News Clips 4-02-16

FROM LA KINGS INSIDER April 1, 2016 3:21 PM By: Jon Rosen Personal/Team Feats Balanced As Doughty Passes Duchesne Steve Duchesne became an NHL defenseman in the time and place that allowed his skills to flourish: The mid-to-late-1980’s Smythe Division. The dynamic skater and adept puck mover led the Kings in defensive scoring in his first five years with the team after joining the club with fellow rookies Luc Robitaille and Jimmy Carson in 1986-87. He topped out with 25 goals and 75 points in 1988-89. If Drew Doughty played in the freewheeling Smythe, would he feel at home? “Back then, go end-to-end, shoot it along the ice, I think I could do that,” Doughty said. But Doughty is such a complete player that the personal accolades almost seem secondary, and though he passed Duchesne in points by a Kings defenseman – his assist on Jeff Carter’s first goal Thursday night moved him into sole possession of second place with 316 – Doughty has been a part of the more important team accolades. While the team had several star players in the late 1980’s, none of those Kings teams, prior to 1993, ever advanced past the second round of the playoffs. “I would say Drew would say his best years would be winning a Stanley Cup, being a great player in the playoffs, going to a conference finals, winning a Stanley Cup [again], playing in All-Star Games, playing in the Olympics,” Darryl Sutter said. “He would definitely say those would be his best seasons. So he was able to get team accomplishments this year by being a playoff team again, having a chance at a division title, which he hasn’t had, all those things I would guarantee you that Drew would rather talk about than those things.” And he’s right. Doughty is always happy to oblige reporters asking about his chances for a Norris

Trophy or a spike in his production, but any insight shared pales in comparison to the sheer, unadulterated emotion exhibited in the team’s many late-season moments of accomplishment. To Doughty, it’s not about the number of goals, but the quality and importance of the goal being scored. Still, this year he has experienced a surge in production. Part of that has come on the power play, where nine of his 14 goals and 24 of his 49 points have been generated. His only other NHL season in which he finished with a greater number of goals, assists and points was 2009-10, when he amassed 16 goals and 59 points. “I think I’m just doing a better job of putting more offense in my game,” Doughty said. “I think early on in my career I was pretty good at offense, I always had the ability to do it, and I was more free to do it back then, and then I think I really started focusing on my defense every game a lot, and trying to grow that, and that maybe kind of took away from the offense a little bit, but I’ve worked on getting my shots through and hitting the net. I’ve done a good job at that this year, and pucks are going in for me. Sometimes you just get lucky.” Of course, this production has spurred a Los Angeles team that often operates with an advantage in puck possession but is widely known for being one of the league’s stingiest and most difficult teams to play (and score) against. Though that may serve as a challenge towards generating individual production, it precipitates greater team-wide success. “I think we’re usually one of the lower-scoring teams in the league,” Doughty said. “I don’t hate that at all, I’d rather be on a better defensive team than a high-scoring team any day, but yeah, sometimes it’s a challenge, but it’s a challenge for all of us. I think we can be a higher scoring team. I think we have all of the talent in the world to do it, and we just need to start doing it, really.” Continuing the continued all-around maturation in his game, Doughty will have another opportunity to add to his team trophy haul before he approaches

another Kings player milestone: Rob Blake’s 494 points. “I’m not sure how many he’s beating me by, but I’m going to try to catch him,” he said. Drew Doughty, on starting the sequence that led to Jeff Carter’s second goal Thursday: I think the puck just kind of squirted loose, and I got the puck and I had a forechecker on me, and I really didn’t have any outs at that time to move the puck, so I had to kind of be patient with it and make a few moves to kind of get him off my back, and then one I created some space I just gave it to Brayden, he made a great pass to Looch and then Looch made a great pass to Carts. Doughty, on the frequency of his communication with Rob Blake: Quite a bit. He doesn’t even have to approach me, I’ll just go up there and kind of talk to him about things, what he’s thinking about my game, what he’s thinking about the d-corps’ game overall and how I can help make the other guys better and make myself better. He’s been great for me, he worked with me this summer looking over my shots, seeing how I could get my goals up, and I’ve done that this year compared to last. He’s helped me a lot and he’s a great guy to have up there to help defenseman especially, because he’s been through it all and you can learn a lot from him. Doughty, on whether Blake said anything last summer that resonated with him: Just more – he wanted more slap shots from me. I had 16 goals one year, and a lot of times that year, it was just shooting one-timers, or getting the pock, stopping it, and taking a slap shot, and I kind of got away from that since that second year in the league, coaches were always saying ‘just take wrist shots, get it down to the net, down to the net’ and they weren’t getting through as much. A wrist shot is still a good play from up there but I feel like the slap shot less people are willing to block, so it finds its way through. April 1, 2016 1:17 PM By: Jon Rosen April 1 Practice Notes, Darryl Sutter Quotes

