Europe Bound

by Anne

It has been announced that the Buffalo Sabres will be starting the 2011 - 2012 NHL season in Europe. 

Their opponent (for one game in Germany anyway)?

The Los Angeles Kings.

WHAT?! For real?

The conflicted emotions! The sadness! The joy! The overwhelming urge to listen to "Springtime For Hitler!" I'm all a-flutter!

On the one hand, I'm excited that my two most beloved teams will be together while traveling abroad, instituting the buddy system, sharing beers and weinerschnitzel, and whatnot. BUT ON THE OTHER! These teams only play each other once a year and I was hoping against hope to travel to Los Angeles next season to see them play. Now I'll have to cross international waters for this match-up. They'll be so far away! Europe is so far away! Curse you, continental drift. But at least they'll be together. Hopefully celebrating their fantastical deep playoff runs from a mere few months earlier.

Dear NHL:

Hello. As I'm sure your scheduler has made you all aware, the Los Angeles Kings and Buffalo Sabres have decided to begin their NHL season in Europe. It's a bold move that I hope they cleared with you before they went ahead and planned their photo-ops at the Brandenberg Gate.

I wanted to take this opportunity to offer my services as, um, uh, a fan. I guarantee you there are an EXTREMELY limited number of fans who know as much as I do about BOTH the Los Angeles Kings and the Buffalo Sabres. I think it's really in the best interest of the National Hockey League, NAY, THE FREE WORLD, that I be in attendance at this event. Heck, I'll gladly take up an empty seat on one of the team's charters. My passport is current, I'm a quick study, I can learn German, and Finnish if you'd like me to also accompany my hometown team to the wilds of Finland. Especially considering that none of the current Sabres are Finnish.

I think by not sending me to Germany, you are missing out on a golden opportunity to REALLY make an impression on the people of Europe. Anne + German Beer + Her Favorite Hockey Teams + Bullhorn + German/English Dictionary aka Jochen Hecht has international incident written all over it. 

You can't BUY that kind of publicity.

Please respond at your earliest convenience. I shall wait with bated breath.

Love,

Anne

A Royal Playoff Berth

by Anne

Last night with a shootout win over the Coyotes, the Los Angeles Kings clinched a playoff berth.

Woooo! Let's do a little dance:

 Playoffs, baby.

 This is not unlike my own sick victory dance moves.

With Kopitar and Williams out, the youngin's, specifically Kyle Clifford had to step up, and they did. Clifford scored a HUGE second period game-tying goal that ultimately led to the game-winning shootout. I wouldn't call behbeh Kyle a suitable replacement for Kopi or Willy, but he'll do in a pinch.

There's no way this team goes all the way without Kopi. I adore the Kings fans I follow on Twitter. I love reading their blogs and I love their passion for the game. However, some of them need to see the light and realize that while Kopi isn't the ENTIRE team, the team will never, ever be as good without him as they are with him. Most of them have, but some still cling to 2011 Cup dreams.

I see this playoff berth as an opportunity for the Kings to see players like Clifford in big-game situations. Otherwise, I'm not holding my breath for huge things for the Kings. :(

Because I've been lax, I'm sure you've all missed your daily (ok, weekly...or bi-monthly) love for Matt Greene. Please enjoy that he has been named by his teammates as having the worst car and being the worst dressed. The truth is, he dresses that way and drives that car to make his teammates feel better about themselves when they're around him. He's got to do SOMETHING to ease their stress that he's so much more bad-ass than they are.

Let's Go Kings!

Getting Our Money's Worth?

by Anne

No, this is not going to be an analysis of the cost of tickets plus the cost of nachos and beer at HSBC Arena or Ralph Wilson Stadium in relation to wins/losses/points scored, etc. This is about quantity over quality.

I'm supremely glad that the Bills and Sabres penchant for overtime is coming to a close. Well, the Bills has, the Sabres just can't seem to get enough of playing 65+ minutes. They're just so generous, handing out loser points throughout the NHL. No one can say they aren't givers.

