Post Practice Comments - Kevin Westgarth

Earlier today I posted comments from Michal Handzus and Jarret Stoll following the Kings practice this morning in El Segundo.

Next up is Kevin Westgarth...

MM: Let's get to the elephant in the room first. Everybody wants to know, we're four games in and no scraps yet - what's going on out there?

KW: There's no takers, it's tough sometimes. Especially, when you get down - guys don't want to risk losing a fight to lose momentum for their team. I'm itching a bit, for sure. It's all kinda part of the game, part of the line I have to walk anyway. You know, being a smart hockey player combined with being the guy that wants to show the fans, especially, that he's willing to get out there and scrap if he has to. The moments haven't really presented themselves. I'm trying to create 'em. But, I feel like our guys are still protected and that's the most important thing. Nobody has done anything too stupid or too crazy, so I haven't had to get over the line just yet. I have no fear that it will be coming!

Looks like the itch will have to wait at least another game, coach said you wont be playing against Carolina.  What were your thoughts when you heard the news?

Post Practice Comments - Jarret Stoll

More from practice this morning - here are some exclusive comments from Jarret Stoll...

MM: Prior to the start of the season much was made about the new lines this year. First Justin Williams was assigned to the second line and recently Ryan Smyth was added. It's only been a few games, but what's your early read on the chemistry you guys have going so far?

JS: Good. We're getting some goals, that's always important. Scoring chances are obviously number one and if you can get some goals out of it... We're working well off of each other, reading well off of each other. That's the main thing I think - reading off of each other, what they're doing and what I'm doing...positioning. It doesn't work if you're too spread out or you're not reading well off of each other. If you get one guy working hard or you get two guys and not the other guy, it just doesn't work. It's not in sync. I think right we're in sync and hopefully we can keep that going.

It's far too early to make a big deal out of one loss. However, when you look back at the Calgary game and compare it to how you guys have played in the last two at home, is there anything you can point to as being a big difference in the way the team played?

Post Practice Comments - Michal Handzus

Had a chance to catch up with several of the players today after practice - including Jarret Stoll, Willie Mitchell, Kyle Clifford, Jake Muzzin, Kevin Westgarth, etc.

First up, Michal Handzus...

MM:  It's been four games now with your new linemate Alexi Ponikarovsky.  What's your assessment on how things are going so far?

MH:  I don't think we've played up to our potential yet.  So, our line is not as happy as we'd like to be.  In those four games we didn't play as well as we could have.  We're still trying to get our chemistry clicking.  That's what we've been working on in practice the last few days.  Hopefully we can get it going and help the team a little bit more.

Wayne Simmonds has been fairly quiet so far this season.  What would you attribute that to?

Looking Back with Jonathan Bernier

By now, even casual Kings fans know who Jonathan Bernier is.

However, the goalie of the future is still waiting for his chance somewhat. Sure, he set the world on fire last year in the minors - becoming the AHL Goaltender of the Year. Yet, here in LA, Jonathan Quick was having his own strong season and isn't quite ready to give up his spot.

Still, Coach Murray has said the Kings are just as committed to giving Quick rest this season as they are Bernier starts. Thus, he isn't expected to get the Ersberg treatment and only ride the pine.

In fact, the coach says his plan is to play Bernier about once a week. Looking at the upcoming schedule, that means his most likely next start is either in Wednesday's home game against Carolina or the following night in Phoenix.

Before moving forward, we took a little trip backwards with Bernier and discussed the road that's brought him here...

MM:  When you were drafted by the Kings in June 2006 the team here was a in a bit of flux.  They had just hired a new GM in Dean Lombardi and were about to go through several changes.  Going back to draft weekend, what did you know about the Kings at the time?

Two Minutes in the Box... with Wayne Simmonds

Whenever trade rumors involving the LA Kings come up lately, one of the first names mentioned is Wayne Simmonds.

And why not? Teams love players like Wayne. He's young, physical, very coachable and continues to improve each season.

Two years ago he burst onto the scene - forcing his way onto the Kings according to coach Terry Murray and GM Dean Lombardi. Last year, in his second NHL season, he posted 16 goals and 40 points (nearly double the output of his rookie campaign, nine goals and 23 points). Even more impressive, he led the team with a +22 rating.

However, he's yet to pick up a point in the first three games so far this season. Perhaps that will change tonight against Vancouver.

Here's two minutes with 'Wayne the Train'...

Over the summer you were on the cover of The Hockey News.  Growing up in Toronto, I'm sure you read that magazine a few times.  What did that mean to you?

I thought it was pretty special, for Chris Stewart (of the Colorado Avalanche) and I to get the cover.  They came and followed us for a day.  We got our story out and it's good for younger people with similar situations to know they can make it, they just need to be positive and they just need to stick to it.