Good afternoon from Toyota Sports Center, where the Kings practiced at 11:00 a.m. in advance of Saturday’s matinee against the Dallas Stars. Friday practices in advance of Saturday afternoon games often reveal lineup clues, though the thrust of the team’s practice involved special teams, and players weren’t color coded by line. Kris Versteeg is on the verge of a return, one that could come tomorrow. But other than a potential Versteeg return, there were no clear hints towards any lineup changes that Darryl Sutter might implement versus Dallas. Jonathan Quick left the ice first at practice and should be expected to start against the Stars. I’ll have some stories on Jonathan Quick and Drew Doughty and a SolarCity video later today, but before we go any farther, here are today’s Darryl Sutter quotes: On the focus with five games remaining after having clinched a playoff berth: Just focus on the individual part of it and keep the X and O’s in place. I think the veteran group, the leadership part of it, has been really sending the same message, trying to get guys to make sure they’re playing as well as they can. On what he attributes Drew Doughty’s rise in offense this year to: We’re a playoff team. If we weren’t, you wouldn’t talk about that. Very clear. I think the individual stuff is way blown out of proportions, way out of line. I think the individual stuff I’d be interested in now, if we’re only talking about one player getting all the recognition, why wouldn’t Jonathan Quick, who’s in the top five in every category be a nominee, or how about talking about Vincent Lecavalier, which is even better being recognized by his teammates for a major award, which may be the ultimate compliment you could get, or what Kopitar does for the team? I’m not answering the individual stuff. If we wouldn’t have been a playoff team two weeks ago, then I probably wouldn’t have even talked about it. On Doughty’s offensive production had he played in the Smythe Division years: Well, everybody said he had his best year in one of the worst years in Kings history, so I can’t believe Drew would agree with that. I would say Drew would say his best years would be winning a

Stanley Cup, being a great player in the playoffs, going to a conference finals, winning a Stanley Cup, playing in All-Star Games, playing in the Olympics. He would definitely say those would be his best seasons. So he was able to get team accomplishments this year by being a playoff team again, having a chance at a division title, which he hasn’t had, all those things I would guarantee you that Drew would rather talk about than those things. On when he realized that Jonathan Quick was a “special” player: Oh, I think I knew that coming in. Part of being a good coach, there’s three things that are really important to being a good coach – having a really good goalie, having a really good defenseman, having a really good centerman. Those three were in place here with Jonathan, Drew and Kopi. On Quick’s aversion to talking about individual accomplishments: Hey, winning matters. At the end of the day, winning matters. There’s a lot of goalies that when you give up two or three goals that their game changes not for the better, where Jonathan is about winning and having to make big saves and that sort of thing. You’ve even seen it lately. We’ve played a lot of really close games. Take the empty nets out, and there’s so much changes in one shift, meaning a big save at one end and a goal at the other end, and it becomes even more prevalent for a playoff team. You can win, but you don’t win consistently without that guy over a long period of time. It’s why you see the best 10 goalies, or it’s probably even smaller than that in the league now, that play 60-to-70 games. There’s a reason why. They give their teams the best chance to win those 60 or 70 games. They’re the most important player. On what stands out with the Dallas Stars: They’re a playoff team. Last year they weren’t. April 1, 2016 10:34 PM By: Jon Rosen Waking Up With The Kings: April 1 On Wednesday night, the Calgary Flames yielded eight goals to the Anaheim Ducks in a lopsided loss that was more or less decided early in the first

period, when Anaheim led 3-0. It was clear, in the immediate aftermath of Wednesday’s game, that Los Angeles’ roadmap to victory on Thursday would take a far different route. Calgary was no doubt disappointed and embarrassed by its performance one night earlier, and despite having one of the younger active rosters in the league – the Kings are fairly young as well, as impressive as that is when compared against the background of their accomplishments – would rally together and forge forward with a much stronger 60 minutes than what was shown against the Ducks one night prior. There was scant chance that Thursday’s game would have ended as lopsidedly as the night before, and with the minimal travel up The 5, it was actually a set of circumstances that seemed to boost a team returning to action so quickly on the second night of back to back. That’s about where the Flames’ momentum or buzz ended, though, and after 15 minutes of the visitors getting up and down the ice fairly well, the Kings seized the final five minutes of a scoreless first period, opened the scoring in the first minute of the second period, and ultimately wore down the visitors to the tune of a 3-0 win by virtue of a strong collective performance in which scant time and space was ceded to the opposition over the final 40 minutes in play. All in all, it was the type of uneventful win that one would hope for over the final two weeks of the season with a playoff spot already clinched: With minimal mistakes, save for some questionable individual decisions, special teams success, solid goaltending and structured team-wide play. The forwards with the two greatest impacts on the game were Jeff Carter and Anze Kopitar, both of whom finished the night clearly in the black possession-wise and consistently worked near the goal line and low in the offensive zone with the puck. According to War-on-Ice, Carter and Dustin Brown led all skaters with five scoring chances, while Carter’s three “high danger” chances were tied with Anze Kopitar for the most in the game as well. The possession battle was waged to its greatest success against TJ Brodie (-20 5×5 CF)(!) and Dougie Hamilton (-9), and if there’s a way to generate success against Calgary, it’s to hem Brodie in his own zone and ensure he isn’t able to have opportunities with time and space to advance the puck up-ice with a good pace

