Drew Doughty ties a franchise record for most points by a defenseman in a playoff game (4 points...1 goal, 3 assists) and the LA Kings take a 2-1 series lead over the Canucks.
Video highlights courtesy of the NHL:
Lots of good pics tonight from the game too - check out the twitter link below.
The Mayor
www.twitter.com/Mayor119
Monday, April 19, 2010
Recap of Nick Nickson on NHL Live this morning
Not a lot of new ground broken. Here are the five key highlights:
* When the Kings won the other night there was a great shot of Kings management up in a suite. Hextall jumps up and Lombardi looks so calm, just sitting there. Nick says Dean was trying to figure out who he'll be taking in the 7th round of the draft.
* Did it help the Kings at all to play in Canada, in such a hostile environment...did it help get the playoff juices flowing right away? Nick thinks it did. The players said they think it did. They felt the goosebumps the minute they hit the ice. The anthem got them pumped up. After game one Nick says the players he was worried about the most coming in - guys without playoff experience, like brown and Kopitar - were the guys he was worried about the least coming out of game one.
* Justin Williams, why the benching in game two? Terry Murray made significant changes. Simmonds has played with Smyth and Kopitar this year and it seems like when he gets moved up there he has an extra jump in his step. Murray was confident he could be effective up on the top line. Since Williams has come back he seems to be a step behind. Murray said 'It's the playoffs and I can't wait' for guys to find their game.
* What does LA need to do to score more goals against Luongo. I think the changes they needed to make from game one to game two they accomplished. They put more pucks on the net, they were able to get the forecheck and cycle going...and get more people to the net. You need to disrupt Luongo's flow.
* It looks like Vancouver is playing 8 forwards and 4 defenseman. Meanwhile the Kings are playing all their lines. Do you think that favors the Kings as the series goes more games? Nick says yes, thinks the Canucks defensive is something to look at. He's curious if they'll make a change tonight. Salo is still hurt. Alberts hasn't been effective. As the series series wears on, he'll be keeping an eye on their defensive line-up. A lot of people that follow the Kings think their top 9 or 10 forwards are pretty deep. And a lot of times what happens in a playoff series ends up depending on the performance of the third or fourth line. So that should favor the Kings.
Game three tonight. 7pm.
The Mayor
www.twitter.com/Mayor119
* When the Kings won the other night there was a great shot of Kings management up in a suite. Hextall jumps up and Lombardi looks so calm, just sitting there. Nick says Dean was trying to figure out who he'll be taking in the 7th round of the draft.
* Did it help the Kings at all to play in Canada, in such a hostile environment...did it help get the playoff juices flowing right away? Nick thinks it did. The players said they think it did. They felt the goosebumps the minute they hit the ice. The anthem got them pumped up. After game one Nick says the players he was worried about the most coming in - guys without playoff experience, like brown and Kopitar - were the guys he was worried about the least coming out of game one.
* Justin Williams, why the benching in game two? Terry Murray made significant changes. Simmonds has played with Smyth and Kopitar this year and it seems like when he gets moved up there he has an extra jump in his step. Murray was confident he could be effective up on the top line. Since Williams has come back he seems to be a step behind. Murray said 'It's the playoffs and I can't wait' for guys to find their game.
* What does LA need to do to score more goals against Luongo. I think the changes they needed to make from game one to game two they accomplished. They put more pucks on the net, they were able to get the forecheck and cycle going...and get more people to the net. You need to disrupt Luongo's flow.
* It looks like Vancouver is playing 8 forwards and 4 defenseman. Meanwhile the Kings are playing all their lines. Do you think that favors the Kings as the series goes more games? Nick says yes, thinks the Canucks defensive is something to look at. He's curious if they'll make a change tonight. Salo is still hurt. Alberts hasn't been effective. As the series series wears on, he'll be keeping an eye on their defensive line-up. A lot of people that follow the Kings think their top 9 or 10 forwards are pretty deep. And a lot of times what happens in a playoff series ends up depending on the performance of the third or fourth line. So that should favor the Kings.
Game three tonight. 7pm.
The Mayor
www.twitter.com/Mayor119
The Science of Hockey - interview w/ former NHL coach
The links between the LA Kings and Edmonton Oilers are strong - from the Miracle on Manchester in '82 to Wayne Gretzky being traded in '88 to the current trio of former Oilers now with the Kings.
In fact, the last time the Kings made the playoffs another former Oilers captain was wearing black and purple, Kelly Buchberger. And that 2002 team was coached by Andy Murray, a guy who had a reputation for working players hard in practice. Murray's Kings teams even set the NHL record for man games lost in a season.
Interestingly, Buchberger went on to become the strength and conditioning coach in Edmonton for awhile before moving on to become the team's assistant coach. By the time the Oilers made a run to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2006 - with a team that featured Ryan Smyth, Jarret Stoll and Matt Greene - their strength and conditioning coach was Dr. Chad Moreau. The older brother of Oilers captain Ethan Moreau, Chad is an LA based specialist who previously had worked with the Long Beach Ice Dogs of the ECHL.
