I'm not a parent... but from my experiences as a son... I can only imagine it's a hard job. Especially when you are dealing with a newborn. Ever since Madison Mychal Quick was born, Los Angeles Kings Goalie and Franchise Saviour, Jonathan Quick, has not won a game. Since the Kings play in the shadow of Hollywood... I'm surprised it took so long for the new NBC show Parenthood to cash in on the struggles of this new father.
Sure, the Los Angeles Kings have been known to have their problems in December. But as any real Kings fan knows... March is where guaranteed playoff spots are lost. I'm sure Quisp over at the SBNation Kings Blog would be able to crunch the numbers better than me, but here is the Kings record in March during the last 3 seasons that this team actually had a chance of making the playoffs... (or as I like to call it... the Andy Murray Late-Season Reign of Terror):
2002-2003 W 4 L 9 T 2 - No Playoffs
2003-2004 W 3 L 11 T 1 - No Playoffs
2005-2006 W 6 L 8 - No Playoffs
That's a combined 13-28-3 when it comes to playoff races in March for the Los Angeles Kings. Gulp!
Hmm, what box does late-season collapse fall into?
Kings 0, Blackhawks 3
So the Kings lose another important Western Conference game... but no worries... it's Raitis Ivanans Kings Spotlight Night! Join in on the celebration... after the jump!!!
It was the 1995-1996 season when it all started. The NHL, coming off a shortened 48 game season due to the 1st NHL lockout, was looking for a way to connect with new fans and show that it was on the cutting edge of sports technology. So the NHL created the first ever "3rd Jersey"... a new jersey that would be worn a limited amount of times during the season by a limited number of teams. Since very little information from 1995 is available on the internet, I got the real story about the 3rd Jersey program from where I get most of my NHL news... the Pavel Bure Fan Club website.
The NHL would design the jerseys, keeping the choices for look away from the individual teams' marketing departments. They would be worn for special games and the NHL imagined the program to be wildly successful. Here are the jerseys from NHLUniforms.com.
And in a flash... this Los Angeles Kings cult classic was born:
The Royal Half has always had a passion for this particular 3rd Jersey. If you have the slightest interest in this unusual Kings logo... find out why today was an amazing day at Staples... after the jump!
Well... at least I know how Denis Grebeshkov feels now.
That's right, Kings. You just kicked me in the nuts.
Kings 0-7, Predators 7-0
The Los Angeles Kings dropped their 7th straight game to the Nashville Predators. Boy, I hope the Kings don't face the Predators in the playoffs. Boy, I hope the Kings make the playoffs.
And hey, Rich Hammond... a little late to the Trade Deadline Acquisition party, huh? I'd accuse you of plagiarism... but I'm pretty positive there is no way in hell you read this blog.
(Special Thanks to TRH reader, Michael, for the tip about Greb's nuts.)
That's right, Los Angeles Kings fans... this guy is now a 24 year old Baby Daddy.
Congratulations to Jon Quick and his brand new daughter, Madison Mychal Quick. Now get back in the net!
As you might have heard, the other Jonathan was in net for the Kings during their 2-1 shootout win over the Dallas Stars on Friday night. Jon Bernier made a triumphant return to the NHL with 29 saves. Hockey experts have been salivating about Bernier for a couple years now and he even has a painting that was commissioned in his honor.
Now don't start getting the idea of a goalie controversy in your head... Jon Quick will continue to be the man in net for the Kings during the stretch run... even if he's not getting as much sleep as he used to. But if I live in a world that has Jon Quick between the pipes each night for the Kings during their playoff run and Jon Bernier as his backup... that's a world I don't mind living in. Even if it's just to see Bernier's awesome helmet tribute to Kelly Hrudey on a nightly basis.
An afternoon game AND the Nashville Predators? A deadly combination. The Kings are 0-2 against the Predators this season and have lost 6 straight to them overall. The Royal Half will be there at Staples... nothing like a noon game on a bright and sunny Sunday afternoon in Los Angeles.
Hey Brad Richardson. You've done a great job so far this season. Fans who once sighed at the mention of your name now cheer you as you work hard in the corners. It took you a long time to become a regular NHL'er... so why don't you act like one with 2 minutes left in overtime?