Some of the window dressing around the game aligned with impressive individual accomplishments. A sharp Jonathan Quick tied his own franchise record, set in 2009-10, with his 39th win of the season; he amassed the 42nd career shutout of his career by virtue of a 21-save performance. Drew Doughty, meanwhile, surpassed Steve Duchesne for sole possession of second place on the team’s list of points by a defenseman when he recorded the 316th point of his career by assisting on Jeff Carter’s first goal. Duchesne, who recorded back-to-back-to-back seasons of at least 20 goals, totaled 25 goals and 75 points in the 1988-89 season and also etched his name into the scoresheet with a noteworthy assist against the Flames. Some of the window dressing around the game aligned with impressive individual

accomplishments. A sharp Jonathan Quick tied his own franchise record, set in 2009-10, with his 39th win of the season; he amassed the 42nd career shutout of his career by virtue of a 21-save performance. Drew Doughty, meanwhile, surpassed Steve Duchesne for sole possession of second place on the team’s list of points by a defenseman when he recorded the 316th point of his career by assisting on Jeff Carter’s first goal. Duchesne, who recorded back-to-back-to-back seasons of at least 20 goals, totaled 25 goals and 75 points in the 1988-89 season and also etched his name into the scoresheet with a noteworthy assist against the Flames.

FROM LAKINGS.COM April 1, 2016 7:22 PM By: Alex Kinkopf Kings Host Western’s-Best Stars In Saturday Matinee Kings Are 2-0-0 Against Dallas This Season, Today Marks 200th-Straigh Sellout SEEING STARS: Tonight marks the third and final meeting with the Stars this season and Dallas’ second and final visit to STAPLES Center. The Stars are playing the first of a two-game road trip through Southern California; they’re coming off of a 4-1 over the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday night. The Kings are playing the final of a two-game home stand; they’re coming off of a 3-0 win over the Calgary Flames on Thursday. UNDER THE SUN: Today marks the Kings’ seventh and final afternoon home game on the 2015-’16 schedule. The Kings are 4-2-0 when playing under the sun at STAPLES Center this season, their two losses coming to the Ottawa Senators on January 16 and Anaheim Ducks on March 5. LINEUP: The Kings held a full practice at the Toyota Sports Center on Friday afternoon, where the majority of the skate was spent on special teams, with no clear indications to any changes being made to the lineup used Thursday night. Kris Versteeg practiced with the team again and could possibly make a return Saturday afternoon. Jonathan Quick was the first goaltender to leave the ice and is expected to start in net. FORWARDS PEARSON – KOPITAR – BROWN LUCIC – CARTER – TOFFOLI KING – LECAVALIER – LEWIS CLIFFORD – DOWD – ANDREOFF (SHORE) DEFENSEMEN MCNABB – DOUGHTY MUZZIN – MARTINEZ SCUDERI – SCHENN (MCBAIN) GOALTENDERS QUICK (ENROTH) THE LAST TIME AROUND: The Kings are 2-0-0 against the Stars in their two previous meetings with Dallas this season, winning 3-2 on January 19 at STAPLES Center, and 5-2 on March 15 at the American Airlines Center. Anze Kopitar (1G, 3A) leads all Kings players in points scored against the Stars this season with four, five different players have registered two points against Dallas. Jonathan Quick and Jhonas Enroth have each made one start against the Stars; Quick stopped 27 of 29 on January 19, Enroth 24 of 26 on March 15. WESTERN SHOOTOUT: The Kings must win Saturday afternoon to have any shot of catching Dallas for the top spot in the Western Conference. The Stars, with four games remaining on their schedule, have 103 points.

