You know the saying - when one door closes, another one opens.
Well, with Justin Williams unavailable (due to a shoulder injury sustained Monday night), Kings coach Terry Murray had a hole to fill on the top line with Dustin Penner and Anze Kopitar.
Sure, he could have gone with frequent fill-in Wayne Simmonds or the guy who started there early this season, Dustin Brown.
Instead, Murray does what he does best - he mixed things up!
Low and behold, like an early April Fools joke, the coach put Kevin Westgarth up on right wing.
The ripple effect of that decision was felt throughout twitter, facebook and the social media world yesterday. However, things were back to normal today when Oscar Moller arrived in town and was promptly given the purple jersey before practice - indicating he would be on the top line.
After the on ice workouts, I caught up with Westgarth...
MM: So, it looks like the dream is dead. You wont be up on the top line against San Jose tomorrow night after all...
KW: Yeah. When you get an opportunity like that you have to make the most of it. Maybe next time.
[In a little known fact, earlier in the year he and Kyle Clifford made a bet. The first one to get a Gordie Howe Hat Trick - a goal, an assist and a fight in the same guy - would owe the other guy a nice dinner. Westgarth had tried to get a movie thrown in, but young Clifford wanted no part of it. Dinner only.]
MM: That would have given you a great shot at finally winning the bet with Clifford. You're running out of real estate here with only a few games left in the season.
KW: Absolutely! I definitely want to get it done as soon as possible. We all know it's going to happen for one of us here. But, I look forward to having my free dinner.
MM: If it doesn't happen in the regular season, does it carry over into the playoffs?
KW: Oh for sure. That goes until it's done. Hopefully the shorter the better, but as long as it takes.
It's back to the fourth line tomorrow night.
Oh well. It was fun while it lasted.
The Mayor
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I swear, my heart actually stopped for a minute when I read that Westgarth was on the first line! Good job it didn't because I was able to read the rest of the article. Phew!!!
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