alt="LA Kings Insider with Rich Hammond" />Here are some quotes from the Canucks tonight, with a major assist from ESPN.com’s Pierre LeBrun…
Roberto Luongo’s postgame thoughts…
(on his third-period save on Frolov…)
“Obviously we were taking a few chances there to try and tie the game up. On Frolov I just wanted to do something a little different and he ended up shooting and I got a piece.”
(on how he feels now…)
“I felt great, but obviously it was a high-scoring game. Sometimes you just have to make the saves that get the win. At the end of the day when the game is on the line you have to make the save.”
(on the season being on the line tonight…)
“Yes and no, obviously we didn’t want to back (to Vancouver) down 3-1. We would have still had confidence down 3-1 but needless to say it’s a huge win.”
(on finally killing a penalty…)
“We just wanted to kill one,” he laughed. “We were so happy to kill on, we were really excited when we came into the locker-room after the second period. It felt as if we had just killed off 40 straight after we killed that one off.”
(on the Canucks’ penalty-kill struggles…)
“You just have to fight through these things. Obviously it’s something that I’ve never seen before. They seem to be going in every which way on the PK. But you fight through it. You’re going to be challenged throughout the course of the year and the course of the series.”
Daniel Sedin’s postgame thoughts…
(on the game…)
“The difference tonight was, we were in the game going into the third. And we can score.”
(on Luongo’s game…)
“Looking back, he saved the game for us. It’s great for the guys to come back, an play the way we did. We showed some composure, some character.”
(on the series…)
“This can be a big turnaround for us, but at the same time, we’ve done nothing but take back the home ice advantage.”
Henrik Sedin’s postgame thoughts…
(on whether the Sedins asked their coach to kill penalties…)
“It’s tough to see a lot of pucks go in. We’ve both played PK before, and we wanted to do something. He gave us a chance.”
(on the series…)
“If you look at all the series, all the games, a goal here and there is going to change the momentum in every series. Now we have it, and we’ve got to hold on to it.”
Alain Vigneault’s postgame thoughts…
(on his team…)
“I’ve known these guys for quite some time and I know how bad they want this. I thought we were a little tight in the first period but our guys played through it and found a way to get their play to a level it needs to be to beat such a strong opponent.”
(on putting the Sedins on the PK…)
“Well, they had scored six in a row. So I had to try something,” he laughed. “I think guys were doing cartwheels on the bench when we finally killed that one.”
(on his team’s response tonight…)
“I believe this group has learned every year and we’re ready for this moment. You can tell how bad the guys want it. I mean, it’s a tough series, they’re all one-goal game basically and they’re going back and forth. That’s a real strong team on the other side. They were two points behind us this season but they were in a better division. It’s a really challenging series and we’re trying our best out there and they’re trying their best.”
(on switching Samuelsson and Burrows…)
“Sometimes you got to make some adjustments here and there. Samuelsson was going well and the twins needed to pick up their game a little bit and I thought that sparked them for the remainder of the game when we made that adjustment.”
(on Demitra’s game…)
“Well that’s how we need him to play. He played I thought tonight with a lot of passion and a lot of intensity on the ice. Played a real strong game for us at both ends of the rink. And that’s why he got more ice time.”
(on Luongo’s game…)
“I mean, we’ve seen that quite a few times this year. We’ve been behind quite a few times this year and when you have to press you give up some chances and you need your goaltender to keep you in the game and that’s what he did.”
AWWWWW C’mon Rich.
WhatEVVVEEERRR
Damn those irritating Sedin girls!
I hate to sound like a pessimist but the Kings are in real trouble now. It’s one thing to ask them to win 1 game in Vancouver and they did that. It’s another to ask them to win 2 games up there. Vancouver took over the last half of last night’s game and seemed to have corrected their problems with the penalty kill, having killed off the last 2 or 3 they had to. They’re miles better then the Kings 5 on 5.
If the Kings hope to win the series they pretty much have to win game 5. You can’t expect to win game 7 on the road, and you can’t expect to get to game 7 having lost 2 in a row (if they lose game 5).
I hope I’m wrong.
Kings can win game 7.
Paul, you “hate to sound like …” well, too late. Sorry, just saying.
No offense please- but I’m maybe wondering if your expectations of winning 3-straight (games 2,3,4) set you up for your fall? Which now means your expectations of winning 2 of the next 3 (on any ice- even HOME?!?) leaves us a combined chance of = zero.
Come on now. We fans need to better than that. Give up now at 2-2 … really?
