Kings Win First Game of Playoffs

The Los Angeles Kings have won their first game of the 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs. That first sentence may sound good, but really the game wasn't all rainbows and butterflies for the Kings. The Kings looked like they were killed by suicide after going down 3-0 in the first period, bad coverage and 2 goals by Marek Svatos of the Colorado Avalanche put Los Angeles in come back mode. In the second period the Kings came out strong after being dominated in the first and started getting pucks to the net. Mike Cammelleri scored off a rebound from Alexander Frolov early in the first to make the game 3-1 and give the King's some light at the end of a very dark tunnel. The King's ended up with multiple power plays in the second but didn't connect until King's coach switched Ladislav Nagy with Patrick O' Sullivan on the power play, O' Sullivan took advantage of this to make the game 3-2 with a power play goal. Patrick was not done in the second though. In the third period O' Sullivan netted a short handed goal on a great pass from Alexander Frolov tying the game at 3. Shortly after Patrick's shorhander the Avalanche came back with a power play goal of their own to take the lead again. The King's decide to go all out taking shots left and right from the point and D Brian Boyle tied the game on a shot with plenty of traffic in front of G Jose Theodore. The shooting gallery did not end there; the very next play after Boyle's game tying goal King's C Derrik Armstrong threw the puck harmlessly at the net and it went off of a Colorado defender going 5 hole on Theodore. The King's went up 5-4 and played shut down defense killing a power play with 3 minutes to go and scoring an empty netter with 7 second left to play to make the ultimate score 6-4.

The King now lead the series 1-0. Stay tuned for more.

Monarchs Triumph Over Lowell

Last night our AHL affiliate The Manchester Monarchs put together a miraculous win over the Lowell Devils in the first game of the first round of the playoffs. The Monarchs started out the game horribly as Goaltender Jonathan Bernier let in a few soft goals(understatement). The offense was very potent and kept the Monarchs in the game converting on multiple power play goals as well as adding numerous even strength goals. The Monarchs took advantage of Lowell goaltender Dave Caruso's glove side as Trevor Lewis and Lauri Tukonen both score over the pad and below the glove from the left circle. Monarch center Scott Parse put in more than his part tallying a hat trick to keep the game close. At the end of the second Bernier was pulled and Jussi Rynnas was put between the pipes. All I could say of Rynnas is... Simply Amazing. He let in 1 goal but at the same time put up a 97 save percentage backstopping the third period as well as almost 2 overtimes. RW Lauri Tukonen ended the game early in the second overtime with a shorthanded goal from about the right circle yet again going glove side ending the game at 7-6. The Monarchs now lead the series 1-0 and will play again tomorrow.

Stay tuned for more.

Embarrassing Loss After Stellar Performance vs Sharks

Defeated after four straight and a stellar performance by Jonathan Bernier. I brought Jonathan Bernier up for a few games from the Manchester Monarchs two days ago and he played his first game brilliantly against San Jose. He stoped 48 of 49 shots while being left out to dry by terrible defense. The only goal he let in was off of fellow teammate Jack Johnson's skate. We went on to win 2-1.

Today was a different story. Jonathan Bernier saved 34 of 40 shots on goal for a 6-1 loss at home. I can't blame Bernier at all, he stood on his head saving at least 3 clear cut break away chances as well as multiple outnumbered attacks. Our team played horrible defense once again and allowed too many shots from the slot which the San Jose Sharks jumped on the opportunity to capitalize. I think the injuries of Michal Handzus and Brian Willsie are really hurting this team. Our 3rd line which was a great shutdown line for us is currently replaced by Scott Thornton, Marc-Andre Cliche, and John Zeiler. That line is not cutting it.

Bad news. I just found out that Zeiler will be out until April 10, 2008 with an injured knee. The injury occurred in the 6-1 loss to San Jose after a hard hit. This means I will have to bring yet another player up from the Monarchs and doing that will further damage their playoff chances.

The Los Angeles King's record is now 47-29-0-5 in the number 4 seed with one game left against Anaheim.

Transactions
G Jonathan Bernier sent down to Manchester.
RW Vladimir Dravecky brought up to Los Angeles.

Trades, Rosters, Injuries, and Line Combos NHL

Throughout the season we have been pretty active in the trade department. Acquiring two goalies.

Trades/Major Transactions in order
1. Rob Blake, J.S. Aubin, 4th round pick to Toronto for Vesa Toskala, Wade Belak.

2. Cloutier put on waivers and claimed.

3. (Vesa Toskala is unhappy with team and asks to be traded) Vesa Toskala, 2nd Round Pick to Carolina for Cam Ward.

4. Claimed Ed Belfour off waivers.

5. Signed G Jussi Rynnas to 2 year 2way entry level contract.

NHL Roster
Derek Armstrong
Brian Boyle
Dustin Brown
Kyle Calder
Michael Cammelleri
Alexander Frolov
Michal Handzus
Riatis Ivanans
Jack Johnson
Anze Kopitar
Jaroslav Modry
Ladislav Nagy
Patrick O' Sullivan
Tom Preissing
Brad Stuart
Scott Thornton
Lubomir Visnovsky
Brian Willsie
John Zeiler

Cam Ward
Jason Labarbara

AHL Roster
Wade Belak
Brendon Buckley
Marc-Andre Cliche(call up)
Kevin Dallman
Vladamir Dravecky
Jeff Gulliano
Peter Harrold
Peter Kanko
John Klemm
Trevor Lewis
David Meckler
Troy Milam
Matt Moulson
Scott Parse
Richard Petiot
Joe Piskula
Teddy Purcell
Matt Ryan
Luari Tukonen
Kevin Westgarth(call up)

Jonathan Bernier
Ed Belfour
Jussi Rynnas

Injuries
Michal Handzus - Wrist Sprain - Expected back April 28, 2008.
Ladislav Nagy - Sore Hip - Expected back April 16, 2008.
Brian Willsie - Concussion - Expected back April 9, 2008.

Line Combonations NHL
Dustin Brown-Anze Kopitar-Patrick O' Sullivan
Alexander Frolov-Michael Cammallerie-Kyle Calder
Scott Thornton-Marc Andre Cliche-John Zeiler
Kevin Westgarth-Derrik Armstrong-Riatis Ivanans

Brad Stuart-Lubomir Visnovsky
Tom Preissing-Jack Johnson
Jorislav Modry-Brian Bolye

Late Start On the Blog

I'm a little late on starting this blog. The Los Angeles Kings are in a number 4 playoff seed with 2 games left in the season.

Our AHL Affiliate the Manchester Monarchs are also in the playoff hunt currently in the seventh seed. They have been struggling of late but are still hanging in there.

Updates on rosters, trades, moves, attendance throughout the season will be updated within the near future.