Manchester Monarchs: Gm1 Notes, Quotes, Schenn Update

Last night the Manchester Monarchs opened their 2011 AHL Playoff run with a 2-1 win over the Binghamton Senators.

They received goals from defenseman David Kolomatis and center Corey Elkins. Justin Azevedo, Jordan Nolan and Viatcheslav Voynov picked up assists. Jordan Weal was a healthy scratch and Tyler Toffoli managed just one shot in the game.

Game two is tonight, again in Manchester.

Prior to the series starting, several Monarchs made there way to MayorsManor - including defenseman Thomas Hickey, forward Bud Holloway and goalie Martin Jones.

Below are a few additional comments from afar. First, former Monarchs defenseman Alec Martinez, then Ontario Reign coach Karl Taylor, followed by an update on when to expect Brayden Schenn in a Monarchs uniform this post-season.

Martinez on staying in touch - "I talk to a few of the guys pretty consistently. I talk to (Jeff) Zatkoff a lot.  He and I were roommates in college and played together growing up. We go way back and have known each other for a long time. So, we chat a lot. Plus, the guys I lived with - like Mullen and Hickey and Kolomatis."

MM: I hear Hickey is quite the prankster. Did he pull any good ones on you?

Kings lose 3-2 in overtime - highlights from SJ video feed

For the Los Angeles Kings, there's nothing to be ashamed of - they just didn't get the win.

A few quick post-game notes:

* Earlier this week coach Terry Murray was asked about the possibility of Drew Doughty's ice time increasing to around 30 minutes per game in the playoffs (article here). With the extra time needed to determine the outcome, Doughty played a team high 30:28. Dan Boyle led the Sharks with 35 minutes even.

* Not only did Justin Williams lead the Kings with two points (a goal and an assist), he produced the most shots also - six.  San Jose was led by Devin Setoguchi with seven shots.

* Dustin Brown was tops on the Kings with seven hits, followed by Alexei Ponikarovsky with six.  Seriously.  The seven were matched by Setoguchi and Doug Murray of the Sharks.
Game two is Saturday night in San Jose.

Until then, here are the video highlights, as collected from the San Jose feed...





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Kings-Sharks 2-2 after 40 minutes, Doughty a Prophet?

A rare mid-game update...

San Jose jumped out to the early lead and were up 1-0 at the first intermission.  The Kings tied it at 7:25 of the second period with a goal from Dustin Brown - set up by a beautiful pass from Justin Williams.

Three minutes later, the Sharks regained the lead 2-1. Then, with less than four minutes remaining in the second period, Williams tied it up again with a sneaky goal, coming in from behind the net.

Before the Kings left LA for NoCal I asked several of the players who they thought would come up big for the team in this series with the Sharks.  Here's what Drew Doughty had to say...

"I think there a lot of guys who are, but with Willie getting back in the line-up here, he's going to be huge. He's going to have that grit. He missed playing in our playoff run there at the end (of the regular season). So, he's really going to want to be back in that line-up. I know that when he hits that ice for the first time in a game, he's going to be flying."

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Kings forward Wayne Simmonds - Born for Playoff Hockey?

Wayne Simmonds and Drew Doughty - best friends, roommates, former OHL rivals...the bond is strong, for sure.

They also share a bit of history with Matt Greene and Jarret Stoll. All four played their first game as a member of the Kings together. It was October 2008, at Staples Center, versus San Jose.

Tonight, they'll face off with the teal and black again, as the Kings and Sharks square off in their first ever playoff series.

MM: What do you remember about that first game?

WS: It was kind of nerve racking, obviously. It was my first game in the NHL and I didn't really know what to expect. When you're playing against Joe Thornton, Dany Heatley, Patrick Marleau, guys like that, who I've watched my whole life growing up, it's - for me to my to play my first game in that situation, it was huge. But, that's behind me. This is my second playoffs. So, I'm just excited and ready to get started.

MM: What do you see as the Kings biggest strength going into the series?

WS: I think we just need to stick to our structure. We're a structure oriented team. I think if everyone takes care of what they have to do and we believe in each other, we'll succeed.

MM: What's your biggest concern?

Kings-Sharks Preview: Matt Greene Sees Depth vs Skill

When it comes to the Kings biggest strength heading into the series, Jack Johnson and said it's the team's defense, Kyle Clifford went with 'character' and Drew Doughty agreed with Johnson, defense.

