First Turd of the Season!

It had to happen eventually. There was no way the LA Kings were going to make it through the season without crapping out a huge turd at least once. I guess we can be thankful we don't have to witness it on a consistent basis like we did during the Cloutier Era or that it wasn't a 0-7 shellacking.

But, wow, I cannot believe how badly the LA Kings sucked against the New Jersey Devils! I knew it was going to be a tight game since the Devils are always good at stifling the opposition's offense, but I was not expecting a complete breakdown in the Kings' chemistry among the forwards. I could not believe how off the Kings were and it wasn't just one or two players, it was a good 90% of the team.

That game was probably the worst game I've ever seen Anze Kopitar play and he rarely has bad games. Kopitar had a terrible turnover in the defensive zone that led to a Devils goal. Neutral zone turnovers can be killers so naturally ones in the defensive zone, especially when it's caused by a forward who is just strides from the blue line, were just detrimental and they kept happening all throughout the second half of the game and led to a quick three-goal lead by the Devils.

It was very obvious the team was all out of sorts when Terry Murray mixed up the forward line combinations in the third period. I could just imagine him during the second intermission, staring off into space wondering, 'How many different forward combinations can I create with 12 players?' (I am an engineer, but I'm not going to do the math...also, I still use a calculator when adding two single digit numbers. Better to be safe than sorry!)

I want to end on a positive note because I don't want to be too much of a Negative Nancy considering it was just one turd of a game and there will be plenty more opportunities for the Kings to redeem themselves.

• I thought Alec Martinez had a great game. He almost looked like Drew out there the way he was taking charge trying to single-handedly establish some offense. 
• There were moments in the first half of the game during which Dustin Penner played pretty well.  I was SHOCKED!  And I was certain he was going to score.  There was one shift in particular where he took away the puck in the offensive zone, not once, but twice and both times set up scoring opportunities.  He's coming around people!  Just wait for it!
• Jonathan Bernier was not to blame for this game and despite letting in a goal on the short side (but it was from a prime scoring spot) he looked pretty good.  It always seems like the team plays shittier with Bernier in net.  One of these days he'll steal a game for the Kings and Drew will give him a much deserved kiss. 

Awwww, just look at him. Even my husband thinks he's adorable! 

Here's hoping the game against New Jersey was just a glitch and not the start of something awful. The next match against Dallas should be a good test. Despite my deep disgust for Mike Ribeiro, I always enjoy watching the Kings play the Dallas Stars because they're usually very competitive and intense.

LA Kings 2nd Season Opener

Even though the LA Kings season opened less than a week ago it feels like those first two games took place ages ago.  But the weather was cooling down, pumpkin ale was readily available in the stores, and it was finally feeling like hockey season!

Almost a week later, the weather is in the 90s, I'm cranky about it, I've had time to think about the games in Europe and, surprise surprise, I came to the easy conclusion that signing Trent Hunter and Ethan Moreau weren't very good signings.  Also, I forgot to mention in my review of the previous games, that I did not realize Scott Parse played in the first game until I noticed him in the second game and I wondered who he was replacing in the lineup.  Is it just me or did his development take a step backwards over the off-season?  He looked more effective in the playoffs after rehabbing from an injury than he did in the first two games after several months of training.

So, it's a good thing that on Wednesday it was announced that the Kings acquired Stefan Legein and a 6th round 2012 Draft pick from the Philadelphia Flyers for future considerations.  Who????  According to Puck Daddy, he "may have just retired at 19" or perhaps he was just joking and "was having some fun at the expense of everyone".  Basically, this kid sounds awesome.  


But I am truly excited for Dustin Penner to return to the lineup.  It's a shame that I probably won't be able to watch tonight's game against New Jersey since it'll be on at 4pm PST.  Oh, the problems of living on the West Coast....if only I could leave work at 3pm for every East Coast game.  Or I suppose I could just DVR the game.  Decisions, decisions.  Although, I can't decide if it would be worse to live on the East Coast and have to watch games start at 10pm.  Any East Coasters want to weigh-in on this discussion?


Anyway, not quite sure what to expect in tonight's game besides 5 Kings goals all scored by Anze Kopitar (Did you see him against the Rangers and Sabres?  It's totally possible, so just roll with it).  New Jersey had such a bad season last year, but I don't expect the same this time around.  I highly doubt Kovalchuk will continue to be KovLOLchuk and maybe Marty Brodeur will play like it's 1997.  I don't really care.  I'm most looking forward to Saturday night's contest again the Philadephia Flyers.  Now that should be a helluva game!

Go Kings Go!