Finally, the Kings can win without going to the shootout. In the last game of the season they take out the Colorado Avalanche in the overtime frame with captain Dustin Brown stick handling in the crease to get it past Aves netminder Craig Anderson. This is a mere formality here, but I’ll list out just a few things to say about this game because the playoffs are upon us and excitement is brewing!
- Erik Ersberg was finally in net in relief of Jonathan Quick. Terry Murray waited a few too many games to get Ersberg a game. Quick had looked pretty bad in the last two games, which is futile to try and question at this point.
- Once again the captain steps up to the plate to get the job done. I had been a bit surprised that Brown had been getting the short end of the stick in the past few games from players on a bunch of different teams. Does he really talk that much crap to other players or are they just pissed that he can draw penalties like Patrick O`Sullivan in past days?
- Bob Miller and Jim Fox were talking about their pick for defenseman of the year, Duncan Keith, which I’ll probably end up agreeing with in the end. That being said, Drew Doughty needs to be in that top three for consideration for the Norris Trophy. Am I wrong?
So we know the Kings are playing the Vancouver Canucks in Round 1 with the first game starting on Thursday, April 15th. News and analysis to come! I can hardly wait!