It seems a bit silly to be writing about Ducks vs. Kings right now when the big ticket game just about everyone is anticipating is Caps at Pengies (on Versus in the U.S., TSN2 in Canadia), but this is, after all, the Ducks blog, so here goes.
Saku Koivu has been on fuego these last few games and has no doubt been schooling his teammates on how to solve the Quickie puzzle – wait for it…wait for it…wait for it… TOP SHELF! (or as one commentator put it “Top shelf! Where your mother doesn’t dust!”)
Defenseman James Wisniewski is back after serving an eight game suspension for his devastating hit on Chicago’s Brent Seabrook, the longest suspension since Chris Pronger stomped on Vancouver’s Ryan Kesler’s leg (and ‘stomp’ is definately the operative word) – an incident that cause Pronger to become one of the most booed players out there. I’m hoping to see the Wiz and Viz line burning up the ice. Partly for the play, but it’s also fun to hear the announcers stumble over trying to pronounce both players names back to back!
Nick Bonino is undoubtedly gonna be hungry and as the new kid, he adds an important element of unpredictability. He has hinted at enjoying a good game of cat and mouse and with his fearless approach, the Kings won’t be able to ignore him.
Curtis McElhinney – like Bonino – is hell-bent to impress in order to secure a spot on the team next season, so keep an eye out for some monster saves and aggressive goaltending.
I’m looking forward to seeing whose helmet Dustin Brown can bounce his face off of this time. Maybe he can knock out a few more teeth! Make a nice necklace for Sheldon Brookbank.
Before this season even started, it was obvious the Kings were concentrating on brains over brawn, but their lack of clever bruisers could be their undoing – not just in this game, but going forward into the playoffs. Wayne Simmonds always seems to be ready to throw down, but he lacks finesse and rarely seems to take the time to invite others to the dance. Parros or Brookbank could definitely goad Simmonds into doing something stupid – perhaps by dangling the Brownie teeth necklace in his face?
Finally, never underestimate the “we ain’t got nuthin’ to lose” attitude. Randy Carlyle may decide to let Scotty call the shots and have the guys just go for it. You know, Charlestown Chiefs style. “Okay fellas. Show me what you got.”
As a side note, I know this is sort of blasphemy, but I’m not just a Ducks fan, I’m a hockey fanatic and have to give props when they are due and there’s no denying that Jonathan Bernier is the hottest thing we’ve seen near the net since Ovi’s stick. Bernsie has been named the AHL’s outstanding goaltender for the 2009-10 Season, winning the Aldege “Baz” Bastien Memorial Award. The kid will be fighting for the Calder Cup beginning next week and I wish him and the Monarchs the best of luck.