It's Memorial Day at the Staples Center. Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Western Conference Finals between the Kings and the Chicago 'Hawks will be played tonight to a raucous, cheering and raucous crowd. I'll be headed over to my usual location in Section 315, and I promise to be loud.
I am confident the Kings have the right game plan in mind and the right players to execute it. The Kings have been able to roll out 4 strong forward lines to the consternation of a Chicago team that has been unable, so far, to counter. With a strong defensive scheme that includes a neutral zone trap, a strong forecheck and a willingness to sacrifice the body to block shots, the offense has been able to find the room to make plays and find the back of the net.
I can't say enough about the work of the two youngsters who have recently been awash with praise - Tanner Pearson and Tyler Toffoli. They, along with veteran centerman Jeff Carter, have evolved into a serious scoring threat. With the 'Hawks keyed in on the Kings top line centered by Kopitar, the emergence of this line, since dubbed "That 70's Line" due to their player numbers, has barrelled through the Chicago defense like they don't exist.
Of course, I don't want to come off as too overconfident. Chicago is clearly one of the best teams in the league, so we shouldn't take anything for granted. They also have the ability to explode on the scoresheet. Hopefully, the Kings can continue to stymie the other 'Hawks players not named Toews; since, it's becoming more clear that we only find ourselves in the lead due to our ability to stop his co-stars on the ice.
In a photoshop stupor that formed as a result of Josh Beckett's no-hitter last night and in anticipation of tonight's game, I created a bunch of Kings fantasy Baseball cards - with a Dodgers theme. Check them out below.
Most of the photos where grabbed from Juan Ocampo/LA Dodgers 2014 night at a Kings game earlier this year. Go here to check out some Kings players in Dodger Blue. Below is Kings mascot Bailey with former Dodger/current broadcaster Jerry Hairston.
The below card uses a pic from the @LA Kings twitter account.
Here's another @LAKings twitter photo - this time of star defenseman Drew Doughty.
Here are some more fantasy cards using photos from the @Dodgers twitter account. On the left is centerman Anze Kopitar, and Captain Dustin Brown is on the right.
On the left is centerman Mike Richards, and on the right is goalie Jonathan Quick.
BTW, you should check out this great montage video featuring highlights from Game 3 created by John Bain on YouTube.
Video Link:
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