Game 19: Avalanche 4, Kings 3 (shootout)

Well, the game was certainly telling. And even though the Kings lost, it was a good barometer of where they are as a club right now. Good, but not good enough.

Even though the game seemed secondary next to the unveiling of the new alternate jersey, which I'll be posting more about later, there was plenty to be excited about. The fact that the Kings took the lead in the third behind the scoring of the top line, it looks as though Brown, Kopitar and O'Sullivan should be linemates for the foreseeable future.

But with the good comes the bad, and when John Zeiler ran Adam Foote head-first into the boards, it cast the game in a bad light. It would be one thing if Zeiler wasn't known as a skater who doesn't ram into the boards with the frequency of a bumper car at the L.A.County Fair. Said former King Ian Laperriere after the game:

“He’s a young player and he wants to make a big impression, but that’s the wrong way to do it. You can be physical without being dirty — and it was a dirty hit from behind. I mean, those hits have to stop before somebody gets killed. The league can do so much, suspension-wise, but as players we’ve got to be smarter—coaches, too.”

Not to justify what Zeiler did was right, but Foote had hit several Kings earlier in the game. Foote's been known to add a little english to his hits, so I'm not entirely crying over what happened. Still, I never like to see injuries on the ice. Ever.

The Kings had one more shot than the Avs did (30-29) marking the tenth straight game the team has outshot their opponents. Another usual stat: Drew Doughty led the Kings in ice time. Again. Lock him up, Dean!

• AP:  Avalanche beat Kings for 8th straight shootout win

“They’re a young team, they work hard, and we knew they were going to until the end.," said Laperriere. It’s a huge win for our team. We’re not winning as many games as we want to, but we’re playing good hockey.”

• LA Times:  Kings lose lead and the game

• Daily News: Kings fire blanks in shootout loss

• Yahoo: Kings team report

Looking through purple-hued glasses

• The Royal Half: Jersey girl

This was a game that the Los Angeles Kings should have won. 18 year old Drew Doughty is a total stud. Blah, blah blah let's talk about that awesome new jersey!

• I suggest you click on Chris's link. He has a complete breakdown of the night at Staples

• Purple Crushed Velvet: Zeiler? Are You Kidding Me?

In 3:25 of ice time, Zeiler caused the team to be shorthanded for 5 minutes, which would have been more if the Avs didn't get a 2 minute penalty on the same play. In fact, Zeiler accumulated 19 minutes in penalties and was only on the ice for 3:25. Even if you don't include the 10-minute game misconduct, Zeiler had almost 3 times as many minutes in penalties than he did playing on the ice. Derek Armstrong must feel like absolute crap knowing that Zeiler is in the lineup and he's sitting on the sidelines.

• Inside Hockey: Kings come back, then lose

I asked him whether he would continue with his strategy of taking the first turn in the shootout, and he said, “Do you think I need to change it?” and chuckled. Then he went on.
“Well, you know, two years ago I think it was, the visiting team shot first. The Board of Governors changed that. They felt that if you were the home team you should have the option. If you were to shoot first and score the first goal, it puts more pressure on the opposing team. I felt tonight that the way we came out and played in the third period we could score that first goal with the first shooter [O’Sullivan] and it would maybe work that way. Didn’t happen.”

• Frozen Royalty: Avalanche Squeak Past Kings, 4-3 (SO)

From the other side of the ice, the Colorado view

• Denver Post: Scary injury for Foote dampens Avs' victory

• All Things Avs: Lappy: "It's a lack of respect

I think Zeiler’s hit was dirty because he extended his right arm and shoulder out and followed through to Foote’s head and body with all his momentum. I think it’s a lead pipe cinch Zeiler will be suspended, but the bigger issue is the accumulation of these kinds of hits in the game.

• Mile High Hockey: The bad guys always wear black... and always lose

The hit from behind was bad enough, but the fact that Zeiler used his arm to propel Foote even harder was just inexcusable. Foote dropped hard to the ice and didn't move for some time. It looked like he would be leaving the ice on a stretcher, but eventually skated off with some help. He did not return. Zeiler was tossed from the game (which probably saved his bacon).

Kings-related news

• ESPN: This season's Calder race lacks big-name attraction, but not competition

You could easily argue that the most impressive rookie right now is not among the top scorers. At only 18, Doughty leads all NHL rookies in ice time at nearly 23 minutes per game, easing his way into the world's top hockey league in what many believe is the most difficult position to learn at that level.

• Lets Go Kings:  A Designer's Labor of Love

•  LGK: Designing the Jersey is Just Step One

• The Fourth Period:  Maybe the Q is part of the A

• The Northwest Voice:  LA Kings .500 feels like the playoffs