10 Tidbits on the Home Opener

Last night the Kings opened their home schedule with a 3-1 win over the Atlanta Thrashers.

It was the first time the two teams had met since Friday the 13th, last November. The Kings were as unlucky as you can get that night...or they were just really, really bad...losing to the Thrashers 7-0, their worst loss of the season.

This game was bound to be different, as the three stars from that blowout game would not be a factor in the rematch. Thrashers goalie Ondrej Pavelec (the first star) is currently out of action after a fainting spell. Additionally, Ilya Kovalchuk (second star) is now with the Devils and Maxim Afinogenov (third star) is playing in the KHL.

Below are 10 Tidbits surrounding this year's contest:

* So far, the motto for this year's Kings team could be 'Third Period's a Charm' - in the three games played, all of their goals scored have come in the third period. Conversely, they haven't given up a goal in the first period yet.

Five Kings Players Slash-ed

Prior to the Kings taking the ice tonight against the Atlanta Thrashers, the National Anthem will be performed by legendary rock guitarist Slash.

Below we take a look at five Kings players and their corresponding Slash songs.

Watch This - a song taken from his latest release (a cd simply titled Slash), could easily be a song title for an ode to Anze Kopitar. Long time Kings fans will tell you they just knew something was going to happen each time Dionne or Gretzky took a shift.  The same can be said for Kopitar. He really came into his own last season and looks poised for another monster campaign this year. Just watch! With Slash at center on this song, his wingers were Dave Grohl and Duff McKagan. In the music world, that's a triple crown-esque line.

Doin' Fine - after Guns N' Roses toured to support their double disc Use Your Illusion, Slash put out the first of his solo records - It's Five O'Clock Somewhere.  Truth be told, he wrote this while on tour with GnR and it could have been the follow-up record to Illusion.  However, Axl Rose wanted no part of it.  So, Slash hooked up with the highly underrated Eric Dover on vocals and put it out himself.  Doin' Fine is the perfect song for Michal Handzus - also underrated and a gem of a player.

Kings lead the Atlanta Thrashers

Later tonight, head coach Terry Murray hopes his Kings are leading the Thrashers early and often.

Away from the scoreboard, the Kings have been leading the Thrashers from day one.

In their 11-year existence, Atlanta has had seven captains - including three former Kings.

At the time Kelly Buchberger was named their first captain, he had yet to play in LA.  However, he served as the Oilers captain for the prior four seasons and why they made him available in the expansion draft is a bit of a mystery. Nonetheless, his jersey included the 'C" when the Thrashers began play in 1999 and he rewarded the team by scoring the first goal in franchise history (against Bobby Holik's New Jersey Devils, more on that later).

Just 68 games into his career in hot-lanta he was traded to Los Angeles (along with Nelson Emerson) for Donald Audette and Frantisek Kaberle.

Adding Buchberger was a key piece to the Kings three year stretch of post-season play.  He was allowed to leave as a free agent in the summer of 2002 and until this past April, the Kings hadn't participated in the playoffs since.

Back to the Thrashers...Steve Staios wore the 'C' in Atlanta the following season and then it went to Ray Ferraro.

High / Low - Game Two with Jim Fox

Kings' Analyst Jim Fox was in the booth for both of the team's games this weekend north of the border.

Yesterday he stopped by MayorsManor with his thoughts on the Canucks game. Fortunately, after a big win on opening night there was little to criticize.

Now, following the first loss of the season to the Flames on Sunday, he's back with his opinions on the play of Dustin Brown, Jarrett Stoll, Wayne Simmonds, Jake Muzzin and Jonathan Bernier.

Sunday night was certainly less than a perfect ten for the Kings. Entering the game in Calgary they were 0-9 at the Saddledome since Christmas of 2005. Unfortunately, they added to the streak with a 3-1 loss.

Less than 24 hours prior there was plenty of praise being thrown around for players like Anze Kopitar and Jonathan Quick, following the team's performance in Vancouver. Then, true to form in the NHL, the Kings found it difficult to win on back-to-back nights.

Here are Foxy's three Highs and Lows from game #2:

HIGHS

* Dustin Brown's full speed approach - another three hits (big ones), six shots on goal and a tip-in goal

High / Low - Game One with Jim Fox

Dos Equis brings you inspiring stories from the World's Most Interesting Man...we bring you the insightful information from the Man With the Perfect Hair.

Jim Fox was a frequent visitor to MayorsManor last year and was kind enough to provide his thoughts after the Kings big win in Vancouver last night.

Foxy appeared to be extremely frustrated with the Kings loss in last year's season opener to the Coyotes. How did he see things last night?

Here are his Highs and Lows from the game...

HIGHS

FOX:  Brayden Schenn's involvement in many areas