Kukla's Korner Hockey
Kopitar In the Spotlight
by Paul on 05/16/12 at 08:39 PM ET
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from Eric Duhatschek of the Globe and Mail,
The Kings’ ability to absorb and adapt to Sutter’s message is one of the primary reasons they are 10-1 in the playoffs and halfway to qualifying for their first Stanley Cup final in 19 years. The Kings lead the Phoenix Coyotes 2-0 in the Western Conference final, heading into Thursday’s third game, a game in which the Coyotes will play without centre Martin Hanzal, who was suspended one game by the NHL for a dangerous hit from behind against Kopitar’s linemate, Dustin Brown.
Brown and goaltender Jonathan Quick are the Kings’ leading Conn Smythe trophy contenders, but Kopitar is No. 3 with a bullet, and in the midst of a strong playoff of his own. Through 11 games, he is second on the team in scoring with 13 points, one behind Brown. Kopitar is the Kings’ perennial scoring leader, a player whose ability to play at both ends of the rink is what makes him so valued by the team’s coaching staff and his teammates.
“I don’t want to say Kopi’s underrated, but he’s very underrated in the D zone, with how hard that he plays,” said linemate Justin Williams. “You respect that as a winger, knowing that he’s hard on guys in the defensive zone. We get a lot more time in the offensive zone, because he’s so good in our zone.”
Filed in: NHL Teams, Los Angeles Kings | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Anze+Kopitar,
Canadian TV Ratings For Round 2
by Paul on 05/16/12 at 06:55 PM ET
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from Bruce Dowbiggin of the Globe and Mail,
There are NHL playoff rating and then there are Canadian NHL playoff ratings. As expected, the upset of Vancouver in Round 1 almost halved the numbers CBC garnered in 2011’s Round 2, when the Canucks defeated Nashville. CBC’s coverage of the Washington/New York Rangers series averaged over 1.5 million viewers (all ratings +2) a game while the New Jersey/Philadelphia series averaged over 1.4 million viewers a game (for a 1.49 M. average in Round 2).
By comparison, the Canucks’ playoff games in 2011 averaged 2.8 million viewers a game, pushing CBC’s average rating per game to a healthy 2.16 million. The ratings would not have been as high had the Ottawa Senators made it past Round 1 this year, but they still would have trumped the all-American series just concluded. The last time no Canadian teams made it past Round 1 was 1996 when games averaged 1.36 M.
more plus some talk on CBC may be out bid on the next Canadian TV contract…
Filed in: NHL Media, Hockey Broadcasting, CBC HNIC | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Sportsnet, TSN,
Hanzal Suspended For One Game
by Paul on 05/16/12 at 06:39 PM ET
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Mr. Shanahan explains…
Filed in: NHL Teams, Phoenix Coyotes | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Martin+Hanzal,
Open Post- Devils/Rangers Game 2 ECF
by Paul on 05/16/12 at 06:30 PM ET
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The Devils need some offense, the Rangers need to continue what they did in game 1, which team does it better, wins.
Game time is just after 8:00pm ET and is broadcast on NBCSN, CBC and RDS.
Elliotte Friedman of Hockey Night in Canada does a great job previewing tonight’s game, you can listen to it below…
Filed in: NHL Teams, New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Video- The Top 10 Playoff Saves To Date
by Paul on 05/16/12 at 05:42 PM ET
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Presented by TSN…
note 8:29pm, Sorry for the misleading title which now has been adjusted. The video is not 2012 saves, but all-time.
Filed in: NHL Teams | KK Hockey | Permalink
Rangers/Devils Points
by Paul on 05/16/12 at 03:47 PM ET
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from Katie Strang of ESPN New York,
At a glance: After shutting out their Hudson River rivals 3-0 in Game 1 Monday at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers aim to do something they have yet to accomplish this post-season: take a 2-game series lead. Meanwhile, the Devils look to even the series after letting the opener slip away after outplaying the Rangers for significant stretches.
