LA shutout by PHX - game recap using only Sutterisms

If there's one thing we've come to expect from the Darryl Sutter era in Los Angeles, it's entertaining - and occasionally confusing - press conferences. As usual, he didn't disappoint last night, even if there weren't any more Merle Haggard references.

For you super busy people, here's the game in a nutshell using only his popular three-word Sutterisms:

- first goal big
- they're no different
- not more physical
- probably counting fights
- missed the net
- that's your problem
- lot of traffic

If you prefer to savor Sutter's full quotes in their entirety, enjoy...

On the overall game - "I’ve said it 100 times, just rewind it. This league is about having the lead and scoring the first goal. It’s a big difference in the game. They’re no different than anyone else when they have the lead."

VIDEO: Darryl Sutter post-game presser vs. NYI

Coach Darryl Sutter spoke with the media following the Kings 2-1 overtime loss to the Islanders today. The highlight of the pseudo presser had to be 'Would you like more scoring?' Yes, somebody asked this to the coach of the NHL's lowest scoring team.

Here's what he had to say...

Click here for Dustin Brown's post-game comments and here for goalie Jonathan Quick.

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Coach Sutter's presser vs Sens: full comments vs Sutterisms

Below are full comments from coach Darryl Sutter's post game press conference following the Kings 4-1 win over the Ottawa Senators. See if you can pull out a few of his popular three-word Sutterisms...

On the balanced effort from the team - "We got lots from... probably half of our shots came from our defense. The power play scored a big goal in the second, and a penalty-shot goal."

On the killer instinct in the second period - "I thought, emotionally, our second period was a strong period. That’s all I was trying to get, was to emotionally draw something out of them tonight."

On Justin Williams eight-game point streak - "Their line wasn't as effective tonight. I don't know if Kopi and Brownie even had shots on goal. So, I don't think if they were nearly as effective tonight."

Quotes from Senators locker room following 4-1 loss to LA

Although the Senators arrived in LA coming off a loss to the Ducks on Saturday, they hadn't dropped back to back games in regulation since early November. On the flip side though, they had only beaten the Kings once in LA and that was more than a decade ago.

Oh, and you want another stat? LA is one of only two NHL cities where their leading point producer, Jason Spezza, had never potted a goal (St. Louis being the other). His night didn't get off to a nice start either, he was hit by an errant puck during pre-game warm-ups and left the ice bleeding.

After 20 minutes of action, Ottawa was down 1-0 and it only got worse from there. They lost the faceoff battle (53 to 47%), were out shot (34-28) and managed a lone goal, while the Kings posted four. Their only 'victory' on the stats sheet would be the 34-24 comparison in hits.

Following the game, here's what they were saying back in the Sens locker room...

Coach Paul MacLean:

On the overall game - "I thought [the physical aspect] of the game was fine. Obviously the score wasn’t very good and I thought that they did a better job of getting to our net than we did getting to their net. We had some opportunities in there as well but they got the big win tonight."

On the penalty shot - "I thought it was a big part of the hockey game. We get the benefit of replay and it shouldn’t have been a penalty shot. We get the benefit of replay one and two and three times. I’m not sure if it’s reviewable in Toronto on that kind of a call, but that’s just the way it is. I think having video means to get it right, so if it’s not right, it should be [reviewed]. That’s why you should have video, to me."

VIDEO: Kings talk following morning skate in Calgary today

After the LA Kings had their traditional game day skate in Calgary today, several players - including Jack Johnson and Colin Fraser - spoke with the local media and answered questions about coach Darryl Sutter.

VIDEO AFTER THE JUMP (plus notes on Mike Cammalleri and some Sutterisms)

VIDEO: Kings coach Darryl Sutter on Saturday Night Live

It took Wayne Gretzky a full year of playing in LA before he was invited to host NBC's Saturday Night Live.  Darryl Sutter hasn't even been the coach of the Kings for three weeks, yet one of his recent press conferences made its way into a skit last night...

Even so, Sutter's best presser to date has to be this one.

