Now that the Kings earned their first decisive win of the year, it is time to take on their next challenge. Only the players in the room know for sure why every other team can win the Coyotes and only the Coyotes win consistently against the Kings this year. This reminds me of the shortened season after the earlier lock-out of the 1994-1995 season.
At that time, the Devils were beginning to perfect their trap. Brodeur was a sophomore upstart. The year before as a rookie, he and the Devils near single-handedly stopped the Rangers absent that pesky guarantee from Messier in the Eastern Conference Finals. Back then, every team could win Ottawa except one.
It is hard to believe that the current Senators define success near exclusively by a Stanley Cup win only. A decade ago or so, in the early to mid 1990’s, the Senators would have killed just for respectability, much less a shot at getting into the playoffs. Funny thing is the one team then who near owned the Devils that year was the Senators. That was a season when the Senators won a scant 9 games in a 50 game season... ouch! (Disclaimer: This is from memory and not recently researched so if my memory is off, everyone’s been warned!)
Everyone could beat the Senators but the Senators owned the Devils. It kind of has an eerie ring to it. When Detroit won the Western Conference, I remember reading an article that Scottie Bowman called Rick Bowness to ask his secret to breaking the trap. I am thinking that call didn't make a difference in the Cup Final's result for one of the following reasons:
(1) Bowness is a poor tutor; (2) He secretly rooted for the Devils; or (3) The most Cup winning coach couldn’t translate any of those confided secrets into execution with his players when the Red Wings were swept by the Devils for their first Cup.
Of course, it is also possible that the Devils were just better and outplayed the Red Wings. This trip back in history is merely here as a source of comparison for tonight's game between the Kings and the Coyotes where I hope the Kings tonight will do better than the Red Wings then.
Here the Kings sit in a similar predicament against the Coyotes. Prior to this season, generally speaking, the home team won the game since the lock-out. Similar scenarios could have played out this season had the Ducks not sold Bryzgalov for the $15,000.00 waiver fee. With their new goaltender in toe, the Coyotes seemed almost unbeatable... at least against the Kings!!
In direct contrast, the Sharks continue to own the Coyotes. San Jose spent Friday night continuing that domination in the wins column; by the score alone, the play and statistics became far more even. In the Sharks three prior wins, the goal differential was 15-1. Friday’s game was far more respectable if losing is ever defined by respect with a 1-0 score against. Prior to the Sharks game, and the Kings win from Wednesday, the Desert Dogs were on a four game losing streak when Los Angeles was once again Phoenix’s tonic.
Saturday night is the Kings’ opportunity to take back control of this rival. Keys will include elevating shots when the Coyotes block the puck’s path on a regular basis. In Friday’s loss, the Coyotes managed to stay on their feet more so than in prior Kings’ games with only 14 shots’ blocked. Daniel Carcillo led the team Friday with 3 shots blocked.
Face-offs is another area where the Coyotes have 2 of the better ones with Reinprecht and Zigomanis leading the charge with win percentages last night of 68% and 71% respectively. Their top three players in shots are:
Shane Doan 82 (shooting percentage 8.5%)
Radim Vrbata 81 (shooting percentage 12.3%)
Ed Jovanovski 73 (shooting percentage 2.7%)
In direct contrast, their top three players with the most successful shooting percentage are:
Steven Reinprecht 24.1% (29 shots)
Fredrik Sjostrom 17.2% (29 shots)
Peter Mueller 14.3% (56 shots)
The Kings have their work cut out for themselves since their centers are far less dominant in the circle. Their netminders without LaBarbera are far less healthy and/or experienced. Beyond statistics and health, bar none the greatest challenge will be the mental one. I implore every Kings’ player to seize the day, the opportunity and this season.
Fans can accept rebuilding. They can hang on for credibility, just barely. This team’s fans will boo, yell and scream over no effort. Every part of me believes this team has heart. If the Kings want to remove all doubt, shoot the puck; win the small battles, in other words, SHOW UP.
Winning can come over time, as will credibility. Without effort, expect ugliness from the home crowd. The battle for the Pacific Division’s worst team is on and I would like to see the Desert Dogs go down! Anyone want to join me?
If yes, then chime in with your own most important keys to the game and things you want to see your Kings do.
Carla Muller
[email protected] 
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