I started to think about this post when I was pretty sure the Lions were going to convert on their last-second two-point conversion attempt to tie the game in the dying seconds. Tragically, they were unable to do so and the Buffalo Bills managed to avoid over time and win their first game of the season. They've decided to kick-off the second half of the season without the goose egg in the "W" column. Tragic. I'm devastated, I was hoping for another HILARIOUS overtime loss to further crush the fans of Western New York. When the game clock ticked down to zeros, I was probably the only person in WNY treating it as though the Bills had just been handed their first loss of the season. Nothing I want ever happens, it seems.

In somewhat related news, Eli Manning was just picked off in the end zone and the Cowboys ran back 100+ yards for a TD. I obviously loathe, hate, and despise the Dallas Cowboys BUT! if they win today, then the Buffalo Bills will STILL have the worst record in the National Football League and will still have a very very high draft pick to totally blow.

I may not be able to get my perfect season, but a girl can dream can't she?

In non-Buffalo news: I love the Los Angeles Kings. I mean, the Sabres have been trying harder to win me back, but it may be too late for them. The season isn't even 25% over yet, but the Kings have made me several offers that I just can't seem to find the strength to refuse. They don't need to take things into overtime, they take care of business in regulation. No loser points for the rest of the NHL being handed out by the Kings. Thanks boys, this might be the real deal.

Letters

by Anne

Dear Kings,

Thank you for winning last night. I know it was in the shootout, which isn't my favorite, but at least you won. I appreciate updating the "W" column in your record. It is very enjoyable. Keep up the good work.

Love, Anne

 Wooo! Kings win!

 Dear Joe Beninati,

Thanks for developing an awkward man crush on Matt Greene. He is a "big burly beast," I'm sure he'll be glad to know you think so too. I am thrilled he has returned the Kings' line-up as well.

Love, Anne

What he didn't tell us is that this moose is named Matt Greene as well.

Dear Dustin Brown,

I'm sorry you were ejected from the game unnecessarily. Mostly I'm sorry you were ejected because you didn't do anything wrong. Also I'm sorry because you're on one of my fantasy teams and you killed my average time on ice last night. Please keep this in mind as you move forward in the season.

Love, Anne

I think this picture is from last season

HOW HAVE I NEVER SEEN IT BEFORE?

Looks like I found the front of this year's Christmas card.

Dear Drew Doughty,

Please wrap your head in bubble wrap and don't sit in any spinny chairs for the next few days. We'd like your coconut to be fully functional and ready to return to the lineup posthaste. I'm sure Simmer doesn't appreciate all the requests for chicken soup and foot massages. Oh yeah, and the Kings miss you. They're doing fine without you so far but they'll be even better WITH you. I'm sure Greener is trying not to take it personally that the first game you missed was his first game back. Bitterness between former housemates? Is there tension? Greener did saw Simmer's shoe in half once.... it's all coming together now.

Love, Anne

TIMMAH was kind enough to let you borrow it

Dear Sabres,

I have been having a bad few days, last night the Kings did their part by beating the Wild. However, I have no strong feelings about the Wild so that victory wasn't nearly as satisfying as, say, you beating the Philadelphia Flyers, my 2nd least favorite team in the NHL. PLEEEEEEEASE beat the Flyers?! PRETTY Please?!

Love, Anne

Does this come in women's cuts too?

Dear Tyler Myers,

You're  -8 these days. Please improve that stat and fast. My fantasy team would appreciate it.

Love, Anne

I see you are composing your thoughtful response.

Many thanks, young JBG

Dear Jason Pominville,

Please come back soon. We might not need you that much, but it's been weird watching games without you playing in them.

Love, Anne

I know what you're thinking, and you're right:

This picture will never be old.

Dear Squeaky desk somewhere in my office,

OMFG, STOP SQUEAKING, IT'S DRIVING ME SLOWLY INSANE. I SWEAR I WILL GO ALL HULK SMASH ON YOU SOON IF A SOLUTION TO YOUR INCESSANT SQUEAKING IS NOT QUICKLY REACHED.

Love, Anne

GO ABOUT WITH CONFIDENCE, CITIZENS

by Anne

I have no computer to use other than my parents so I was UNAWARE of this development until almost 8:00 PM Eastern Standard Time:

After three months of rehabilitation and countless hours of skating and practicing, Matt Greene will be back in the Kings’ lineup tonight.

WHAT'S THAT YOU HEAR? A CHOIR OF ANGELS SHOUTING OUT WITH JOY? 

