Pre-Game Talk: Kings vs. Ducks, Pacific Division Finals

[Kiwirish]

I'm glad we get to play the Ducks and that we came out of the physical SJ series relatively unscathed, that'll be important for beating the Ducks, but we can't deny our less than stellar record against them this season. Hopefully being brought so close to elimination against SJ will make sure we keep a sense of urgency to bring our A-Game at all times and not be eliminated.

I hate the Ducks 1000 times more than the Sharks, so I'd really prefer to make sure they're nowhere near the Cup with a series win for us. I think I hate them more than I like the Kings haha.

 

[Calirose]

I thought before the playoffs started we might just handle SJ, but knew this series would be coming if we came out alive, this is gonna be a toughie.

 

[Reclamation Project]

How to rustle some jimmies, mention...

Jonathan Quick - Whammy
Jim Corsi - Double Whammy
Any Further Advanced Stat - Triple Whammy
Dustin Brown - KO

 

[KingsKnight]

I'm glad we get to play the Ducks and that we came out of the physical SJ series relatively unscathed, that'll be important for beating the Ducks, but we can't deny our less than stellar record against them this season. Hopefully being brought so close to elimination against SJ will make sure we keep a sense of urgency to bring our A-Game at all times and not be eliminated.

For sure the Kings won't come out as flat as they did the SJ series. They've moved on from that and are more prepared. The Ducks may still win their first two home games (I hope not) but it won't be because we're not ready.

I hate the Ducks 1000 times more than the Sharks, so I'd really prefer to make sure they're nowhere near the Cup with a series win for us. I think I hate them more than I like the Kings haha.

Be careful, you're getting into "Beat LA" territory with those thoughts. One thing it seemed like SJ fans suffered from was hating LA more than they supported their team. I doubt the players felt the same way but if they did then we were really in their heads.

 

[Puck U]

 

[ADifferentTim]

All I know is that the Ducks have been overcompensating for the fact the Kings roasted the Ducks in Shootout on Martin Jones' rookie debut; since then, the Ducks have been winning regular season meetings since and even spoiled the Kings' regular season finale.

However, the Kings just regained all-around fortitude, going into this matchup.

 

[Nefarious]

All I know is that the Ducks have been overcompensating for the fact the Kings roasted the Ducks in Shootout on Martin Jones' rookie debut; since then, the Ducks have been winning regular season meetings since and even spoiled the Kings' regular season finale.

However, the Kings just regained all-around fortitude, going into this matchup.

And, as we know, the Kings' regular season has little to do with the post-season. I think the Ducks would have been better off not watching the Kings-Sharks series, because that will be in the back of their mind the whole time.

 

[stonedhenge]

From NHL.com: With Kopitar, Carter, Richards and Jarret Stoll, the Kings might have four of the five best centers in the series.

 

[YP44]

I like that Kopitar comic

 

[Basilisk]

Beauchemin is a -4 thus far in the playoffs ...... I wonder if the Kings will exploit this ....

 

[YP44]

Beauchemin is a -4 thus far in the playoffs ...... I wonder if the Kings will exploit this ....

They're probably saying the same thing about Greene

 

[redcard]

They're probably saying the same thing about Greene

Beauchowmein plays 25 minutes a game, Greene only played 25 minutes in the last series. The former will likely have a much larger influence.

 

[YP44]

Beauchowmein plays 25 minutes a game, Greene only played 25 minutes in the last series. The former will likely have a much larger influence.

More time = more likelihood that goals get scored on you. Especially as I am guessing most of his start are in the d-end.
That said obviously B....will have more of an impact one way or another on the series.

 

[The Big Giant Head]

They're probably saying the same thing about Greene

Giving credit where credit is due though...Greene played great in that game 7. MAYBE he can keep that up until Mitchell is back which should be fairly soon i think. I dont think his type of injury (pulled muscle?) should sideline him to long, especially with how Sutter has been talking.

 

[PJ Kings Hockey]

I'm glad we get to play the Ducks and that we came out of the physical SJ series relatively unscathed, that'll be important for beating the Ducks, but we can't deny our less than stellar record against them this season. Hopefully being brought so close to elimination against SJ will make sure we keep a sense of urgency to bring our A-Game at all times and not be eliminated.

I agree. After watching the Kings get embarrassed by the Ducks in the outdoor game and looking at our record against the Ducks, I totally see the Kings as underdogs in this series. But hey, after that amazing 1st round series, I can't be anything but happy with this season, whatever happens.

