Game #30

LA Kings 
(13-12-4, 22nd in NHL)
vs
Boston Bruins
(18-9-1, 7th in NHL)

4:00pm, TD Garden
Boston, MA

BEST FORMER LA KING #1 DRAFT PICK THAT WAS TRADED FOR A BACKUP GOALIE:

That's right, Ray Bourque should have been a LA King.

BEST FORMER FLYERS HEAD COACH THAT IS NOW THE LA KINGS INTERIM HEAD COACH:

"Hey Murph... any advice for my 1st game?"

"Goals. Score goals. Apparently it's important." 

ONLY OPPOSITION BLOG:
Days of Yorr

How will the LA Kings look in the John Stevens Era? Sure, Stevens been the Assistant Coach all season but what do Kings fans really know about his coaching style? Well I did what any good Los Angeles Hockey Executive would do... I made someone from Philadelphia do my job. From the "retired too early" Flyers Goal Scored By:

The Terry Murray reign of mundane terror is over.  In his wake, John Stevens takes over. So what can Flyers West expect out of Papa Stevens?  Well, not much.  That isn't necessarily a *Bad* thing either.  Stevens isn't going to do anything to radically change the Kings mentality or their game strategy.  By all accounts, John Stevens is a good coach.  He isn't some blowhard like the one in Anaheim, nor is he a former Bond villain like the one in Tampa Bay.  John Stevens rose through the coaching ranks in Philly.  He got a lot out of a talented roster and was successful at executing a simple gameplan.  He was an AHL lifer, plays his lines evenly and has some guys in the locker room on his side in Richards/Gagne.

I enjoyed John Stevens as a Flyers coach, but ultimately, he got fired for what just happened to Terry Murray.  A very sound, knowledgable coach that couldn't get anything out of a very talented group of players.  Terry Murray is the new John Stevens. The circle is now complete, John Stevens is Simba from the Lion King. (Does that make Dean Lombardi Timon or Pumba?)

And from Adam Pardes of The Checking Line...

What can Kings fans expect from John Stevens when he takes over the reins tonight in Boston? Well, as a Flyers fan, let me tell you that a display of wide-ranging emotions won't be on the list. Stevens' demeanor tiptoes the line between admirably unflappable and simply unengaged, something his critics in Philadelphia won't hesitate to bring up. Don't get me wrong though -- being calm under fire is one thing I think coaches owe their players; it's too easy for a team to get wrapped up in their emotions when they fall behind in a game, to just get frustrated and give up. The good news? Stevens is able to use his poise to help keep players focused and motivated. The bad news? Well, it's not really bad, but it will definitely be up to the players to step up and be more vocal leaders in the locker room and on the ice when the wheels start to come off. In other words, don't expect Stevens to rally the troops during intermission with barbeque sauce slathered on his face like war paint, but know that his composure will pay off more often than fans might realize.

I think they'll let Stevens show what he's got for a bit, but ultimately he's not gonna be their guy.

Well there you have it. But don't get too attached to John Stevens and his stylish eyewear... because it looks like Dean Lombardi is getting the band back together!

Not sure what is worse. Mike Ricci's face or Darryl Sutter's jacket. 

Look... if the LA Kings want to hire an outdated coach that never makes it out of the 1st Round and lost a Stanley Cup Final... then they should hire Terry Murray. I wouldn't say that LA Kings fans are unhappy about this possibility... I'd say they are downright horrified. All of a sudden... the man who LA Kings fans held up as The Godfather of their team's rebuild is starting to show that he's human after all.

"Just when I thought I'd hire a new Coach...
... the old ones pull me back in."

So the LA Kings get to start the newest chapter in their disappointing franchise history against the team that won November. No seriously... the Boston Bruins won November.

I started this blog 3 years ago at the start of the 2008-2009 NHL season. The Los Angeles Kings were coming off a 29th overall finish and had just hired a brand new coach. And I knew it was doomed from the start.

What the heck is a "seaon?"

