good job Jason. been a pleasure reading your breakdown/recaps. easily one of the best bloggers on this site. kings turned a blowout into a nail biter last night, still got some fight in them. just waiting for the inevitable soul crushing collapse. hopefully the sharks will prove me wrong this year.

Not 100 but I think the Sharks blocked more shots than you guys last night. I would say our D has been more effective than you want to credit. Still love you though
- BeastModeS62

They probably did block more but still, the problem seems to be trying to pass the puck into the net rather than putting shots on net. To get 3 combined shots from half of your top 6 is unacceptable. Kings are playing soft right now. Sutter is not getting the most of his guys right and DeBoered is. Must be very gratifying for Jones right now.

4. hope that one or both of scuderi/greene retires to give cap space and that can break in gravel/forbort on the 3rd pair in the reg season.
- hiway39

Scuderi had 2.5 million reasons to NOT retire and each and every one make cents. The one that should return the loyalty factor and retire is Brown. Stop stealing the cap space and just go away. Practice some insubordination when Sutter taps you to go out and stay on the bench.

Would you be more mad if it was Anaheim instead and you faced them?
- RafiDRW

A big fat YES!

I don't care for SJ but I despise that team to the south. Id rather SJ win the cup than that team and that's saying something

They probably did block more but still, the problem seems to be trying to pass the puck into the net rather than putting shots on net. To get 3 combined shots from half of your top 6 is unacceptable. Kings are playing soft right now. Sutter is not getting the most of his guys right and DeBoered is. Must be very gratifying for Jones right now.
- Stu17

25 blocked shots is where your top line is not getting them through. Not saying all were from your top. Jonesy is a solid block of awesome, glad he had the time under Quicky. We finally have a goalie that can win a playoff game.

A big fat YES!

I don't care for SJ but I despise that team to the south. Id rather SJ win the cup than that team and that's saying something
- KINGS67

At least Kings and Shark dudes have one thing in common, say NO to Duhhcks

good job Jason. been a pleasure reading your breakdown/recaps. easily one of the best bloggers on this site. kings turned a blowout into a nail biter last night, still got some fight in them. just waiting for the inevitable soul crushing collapse. hopefully the sharks will prove me wrong this year.
- fat-mac

Welcome to the board, good to have more Shark fans to bs with

At least Kings and Shark dudes have one thing in common, say NO to Duhhcks
- BeastModeS62

I cant believe I even thought this, let alone typing it out loud, but if it doesn't end up being a Sharks/Blues WCF, I don't even know if i'll watch anything after next round...

Scuderi had 2.5 million reasons to NOT retire and each and every one make cents. The one that should return the loyalty factor and retire is Brown. Stop stealing the cap space and just go away. Practice some insubordination when Sutter taps you to go out and stay on the bench.
- Stu17

And Brown has 32 million reasons not to leave. So we all know that is not happening, and no one will touch his contract. So the team is stuck.

And Brown has 32 million reasons not to leave. So we all know that is not happening, and no one will touch his contract. So the team is stuck.
- Regulate

teams will touch his contract when he's dealt with a pick or prospect and they can use the leadership. but he has some form of no movement clause i thought, which hampers things...

the Kings have problems with personnel and systems

The power play is a freaking joke.

we have 2 good defensemen

and a crap load of underachievers up front.

this series is indeed over, so making plans for the summer?

I would get rid of Brown Lucic and McNaab, possibly even Dwight King.
Scuds can go, greene can go and the probably should.

At some point you have to let the next wave of D into the line up and some forwards as well.

the Kings have problems with personnel and systems

The power play is a freaking joke.

we have 2 good defensemen

and a crap load of underachievers up front.

this series is indeed over, so making plans for the summer?

I would get rid of Brown Lucic and McNaab, possibly even Dwight King.
Scuds can go, greene can go and the probably should.

