The Kings had won 9 straight games - Anaheim had won 9 straight at home.
Something had to give.
Alexander Frolov began the scoring as he spun, backhanded a pass to the front of the net where
Oscar Moller also used his backhand to slip the puck past
Jonas Hiller for his 3rd goal of the season and a 1-0 lead.
The Kings mental mistakes cost them late in the period. With
Matt Greene being pressured by the Ducks he shot the puck over the glass for a delay of game penalty. 30 seconds later the Kings were caught with too many men on the ice and the Ducks had a 5 on 3 for 1:30. Following a remarkable
Jonathan Quick save off Teeme Selanne, he eventually scored from a sharp angle and tied the game.
As expected, 36 hits were dished out between both clubs in the first period.
The Ducks dominance continued in the 2nd period.
Davis Drewiske, playing his first game since January 4th and
Oscar Moller both couldn’t find the puck against the boards.
Corey Perry did and backhanded a pass to
Ryan Getzlaf in front for a 2-1 lead.
Matt Greene took his 2nd penalty of the game.
Corey Perry appeared to score on the PP but was waived off. It didn’t matter. Seconds later
Saku Koivu took a Teemu pass. 3-1.
The magic that is
Ryan Smyth and
Anze Kopitar on the power play continued to be deadly. Kopitar scored just as the penalty expired for his 27th of the season. But 24 seconds later
Corey Perry went coast to coast and a quick wrister made it a 2 goal lead again heading into the 3rd.
As expected, 55 hits were dished out between both clubs in the first two periods.
The Kings threw everything they could at
Jonas Hiller in the 3rd period. 18 shots, but Hiller was well rested and up to the task stopping 35 of 37.
As expected, 70 hits were dished out between both clubs during the game.
During the Kings 9 game win streak, the Kings came from behind in 6 of them. They couldn’t make it 7.
The last time the Ducks lost at home was December 8th, 2009
The Ducks had 2 days off following their last game against the Kings last Thursday. They deserved it after a grueling 6 game road trip.
Ryan Smyth was hurt in the middle of the 1st period when he got caught by a
Drew Doughty slap shot but came back to start the 2nd.
Rob Scuderi left the game with 8 minutes left in the 2nd and did not return – "Flu-like symptoms." (Hopefully not a euphemism for "got pounded and now has a mild concussion")
Ryan Getzlaf twisted his ankle in a collision with
Dustin Brown in the 2nd and did not return – xrays were negative but more tests will be made tomorrow
I wouldn’t be surprised if
Richard Clune is added to the roster after the Olympic break.
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YES, THE KINGS ARE PLAYOFF BOUND
With 23 games to go, the Kings have an 11 point lead on the 9th place Red Wings.
This means, even if the Kings play less than .500 the rest of the way (11-12), the Red Wings will have to go 18-6 the rest of the season. Not impossible, but a tough hill to climb.
I think its safe to say you can start saving for your playoff tickets
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TRADE TALK
Ethan Moreau, one of Dean Lombardi’s targets is apparently about to be dealt to an East Coast team.
A lot of talk has centered around the free agent to be
Alexander Frolov – He’s not going anywhere folks. There are very few players in the league that can puck possess as well as he can and that will certainly help the Kings in the playoffs. He’s been an integral part of the “core” this season and could be the one player that busts out in the playoffs.
Ray Whitney is still a Hurricane – By Friday, he won’t be.
The Miami Herald is reporting Florida GM Randy Sexton said Saturday night that he has spoken to every other GM in the league, saying he has as many as nine different trade scenarios in the works.
So, which Florida players would the Kings be targeting?
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Moncrief the Magnificent?
Saturday night after the Kings win, Examiner reporter Jon Moncrief and I were catching up on trade talk and the next coach to possible be relieved of his duties when he said to me: “I tell you what, I think (Bob) Gainey gets fired this week.”
I just asked him for Tuesday’s MegaMillions numbers.
No, I’m not telling you.
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