Did the Kings get screwed?

Wow! Looks like a blown call that went in the San Jose Sharks favor. I am not a fan of either team, but I want to see the games called correctly. It appears that Dustin Penner had scored a goal.

L.A. Kings let fan tweet for them for a period. Not a really good call.

We apologize for the tweets that came from a guest of our organization. They were inappropriate and do not reflect the LA Kings.
— LA Kings (@LAKings) May 22, 2013

This is what I'm talking about! - @thekevinryder RT @melvitomartinez: @lakings refuse to lose hope. #gokingsgo
— LA Kings (@LAKings) May 22, 2013

Trivia time: What year did the @sanjosesharks win the Stanley Cup? Give up? Me too. I can’t see the future. - @thekevinryder
— LA Kings (@LAKings) May 22, 2013

The L.A. Kings let a fan tweet for a period for them during tonight's game, I bet they don't do that again anytime soon. Check it out the ones that weren't deleted by the Kings. There was a tasteless tweet that made a joke about being raped that has since been deleted you can see it at the link provided.

just for the record, the Kings have been out shot by the Sharks in every game of this series. Badly. Find a way to win. - @thekevinryder
— LA Kings (@LAKings) May 22, 2013

(1 of 2) “This is L.A.” by the Briggs used by the Kings. The Ducks, use…hang on, let me find a Ducks game. Be right back… - @thekevinryder
— LA Kings (@LAKings) May 22, 2013

If they're reading my tweets we have bigger problems. RT@suemenval: @lakings @thekevinryder 2 periods to go...show the boys some positivity!
— LA Kings (@LAKings) May 22, 2013

Jonathan Quick, like last year, is keeping us in it. Plus he punched a dude. @thekevinryder RT @lbchopshop: Angry Quick is hot. And angry.
— LA Kings (@LAKings) May 22, 2013

This is Kevin from the Kevin and Bean show on KROQ. Tough game to do a Twitter takeover. Sharks 1-0. #GoKingsGo - @thekevinryder
— LA Kings (@LAKings) May 22, 2013

I’ll let @genamazzeo introduce me: twitter.com/kingestkong/st… - @thekevinryder
— LA Kings (@LAKings) May 22, 2013

Raffi Torres suspended the rest of the second round

I said this the other day. --> I don't know... Raffi Torres doesn't leave his feet, he keeps his elbow in and he attempts to hit him in the torso, I think this call is based on reputation. Just for the record, I am not a Sharks fan by any stretch, I think the Chris Kelly elbow on James van Riemsdyk was worse and there wasn't a suspension for that hit. I am not saying that Torres doesn't deserve a suspension, he does, but in this case I think the league is piling on and is going to make an example out of Torres like they did with Matt Cooke.

I am going to stand by these comments. Raffi Torres is a reckless player, but he has cleaned up his act, a bit this year. I don't think that this hit is worthy of a 4-6 game suspension. This hit is worthy of a suspension. But whatever. 

I am going to pose a question; what if this was the Kings Dustin Brown laying this hit on the Sharks Patrick Marleau or Joe Pavelski, how long of a suspension would he get for the same hit? Has he not made some of the same kinds of plays only to escape suspension? Thoughts? 

Dustin Brown knees Jaden Schwartz

s/t to Kukla Korner... So, L.A. Kings forward Dustin Brown was suspended two games a week and a half ago for elbowing the  Minnesota Wild forward Jason Pominville, probably ending his season and now we see Brown doing this. Last night, Brown was assessed a two minute minor at the 16:58 mark of the first period for tripping Blues forward Jaden Schwartz, but you can see this could have been a lot worse.

So, I am interested in knowing what the explanation for this one is? To me, it would appear that Brown didn't learn his lesson from last week. We are told that he's not a dirty player and that he's only been suspended once by the NHL. I guess, I don't think he's a dirty player either, but the fact remains that he's leading with his elbow.

I am wondering why more people more upset with this hit?  We have a guy that was hurt by what appears to be a legal hit, the guy that hit him is going to have a hearing today and the hit in question is receiving a ton of chatter. If Brown connects with that elbow on Jaden Schwartz, he probably has  yet another hearing. This would be his second in a two week period.  Had Brown been facing another hearing, he would've been probably been facing his  second  suspension in less than two weeks. Thoughts on this one. Edit: Gryba was given a two game suspension by the NHL for his hit on Eller.

(Video) Jonathan Quick turns over the puck, and game to the Blues in O.T.

