I believe what Alain Vigneault said after the game Saturday when the Canucks won back to back Presidents' Trophies.
"Winning the Presidents' Trophy means that we've had a good year," Vigneault said. "This group has played some real solid hockey. We've been consistent and to win it again says a lot about the quality of the people we have playing the games night in and night out. Obviously I think everybody could tell by the way we came out in this game our guys really wanted to have a good game tonight and that's what we did."
Do Canuck fans really think this? With the exception of Richardson's post goal cheap shot on one of the Sedins and Clifford's mugging of Weise earlier this year I can't remember any overly physical/dirty play in recent years. I think most Kings fans think the team is a little too soft, certainly no where close to Boston's physicality/pesty behavior. Fraser is really the only guy on the roster that actively attempts to start crap with opponents. Clifford, Nolan, Greene, Mitchell and Richards typically only fight when provoked (although Clifford and Nolan are heavy hitters). Brown only fights when he gets jumped. Not trying to be a dick, I'm legitimately curious
That one game in December just pissed me off, where Doughty kept shoving Daniel from behind, Richardson pulled some dirty crap. Other than that game, it's been fine.
Do Canuck fans really think this? With the exception of Richardson's post goal cheap shot on one of the Sedins and Clifford's mugging of Weise earlier this year I can't remember any overly physical/dirty play in recent years. I think most Kings fans think the team is a little too soft, certainly no where close to Boston's physicality/pesty behavior. Fraser is really the only guy on the roster that actively attempts to start crap with opponents. Clifford, Nolan, Greene, Mitchell and Richards typically only fight when provoked (although Clifford and Nolan are heavy hitters). Brown only fights when he gets jumped. Not trying to be a dick, I'm legitimately curious
doughty always tries to give the sedins shots after the whistle. Just remember that richardson post goal cheap shot and realize that was the regular season when nothing was on the line. It's quite clear what the kings are going to try in a 7 game series.
Man, I was really hoping San Jose would win yesterday. I think we would have had a better chance against San Jose, and probably more likely to come out relatively unscathed.
When I think of a Canucks/Kings series, I can't help but think that we could come out tired/bruised. Given the state of the Western Conference this year, I hope for our sake that we finish the LA as quick as possible (no pun intended) and take as little physical punishment as possible. For some reason, the Canucks/Kings game on New Years Eve this year keeps replaying itself in my head. It reminds me of how the whole Bruins/Canucks series went last playoffs. On top of that, Quick shows some shades of Thomas at times.
I feel if the Canucks can remain focused, remember what they are playing for, and step up another gear, then the Canucks can win no problem. However, I really feel that the Canucks aren't as heavy favourites as some may think they are. This series has the potential to be very, very close (but I hope not).
Anyways, I really just can't wait until the puck drops. I just wish it wasn't during final exam season.
Man, I was really hoping San Jose would win yesterday. I think we would have had a better chance against San Jose, and probably more likely to come out relatively unscathed.
When I think of a Canucks/Kings series, I can't help but think that we will come out tired/bruised. Given the state of the Western Conference this year, I hope for our sake that we finish the LA as quick as possible (no pun intended). For some reason, the Canucks/Kings game on New Years Eve this year keeps replaying itself in my head. It reminds me of how the whole Bruins/Canucks series went last playoffs. On top of that, Quick shows some shades of Thomas at times.
I feel if the Canucks can remain focused, remember what they are playing for, and step up another gear, then the Canucks can win no problem. However, I really feel that the Canucks aren't as heavy favourites as some may think they are. This series has the potential to be very, very close (but I hope not).
The good news is that the Kings traded Simmonds away... Dustin Brown and Williams will be the guys to watch but everyone else is a shadow of themselves and Sutter won't let the offensive guys play to their strengths so I'm not too concerned.
The Kings are the scariest first round match-up, because:
A) They're great defensively.
B) They draw penalties. (Even if the Kings are not great on the PP, the Canucks aren't going to do much scoring on the PK.)
C) Quick.
D) Their top-6 is stacked, and if they wake up, they should be able to score some goals.
The Kings aren't that scary of a first round match-up because:
A) They aren't producing offensively. Advanced stats say they should, but they aren't.
B) Their bottom-6 can't hang with us.
C) Sutter.
D) When Vancouver fans start getting all worried about the Kings, I think they forget how good the Canucks are.
I must say my heart sank when the Kings lost to the Sharks and it was decided that we would play the Canucks. I think there is A LOT of underestimating going on (for both teams). I'm fairly certain the Canucks were ONE win away from the Stanley Cup. While the Kings can't say that, and have sucked for the majority of the season, since the trade deadline they have been playing WAY better. Sutter has gotten them to come out in the first period (for the most part) fired up, while under Murray they would sit back am feel it out. I think it should be an interesting series, I hope I can go see the Kings win at least once! (the playoff games I've been to the past two seasons were game 6). Anyway good luck to the Canucks, but I hope the Kings can pull of a massive upset!
