Kings adds to St. Louis' blues
Game 4: Kings 2, Blues 1The Kings, heading out on the longest road trip of the season, matched up with another young team on the rise in St. Louis. After chasing off Nabokov in the San Jose game, and facing back-up netminder Josh Harding in the Minnesota match, this would be a good opportunity to see how the Kings play against Chris Mason. Could the Kings continue to score seemingly at will?
The end result: The Kings only scored two goals, but played a solid enough defensive game, killing off all five of their penalties, en route to a 2-1 score. Each line continued to grow cohesive, and the Kings' plan of rolling out three potential scoring lines continues to confound foes. And Jonny (Don't Call Me Jonathon) Quick produced a 29-save performance.
A scary moment occured when Drew Doughty took a Erik Johnson shot to the chops in the second period. My biggest fear about this team is succumbing to injuries. But Doughty was back out there in the third, cape and all, and continued to show why he's destined for greatness. Then again, there's always the possibility of a concussion...
It was a surreal scene in the sports department last night. Usually, I'm relegated to listening to the games online as I work, since the televisions are glued to the MLB Playoffs. But since the Dodgers made quick work of the Cardinals to advance to the NLCS, interest quickly turned to the Florida/LSU game, and I was able to secure one of the TVs for hockey. And who did I happen to catch in the second intermission joining Bob Miller? None other than Rich Hammond... WEARING A TIE!
I've known Rich for a couple of years, and I have never seen him in a tie, let alone a suit. I know that he's made it clear that he's still covering the team as he always has, and for the most part he has. His LAKingsInsider blog has picked up where his Daily News Kings Insider blog left off. But he wasn't dressed like a sportswriter last night. Most sportswriters I know rarely wear button-up shirts, let alone a tie. Mostly, they wear old swag t-shirts or beat-up polo shirts and old jeans. Oh Rich, you have forsaken us! I kid, of course. Then again, now Rich is making the big bucks now, I doubt he's going to go Ric Flair on us and become a kiss-stealing, wheeling, dealing, jet-flying, limousine-riding son-of-a-gun' either. Keep it real, Rich.
Onward to Monday and the New Yawk Islanders...
• AP: It's Quick and easy as Kings win third straight
"We put an emphasis on our defensive zone, blocking shots and limiting their amount of scoring chances," Quick said. "Our PK did great tonight, which was good to see because we've been struggling the past couple of games."• Yahoo: Team report
Murray emphasized the value of shot-blocking, something that served the Kings well when they beat the St. Louis Blues 2-1 on Saturday night. The Kings play the second of a season-long six-game road trip Monday against the New York Islanders.• LAKings.com: Kings beat Blues, 2-1
The Kings won their third consecutive game to improve to 3-1. Five games remain on this season-long road trip, but there were many positive signs, most notably with the penalty-kill unit, which had succeeded just four times in 11 chances in the first three games.They said it
"It requires the goaltender, and I thought Quicker was real good there tonight with a couple huge stops, again the blocking of some of those point shots. There's that desperation that is very contagious, and hopefully we can just build on this." — Kings coach Terry Murray, on his team's strong penalty-killing effort.Around the Kingdom
• LAKingsInsider: Jack Jumping (Up)
“I think it’s just about having more confidence. I’ve said it before: if you have confidence, it’s everything. You can have the tools to do it, but if you’re not confident, things just aren’t going to work as well," said Johnson• LAKingsNews: Kings hold on for dear life in St. Louis
Coming into his own was Jack Johnson, who was highly impressive tonight. Johnson’s offensive instincts are coursing powerfully through his veins, and his physical nature is being forced upon those who dare try to cross him. T.J. Oshie learned this lesson the hard way when he flew across the blue line with speed and attempted a move around Johnson, who dominantly put Oshie on his hind quarters, snuffing any momentum the Blue’s prior penalty kill had generated. Johnson was pesky all night, giving many a Blue face-washes to remember.• The Royal Half: LA Story
Suck it, Midwest! The City of Los Angeles just opened up a huge can of whip-ass on 2 of the 3 major sports teams in your sleepy city.• The Throne Room: Defense and Goaltending Help the Kings Leave St. Louis Blue
Good night for Los Angeles sports franchises in St. Louis. Not only did the Dodgers advance to the NLDS by sweeping the Cardinals with a 5-1 victory, the Kings beat the St. Louis Blues 2-1 at Scottrade center to kick off their longest road trip of the season.• Caligiuri's Corner: The WOW Factor
The Dodgers know the Kings are here, and the Kings know the Dodgers are here. Both were watching the other like an owl watches a rabbit. The men who get wow’d by nothing, experiencing the “wow factor” once again - reciprocating each other in sheer wowness. (Ed. note: I'm really digging Joe's blog, seemingly coming out of nowhere and giving Kings fans with some real insider stuff)• Frozen Royalty: Ryan Smyth Already Making A Big Impact
The2009-10 season is still very, very young. But with the impact Smyth hasalready had on this young Kings team, what lies ahead for them in amonth? January? How about March and April?• Kings Kool-Aid: How often do the Kings get off to such a good start (and does it mean anything?)
• HFBoards: Kings v. Blues. Post Game THOUGHTS & TIDBITS
• LetsGoKings: GDT - Los Angeles Kings @ St. Louis Blues - 10/10/09
From across the aisle, the St. Louis viewpoint
• St. Louis Dispatch: Blues fall short again
L.A. led only 1-0 after one period on a power-play goal by Ryan Smyth, but as Blues coach Andy Murray elaborated after the game, "we got outplayed ... definitely the first 34-35 minutes ... no question ... dominated."• St. Louis Game Time: Sugar-Coating Is For Suckers; Blues Blow In Defeat.
# I don't want to say the attitude in the stands has quite reached sky-is-falling yet, but I have had several people make the comment that watching these last two games has been a lot like watching a game from 2006.• STLToday forums: Doughty Impressive!
Bluenatic: What a stud. He's got to be one of the top 2 or 3 young d-men in the league. He was all over the place and looked very poised. The Kings have some young talent for sure.• HFBoards: Blues (2-1-0) vs. Kings (2-1-0) Oct. 10
StLRams041: He's good but a tad overrated. Last year against my Sabres he had an absolutely brutal game. Derek Roy undressed him on a 1 on 1 breakaway. I think Zach Bogosian was the best defenseman from last year's draft.
mph6689_new: I thought Doughty looked really really good. He lookedgood defensivley, especially in the neutral zone with some step ups andblocks. The guy was all over the place.
10 ft. pole: These are my two favorite teams to watch in the West rite now. As a Kingsfan I am very excited. You guys have an absolutely stacked team from top to bottom. Us playing you guys so tight and barely holding onto the win lets us know we are playing well. Can't wait to see you guys in the playoffs. Cream of the crop for the next two years in the NHL is Washington and Pittsburgh in the East and St. Louis and LA in the West.Peeping the dailies
Kovalchuk89: As a Kings fan im saying that our PK is horrible, but watch out for our first line they are dangerous offensivly and our 3rd line in my opinion is one of the best shutdown lines in the NHL that can stop any teams 1st line, however I know that the Blues have amazing young talent that are just waiting to break out just like the Kings.
• NHL.com
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