I do think that Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick would like to have that play back, not a good play, at the wrong time of the game. So, tomorrow's newspapers will read, at the 13:26 mark of overtime, Blues forward Alexander Steen scores the game winning goal off of a untimely turnover by Los Angeles Kings all-world goalie Jonathan Quick. Blues lead the series 1-0.

Kings Brown suspended 2 games for hit on Jason Pominville

@bush1124 The NHL has no choice, they have to suspend him for this hit.
— Eric J. Burton (@goon48) April 24, 2013

First off, I was right, the NHL had no choice, they had to suspend Dustin Brown for his hit on Jason Pominville. In my opinion, the hit was a text book violation of the NHL's Rule 48. Obviously, we can debate that if you want. Also, this suspension doesn't make Brown a dirty player, but he does play with an edge and he does play on the edge. It was only a matter of time before he was suspended by the NHL.

Michael Russo, Russo Rants --- Los Angeles Kings captain Dustin Brown has been suspended the final two games of the Kings regular season, the Los Angeles Times' Lisa Dillman reported. The suspension stems from Brown's elbow to the face of Wild winger Jason Pominville in the second period last night.

Brown, who had played in 314 consecutive games, will be well-rested for the beginning of the playoffs next week. The first of those games comes tonight against Detroit, which is probably not a good thing for the Wild, which is being chased by the 9th-place Red Wings (three points back with three games left).

"I had the puck on my stick, he’s coming to hit me and I’m just bracing myself," Brown said when I asked him about the elbow last night.

The Wild didn't practice today, but official word thus far is Pominville is day to day with an upper body injury. GM Chuck Fletcher said it was too early to know yet if the Wild needs to recall a forward. If Pominville is sidelined, the Wild has no extra on the roster right now unless Mike Rupp is ready to return Friday from a knee injury. Otherwise, the Wild will have to look to the Houston farm.

BLOG: Dustin Brown suspended two games for elbow to Jason Pominville's face bit.ly/12iCZZw
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) April 24, 2013

Brandon Dubinsky's "Match Penalty" Rescinded by the NHL

When I first watched this video, I didn't catch Drew Doughty sucker punching Brandon Dubinsky in the back of the head, so in my opinion, it's the right decision by the NHL.

Puck-Rakers --- The NHL today has rescinded a match penalty given to Blue Jackets center Brandon Dubinsky after the final buzzer of Thursday's 2-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings in Staples Center. Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen was informed of the decision this morning.

Related articles

• End game scrum in Columbus Blue Jackets vs Los Angeles Kings, Jackets Brandon Dubinsky assessed a match penalty (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

Kings activate defenseman Matt Greene off injured reserve

The defending Stanley Cup Playoff champs just got some good news. Former Fighting Sioux defenseman Matt Greene is set to rejoin the L.A. Kings just in time for the Stanley Cup Playoff push. The Kings are currently sitting in fourth place in the Western Conference and are second in the Pacific Division.

NHL.COM --- The Los Angeles Kings have activated defenseman Matt Greene from the injured reserve list.

Greene, 29, missed the last 42 games after suffering a mid-body injury in the season opener Jan. 19 against the Chicago Blackhawks.

The 6-3, 232 pound native of Grand Ledge, Mich., played in all 82 regular season games and 20 postseason contests last season as the Kings won the franchise's first Stanley Cup.

UND's Derek Forbort signs with the L.A. Kings

@derek4bort played 3yrs NCAA at #UNDHockey & hopefully long #NHL career #LAKings. Future starts 2moro flying #AHL Manchester @monarchshockey
— Ben Hankinson (@benhankinson) April 6, 2013

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Kings have signed defenseman Derek Forbort to a three-year entry level contract, Kings President/General Manager Dean Lombardi announced today.

Forbort, 21, was selected by the Kings in the first round (15th overall) of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. The 6-5, 207-pounder is a native of Duluth, Minnesota.

Forbort has played the last three seasons for the University of North Dakota. This year he played in 42 games and recorded 17 points (4-13=17) and 22 penalty minutes. In 2011-12 he played in 35 games (13 points) and in 2010-11 he played in 38 games (15 points).

He also has experience with the U.S. National Dev. Team and the U.S. Nat. Under-18 Team. For the U.S. he earned a bronze medal at the 2011 World Junior Championships and a gold medal at the 2010 WJC-U18 event.

The Kings host the Edmonton Oilers tomorrow, Saturday, at STAPLES Center at 1 p.m. The game will air on FOX Sports West and KTLK AM 1150 with pregame shows beginning at 12:30 p.m.

Schmaltz drafted 25th and LaDue 181

Two future Fighting Sioux defensemen Jordan Schmaltz 25th over all St Louis and Paul Ladue 181st Los Angeles Kings were drafted in the 2012 Entry Draft.

