RECAP: Rob Scuderi on NHL Power Play (Radio)

Los Angeles Kings defenseman Rob Scuderi joined the guys on the Power Play to talk a little past (why he signed in LA), present (the road trip) and future (the Kings Stanley Cup possibilities).

Please note - as always, these recaps are near exact quotes. However, some information has been paraphrased for brevity.

Here's a quick recap...

* [topic: What did guys in the room say after the first period in Detroit, with the Kings trailing?] Most of the veterans and the guys talking had the same things to say 'Don't respect the team too much. The Red Wings have a way of putting a team in ah. You sit back and kind of watch them do there thing. Although they are a very good team, you have to remember we're a good team too.' Right off the bat in the second period everybody responded with the right type of attitude, and more importantly, the right type of play.

* [Any confidence carrying over from the 6-1-3 road stretch in February?] We were extremely disappointed in the January homestand. We had a great chance to make up ground and instead we lost a bunch. You don't want to play catch up hockey on the road. However, it seemed to light a fire under our rear ends and get everybody going. Yes, after having that success, we probably entered this road trip with the confidence we can do the same type of thing.

Kopitar 'Tricks Blue Jackets Out of Two Points

Anze Kopitar must have heard the whispers recently. With just one shot on goal against Phoenix and none against Vancouver, the natives were starting to get restless.

Where was the six-million dollar man?

Then, two assists against Dallas, a goal in Detroit and saving his best performance for last - a hat trick in Columbus.

For good measure, Justin Williams added a goal and two assists.

Jonathan Bernier picked up another win, pushing his streak to 4-0-3 in his last seven starts.

Kings at Blue Jackets Pre-Game Notes and Links

Rick Nash Bobblehead

Today marks the fourth and final meeting between the Kings and Blue Jackets, two teams heading in opposite directions since they met up on January 8th - Trevor Lewis' birthday.

Back then LA was mired in a horrible slump at home and stuck at 12th place in the standings. Since then, the Kings have found their groove - including a win in Columbus during their 6-1-3 February road stretch.

Here are some other key points to get you warmed up...

* There must be something about Rick Nash and the Kings visiting town. Last time it was Nash poster night. Tonight they'll be giving out Nash bobbleheads (pictured) to the fans attending the game.

* Several Kings players - including Jack Johnson and Brad Richardson - shared some thoughts on Nash in a MayorsManor article here.  Jarret Stoll said "You have to play him hard. You can't give him too much time and space. You need to be physical on him and you can't respect him too much. Obviously, you have to respect him a little bit. But, if you respect good players too much, by the end of the night they'll have three points."  Click the link to read more.

Dustin Brown Undisputed Video - Extended Version

Throughout this season Kings Vision has been producing behind-the-scenes bio pieces on several of the players - including Wayne Simmonds, Matt Greene and Jack Johnson.

The newest segment is posted below, featuring Dustin Brown. A small portion of this will be shown during the next Kings telecast. Here, you get the full, extended version...

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Two Goals, Two Points and Two Wins in Detroit

"We came out of the gates a little slow" - Anze Kopitar on the Kings getting just three shots on goal in the first period.

Post-game news and notes from LA's 2-1 win...

* With their second win in Detroit this season the Kings finished the season series 3-1-0 vs. the Red Wings. There wasn't any pattern to the four games - overtime, a shutout, a blowout and one goal game tonight.

* LA is now 8-1-3 in last 12 road games.

* The game marked Jarret Stoll's 500th NHL game (214th with LA).

* Kopitar had three shots on goal, matching his total from the last three games combined. His goal in the second period was his 21st of the year and gave him seven points vs. Detroit this season (4 goals, 3 assists).

* PennerMania continues - Dustin Penner assisted on Kopitar's goal and led LA with four shots in the game.  He now has a small three game point streak as a King (1 goal, 2 assists).

* Dustin Brown took the team goal lead back with his 22nd goal of the season at 14:43 of the second period.

* After losing to Dallas on Saturday (in overtime) for the first time all season when ahead after two periods, LA shut things down in the third period tonight to get back on track - they're now 20-0-1.

* Drew Doughty led all skaters in the game with 26:48 of ice time.

* Jonathan Quick gave up just one goal over the two games in Detroit this season, stopping 79 of 80 shots.

* Has anybody heard from Ryan Smyth lately? Ryan Smyth, please pick up the white courtesy phone. Smyth to the courtesy phone.

Smyth and Westgarth Look Back to Move Forward

Nine days ago the Kings lost 7-3 to the Red Wings at Staples Center.

Defenseman Willie Mitchell said LA 'dominated' that game.

Regardless, they didn't get the two points they needed. However, the two teams will meet again tonight in Detroit.

Some of the Red Wings' motivation for the last game may have come from the Kings 5-0 shutout when the two teams met up in December.