At some point you have to let the next wave of D into the line up and some forwards as well.
- MikeOxbyg

What size wave are you talking? <3? maybe. otherwise you're talking about full rebuild and that isn't necessary.
Scuds and Greene CANT go because no one will want them. We'll need to package Brown and a considerable chunk of your "wave" to get his anchor off the books, but it will be worth it.
A healthy AMart and one more solid Dman is what is needed.

Has there been any actual info on what is wrong with Martinez? I know typically injury info isn't released during the playoffs, but I'm curious if he aggravated his previous injury or if he actually injured something new.

Has there been any actual info on what is wrong with Martinez? I know typically injury info isn't released during the playoffs, but I'm curious if he aggravated his previous injury or if he actually injured something new.
- WaterVsAnchor

Groin injury is what I heard and guessing it was aggravated when he came back too soon.

the Kings have problems with personnel and systems

The power play is a freaking joke.

we have 2 good defensemen

and a crap load of underachievers up front.

this series is indeed over, so making plans for the summer?

I would get rid of Brown Lucic and McNaab, possibly even Dwight King.
Scuds can go, greene can go and the probably should.

At some point you have to let the next wave of D into the line up and some forwards as well.
- MikeOxbyg

Speaking of next wave Dmen. I hope LaDue signs with the Kings.

Scuderi should be playing as much as he did last night, IMO. He's the team's 2nd-best defender. Perhaps that's sad, considering his age and declining ability, but that's more of a reflection of how unreliable the blue line is after Doughty. Scuderi still has very good defensive awareness and decision making, which is more than can be said about the rest. Muzzin (whom this blog compared his ice time to as if it was a bad thing), particularly, had numerous glaring mistakes last night that led to rushes against that his teammates had to bail him out for. The game could've easily been 2-0 SJ in the 1st if not for a superb save by Quick and then a superb stick by Schenn. Speaking of Schenn, he doesn't get enough credit for being a safety net.

Scuderi's defensive responsibility is what LA needs more of if they want to grind out wins, IMO. Just look at what Vlasic, one of the best defensive defensemen in the league, is doing to LA's top scorers. We were told before the series that he's inferior to Muzzin, but what looks more valuable now, his stifling of LA's stars or Muzzin's 3 points in the series? Defense tends to not be appreciated enough even though it's what wins series and Cups. If you're defensively irresponsible, these SJ forwards will make you pay. LA has to shut them down, and Scuderi is the best that the team has for that, after Doughty. Considering that, for the first time all series, SJ didn't score any even strength goals last night, perhaps the decision to significantly ramp up Scuderi's minutes isn't as questionable as we're being led to believe. The trick now is to stay out of the penalty box (and play better on the penalty kill).

Welcome to the board, good to have more Shark fans to bs with
- BeastModeS62

Hey, thanks. Been lurking around for awhile, figured I'd join in on the discussion.

Hey, thanks. Been lurking around for awhile, figured I'd join in on the discussion.
- fat-mac

These Kings dudes are pretty cool, they will give you poop but they love their hockey. Our board was freakin dead so I came in here because the Kings board always has more life plus the obvious we are in a playoff im sure you know all this from lurking so I will shut up now

These Kings dudes are pretty cool, they will give you poop but they love their hockey. Our board was freakin dead so I came in here because the Kings board always has more life plus the obvious we are in a playoff im sure you know all this from lurking so I will shut up now
- BeastModeS62

Haha, yeah as far as opposing fans go you're good in my book. It's fun to have the back and forth banter. Sharks simply have been the better team thus far and have earned the 3-1 series lead. Having said that, I'd strongly recommend (if you're a Sharks fan that is) to finish the Kings off tomorrow night. With the championship experience this team has of overcoming series deficits combined with the Sharks struggles, it's imperative for them to step on their throats when they're down. If not, watch out. Kings still only have to hold serve at home and win a single game on the road to advance. Kings should play loose tomorrow and have fun. They've won their cups, playin' with house money as far as I'm concerned. Should be a fun game to watch.