Shots fired: Via a Devils spokesperson, goaltender Martin Brodeur defended his post-game comments in the wake of Game 1’s 3-0 shutout loss. The 40-year-old veteran, who reportedly suggested the Devils try aiming for the heads of the Rangers to curb their willingness to block shots, said the remarks were made “off-the-cuff.” Brodeur, who no longer talks on game days, said through the spokesperson that his intent was not to target the Rangers in such a way.
Filed in: NHL Teams, New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Afternoon Line
by Paul on 05/16/12 at 03:29 PM ET
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“My greatest fear is I retire and the Kings win the Stanley Cup the next year.”
-Bob Miller, legendary TV voice of the LA Kings. More on Miller from Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Los Angeles Kings, NHL Media, Hockey Broadcasting | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Bob+Miller,
Will The Kings Win The Cup?
by Paul on 05/16/12 at 03:06 PM ET
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from Stu Hackel of the Red Light,
It’s still a good month before the captain of an NHL team hoists the Stanley Cup over his head and a lot can happen between now and then. But on the basis of the first three games in the Western Conference Championship, there is no more impressive team at this moment than the Los Angeles Kings.
This isn’t to say that the Coyotes are dead desert dogs — although they have their tongues hanging out and are panting heavily. Nor is it to say the Devils or Rangers are destined to fall to LA, regardless of which one wins the east — although if the Kings get out of their series in four or five and the Devs and Blueshirts go the limit and the winner gets battered, the Cup in California would be a possible scenario. And who knows what might happen to the Kings along the way? What injuries might they suffer, what puck luck might they not get? What will the hockey gods rain down upon them before the guys with the white gloves carry the Cup onto the ice for the presentation?
But at this moment, the Kings – who are 35-14-11 since Darryl Sutter took over from Terry Murray as coach in December — look like the best of the four teams still skating.
Tuesday night’s 4-0 Jonathan Quick shutout victory over Glendale’s favorite hockey team was a demonstration of domination. While the Coyotes started well, the Kings eventually took control of the proceedings.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Los Angeles Kings | KK Hockey | Permalink
Columbus Makes A Safe But Boring Decision
by Paul on 05/16/12 at 11:10 AM ET
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from Michael Arace of the Columbus Dispatch,
The news that Blue Jackets interim coach Todd Richards was having the interim tag removed from his title was first posted on Dispatch.com yesterday morning. Accompanying the story was a file photo of Richards, shown standing behind the bench, wearing a placid look on his face, his hands in his pockets. Behind him, there is a woman in the stands — and she is yawning large.
That about covers it.
The Blue Jackets are in desperate need of a cultural shakeup. With Richards, they took the safe route and maintained the status quo. Yawwwn. The fans have moved beyond angst to ennui, and this latest move is not going to shake them out of it.
The fans endured a 30th-place finish in a 30-team league, and at midseason, a few hundred of them staged a protest in an effort to get the front office swept clean. The effort was for naught. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss. And say hello, again, to Richards, who was reintroduced at a news conference on the main concourse of Nationwide Arena yesterday afternoon. He is the Blue Jackets’ sixth full-time coach in 12 years.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Columbus Blue Jackets | KK Hockey | Permalink
Cup Contenders?
by Paul on 05/16/12 at 11:04 AM ET
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from Josh Cooper of The Tennessean,
While it’s understandable that some forecasts predict an offseason of gloom and doom for the Predators — there are 15 unrestricted and restricted free agents on the current roster — with a few minor tweaks, this team can contend for the Stanley Cup next season.
Ownership says it has the money to re-sign its important unrestricted free agents, namely All-Star defenseman Ryan Suter.
Defenseman Shea Weber’s restricted free-agent status means his return is likely.
If forward Alexander Radulov decides not to come back to the Predators, they probably can use his rights to deal him for another piece.
Forward Craig Smith had 36 points as a rookie and should have a better sense of the pro game as a sophomore.
Patric Hornqvist and his 27 goals are signed for next season. Leading scorer Martin Erat will be back. Goaltender Pekka Rinne should give the Predators a chance to win on most nights.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Nashville Predators | KK Hockey | Permalink
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Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.
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