YES, PEOPLE OF EARTH. IT IS. YOUR EARS DO NOT DECEIVE YOU.

You can now conduct your lives with confidence because this man is BACK IN THE LINEUP:

GROSS.

BUT ALSO AWESOME

Aw, Come on!

by Anne

The Sabres won! They did all sorts of stuff right! Myers scored! Vanek scored his first of the season! What a weight lifted off his shoulders! They had lots of shots on goal! Miller looked sharp in net! No one got hurt! Pommer is coming back soon! All is well in the land of the Sabres fan this morning. We shall never again mention that five game "slide." It's all "W" from here on out! Woooo!

Then the Kings won too! Hooray! Okay, it wasn't the same type of domination that the Sabres handed the Thrashers last night, but they managed to pull out a 4-3 victory against the Hurricanes with Bernier in net. Woo! Greener has been cleared for full "hockey activities," now that he's recovered from his harrowing ordeal with "lace bite." Oh yeah, and that whole, ya know, shoulder surgery thing, but LACE BITE?! How did he survive?

Things are looking good!

Oh but wait. There's more.

BUT, of COURSE. Just when both of my teams seemed to have a good night, THIS has to happen:

From the LA Kings Insider:

After the game, Terry Murray said Drew Doughty would not accompany the Kings to Phoenix, but left open the possibility that Doughty would join the team later in the trip. Murray did not elaborate on Doughty’s upper-body injury, other than to say that it took place during the first-period collision with Erik Cole. Doughty was not available for comment after the game.

 Noooooo! :( :( :(

Careful with his upper-body!

:'(

Big Wille Style

by Anne

Willie Mitchell is a Los Angeles King. A foxy stay-at-home defenseman? Providing a stabilizing presence for Doughty/Johnson? High potential for punching people?

These defensive corps just keeps getting better and better. Willie will have to keep me happy for the first month of the season until Greener recovers from his harrowing shoulder ordeal. He's not American, but no one's perfect. I'm just greatful he was saved from the grodiness of the Vancouver Canucks.

I used to LOVE the Canucks. I loved them waaaay more than the Kings about two years ago. Then... something changed. I'm not sure if it was the irritating smugness of a whole bunch of Canucks fans on Twitter (not ALL, just many), the whininess of Roberto Luongo,  Big Bear's injury-plagued season, or the ridiculousness of Canucks' writers. Whatever it was, all those things combined to make me keep the Canucks at arm's length. If it weren't for Ryan Kesler or...yeah, pretty much if it weren't for Kes, I would flat out just hate the Canucks. But, as it stands, I like Ryan Kesler, Christian Ehrhoff, the Sedins, and Ryan Johnson and that's about it.

Anyway, Big Willie is a King now, and shall be for the next two seasons. I wonder what number he'll be rocking in SoCal?

Immediate reaction to Kings' draft pick

by Anne

The Kings traded up to 15th (giving up only two picks in this year's draft) and drafted American defenseman Derek Forbort.

Already Derek has the scales tipped in his favor as he's an American defenseman. Then you toss in that he's a giant at 6'5" and he plays for the USHL development team and I like him even more. But, these are all surface things, I now quest to find a bit of Mark Pysyk cuff link-style trivia to send him over the edge...

Interview on LA Kings Insider... Thanks his Dad, blah, blah, blah, talks about how he's always been really tall, blah, blah, blah, loved hearing all the fans in the Staples Center, blah, blah, blah, Jack Johnson is a USA hockey defensive demi-god (allegedly), blah, blah, blah, HOLD UP, he's going to North Dakota?! AAAAAND SOLD.

I don't follow college hockey AT ALL. However, I have a soft spot for North Dakota and the players they produce. For example, one Los Angeles Kings defenseman that shall remain nameless...

I'm just kind of "blah" about Kassian, especially after his assault arrest. Brayden Schenn doesn't really excite me all that much, so I'm much more pleased with this year's first round selections. Excellent.

Welcome to the Kings, Derek Forbort.

I find it strange that he was drafted in the throwback jersey but then put on a regular primary logo jersey for the pictures. Whatevs.

