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08:23 AM ET 05.25 | Earlier this season, Kings GM Dean Lombardi thought he'd assembled the pieces for exactly the kind of run they're having. Coach Terry Murray's defense-oriented foundation had become the team's ceiling, leaving no room for skill or creativity. Player confidence sagged. Worst of all, there was a huge disconnect between expectations and results. With a high payroll and high hopes generated by the maturation of core players, they looked to [Darryl Sutter] to salvage a season that was going sour. ... [Sutter] patted backs instead of kicking rear ends, and his passion and detailed preparation rekindled players' fire. He gave them freedom offensively, urging them to move the puck quickly but without compromising defensively.

Jonathan Quick, Icon Sports

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May 25, 2012 08:40 AM ET

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Count me in as a Kings fan for a least a a couple more weeks.

After that........pffft.

Rex Racer

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May 25, 2012 08:43 AM ET

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Interesting the pic is of Quick, the reason they are where they are, and they talk about patts on the back.

Garbage Man

Harrisburg , PA

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May 25, 2012 08:58 AM ET

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How the worm turns. Wasn't there talk mid season that Lombardi's job could be in jeopardy?

THE BISHOP!

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May 25, 2012 09:03 AM ET

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QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 08:40 AM ET 05.25 by Rex Racer

Count me in as a Kings fan for a least a a couple more weeks. After that........pffft.

totally agree...............

Othello

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May 25, 2012 09:04 AM ET

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Sounds similar to the situation in Pittsburgh in 2009. Thierien was so defensive minded that the Pens were out of the playoffs. Enter Bylsma who loosened things up and they won the Cup.

Burgh-Fan

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May 25, 2012 09:09 AM ET

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QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 08:58 AM ET 05.25 by THE BISHOP!

How the worm turns. Wasn't there talk mid season that Lombardi's job could be in jeopardy?

amazing how that has subsided

Spiny Norman

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May 25, 2012 09:22 AM ET

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QUOTE(#6):

Originally posted 09:09 AM ET 05.25 by Spiny Norman

amazing how that has subsided

Claude Julien was not in the good graces of many Bruins fans midway through the 2010-11 season. I was ready to help him pack his bags as a matter of fact. Things worked out OK for him.

Rex Racer

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Comment #8 has been removed

May 25, 2012 09:41 AM ET

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I think i heard they have had 5,6, and now 7 days rest between series. Each time they play the other tame faces a healthy and rested squad. Go Jersey !!!! Lets have the Kings play a team that also gets some time to recoup.

Harry Crack

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May 25, 2012 09:50 AM ET

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QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 08:40 AM ET 05.25 by Rex Racer

Count me in as a Kings fan for a least a a couple more weeks. After that........pffft.

Kings fan for life -- no pffting in my house

I am a Devils fan for the next game or perhaps two. (Tickets in NJ are cheaper than NY)

drysdale

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May 25, 2012 09:51 AM ET

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QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 09:22 AM ET 05.25 by Rex Racer

Claude Julien was not in the good graces of many Bruins fans midway through the 2010-11 season. I was ready to help him pack his bags as a matter of fact. Things worked out OK for him.

I remember Joe Torre was 1/2 way out the door after the Yanks started a season 3-6. They ended up winning a record # of games and a WS that year...talk subsided after about may
I remember the Julien thingy too...people are far too impatient

Spiny Norman

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May 25, 2012 09:52 AM ET

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QUOTE(#9):

Originally posted 09:41 AM ET 05.25 by Harry Crack

I think i heard they have had 5,6, and now 7 days rest between series. Each time they play the other tame faces a healthy and rested squad. Go Jersey !!!! Lets have the Kings play a team that also gets some time to recoup.

It's funny how rest is played both ways -- a lot of writers and announcers thinks that rest hurts a team more than helps....unless the rested team wins

drysdale

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May 25, 2012 09:52 AM ET

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QUOTE(#12):

Originally posted 09:52 AM ET 05.25 by DJRoxalot

Gooooooo Kings!!!!!

I like the way you think

drysdale

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May 25, 2012 10:06 AM ET

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QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 08:58 AM ET 05.25 by THE BISHOP!

How the worm turns. Wasn't there talk mid season that Lombardi's job could be in jeopardy?

my 1st 145 T & R comments...

kingduck

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May 25, 2012 10:16 AM ET

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The man responsible for turning L.A. around

Let's not forget he was also responsible for turning Calgary around, albeit 180 degrees but he still did it.

Canuck eh?

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May 25, 2012 10:25 AM ET

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"[Sutter] patted backs instead of kicking rear ends, and his passion and detailed preparation rekindled players' fire."

I guess the man's learned from his mistakes because kicking rears is exactly what he did in Calgary.

roamer

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May 25, 2012 10:27 AM ET

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QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 08:40 AM ET 05.25 by Rex Racer

Count me in as a Kings fan for a least a a couple more weeks. After that........pffft.

Thank you, Bill the Cat.

And, yes, Go Kings (for now).

Nobody expects…

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May 25, 2012 10:29 AM ET

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QUOTE(#16):

Originally posted 10:16 AM ET 05.25 by Canuck eh?

The man responsible for turning L.A. aroundLet's not forget he was also responsible for turning Calgary around, albeit 180 degrees but he still did it.

Calgary must be thinking to themselves WTF!