Prediction Panel: Feb. 9 Kings vs. Panthers
One of these days, I'm gonna tally an exact guess, and Thursday's game might be it. I need something to boost me up in the ratings, being at 1-3 is a bit humbling.
This will be a gritty game, with both teams deadlocked in a defensive struggle. The Panthers will want to strike first, but L.A.'s defense and the stellar goaltending of Jonny Quick will send it to the shootout.
Remember it was the Panthers, and specifically Sean Burgenheim, who knocked Mike Richards out of their first matchup this season way back in December. Richards was lost for 8 games, and the Kings spiraled enough to cost Terry Murray his job.
I'll venture to say Kyle Clifford will register a Gordie Howe hat trick and Richards scores the eventual game-winner. End result: Kings 2, Panthers 1 in a shootout.
How did our panelists see this game? Let's take a look...
Game 55: Los Angeles (26-18-10, 62pts) vs. Florida (24-17-11, 59pts)
Game 55: Los Angeles (26-18-10, 62pts) vs. Florida (24-17-11, 59pts)
Wavesinair from Deep Inside the Kings
Score: Kings 4, Panthers 2
Reason: What if these two clubs where in the same conference? It'd be a helluva match-up, no doubt. Still, they're both obviously fighting for their playoff lives, so motivation shouldn't be in short supply for either team. In the end though, the Lion will still be the King of the Florida jungle, extending their streak, and leaving the Panthers to lick their wounds in their own den.
Record: 3-1
Score: Kings 4, Panthers 2
Reason: Florida has been good to the Kings this season, and the boys will have some extra jump in their step against the team that concussed Mike Richards earlier in the year. But Florida won't give in without a fight, so they'll score a couple to keep things interesting.
Record: 3-1
Score: Kings 2, Panthers 1
Reason: Arbitrary and capricious guess.
Record: 2-2
Score: Kings 4, Panthers 2
Reason: This one gets a tad out of control for an out of conference game because of some bad blood but the Kings come out on top.
Record: 2-2
Score: Kings 3, Florida 1
Reason: Kings feeling the mojo and against all odds will be able to score 3 goals in 2 consecutive games. The 3rd period will deteriorate into a series of ugly melees and culminate in Kyle "the Big Red Dog" Clifford breaking a wooden chair over the back of Panthers Head Coach Kevin Dineen.
Record: 1-2
Score: Kings 1, Panthers 0, shootout
Reason: Jose Theodore is back from injury but Scott Clemmensen is in net tonight for Florida which can only mean one thing… he plays out of his mind and stifles the LA Kings offense. Or what is left of it anyway.
Record: 0-4
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