Los Angeles Kings vs New Jersey Devils – Game 3 SCF on Home Ice

Tracy is off to the game with hubbypat. So here I sit trying to fill in for her. It’s hard to do because let’s face it, the woman has actually played on a hockey team. She knows her stuff. So here’s the dilemma; do I take on her persona and play it safe as far as predicting the outcome? OR,tell it like I see it? Well, with wisdom and eloquence, I shall tell you how I feel about the whole thing.

You can read all the stats about wins and losses after game 2, but this is so unique. After finally getting into the playoffs, the Kings take away the 1st seed (Vancouver), then they take away the 2nd seed (St. Louis) then they take away whatever seed (Arizona) and now they are ready to take it all. I have to stay true to my own belief that we will win because we have earned it. No other reason exists for me except the fact that this team, the LA Kings measure up to the best of the best.

So, like thousands of other Kings’  fans, we will be watching from the comfort of our recliners and wishing like hell, we were joining Tracy & Pat at Staples Center tonight as our team goes on the ice and gives it their all.

GO KINGS!!!

*************************

Tracy here – Thanks for the preview! I had to update to this post though as soon as I heard some news going around:

Per Hammond: The New Jersey Devils held their media availability at the team hotel this morning, and no changes are expected, but the Kings are expected to make one change, with Simon Gagne drawing in for Brad Richardson.

Interesting. Like I noted before, I would have thought Sutter would wait until/if we were up 3 to make a change. The only thing I can think is going on is putting him on the powerplay. I don’t think Richardson is hurt. Hmmm….how interesting. Do we trust Sutter as he has taken the boys to this point so far? Because why else would he break up the 4th line. I just can’t see Sutter doing this for Gagne to get his name on the cup IF we win the final. Secret weapon perhaps?

 

 

Puck Drop – Wayne Gretzky will drop the puck tonight to start Game 3 at home. I can’t wait!!!

 

I’ll put Gagne in Richardson’s place but beside that, there are not other changes for either lineup.

LA Kings

# 23 Brown– # 11 Kopitar – # 14 Williams

# 25 Penner– # 10 Richards – # 77 Jeff Carter

# 74 King – # 28 Stoll – # 22 Lewis

# 12 Gagne - # 24 Fraser– # 71 Nolan

# 7 Scuderi – # 8 Doughty

# 33 Mitchell – # 26 Voynov

# 27 Martinez –# 2 Greene

# 32 Quick #

45 Bernier

NJ Devils

#9 Zach Parise – #19 Travis Zajac – #8 Dainius Zubrus
#12 Alexei Ponikarovsky – #14 Adam Henrique – #17 Ilya Kovalchuk
#26 Patrik Elias – #16 Jacob Josefson – #23 David Clarkson
#20 Ryan Carter – #11 Stephen Gionta – #18 Steve Bernier

#6 Andy Greene – #29 Mark Fayne
#24 Bryce Salvador – #2 Marek Zidlicky
#28 Anton Volchenkov – #10 Peter Harrold

#30 Martin Brodeur
#1 Johan Hedberg

Go Kings Go!