Gameday Soundtrack: ‘Cause This is Thriller

It’s here! The day is finally here. The Toronto Maple Leafs will be playing the Kings at Staples Center for the first time in years. In case you haven’t been listening to the THX BUD podcast — what’s wrong with you? First of all. Second of all, not listening means you may not have heard about how I’ve become increasingly addicted to watching the Leafs play, often provoking horror and/or surprised delight of their hardcore fans.

After missing the playoffs for seven years, the Leafs experienced that infamously messy first-round exit in a seven-game series vs the Boston Bruins. Though they’re in a playoff spot again right now, making a second straight appearance is kind of a coin toss.

For one, the Leafs still aren’t actually that great a team. The last time they played the Kings, they inexplicably murdered the Kings in possession, but that isn’t their identity. Instead, they’ve done a bafflingly good job of winning games in spite of routinely being outshot. The Leafs have allowed more shots against than any other team in the NHL this season.

This time around the Kings have had a couple days off rather than being on the second half of a back-to-back. They’re once again on a win streak, too, so it could be a tougher challenge for the Leafs.

 
In case you’re wondering: yes, all of these songs have the word “thrill” in them. That’s because the Leafs coming to LA means that the US NHL player with the best production is in town, too. That’s right. It’s not Patrick Kane. It’s the other PK — Phil “The Thrill” Kessel.

The Thrill is hotttttt!!!!!

— Tyler Bozak (@Bozie42) October 30, 2013

Indeed, Tyler Bozak, indeed.

Kessel had the primary assist on the Cody Franson’s power play goal when the Leafs and Kings met in December, but overall he wasn’t a huge problem. Throughout the season, however, he’s been impossible to ignore or deny, and I don’t just mean because of —

Right now, Kessel has 73 points — 34 goals and 39 assists. He’s second only to league leader Sidney Crosby.

Linemate James Van Riemsdyk is the second most productive Leafs players with 54 points. He got absolutely drilled by teammate and captain Dion Phaneuf during the Leafs-Sharks game two nights ago, but assuming he really does still remember what planet he’s on and plays tonight, they’re still two guys to watch out for on the ice.

What the Kings need to do to extend their streak is essentially everything they’ve been doing for the last few games, minus the dumb penalties and giving up late goals like in that Calgary game. Easy, right?

Another highlight for Kings fans will be Jonathan Bernier’s return to Staples Center. Jonathan Quick was injured the last time these two teams played, but he’ll be in net tonight. It should be fun to see which goalie outdoes the other. Bernier has the better save percentage throughout the season at .926 percent. Quick has a .917 save percentage so far this season, but is riding at .956 during this Kings win streak.

If the Kings get back to their possession game this time and continue to score goals, it should be a good game for them. They might just tie the franchise record for longest winning streak, get Darryl Sutter to 500 wins, and help Quick tie Rogie Vachon’s franchise record for most career wins.

And just because it feels wrong to make this game day soundtrack without including it, here’s a bonus track:

I didn’t make that masterpiece, but I sure am benefitting from it.