Western Conference Finals: Blackhawks take 1-0 series lead over Kings
BLACKHAWKS 2 – KINGS 1 The Chicago Blackhawks have opened a 1-0 series lead over the Los Angeles Kings, defeating the Kings 2-1 on Saturday evening. Marian Hossa (6) and Patrick Sharp (8) scored the Hawks and Corey Crawford made 21 saves on 22 shots. The Blackhawks carried the play and the Kings struggled to skate with the Hawks. The Kings were outshot 17-2 in the first period but opened the scoring when Justin Williams scored off a Blackhawks turnover at 14:23 of the first period as the Kings scored on one of their two shots in the period. Chicago would respond with two second period goals from Sharp and Hossa. Joanthan Quick looked unbeatable early on and to beat
Kings being compared to the 06-07 Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins (12-3-0) @ Los Angeles Kings (9-4-2) For the past couple seasons, the Los Angeles Kings have been compared to the Pittsburgh Penguins due to their strong young core. The difference is the Kings have yet to reach the playoffs since the comparisons started, unlike the Penguins who have reached the playoffs the past three seasons, that included a Stanley Cup title last spring. But, this year the Kings have the makings of finally reaching their potential.
Penguins improve to 7-0 on the road; beat Anaheim 4-3
Return of Kennedy pays dividends Pascal Dupuis (3) scored the go-ahead goal with 10:47 remaining in the third period and Marc Andre Fleury (10-2) made 26 saves as the Pittsburgh Penguins continue their dominance on the road beating the Anaheim Ducks 4-3 Tuesday night at the Honda Center. Pittsburgh which had lost 14 of 15 games in the state of California, prior to Tuesday nights contest, tied an NHL record with their seventh straight road victory to open the season. For the Penguins, it was their role players that fueled their 4-3 win. Defenseman Kris Letang (1) and Alex Goligoski (6) eached scored and Michael Rupp (4) added a goal for Pittsburgh. Goligoski’s third period tally was his 6th goal
NHL: Av’s in talks with Kings, Thrashers; Kari Lehtonen also involved?
Colorado Avalanche forward Ryan Smyth could be on the move as the Av’s are currently in talks with the Kings and Thrashers about the 32 yr old winger. Discussions have centered Smyth going to either team with the Av’s flipping first round picks with the Kings or Thrashers. The Avalanche are struggling financially and ownership wants Smyth’s contract off the books. A deal with the Thrashers could be close but it is doubtful that Smyth will accept a trade to Altanta. Kari Lehtonen could also be apart of a potential deal with the Av’s and Thrashers. More Kings Rumors A trade for Smyth doesn’t appear close from the Kings standpoint because the Kings are currently in the running to acquire
The Latest buzz from the NHL GM meetings in Pittsburgh
Rumor Mill Heating Up NHL GM’s have convened in Pittsburgh for the annual GM meetings, trade winds and free agent talk is starting to heat up. Here’s the latest. Atlanta Thrashers GM Don Waddell has his most important off-season ahead for him as his star forward Ilya Kovalchuk is entering the final year of his contract. Word is Waddell will be aggressive in free agency and will make a strong run at the Sedin twins with Waddell prepared to make long-term offers to both players worth as much as $6 million per season. *Another player on the Thrashers radar is San Jose Sharks forward Patrick Marleau according to a league source. The asking price is steep. *The Atlanta Thrashers have approached
NHL: Western Conference GM has his sights set on Jordan Staal
NHL Draft will see plenty of trade talk The NHL Draft is less than 4 weeks away and there will be plenty of movement as teams look to shed salary in the wake of the salary cap decreasing by $2-$2.5 million. Among the big names currently being shopped are Anaheim’s Chris Pronger, and Tampa Bay’s Vincent Lecavalier, Ryan Malone. We’re hearing
The Latest Penguins Buzz
The Penguins March to the playoffs continued on Friday with a 4-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings. Pittsburgh is now 10-0-2 in their last 12 games and the Penguins have scored 16 goals in their last three games. The Penguins have a divisional showdown with the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday at Mellon Arena. The Flyers and Penguins are tied with 86 points but the Flyers currently have three games in hand. For now they have a hold on the #4 seed in the Eastern Conference. Forward Craig Adams was very noticeable in Friday’s 4-1 win over the LA Kings. Adams was a scratch for the previous three games and with him in the lineup the Penguins are a much
Penguins, Kings lineup news
LA Kings (30-30-10-70) @ Pittsburgh Penguins (38-26-8-84) Kings Lineup Purcell-Kopitar-Brown Frolov-Stoll-Williams Calder-Handzus-Harrold Ivanans-Armstrong-Simmonds Defensemen O’Donnell-Doughty Quincey-Johnson Greene- Drewiske Jonathan Quick will start in goal Lineup news: The LA Kings will get a much needed boost with the addition of Justin Williams who will play in his first game for the Kings tonight. Williams was traded from Carolina to LA at the trade deadline but has been injured since being dealt on March 4th. Hard hitting defenseman Denis Gauthier did not make the trip to Pittsburgh and will miss tonight’s game with a shoulder injury. Pittsburgh native John Zeiler will not be in the lineup. Pittsburgh forward Craig Adams is
Kings, Panthers, Canucks to make major play for Marian Hossa
Marian Hossa is in the middle of negotiations with the Detroit Red Wings on a 7 year deal worth $6 million per season but he will have the opportunity to cash in big during free agency. League sources claim LA Kings General Manager Dean Lombardi is prepared to break the bank to land Hossa as the Kings are seeking a top tier winger to play alongside Anze Kopitar. The Vancouver Canucks who made a 6 year offer to Hossa last summer will be in the mix again as Canucks forward Pavel Demitra, a close friend of Hossa will hope to lure Hossa to Vancouver. The other team being mentioned that are prepared to make a major offer to Hossa if
Kings will be in must-win situation Friday night at Mellon Arena
Dustin Brown scored with 34 seconds left in overtime to give the Los Angeles Kings (30-30-10) a 3-2 win over the Boston Bruins Thursday night. The Kings rallied from two down, to get a much needed win as they’re five points out of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Los Angeles travels to Pittsburgh for a matchup against the league’s hottest team Friday night. The Kings will be in another must-win situation. Don’t expect to see Pittsburgh native John Zeiler in the lineup for the Kings tomorrow night. Zeiler was a scratch once again Thursday night.