You read it right! The Los Angeles Kings beat the Columbus Blue Jackets for a huge two points in the standings. Not only is it huge in the standings, it’s huge in the sense that they now realize that they can put together a 60 minute effort and actually beat another (border line) NHL team. In the wake of the firing of Terry Murray and a poor showing against the Boston Bruins in terms of goals scored, the Kings absolutely had to have this win for interim head coach John Stevens and also for the simple fact that they were in dire need of some sort of confidence. I’ll admit, I missed most of the first period because I have one of those things that I go to every day and every couple of weeks I get a paycheck… But I kept up on Twitter and got regular updates via text message. The first update consisted of, wait… let me pull it up. “Gagne is forced into a hooking call 6 seconds into the game… Kings kill the penalty.” Ok, good sign. Our penalty kill is still good. But, 6 seconds in and we’re already in a position where we have to take a penalty? Without being able to watch, I started to get that sick, sinking feeling in my stomach. I arrived home in time to catch the final faceoff of the first period, a great interview with Rob Scuderi (a really smart hockey guy) during the intermission, followed by another 20 minutes of complete disgust that included a “goal” by Jeff Carter. Yet another one that should not have gone in the net as Jonathan Quick completely lost sight of the puck. However…
Then the third period started and a person who had absolutely no business putting the puck in the net, Davis Drewiske, got the Kings on the board with a shot from the blue line and Dustin Brown screening Curtis Sanford. Sanford complained that Brown interfered with him on the play but it was actually the goalie who initiated the contact. Brown would later tip a Drew Doughty shot past Sanford, further chapping the goalies backside, for what would be the game winner. Who would have thought the Kings would win 2-1, coming into the third period trailing? None of it adds up but, hell, we’ll take what we can get at this point.
Up next is the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday. If we, as Kings Fans, know anything at all, it’s that 2 goals isn’t going to beat the Wings. Let’s hope the coaching situation gets resolved and some stability is established prior to taking the ice. Rumor has it that Mike Richards will join the Kings in Detroit. He won’t be on the ice just yet but one would think his presence should provide a little bit of a spark and some much needed leadership.
Notes:
In case you missed it, Matthew Barry has a new page that’s pretty good. I suggest you go check it out for some unfiltered takes on the Kings through the eyes of a die-hard fan.
As always, check in with Rich Hammond for everything official as it breaks.
One in a row folks!
By the way, WordPress is rather difficult on an iPad. I wouldn’t advise it.