Matt Greene finished the regular season with 243 hits - second best on the team for the third straight year. He's also increased his totals each season, since joining the Kings for his first game with the club on October 11, 2008...coincidentally, against the San Jose Sharks.

MM: Heading into the post-season, what do you see as the Kings biggest strength?

MG: Depth. We have four lines we can play and we have six 'D' we can play, we can roll right through. I don't think we need to shorten the bench for anything and we have two goaltenders who are more than capable of playing. So, I think we can stay fresh over the course of a seven-game series.

MM:  What would be your biggest concern?

MG:  With San Jose, obviously, it's just their skill level. I think they have a great team, they have a high scoring team. They have a lot of real skilled players up front and on the back end. We just have to be ready for them. We have to do our best to slow then down and shut them down.

Links to the full comments from Clifford, Doughty and Johnson can be found below.



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RELATED LA v SJ ARTICLES:

Drew Doughty on Memories and Concerns

Kyle Clifford on Kings Strengths

Jack Johnson says Best is Yet to Come

LA vs SJ Preview: Jack Johnson - 'Best is Yet to Come'

Most people would agree the Los Angeles - San Jose playoff series boils down to the Kings defense against the Sharks offense.

Yesterday, coach Terry Murry spoke about what he's seen from the Kings two high profile blueliners this season, Drew Doughty and Jack Johnson.

I posted Doughty's memories and concerns earlier today (available here).

Now, Johnson provides his thoughts on the same questions...

MM: What's the biggest strength the Kings take with them into the series?

JJ: Defense - our team defense, in general. I'll put our goaltender up against anyone. And I think we will play well, defensively, against them. But, everyone plays well defensively in the playoffs. That's just the nature of the playoffs.

MM: What's your biggest concern?

JJ: Scoring goals. The last two games we had were must win games for home ice advantage. They were playoff like games and we were only able to score one goal in each game. So, that's a little bit of a concern and something we're really going to have to take advantage of if we get any opportunities.

MM: Any favorite memories playing against San Jose so far in your career?

JJ: Not really. They were all just regular season games. The most fun I've had in the NHL was the playoffs last year. So, those are the only games that have really stood out to me.

MM: So, the best game against the Sharks is still yet to come?

JJ: Yep, hopefully!



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Kings-Sharks Preview: Kyle Clifford - A goal's a goal, right?

Fresh off of being singled out as the Kings Rookie of the Year by coach Terry Murray and captain Dustin Brown, Kyle Clifford is just hours away from making his NHL Playoff debut.

In 76 regular season games this year he posted 14 points (7 goals, 7 assists) and 141 penalty minutes.

Is he ready to go and what does he think about the series with the Sharks?

Take a look...

MM: How are you feeling right now?

KC:  I feel as ready as ever. This is my first one, first professional playoffs here in the NHL. It's a big stage. You work your whole life for this. When you're a kid, all you think about is the Stanley Cup. So, I'm really looking forward to it.

MM: In your opinion, what's the biggest strength of the Kings team right now?

KC: Our character. We've had our ups and downs all year. When we went through our couple of tough stretches there, we really came together as a group and learned how to deal with that adversity. I believe in this room we have a lot of guys that have a lot of heart for the game.

MM: If you had to pick one concern heading into the series, what would it be?

KC: I'm not too concerned right now. Like most of the guys here, we just want to get out there and play - just do what we do out there.

MM: With the team looking to generate offense any way possible, how important is it for your line to help contribute?

KC: There's nothing wrong with greasy goals. We have some high skilled guys on our team too. The playoffs are going to be tight, winning games 2-1. So, you really have to dig down. When you get your chance, just tap it in. It may not be pretty, but a goal's a goal, right?

More pre-game notes to come throughout the day.



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RELATED ARTICLES:

Drew Doughty on the Sharks - His Memories and Concerns

Kings v Sharks Playoff Preview - Who will win and why

Dustin Brown Selects his Kings Rookie of the Year

Coach Terry Murray Selects his Kings Rookie of the Year

Kyle Clifford Explains his Nickname - The Colonel

Doughty on the Sharks - His Memories and Concerns

Long before Drew Doughty was a Norris Trophy finalist and one of the top defensemen in the league - OK wait, not that long before, more like a year earlier - he made his NHL debut against the Sharks.

Below he gives some thoughts about now playing them in the playoffs for the first time and shares what he likes - and is concerned about - heading into the series with San Jose.

But, first, let's go back in time for a minute...

MM: What do you remember about that October 2008 game?