I voted Kings in 7 because of team loyalty and optimism, but I am not sure the Kings have what it takes mentally to take the Canucks down. I do believe they will take the series 6 or 7 games though. Quick is good for at least 1 win on his back alone.
Bottom line, if our top 6 shows up to play and Quick is regular season Quick, we have a chance to upset. Unfortunately, I think the Canucks are a bit too deep and playoff tested for this Kings squad.
Should be a fun series either way. And it's nice having every other team in the NHL root for the Kings :-D
I voted Kings in 7 because of team loyalty and optimism, but I am not sure the Kings have what it takes mentally to take the Canucks down. I do believe they will take the series 6 or 7 games though. Quick is good for at least 1 win on his back alone.
Bottom line, if our top 6 shows up to play and Quick is regular season Quick, we have a chance to upset. Unfortunately, I think the Canucks are a bit too deep and playoff tested for this Kings squad.
Should be a fun series either way. And it's nice having every other team in the NHL root for the Kings :-D
Flyers are on your side due to Richards and Carter, so we've got Pens and Rangers fans backing us. It's something.
The Kings are the scariest first round match-up, because:
A) They're great defensively.
B) They draw penalties. (Even if the Kings are not great on the PP, the Canucks aren't going to do much scoring on the PK.)
C) Quick.
D) Their top-6 is stacked, and if they wake up, they should be able to score some goals.
The Kings aren't that scary of a first round match-up because:
A) They aren't producing offensively. Advanced stats say they should, but they aren't.
B) Their bottom-6 can't hang with us.
C) Sutter.
D) When Vancouver fans start getting all worried about the Kings, I think they forget how good the Canucks are.
Here's something for you to do if you feel it's important to back up claims you make: Go look at the last 40 games for the Kings this year. Of those 40, figure out the GPG for the first 20 games. Then figure out the GPG for the last 20 games of the season. Compare that GPG number to the top offensive teams in the league. Then come back here and tell us if you'd like to revise your thoughts on LA's current offensive production.
The Kings are the scariest first round match-up, because:
A) They're great defensively.
B) They draw penalties. (Even if the Kings are not great on the PP, the Canucks aren't going to do much scoring on the PK.)
C) Quick.
D) Their top-6 is stacked, and if they wake up, they should be able to score some goals.
The Kings aren't that scary of a first round match-up because:
A) They aren't producing offensively. Advanced stats say they should, but they aren't.
B) Their bottom-6 can't hang with us.
C) Sutter.
D) When Vancouver fans start getting all worried about the Kings, I think they forget how good the Canucks are.
Actually the Kings' PP has been on fire lately, a la the series we had against you guys 2 years ago.
As far as scoring goes, it has been WAY up since the trade deadline. 58 goals (not including "goal" for SO goals) in 19 games = 3.05 GF/game. In that same time frame Van only put up 45 goals in 19 games = 2.37 GF/game.
Anyways, hoping for a good, clean, exciting series. I think it'll go 7. GO KINGS!!
Actually the Kings' PP has been on fire lately, a la the series we had against you guys 2 years ago.
As far as scoring goes, it has been WAY up since the trade deadline. 58 goals (not including "goal" for SO goals) in 19 games = 3.05 GF/game. In that same time frame Van only put up 45 goals in 19 games = 2.37 GF/game.
Anyways, hoping for a good, clean, exciting series. I think it'll go 7. GO KINGS!!
See now why ya gotta go and do his homework for him???? Make him work to find out he's wrong!
Actually the Kings' PP has been on fire lately, a la the series we had against you guys 2 years ago.
As far as scoring goes, it has been WAY up since the trade deadline. 58 goals (not including "goal" for SO goals) in 19 games = 3.05 GF/game. In that same time frame Van only put up 45 goals in 19 games = 2.37 GF/game.
Anyways, hoping for a good, clean, exciting series. I think it'll go 7. GO KINGS!!
The Kings craptastic offensive production is an easy and obligatory flaw to point out but hopefully everyone realizes that the Carter acquisition changed everything for this team even though he didn't put up overly impressive numbers
This series is going to go to 7 and everyone is going to come out and point fingers going "I told you so!" in a smug way... Don't take all these sweep predictions too personally guys...
Man I wish our pp of the years ago would show up again but thats not going to happen unless you guys decide to play Andrew Alberts, unfortunatly we don't Randy Jones to strike this bargain