This is what Jordan Schmaltz had to say in his post draft interview - notice when he is asked where he is going to play next season, Schmaltz said that, "North Dakota is the best path for me and it's going to help me develop."

This is what the Los Angeles Kings official web page had to say about Paul Ladue.

With the 181st pick in the sixth round the Kings selected defenseman Paul Ladue. Ladue, who will turn 20 on Sept. 6, played the 2011-12 season with the Lincoln Stars of the USHL, recording 34 points (9-25=34), 27 penalty minutes and a plus-36 rating in 56 games. The 6-1, 186-pound native of Bemidji, Minn. led all USHL defensemen in plus-minus (second overall), while ranking tied for sixth among league defensemen in points.

L.A. Lakers Victory parade? Yikes no respect for the Kings

Wow! Nice slight to the Los Angeles Kings and their Stanley Cup victory.

"We will probably be over the Laker's victory parade, Mark Kriski said.

Jonathan Quick's Awesome Victory Speech

s/t to Chuck Schwartz for having this gem on his twitter feed. I am not sure that Jonathan Quick will be getting any requests for him to do any public speaking engagements anytime soon but I can understand getting caught up in the moment. Again, congrats to the Kings for winning the Stanley Cup Championship.

Related articles

• (Video) 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Montage

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• Jonathan Quick's adorable daughter wins Stanley Cup postgame press conference MVP (VIDEO)

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• (Video) 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Montage

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• Stanley Cup Final: Jonathan Quick Wins Conn Smythe Trophy As Playoff MVP

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(Video) 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Montage

There are a lot of story lines from the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs - the defending Stanley Cup Champions went out in the first round with hardly a whimper. The Bruins found out that their all world goalie Tim Thomas had probably played his final game with the Boston Bruins.

The unlikeable team in the NHL the Vancouver Canuncks were knocked out of the playoffs in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs - that was the second year in a row that the Canucks were beaten by the Stanley Cup Champion during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

An American team captain Dustin Brown accepted the Stanley Cup from the commissioner of the NHL Gary Bettman.

The last three Conn Smythe Trophy winners (Jonathan Towes (UND), Tim Thomas (UVM) and Jonathan Quick (UMASS) all played Division I college hockey.

Matt Greene became the 12th former Fighting Sioux hockey player to get his name on the Stanley Cup, here are the other 11 former Fighting Sioux hockey players to get their name on the Stanley Cup. s/t @UNDSID

UND's Stanley Cup Champions
Craig Ludwig, Montreal, 1985-86
Geoff Smith, Edmonton, 1989-90
Jay Caufield, Pittsburgh, 1990-91
Jay Caufield, Pittsburgh, 1991-92
Troy Murray, Colorado, 1995-96
Ed Belfour, Dallas, 1998-99
Tony Hrkac, Dallas, 1998-99
Craig Ludwig, Dallas, 1998-99
Rick Wilson, Dallas, 1998-99 (assistant coach)
Brad Bombardir, New Jersey, 1999-00
Mike Commodore, Carolina, 2005-06
Jonathan Toews, Chicago, 2009-10 (Conn Smythe Trophy winner)
Matt Greene, Los Angeles, 2011-12

The Stanley Cup Finals featured three players that played their college hockey at the University of North Dakota - Matt Greene L.A. Kings, Zach Parise and Travis Zajac New Jersey.

Stanley Cup Playoffs Tribute 2012

While my favorite team didn't win the Stanley Cup this season, the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs was an exciting championship. The Los Angeles Kings steam rolled the opposition and were a miserable team to play against. The New Jersey Devils were persistent, disciplined and played physical hockey and they didn't let the opposition goad them into silly unnecessary penalties.

Going forward, lets hope there isn't a work stoppage and that they NHL season can start on time, I am not very positive about this happening but I am not going to give up hope. I am not sure the sport can afford to have another season off - there are as many as six teams that might not survive is there is a lock out.

Where's Zach Parise going - Is it The L.A. Kings?

English: Zach Parise (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

So it's begins - the push by 29 NHL teams to convince former Fighting Sioux forward and current Devils star Zach Parise to sign a multi year, multi million dollar contract.

Parise is soon to be unrestricted free agent and is going to draw a lot of interest from many teams. This question is how much cap space to the Los Angeles Kings actually have? According to Cap Geek, the L.A. Kings have four guys (Mike Richards, Anze Kopitar, Jeff Carter and Drew Doughty) locked up in about 24 million dollars in salary.

Steve Simmons,Toronto Sun --- Up next for the Los Angeles Kings: First, a parade. Then, the pursuit of free agent Zach Parise come July 1.