I of course wanted and was accepting of the fact the Kings could have won game 4 … but I also knew it wouldn’t be a cakewalk, and in fact was QUITE aware they might lose. I was ready for both. It’s just the way these series seem to go. I’m still steely-eye-ready for a long battle to 6 if not 7 games. Join me! Brush off your belief system, and although you ‘hope you’re wrong’, remember the saying … “Hope is Not a Strategy!”
What time does game 6 start?
Well said One Timer. Well said. Its a three game series now. It CAN be done.
Such a disappointing loss last night but the Kings WILL bounce back. I think the team is handling the loss a bit better than us fans are because they believe in themselves, they know they are in control, we are just along for the ride. And what a ride it’s been. Don’t give up on this team yet. 3 in a row would of been so sweet, but in all reality, a long shot. Just look at it this way, now we get to win on home ice in 6. Sounds perfect to me.
@OneTimer: I’ve been a Kings fan too long and they’ve disappointed me too many times to be all that optimistic. All I expected of them was to win 1 game on the road and hold home ice. They won the road game but couldn’t hold home ice. I certainly agree that the Kings are good enough to win the series and that it’s not impossible. Just saying they made the task much harder for themselves now.
I honestly thought they got a bit cocky after the 2nd period and figured they could trade goals in the 3rd if need be and they almost did.
They will adjust in game 5 and I expect to see a much tighter game.
There seems to be a fine line between cocky and loose, but I know what you mean. I just want to see them shoot the puck more, and keep up their feet moving. I thought they were trying to hard to make the perfect pass last night.
Kings want one more game in L.A.
That didn’t come out right, I meant they were passing too much trying for the perfect shot.
Quick is what he is…a avg. goalie.All year his stats have been avg. and last night’s game was avg. I keep reminding myself,this is still a work in progress. You get 2 Defensemen to replace O.D. and Jones and one more scorer and then hope that Bernier is the real deal and then you have a chance at the Cup. Iam a big Kings fan but I just cant see them winning a cup with Quick and Jones on the team….Iam talking Cup not winning a playoff series…
The Kings are the better team–when they avoid wondering from their game. Compare the first half of the game with the second half. Those are the differences.
The Kings can win game five or game seven, or both–whatever it takes. Both teams were prepared for “a long series,” and both teams are “up to it.”
I was disappointed in the 3rd period, though. It’s not so much that they lost, but the way they lost. They abandoned their game and played the Canucks’ game, which they’re not designed for.
I take it back–I’m bitter that they lost. They had it in their hands. Hope they’re bitter too, and respond with the kind of performance they need to get the opportunity to close it off at home.
@ neil IMO Quick is a great goalie, and like a bottle of fine wine, he’ll only get better with time. On to game 5, can’t wait!
I think it’s a bit premature to say What Quick is. I seriously doubt his play will deteriorate over the next years… and if I had to guess I’d say he’ll definitely improve. Not a shock that, as with anything that one does in life, there is a learning curve.
1. To those lowbrows who continue to be rude during the National anthemns, SHUT UP!!!
2. The Kings let up in the 3rd in a game they could have won. But okay…Friday’s game can be won and then back to Staples for a rousing win.
3. Yes, Quick is an average goalie but that means tha the Dmen have to help him more. DD and JJ had such great chemistry in game 3..why change it?
All that whining by Vancouver about non calls, calls, conspiracies, was simply strategy to set the table for the third period last night. They got pay back big time, intentional or not, from the refs.
I’m not saying we need to start whining about it ourselves because that is just so classless, but it needs to be understood that part of the reason we got bounced in the third was because of all the trash the refs heard from up north via radio, blogs, TV and newspapers.
But we still played like cr..p so at the end of the day, it’s on our players for this loss.
On to game 5
I don’t know about the rest of you but I’m more confident now about the Kings winning this series than after the game one loss. Reasons why:(1) Kings probably played one of their worst periods of hockey, and still almost won.(2) Luongo to me looks completely uncomfortable in net.(3) The Kings don’t look as intimidated or nervous as they did earlier in the series.(4) Probably the biggest reason why I’m more confident now than before, is the confidence and swagger they have now. They just don’t quit…… Call me an optimist or whatever, but I believe the pressure of winning this series is still to much for the Canucks to handle.
its a crapie day for sure, But i think the fates have writen us winning in LA, so this is why we are here now. ! game there and then win at home.
pr0cess says:
April 21, 2010 at 3:37 PM
“Im going to call it and say that Jones will make a mistake again. Will see how you jonus fanboys react then. And if im wrong meh we will have won!! so :P”
It was not JONES. A +1 for the night. 16:00 minutes. A great shot that Browny tip almost past Luuu.