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VIDEO: Coach Darryl Sutter's presser after 1-0 loss to CBJ

Coach Darryl Sutter suffered his first regulation loss since stepping behind the Kings' bench a few weeks ago, with a record of 5-1-3 after today's 1-0 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Sadly, his post-game presser was not filled with as many of his three-word answers as we've come to expect - little things of beauty, which are quickly becoming popular around these parts.

The best one today was 'Keep Bangin' Away' (when talking about what to do with the power play). Slightly re-phrasing one of his answers though, we could have 'Big Boy Goals' (on what's needed). Finally, it's a little too long to qualify as a three word answer - but, 'What Do Ya Do?' was another solid response.

Take a look (and listen) at what he had to say when asked about the power play, Dustin Penner's injury that popped up just before the game, the play of Jonathan Quick and much more...

Is Jack Johnson now nicknamed 'Johnny'...hmmm, I didn't get the memo.

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RELATED ARTICLES:

Picture of the Year 2010 - Darryl Sutter ends his first press conference with double peace signs

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Just what are Sutter and Doughty talking about on the bench?  They explain.

Dustin Penner says Sutter wants 'Mud with the Makeup'

Quotes from LA locker room after big New Year's Eve win

It may have taken 20 years, but the Kings have finally exercised the demons of their only other home game played on New Year's Eve.

On that fateful night back at the Forum in 1991, then-goalie Daniel Berthiaume gave up five unanswered goals to the Vancouver Canucks in the third period - resulting in a 5-3 loss. This time around, the Kings flipped the script. They gave up the first goal of the game and then followed with markers of their own by Brad Richardson, Matt Greene, Anze Kopitar and Justin Williams.

The Kings are now 4-0-2 under coach Darryl Sutter and after things were over, here's what he and a few stars of the night had to say...

Sutter on the overall game - "We’ve been playing pretty good. If you get a chance like the Chicago game or the Winnipeg game there are a lot of steps that we’ve tried to make and tonight there was contribution from different guys which was really good."

Sutter on Kopitar - "He scored a big goal and that makes him feel good again. He’s been struggling with scoring but he’s getting a lot of shots and that’s what we’ve been trying to re-enforce, keep shooting. We had two or three of those plays. Mike Richards had that same type of play. I thought [Jarret] Stoll’s line had a lot of those opportunities, too, and the kid’s, [Andrei] Loktionov’s line. They’re all good."

Greene on the overall game - "We’ve been having success on all four lines. That’s what we did. We got a big goal out of our third line tonight and that’s what it takes sometimes…They score and then we get one right away. That’s a confidence boost knowing that they’re not going to push us back and we’re going to keep going."

POTY - Darryl Sutter ends presser with double peace sign

The first half of Wednesday's press conference to announce Darryl Sutter as the new Kings' coach was largely uneventful. Just your normal, run-of-the-mill presser. Most people in the room were waiting to talk to GM Dean Lombardi once things were over - as he's always good for a good quote or a hundred.

Then, Sutter decided to steal the show with what may be the off-ice moment of the year. He ended things by throwing up double peace signs...

To watch the entire thing unfold in real time, click here to view (thanks to Kings Vision).

To read quotes from Lombardi after the presser - where he talks about Sutter as a GM, comparisons to the Boston Red Sox, the Kings players using injuries as an excuse this season, expectations moving forward, the Red Wings almost trading Steve Yzerman and so much more - click here.

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LA Kings GM Dean Lombardi on cheating vs earning it

The Dean Lombardi show continues. Already posted are quotes about Steve Yzerman nearly being traded by the Red Wings, Bobby Valentine coaching the Red Sox and the Kings needing an identity - and yes, those three things are related to his hiring of Darryl Sutter as coach of the Kings.

If you're late to the party, all of today's Deano Moments were courtesy of a 30-minute scrum with the boss following today's presser in El Segundo.

Here's the Kings GM on improvements needed by the team...

"I don't want to change our game. What Murph [Terry Murray] put in place, as far as defensively top-5 in the league, that has to stay. We have to add to our game. Part of that is we're going to make it more difficult on you. That's going to be a transition."

More on the same topic...

