Coach Darryl Sutter suffered his first regulation loss since stepping behind the Kings' bench a few weeks ago, with a record of 5-1-3 after today's 1-0 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Sadly, his post-game presser was not filled with as many of his three-word answers as we've come to expect - little things of beauty, which are quickly becoming popular around these parts.
The best one today was 'Keep Bangin' Away' (when talking about what to do with the power play). Slightly re-phrasing one of his answers though, we could have 'Big Boy Goals' (on what's needed). Finally, it's a little too long to qualify as a three word answer - but, 'What Do Ya Do?' was another solid response.
Take a look (and listen) at what he had to say when asked about the power play, Dustin Penner's injury that popped up just before the game, the play of Jonathan Quick and much more...
Is Jack Johnson now nicknamed 'Johnny'...hmmm, I didn't get the memo.
The Mayor
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Saturday, January 7, 2012
Quotes from Blue Jackets locker room after def LA 1-0
There's a reason why the expression 'scoreboard' is often used among sports fans wanting to talk smack - because it never lies and usually trumps all other arguments, at least when speaking about a specific game.
The Kings should be able to score at least one goal when they spend 13:36 on the power play in a game against the NHL's 29th ranked penalty kill. They didn't today and the lost to the last place Columbus Blue Jackets. A team who entered the day with only ten wins - the fewest in the league.
Columbus picked up a lone goal from defenseman Grant Clitsome and made it stand up, giving them their first shutout of the season. After the final buzzer cleared the ice, here's what they were saying back in the locker room...
Coach Scott Arneil on the overall game - "I think certainly Curtis [Sanford] was certainly the big story there. He played outstanding, made the big saves. But I have got to give a lot of credit to our team. We blocked a lot of shots. Penalty kill did an outstanding job. They [the Kings] did get shots but we really took away any of the backdoor, tap-in type of things. If there were rebounds we cleared them out of there. Our shot blocking [today] was one of the best I’ve seen it this year."
The Kings should be able to score at least one goal when they spend 13:36 on the power play in a game against the NHL's 29th ranked penalty kill. They didn't today and the lost to the last place Columbus Blue Jackets. A team who entered the day with only ten wins - the fewest in the league.
Columbus picked up a lone goal from defenseman Grant Clitsome and made it stand up, giving them their first shutout of the season. After the final buzzer cleared the ice, here's what they were saying back in the locker room...
Coach Scott Arneil on the overall game - "I think certainly Curtis [Sanford] was certainly the big story there. He played outstanding, made the big saves. But I have got to give a lot of credit to our team. We blocked a lot of shots. Penalty kill did an outstanding job. They [the Kings] did get shots but we really took away any of the backdoor, tap-in type of things. If there were rebounds we cleared them out of there. Our shot blocking [today] was one of the best I’ve seen it this year."
Kopitar praises Quick, Brown talks power play after 1-0 loss
For the first time in the Darryl Sutter era, the Kings lost a game in regulation on Saturday. It probably wasn't that surprising, for the last few seasons the Kings have rarely shown up for afternoon games.
For the third game in a row LA failed to score more than one goal - and, in fact, didn't have any goals. It was the second time they've been shut out in their last five games and fifth time this season. The chances were there for the Kings, who out shot the Blue Jackets 31-18 and spent more than ten minutes on the power play - against the NHL's 29th ranked penalty kill.
Dustin Brown finished the game with six hits and Anze Kopitar was credited with six shots on goal, both were high water marks among the LA players. Afterwards, they spoke about what went down...
Brown on the Kings' power plays (which included a 5-on-3 and a 6-on-4) - "We have to find a way to score goals. That has kind of been the problem for us all year. If I had the answer, we wouldn't be talking about it. We have to figure out a way to get a goal. You can look at that last power play - we had a four-minute power play to start the period and other opportunities. Our PK has been doing a good job and our 5-on-5. If we score a goal on the power play, it’s a different game."
