Home HockeyBuzz Register Login
Colorado • United States • 38 Years Old • Male
March 4th

Kings 5, Nashville Predators 1

First of all, give me some credit for staying up living in central time zone to watch a game between two teams who don't score much but take great pride in tight, defensive-minded hockey with great goaltending.

Sure it is boring, but its the way hockey is supposed to be played.

But thank God I did stay up, because I as well as all King fans who watched or were at this game, were rewarded with an offensive explosion in the third period.

Jeff Carter made a couple of excellent, highly skilled plays to give the Kings a 2-0, then a 3-0 lead scoring again a mere 19 seconds apart.

His Philadelphia Flyer buddy Mike Richards then made it 4-0 on a power play, followed by Dwight Kings' first goal of the season as the big left winger drove hard to the net.

Kings' goal prompted Nashville coach Barry Trotz to finally relieve Pekka Rinne from his duties. It is going to be a rough ride for the Preds back to Nashville, as the team lost all three contests of its West coast visit to Anaheim, San Jose and Los Angeles while being outscored 12-3 in the process.

The Kings made sure the Predators knew who they were after Nashville had won its previous two meetings 2-1 in a shootout and 3-0 in the Music City. Even though both teams are similarly designed, the Kings, with a little more star power proved to be the better team tonight.

Imagine if the Predators had been able to acquire Mike Richards and/or Jeff Carter...

Last year would have been the other way around perhaps?

If it is one thing that is keeping a team like the Predators from going all the way it is simply their lack of depth and scoring. Even with the addition of Mike Richards, the Kings were still missing one big piece to the puzzle. Jeff Carter was that piece the Kings were missing to finally help put it all together.

Carter's hat trick tonight moved him into second place in the NHL with 14 goals, one shy behind Tampa's Steven Stamkos.

Jonathan Bernier was exceptional in goal again for the Kings, who really need him more than ever. Bernier calmly turned aside 17 Predator shots on goal before Gabriel Bourque ended the shutout bid with a high snap shot over Bernier's goal stick with less than seven minutes left to play.

Where would the Kings be without Mr. Bernier? Like I have said since the beginning of the season, Bernier is going to have to play a legitimate role for the Kings to have a shot at retaining their crown. Coach Darryl Sutter did not believe in this blueprint earlier on, but now seems to have his goaltending situation under control. In four of Bernier's five victories thus far, he has allowed just one goal against and thus deserves even more playing time.

More rest for Quick thanks to a better than average backup goaltender can only prove to be very beneficial heading into the playoffs and into the off-season where the Kings will finally look to move Bernier for some even better pieces.

But I find Bernier in a rather tough decision. Does the 25 year-old former Kings "goalie of the future" decide to stay in LA and help Quick and the club continue to win, or should he remain steadfast in his willingness to be sent elsewhere with a chance to establish himself as a true #1 goaltender in the NHL?

Currently, teams like the Panthers, Devils, Flames, Avalanche to name a few, could certainly use a young future stud goaltender and I am sure the Kings would be able to get a kings' ransom for his services. But right now, LA really does need him and are in no position to give him up. So, credit Dean Lombardi and company for being patient when it comes to Bernier's future.

On Tuesday, it will be Jonathan Quick's turn to get back on track after a poor performance on Saturday in Vancouver.

Once again, time to separate the men from the boys...tonight the "man" was Jeff Carter...who will it be tomorrow?
October 8, 2020 4:39 AM ET | Delete
Hockey is my favorite game! But I didn't have to play, I need some expert help. I have four assignments in pending which are, Such site cheapest essay writing service help students get a good bonus to self-learning.
October 23, 2020 9:40 AM ET | Delete
The “Spouts: The Whale Who Saved Christmas” available at Eden Bancrofts is inspiring children’s books penned by the author Captain Philip Howe at Eden Bancrofts productions. Our books inspire young readers with insight and inspiration to read the book all over again.
December 24, 2020 8:22 AM ET | Delete
We at Impact Auto Glass are the industry leaders ensuring to satisfy the needs of the customers. Ranging from No Fault State Car Accident Florida insurance to automobile repair services at the location of your choice, we provide it with all. Make sure to visit our website for more information.
March 10, 2021 3:26 AM ET | Delete
Yep, this... Really, this is the only thing I'm missing... really like it otherwise. cookie clicker slope unblocked
February 9, 2022 9:58 PM ET | Delete
Nice information, valuable and excellent design, as share good stuff with good ideas and concepts, lots of great information and inspiration, both of which I need, thanks to offering such helpful information here slitherio
April 4, 2022 2:45 PM ET | Delete
Hi,
April 4, 2022 2:51 PM ET | Delete
The game was tied at 1 after the first period when the Kings took control with a pair of goals in the second. Luff scored a power-play goal on a one-timer from Brendan Leipsic with less than eight minutes to go. Four minutes later, Carter was credited with dissertationnock his sixth goal of the season on a shot he played off the boards that bounced off the right skate of Vegas defenceman Nate Schmidt and went into the net.
September 29, 2022 2:30 AM ET | Delete
thank you so much for sharing not apply to a very sorry for me to know about the games that you have shared here I just loved reading the information realty homes Sarasota given here it was very amazing for me to know about the players keep sharing modern no updates regarding the games
Leave a Comment
You must be logged in to leave a comment.

Blog Archive