The Kings have one game in-hand on Dallas and come into the day with 97 points. With a regulation win, the Kings can pull to within four points of the Stars. TAKE OFFENSE: The Stars come into the afternoon with NHL’s top-ranked offense, averaging 3.26 goals per game, fresh off of Jamie Benn scoring his 40th goal of the season on Thursday, the first Stars player to reach that mark in a single season since Mike Modano. The Kings have held Benn scoreless in two games this season, and he has a -4 rating. The Kings ranked second in the NHL in defense, allowing just 2.31 goals per game. Dallas will be without Tyler Seguin, who put up 73 points (33G, 40A) before going down with an achilles injury on March 17. MILESTONE MANIA: The Kings can set a franchise record for wins in a single season if they can register their 47th victory of the campaign this afternoon. The Kings have won 46 games during four prior seasons: 1990-’91, 2009-’10, 2010-’11, 2013-’14. Jonathan Quick can set a franchise, and personal record for wins by a Kings goaltender during a single season if he can record his 40th victory today. Quick set a Kings record in 2009-’10 when he won 39 games in 72 appearances. SELLING OUT: Today will mark the Kings’ 200th-consecutive sellout at STAPLES Center, including playoffs. The streak began on December 3, 2011 when the Kings hosted the Montreal Canadiens. WE’RE DOING IT LIVE: Catch the ‘Kings Live’ pregame show at 12:30PM PST on Fox Sports West, followed with Nick Nickson and Jim Fox on the live play-by-play call from STAPLES Center for puck drop just after 1:00. You can listen to Jon Rosen and Daryl Evans call the action over the radio airwaves on AM 790 KABC. April 1, 2016 5:29 PM By: Alex Kinkopf Kings Hitting A Flood Of Franchise Records, Milestones The Kings’ 3-0 win over the Calgary Flames Thursday at STAPLES Center provided more than just two points in the standings, but saw the team tie a pair of franchise records in the process, both of which can be broken with one more win. Here are four notable milestones that have been met, or also within reach for the Kings come Saturday afternoon’s game against the Dallas Stars:

MAGIC NUMBER 47 The Kings earned their 46th win of the season Thursday, tying a club record for wins in a single season, a mark that’s been reached on four previous occasions, but never exceeded. 1990-’91 Final Record: 46-24-10 Won Game #46 in Game 79 (80) 6-5 vs Minnesota North Stars 2009-‘10 Final Record: 46-27-9 Won Game #46 in Game 82 (82) 2-1 OT @ Colorado Avalanche

2010-‘11 Final Record: 46-30-6 Won Game #46 in Game 80 (82) 3-2 SO vs Phoenix Coyotes 2013-‘14 Final Record: 46-28-8 Won Game #46 in Game 81 (82) 3-0 @ Edmonton Oilers Set to play their 78th game of the season Saturday against the Dallas Stars, the Kings have already reached the 46-win mark the fastest in club history. The Kings have five opportunities to claim their first 47-win season in franchise history.

QUICK FOR 40 In making 21 saves in the Kings’ 3-0 win Thursday, Jonathan Quick earned his 39th win of the season, tying his club record for most wins by a goaltender in a single season. Quick surpassed Mario Lessard’s 29-year record of 35 wins during the 2009-’10 campaign, when he posted a 39-24-7 mark in 72 games played. Quick won his 29th game of that season in his 64th appearance, making 18 saves in a 4-3 OT Kings victory over the Colorado Avalanche on March 22, 2010 at STAPLES Center.

DOUGHTY PAST DUCHESNE With his assist on Jeff Carter’s opening goal Thursday night, Drew Doughty surpassed Steve Duchesne for second on the Kings’ all-time scoring list for defensemen. Doughty’s assist was the 316th point (80G, 236A) of his NHL career; Duchesne recorded 315 points (99G, 216A in 442 games in a Los Angeles uniform. Doughty now trails only Rob Blake’s 494 points (161G, 333A) for the most by a Kings defenseman in franchise history.

SELLING OUT, MAN Saturday’s game against the Dallas Stars at STAPLES Center will be the 200th consecutive Kings sell-out, a streak that began on December 3, 2011 in a game against the Montreal Canadiens.

FROM LATIMES.COM April 1, 2016 7:30 AM By: Lisa Dillman Kings’ Drew Doughty And Executive Rob Blake Discuss The Finer Points Of Scoring By Defensemen The only person standing between Drew Doughty and an imposing accomplishment — becoming the No. 1 scoring defenseman in Kings history — happens to be the same guy trying to help him reach that spot. That would be Kings Assistant General Manager Rob Blake. "I'm not sure how many he is beating me by, but I'm going to try to catch him," Doughty said. "I'm going to try to beat him." Only 179 more points to go . . . Doughty was chatting with a couple of reporters Friday, the day after he recorded his 316th career point — an assist against the Calgary Flames — and moved past Steve Duchesne for second place on the Kings' all-time scoring list for defensemen. Blake finished with 494 points with the Kings and, adding his Colorado and San Jose contributions, recorded 777 overall.