It's something I asked Ryan Smyth and Kevin Westgarth about before the team left LA to begin this four-game road trip...

MM: Do you think the 'Wings were out to send a message after the December game or was it more that they scored a couple of early goals and built some momentum?

Smyth - "Well, I'm not too sure what they were thinking. But, obviously they were thinking come out and rebound. After we were up 1-0 I thought we had a few chances early and then they - they're a good team, they're a measuring stick, they hound the puck really well, all four lines and obviously their d-core are very solid."

Westgarth - "I'm sure it was a little bit of everything. Every team in this league has a memory. Guys don't like to get embarrassed, especially at home, and they got a couple...uh, (long pause)...I guess, lucky goals on us early on - that got us behind the eight-ball. I think we played really well. The irony in this Detroit series this season is that, I think, every team that has been out shot has won the game. So, it's been the battle of attrition going both ways in some ways. We look forward to the rematch."

LA Kings Prospects: Toffoli Rising, Hickey Dropping

Earlier this week I posted a recap of last Sunday's meeting with Kings GM Dean Lombardi and Assistant GM Ron Hextall.

Among the notes there were comments on several Kings prospects, including recent first round draft picks Derek Forbort and Thomas Hickey.

Now, for views from an independent source, HockeysFuture.com has released their latest rankings of the team's prospects.

In what should come as no surprise, the player with the biggest jump was Tyler Toffoli. Scoring 50 goals the season after being drafted in the second round of the NHL Draft will do that. He's having an incredible season for the Ottawa 67's and is currently in a close race for the OHL scoring lead.

Some of HF's comments on Toffoli included, "He fell to the Kings in the second round largely due to concerns regarding his skating. With a league-leading 50 goals in 61 games so far this season, it's safe to say that slow feet or not, Toffoli is proving himself an exceptional sniper."

Kings - Red Wings Primer: Interview w/ Mike Modano

Mike Modano is the greatest American-born hockey player of all-time.

At least that's what the readers of MayorsManor said via their votes in a poll last week.

It's an obvious choice too, as he's scored more goals and points than other strong contenders, like Jeremy Roenick, Pat Lafontaine and Chris Chelios - not to mention his representing Team USA in 11 different international tournaments.

Taking nothing away from the other three though, perhaps what also helps elevate Modano to his deserved pedestal is his class. He's been one of the most respected players in the league for 20 years and remains so to this day.

While some eyebrows were raised last summer when he chose to sign with Detroit, rather than retire, those thoughts turned to concern when he severely damaged his wrist in November. Determined not to end his career on an injury, he battled back and returned to the league a few weeks ago.

Tonight he'll face the Kings for the second time since rejoining the Red Wings five games ago.

In the interview below we look back over his incredible career - talking milestones, memorabilia, Messier, head injuries Jaromir Jagr, Brett Hull...and of course, we play word association.

Matt Greene on Dustin Penner's Latest Challenge

When Dustin Penner arrived in town last week he made it clear - he was here to help the Kings win games, score some goals by using his size, listen to the coaches, play the team's system...and challenge Matt Greene to some ping-pong.

However, Greene quickly turned down the challenge, claiming he was 'retired' from the game because he doesn't continue doing things he's "not good at."

How about a different contest though?

MM: We know you turned down the ping-pong challenge, but Penner also says you're pretty good at guitar hero too...

MG: I don't know, I'm a little bit out of practice with video games. When he was living with me (in Edmonton) that's when it first came out. So, that was all the rage.

MM: You've moved on?

MG: Yeah, now I think I'm back to Tetris on the GameBoy.

MM:  Well, that's much easier to bring on the road. Maybe you two can square off this week during the trip...

Wayne Simmonds on Penner and Greasy Goals

photo courtesy of Michael Zampelli

Wayne Simmonds was perhaps one of the happiest guys on the LA Kings early last week. Not only had the team acquired a big left wing in Dustin Penner, but coach Terry Murray announced he would start Penner on a line with Simmonds and Anze Kopitar.

While Simmonds had seen top line minutes a few times throughout the season, more often than not, it was in a 'fill-in' role. This was an outright declaration of his spot on that line.

Yet, if one thing has been a constant this year on the team, it's been change - as in line changes. Just two periods after being named to the line, he was replaced by Justin Williams.

Still - Simmonds had a first hand look at Penner as a linemate and has had about a week to get to know him better...

MM: It's been a few games now, what have you seen from Dustin Penner so far?

WS: He's a great player. He's really good with the puck in tight. He has really good in tight hands, as you can tell. What you guys don't see in the (dressing) room is he's a great guy in the room. He's already meshed really well with all the guys. He's funny, everyone likes him and he's fit perfectly into our team. So, it's been great so far having him here.

MM: Besides the old 'we need two points' line, what are you thinking going into the upcoming games on the road?