I wish I was going to be at the Draft/Yo, Chicago, calm down

by Anne

My #2 team is hosting the NHL entry draft on Friday. I hope to see Dustin Brown there when the Kings announce their pick and the trade that sends Kovalchuk's rights to Dean Lombardi for the negotiatin' of a new contract. Even the NHL schedule is planning on this happening. The Kings' home opener is against the Atlanta Thrashers. Fan crisis moment: Can I really cheer for Ilya Kovalchuk? Once he starts scoring like crazy, I'll have no problem, I'm sure.

While I'm not terribly excited for this year's draft class, it would still be exciting to see the players drafted and be there while some crazy trades are going down on the floor of the Staples Center. Maybe after I get a real job (I have an interview on Monday, fingers crossed) I'll start saving to go to LA for a game this coming season or the season after. There's always the possibility of seeing them play when they head East for a road trip. Maybe back to Nashville? Columbus? We shall see, but I really want to see the Kings in their natural habitat.

Everyone has November 19th circle on their calendars, RIGHT?! :) That's the day that the Kings come to play the Sabres in HSBC Arena :) I'm not sure if I'm going to wear any Kings' gear; I don't want it to look like I'm cheering against the Sabres. What will probably happen is that I'll just wear plain black and cheer all of the goals.  

Speaking of trades and such: YO, CHICAGO, CHILL. We all knew that the Blackhawks would be cleaning house, but not necessarily this soon after and not necessarily this many trades at once. Byfuglien, Eager, Sopel and prospect Aliu (whom I have a soft spot for because he served as a  Russian translator during the NHL combine interviews) to Atlanta for Marty Reasoner, two picks, and prospect Jeremy Morin. I love Marty Reasoner because he had Greener were BFFs when they played in Edmonton. 

In addition, the Blackhawks sent poor adorable little Collin Fraser up to Edmonton for a 6th round pick. Yikes. 

I mostly don't care about these trades because they will have limited or no impact on my teams. However, do the Thrashers really need another enforcer with only limited talent in Ben Eager? It'll up the opportunities for Kaleta and Eager to renew their old rivalry, but still, really Thrashers? Really? 

Also on the UFA front: I'm glad the Sharks re-signed Patrick Marleau. I was getting a little tired of hearing Sabres fans drool over him, but am sad that Joe Pavelski wasn't dealt to the Sabres. I loves me some Pavelski. 

Looking forward to the Draft Party tomorrow night! Who all is going to be there?

So long, Kings

by Anne

Well, it's over. The Los Angeles Kings are now in the off-season. 

It was the first playoff appearance for the Kings since 2002 and the series didn't disappoint. Well, that is until that last game, anyway.

If this series did nothing else, it re-affirmed that while Jonathan Quick is a nice guy, and loves to play hockey, he may not be the answer for the Kings in net for the long term. I don't think any Kings fan thought otherwise. However, let's give the guy the credit he deserves. He played over 70 games and got this team to the playoffs. He was undoubtedly mentally and physically exhausted after the season he had and he couldn't get it done in the playoffs. Hopefully next season the other Jonathan (Bernier) will be up with the big club and ready to make a difference as well.

Now the Kings head into the off-season with their heads held high. There aren't a whole lot of burning questions to answer, not a lot of holes to plug up. The biggest question mark is the enigma that is Alexander Frolov. I'm pretty sure Fro will be departing for a new team. Hell, he didn't score in the playoffs until yesterday.  Other than Fro and O'D, there aren't any UFAs I really care about. I don't want Randy Jones back. Ivanans can peace out. I don't feel strongly about Modin or Halpern other than that Modin was a good locker room presence during the playoffs.  Without too many contracts to worry about they can just look to get even better. Scary. The rest of the Pacific and the NHL is on notice.

The best news is that the Kings are now finished paying Dan Cloutier. Really.

From my personal experience, this was only my second season as a Kings fan and it was awesome. I've never paid such close attention to another team during the regular season and it was great. I loved traveling to Nashville to see them play (and win). I can't wait until next season and I can't wait until I can get out to LA to see a game!

LET'S GO KINGS!

More Nominations

by Anne

Adding to the NHL Award nominations, the Norris trophy, given to the league's top defenseman, nominees were announced today.

