The Throne Room

A Huge Character Win

The last time the Kings beat Calgary was in February of 2008. Heading into tonight, that was the team’s lone win against the Flames in the last 12 tries. Given that, it’s easy to understand why you don’t head into a game against Calgary with a ton of optimism. ESPECIALLY when the Flames are the NHL’s hottest road team, and arguably playing the league’s best hockey of late. They possess one of the most formidable defenses in recent league history, and they’ve got a fire breathing dragon named Mikka Kiprusoff guarding their net. Based on the Kings’ recent lackluster performances (even if they did gain points), you could hardly have blamed anyone for not bearing to watch.

The Kings took the first lead of the game with a beautiful goal by Scott Parse, who took a feed from Michal Handzus just as a Kings’ power play had expired, then proceeded to undress both the Flames’ Adam Pardy and Kiprusoff, all while being harassed by Aaron Johnson. However, once the lead was theirs, the Kings’ managed to start the defensive zone fire drill, and predicatbly it cost them when Curtis Glencross skated toward the net nearly unmolested and backhanded the puck past Jon Quick to tie the game at one.

While this was not the last of the Kings’ defensive mistakes in their own end, it would be the last time the Flames would dent twine tonight. Quick, making 26 saves total, was there to bail out the Kings’ time and again after failed attempts at clearing the zone.

When the Kings were awarded a power play in the second period, at was as if they knew exactly what they needed to do: control of the puck, crisp passes and the shot mentality that Terry Murray speaks so often about. After Dustin Brown circled the net with the puck and fed Justin Williams along the halfwall, Williams appeared set to dish off to the point man, but instead threaded a nifty pass to Jaret Stoll, who tipped the puck past Kiprusoff.

Having seen the Kings’ inability to clear their own zone in times of need, heading to the third period with a 2-1 lead didn’t inspire a ton of confidence, but the Kings came out for the third period playing a simplified, tightened defensive game that helped to smother the Flames. When Calgary could find daylight, there was Quick, waiting with an outstretched pad, or in one case tonight, the very tip of his catching glove to thwart a Flames’ scoring chance. With Kiprusoff pulled for the final minute and change of the game, the Flames were unable to sustain any pressure and the Kings skated to victory, their first over Calgary in nearly two years.

Kopitar and Brown are still without goals in their last 13 and 14 games respectively, but secondary scoring, which was considered a question mark for the Kings headed into the season, was again present when needed. One place the Kings improved greatly tonight was in the faceoff circle. It amazed me with their record to learn that Calgary is last in the NHL in faceoffs won. The Kings were able to win key draws, particularly on the penalty kill to avert Calgary from being able to set up plays in the Kings’ end at crucial times.

Also not without mention - the Kings got some bounces tonight. There were two or three instances where a Flames pass back to a wide open point man or an open forward skating through the slot didn’t connect because of a bouncing puck. In recent games, these have all gone against the Kings. Tonight, they went in their favor, including a hit post by Iginla in the 3rd on a shot Quick appeared not to see coming. To beat quality teams like Calgary, you need a little luck, and the Kings had it tonight.

This game was what I’d call a huge character win for the Kings. They win despite being outshot 26-16, and despite some sloppy own-end play early, manage to tighten up defensively when they needed to. The game was very reminiscent of the type of game needed to win in the playoffs. Hopefully a sign on things to come.

The week starts off well now, but won’t get any easier. Kings head to San Jose to face the division leading Sharks on Wednesday night. With the Kings only trailing San Jose by 4 points for the division lead at press time, a win would be huge. The Kings will then head home and face Phoenix the next night. The Kings only have a two point lead over the overachieving Coyotes, and despite beating them twice in their barn, got blown out by the Desert Dogs on opening night in LA. Two important divisional games, with Ryan Smyth not expected to return for at least another week, will paint a picture of the kind of will this team has. Will it find a way to win without the big guns firing again? The answer to that question may have a lot to do with playoff seeding at seasons’ end.

Kings in San Jose at the Tank Wednesday night.

-JS

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