"You have to make sure you're not a dinosaur. But, you still come back to this is a simple game. And you see it in the playoffs. At times in the regular season it can look certain ways and you can get away with things, 3-in-4 nights. But, let's get real. When you see those playoffs, they're a war. And if you're ever going to be there, you better learn it. You can maybe cheat your way through some points at times in the regular season. But, I think it's a short cut. When you're going to go up against the Bruins in seven games, like you saw last year, and going into Chicago last year, those series - those are wars. You might as well earn it during the regular season."

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RELATED ARTICLES:

Lombardi on identity, expectations and the Red Wings nearly trading Steve Yzerman

Lombardi on the Kings using injuries as an excuse this season

Lombardi uses Bobby Valentine and the Red Sox when explaining why Sutter was a good hire

Lombardi on Sutter, Bobby Valentine and the Red Sox

With Kings GM Dean Lombardi speaking on a variety of topics - for over 30 minutes - following today's press conference to announce Darryl Sutter as the team's new head coach, there is a lot of information to type up. Two articles have already posted. Here's the third set of quotes. This time around, Lombardi is reacting to a questions about Sutter being away from coaching for quite some time...

"Well, how long has Bobby Valentine been out of coaching? [A reference to the Boston Red Sox recently hired manager] Heck, he's been out longer than Darryl, right? So, I think there's a few things that I find attractive in all of this. He was really good when we were in San Jose (together) and starting from scratch there, building it a little at a time. Even then, sometimes coaches - and rightfully so - it can get really like this [where players tune the coach out]. We come from the same background and we've had our battles. But, the beautiful thing about it was, it was never about power. It was never about ego. It was about winning.

"So, he really did show during that building process - like, a very different team than (he had) in Chicago, with Roenick, Belfour, Chelios - this was a team we were staring from scratch and it was a piece at a time. And he was good through that.

"The other thing that happens, I don't think they stop coaching. And we've heard that in the other sports. Whether they're in the broadcast booth or a General Manager, it's just instinct. They're like war veterans. They can't stand being on the mountain, they have to be in the thick of it...I really believe that, they don't stop coaching.

Dean Lombardi on the LA Kings using injuries as an excuse

More from Kings GM Dean Lombardi following today's press conference where Darryl Sutter was announced as the LA Kings new head coach...

- On injuries this season and if the team was different with Mike Richards in the line-up - "You could say that - or Drew, if you want to go to the holdout, then Drew getting a concussion, then Mike going out. But the reality is, every team deals with it. That's always going to be the case. So, what do you need to learn (from it)? Hey, when these guys are out, Stollie, Brownie, Kopi, you have to pick it up. Again, that's part of the process. I don't think you can use injuries. And I don't think the players feel that (way either). In talking to them a lot this week, I never got that sense that they were using injuries as an excuse. I think they were pretty good about (saying) - 'Hey, we gotta be better.'"

- On the sense that he did get from the players - "The one think about this group, and I think it's critical, there's no question they care. If you don't care, then you can't push and you're never going to get to where you want to go. (Last) Monday was hard on all of us. Then, meeting with them again on Wednesday, I don't doubt that they (felt) accountable, there is a sense. I think they all respected Murph [Terry Murray], as we all do. There was no question, to a man, they thought he was a good man. In the end, I think I like the way they handled it. It wasn't easy. And it wasn't an easy meeting on Wednesday either. But, there were no punches pulled. Sometimes the ones you get maddest at the most are the ones you love the most."

More to come.

Already posted - Lombardi on identity, expectations and the Red Wings nearly trading Steve Yzerman (read it here).

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Lombardi on identity, expectations, near trade of Yzerman

Following this afternoon's press conference to 'officially' announce Darryl Sutter as the new coach of the LA Kings, GM Dean Lombardi held court for over 30 minutes. With respect to time, we'll break things up into multiple articles. Here's the first batch of quotes...

On what Sutter brings - "If you take a larger perspective and if you could capsulize it, I would say 'identity.' I think the one thing he immediately gives your team is an identity. Clearly, having known him as a man, you know he stands for something. And usually when you have an identity and you stand for something, some people are going to like it and some people aren't. But, you're going to stand for something. That was the experience I had with him in San Jose. I think he clearly did that in Calgary (too). As soon as he comes in, your team starts getting an identity. So, if you ask me for that intangible, that you can't define or you can't put into numbers - and I think that's critical - I really do think that we've struggled with that a bit this year. And I think if we're ever going to get to the level that we want to get to, I don't care how good your players are, or whatever, you have to establish an identity and stand for something. 'This is the way we're going to play' and away you go. I think you can say that in any sport."

