WCSF Gm#2: KINGS vs. Sharks - 5/16/13 - TWO DOWN TWO TO GO! GO KINGS GO!

[TonySCV]

To play devils advocate

-The Sharks have improved on the one thing they lacked in game 1--often sending two guys to cause havoc in front of Quick. Curious to see what adjustments Sutter will make.

-Though the most important thing is the end score, the loss of Stoll is evident in the faceoff circle. Sharks won 68% of the draws on the road. Ouch. It may not effect the series outcome against the Sharks, but against the Blackhawks, it might be a different story.

Agreed on all fronts. I expect this to be a home ice series. It won't be easy.

That said, taking off my Kings glasses for a minute, if you're a neutral observer watching the Kings who are now 22-6 in the postseason since last year and in the midst of a 6 game win streak, how the heck do you fathom any opposing team winning 4 of the next 5?

Hell, 3 of the 6 losses were Quick's own puckhandling gaffes! He's now 6-0 since his last one.

Tall order. San Jose is just as strong on home ice as the Kings, so on that basis alone I expect a long series, but it's hard not to drop your jaw a little bit when you look at the big picture.

 

[agentfouser]

To play devils advocate

-The Sharks have improved on the one thing they lacked in game 1--often sending two guys to cause havoc in front of Quick. Curious to see what adjustments Sutter will make.

-Though the most important thing is the end score, the loss of Stoll is evident in the faceoff circle. Sharks won 68% of the draws on the road. Ouch. It may not effect the series outcome against the Sharks, but against the Blackhawks, it might be a different story.

Good points.

We should also note that the second half of this game is, I think, the most intense and emotionally invested Kings team we've seen so far. There was a fire there that we haven't seen much of lately, despite the success.

 

[Sydor25]

I think its absolutely wrong, If you keep telling your players they are good and played great you basically give them the chance to slack off. When sutter compliments the kings rarely, he says it as a constructive criticism so the players keep trying.

Not so sure about. The players already know they didn't do enough to win the game, you don't need your coach piling on to the press. He can keep the criticism in the locker room.

It's easier to downplay the success after a win. Sutter is perfect at that.

 

[DAkings20]

Kings can't get ahead of themselves, especially considering they just beat a team who was up 2-0 on them. Sutter will no doubt remind them of this. The thing I keep going back to is that they aren't playing all that well(sans Quick, who is a stud), yet they keep finding ways to win.

 

[Sydor25]

Kings can't get ahead of themselves, especially considering they just beat a team who was up 2-0 on them. Sutter will no doubt remind them of this. The thing I keep going back to is that they aren't playing that well(sans Quick, who is a stud), yet they keep finding ways to win.

Doughty deserves to be in the discussion of being a playoff stud. He's been fantastic and probably more consistent than quick.

 

[Vamos Rafa]

Wonder if Bailey was hanging out with the dude in the bunny suit.

 

[Arrhizal]

I'm hoping for 2 out of the next 2, but will be extremely happy with 1. Then back to LA!

 

[kingsfan28]

Agreed on all fronts. I expect this to be a home ice series. It won't be easy.

That said, taking off my Kings glasses for a minute, if you're a neutral observer watching the Kings who are now 22-6 in the postseason since last year and in the midst of a 6 game win streak, how the heck do you fathom any opposing team winning 4 of the next 5?

Hell, 3 of the 6 losses were Quick's own puckhandling gaffes! He's now 6-0 since his last one.

Tall order. San Jose is just as strong on home ice as the Kings, so on that basis alone I expect a long series, but it's hard not to drop your jaw a little bit when you look at the big picture.

I saw that stat too. Pretty impressive and they've yet to play their best hockey in this series.

 

[kingsfan28]

Wonder if Bailey was hanging out with the dude in the bunny suit.

Bailey was seen leaving the club with him/her. Lets hope he doesn't find out the hard way who he left with in the morning.

 

[SC2008]

Agreed on all fronts. I expect this to be a home ice series. It won't be easy.

That said, taking off my Kings glasses for a minute, if you're a neutral observer watching the Kings who are now 22-6 in the postseason since last year and in the midst of a 6 game win streak, how the heck do you fathom any opposing team winning 4 of the next 5?

Hell, 3 of the 6 losses were Quick's own puckhandling gaffes! He's now 6-0 since his last one.

Tall order. San Jose is just as strong on home ice as the Kings, so on that basis alone I expect a long series, but it's hard not to drop your jaw a little bit when you look at the big picture.

Well, I think that's the difference between the blues and sharks. The Blues won two games on lucky gaffes. The Sharks goals were gems and well deserved. You can see them adjusting to Quicks aggressive style where he comes way out to challenge to initial shot. The key is to almost have a guy behind him.

Very curious to see how game 3 turns out.

 

[redcard]

Doughty deserves to be in the discussion of being a playoff stud. He's been fantastic and probably more consistent than quick.

I don't think there is any discussion to be had.