DD: To be honest, my memories of it aren't the greatest. I remember going out for the third period and we had a power play. I felt I had played well for the first two periods. Obviously, I was a little shy, just because of the speed of the game and stuff like that - I wasn't used to it yet. But, I remember walking out onto the ice for the power play and I told Simmer (Wayne Simmonds) that I had to do something because I felt like I was just out there, not doing much. He said 'Don't do it, man.' I went down and I tried to make a move on the power play, I turned it over and they ended up coming back and scoring. So, that's my memory of my first game, which isn't the best one.

MM: Does he like to remind you that he told you so?

Without Their Top Player, Kings Down Sharks in Game One

It's not the player you're thinking of. And it's a different game one.

On October 16, 1991 the Los Angeles Kings were about to play host to the NHL's newest team, the San Jose Sharks.

Shortly after the morning skate early that day, Wayne Gretzky received a phone call that his father was in the hospital after experiencing complications related to a brain aneurysm.

Then-owner Bruce McNall rushed the Great One home to Canada on a private jet to be by the side of his 53 year old father, Walter.

On the ice, coach Tom Webster had some shuffling to do. Obviously, when you're without your number one center, it wreaks havoc to your entire line-up.

Webster put Tony Granato up front, between Mike Donnelly and Jari Kurri. Luc Robitaille and Dave Taylor now had John McIntyre as their center on the second line. And Bob Kudelski centered a line featuring Tomas Sandstrom and Ilkka Sinisalo at wing.

Kings goalie Kelly Hrudey gave up five goals to Sharks named Perry Anderson, Link Gaetz, Brian Lawton and Brian Mullen (2).

But, those were the good ol' Smythe Division days when goals game in bunches.

The Kings matched their five with goals from Peter Ahola, Donnelly, Randy Gilhen and a pair from Luc Robitaille. However, the star of the night was that center playing with Sandstrom and Sinisalo...Kudelski scored a hat trick, giving the Kings an 8-5 victory in the first-ever game played between the two teams.

Now, nearly 20 years later, they'll meet later tonight for the first time in the playoffs.

Just like that fateful night in 1991 though, the Kings are again without their top center.

History was made that first night. Can the Kings do it again?

A few other notes to finish off this look back in time...

- Even though there were 13 total goals scored in that first game, Robitaille had the only power play goal of the night. Yes, twelve (!) even strength goals.

- Gretzky returned to the Kings once his father's condition stabilized (and ultimately improved). When the Sharks came back to the Forum on November 23, 1991 for their second game in LA, Gretzky greeted them with a hat trick of his own.

- The following year was one of the craziest Kings-Sharks games ever, when Robitaille, Kurri and Donnelly each picked up a hat trick. Their nine goals were part of an 11-4 win for the Kings, the most LA has ever scored against San Jose. It's also the only time in Kings history three LA players have had hat tricks in the same game.



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RELATED ARTICLES:

Kings v Sharks Playoff Preview - Who will win and why

Interview with Luc Robitaille

Interview with Tony Granato

Interview with Kelly Hrudey

Interview with Sharks Captain Joe Thornton

Blades Eliminated - What's next for Brayden Schenn?

When Anze Kopitar went down with an injury a few weeks ago, Kings fans everywhere went into full blown doom and gloom mode.

Over the last few days though, the news just keeps getting better for the Kings. First came word that Scott Parse is near returning. Earlier today, Justin Williams proclaimed himself ready to go and he'll be in the line-up tomorrow night when the Kings open the playoffs vs. the San Jose Sharks.

Now comes the most unlikely of news - Brayden Schenn's junior team, the Saskatoon Blades...the team with the best regular season record in the Western Hockey League...have been eliminated from the WHL Playoffs, swept by the Kootenay Ice 4-0.

What's next?

First off, keep in mind that Schenn has played games tonight and last night.  So, he won't be in San Jose for game one between the Kings and Sharks.  Youngster or not, he doesn't need to be playing for the third night in a row.

However, should the Kings even call him up to the NHL for the remainder of the playoffs? If so, after he plays his second game, they'll burn a full year off of his entry level contract (he played eight games earlier this season, at ten the contract kicks in). Is it worth it?

Should he go to Manchester (AHL) instead?

If you were GM Dean Lombardi, what would you do?



[update 4/14/11 10:55am: poll closed, Kings expected to announce Schenn to Manchester soon]

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RELATED ARTICLES:

The Complete Story on Brayden Schenn

Interview with Hockey's #1 Prospect - Brayden Schenn

Official - Brayden Schenn Traded by His Junior Team