Ohh did you see that save Jones made when Quick was not in position?
I was silently agreeing with pr0cess last night so I will man up and say I was silently wrong.
yep and it was a sure bet to, guess you win some and lose some. Lets see him keep his game cause we are going to need it in Van.
I think Murray will have Williams go in Vancouver.
Ya we all saw the save Jay, its called being in the right place and the right time and any monkey can be lucky now and then. the jury is still out on Jones and if you think its no your are kidding your self.
Fourunato i dont think you were alone.
Nick Nickson got all over a caller last night bagging on Jones it was a crack up.
So cause the caller has a differant view then nick he is wrong? intresting
pr0cess I know jury is still out on Jones. I may have just witnessed the good and not the bad. I saw a playmaker. I don’t expect much from a guy that was picked up on waivers, but did you see what Quincy did?
I think the Kings are going to win the next 2.
Well speaking from what i seen last night. The boys just didn’t show up for the 3rd per. Regardless of the outcome of the game 4. There is still a great chance to steal game 5 on friday. A little hope and faith will never hurt anybody.
And for the fans that were throwing crap at canuck fans and players grow up.
i have seen many of these best 2 out of 3 series back in the mid 70’s when the nhl used this as the first round format and the home team didn’t always due well.the boy’s have proved they can with in vancouver.so home ice has been lost.kings in 6
Quincy falls into what has happen to alot of kings, they just didnt work out. I can pick a few playing right now, stuart and demetra are just 2. I think its safe to say they are exceling after leaving the kings.
No, Process…Nick probably got all over the caller because Nick knows more about this game than most of us combined, and the caller was most likely (I didn’t hear it) rude and ignorant like 99.9 percent of the callers who get through on that show.
The jury isn’t still out on Jones, it came back long ago. He is what he is…a 6th/7th d-man who has his decent games and horrific games. He is what he is.
Would you rather have Nolan Baumgartner playing? Good lord he was bad.
having been at the game last night..i also for the first time think that the Kings are the better team…That was the Kings first lost in regulation in a long time..Also Jones just doeenst cut it….there was a reason he was waived earlier by another team.With that said….every game has been close and the Kings can win in Van….no doubt…
My point was that the Kings picked up Quincy off of waivers and he did very well.
Was that caller you?
While I certainly don’t condone this type of behavior, I’m having a ball over on “The Province” website. These nuck fans are really, really touchy.
About Jones:
–KEEP MOVING YOUR FEET!–
Randy Jones was NOT the problem last night. heck he even blocked a potential goal by Demitra. The whole team failed in the third last night! Its a team effort and it wasnt there when it counted most. Move on to game 5 and win!
GO KINGS GO!
I have to admit, some of the smack they are talkin on Vancouver radio is hilarious lol.
“Welcome to LA, home of the intermission HJ champion, Wayne ‘the hand hammer’ Simmonds”
It kind of has a nice ring to it dont ya think.
By far this is the most exciting playoff series of the first round. Damn im loving every minute of this. And have no fear Kings fans, we just want to take it to an epic game 7 victory on the road! .. in OT!
While watching the game last night, it occurred to me that I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Kings team create so many turnovers!!! That was awesome. Those have turned into chances and those chances will pay off in goals. Going up 2-1 had me living in euphoria, but last night brought me back to earth. I think we are still in control of this series.
The Sedin goal only goes to show how good, defensively, Zues really is.
Here is my concern, it seems the Knuckle-heads are keying on JQ’s glove side. Is there a weakness there?
And lastly, I hope the Kings are ready for the physical play because Van will be bringing it big time on Friday.
lol me the caller, laff ive never listen to radio for the games. and i live in ABQ. and yes jones is what he is. My opionion after watching him play is just how you said it. But most of the time is he like a lead sled out there. And van is a stupid fast team. Everyone has there person they defend till the cows come home, and for Jay that seems to be Jones. And ya we dont have a good answer for the 6/7th Dman right now, but maybe this summer that will change.
Agree with you Crownme87. Just 1 bad period.
All the pressure is on the Nuckers to win in Vancouver. Lets bring our game and we will win.
GO KINGS GO!!!
Did Luongo move the net off the mooring?
And don’t forget the Kings are a better road team than at home… Van is real nervous about Friday’s game.