After the disastrous season the Oilers had this year - including losing a franchise record 530 games to injury - people are looking for answers...and one area being looked at closely is the fitness of the players.
This is actually an issue facing all teams, including the Kings. So, we sat down with Chad to talk about the science of hockey. In this exclusive MayorsManor interview he responds to criticism form Oilers coach Pat Quinn, tells some interesting stories about Chris Pronger, speculates on what the next generation of fitness will be like in the NHL and goes into quite a bit of detail about what it's like trying to balance the needs of the players and the demands of management.
In fact, the last time the Kings made the playoffs another former Oilers captain was wearing black and purple, Kelly Buchberger. And that 2002 team was coached by Andy Murray, a guy who had a reputation for working players hard in practice. Murray's Kings teams even set the NHL record for man games lost in a season.
Interestingly, Buchberger went on to become the strength and conditioning coach in Edmonton for awhile before moving on to become the team's assistant coach. By the time the Oilers made a run to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2006 - with a team that featured Ryan Smyth, Jarret Stoll and Matt Greene - their strength and conditioning coach was Dr. Chad Moreau. The older brother of Oilers captain Ethan Moreau, Chad is an LA based specialist who previously had worked with the Long Beach Ice Dogs of the ECHL.
After the disastrous season the Oilers had this year - including losing a franchise record 530 games to injury - people are looking for answers...and one area being looked at closely is the fitness of the players.
This is actually an issue facing all teams, including the Kings. So, we sat down with Chad to talk about the science of hockey. In this exclusive MayorsManor interview he responds to criticism form Oilers coach Pat Quinn, tells some interesting stories about Chris Pronger, speculates on what the next generation of fitness will be like in the NHL and goes into quite a bit of detail about what it's like trying to balance the needs of the players and the demands of management.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
A Night of Firsts
For the first time in eight years the LA Kings are battling for survival in the marathon that's known as the NHL playoffs.
Sixteen teams, two conferences, eight first round match-ups. A long, long road ahead...with the team lucky enough to reach 16 wins first getting a one-on-one meet and greet with Lord Stanley's Cup.
Along the way records will be set and broken. The same can be said for bones, egos and hearts. Some - in fact, many - will probably be broken multiple times.
Last night was no such night. Instead, hope was realized. Belief crept in for all the doubters.
It was also a night of similarities. For the second game in a row the Kings and Canucks needed four periods to find a winner.
Two games in the series...and two matching scores...3-2 win in overtime.
The difference was the outcome. Game two, Kings win - in a night of firsts...
Anze Kopitar's first playoff goal.
Kopitar's first overtime goal in the playoffs.
Kopi's first game winning goal in the playoffs.
Perhaps equally important to all three of those combined...Jonathan Quick's first playoff win.
Thank you Kopitar...you made it all possible...
The Mayor
www.twitter.com/Mayor119
Sixteen teams, two conferences, eight first round match-ups. A long, long road ahead...with the team lucky enough to reach 16 wins first getting a one-on-one meet and greet with Lord Stanley's Cup.
Along the way records will be set and broken. The same can be said for bones, egos and hearts. Some - in fact, many - will probably be broken multiple times.
Last night was no such night. Instead, hope was realized. Belief crept in for all the doubters.
It was also a night of similarities. For the second game in a row the Kings and Canucks needed four periods to find a winner.
Two games in the series...and two matching scores...3-2 win in overtime.
The difference was the outcome. Game two, Kings win - in a night of firsts...
Anze Kopitar's first playoff goal.
Kopitar's first overtime goal in the playoffs.
Kopi's first game winning goal in the playoffs.
Perhaps equally important to all three of those combined...Jonathan Quick's first playoff win.
Thank you Kopitar...you made it all possible...
The Mayor
www.twitter.com/Mayor119
Friday, April 16, 2010
Thursday, April 15, 2010
The Interview w/ LA Kings' Bob Miller (part two)
In over 35 years with the team he's seen just about everything...well, everything except - you know.
Most recently he's had to bide his time for eight years to get back to where he'll be tonight...calling a playoff game for the Kings.
Prior to leaving for game one up in Vancouver Bob chatted with the Mayor about a variety of topics. In part one of the interview yesterday he gave his predictions for round one of the playoffs. Today he's back to talk about NHL players in the Olympics, the Canada-U.S. rivalry, Ziggy Palffy, Drew Doughty, Dustin Brown, the World Cup, the trade deadline, Kings prospects, other players around the league he likes to watch, when he'll retire and plenty more.
It's part two of our exclusive interview with Bob Miller.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
The Mayor's Playoff Preview with Bob Miller
The voice of the Kings for over 35 years...the hall of fame broadcaster...heck, the man has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame...
Bob Miller stopped by MayorsManor for a playoff preview.
