Fingers crossed for the kings tonight. If mike richards plays like he did in game 1 it could be the difference in game 2. He was amazing. Can't wait for the game to start, it will be interesting to see the canucks tactics should things not go their way again. All that diving and whining has no place in hockey.
Fingers crossed for the kings tonight. If mike richards plays like he did in game 1 it could be the difference in game 2. He was amazing. Can't wait for the game to start, it will be interesting to see the canucks tactics should things not go their way again. All that diving and whining has no place in hockey.
It's funny, they definitely keyed in on the Kopitar line after they dominated in the first and most of the second period. But even with their main lockdown guy in Kesler, AV said he didn't like matching up Kesler VS Richards.
Quote:
"I'm not sure I like that matchup," Vigneault said, breaking into laughter before adding he might change it up for Game 2 on Friday night.
Not sure if he's being serious or not. But it seems if their best lock down guy (Selke Trophy winner) can't slow down Richards in the playoffs, no one can. As others have speculated, will the CaSucks go after Richards with a cheapshot? Possibly. I hope the refs are at their best tonight.
All that said, it looks like rolling all four lines is working. Everyone is playing their game. With Kopi and Richards healthy down the middle. Things are looking good.
I'm gonna go against the grain. I'd put Westgarth on the 4th line over Loktionov. I could swear that in last year's playoffs the guy turned up the wick and even chipped in with a couple of points....didn't he? I could swear I remember most of us being surprised by his play.
It's funny, they definitely keyed in on the Kopitar line after they dominated in the first and most of the second period. But even with their main lockdown guy in Kesler, AV said he didn't like matching up Kesler VS Richards.
Either he shouldn't have won the selke last season or the Canucks are in bad trouble (or both) if Kesler isn't the right guy.
This is why that 1-2 punch at center is so important in the playoffs. Teams rarely have 2 shutdown lines.
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"In a year that has been so improbable, the impossible has happened." - Vin Scully being clairvoyant in 1988.
The Los Angeles Kings - 2012 Stanley Cup Champions
This is just to funny. All the other teams are wishing the Kings to beat Vancouver. I don't really know what the Canucks have done in the NHL to be "hated" so much. Can someone please explain ?
I would think the main reason is Vancouver is a great team and if they are eliminated that will mean home ice advantage. If I'm a fan of St Louis, Yotes, Sharks, Preds, Detroit, and Hawks, I want the #1 seated team out.
I'm gonna go against the grain. I'd put Westgarth on the 4th line over Loktionov. I could swear that in last year's playoffs the guy turned up the wick and even chipped in with a couple of points....didn't he? I could swear I remember most of us being surprised by his play.
Let's just say that the team that wins the President's trophy, is in many circles favored to win the Stanley Cup.
Other teams don't want to see that team make it out of the early rounds for just that reason.
There are other reasons, on a team by team basis, but that's the biggest worry right there. Noone wants to face the President's trophy winner at this time of year.
Tonight, the Kings will have to bring their best game, count on seeing a different Van team. Hoping we get Bob and Jim for the broadcast.
GO KINGS GO!
thats BS they are hated for the simple fact they are whiners and floppers,and we have played the Presidents trophy winners before and never had every team go to hate mode like this .....as good as they are they are an embarrassment at times to all hockey fans with their antics
[QUOTE=TonySCV;47908235]Either he shouldn't have won the selke last season or the Canucks are in bad trouble (or both) if Kesler isn't the right guy.
I think its both. Richards offensive talent and grit is too much for kesler to handle. He can get under the skin of players and has great leadership skills which makes everyone around him better. Kesler can't intimidate him either and im not sure he can cope with that.
Vancouver doesn't score if Stoll doesn't take a stupid penalty and then doesn't pick up anyone coming out of the box.
Mitchell's shot was deflected anyways, could have beat Luongo even if he saw it.
Somewhat agree. Stoll was flat out brutal in that first game but when you set up a nice screen and your team wins that tends to make his play more crappy than brutal.
It's funny, they definitely keyed in on the Kopitar line after they dominated in the first and most of the second period. But even with their main lockdown guy in Kesler, AV said he didn't like matching up Kesler VS Richards.
Not sure if he's being serious or not. But it seems if their best lock down guy (Selke Trophy winner) can't slow down Richards in the playoffs, no one can. As others have speculated, will the CaSucks go after Richards with a cheapshot? Possibly. I hope the refs are at their best tonight.
All that said, it looks like rolling all four lines is working. Everyone is playing their game. With Kopi and Richards healthy down the middle. Things are looking good.
Yeah, I was also surprised that Vigneault said that. Kesler is a Selke winner, but he's worried that he can't shutdown Richards....ok. I'm still laughing that, Canucks fans said that the Pahlsson line would be able to shutdown Kopi's line...yeah, how did that work out nucks fans?
kesler could and normally would get the calls when he flops but when he is against a much respected guy like MR he doesn't get it as quick, that flop after the faceoff at the blueline was classic and as you see him flailling and his stick flying away MR skates up ice, that could lead to outmanned attacks and thats the last line AV wants going in on loucrazyleggs luongo.....going to be a great night boys and ladies,
GO KINGS GO
I have the feeling Loktionov is going to do something big tonight
I am cautious about the move. Loktionov is small and not really physical at all. He is a terrific playmaker, but doesn't really have a killer instinct around the net. This will have to be one of the best games he has ever played. As long as he stays defensively responsible, uses his speed, and keeps skating hard, he should have an impact or at least not be a liability today.
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"It has not been a good day. I lost my glasses early this morning and I had to go buy a pair of 79 dollar reading glasses today. 79 bucks. You can literally get them at Costco, three-for-20." - Darryl Sutter's response to going up 2-0 in the series.
This might be the only time in the history of the team that I would prefer Westgarth in over Loktionov. Let's hope I'm wrong about that.
Agreed. But I will say that with the PO atmosphere, and having the energy of Brown, King, Nolan, Lewis, and Richards, maybe Lokti will up his physical game, Maybe.
Last edited by Nefarious: 04-13-2012 at 04:14 PM.
Reason: typo fixed
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