Has this team struggled with expectations - "Yes. I alluded to that last year. It was the first time there were real expectations. I think some of the struggles we saw with the swoons were a by-product of that. I also don't know if we dealt with success very well, because we'd go on a run, then we'd go the other way. I had talked to them during the season about that. This has been a critical message to them. Yes, you're young players and we do have some solid veterans in there. But, if you're going to get to the level you want to go to, you're going to have to deal with expectations. Then, I think what happened this year - when you bring in Mike (Richards) - whether they learned enough last year, now the bar gets raised even higher. But, it's like I told them in Columbus (last week) - 'This is where you wanted to be. You don't want to be a Cinderella team.'"

Darryl Sutter to be welcomed aboard by Bob Miller

If there is one thing synonymous with the LA Kings, it would have to be Bob Miller - the voice of the team for nearly 40 years. Fittingly, he'll oversee tomorrow's press conference where Darryl Sutter will be officially announced as the Kings new head coach by GM Dean Lombardi.

Today is an off day for the team, as they returned home late last night from a week-long road trip that saw them go 2-2 (with victories over Columbus and Toronto). Sutter will 'coach' the team at practice tomorrow morning, just prior to the news conference.

As a reminder, all Kings practices are free and open to the public at their training facility in El Segundo. The on-ice workout is scheduled to begin at 10:30am and probably last about one hour.

Sutter's press conference will be for media only. However, the event will be streamed live on LAKings.com at 1pm PST.

For those unfamiliar with the 53-year-old Sutter, he's previously been the head coach in Chicago, San Jose and Calgary. He helped lead the Flames to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2004 and his career record behind the bench is 409-320-131 in 860 regular season games.

He will make his official debut as the Kings' coach on Thursday when the team hosts the Anaheim Ducks at Staples Center.

For more on Sutter, check out the article titled 'Making the case for Darryl Sutter as coach' we posted last week (linked below).

MayorsManor will be on hand for all the festivities tomorrow, so be sure to follow along on twitter and/or facebook for live notes and quotes.

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RELATED ARTICLES:

In-depth interview with Bob Miller - great stories and insight about his time with the Kings

Making the case for Darryl Sutter as coach

Dean Lombardi evaluates coach Murray's performance - from exit interview last season

Lombardi - 'Kopitar may be the new Blake Griffin'

Coach Terry Murray - 'The power play let us down' vs Dallas

Another game, another loss and still no sign of some offense.

Following their fourth loss in a row - and the final game of a sustained stretch of games at home - Kings coach Terry Murray had this to say at his post-game presser...

On the Kings' lack of scoring - "It’s very tough. We’re losing games because of the lack of scoring. We’re looking at one-goal games every night. I really liked the opportunities we had in the third period to give ourselves a chance to tie the game up. That’s kind of been the story of our offense here in the last while. The guys are working, we killed off a lot of good penalties, it was a great effort on that part of it. The power play let us down though. We’re just not getting anything generated on the power play. Five-on-five, I liked their play. There was lots of work, a lot of compete, and lots of scoring chances. We had to get a short-handed goal to get us going but we have to find a way to finish on those golden opportunities."

On finishing the game - "It’s getting pucks back to the net a little bit faster. Sometimes when loose pucks rebound, if you try to make one move that’s going to pull the puck to your forehand or stickhandle, it’s already too late. You just have to continue to put pucks back to the net. I thought on the luck that [Brad] Richardson had there in the third period, if he had just thrown it right back immediately he would have caught the goalie out of position."

LA v MTL: Coach Murray's presser - comments on Dustin Penner

Dustin Penner returned to the Kings line-up today had the only goal for LA in a 2-1 loss to Montreal.

Dustin coach Terry Murray's post game presser he had the following to say about the play of #25 today...

"I liked Dustin Penner today. He played well," said Murray. "He dug in, he was skating in a real athletic position, his knees were bent, he was carrying the puck with authority, he was strong around the net, he scores a goal. I liked the way he played for the first time in three weeks. He just needs to build on it."