Today, Coach Terry Murray was let go by the Kings after 3 seasons and 29 games of service. He was exactly who we thought he would be... a strong, silent, patient leader that would help re-build this wandering Kings team in a "defense first" mentality. And based on Coach Murray's past... he had taken this team as far as he could. He had helped Anze Kopitar become one of the better 2-way centers in the league. He had given Jon Quick the faith and reassurance that has enabled him to become an elite NHL goaltender. And Coach Murray was able to get one great season out of Drew Doughty before he signed a multi-million dollar contract that has screwed with the player he should be. It seems like this was a hard move for Dean Lombardi to make... and even the most callous of Kings fans have to know and appreciate the hard work Terry Murray did for this franchise.

But we're still gonna make fun of him.

Terry Murray brought me all sorts of joy via his straight-faced, un-emotional years behind the Kings bench. And I want to honor him the only way I know how.

According to the Los Angeles Times... the Los Angeles Kings are closer than they've ever been to firing a Coach Murray. Except for that time in 2006 when they actually did fire a Coach Murray. So we are upping the level on the Terry Murray Fire Alarm one notch to "ALMOST."

God help us all.

So um... when do people start talking about the fact that this might be Dean Lombardi's 3rd coach in 6 seasons?

Hey... you know the one thing the good folks at NHL.com don't need this holiday season? 

Yet another NHL rookie goalie with a totally punable last name.

That's actually not a Pun Headline...
it's just what the rest of the NHL is calling the LA Kings right now.

Click here to check out the best and worst NHL.com pun headlines from the past week!!!

Game #29

LA Kings 
(13-11-4, 20th in NHL)
vs
Dallas Stars
(15-11-1, 15th in NHL)

7:30pm, Staples Center
Los Angeles, CA

BEST FORMER KING TO BE HONORED AT THE GAME TONIGHT:

BEST PHOTO OF BERNIE NICHOLLS AND ME WHEN I WAS 14 YEARS OLD:

BEST OPPOSITION BLOG:
Defending Big D
Stars of Big D 

BEST OPPOSITION TO FOLLOW ON TWITTER:
DamnitJason
(Because he loves Dustin Brown's game)

When Bernie Nicholls was traded to the New York Rangers for Tomas Sandstrom and Tony Granato on January 20th, 1990, he had 75 points in 47 games. And this was coming off one of the more impressive seasons in NHL history with 70 goals and 150 points. Sure, everyone liked to say that Nicholls' offensive totals were a direct result of playing with Wayne Gretzky... but don't forget... Bernie Nicholls was the 2nd line center in Los Angeles. So most of his points with Gretzky came off the Power Play and Penalty Kill. If anything, Wayne Gretzky's presence took the pressure off of Bernie. And sure, everyone wants to talk about Bernie's signature fist pump after he scored (nicknamed the "Pumpernickle") but for my money, the best use of a Bernie Nicholls hand gesture was on Mike Vernon's face.

Here's to you, Bernie. Long live your mullet. 

Thursday night at Staples Center was a really sad night for the Los Angeles Kings in their game against the Minnesota Wild.

Jon Quick was sad for giving up 2 bad goals. 

Andrei Loktionov was sad because he's probably going back to the AHL soon.

Matt Greene was sad because he had to be interviewed by Patrick O'Neal.

Dustin Penner was sad because he's actually playing well and has no one to share it with.

Kevin Westgarth was sad because someone let him wear this shirt on national TV.

Bailey was so sad he switched allegiances mid-game to a winning franchise.

Yeah, Anze... if I was that sad I'd never want to get up either.

These Kings fans were a combination of sad and bored.

Sure, he may be happy now cause he's rich and it was his birthday.
But I can think of one reason Drew Doughty won't be so happy later today.

Well, I can think of 1000 reasons why this guy might be sad. Or actually, 2.

WILD 4, KINGS OH WHAT A BIG FUCKING SURPRISE, 2

I'm setting the Terry Murray Fire Watch 2011 to "1 GOAL PER GAME" because technically...

...goals by Trent Hunter don't count.

Forget about the 3 straight losses and 5 goals scored over that span... in the last 9 games the Kings are 3-5-1 with 16 goals scored. That's 1.7 goals per game. I guess there is only one question LA Kings fans can ask themselves.

DEAD COACH WALKING???
(Seriously, have you ever seen a screengrab that sums up the Kings season better than this one?) 

