Season Series: This is the fourth and final meeting between the teams. Los Angeles has won two of the first three showdowns, but St. Louis took Round 3 in a 1-0 victory at the Scottrade Center on Feb. 3.
Big Story: It's another huge game for the Kings, who have won five in a row to move back into playoff position in the Western Conference. However, L.A. has far from clinched -- it enters Thursday's action tied with ninth-place Phoenix at 84 points apiece, while No. 10 San Jose and No. 11 Calgary are both just two points behind. It certainly doesn't get any easier for Los Angeles, which will host Boston on Saturday after facing the League-leading Blues on Thursday night.
"Is that what it is," Kings coach Darryl Sutter told lakingsinsider.com regarding the playoff race. "Jeez. You can win and not gain any ground. It's crazy. It doesn't mean nothing. The bottom line is, we pretty much have to overcome something that's pretty much insurmountable. We'll try to take advantage of what we have to home. It doesn't get any easier. We play the best team in the League and defending Stanley Cup champions, back to back. I don't think where we are right now means much to me. I'm thinking about St. Louis."
Team Scope:
Blues: St. Louis had every chance to come away with two points Wednesday night, but failed to protect three separate leads and ultimately suffered a 4-3 loss to the Anaheim Ducks at the Honda Center. The Blues, who still sit atop the Western Conference with 100 points, have now lost three of four thus far on their seven-game road trip.
"It's uncharacteristic of us to blow three one-goal leads, let alone just one one-goal lead," defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo said. "We've been really good at that all year. A couple of mental mistakes and mental breakdowns cost us tonight."
Kings: Los Angeles made it five in a row with a solid 5-2 victory against the Sharks at the Staples Center on Tuesday night. Thursday marks the third game of a five-game homestand for the Kings, who also notched a 4-2 win against Nashville last Saturday.
"We're definitely showing signs," Anze Kopitar said after helping his club beat San Jose. "There's always room for improvement, but tonight was a huge game. We knew what was at stake, and I think we came up big. It was a full-team effort, and that's what we've got to do down the road."
Who's Hot: Blues rookie Jaden Schwartz has scored in each of his first two NHL games. Those goals came on his first two shots in the League. … Kings center Jeff Carter has 4 goals and 3 assists in his last six games, while winger Justin Williams has 6 goals and 6 assists in his last 11 contests. Dustin Brown, the team's captain, is 5-11-16 in his last 12.
Injury Report: Matt D'Agostini (concussion), Andy McDonald (shoulder), Alex Steen (concussion) and Kris Russell (concussion) are out indefinitely for St. Louis. … Simon Gagne (concussion) and Scott Parse (hip) are out indefinitely for the Kings.
Stat Pack: St. Louis is within five victories of the franchise record of 51, set in 1999-2000. … In the 12 games since acquiring Carter from Columbus, the Kings have totaled 42 goals for an average of 3.5 goals per game. Before the trade, the Kings averaged 2.03 goals per contest.
Puck Drop: "It started a while ago for us. We knew we had a tough road to climb, and we still do. There's lots of work to do. We've got San Jose a couple more times, and we've got St. Louis and Boston coming up here. There are no easy games in this League, and especially against those two teams. We'll look to just try to continue to play well." -- Kings defenseman Willie Mitchell
This GDT Brought to You By:
David 'The Beast' Backes
Last edited by h22prelude93: 03-22-2012 at 09:06 PM.
Have a bad feeling about this one. Kings are on fire, 2nd night of a back to back (and an extremely physical first game), on the road. Doesn't bode well for the Note, here's hoping we steal one.
The game is totally up to the Blues. If the Blues bring their A game they win, if not they lose.
I really find it bizarre how everyone has gotten so scared of LA. Phoenix went on a long streak 12-0-1 and everyone yawned. Calgary had a streak everyone yawned. Dallas has been on a strong run, people are yawning. Suddenly LA wins a few games and people are scared of them. They were absolutely heartless in Detroit. I mean, it was one of the most gutless performances of the year by any team. Then they beat the Grand Rapids Wings on home ice. Then they beat the Ducks. Ooh. Nashville didn't bring their A game and LA was more desperate and won. San Jose was just nineteen shades of putrid and laid down the other night. I've seen all LA's wins and haven't thought, even for a second, even once, gee, this team looks potent. They're a good team. But not more than good. They might well win tonight because every game is a playoff game already for them and the Blues are sleepwalking through the schedule at this point and a little banged up. But Mike Richards is a stiff. Drew Doughty is as overrated as they come. I honestly don't mean it meanly, I hope they get in the playoffs, especially at San Jose's expense, but they're playing their best right now and the Blues' best is significantly better based on long stretches of direct observation of both teams. Their offense has gotten goals recently but it's not so much jelling due to some new clicking as much as pucks are finding their way in.
