doughty post-game interview w/ German reporter

After the LA Kings lost 4-2 to the Buffalo Sabres earlier today in Berlin, Germany, Drew Doughty was interviewed by a local reporter...

For the MayorsManor post-game notes, as well as video highlights of the game, click here.

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Germany: Sabres def Kings 4-2 - postgame notes and video

After a week long stay in Europe, the Kings will now return to the U.S. sporting a 1-1 record. They lost to the Buffalo Sabres 4-3 in Berlin, Germany earlier today. Here are some post-games notes and video highlights.

- Anze Kopitar scored both of the Kings goals, he now has three total on the young season.

- Jonathan Bernier is now 0-2 vs. the Sabres in his career. Ironically, he gave up four goals in both games.

- Math with Jack: Jack Johnson was one the ice for four of the goals scored in the game - Buffalo's second and third goals, plus both of LA's goals. Because Kopitar's first goal was on the power play, Johnson finished the night with a minus-1.

- Johnson and Alec Martinez were each credited with four blocked shots. Kopitar had three.

- Parse Watch Continues: Scott Parse had 17 shifts in 12:06 of total ice time, no shots on goal.

- The Kings outshot the Sabres 33-26. Kopitar led all Kings with five shots on goal, four each for Mike Richards and Justin Williams.

- Ethan Moreau, Drew Doughty and Matt Greene led the Kings with two hits each. Dustin Brown, who is usually among the leaders, wasn't credited with a single hit in the game.

NHL Premiere: LA v Buffalo pre-game notes, quotes and first goal contest

Good morning. It's time to grab some coffee and enjoy some hockey, all the way from Berlin, Germany. Here's your pre-game primer - featuring notes and quotes from several members of the Kings, as they prepare to face the Buffalo Sabres for the only time this season. Details for today's 'first goal contest' are also listed at the end of this article.

- Two line-up changes from yesterday, as coach Terry Murray will go with Jonathan Bernier in net (as expected). On November 19th last season, Bernier faced the Sabres in Buffalo and gave up four goals on 36 shots. The Kings lost that game 4-2.

- Murray's other change is replacing Trent Hunter with Kevin Westgarth among the forwards. This pushes Ethan Moreau up to the third line with Scott Parse and Jarret Stoll, while Westgarth will fill the right wing spot on the fourth line with Kyle Clifford and Trevor Lewis.

- East Coast Bias: In 21 career games, Mike Richards has 25 points (11 goals, 14 assists). Simon Gagne has 30 points (13 goals, 17 assists) in 33 games and Justin Williams has five goals and 10 assists (15 points) in his 26 games vs Buffalo.

- Parse Watch Continues: Due to Dustin Penner's 'lower body' injury (believed to be a sore groin), Parse remains at left wing on the third line. In the season opener on Friday, Parse had 16 shifts for 10:59 of total ice time. He also took two shots on goal and had zero points.

- Morning Math with Jack: After one game, Jack Johnson has an even plus-minus rating. He was on the ice for the final three goals of the game - when Marian Gaborik scored (to put the Rangers up 2-1), when Mike Richards tied it late in the third period and - obviously - when he scored the game winning goal in overtime.

Luc Robitaille on why the LA Kings are going to Europe

A few weeks ago I joked that it must be contract week, as several Kings prospects and players were busy getting deals inked.

Well, today is 'address the cynics' day here at MayorsManor.

This morning I posted comments from Luc Robitaille, Kings President of Business Operations, explaining the how and why behind the team's jersey changes for next season.

In a summer filled with more positive vibes than any other in recent memory - from the trade for Mike Richards on down - we'd be remiss to at least not address one of the few news item that's caused a little bit of confusion.

Why are the Kings opening the season in Europe? Some point to the fact AEG owns the arenas. OK, fine. Are there any other reasons and even so, how does management feel about it?

Here's one man's opinion...

"We were asked by the league. We talked with them and they're (only) picking so many teams," Robitaille started out with. "To me, it wasn't a big deal. I kind of like the experience for the players. Yeah, for sure, you think you want to play your games at home. But, 15 years from now those players can say, 'Wow, I got to play a game in Berlin.' I think that's very special. Those are great memories for the players that they'll cherish later - like, someday when they retire."

Fine, that's years down the road. However, at least one thing on his mind that tied back to the upcoming campaign - "There was certainly something inside of me that (kept coming back to) the last three Stanley Cup winners started in Europe. So, once I heard we had a chance to go to Europe, I said I want to go!"

The Kings will open the NHL regular season with a game vs. the New York Rangers in Stockholm, Sweden on Friday, October 7.  They'll also play the following night in Berlin, Germany - taking on the Buffalo Sabres.

Once they return to the US, the Kings will play at New Jersey and Philadelphia.  Then, St. Louis will visit Staples Center for the Kings home opener on Tuesday, October 18.

Back to Richards for a quick moment... to see what the Kings new center - and former Flyers captain - had to say about that first game vs. the Rangers, be sure to click the link below.