He gives his predictions on each series in this year's first round of the Western Conference playoffs...plus he gives thoughts on who might be a playoff hero this year, as well as weighs in on the debate of the Forum or Staples Center, which arena is better.
It's another MayorsManor exclusive...an interview with Bob Miller.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
This is LA - live at Staples Center
You know the song you always hear at Staples Center before the Kings games that you just can't get out of your head...THIS IS LA...
Well, as a special treat for Kings fans attending the upcoming home playoff games, the Briggs will be performing their song live inside the arena prior to next week's action vs Vancouver. According to the band, the plan is for them to also perform the song after the game, provided the Kings win!
Taking a look at the video below it looks like they'll be setting up shop right outside of section 308 in the upper bowl. The video also provides some behind-the-scenes type footage from a dress rehearsal the band did inside the arena last week.
The Briggs play LA Kings Playoff Home Games!
note - the dates are wrong in the video, as it was mixed prior to the playoff schedule being released
Kings vs. Vancouver - playoffs, round one. Game three is at Staples Center next Monday. You'll want to be there when the playoffs return to Los Angeles for the first time in eight years.
The Mayor
www.twitter.com/Mayor119
Well, as a special treat for Kings fans attending the upcoming home playoff games, the Briggs will be performing their song live inside the arena prior to next week's action vs Vancouver. According to the band, the plan is for them to also perform the song after the game, provided the Kings win!
Taking a look at the video below it looks like they'll be setting up shop right outside of section 308 in the upper bowl. The video also provides some behind-the-scenes type footage from a dress rehearsal the band did inside the arena last week.
The Briggs play LA Kings Playoff Home Games!
note - the dates are wrong in the video, as it was mixed prior to the playoff schedule being released
Kings vs. Vancouver - playoffs, round one. Game three is at Staples Center next Monday. You'll want to be there when the playoffs return to Los Angeles for the first time in eight years.
The Mayor
www.twitter.com/Mayor119
Monday, April 12, 2010
Interview with Kings Playoff Hero - Gary Shuchuk
An LA Times article recapping the May 11, 1993 game began with 'The hero of the Kings' double-overtime victory over the Canucks in Game 5 was a player who had not taken a single shift in the first four games of the Smythe Division final.'
It was the longest game in Kings history and the biggest goal in Shuchuk's NHL career. The few years prior hadn't been that bad for him either, be won the NCAA hockey championship at Wisconsin in 1990 and the AHL Calder Cup in 1992.
Last week we sat down with Shuchuk to talk college hockey life in an interview published here. This week, he's back to share memories of making to the NHL, Barry Melrose, the Kings, Wayne Gretzky, Dan Blysma, Warren Rychel and more.
Another Mayors Manor exclusive interview - welcome in Gary Shuchuk...
Sunday, April 11, 2010
A Mere 82 Games Ago
The majority of experts had the Kings finishing out of the playoffs yet again. The more optimistic ones had the Kings finishing 8th...maybe 7th.
Yet, let's take a look at what the Mayor said in his October 3, 2009 article just prior to Game One:
My fearless predictions for the upcoming season:I then went on to explain why I felt the Kings would not only make the playoffs, but actually finish HIGHER than 7th or 8th.
Western Conference
1. San Jose Sharks
2. Chicago Blackhawks
3. Calgary Flames
4. Detroit Red Wings
5. Vancouver Canucks
6. Los Angeles Kings
7. St Louis Blues
8. Dallas Stars
Overall, I would say things unfolded pretty much as expected. Sure, Colorado made the playoffs. Nobody saw that coming. I challenge anybody to find a news source claiming the Avs would make the playoffs. Calgary and Vancouver were seen as 'even' coming into the season. You could have flip-flopped those two in the standings. In the end, Calgary just didn't come together as quickly as the Canucks did.
In hindsight, the one team that should have been given more respect was the Phoenix Coyotes. They were in the playoff race for the first 2/3 of last season. Then the wheels fell off. The coaching change was bound to do them some good - and it did. Overlooking them was a mistake.
As for St Louis...well, as Andy Murray said in his interview with the Mayor - expectations were just too high for the Blues. Unrealistic expectations.
Back to the Kings...all season long I've written about the importance of EVERY SINGLE POINT. The Kings should have finished fifth in the West, perhaps even fourth if you really look at things. They simply gave away too many points throughout the season.
They can't continue to give games away if they expect to upset Vancouver in the first round.
In another article (posted here) where I made some predictions on player performance I had penciled Michal Handzus in for 25 goals and Ryan Smyth for 27. Each fell just a few shy of those numbers. Too bad they couldn't have chipped in just a couple more...if they had, the Kings probably would be playing Phoenix later this week instead of traveling to Canada.
That same article featured these words about Anze Kopitar - read carefully, THE KINGS NEED YOU, need you to play big every night, need you to become dominant.
It's probably even more true now than it was a mere 82 games ago.
The Mayor
www.twitter.com/Mayor119
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