Brown on new strategies for the ailing power play - "We're working on it. But, it doesn’t really make a difference. We have to find ways to score goals. He [Jackets goalie Curtis Sanford] made some pretty good saves on the power play. But bottom line is you just have to find a way to score goals on power plays."
For the third game in a row LA failed to score more than one goal - and, in fact, didn't have any goals. It was the second time they've been shut out in their last five games and fifth time this season. The chances were there for the Kings, who out shot the Blue Jackets 31-18 and spent more than ten minutes on the power play - against the NHL's 29th ranked penalty kill.
Dustin Brown finished the game with six hits and Anze Kopitar was credited with six shots on goal, both were high water marks among the LA players. Afterwards, they spoke about what went down...
Brown on the Kings' power plays (which included a 5-on-3 and a 6-on-4) - "We have to find a way to score goals. That has kind of been the problem for us all year. If I had the answer, we wouldn't be talking about it. We have to figure out a way to get a goal. You can look at that last power play - we had a four-minute power play to start the period and other opportunities. Our PK has been doing a good job and our 5-on-5. If we score a goal on the power play, it’s a different game."
Brown on new strategies for the ailing power play - "We're working on it. But, it doesn’t really make a difference. We have to find ways to score goals. He [Jackets goalie Curtis Sanford] made some pretty good saves on the power play. But bottom line is you just have to find a way to score goals on power plays."
First Goal Contest - win tickets to Meet the Players Party
Are you as good as Dustin Brown?
Prior to Thursday's game against the Coyotes he came on MayorsManor and predicted Drew Doughty would score the first goal for the Kings. Not only did #8 find the back of the net, it stood as the game winner.
Unfortunately, there was no sign of Doughty and Jarret Stoll doing another one of their 'love tap' goal celebrations though.
Today, we'll be running another First Goal Contest as part of the Kings game. One lucky winner will win a pair of tickets to the Kings' Meet the Players Party - scheduled to take place this coming Tuesday.
If you like to play the odds, here's some past performance information to help you with your pick. This is a list of a few LA Kings and their career numbers vs. the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Dustin Brown five goals in 24 games
Drew Doughty two in 13
Jack Johnson zero in 14
Anze Kopitar 11 in 19
Dustin Penner seven in 22
Mike Richards one in five
Jarret Stoll four in 28
Justin Williams five in 14
Of course, you can also go with Kyle Clifford, Trevor Lewis, Willie Mitchell or a bunch of other guys.
So, who do you think will score first for the Kings today?
Entering is easy, either log in via the website or just use your facebook profile below. Submit your answer and you could win a pair of tickets to the Kings' Meet the Players Party. Good luck!
The Mayor
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Prior to Thursday's game against the Coyotes he came on MayorsManor and predicted Drew Doughty would score the first goal for the Kings. Not only did #8 find the back of the net, it stood as the game winner.
Unfortunately, there was no sign of Doughty and Jarret Stoll doing another one of their 'love tap' goal celebrations though.
Today, we'll be running another First Goal Contest as part of the Kings game. One lucky winner will win a pair of tickets to the Kings' Meet the Players Party - scheduled to take place this coming Tuesday.
If you like to play the odds, here's some past performance information to help you with your pick. This is a list of a few LA Kings and their career numbers vs. the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Dustin Brown five goals in 24 games
Drew Doughty two in 13
Jack Johnson zero in 14
Anze Kopitar 11 in 19
Dustin Penner seven in 22
Mike Richards one in five
Jarret Stoll four in 28
Justin Williams five in 14
Of course, you can also go with Kyle Clifford, Trevor Lewis, Willie Mitchell or a bunch of other guys.
So, who do you think will score first for the Kings today?
Entering is easy, either log in via the website or just use your facebook profile below. Submit your answer and you could win a pair of tickets to the Kings' Meet the Players Party. Good luck!
The Mayor
www.twitter.com/MayorNHL
www.facebook.com/MayorsManor
Friday, January 6, 2012
VIDEO: Drew Doughty's game winning goal vs Coyotes
Drew Doughty scored his third goal of the season - and the only goal of the game. Enjoy...
