Who will come up big tonight for the Kings? Players say...

Stars are stars.

Yet, how many times has a no name player or a minimally used role player come up big for a team in the playoffs?

There have been quite a few for the Kings, perhaps none bigger than Gary Shuchuk and Robb Stauber in 1993.

Prior to the Kings leaving for San Jose I spoke with several of the players and asked them who they thought would come up big versus San Jose.

Drew Doughty went with the returning Justin Williams and he sure looked good in game one. Not exactly a 'totally random' choice, but still - he called it.

Alexei Ponikarovsky, who was banging into every Sharks player he could find on Thursday night, wasn't concerned with the name on the back of the jersey. He went with more of an 'all for one, one for all' mantra...

"I think we need everybody," said Ponikarovsky. "We have to play as a team. So, it's going to take everybody to win this series. It doesn't matter who's going to score the big goal. We're going to play as a team and we'll go from there. We're going to work as a team and when we get goals it will have been the whole team that worked for it."

Meanwhile, rookie Kyle Clifford had his sights squarely set on one of the other youngsters making their post-season debuts in this series...

"There are a number of guys in this room that are more than capable of having a breakout series. We're probably going to need some of the younger guys too - like Oscar Moller, Trevor Lewis and Alec Martinez. I think they're more than capable of doing it and throughout the year you've seen glimpses of what type of players they're going to be. So, my choice would be one of those three."

Moller is back in the line-up tonight.  So, perhaps he can make Clifford will look as smart as Doughty did on Thursday.

To read Doughty's full comments about Williams click here.

And to re-live that magical '93 playoff run, check out Shuchuk's interview here.



The Mayor
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Kings vs Sharks - Game One Playoff Photos

These pics came to me via Jon at http://www.sharkspage.com/ - the Bay Area's longest running hockey blog.  Featured in the photos are Dustin Brown, Drew Doughty, Kyle Clifford, Jack Johnson, Trevor Lewis, Ryan Smyth, Justin Williams and a few other Los Angeles Kings players...

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For complete coverage of the Kings-Sharks series on MayorsManor, click here to begin now with yesterday's High/Low article featuring Jim Fox. It also includes links to exclusive comments from Doughty, Simmonds, Clifford and many other Kings players).

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Kings-Sharks Game One: High / Low with Jim Fox

Over the last few seasons Jim Fox has stopped by MayorsManor a number of times to share his highs and lows from select games.

Like last year during the Kings round one playoff series with Vancouver, LA's award winning commentator is back again today for some more post-season analysis.

Here's what he had to say this morning about the Kings 3-2 overtime loss to the Sharks last night in San Jose...

LOWS

* Just three shots on goal in the first period - it happened a few times in the regular season too, not the way you want to start a playoff series

* Defensive zone coverage on the first goal against - a few things broke down, but the biggest issue was leaving the 'home plate' area with the opening right down the middle of the ice

* Repeating one of the themes from game one last season vs. Vancouver - winning the special teams battle, getting as many saves by Jonathan Quick as they did (42) and still losing the game

HIGHS

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