"Hey Clune... will you do me a kindness? I know it's only the 2nd period, but will you let
Richardson know that if we go to overtime to not make a blind backhand pass in the neutral zone?
Can you do that for me, Clune? It's just a small favor I ask. Just make sure you do it. Thanks."
Kings 2, Blackhawks 3 (OT)
Fine, so the Kings got a point. But Vancouver and Phoenix played in a 3 point game tonight so Brad Richardson's errant backhand pass in the neutral zone with 2 minutes left in overtime prevented the Kings from from keeping pace with the 3rd and 4th place teams in the Western Conference. What's that? You have no idea what I'm talking about... roll the tape!
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I'll hate Brad Richardson for the remainder of tonight and then by Friday's game against the Dallas Stars I'll have totally forgiven him. But it was still a stupid, stupid pass. It's the kind of pass that makes one of the team leaders stare at you in the locker room until you feel shame.
Kopi can see into your soul.
This was a great battle tonight with two of the NHL's youngest and most exciting teams. As an added bonus, the two stars of the game also happened to have two of the greatest last names for puns. Some possible headlines for the NHL.com review of this game:
Come on, those possible headlines are stupid. NHL.com would never stoop to the level of using a players last name for some wacky pun headline.
You win again, NHL.com
At 28 years old, Patrick Sharp is an near old-timer when it comes to the youth movement that is going on with the Chicago Blackhawks.
Young Core. Is that a new type of music I don't know about?
Hockey fans young and old were in attendance at the United Center tonight. Even Academy Award winning actress Kathy Bates took in the action.
Oh shoot... I'm sorry, that's my fault. It was actually former Chicago Blackhawk, Bobby Hull.
If the way Bobby Hull lived life is wrong... then I never want to be right.
Nothing like a little merlot with some NHL action.
And it turns out they were even shooting a film at the game tonight... a remake of the classic "Grumpy Old Men."
Think it's stressful being an NHL coach?
Terry Murray and Joel Quenneville are both 32 years old.
After a tough loss like this, as a Kings fan you just hope that the veteran leaders on the team can rally their teammates and make sure that they come out strong against the free-falling Dallas Stars on Friday.
"Listen, I don't care what they say on the internet. You aren't enigmatic. You aren't soft-spoken.
You are Alex Goddamn Frolov... and that's alright."
"Hey Kopi."
"Yes, Dustin?"
"When we sit like this... it spells out 'A.C.'"
"Yeah, I know."
"Like it's short for Air Conditioning!"
"Yeah... I know."
"I left a message."
"A message? What number did you call?"
"Two, four, niner, five, six, seven... "
Matt Greene: "If I have to hear Drew and OD act out Tommy Boy one more time... I'm going to kill someone."
Sure the Kings lost. But they almost beat the 3rd best team in the NHL for a 2nd time this season. And if that doesn't bring a smile to your face... then the fact that the Anaheim Ducks have lost 4 in row and are probably shit out of luck for the playoffs should.
From Kukla's Korner, here's veteran hockey columnist for Sportsnet.ca, Mike Brophy, talking about which teams have goaltending issues going into the playoffs...
In the Western Conference, the Phoenix Coyotes, Calgary Flames and Colorado Avalanche should be comfortable with its stoppers. You could probably lump the Los Angeles Kings in that category thanks to the wonderful year Jonathan Quick is enjoying, even though he has only played in one NHL playoff game.
Now, we here at The Royal Half try to do our best to cover the Los Angeles Kings... but did I miss a Kings playoff game in the last two years? I mean, I was in Japan for April last year, did I miss it? I'm not sure if Brophy's bias towards knowing about the Kings is from the east or west coast of Canada. But obviously he's confused the AHL with the NHL. Check out Quick's stats at Manchester for the playoffs:
Oh well. Mainstream Canadian Media may still not know about the Kings... but at least he said the Kings will be comfortable with Quick in the playoffs this season. That's gotta count for something. So just like the NHL Fan Faceoff, Mike Brophy doesn't care about the Los Angeles Kings... or at least getting his facts straight.