Game #28

LA Kings
(13-10-4, 15th in NHL)
vs
Minnesota Wild
(18-7-3, 1st (!) in NHL)

7:30pm, Staples Center
Los Angeles, CA

BEST PLAYER TO WEAR BOTH COLORS:

Matt Johnson was Captain of the Minnesota Wild?!?!

BEST OPPOSITION BLOGS:
Hockey Wilderness
The State of Hockey News
Wild Puck Banter

Half Season Ticket Holder Buddy and I have been talking about the NHL's recent plans for realignment. How this impacts the Los Angeles Kings has been completely explored by Quisp but HSTHB and I have never been fans of the fact that some teams make the playoffs just by winning their division. So we here at TRH welcome the change to the 4 conferences and the top 4 teams in each making the playoffs. Of course, when your favorite hockey team has only made the playoffs twice in the last 8 seasons... it's hard to complain about a lack of rivalries. But it's exciting that the Kings have a better chance of facing more consistent teams in the playoffs... because all those Calgary and Edmonton playoff series in the late 80s/early 90s were so great. 

Anyone remember the "Deck The Midget" sign that hung from the GW Forum upper deck?

I got to thinking about this current LA Kings team and how they will fit into the new NHL. The Kings are in a tough conference where you have to assume that the Vancouver Canucks and San Jose Sharks will make the playoffs each season. That leaves space for 2 spots from 6 teams. The Phoenix Coyotes have made the playoffs the last 2 seasons, the Anaheim Ducks, despite their troubles this year, have made it 5 of the last 6. The Edmonton Oilers are slowly building a young, fast team, the Colorado Avalanche are in the midst of a re-build and the Calgary Flames are just plain awful. It's going to be quite a battle in whatever this conference ends up being called. So with the way that the LA Kings are having trouble scoring this season, I'm suggesting a realignment that can really improve the Kings chances of making the playoffs each season. 

It just makes sense.

While others might think the NHL's plan for realignment is best for the LA Kings, I beg to differ. With my version, by moving the Columbus Blue Jackets into the Kings conference, you are moving a team that has only scored 2 more goals than the Kings this season. So at the very least, the Kings can win a bunch of games in shootouts! And even though Winnipeg has scored 15 more goals than the Kings this season, they've given up 18 more... which is a great tradeoff. And by moving the AHL Binghamton Senators into the Kings conference... I have to think the Kings would be able to beat the 4th worst team in the AHL at least 4 out of 6 times a season, right? I've submitted this plan to the NHL and am waiting to hear back. 

NO.

I understand why LA Kings fans get frustrated when teams like the Minnesota Wild come into town. Here's a team that hasn't made the playoffs the last 3 seasons, they promote an unknown, minor league coach, make a couple trades and all of a sudden they are the best team in the league. Even though they aren't all that different than the Los Angeles Kings. No wonder people are ready to fire Terry Murray.

Who wants to Fire Murray when you can Promote Penner! Dustin Penner slowly worked his way up the Kings lines Tuesday night in Anaheim... earning an assist on Slava Voynov's goal and even spending some time with his old buddy Anze Kopitar on the top line. So for tonight against the Minnesota Wild, the rules are still simple. Just guess the exact time and period that Dustin Penner scores his 2nd goal of the season... and you win a free t-shirt from The Royal Half Gift Shoppe. You can put your predictions in the comments below or reply to me on Twitter with #PennerPoint. Good luck everyone.

From the blog that has brought you such units of measurement as the LA Kings Playoff Threat Level or Are the LA Kings in the Playoffs? or PennerPoint... we now present the latest way to fully understand if Terry Murray has been fired yet or not.

NO. HE HAS NOT.

The Royal Half has not made up its mind on whether or not Coach Terry Murray should be fired. But in the meantime, we promise to give you the most accurate and up to date coverage on whether or not Coach Terry Murray has been fired. But be sure to thank Indiana Matt for creating this meter... because you'll want to know exactly when this moment comes...

In his 41st game as a Los Angeles King... Dustin Penner finally showed the player we all hoped he was. And then the team went out and shit the bed against the 29th overall team in the NHL.

