Simmonds, Quick Shine As Kings Down Blackhawks

Life In HockeywoodDec 1, 2009

Los Angeles Kings' Jack Johnson, right, scores the second shootout goal past Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Cristobal Huet, of France, during their NHL hockey game in Los Angeles on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009. The Kings won 2-1 in a shootout." width="400">

Game 27: Kings 2, Blackhawks 1 (shootout)

The Chi-Hawks are in town to take on the sketchy Kings at Staples. The 7 p.m. start was a bit of a hassle, as the USC/UCLA game had the usual L.A. traffic more snarled than usual. Smart fans left for the game on Thursday.

The last time the Blackhawks and Kings played was earlier this month, L.A. got Toews-ed. And that was when the Kings were hitting on all cylinders. What was going to happen when they meet again, with Smyth and Scuderi out? Before coming into L.A., Chicago just had their 8-game winning streak snapped by the Ducks. The first win of that streak? Yup, against the Kings.

Wayne Simmonds scored his third goal in three games and seems to be the only King to step up his offensive game. Also back in the lineup was Jarret Stoll, who helped his team in the faceoff circle. Michal Handzus was a beast in the dots, winning 75% of the drops. Alexander Frolov seemed alive as well, really making more of an effort on the top line with Anze Kopitar and Justin Williams.

And speaking of the Slovenian Stunner, Kopitar finally turned on the red light, albeit in the shootout, when he performed a sweet shoulder dip then sliding the puck under Cristobal Huet. And Jack The Enigma Johnson, whose -12 plus/minus is the worst on the club, continues to shine in the shoot, absolutely schooling Huet with a dazzling shot that wowed everyone.

I suppose it's too late to do a Thanksgiving article, since it's three days after the fact. But as I write this, I'm picking through the remnants of a plate full of turkey, stuffing and candied yams, so I think the premise still works. I have two kudos to bestow.

Thank you, Jonny (Don't Call Me Jonathon) Quick. You backstopped all but one of the Kings games this month, and look very worthy of the 3-year contract Dean Lombardi signed you to last month. Your 14 wins are just one off the league leaders (Brodeur, Nabokov and Fluery) and are one of the key reasons to L.A.'s success.

Quick was dialed in Saturday, only getting Toews-ed once late in the game. After losing three of the last four games, he needed a good showing, and he responded. He got revenge on Toews by blanking him in the shootout, then did the same to Patrick Kane. It was the type of performance that rewarded him with the first star of the game and an interview with Heidi Androl after the game.

Thank you, Wayne Simmonds. Thank you for being the sole offensive cataylst this past week. Sure, Matt Greene potted a goal in the Edmonton game on Wednesday (which you got the assist on. Bang on, sir.) Since Kopitar has gone cold, you keep finding ways of lighting the lamp and perfecting your celebration fist-pump. Plus, his ability to get under other teams' skin is apparent in the way he can draw penalties.

Simmonds' goal is a prime example of why I'm so high on this kid. Leaving a drop pass for Michal Handzus, Simmonds crashed the net then received a pinpoint pass by his linemate, backhanding it past Cristobal Huet. He also damn near won the game in overtime, as his shot hit Huet's glove and just missed the goal. It's been a delight to watch this kid develop into a solid Top-6 player.

With the win, the Kings finish on the plus side for the month (seven wins to six losses). Three of those were shootout wins. They maintain their position in the West, and should be getting Scuderi and Smyth back in December. It was announced by Rich "The News Hound" Hammond that Smyth will skate Monday for the first time since getting injured. Some fans think Smyth is pushing a fast return to make an impression on Steve Yzerman to be included on Canada's Olympic hockey squad.

But the Kings need Smyth worse than Team Canada, so I hope he returns when he can be productive for us in the playoffs. And let me just say this: Smyth has already been shelved once this season due to injury. If he gets dinged in the Olympics and misses more time... I'm not going to be happy.

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