To add and clarify, I've watched all their recent games rooting for them to score and be good. Think about it. They've been playing Detroit, Chicago, Nashville, San Jose. Of course I've been pulling for them. When you're rooting for a team and they give you little confidence I think it's a little easier to see the flaws. Been rooting for Phoenix and to some extent Dallas, and both those teams give me more confidence than LA. Colorado even gives me more confidence lately.
Last edited by PocketNines: 03-22-2012 at 04:33 PM.
Agreed Pocket. The Kings have always been overrated. If the Blues put together a solid 60 without too many stupid penalties, this game is in the bag. I expect Backes to explode tonight and lead by example. The Blues are the type of team that HAS to dictate the pace of the game. If they let LA get in their heads like last night, expect similar results.
The game is totally up to the Blues. If the Blues bring their A game they win, if not they lose.
I really find it bizarre how everyone has gotten so scared of LA. Phoenix went on a long streak 12-0-1 and everyone yawned. Calgary had a streak everyone yawned. Dallas has been on a strong run, people are yawning. Suddenly LA wins a few games and people are scared of them. They were absolutely heartless in Detroit. I mean, it was one of the most gutless performances of the year by any team. Then they beat the Grand Rapids Wings on home ice. Then they beat the Ducks. Ooh. Nashville didn't bring their A game and LA was more desperate and won. San Jose was just nineteen shades of putrid and laid down the other night. I've seen all LA's wins and haven't thought, even for a second, even once, gee, this team looks potent. They're a good team. But not more than good. They might well win tonight because every game is a playoff game already for them and the Blues are sleepwalking through the schedule at this point and a little banged up. But Mike Richards is a stiff. Drew Doughty is as overrated as they come. I honestly don't mean it meanly, I hope they get in the playoffs, especially at San Jose's expense, but they're playing their best right now and the Blues' best is significantly better based on long stretches of direct observation of both teams. Their offense has gotten goals recently but it's not so much jelling due to some new clicking as much as pucks are finding their way in.
To add and clarify, I've watched all their recent games rooting for them to score and be good. Think about it. They've been playing Detroit, Chicago, Nashville, San Jose. Of course I've been pulling for them. When you're rooting for a team and they give you little confidence I think it's a little easier to see the flaws. Been rooting for Phoenix and to some extent Dallas, and both those teams give me more confidence than LA. Colorado even gives me more confidence lately.
Because a hot team playing in front of Jonathan Quick is what worries people. Last I checked we weren't the most offensive team, and with them stepping their offense up and Quick keeping up his stellar play, people find that scarier than teams like Calgary, Phoenix, and Dallas.
This is a really important game. They need to get back on track and not let their divisional lead slip away. It's unfortunate that Polak is still out, but I'd rather him sit out now and get better than try to play through it (which I'm assuming he tried to do and couldn't) and end up missing playoff time.
Right now, the Wings max out at 109 points and the Preds max out at 110 points. If the Blues win 4 of their last 8, the Preds would have to lose at least three points in their last nine games and the Wings would have to lose at least two points in their last eight. But while winning 4 of the last 8 seems really doable, we've got a tough schedule in facing CHI, NSH, and DET all once more and other teams fighting for the playoffs in LA, DAL, and PHX x2 (luckily Doan will be out on Sunday). It could get close, especially if the Blues lose the divisional games. The division might not be clinched until the final few games of the season.
Hope the Blues can get a win. Obviously there's some L.A. fans that hate the Blues because of Courtnall running Storr ages ago in the playoffs. Saw that on their GTD.
I remember that but it was just one of Courtnall's many cheap shots. The Courtnall moment that stands out the most to me is when he blasted Roenick.
Hope the Blues can get a win. Obviously there's some L.A. fans that hate the Blues because of Courtnall running Storr ages ago in the playoffs. Saw that on their GTD.