If the NHL doesn't assign the goal to somebody else tomorrow, that will stand as Penner's first goal of the season.

More from Murray and the Kings locker room coming up quickly.

[UPDATE:  Murray and Stoll on the missed penalty (link)...Simon Gagne on the loss - 'We kind of shut down' (full quotes here)...and comments from the Canadiens locker room - including Carey Price and Brian Gionta (here)]

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Audio: Terry Murray's postgame presser after 3-2 loss

During Terry Murray's postgame presser in Dallas tonight he talked about Mike Richards, Jonathan Quick, Steve Ott and more. Take a listen...



Even with the loss, the Kings return home with three of the possible four points on the road trip and have gone 5-2-1 in their last eight games.

Prior to facing the Stars, Jarret Stoll and Drew Doughty shared thoughts about the match-up in articles here and here.

More notes up later.

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Quick quotes from Kings coach Terry Murray after 4-1 loss

I'll have more Terry Murray quotes from his post game presser up later.

Here are some key highlights though...

On Anze Kopitar's first career penalty shot - "It was a critical time, but I would answer today that it was a small part of it—the missed opportunity there to score."

On the overall game - "Things turned after they made it 1-1. They scored right away on the power play after we got a short-handed goal that I thought was really going to be a huge momentum boost for us. I don’t know what happened on that. I haven’t watched the replay on it. I just remember Brownie [Dustin Brown] looked like he almost got tackled there as he was coming out to the point to the loose puck. But they score right away and started to feed off of some of the turnovers and some of the decisions that we made to get the puck back to them. By the end of the second period they had the game going the way they wanted and we ended up chasing it."

On Mike Richards' shorthanded goal - "He is one of the better penalty killers in the game I think. He has always got that anticipation. He’s ready for those plays that he might be able to jump on to put some pressure on the other team. He did it again tonight. Again, that to me was a huge play. Against a team like Detroit, that should be a great opportunity for you to feed off of that kind of momentum."

Comments from Murray on Drew Doughty and the Kings' penalty kill up later.

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UFC Fighter Clay Guida talks hockey and haircuts

Through the years, we've had a variety of celebrities and athletes on MayorsManor - like Greg Hetson of the band Bad Religion, Hall of Fame pro wrestler Nick Bockwinkel and Dodgers' left fielder Matt Kemp - to talk about a myriad of subjects.

With the UFC in town for a big fight card this Saturday night, we spoke with lightweight title contender Clay Guida after today's presser downtown. And, like usual, the conversation found it's way back to hockey.

MM: Let's start with your mom, she's always cageside when you fight. What's the best or worse advice she gave you growing up?

Guida: 'Don't put your hands on someone unless you have a good reason for it.' She would always tell me, my brother and sister growing up, 'Keep your hands to yourself.' So, it's funny - that's what I do for a living now, I get to put my hands on other men. Competitively! (then he laughed quite a bit)

MM: How did that work out with Jason then, your older brother?

Guida: I was his wrestling dummy my whole life, still am. (more laughter)

Terry Murray's quotes on Bernier from post-game presser

Following tonight's 3-0 loss to the Devils, Kings coach Terry Murray said the following in his post-game presser...

(Overall game recap): “Tonight is about turnovers. All three goals that New Jersey scored ended up being plays that we had possession of the puck and we just don’t execute and then they come right back at us and they’re scoring. The bottom line again is that your best players on New Jersey – take a look at the scoresheet -- they’re the guys that determine the outcome of the game. We need to do better. Our best players need to be better players in order to win games in this league. We’re just not on top of them.”

(Play of Jonathan Bernier): “Bernier was fine. Bernier I thought made some big stops. We gave up some quality chances in the first period. He played well. This was not about the goaltending. This is all about managing the puck and turnovers and giveaways that ended up being very easy goals against."

(On Bernier's confidence after another loss): "As a young goaltender, you're always on top of and watching closely how his mechanics are and how aggressive he is in his play. Over the course of time, he's always shown me the ability to deal with what's going on."

(On any possible regrets about staring Bernier) "You can dissect this whole thing any way you want."

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RELATED ARTICLES:

Coach Murray explains why he went with Bernier over Quick

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