[REMINDER - You can now add facebook comments DIRECTLY on MayorsManor - simply scroll down to the comments section below - it's super easy...have fun and please be respectful - no personal attacks, profanity, etc.]

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RELATED ARTICLES:

Mike Richards looking forward to first game with Kings - talks 'hatred' for Rangers, fights with Dubinsky

Luc Robitaille on why the LA Kings changed jerseys

Kings 'most likely' opening next season in Europe

10 Key Dates for LA Kings, including 2011 training camp

Soon after the Stanley Cup parade takes place in some North American city, it happens.

Millions of fans everywhere began to experience hockey withdrawals, or 'summer' as it's more commonly referred to.

Fortunately, the early part of the off-season has a hat-trick of activities that can partially keep the fire stoked via the NHL Awards, NHL Draft and start of free agency.

Then, today comes. People flip the calender to August - well, those that still literally do things like that - and realize there's not one thing scheduled even partially resembling the sport they love.

Bare with us though. You can do it. Make it another 30 days and look what's on the other side...

10 KEY DATES for the LOS ANGELES KINGS

9/10 Rookie Camp opens at TSC in El Segundo, CA (runs through 9/13)

9/11 HockeyFest 2011 at Staples Center

9/13 Kings Charity Golf Tournament - Industry Hills, CA

* 9/14 Rookie game vs. Phoenix Coyotes 6pm - at TSC in El Segundo, CA

* 9/15 Rookie game vs. Phoenix Coyotes 2pm - at TSC in El Segundo, CA

9/16 Main Training Camp opens at TSC in El Segundo, CA (off-ice)

* 9/17 On-ice workouts begin for main camp roster

9/21 Pre-season game: Phoenix Coyotes at LA Kings (Staples Center)

9/25 Pre-season game: Anaheim Ducks at LA Kings (Staples Center)

9/30 Pre-season game: LA Kings at Anaheim Ducks (Honda Center)

10/1 Frozen Fury XIV: Colorado Avalanche vs LA Kings (Las Vegas, NV)

10/7 Opening Night: NY Rangers vs LA Kings (Stockholm, Sweden)

10/8 NHL Premiere, Game Two: Buffalo Sabres vs LA Kings (Berlin, Germany)

* denotes update, as of 8/18/2011

Hockey season is almost here.

Hang in there. You can do it.

In the meantime, be sure to keep up to date this summer with all the news and inside information right here on MayorsManor. Just this weekend, we had an exclusive interview with Colin Fraser about his injuries, the Dodgers James Loney talked about his desire to play hockey at Staples Center and Rich Clune shared his thoughts on Bud Holloway leaving the Monarchs for Europe.

And there's lots more to come...

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Kings 'Most Likely' Opening Next Season in Europe

There is still plenty of hockey left to be played this season. However, for those looking ahead to the fall, here are two quick scheduling notes:

* As first reported by RinkRat on LetsGoKings.com, the Kings annual pre-season game in Las Vegas vs. the Colorado Avalanche has been set. Frozen Fury XIV will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on October 1st.

[note: for some fun, take the Frozen Fury Trivia challenge]

* On a separate note, as reported a few weeks ago, stories in Europe have been circulating claiming the Kings will open the 2011-12 season in Germany - playing a two-game series with the Buffalo Sabres. A source confirmed to me this morning that the Europe opener is 'most likely' happening. Expect an announcement in the next week or so.

Some will like this, some won't.  If nothing else though, playing two games in Germany (expected to be in Berlin and Hamburg) will offset part of the recently announced ticket price increases for next season.

The Mayor
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RELATED ARTICLES:

Interview with former King Noah Clarke - talking playing in Europe

Welcome to LA - 10 Tidbits on Marco Sturm

Interview with Marcel Goc of the Nashville Predators

Is Buffalo's Lindy Ruff the Original Rob Blake?

10 Tidbits on Frozen Fury XIII

Buffalo's Lindy Ruff the original Rob Blake?

Relax, this isn't an article designed to bash Rob Blake.

Nor is it a story about the Kings 4-2 loss in Buffalo last night.

It is about the Sabres though. More specifically, their coach and his parallel to Blake.

Let's begin with a preamble...

Rob Blake was a great player for the Kings for more than a decade during his first stint in Los Angeles. He was part of the NHL All-Rookie Team, won the Norris Trophy and put up numbers that make him one of the best defenseman in the history of the franchise. He went on to win a Stanley Cup and is without a doubt a first ballot hall of famer.

Now, that said, there was one move that will forever cause some controversy in LA. Prior to the Kings first pre-season game in September 2000, mired in a contract dispute, Blake resigned the captaincy after receiving what he believed to be a take it or leave it offer from the organization.

After giving up the 'C' Blake told the LA Times "I take a lot of pride and responsibility in being the captain, and when you are told you might not be around for the whole season, it's extremely difficult to do the job. Rather than it being a distraction later on in the season, it's best that someone take it on now."

That's not exactly how I'd put it. And that's not what I expect from a captain. But, maybe that's just me. Different conversation for a different day.

With that quick back story in place, here's the connection...