Boy, if this is what Dustin Penner looks like while playing his best game as a King,
I'd hate to see what he looked like during his best years as an Oiler.

DUCKS 3, KINGS 2

Click Here to Read the Rest of The Royal Half Recap!!!

Game #27

LA Kings
(13-9-4, 14th in NHL)
vs
Anaheim Ducks
(7-14-5, 29th (!) in NHL)

Thursday, 7pm, Honda Center
Anaheim, CA

BEST COACH FOR THE DUCKS THAT WAS ONCE THE COACH OF THE LA KINGS MINOR LEAGUE TEAM:

You know why people love Bruce Boudreau?
Because when he put on that hat to wear to his 1st Ducks practice 
he never once said "Eh, maybe I shouldn't wear this." 

BEST OPPOSITION BLOGS:
Battle of California
Anaheim Calling

Bruce Boudreau was the 1st ever coach of the Manchester Monarchs, the AHL team of the Los Angeles Kings. Boudreau averaged 42 wins a season during his 4 years as Head Coach, but after 4 consecutive 1st round losses in the playoffs, he was fired. So for all you LA Kings fans that are clammering that when Dean Lombardi hired Marc Crawford to be his first coach in 2006 that instead he should have promoted Boudreau... well Bruce had been out of the Kings organization for over a year... so shut up about it. After his firing, Boudreau was then hired by the Washington Capitals to coach their AHL team in Hersey... and immediately won the Calder Cup championship that season. The next season he made it to the Calder Cup finals again, only to lose to Hamilton. Then he was promoted to coach the Capitals and the rest is history. Oh and the best part... he's a goddamn AHL Hall of Famer. Check out those stats as a player!

42 goals for Springfield!

Now, Bruce Boudreau is the head guy in Anaheim. And he's already back into game shape. From the Orange County Register:

“I think there’s going to be a lot of hatred on both sides. When I was part of the Kings organization, they certainly didn’t like the Ducks. So now that I’m here, I certainly don’t like the Kings.’’

For Kings fans, seeing Bruce Boudreau behind the bench as an opposing coach has been just as rare as a goal from Dustin Penner. So I decided to go straight to the source and hear from the best in the business when it comes to understanding what it means to have Bruce Boudreau be the Head Coach of one of your teams bitter rivals. From Derek at Pensblog...

Boudreau is one of those guys that you will love to hate. He just makes it so easy.

1. He plays into the rivalry.

2. He gets overly excited about beating your team. 

3. He is really photoshoppable: 

We always thought Boudreau was really the worst tactical coach in the NHL, but maybe it wasn't him. We'll find out soon.

The Ducks will be even more annoying then usual with him behind the bench.

When you find yourself yelling, "shut up, fat fuck," at him when he is bitching at the refs, you'll know the torch of hating Boudreau has been passed.

There you have it... straight from the horses' mouth. And speaking of the horses' mouth... the guys at Pensblog also had something they felt should be passed on to LA Kings fans everywhere...

Click here for a bigger version.

The Boudreau-Murray era starts tonight. I just hope it's more exciting than the Carlyle-Murray era. Because even with the stupid name of Freeway Faceoff presented by Subway (oh the irony)... the Kings-Ducks rivalry has featured some great players over the past 17 years.

<a href="http://www.foxsportswest.com/pages/video?UUID=e8b2c7e1-2948-4f0f-a267-d292cad20be0&src=SLPl:embed::uuids" target='_new' title='Change of Heart'>Video: Change of Heart</a>

Damn... Fox Sports West HD... nice Mathieu Schneider BURN!!!

Screw it... let's do a Penner Point tonight to celebrate the 2nd fattest guy that will be in the Honda Center tonight. Awesome Kings fan, LAFreak331, was the 1st person to win a t-shirt for correctly guessing when Dustin Penner would score his 1st goal of the season. So for tonight against the Anaheim Ducks, the rules are still simple. Just guess the exact time and period that Dustin Penner scores his 2nd goal of the season... and you win a free t-shirt from The Royal Half Gift Shoppe. You can put your predictions in the comments below or reply to me on Twitter with #PennerPoint. Good luck everyone.