40 Career playoff games, 11 G 20 A 31 P. Brown's played the same number of games and has 12 G 18 A 30 P. Kopitar missed the first SJ series and has 11 G 18 A 29 P is 33 games. Doughty brings it in the playoffs.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Well, I think that's the difference between the blues and sharks. The Blues won two games on lucky gaffes. The Sharks goals were gems and well deserved. You can see them adjusting to Quicks aggressive style where he comes way out to challenge to initial shot. The key is to almost have a guy behind him.

Very curious to see how game 3 turns out.

kINGS HAve to make sure they tie up the observers next to the net...everyone seems to be trying the Lidstrom play on us now. That is, miss the net on purpose and bang home the carom.

But...that record. That record is immense. especially when you consider we haven't even come close to playing a full 60 this playoff season. We're winning games and players are coming out and saying "not good enough" to reporters

 

[ElKingsFan92]

I', sure it's been said, but Quick seemed a bit rattled after that second goal. With that said though, Quickers was bananas tonight for the most part. I feel like the D is leaving too much space out there for SJ's forwards to do what they please which leaves Quick out to dry and make desperate saves. I mean, they weren't bad, but tighten up a little there boys.

On a more positive note, holy **** guys. What a ******* comeback. I was really worried there for a second there when Kopi went down and it looked like we were heading 1-1 into the Shark Tank without Kopi or Stoll, but man. This team proved to me tonight that they really are a unique kind of special. They're beyond just champions. What a victory. Go Kings GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


p.s. I'm a little not sober right now.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

My God was Staples Center rocking tonight. It seemed like the building went silent after Kopitar went down, but when he returned to the bench and the Rocky music started to play, it's as if the Hockey Gods breathed new life into the Kings and their pressure caused the Sharks to buckle and collapse.

I know Sharks fans are all up in arms about the officiating, but realize that it all evens out in the end. They had plenty of opportunities to capitalize as well with the man advantage and failed to do so. I do like how some of the members of the Sharks team handled it though and refrained from whining about the calls.

 

[Live in the Now]

The first Sharks goal was a great example of how you can beat Quick. But it requires incredibly accurate passing, creative thinking, and timing. That won't happen too often.

One thing I found lacking in our game tonight was a shutdown line presence. To be honest that does concern me a little as the team heads up north.

It was a great win, the best so far this season. This team has a ton of heart.

 

[Papa Mocha 15]

sorry - that wasn't a jinx post - i'm more scared of you guys than SJ...but am happier to face you for a great series, if that makes any sense...so it's not a passive aggressive jinx.

if we beat you...i think we'll win the cup (jinx ) ... b/c i think you're the toughest competition out there (east or west) and i think if we can beat you then we can beat anyone.

outside of you, i think the hawks toughest competition would be the bruins...but that's for another thread and another day.

any way...no jinxes..hopefully you win two more and we win 3 more (and raffi hits the golf course )

I'd be happier if someone hit Raffi in the head. Not sure what it will take to get the guy to play the game and not the player.

But either way, not looking too far ahead. A lot of hockey to be played and SJ at home is gonna be rough. Celebrate for 5 minutes, then business as usual.

 

[Papa Mocha 15]

The first Sharks goal was a great example of how you can beat Quick. But it requires incredibly accurate passing, creative thinking, and timing. That won't happen too often.

One thing I found lacking in our game tonight was a shutdown line presence. To be honest that does concern me a little as the team heads up north.

I was thinking that. It would be great to have Greene and Regher (whatever on the spelling) play the same game. Two punishing D Men to clear the crease, which breaks up a lot of that timing. Next season is gonna be a blast if 44 is a keeper and 2 comes back healthy.

 

[etherialone]

Wonder if Bailey was hanging out with the dude in the bunny suit.

Are you sure it was a dude?

 

[CowMix]

Jon Rosen ‏@lakingsinsider 1m
Justin Williams' last shift came with 6:44 to play in the third period.

Crap Williams injured???

 

[ElKingsFan92]

Jon Rosen ‏@lakingsinsider 1m
Justin Williams' last shift came with 6:44 to play in the third period.

Crap Williams injured???

Jesus, if I wasn't already sweating bullets with Kopi possibly being down during the game...

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Jon Rosen ‏@lakingsinsider 1m
Justin Williams' last shift came with 6:44 to play in the third period.

Crap Williams injured???

Injury or benching? I was at the game so I didn't notice an injury, though I did notice that Williams was not playing very well. The top line was out of sink tonight.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

That should read sync, not sink, which I'm sure Kopitar head his face over after taking a puck to the face.

 

[Steve Zissou]

Let's keep in mind that the Blues had 2-0 lead and all the momentum like we do now.

True, but The Blues were a young team in the 1st round of the playoffs against the defending Stanley Cup Champions, not the other way around.

 

[SDGolfer]

Sutter is hilarious lol. "costco"

Those Costco glasses are awesome. I use them everyday.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Oh man...if there's anything sweeter than the win tonight, it's watching our 'other' regional 'rivals' absolutely melt down