Rolling, rolling, rolling.
Another game, another point for the LA Kings. That’s 11 straight now without a loss in regulation (8-0-3). And just one shy of a dozen games in a row with at least a point.
Credit to the Kings for coming back twice to tie the game in the third period. However, overtime is becoming a habit. After only reaching the extra frame six times in the first 49 games, last night made it six OTs in the last nine. They need more offense. Not really new news though, right?
Dustin Brown – who talked about playing in his native New York and at MSG in this pregame article yesterday – had his most productive night in quite some time, picking up a pair of goals. It still wasn’t enough to earn him a shot in the shootout though.
In an interesting note, an NHL.com writer commented last night “I don’t get to see the Kings enough anymore, but it seems like Dustin Brown is more instinctive/comfortable/dangerous on the left side.”
[more notes and video highlights after the jump]
For the one-on-one battles that would decide the game’s outcome, coach Terry Murray went with Michal Handzus first. He missed.
Next was Jarret Stoll, who of course scored.
With the Rangers leading in the shootout 2-1 the Kings needed their third selection to find the back of net just to keep the game going. However, Anze Kopitar missed. Ironically, he was stopped by Henrik Lundqvist – the goalie he selected when we did the Team Kopitar vs. Team Mayor mock draft prior to the All Star Game (see the remainder of his picks here).
Don’t be surprised if coach Terry Murray let’s Kopitar sit out the next few shootouts, which haven’t been his specialty this season.
Maybe the NHL can adopt international rules (like used in the Olympics) for next season, where a player can be used multiple times in the shootout. If so, the Kings could just send Stoll out there three times in a row.
In net, Jonathan Bernier’s game seemed to slowly deteriorate as the game went on. High marks for the first 30 minutes or so. Not so hot in the third. Then, dreadful in the shootout. Still, over the last five games or so he’s looked much more comfortable in net on a consistent basis compared to his erratic performances earlier this season.
Matt Greene is turning into a points machine.
Sean Avery – who was featured in this article yesterday, with lots of quotes from various people in hockey – was a non-factor in the game.
Oh yeah, the Rangers won 4-3.
Video highlights from the MSG Network feed…
If you’d like to celebrate the Kings recent success, all shirts and hats in the MayorsManor store are on sale this weekend for 20% off – that includes the I Love LA (hockey edition) and In Dean We Trust shirts…plus, the all new MUST WIN hats. Use code FFHSPRESIDAY at the store here.
The Mayor
www.twitter.com/MayorNHL
www.facebook.com/MayorsManor
About John Hoven