These Kings have no intention of winning just one Stanley Cup. They want more. And they are not in any kind of salary cap conundrum, the way past winners have found themselves . They won’t have to dish off quality players - or any players really - the way the Chicago Blackhawks did after winning two years ago.

And while they won’t say so because they can’t legally say so, the captain of the New Jersey Devils is No. 1 on their off-season shopping list.

They want Parise, as do many teams, and they want him badly.

Parise fits perfectly into the Kings’ ultra-competitive philosophy, led by general manager Dean Lombardi and his able assistant, Ron Hextall. What they determined on their way to the Stanley Cup was what so many have known already. But until you witness it up close, experience it with your players - that fine line between success and failure often comes down to little more than effort

The Stanley Cup Playoffs are over and now comes the question - where is Zach going to sign - it seems like very day there is another rumor or pontification by a blogger or hockey writer on where Zach is going to sign when free agency begins.

Matt Greene goal against the Devils game 6

Congratulations to former Fighting Sioux defenseman Matt Greene and the Los Angeles Kings as they won the Stanley Cup four games to two over the New Jersey Devils  - with the Kings win tonight Greene became the 12th former Fighting Sioux hockey player to have his name inscribed on the Stanley Cup.  Greene was able to put some icing on the cake as he scored an unassisted goal at the 16:30 mark of the third period to push the lead to 6-1.

Dustin Brown Drops the F-Bomb

You never know what's going to come out of someone's mouth at the moment of extreme excitement. Dustin Brown you earned it and it was funny to see that Pierre McQuire didn't even blink and continued on with his interview.

Brown exclaimed, "You never know, that's why we F'N play."

Bernier's ill advised CFB on Scuderi

This is the shot heard round the hockey world tonight. This check from behind by New Jersey Devils forward Steve Bernier on Kings Defenseman Rob Scuderi that lead to a five minute major and a game misconduct for Bernier - the Kings pounced on the opportunity and they were able to bury the Devils on the major power play as they got three goals in five minutes - in essence putting the game out of reach for the Devils before the game was 20 minutes old.

There were some on twitter that said Scuderi took a dive go back and watch the video - there is no way that Scuderi dove on that play, he missed the rest of the period and was in the Kings locker room.

Parise finally scores after six game drought

The sound you heard was a sigh of relief from New Jersey Devils forward Zach Parise has he scored his first goal in six games for the New Jersey Devils.

That being said, it's not just Parise that has found the sledding to be tough, the New Jersey Devils top forward line of Zach Parise (1g-0a-1pts), Travis Zajac (0g-2a-2pts) and Ilya Kovalchuk (1g-0a-1pts) has been stymied by the Los Angeles Kings and the Devils top line has scored a grand total of two goals and two assist for four points between the three of them during the Stanley Cup Finals. Kovalchuck's goal was a empty net goal at the end of game four to keep the Devils hopes of extending the series alive.

Rich Chere, The Star-Ledger --- Devils captain Zach Parise ended his goal-scoring drought in the Stanley Cup finals when he scored his first goal against the Kings and first in six games going back to the Eastern Conference finals.

But he got help from Kings goalie Jonathan Quick, who shot the puck off the end boards to Parise at the right post. Parise beat Drew Doughty to the puck and scored inside the post.

“I made a not-so-great pass across the ice. I wasn't looking,” Parise explained. “I just saw Quick go out of the net. Just went on the normal forecheck route that I've gone on a thousand times this year. He just happened to misplay it and put it on my stick. You got to get lucky sometimes.”

If the New Jersey Devils are going to extend the series and send it back to Newark, New Jersey for a game seven the Devils top line is going to have to  become a factor on the score sheet. The Devils top line is going to have to make some space and break through the Kings defense and get behind the Kings defenders.

The record favors the Devils as they have a 10-1 record in games 4, 5, 6 and 7.  They also have future Hall of Fame goalie in Martin Brodeur who has won three Stanley Cups (1995, 2000, 2003) and seems to be getting better as the series goes along and you have to think that Marty is saving the best for the last series of the season.

Matt Greene smokes Patrick Elias

This was an interesting turn of events - Los Angeles Kings defenseman Matt Greene fails to get the puck deep and the New Jersey Devils break out of the defensive zone with speed.

As the play develops and moves through the defensive zone Kings defenseman Matt Greene absolutely blows up New Jersey Devils forward Patrik Elias - of course Elias is chirped by the Kings bench and the comment after the New Jersey forward returns to the bench was classic. Elias asked Justin Williams, "when did you become a tough guy?"