I remember that but it was just one of Courtnall's many cheap shots. The Courtnall moment that stands out the most to me is when he blasted Roenick.
Hockey fans hold grudges for sure ;-)
Go Blues!!
Didnt he headbutt some Red Wing during the playoffs too?
edit: I googled it, Marty LaPointe, that was awesome
look for my 1st Church of Perron and May the Schwartz Be With You signs. that is if the buttholes at staples let me in with a sign, the camera is a no go already. boo nhl and staples, not fan friendly at all.
I will use my very first post on this site to say a solid team effort ending with a 3-1 victory tonight. Pietrangelo, Backes, and Perron with the goals.
The game is totally up to the Blues. If the Blues bring their A game they win, if not they lose.
I really find it bizarre how everyone has gotten so scared of LA. Phoenix went on a long streak 12-0-1 and everyone yawned. Calgary had a streak everyone yawned. Dallas has been on a strong run, people are yawning. Suddenly LA wins a few games and people are scared of them. They were absolutely heartless in Detroit. I mean, it was one of the most gutless performances of the year by any team. Then they beat the Grand Rapids Wings on home ice. Then they beat the Ducks. Ooh. Nashville didn't bring their A game and LA was more desperate and won. San Jose was just nineteen shades of putrid and laid down the other night. I've seen all LA's wins and haven't thought, even for a second, even once, gee, this team looks potent. They're a good team. But not more than good. They might well win tonight because every game is a playoff game already for them and the Blues are sleepwalking through the schedule at this point and a little banged up. But Mike Richards is a stiff. Drew Doughty is as overrated as they come. I honestly don't mean it meanly, I hope they get in the playoffs, especially at San Jose's expense, but they're playing their best right now and the Blues' best is significantly better based on long stretches of direct observation of both teams. Their offense has gotten goals recently but it's not so much jelling due to some new clicking as much as pucks are finding their way in.
To add and clarify, I've watched all their recent games rooting for them to score and be good. Think about it. They've been playing Detroit, Chicago, Nashville, San Jose. Of course I've been pulling for them. When you're rooting for a team and they give you little confidence I think it's a little easier to see the flaws. Been rooting for Phoenix and to some extent Dallas, and both those teams give me more confidence than LA. Colorado even gives me more confidence lately.
Yes every-game is a playoff game for the kings, but they beat teams fighting for playoffs spots as well. Kings are second best D in the league, that is the only reason they are where they are. Quick has been great all year long. Since the Trade d-line kings are second best offense in the league. With the type of goaltending and D that La gets, with an avg. offense, they would be top of the league. I thought as a Blues fan you could understand what great D match with an avg offense can do.
Yes every-game is a playoff game for the kings, but they beat teams fighting for playoffs spots as well. Kings are second best D in the league, that is the only reason they are where they are. Quick has been great all year long. Since the Trade d-line kings are second best offense in the league. With the type of goaltending and D that La gets, with an avg. offense, they would be top of the league. I thought as a Blues fan you could understand what great D match with an avg offense can do.
Oh absolutely Quick is the real deal. He's been amazing this year. But Blues goalies have been that good, Mike Smith has been nearly that good. Lehtonen has been great recently. I don't have a special fear of Quick. I honestly like the Kings more than most Western teams and bear them no ill will. I'm more reacting to a sudden, seemingly widespread belief among Blues fans that they're some sleeping giant because of the preseason hype. They're a good team but they have to grind out wins. Their recent goals uptick isn't suddenly some new gear they've found. People are making a shallow casual analysis mistake. Oh, they added Carter at the deadline? Had a little streak? Oh, the giant must be awake. No. Their offense is still in no way a worry, having watched their games. Almost any uptick would be better, as they were previously one of the least potent offenses I have ever seen. Nowhere to go but up.
If the Blues were still guaranteed to win the West I'd have no problem if the Kings won this game, I'd like them to make the playoffs. Not because I covet a matchup with them (not worried about it) but because I simply am fonder of them than their near rivals. Hell, I hope they win the division and give Nashville fits in round 1 if the Preds can drop to 6th. Kings match up well with Preds.
So where is Polak anyways.. I missed what happened
I remember a few(5?) Games ago it looked like his knee took a slight inadvertant hit and he went to the locker room for a while. I would guess that's it
VS. 
KINGS (36-25-12)