Tonight was Retro Night at Staples Center as the Los Angeles Kings celebrated the return of two of the greatest players from its past. In the booth, Nick Nickson returned to the television airwaves for the first time in 20 years... and Kings forward Alexander Frolov returned to playing like the player he's been the past 3 years.
Kings 6, Blue Jackets 0, Alexander Frolov 4
Kings radio play by play announcer (and Ithaca College graduate) Nick Nickson stepped in for Shingles sufferer Bob Miller during tonights broadcast against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Nick was the color analyst for Bob Miller from 1981 to 1990... an era when you didn't have to be a former NHL'er to know how to analyze the game of hockey. And from the looks of it... Nick hasn't changed a bit in 20 years.
Screw Hrudey... Nickson's on Duty Tonight!
Clearly no one reminded Nick not to wear one of his "radio" ties.
I rarely listen to Kings games on the radio, so it was a complete flashback to hear Nick's voice once again on television. Sure, Bob Miller is one of the greatest, but someday Nick Nickson's going to take over for him... and I'll be fine with that. As long as Fox Sports West HD doesn't bring in Jeremy Roenick to work along side him. In fact, there was probably only one person who didn't enjoy Nick's return to television.
Mainly because Nick has a bit of a height advantage on Bob Miller.
The crazy part is Jim Fox is already standing on an apple box.
We here at The Royal Half wish Bob Miller a speedy recovery from the Shingles, a nasty viral disease. Any ideas where Bob might have caught it from?
Yeah, better cover those legs up next time, Brownie.
The other person to make a triumphant return to the Los Angeles Kings tonight was enigmatic Russian forward, Alexander Frolov. I don't know who put the steroids in his pelmeni, but Frolov has come out of the Olympic Break blazing not just with 8 points in 4 games... but also with a fire under his ass that hasn't been there all season, even after several attempts to light it.
Frolov is a 2-time 30 goal scorer who can frustrate and excite Kings fans... sometimes within the same shift. He's soft-spoken and always has a smile on his face... which makes it difficult to believe he takes the game seriously. Half Season Ticket Holder Buddy thinks that Frolov just sucks in air strangely... to give the affect that he is smiling. In case you aren't familiar with Frolov, here is a recent interview with him.
So the Kings demolish the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight, but that's what an elite NHL team is supposed to do... beat up on weaker teams. Newly acquired Freddie Modin had a goal and an assist tonight against his former team, bringing his point total as a King to 3 points in 3 games. Let's take a look where Modin fits in terms of previous Los Angeles Kings Trade Deadline Acquisitions.
So how is Freddie Modin adjusting to life in Los Angeles rather than Columbus, Ohio?
Oh, I'd say he's adjusting just fine.
The Kings scored so many times tonight, the players spent more time looking up at the scoreboard than they did the ice.
Modin doesn't watch the replays. Modin knows he scored.
And Fox Sports West HD confirmed tonight what plenty of female Kings fans have know for nearly 2 years...
Drew Doughty is all man.
Just ask the Lady in Red... who now has the distinction of appearing on two Kings blogs in the same 24 hours!
Fox Sports West HD also provided a sneak peek at one of the most anticipated hockey movies since Miracle. It's a documentary that follows an enormous battle that is yet to be waged...
The True Story of 5 Teams, All with a Shot at the Playoffs
SPOILER ALERT: Fox Sports West HD gave away the ending to the movie!
Here lay the bodies of Getzlaf, Perry, Morrow and Turco.
Random question for the loyal readers of The Royal Half... anyone know why Ersberg's number isn't in numerical order?
Worst. Episode of Lost. Ever.
No really... all the numbers go in order until it hits Ersberg's #31. I'm assuming Quick's number is blocked by Simmonds huge head... so it can't just be that he's a goaltender. So what gives Kings fans? Anyone know the answer to this? My horrible OCD needs to know.
Sometimes beating up on a shitty team is all it takes to bring a smile back to your face. Right guys?
"Oh man, remember that year we were 2nd to the last in the league?"
"Yeah, that really sucked."
"You wanna see my silver medal?"
And much like Shingles... sometimes those smiles can just be infectious.