Clearly none of the Sabres were nominated because when was the last time a rookie d-man was nominated for the Norris? Myers was the best rookie but not the league's best defenseman. I love him anyway.

But! One of these boys was nominated for the Norris: Drew Doughty!

Go get 'em tiger!

Tonight the Sabres hope to stave off elimination and the Kings look to regain the series lead.

Let's Go Buff-a-lo!

Let's Go Kings!

Also, the Devils were the first team to be eliminated from the playoffs, losing 3-0 on home ice in Game 5 to the (ugh) Flyers.

Drew Doughty Isn't Impressed

by Anne

I'm a regular reader of Battle of California. Rudy Kelly is ridiculous in the best ways possible. He posted this video of Dewey from the last game of the Kings/Canucks series which the Kings won 5-3. Enjoy:

Drew Doughty will fucking hipcheck the shit out of you. Keep yapping.

Kings and Sabres game day.

Kings can take a stranglehold on the series and the Sabres could get firmly back into theirs.

Let's Go Buff-a-lo!

Let's Go Kings!

Best playoffs ever.

by Anne

I didn't watch the Sabes game on Saturday because of bridal shower festivities and missed much of the Kings' game while out at a bachelorette party in the evening.

The good and the bad:

• The Sabres blew a two goal lead and lost 5-3. Jerks.
• Thomas Vanek lost the lower half of his leg
• Johnny Boychuk is a d-bag
• The Kings decided to trail by 2 goals for about half of the game.
• Fortunately, Wayne Simmonds decided to tie it up and Kopi decided to win it in OT.
• I really think the Sabres will be ok without Vanek for the time being. He was a non-factor most of the season; they won several games when he was playing like garbage.
• Stafford is back. He skated with the team this morning after a doctor in Buffalo tightened the nuts and bolts that keep his head on his neck.
• Miller was named a finalist for the Vezina. Shocking.
• I hate this semester and all the writing I have to do over the next two weeks.
• The playoffs are bananas
• I love Dan Boyle
• I love the San Jose Sharks SO. MUCH.
• Where my playoff beards at? I know it's early but: bring 'em on!!

2009-2010 Regular Season Grades: Goaltenders

by Anne

Here is my assessment of both teams' goaltenders.

 #30 Ryan Miller

Buffalo Sabres

68 starts, 41W, 2.22, .929%, 5SO

I don't need to say much more about this loser. Who needs him?!

Grade: Vezina+

#31 Erik Ersberg

Los Angeles Kings

7 starts, 4W, 2.54, .906%

Ersberg's stats aren't as bad as they might seem when looking at how much he's played. He's an ok back-up.

Grade: B-

 #32 Jonathan Quick

Los Angeles Kings

72 starts, 39W, 2.52, .907%, 4SO

If it weren't for Quickie, the Kings would've been much worse off. However, his stats are not earth-shattering. He's a solid goaltender but he's not elite. He stole a few games, but not many. He also played way too many and it started to show at the end of the season.

Grade: B+

 #40 Patrick Lalime

 Buffalo Sabres

13 starts, 4W, 2.81, .907%

Yeah. Ok. He played better when put in as relief of Miller the three times it might've happened. He's ok. He and the team meshed better towards the end of the season but, meh.

Grade: B-

Also:

#45 Jonathan Bernier

Los Angeles Kings

3 starts, 3 W, 1.30, .957%, 1 SO

Look at the Kings goalies above stats and then look at these. I think the future is clear.

Grade: A+

Sabres goaltending: A-

Kings: (w/o Bernier): B

2009-2010 Regular Season Grades: Forwards (Kings)

by Anne

Both teams' goaltenders will be in a post together tomorrow because just writing a post about how great Ryan Miller is is a little overdone these days.

Today I bring you the Kings' forwards:

#11 Anze Kopitar

82gm, 34G, 47A, +6, 21:47

Kopi came out of the gates a-blazin' but quickly cooled off. For a brief time he lead the league in scoring but that didn't last once Ryan Smyth and/or Justin Williams were injured. He was still awesome most of the time.

Grade: A-

#14 Justin Williams

49gm, 10G, 19A, +3, 16:22

Big Willy Style was brought in for some veteran Cup-winning experience. When he was in the line-up, it was grand. When he wasn't, well, Kopi struggled without him and Smyttie. He only played half the season and has previously been far  more offensively productive.