The Mayor
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The Mayor
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Quotes from Coyotes locker room after 1-0 OT loss in LA
For the third time this season, the Kings defeated the Coyotes last night. LA defenseman Jack Johnson described it as a 'boring 0-0 game' - but Drew Doughty managed to sneak one past Mike Smith in overtime, pushing the season series to 3-1 in favor of the Kings.
Afterwards, Coyotes coach Dave Tippett and captain Shane Doan weren't too happy about the way things went down...
Tippett on the Kings’ OT goal - "It should be no goal. It’s not a matter of fact that the puck went in the net. The puck did go in the net, but it should be goalie interference. If they don’t give the goal to Johnson then it’s goalie interference. If he comes in and puts his leg in front of Mike Smith’s leg so (Smith) can’t make a stop that is goalie interference. It’s as simple as that. It’s a poor call. It’s a blown call that should be no goal."
Tippett on the overall game - "We had lots of guys compete awfully hard. We knew that’s the kind of game we have to play. It’s an intense game. We have got to do a lot of little things right. With our lineup the way it is right now we have to have everybody compete as hard as they can and we got to find ways to win. I think we got a bad break."
Tippett on his goalie's performance - "Excellent. That’s what we need. We need our goaltender to be a very good player for us every night. He played a heck of a game."
Afterwards, Coyotes coach Dave Tippett and captain Shane Doan weren't too happy about the way things went down...
Tippett on the Kings’ OT goal - "It should be no goal. It’s not a matter of fact that the puck went in the net. The puck did go in the net, but it should be goalie interference. If they don’t give the goal to Johnson then it’s goalie interference. If he comes in and puts his leg in front of Mike Smith’s leg so (Smith) can’t make a stop that is goalie interference. It’s as simple as that. It’s a poor call. It’s a blown call that should be no goal."
Tippett on the overall game - "We had lots of guys compete awfully hard. We knew that’s the kind of game we have to play. It’s an intense game. We have got to do a lot of little things right. With our lineup the way it is right now we have to have everybody compete as hard as they can and we got to find ways to win. I think we got a bad break."
Tippett on his goalie's performance - "Excellent. That’s what we need. We need our goaltender to be a very good player for us every night. He played a heck of a game."
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Kings goalie Jonathan Quick on the importance of winning
With tonight's 1-0 win over the Phoenix Coyotes, goalie Jonathan Quick has run his record to 6-0-2 in his last eight games - with a 1.20 goals-against average and .956 save percentage.
After the game, he shared this...
On his shutout - "That’s great in all. We got two points tonight, it’s huge and that is what we are really looking at. It doesn’t matter how we do it, as long as we are getting two points and we continue to climb the standings. That’s what we are trying to do here."
On Doughty’s lack of scoring before tonight - "To be honest, I didn’t even realize that he has gone some time without scoring. As a D man, you aren’t going to score too many goals. The top defensemen aren’t scoring too many goals. He has been great in the D zone; that is all I am worried about as far as the goaltending perspective goes. The goals will come; he is talented enough. That is nothing that we are worried about at all."
On the importance of tonight's win - "I think they [Phoenix] were three points behind us coming into tonight. Obviously it is a huge division rival. This marks maybe the halfway point of the year too, so we wanted to finish that strong and get two points."
Drew Doughty's post game comments are up here. More notes and quotes to come.
The Mayor
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After the game, he shared this...
On his shutout - "That’s great in all. We got two points tonight, it’s huge and that is what we are really looking at. It doesn’t matter how we do it, as long as we are getting two points and we continue to climb the standings. That’s what we are trying to do here."
On Doughty’s lack of scoring before tonight - "To be honest, I didn’t even realize that he has gone some time without scoring. As a D man, you aren’t going to score too many goals. The top defensemen aren’t scoring too many goals. He has been great in the D zone; that is all I am worried about as far as the goaltending perspective goes. The goals will come; he is talented enough. That is nothing that we are worried about at all."