Look at you Kiwirish, going wild with this posting frenzy this month.

 

[Quattro]

I've been doing my best to remain civil and I will continue to do so. But I am tired of hearing them openly yap about how dirty our team is when they have nut spearing aficionado Perry on their roster. Pot meet kettle.

Especially when you remember that their Cup team was the dirtiest team to win it all since the Broad Street Bullies.

 

[lexlavender]

Beauchemin is a -4 thus far in the playoffs ...... I wonder if the Kings will exploit this ....

The Kings opened up Stuart like a can opener the entire last series, so I think they will exploit and abuse any weakness in D.

 

[YP44]

Giving credit where credit is due though...Greene played great in that game 7. MAYBE he can keep that up until Mitchell is back which should be fairly soon i think. I dont think his type of injury (pulled muscle?) should sideline him to long, especially with how Sutter has been talking.

Getting injury updates in the playoffs is always difficult. If it is a groin injury it could be longer term.

 

[theMajor]

cant wait!

 

[Johnny Utah]

I can't wait to see Kings fans taking over the Ponda Center. After attending Game 6 and witnessing this moment, I have to say, the last three years of being a Kings fan has been exhilarating. It was worth the 20+ years of suffering.

Going from the highs of seeing Gretzky in a Kings uniform, to them constantly losing to the Oilers in the playoffs, the three consecutive OT losses in '93, the dark days of the bankruptcy and post-Gretzky era, Aki Berg, the 1998 playoffs, getting swept by the Wings in 2000, the high of beating the Wings the next year, then seeing them push the Avs to 7 games, and losing to them again in 7 games the following year and the dark period between 2002-2009 of no playoffs.

Dean Lombardi really turned this franchise upside down from a bottom of the barrel team to a club of guys who give it their all every night. No matter what the result may be, whether we like it or not, the effort these guys put in can never be questioned. And that is why they're still in the playoffs after being down 3 games to 0.

Exactly my thoughts. I have been a fan for about the same time, about 20 or so years.

The past few years have been insane. Lombardi should have a lifetime pass as GM. 40+ years the Kings couldn't consistently make the playoffs AND draft or develop top level talent. Lombardi changed that.

 

[Nefarious]

Exactly my thoughts. I have been a fan for about the same time, about 20 or so years.

The past few years have been insane. Lombardi should have a lifetime pass as GM. 40+ years the Kings couldn't consistently make the playoffs AND draft or develop top level talent. Lombardi changed that.

Same, been a far for a little over 20 years. And a lot of those years were just brutal with no light at the end of the tunnel. But now it's just awesome sauce. Must be even sweeter for the 40+ year fans.

 

[YP44]

Same, been a far for a little over 20 years. And a lot of those years were just brutal with no light at the end of the tunnel. But now it's just awesome sauce. Must be even sweeter for the 40+ year fans.

I became a Kings fan in 94-95. There were a lot of crap years before the teams recent success. To me the light came when we drafted bernier. I thought this was a key point as we had our goalie of the future.
Didn't exactly work the way I thought but I still remember seeing the light and being very happy.

 

[kingsboy11]

I became a fan around the time Lombardi was hired. So luckily for me I didn't have to endure as much pain and suffering the rest of you guys had. Although 07-08, 08-09 was hard to watch.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Exactly my thoughts. I have been a fan for about the same time, about 20 or so years.

The past few years have been insane. Lombardi should have a lifetime pass as GM. 40+ years the Kings couldn't consistently make the playoffs AND draft or develop top level talent. Lombardi changed that.

For a long stretch I remember when the most exciting part of Kings hockey was watching their scraps against the Ducks, Matt Johnson against Stu Grimson, wanting to see someone beat the crap out of the likes of Todd Ewen and David Karpa, seeing Brad Norton and Kip Brennan beat the life out of Kevin Sawyer, and not much else.

There was one Kings game I ever walked out of and it was when they got absolutely embarrassed by the Ducks at Staples Center. I was so disgusted by that performance that I had to leave the building with my friend (who was equally distraught). That was the game where Avery went after Corey Perry and Brian Hayward got his panties all twisted.

Living through that era of Kings hockey really tested a fans' loyalty, but it was worth sticking through all of that garbage to see them get to this point.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

I remember watching Kopitar play his first few games as a rookie in 06/07, watching him blow by Chris Pronger like he was a pylon in his first NHL game, and thinking "this is the most talented hockey player to wear a Kings jersey since Gretzky." I knew it was only a matter of time until we had success after that.