PS- I hate the way versus joins games in progress. Bettman needs to bite the bullet and resign with ESPN.
Quincy worked out fine with the Kings–but the Kings needed Smyth and Richardson more. If they get the chance to rip the Avs again and get Quincy back in the bargain, that’s great.
@Paul Ox,
Hey again. Well trust me brother, as a Kings fan myself for the past 27+ years … I understand too well where the pain (read: disappointments) comes from. I’ve also lived 400 miles from my hometown in SoCal the past 12 years and I never miss a game (either via internet radio, or CentreIce.) You’re preaching to the choir about wanting this team to have success, and have it NOW.
Last night hurt … it hurt a lot. I went to bed feeling sad and punched in the gut like a little kid- (and I’m in my 40’s. haha.) But I guess my point is this: disappointments needs to stay where they are … in the PAST. Especially during these crucial times.
I’m just not a believer that past results should have ANY barring on what COULD happen in the next game, the next period, the next shift. It’s counter-productive. Npw I’m not saying that sports fans should be foolishly optimistic either … but rather – just be a fan without any fine print, any clauses, any asterisks or certain-conditions-apply restrictions. There is a difference.
I know you care. We all do. And the best part is this (since you HAVE been a fan for so many years) … you’d also surely agree that regardless of what happens in this series which resumes tomorrow — the future of this team (WHICH WE LOVE) has never EVER, EVER (and I mean ever) been as blindly brighter than it is right now. D’accord?
So waitress … another round of Kool-Aid please for Paul and I and whoever else wants to grab a seat at this bar …. we’re gonna be here awhile.
Go Kings Go, continue to make us proud. (Oh, and all you other fans … stop booing the damn anthems. You know you’re insulting YOUR VERY OWN HEROES when you do that?! Grow the F up already. Seriously. GROW UP.)
I didn’t expect 3 straight wins but Kings had a chance to win this one until that nightmarish 3rd period. It doesn’t matter how but either team has to win 4 to advance and Kings had a fair chance to win last night game but they let it go.
Mistake after mistake took its tall and Nucks made it even. Then critical line match up error, sister’s line against Kopi’s with OD/Greene pair. A good team like Nucks don’t miss it … they took the lead. I don’t blame Kopi,Simmer and Smyth cause they were offensive minded. They wanted to get a lead for us but a couple of unfortunate bounces cought them behind. Sisters and that former wings skated through our own zone like there was no one in there. They completely fooled OD and Greene and then booyah! … once again blocker side. Line match up should have been Zeus line with DD/Scuds then … well it’s just an assumption but we may have had a better chance to stop sisters.
I saw big holes on Quick’s goaltending. Up high on glove side and right above the pad under the blocker. When he is on his game, he can make a stop for both but … it clearly wasn’t his game. Well, no one is perfect, even the top notch goaltender makes mistake but focus is the key to make those stop. I know Quick can bounce back like he did many times during regular season.
Kings are young team and for most of them playoffs are their very first experience. What’s done is done. Learn from your mistakes and move on to the next. YOU ARE the better team but I gotta tell you that Nucks don’t underestimate you anymore. They know what to do to exploit your weakness so you’d better be prepared.
GO KINGS.
Last night what killed the Kings were line changes, resulting in 2 goals and another penalty which if I remember was a PP goal for the ‘nuckers. Clean that up and please put Williams in for either CLune or Parse. We’ll be fine, Clune and Parse are too out of control to have together, neither can stay on the puck, Parse is only good when he’s setup infront of the net with nobody around him. Clune spends most of his time getting wiped out, Willie is a step up over Parse. Kings will still win in 6!!
Hate to say this since I have been a King fan since 1967, but they will not win this series. The Sedins are just warming up, and they know how to move the puck and score. We had a great year, and will get even better in years to come, but it is over for this year. I hope I am wrong but I do not think so.
Yeah, I told you guys I sensed the turnaround in the game when they finally killed the penalty off. They really stepped it up after that.
It was a fun game to watch irrespective of the outcome. We’re scoring goals against a world class net minder and learning how to win even when we lose. Losses are just as important as wins. Human history has taught us this. This will prove to be a valuable loss as this team moves forward.
Luongo was a monster in the third period. If he can play like that there’s a lot of teams that won’t be able to win.
@onetimer,
I hate not being able to reply to your comment till 50 comments later because I don’t think you’ll see it now(and it’s totally lame),but I could’nt have said it better myself.Excellent post.