In 77 games this season, Doughty has 14 goals and 49 points, which includes nine power-play goals and three game-winners. His plus-minus rating of plus-25 was fifth among NHL defensemen before Friday. One of the favorites for the Norris Trophy, given to the league's top defenseman, Doughty is two goals and 10 points from matching his career highs. Doughty says he often takes the initiative with Blake, saying "he's been through it all." "He doesn't even have to approach me," Doughty said. "I'll just go up there and talk to him about things: What he's thinking about my game. What he's thinking about the D-corps' game, overall. "How I can help make the others better and make myself better. He's been great for me. He worked this summer with me, looking over my shots, seeing how I could get my goals up." Said Blake: "His game has always been in the same category as the top defensemen in the league. His leadership on and off the ice has taken a big step. "He takes pride in helping and guiding this team to win championships." Blake had another suggestion for Doughty. "He wanted more slap shots from me," Doughty said. "I had 16 goals one year and a lot of times that year I was shooting one-timers, or getting the puck, stopping it and taking a slap shot. I kind of got away from that since that second year in the league. "Coaches were always saying, 'Just take wrist shots, get it down to the net.' And they weren't getting through as much. Wrist shots are still a good play from up there. I feel like slap shots, people are a lot less willing to block and [it] finds its way through." Blake would be the first to agree that the free-wheeling, high-scoring Smythe Division days gave him and Duchesne a nice advantage, adding, "Very little shot blockers back then also." Doughty smiled when asked how he might have fared in that wild Smythe era. Blake made his NHL debut and joined the Kings for the final four games of the 1989-90 season . . . and the Kings were outscored, 14-7, in their last two games of the regular season. That was also the season they won a first-round playoff game, 12-4, against Calgary, in which Blake had two assists, Wayne Gretzky had five points and three players recorded hat tricks. So much fun for the fans, less so for the goalies and coaches. Next up KINGS VS. DALLAS When: Saturday, 1 p.m. On the air: TV: Fox Sports West. Radio: 790. Update: The Stars, like the Kings, did not make the playoffs last season and both are contending for division titles, the Kings in the Pacific and the Stars in the Central. Dallas forward Ales Hemsky is on a six-game point

streak with seven points during that stretch.Jamie Benn scored his 40th goal of the season Thursday against Arizona, and his 87 points match a career high. FROM DAILYNEWS.COM April 1, 2016 10:41 PM By: Elliott Teaford Kings’ Goaltender Jonathan Quick Isn’t A Solo Act This Season Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick needed a victory Thursday over the luckless Calgary Flames in order to tie his franchise record for wins in a season with 39. Another victory Saturday over the Dallas Stars would extend it by one more, to 40, a nice round number. Quick went into Thursday with 38 victories, second-most in the NHL behind Braden Holtby, who had 46 for the league-leading Washington Capitals. Quick also had the sixth-best goals-against average, with a 2.24 mark before facing Calgary. Quick’s wizardry in goal is well-chronicled. His competitive drive and athleticism backstopped the Kings to Stanley Cup championship victories in 2012 and and ’14. If they hope to make another run at a third title in five seasons, then he’ll be counted on to save them again and again, and in all manner of situations. It hasn’t been a one-way street. Quick doesn’t do it all by himself. The Kings don’t ask more of him than they’re willing and able to give to the cause. There is a connectedness between the goalie and his teammates that makes it possible for them to march in lockstep. It’s a relationship that could be easily overlooked, according to goalie coach Bill Ranford. “I think there’s a trust that goes both ways,” Ranford said. “I think, as a coaching staff, we’re working with a system that works for both. Having that trust between the defense and the goalie and sometimes the first forward back, we try thing to make both groups successful. “I think that’s a big part of it.” Quick’s ability to make up for a defensive lapse is remarkable. So is his teammates’ willingness to block shots and deny the shooting lanes to opponents, which also plays a key role in the success of the goalie. It’s also a part of the relationship that also goes unnoticed. The goalie gets the credit for a shutout, but it’s not a one-man show. When the team suffers a one-sided defeat, it’s also not all on the goalie’s shoulders. “We’ve always been one of the better goals-against teams in the league,” Kings defenseman Drew Doughty said. “We’ve always done a good job in front of him and not given them too much, but when we’ve given up three or four, there’s times when we frustrated we can’t get four or five for him.

