February 6, 2009, off day story for LA Kings.com
ROAD REPORT: SIMMONDS MEETS WILLIE
Feb 6, 2009, 6:29 PM EST
The Kings laughed and joked with each other during today's practice at The Prudential Center. Their smiles were wide.
And why wouldn't they be?
Following Thursday night's 5-4 win over the Capitals, the Kings have gone 2-1-0 through three games of a five-game road trip through the Northeast. With two games remaining against New Jersey Saturday night and the Islanders Tuesday night, the Kings have the opportunity to go 4-1-0 on a five-game road trip for just the fourth time in team history, matching the 1976-77, 1990-91 and 2001-02 teams.
"It's been good. We gave ourselves every chance to win in Montreal. Unfortunately, we came up a little short. But four points out of six points is a good start," said defenseman Sean ODonnell. "We still have two big games left, but so far its been a pretty good road trip."
More importantly, it keeps the Kings in the midst of the Western Conference playoff race. The Kings are four points behind Edmonton for the 8th seed. The last time the Kings qualified for the playoffs was the 2001-02 season.
"I think you try to talk about the big picture as far as the playoffs, but you really have to focus game to game. If we get a little bit closer to the playoff picture, then its something that well stress a little bit more, said ODonnell, one of nine Kings (Michal Handzus, Kyle Calder, Brad Richardson, Jarret Stoll, Denis Gauthier, Matt Greene, Tom Preissing and Kyle Quincey) to have playoff experience.
"All of these games are so important. You play the best you can; you work hard every night and realize that certain games are against teams that you are vying for the playoffs (against).
MOLLER MAYBE
Oscar Moller skated in Friday afternoons practice, but it is still uncertain when he will return to the lineup. He has participated in five practices, including contact drills, during this road trip.
"I'm feeling pretty good. I've been working hard and it's just up to the coaches (to decide when to re-introduce him to the lineup)," Moller said following today's practice. "They've said that they want to be 110 percent sure that I'm healthy.
" I feel pretty good right now."
Moller injured his shoulder against Russia in the World Junior Championships. He said that his shoulder was stuck in the glass following a normal hit.
"It was great for me. It was my last chance to play that (tournament) and we had a powerhouse; we had a really good chance of winning. But the outcome just (stunk) for us because we battled hard all the way through and thought we could win."
HOCKEY IS FOR EVERYONE
Forward Wayne Simmonds appeared with Washington's Donald Brashear and NHL pioneer Willie O'Ree at a Washington D.C. area rink Wednesday night to skate with a minority youth hockey team.
"The league asked me if I wanted to participate in the Diversity Program and I jumped at the opportunity," Simmonds said. "I hadn't met Willie before, so it was the first time I met him. I was like a kid on Christmas, meeting him.
"It was unbelievable. He made it all possible for African-Americans in hockey. I am very thankful for that."
On Monday, Simmonds will sign autographs at the NHL Store in Manhattan as part of the Hockey In Harlem program, which introduces the game to inner-city youth in New York.
"I think the more people that help out with the program, the more black kids will start playing hockey," said Simmonds. "I just think the more that they see we can do, they'll want to do it as well."
ALL ABOARD KINGS
Rather than flying Thursday night, the Kings opted to take Amtrak to Newark Friday morning. The Kings had three specially chartered cars and the trip between Washington and Newark took two hours.
By Denis Gorman | Special to LAKings.com
http://kings.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=408124
Feb 6, 2009, 6:29 PM EST
The Kings laughed and joked with each other during today's practice at The Prudential Center. Their smiles were wide.
And why wouldn't they be?
Following Thursday night's 5-4 win over the Capitals, the Kings have gone 2-1-0 through three games of a five-game road trip through the Northeast. With two games remaining against New Jersey Saturday night and the Islanders Tuesday night, the Kings have the opportunity to go 4-1-0 on a five-game road trip for just the fourth time in team history, matching the 1976-77, 1990-91 and 2001-02 teams.
"It's been good. We gave ourselves every chance to win in Montreal. Unfortunately, we came up a little short. But four points out of six points is a good start," said defenseman Sean ODonnell. "We still have two big games left, but so far its been a pretty good road trip."
More importantly, it keeps the Kings in the midst of the Western Conference playoff race. The Kings are four points behind Edmonton for the 8th seed. The last time the Kings qualified for the playoffs was the 2001-02 season.
"I think you try to talk about the big picture as far as the playoffs, but you really have to focus game to game. If we get a little bit closer to the playoff picture, then its something that well stress a little bit more, said ODonnell, one of nine Kings (Michal Handzus, Kyle Calder, Brad Richardson, Jarret Stoll, Denis Gauthier, Matt Greene, Tom Preissing and Kyle Quincey) to have playoff experience.
"All of these games are so important. You play the best you can; you work hard every night and realize that certain games are against teams that you are vying for the playoffs (against).
MOLLER MAYBE
Oscar Moller skated in Friday afternoons practice, but it is still uncertain when he will return to the lineup. He has participated in five practices, including contact drills, during this road trip.
"I'm feeling pretty good. I've been working hard and it's just up to the coaches (to decide when to re-introduce him to the lineup)," Moller said following today's practice. "They've said that they want to be 110 percent sure that I'm healthy.
" I feel pretty good right now."
Moller injured his shoulder against Russia in the World Junior Championships. He said that his shoulder was stuck in the glass following a normal hit.
"It was great for me. It was my last chance to play that (tournament) and we had a powerhouse; we had a really good chance of winning. But the outcome just (stunk) for us because we battled hard all the way through and thought we could win."
HOCKEY IS FOR EVERYONE
Forward Wayne Simmonds appeared with Washington's Donald Brashear and NHL pioneer Willie O'Ree at a Washington D.C. area rink Wednesday night to skate with a minority youth hockey team.
"The league asked me if I wanted to participate in the Diversity Program and I jumped at the opportunity," Simmonds said. "I hadn't met Willie before, so it was the first time I met him. I was like a kid on Christmas, meeting him.
"It was unbelievable. He made it all possible for African-Americans in hockey. I am very thankful for that."
On Monday, Simmonds will sign autographs at the NHL Store in Manhattan as part of the Hockey In Harlem program, which introduces the game to inner-city youth in New York.
"I think the more people that help out with the program, the more black kids will start playing hockey," said Simmonds. "I just think the more that they see we can do, they'll want to do it as well."
ALL ABOARD KINGS
Rather than flying Thursday night, the Kings opted to take Amtrak to Newark Friday morning. The Kings had three specially chartered cars and the trip between Washington and Newark took two hours.
By Denis Gorman | Special to LAKings.com
http://kings.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=408124
posted by Denis P. Gorman at 8:40 PM
<< Home