Wipe the closest thing you'll ever have to a smile off your face, Coach Murray...
you've got Chicago to play on Wednesday!
Well, I've had the weekend to think about it... and I still believe the Los Angeles Kings played like shit on Saturday night against the Montreal Canadiens. Sure there was a pretty goal by Anze Kopitar and Freddie Modin is looking more and more like a solid pickup... even getting some time on the Power Play. With Modin's goal on Saturday he has now surpassed Anson Carter and Mark Parrish as the highest scoring Los Angeles Kings trade deadline acquisition... with 1 point.
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Anson Carter, 15 games 1 assist
Freddie Modin, 2 games, 1 goal
The Kings have looked a bit lifeless the last 2 games after coming out strong against the Dallas Stars after the Olympic Break. Good teams can afford to lose a game here and there... but if the Kings lose tonight against the Columbus Blue Jackets... Coach Murray might have his hand on the panic button. Now the Kings have been known to have a playoff spot nearly secured before.... only to fail miserably during March and April. Check out Quisp over at the SB Nation Kings site for a solid primer on what the Kings need to do to make the playoffs. (Although I disagree with him... the 11 straight losses to end 2003-2004 was the bigger playoff collapse.)
So since the Kings put in little-to-no effort on Saturday night, The Royal Half will do the same today. Cue the photo captions!
Having the Montreal Canadiens in town is just like having the Red Wings at Staples, but with Frenchier names.
How does the husband of an Academy Award nominated winning actress spend the night before the Oscars?
Buying chicken sandwiches next to The Royal Half, that's how.
EDITORS NOTE: Jesse James was not wearing any of his Kings Lifestyle clothing.
This photo warms my heart as these two people have found each other...
by sharing their love of two of the biggest floaters in the NHL.
This guy definitely spent some time crafting this Franken-jersey. It was one of the best I've seen.
But what you don't know is that the other halves of the jersey were ALSO used for his buddy's Roy hybrid.
They are like the Tomax and Xamot of Franken-jerseys.
Yo, Roy!
I'm the blonde and Half Season Ticket Holder Buddy is in the USA jersey.
Breaking news from Rich Hammond over at Kings Insider... Los Angeles Kings legendary play by play announcer Bob Miller will be out sick for tonights game versus the Montreal Canadiens. So I'm sure that the Kings will move up Nick Nickson, radio play by play announcer for the Kings for something like 20 years to call the TV broadcast for tonights game. That should be great as I really like the way Nickson calls a game.... whaaaaaaat?!? This guy is doing play by play on TV instead?!?
Jim Fox. The voice of your Los Angeles Kings.
In a move that parallels Coach Murray's constant line shuffling, TV analyst Jim Fox will take over play by play duties tonight, Darryl Evans will move from radio analyst to TV analyst while radio play by play announcer Nick Nickson will stay on the radio joined by... Kings blogger Rich Hammond. Wow, Rich Hammond is rising up through Hollywood faster than Anne Heche.
For those of you not familiar with Jim Fox, he is 8th all time on the Kings scoring list and this is his 20th season as color analyst with Bob Miller. And as Life In Hockeywood has mentioned before... he's a bit of shortie. Oh... and he has quite the catchphrase.
That's right... expect to hear a lot of "WHOA's" tonight. Also expect to hear a lot of "from the standpoint of" and "Oh! Great look boys!" But you don't want to mess with Jim Fox, because he'll stare into your soul... even as you are yelling at him for some critical analysis of your coaching skills. (Bryan Murray I'm looking your way!)
But as bad as Foxy is going to be doing play by play tonight... and trust me... it's going to be bad... it will probably better than Chico Resch or John Ahlers. If any readers of The Royal Half will be listening to the radio broadcast tonight, please let us know how Rich Hammond does. This guy is on fire!
From beat writer... to Kings official blogger... to radio analyst.
I fully expect Rich Hammond to be yelling "Anze Fever!" in Barry Melrose's face on ESPN next year.
The Royal Half will be in attendance at this game tonight... but then we'll be rushing back home to watch the game on DVR. And don't forget... if you really enjoy Jim Fox doing play by play tonight... you can download the official The Royal Half Jim Fox Ringtone for your phones.
