my HIV test
- watsonnostaw

Magic!

He snapped at a question when a reporter asked if the Devils need more from Kovalchuk and Parise, he complained the whistle should have been blown on the Kings first goal.
- PLindbergh31

I would be doing the same thing if I was the Coach. His job right now is to rally his team. Defend his players, and politic for the next call. In countless situations that puck would've been blown dead.

I would be doing the same thing if I was the Coach. His job right now is to rally his team. Defend his players, and politic for the next call. In countless situations that puck would've been blown dead.
- MJL

His team is toast. They can't score on the Kings.

Papelbon giving up triples to .220 hitting shortstops.
- PLindbergh31

you're such a complainer.

AFTER HE WAS STRUCK OUT.

IN A NON SAVE SITUATION.

NEVER PUT A CLOSER IN A NONSAVE SITUATION. I'VE SAID IT SINCE I WAS 15. IT NEVER WORKS. FOR ANY CLOSER. EVER. SO STOP DOING IT.

LOUD FRICKIN NOISES.
- Giroux_Is_God

It was a tie game in the 9th inning, at that point the closer for the home team isn't going to get a save chance, have to bring in your best relief pitcher in a tie game at home. Every manager does it.

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/blogs/cassiecampbell/2011/10/kings-have-found-leader-in-richards.html

written Oct 3rd


Richards has yet to win the Stanley Cup, but let's not forget he has a Calder Trophy, a Memorial Cup, a World Junior Championship Gold Medal (he captained the 2005 Canadian Dream Team) and an Olympic Gold. The fact of the matter is that Richards never underachieves in big games.

My guess is there will be big games for him in the near future in LA!
- Feeling_Glucky

If Richards was still in Philly, the Flyers wouldn't be in the finals right now.... My guess is the Kings still would be.

I am a fan of Richards and wished he wasn't traded but it worked out well for both teams.

AFTER HE WAS STRUCK OUT.

IN A NON SAVE SITUATION.

NEVER PUT A CLOSER IN A NONSAVE SITUATION. I'VE SAID IT SINCE I WAS 15. IT NEVER WORKS. FOR ANY CLOSER. EVER. SO STOP DOING IT.

LOUD FRICKIN NOISES.
- Giroux_Is_God

Most teams will use the closer in the top of the 9th in a tie game.

yep and they lost 4 straight to these same Devils..
- Feeling_Glucky

This Flyers team wasn't even supposed to get that far. They blew away every expectation we had. This was supposed to be a rebuild year. Regardless of how they played against the Debs, this season is a huge success.

AFTER HE WAS STRUCK OUT.

IN A NON SAVE SITUATION.

NEVER PUT A CLOSER IN A NONSAVE SITUATION. I'VE SAID IT SINCE I WAS 15. IT NEVER WORKS. FOR ANY CLOSER. EVER. SO STOP DOING IT.

LOUD FRICKIN NOISES.
- Giroux_Is_God

are you on the ryne sandberg bandwagon sir

I agree with the NHL Network guys that the first goal should have been blown before it went it.... but Brodeur has gotten so many of those stupid goalie interference calls over the years (and past days/weeks), deal with it Marty.

If Richards was still in Philly, the Flyers wouldn't be in the finals right now.... My guess is the Kings still would be.

I am a fan of Richards and wished he wasn't traded but it worked out well for both teams.
- rayc16

You are underestimating Richards contribution in leadership and on the ice. Penalty killing has been amazing and he takes pressure off Kopitar..

It was a tie game in the 9th inning, at that point the closer for the home team isn't going to get a save chance, have to bring in your best relief pitcher in a tie game at home. Every manager does it.
- PLindbergh31

They dont have anyone else to go to thats the problem.

His team is toast. They can't score on the Kings.
- stveshdy

That may be true. But should he tell his team that or announce that at the press conference. I know you know the answer to that.

On another note, I don't know how you can be in the Finals and be labeled embarrassing. Hard to fathom that logic.

If Richards was still in Philly, the Flyers wouldn't be in the finals right now.... My guess is the Kings still would be.

I am a fan of Richards and wished he wasn't traded but it worked out well for both teams.
- rayc16

2well

Most teams will use the closer in the top of the 9th in a tie game.
- MJL

I know. I hate it.

A closer feeds off that adrenaline rush of "saving" the game. It's just the way it is. It's not there in a non save situation. It's not the same mindset. And they get knocked around.

I hate seeing Chuck call the closer out in a tie game in the top of the 9th at home. Hate it. I blow a gasket every time.

And I know it's not only the Phils, but what do I care if other teams do it for- especially if the Phightins are playin them

His team is toast. They can't score on the Kings.
- stveshdy

meaningless Quick shutout.

You are underestimating Richards contribution in leadership and on the ice. Penalty killing has been amazing and he takes pressure off Kopitar..
- Feeling_Glucky

Philly was holding him back from being the "true" player he is. This is a cursed city where careers are ruined.

They dont have anyone else to go to thats the problem.
- stveshdy

Papelbon has been pretty good. He got beat tonight by a lousy hitter, it happens sometimes. Phils needed that game tonight.

That may be true. But should he tell his team that or announce that at the press conference. I know you know the answer to that.

On another note, I don't know how you can be in the Finals and be labeled embarrassing. Hard to fathom that logic.
- MJL

Because there's zero (frank)ing logic being employed with that kind of statement.

Some folks should just get a thesaurus.

are you on the ryne sandberg bandwagon sir
- flyfan1212

No comment.

I'm honestly indifferent to the manager. I don't think Ryne Sandberg can manage a team to the playoffs with Hector Luna batting (frank)ing cleanup any better than Connie Mack or Charlie Manuel can....

Philly was holding him back from being the "true" player he is. This is a cursed city where careers are ruined.
- stveshdy

He was amazing in Philly too. Killed the Habs in 10.

You are underestimating Richards contribution in leadership and on the ice. Penalty killing has been amazing and he takes pressure off Kopitar..
- Feeling_Glucky

The additions of Carter and Richards have set up that entire team dynamic. It has enabled the Kings to move players into roles that they are best suited fo. An example is having Stoll as a 3rd line Center instead of a 2nd line Center. And Carter adds that big goal scoring Winger dynamic to the team. As well as Carter and Richards fitting in well to the Kings style because they are both strong defensively. Add that to what the kings already had which was very strong, and you've got a great team.

That may be true. But should he tell his team that or announce that at the press conference. I know you know the answer to that.

On another note, I don't know how you can be in the Finals and be labeled embarrassing. Hard to fathom that logic.
- MJL

I don't think overall they are embarrassing bc the games were close. However tonight they got destroyed/dominated and that can be embarrassing. Its only one game but that game tonight was pretty much the series.

not surprised by these finals...I liked LAs d and goalie by a wide margin.

I'm also not squeamish watching the kings beat the NJ like a drum, I'm lovin it. I think most of us here liked the trades we made and we recognized that carter and Richards weren't likely to get it done here as the lead dogs. sometimes trades are just what certain plyrs need to take that nxt step. add to that, Richards wasn't exactly sterling during the reg season and carter had his annual foot injury earlier in the yr...also don't mind seeing gags get his name on the cup.

go LA

I agree with the NHL Network guys that the first goal should have been blown before it went it.... but Brodeur has gotten so many of those stupid goalie interference calls over the years (and past days/weeks), deal with it Marty.
- eayost

He lost sight of it no doubt. The replay angle confirmed it. But he could also see that Marty was not making an attempt to cover it with his glove. A goalie doesn't have to have it covered with his glove though. I agree with MJL that that would have been blown dead by 95% of the refs 95% of the time.