On the importance of tonight's win - "I think they [Phoenix] were three points behind us coming into tonight. Obviously it is a huge division rival. This marks maybe the halfway point of the year too, so we wanted to finish that strong and get two points."
Drew Doughty's post game comments are up here. More notes and quotes to come.
The Mayor
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Drew Doughty on his game winning goal vs Phoenix
After a little initial confusion, less than a minute into overtime, Drew Doughty's goal stood and the Kings beat the Phoenix Coyotes by the final score of 1-0. Here's what he had to say back in the locker room...
On the game-winning goal - "It was huge. Obviously, I haven’t been scoring a lot this year and I finally contributed on the score sheet with a goal for the team and most importantly get the win. I was real happy. Greener changed for me there; I just wanted to get into the play. I saw that we had control of the puck so I raced up to the blue line. Me and Stolly [Jarret Stoll] made eye contact and made a nice pass. Then I just tried to drive the net and sometimes you just have to score those dirty goals like that."
On going suck a long time without scoring - "I don’t know, I guess it is a little surprising. Most of all, for me, it’s just frustrating. I know that they come in bunches and now that I got this one and finally got the monkey off my back I think a lot more will come in these next few games."
Jonathan Quick's post game comments are up here. More post game notes and quotes to come.
The Mayor
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First Goal Game - LA Kings players submit their guesses
For the past few seasons we've hosted a 'First Goal Game' contest on twitter and facebook for LA Kings home and road games. Each night, one random winner is selected from all correct entries and a prize is awarded - things like t-shirts, game tickets, etc.
At practice yesterday we asked a few of the Kings players who they would pick in the first goal contest. The question was simple enough - looking around the room, yourself included, which player will score first vs. the Coyotes?
Here's what a few guys had to say...
Drew Doughty - Stolly
Mike Richards - Kopitar
At practice yesterday we asked a few of the Kings players who they would pick in the first goal contest. The question was simple enough - looking around the room, yourself included, which player will score first vs. the Coyotes?
Here's what a few guys had to say...
Drew Doughty - Stolly
Mike Richards - Kopitar
Checking in with Loktionov - new skates, new attitude
It's only been a few weeks since the Kings coaching change, but some of Darryl Sutter's answers have been real gems. They're often short and seem to write their own headlines.
For example, I recently asked Sutter if he had any comment about the hoopla surrounding rookie Andrei Loktionov playing at center or wing earlier this seasons. And what pearls of wisdom did the coach lay on me? 'I don't care where he plays.'
Of course, Sutter went on to explain that he thinks most of the Kings forwards are talented enough to play multiple positions, yada, yada, yada. All good stuff, sure. Yet, the simplified version is much more fun.
Loktionov was out of the line-up for Sutter's first three games. However, he's played in five straight games now and like most of the Kings, he seems to be taking to his new coach rather well.
"Oh I like him, he's a good coach," said the 21-year old Russian, with an ear-to-ear smile. "I like his system we play in the offensive zone, the defensive zone. At center, you have to always play down low. You have to always play in the middle. He says in the offensive zone we can send three guys behind the net and keep it a live puck. I like it."
For example, I recently asked Sutter if he had any comment about the hoopla surrounding rookie Andrei Loktionov playing at center or wing earlier this seasons. And what pearls of wisdom did the coach lay on me? 'I don't care where he plays.'
Of course, Sutter went on to explain that he thinks most of the Kings forwards are talented enough to play multiple positions, yada, yada, yada. All good stuff, sure. Yet, the simplified version is much more fun.
Loktionov was out of the line-up for Sutter's first three games. However, he's played in five straight games now and like most of the Kings, he seems to be taking to his new coach rather well.
"Oh I like him, he's a good coach," said the 21-year old Russian, with an ear-to-ear smile. "I like his system we play in the offensive zone, the defensive zone. At center, you have to always play down low. You have to always play in the middle. He says in the offensive zone we can send three guys behind the net and keep it a live puck. I like it."
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