“Sometimes, when we can’t return the favor, it gets frustrating.” No question, the Kings’ skaters receive a jolt of confidence whenever Quick makes one of his otherworldly saves. They never take his saves for granted, no matter how preposterous they might seem at first, second or third glance. Case in point: Quick denied Logan Couture of the San Jose Sharks on Monday, diving across his crease to deflect a point-blank shot with his stick while performing the splits, his skates almost covering the goal posts from left to right. Couture raised his arms in triumph, thinking he scored. Then he shook his head in disbelief. “He’s got his own highlight reel going,” Kings left wing Dwight King said of Quick. “This year alone, he’s probably got 10 of those difficult saves, the kind only he makes. I’m sure he expects that more of himself than we expect out of him.” April 1, 2016 10:41 PM By: Elliott Teaford LA Kings Shoot For A Record-Setting Victory Saturday Against Dallas Stars STARS AT KINGS Faceoff: 1 p.m. TV/Radio: FSW / 790 AM Update: A victory over the Dallas Stars will give the Kings their franchise-record 47th win of the season. They have won 46 games five times in their history, most recently in 2013-14, when they went on to win their second Stanley Cup championship in a three-season span. The Kings are 10-1-1 in their last 12 games at Staples Center, and are 25-11-2 overall at home. The Kings (46-26-5, 97 points) held a one-point lead in the Pacific Division standings before the second-place Ducks played host Friday to the Vancouver Canucks. The Kings and Ducks each have five regular-season games to play, as of Saturday morning. Goaltender Jonathan Quick can break his Kings record for victories in a season with his 40th win. Quick is 39-21-4 with a 2.20 goals-against average and five shutouts this season. Dallas is 47-22-9. – Elliott Teaford FROM SPORTSNET.COM April 1, 2016 11:23 By: Cody Hirsch Top 3 Goalies I Want Going Into The NHL Playoffs 1. Jonathan Quick In the opening round of the 2014 Stanley Cup playoffs, the San Jose Sharks had the Los Angeles Kings on the ropes and down 3-0 in the series. Nothing changed except for the play of Jonathan Quick, who just decided that

San Jose wasn’t going to score on him anymore. It was an amazing display of goaltending for the next four games that I had never seen before. When a player can win a series all by himself and change the course of a game or series with just their own particular play, that’s a special player. Quick has two Stanley Cups and a Conn Smythe Trophy (2012) in his back pocket. His Gumby-like style makes him unpredictable in his save selection, which keeps the shooters guessing. So there you have it, these are the goalies I would want on my team going into this year’s Stanley Cup playoffs. They all have one thing in common; they are mentally tough as nails. Each has their own particular style, but all have the ability to change a series by themselves. If I’m one of their teammates, I feel pretty good looking back at my net knowing there’s a rock back there, one that’s been down that road, and has done it before. FROM EXAMINER.COM April 1, 2016 By: Nick Hamilton Carter Extinguished Flames In Shutout Victory Jeff Carter helped guide his team back into the win column, as the LA Kings torch the Calgary Flames 3-0 on Thursday night. The Kings picked up two points and are currently in first place in the Pacific Division. Jonathan Quick recorded 21 saves and earned his 42nd career shutout, extending his own NHL record for goalies. He also matched his 39th win of the season that ties the franchise single-season record, which he set back in 2009-10. "Good to see Jonathan [Quick] get recognized and rewarded with that once in a while, isn’t it? He usually is our best player," head coach Darryl Sutter said. "Those three guys tonight, [Anze] Kopitar, [Jeff] Carter and [Jonathan] Quick, were pretty good.” The only slight ray of hope for the Flames came in the second period when Mikeal Backlund's goal was waived off just four minutes into the second period on goalie interference by Joe Colborne. After a coach's challenge the call stood, which seemed to have broken the spirit of the team at that point. "Just all around, it's been a tough year for us in our own division," Backlund said. "I don't know why. They're a heavy team to play. They play physical. They play smart. [They have good] goaltending. They're hard to play against. We've got to find a way to play the same way." Carter owned the second period when he scored his 21st and 22nd goals of the season against Flames goalie Joni Ortio. The two scores seemed to have sent Calgary into a vortex of dispare and hopelessness. The Kings added some insurance in the third period when Andy Andreoff scored a goal off an assist from Carter. Ortio made 26 saves in the loss, as the Flames were swept by both the Ducks and Kings in back to back games.

Game Notes: Doughty passed Steve Duchesne for second on the Kings all-time points list among defensemen with 316. With tonight’s win, the Kings have tied their franchise record for wins in a season with 46 (fifth time, last: 2013-14) and they are 10-1-1 in their last 12 games at home. Milan Lucic (0-1=1) tallied his 34th assist of the season, one shy of his career-high (35; twice, last: 2013-14). Calgary has only collected 27 points on the road this season, the lowest total in the league. FROM YAHOOSPORTS.COM April 1, 2016 By: Chris Altruda Stars-Kings Preview Division titles, home-ice advantage and the top seed in the Western Conference - they're all still for the taking. The Dallas Stars have the inside track to all three, but the Los Angeles Kings are also in the hunt for them heading into Saturday's showdown at Staples Center. With 103 points, the Stars (47-22-9) lead St. Louis by two points for the Central Division title - and by extension the Western Conference. Claiming the Central is important since the runner-up will have a difficult first-round challenge against reigning Stanley Cup champion Chicago. The Kings, meanwhile, are engaged in a back-and-forth with Anaheim for the Pacific Division lead. Los Angeles (46-26-5) remained one point ahead of Anaheim after the Ducks lost 3-2 to Vancouver on Friday night. ''We want to finish first. We want home ice,'' Jeff Carter said after Los Angeles blanked Calgary 3-0 on Thursday night. ''We're fortunate enough to be in the position we are and got five games to get where we need to be.'' Dallas has done almost all it can do of late to fend off St. Louis and is seeking its fourth straight win and seventh in eight games after disposing of Arizona 4-1 on Thursday night. Jamie Bennbecame the 10th player in franchise history to score 40 goals in a season and Patrick Sharpbe came the fourth Stars player to reach 20 this season, sealing the victory with an empty-netter. ''It means I've got good line mates and good teammates,'' said Benn, who has a three-game goal-scoring streak. ''They're setting me up 40 times, I guess." Defensively, the Stars have dominated on the penalty kill, scoring more short-handed goals (3) than power-play goals conceded (2) in 37 chances over the last 12 games. While the Kings are six points behind the Stars for the top spot in the West, they have every reason to be confident facing them as they go for the season sweep. In the most recent contest, Los Angeles stormed to a 5-2 victory at Dallas on March 15, chasing Kari Lehtonen early in the second period after beating him four times on 11 shots.