Grade: B-

#15 Brad Richardson

81gm, 11G, 16A, +1, 12:50

RichardFail was not as bad as his nickname might suggest, I suppose. He was better than I anticipated he'd be. I was shocked to learn he played 81 games to be honest. He was AW-FUL for the first two months of the season, but the Christmas spirit clearly hit him and from December on, he was much better.

Grade: B+

#17 Wayne Simmonds

78gm, 16G, 24A, +22, 14:28

Wayne Simmonds rocks. Plain and simple. He does it all. He scores at a 3rd liner's rate, plays in a defensively responsible way, fights and all does it with a goofy look on his face. I'd love to be a fly on the wall in the house he shares with Doughty

Grade: A

#23 Dustin Brown

82gm, 24G, 32A, -6, 19:15

A typical Brownie season but with slightly better +/-. He had his usual 3563098 hits and played decently over all. He's consistent and that's what you need from a captain.

Grade: B

 #24 Alexander Frolov

81gm, 19G, 32A, -1, 18:26

Someone recently referred to Fro as the player who invented streaky play. He was really bad at the beginning of the season but certainly turned things around as time went on. He has that typically Russian way of playing "teammates, what teammtes? Look how FAST I am!" that, I'm sure drove Terry Murray insane. Things could've been worse, but things have certainly been better (offensively anyway).

Grade:C+

 #26 Michal Handzus

81gm, 20G, 22A, +4, 18:18

Zus is a man of few words and much defensive responsibility. There are no frills to his game. He does his job and he does it well.

Grade: A-

 #28 Jarret Stoll

73gm, 16G, 31A, +13, 17:25

He and Simmer are fantastic linemates. This season Stolly's power play prowess showed more in his set-up ability for guys like Doughty and Kopitar. He had the highest % of faceoff wins of any player that took more than 20 faceoffs (he took over 1100 and 3 players took 10-20 and had higher %).

Grade: B+

#41 Raitis Ivanans

61gm, 0G, 0A, -8, 4:53

Hey, he had 136 PIM! And he gets to play in game one tonight. He's pretty much useless.

Grade: D

#63 Scott Parse

59gm, 11G, 13A, +13, 10:31

In his rookie season, Scooter has been reliable. Parse-Stoll-Simmonds is a fun checking line. They play pretty well together, as is evidenced by their strong +/- and solid point production. I loves me some checking line players. Hopefully he'll stick with it and continue to be solid in years to come.

 Grade: B

 #94 Ryan Smyth

67gm 22G, 31A, +8, 19:40

Smyttie has been a great linemate for Kopitar. It was apparent in Kopi's game when he was not there. When he wasn't there, and when Williams wasn't there either, Kopi tried to do too much and accomplished much less than he did when those two, especially Smyth, were out there. He was the dynamic winger that the Kings had been looking for the past few seasons.

 Grade: B+

The rest:

#22 Jeff Halpern

16gm, 0G, 2A, -1, 10:40

Ummm... whatevs.

Grade: C

#33 Fredrik Modin

20gm, 3G, 2A, -2, 14:54

I was expecting more from Halpern and less from Modin. He wasn't a rockstar but he was better than I expected he would be.

Grade: C+

#56 Rich Clune

14gm, 0G, 2A, +1, 7:17

Oh Clunatic. He's alright. He's a slight upgrade from Ivanans. He could turn into a Neil or a Kaleta.

Grade: C+

They were pretty decent this season. Better than last season and certainly better defensively than in previous seasons. They weren't mindblowing but they weren't terrible. Their defensive game was the biggest improvement as well as the veteran presence added at the last two deadlines and over the summer with Smyth.

Forwards overall grade: B+

What a happy line

2009-2010 Regular Season Grades: Defensemen (Kings)

by Anne

Since I love both teams (almost equally), I have to grade the Kings' season as well. Here are the defensemen up first:

 #2 Matt Greene

75gm, 2G, 7A, +4, 17:28

Greener is a stay at home defenseman and he played as one. He and O'D were a consistent shut-down 3rd pairing. Greener dished out 238 hits and blocked 126 shots. And he's my favorite.