Scuderi should be playing as much as he did last night, IMO. He's the team's 2nd-best defender. Perhaps that's sad, considering his age and declining ability, but that's more of a reflection of how unreliable the blue line is after Doughty. Scuderi still has very good defensive awareness and decision making, which is more than can be said about the rest. Muzzin (whom this blog compared his ice time to as if it was a bad thing), particularly, had numerous glaring mistakes last night that led to rushes against that his teammates had to bail him out for. The game could've easily been 2-0 SJ in the 1st if not for a superb save by Quick and then a superb stick by Schenn. Speaking of Schenn, he doesn't get enough credit for being a safety net.

Scuderi's defensive responsibility is what LA needs more of if they want to grind out wins, IMO. Just look at what Vlasic, one of the best defensive defensemen in the league, is doing to LA's top scorers. We were told before the series that he's inferior to Muzzin, but what looks more valuable now, his stifling of LA's stars or Muzzin's 3 points in the series? Defense tends to not be appreciated enough even though it's what wins series and Cups. If you're defensively irresponsible, these SJ forwards will make you pay. LA has to shut them down, and Scuderi is the best that the team has for that, after Doughty. Considering that, for the first time all series, SJ didn't score any even strength goals last night, perhaps the decision to significantly ramp up Scuderi's minutes isn't as questionable as we're being led to believe. The trick now is to stay out of the penalty box (and play better on the penalty kill).
- Osprey

K

At least Kings aren't first to be eliminated

This team just didnt show up to play playoff hockey this year. You don't win games by out hitting opponent

Haha, yeah as far as opposing fans go you're good in my book. It's fun to have the back and forth banter. Sharks simply have been the better team thus far and have earned the 3-1 series lead. Having said that, I'd strongly recommend (if you're a Sharks fan that is) to finish the Kings off tomorrow night. With the championship experience this team has of overcoming series deficits combined with the Sharks struggles, it's imperative for them to step on their throats when they're down. If not, watch out. Kings still only have to hold serve at home and win a single game on the road to advance. Kings should play loose tomorrow and have fun. They've won their cups, playin' with house money as far as I'm concerned. Should be a fun game to watch.
- Woodysdemise

agreed about finishing LA off tomorrow, posted something similar over on the Sharks thread. The longer this series goes the more the 3-0 collapse is gonna creep into the heads of the Sharks core. How much do the Kings miss Justin Williams? From what I recall, dude was clutch in the playoffs, especially against San Jose 2 years ago.

agreed about finishing LA off tomorrow, posted something similar over on the Sharks thread. The longer this series goes the more the 3-0 collapse is gonna creep into the heads of the Sharks core. How much do the Kings miss Justin Williams? From what I recall, dude was clutch in the playoffs, especially against San Jose 2 years ago.
- fat-mac

Answer: a lot. Williams was possibly the single most clutch player I've seen. Absolutely money when it mattered most. Having said that, not having Williams is not why the Kings are losing this series so far. The defense is a shell of its former self. Losing Marrinez seems to have been somewhat of a death blow up to this point. Kings basically need to play Doughty and Muzz over half the game every night to give themselves a good chance at winning hockey games. Scuderi and Schenn have been decent at defending, but their lack of speed is a major, major issue. Mcnabb and Mcbain seem to be mostly fillers.

Haha, yeah as far as opposing fans go you're good in my book. It's fun to have the back and forth banter. Sharks simply have been the better team thus far and have earned the 3-1 series lead. Having said that, I'd strongly recommend (if you're a Sharks fan that is) to finish the Kings off tomorrow night. With the championship experience this team has of overcoming series deficits combined with the Sharks struggles, it's imperative for them to step on their throats when they're down. If not, watch out. Kings still only have to hold serve at home and win a single game on the road to advance. Kings should play loose tomorrow and have fun. They've won their cups, playin' with house money as far as I'm concerned. Should be a fun game to watch.
- Woodysdemise

Trust me Im not celebrating until we get win 4, Quick is deadly. I want to say hes probably worst case scenario first round matchup, not sure goalies on other playoff teams can hold a candle to him.

K








- Jason_Lewis

nice. Hey Lewis keep up the good posts, I read everytime the teams meet up.