"We know it's going to be a heavy game. There will be a lot of battles on the walls," coach Lindy Ruff told the Stars' official website after practice Friday morning. "I felt in the last game they created some pressure; we gave them a few goals. I feel it's going to be a 3-2 game if we play well." Jonathan Quick, who made 27 saves in a 3-2 win over the Stars on Jan. 19 and had the night off in last month's win, should get the nod after turning aside 21 shots versus the Flames. Quick has been dominant at home of late, going 9-1-1 with a 1.89 goals-against average in his last 11 starts at Staple Center. He's also seeking his fifth win in his last six starts versus Dallas and enters this game with a 17-7-2 record and 2.42 GAA lifetime against the Stars. "At the end of the day, winning matters," coach Daryl Sutter said of his goaltender to the team's official website. "There's a lot of goalies that when you give up two or three goals that their game changes not for the better, where Jonathan is about winning and having to make saves and that sort of things. "You can win, but you don't win consistently without that guy over a long period of time."

FROM LASVEGASMAGAZINE.COM April 1, 2016 By: Matt Kelemen T-Mobile Arena Gets Ready To Ooen For Business The saga of building the first state-of-the-art arena on the Strip in more than 20 years—one intended to finally draw a Big Four league professional sports team to Las Vegas—comes to a close as of this week when two top battle-born acts from different eras take the stage on opening night this Wednesday. It couldn’t be more fitting for the first engagement to be a dream double-bill of Wayne Newton and The Killers on April 6, as for a long time the idea of a new arena seemed like a fantasy pursuit. At least five different locations—including one downtown and one south of the Strip—were pursued in the past decade, but in the end MGM Resorts and entertainment behemoth AEG partnered to break ground on acreage between New York-New York and the Monte Carlo. The fantasy became reality. That reality comes in the form of a nearly $400 million, 20,000-seat venue that will be home to basketball, boxing and mixed-martial arts, ice hockey, concerts and rodeo events. After the first shovels went into earth on May 1, 2014, 7,100 tons of steel went into the structural framework that rose from the ground. Global architectural firm Populous went for LEED Gold Certification when it came to “green” design, creating a 650,000-square-foot complex with dozens of luxury suites and a 2-acre outdoor space dubbed Toshiba Plaza after the tech company secured the naming rights. Cell phone giant T-Mobile secured multiyear rights to the arena itself, enabling its customers to have a fast-track VIP venue entrance, presales and seat upgrades. All patrons will have access to charging stations available throughout the T-Mobile Arena concourse. The floor level is designed for both seated and standing audiences, depending on the preference of the acts performing in concert. Lower-level and upper-level seating is designed to optimize sightlines. Master mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim and Levy Restaurants have partnered to bring craft cocktail and food experiences to the masses attending events, including Abou-Ganim’s T-Mobile Arena signature drink Atomic Fizz (Grey Goose Le Citron vodka, Aperol orange liqueur, agave nectar, prickly pear puree, freshly squeezed lemon juice and sparkling water). Bespoke cocktail service will be offered in the most luxurious suites, and a bar