Grade: A+++  ok, FINE: B+

#3 Jack Johnson

80gm, 8G, 28A, -15, 22:36

Hey, if Jack Johnson was better at even strength hockey, he'd be real good. He contributes a great deal offensively and 13 of his points came on the power play. I know +/- is a nebulous stat but -15 is pretty rank. He can be amazing in the offensive zone but his neutral zone play leaves much to be desired still.

Grade: B

#5 Peter Harrold

39gm, 1G, 1A, -2, 9:14

He played 39 games?! Whatevs, Harry is somewhat useful because he's a magical wizard who can play fourth line winger AND defense. Magic, I tells ya. He was fine. He's good to have in a pinch. He's really good at picking up Ivanans gloves (as seen above).

Grade: C

 #6 Sean O'Donnell

78gm, 3G, 12A, +14, 18:44

O'D had a solid but typically O'D season. Although his three goals are three more than he had last season. One he had the courtesy of scoring while I was in the building. He may be 56 (age estimated) and look like the human embodiment of Launchpad McQuack but he was solid.

Grade: A-

 #7 Rob Scuderi

73gm, 0G, 11A, +16, 19:16

Scuds, like O'D, had a typically Scuds season. He wasn't brought in to ramp up the Kings' defensive goalscoring, he was brought in to be the responsible defensive defenseman he was in Pittsburgh. He was usually paired with Drew Doughty and look how his season turned out (below). 

Grade: A-

#8 Drew Doughty

82gm, 16G, 43A, +20, 24:58

Is there anything he can't do? Nope? Nothing? Yeah that's right. Drew Doughty is awesome and totally knocked it out of the park this season, to mix my sports analogies. His points were almost 50/50 special teams and even strength (31 PP, 28 5-on-5). He even dished out 157 hits, including several beautiful textbook hipchecks. I get a little scared thinking of him and Myers together on Team Canada a few years down the line. Amazing.

Grade: A+

#12 Randy Jones

48gm, 5G, 16, -3, 18:10

Umm, well, he's a 7th defensemen that had like four good games. Mostly he and Jack Johnson made me want to claw my eyes out and drink heavily. He was handy in a pinch when Scuds was hurt earlier in the season but mostly I wish they had left him in Philadelphia because he's creepy.

Grade: C+

#44 Davis Drewiske

42gm, 1G, 7A, -4, 15:14

Drew started the season strong while being paired with Greener but it didn't take long for him to slide into the doghouse. Then he got hurt and rarely made it back into the lineup. It was his first full season with the big club and it showed. I'm not optimistic for him to crack into the top 6 next season.

Grade: C

For the most part, the Kings defense group was solid. To compare, as a group, they were better overall than the Sabres. They're all better in their own zone than they were last season, except for Jack Johnson. They're reliable and confident and that's why we get players with confidence like Drew Doughty.

Overall Defense grade: B+

My preferred Kings defense corps.
Look how happy they all are to be together!

It's the final countdown

by Anne

Here we are, folks, the final weekend of the regular season. For the first time in two years, the Sabres season will not end after Sunday, and for the first time in 64 years, the Los Angeles Kings season will continue on as well. 

Truth be told, I became a Kings fan for the basic purpose that they were toothless and hardly ever won. They were rather harmless and didn't cause me too much anxiety. Well, fast forward two years and they're also hitching a ride to the playoffs.

I'm just not sure if I can take two teams in the playoffs. My blue and gold fingernails clearly indicate where my loyalties lie first and foremost, but this will be a mighty stressful time. When most people's evenings of Sabres playoff hockey stress have ended, mine will be only just beginning.

This weekend I'm going to grade the Sabres regular season stats like I did last season because it was lots o' fun so I'll probably start those tomorrow night after the final game.

Speaking of those blue and gold fingernails, many ladies have said they were going to do it as well, to that I say: YES PLEASE DO!! It's fun and ridiculous but also somewhat socially acceptable, just like a playoff beard.

Two more games for each team, the Kings are at home against Edmonton this afternoon and close out the season with their final game in Colorado on Sunday. The Sabres are in Ottawa (ugh) tonight and finish up tomorrow in Joisey.

Speaking of Ottawa, I get more than a slight sense of excitement over the news that Kovalev will not be playing for the next several months. Not because of anything personal about him, but because anything that screws over Ottawa is gold in my book.

Can you feel the excitement?!!

Controversy time

by Anne

I want to write a whole write-up of our awesome trip to Nashville but I need a camera cord before I can upload the pictures and I want to edit some of the video before I upload some of them.

Tuesday and Wednesday were some pretty sweet days for hockey. The Sabres welcomed me back to Buffalo with a lovely victory over the Panthers. Pommer leads the team in goal scoring? Gerbe AND Ennis scored? Woooo! Welcome home to me!

However, not everything is coming up roses. There are some awesome "controversies" both my teams are dealing with. 

First for the Sabres there's: how do we send Gerbe and Ennis back to the AHL when they've been playing this well in the NHL? Connolly and Vanek weren't playing as well before they were injured, why should Gerbe and Ennis lose their spots just because they come back? Let's see, four players who have proven to be prolific goal-scorers vying for a limited number of roster spots, especially with the playoffs upcoming? Gosh, things are tough.

On the West Coast side of things, the "controversy" a-brewing is a good old fashioned goalie controversy. Jonathan Bernier was called up from Manchester when Erik Ersberg allegedly strained his back. He played the Nashville game I attended a recorded himself a shutout. I don't think it was a surprise to any Kings fan that Bernier is better than Ersberg, but could he be better than Quick?  Terry Murray was quick (hah) to put it out there that Quickie is still the #1 goalie, but Bernier is getting the start tonight against Vancouver.

Yeesh, times are tough.

:)

Howdy from Nashville!

by Anne

Howdy, y'all!

I'm sitting in our hotel room while Moms takes a nap. We'll soon be heading out to explore some of what "Smashville" has to offer us this afternoon. The flight down was uneventful and the weather is gorgeous. It's a little cool but we Buffalo gals can handle it just fine. The hotel is really nice and very close to the Bridgesrone Arena and the Country Music Hall of Fame.

I don't have much nice to say about the Kings after last night's game other than to essentially BEG them to win because they never beat the Predators and Bernier needs the wins to earn him a roster spot.

Last night's Sabres game was far more pleasant and for once the Versus broadcast didn't really bother me. I have named the unlikely lone of Gerbe-Grier-Gaustad as the 3G Network. They responded to their new name by combining for a somewhat goofy but awesome Goose goal. A week or so ago I whined a bit about how it had been too long since Goose scored and he responded with his current three game scoring streak. Thank you, Paul.

It was nice but not altogether surprising to see the team's balanced scoring continue without Vanek and Connolly. Hopefully after seeing the zip in Ennis and Gerbe, those two will come back in fighting form.

Time to get ready to head out! Let's go Kings!!

Etiquette Question

by Anne

I have never attended an NHL game in another arena. The closest I've come was watching a game outside Mellon Arena during the 2009 Finals. While I was there, I was, of course, wearing my newly acquired Jordan Staal t-shirt and screaming my head off for the Pens.

This brings me to my question: on Tuesday I will be heading down to Nashville to watch the Kings play the Predators. I have never been a fan of the visiting team in an Arena and I'm not sure of the proper protocol. 

I have attended dozens of NHL games at HSBC Arena and encountered MANY visiting fans. There are some extremely obvious rules that I do not intend to break like heckling and taunting the seven Predators fans that will be there, drunkenly screaming, throwing things, etc.

My questions are more along the lines of: if the Kings score, can I jump up and cheer? Should I stay seated? I should probably keep the booing of the Predators to a minimum, right? How many Predators fans do you think will be there? I have no idea what average Tuesday night attendance is like in Tennessee. If they're playing like boneheads, can I yell at the Kings? Should I keep that to a minimum? If there's no one around me, I'm going to just scream my fool head off, k?

Nashville is not a hockey market I know much about. Are there any many diehard fans? 

I remember sitting behind a Red Wings fan in Buffalo once who didn't. move. the entire game. The Wings scored five times and she didn't move a muscle. Then at the end, she stood up, gave one irritating and obnoxious "WOOOO!" and left. It was probably more annoying than if she had just cheered for her team the entire time.

Those of you who have been to games in other arenas, help a sister out. Thanks!