specializing in whiskey and Scotch will be complemented by the Goose Island Bar featuring ice stations manned by carving chefs. Unprecedented arena cuisine options will be offered at events such as the Pac-12 Men’s Basketball Tournament in Las Vegas and Frozen Fury hockey meeting between the Los Angeles Kings and Colorado Avalanche. Both annuals move across the Strip from the MGM Garden Arena, with thousands more seats available and the option of luxury boxes from which to watch the action. After Wayne Newton and The Killers christen the arena, an A-list roster of concert draws follows, including George Strait, Nicki Minaj, Ariana Grande, Billy Joel, Janet Jackson, Garth Brooks, the Dixie Chicks and Keith Urban. The Harlem Globetrotters break in the basketball court April 19, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez fights Amir Khan on May 7, milestone MMA event UFC 200 takes place July 9 and in November, the Professional Bull Riders bring the 2016 World Finals to T-Mobile from its previous home at Thomas and Mack Center. As of yet, there is no top-tier professional sports franchise planning to make its home at T-Mobile Arena, but with the presence of a fully modern venue the idea of an NHL team with “Las Vegas” in its name is no longer far-fetched. With 14,000 season ticket deposits testifying to the hunger for hockey on the Strip, it’s less a matter of if than when, with the NBA watching closely. All that’s left is to start coming up with proposals for team names. T-Mobile Arena, 888.929.7849 FROM THE FISCHLER REPORT March 30, 2016

Publishers: Stan Fischler (@StanFischler)

David Kolb (@DavidKolbMSG) Managing Editor: David Kolb Editor in Chief: Leo Scaglione Jr. (@LeoScaglioneJr) Lead Reporters: Vince Comunale(@PGHVC)

Rob Del Mundo (@Rob_DelMundo)

Alan Greenberg (@thegovman) Staff Photographers: David Perlmutter Robert Kolb E-MAIL FischlerReport@gmail.com

DON MALONEY 1

NHL ARENAS 2

BOSTON BRUINS 3

RON WICKS 4

JON SCOTT 5

STEVE GOLDSTEIN 6

IN THIS ISSUE:

OBSERVATIONS:

* DON MALONEY and his Arizona Coyotes de-serve commendation. And by that I mean the entire organization from coach Dave Tippett to the club's fourth line. Because at a time when the media is scrutinizing out-of-the-playoffs teams, the Yotes have energetically gone on a winning streak -- with "tanking" out of the question. And if you don't believe us, ask Phila-delphia. Last weekend, the in-the-mix Flyers were edged by Arizona, 2-1, behind the stalwart goaltending of Mike Smith.

* CANADIAN TEAMS all will miss the playoffs. Thus, the question: how can that be since some of them have enormous resources in cash and general staffs? Then, you get down to the nitty-gritty and learn that a Canadian team -- as the Toronto Sun’s Steve Simmons notes -- sits 24th, 25th, 27th, 28th, 29th and 30th on the pow-er play this season. And not so hot on penalty-killing.

* JONATHAN DROUIN still is languishing in Tampa Bay and may continue to do so unless Steve Yzerman decides that it's time for a change. And that could happen now that crack defenseman Anton Stralman will be out for the playoffs. Granted, Drouin can't play the back line but his scoring potential might be what the Bolts need if they have any dreams of reaching the Final round once more.

* WILLIE MITCHELL – out with a concussion -- is between the proverbial rock and hard place. The fire to continue playing remains hot inside the Panthers’ d-man, but he has not been cleared by doctors after suffering numerous head injuries over the last few seasons. Earlier this week, Wil-lie participated in a full practice, “skating his butt off,” as one coach stated. Mitchell also gathered his teammates in a players-only briefing, telling

them, as Miami Herald’s George Richards re-ports, “to appreciate every second of being a hockey player.” Outwardly, Mitchell appears ready to go but doctors are worried about effects of the next hit.

We wish Willie our best. He always has been an inspiration.

GOSSIP: If, as expected, Ottawa dumps Dave Cameron, who’s next behind the Senators’ bench? Senators owner Eugene Melnyk promises a host of changes with next year's team. Nobody is safe, he asserts. … Meanwhile, Lou Lamoriel-lo predicts that next year 's Leafs' roster will be about fifty percent of what it is now, and much younger. … Even with no playoffs in sight, John Tortorella r efuses to allow his Blue Jack-ets to ease up on the gas, as they continue to thwart teams fighting for postseason berths. … After all the griping -- for good reason or not -- in Boston r egarding (disallowed) goals, the time is now to imbed sensors in the posts and puck to determine once and for all if the biscuit crosses the line. In baseball, the tie goes to the runner and with scoring -- or lack thereof -- in hockey, if a call is inconclusive it’s time for the referee to point to center ice after reviews, letting the goal stand. Or if the puck touches white beyond the line, it's a good goal -- akin to crossing the plane in football. … Is the Ava-lanche a team on the r ise or is it stuck in hock-ey purgatory? … Ducks’ blue liner Josh Man-son was given a game misconduct and later fined for making a throat-slashing gesture toward Maple Leafs forward Nazem Kadri last week in Toronto, after Kadri was penalized for board-ing Manson at the end boards in the third peri-od. Ironically, Kadri was fined for a similar ges-ture last month. Manson: "I don’t know if it would have mattered who did it. It was the hit from behind that sparked everything. The fact that it was Kadri was just ironic."

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