Kings at Islanders: Hooray for the Comeback Kids

Well this was a whirlwind of a game! Because my heart and anxiety TOTALLY needed all of the dramatics. The Manchester Monarchs Los Angeles Kings played a solid but pretty snoozy first period, a garbage second, and a STELLAR comeback of a third period. Everyone likes a comeback kid, but how about just winning one outright where I don’t constantly curse your name for the first half of the game???

Going into the game, the Kings had a bit of a goalie situation. And by goalie situation, I mean that we’re all still weeping over Jonathan Quick’s groin. Non-sexually. Well, maybe not, I don’t know you. Quick was back in LA rehabbing, Professor Scrivens was in net, and Martin Jones was relegated to some dim corner, surrounded by security.

Sup.

The first period was, decent. Not exactly the explosive redemption game that I was hoping for after the most recent loss that shall not be named, but it was aggressively fine. Kings won faceoffs galore in the first half of the period. Some alright looks. No goals scored, but also none against, so whatever. Shall we take this mediocre start and use it as offensive momentum in the second? Hahahahaha why would the Kings even bother to have a good second period? The second was what I’m going to generously call a grease fire. The period began with the Islanders on a power play, but who even cares because Bob Miller and Jim Fox spent the first minute talking about the proper pronunciation of the capital of South Dakota. A FULL MINUTE. ABOUT SOUTH. DAKOTA. Because forget this game right?

About as exciting as this game right now.

You could feel this next goal coming, and Cizikas backhands it in right over Scrivens’ glove.  Terrible. What’s even worse is that the next goal comes but 2:14 later. After some activity in front of the net, Ness is in position for a rebound and scores his first NHL goal. I’m kind of a sap about player’s milestones, so Ness, you’re terrible (but also congratulations)! I hate you for continuing the scoring you turd (but good job bud)! I’m less charitable when it’s not a milestone, so Casey Cizikas, you get my full-fledged wrath and hate.

The #LAKings record their first shot on goal of the second period 8:34 in on Muzzin’s wrister from the left circle. — Jon Rosen (@lakingsinsider) November 15, 2013

Yep. Stellar play making.

The Kings sort of woke up when they finally got their first shot on goal HALF WAY through the second, but promptly hit the snooze button. Mike Richards summarized the second period handily when he tried to accept a pass in open ice during a critical power play, but instead whiffed and immediately fell over. Nice work dude. (Note: If anyone can get me video of this, you would be my favorite forever.) The highlight of the Kings’ second period came from Jonathan Quick, sitting pretty in LA and sassing Poulin on an embellishment.

I hope @kevinpoulin91 is ok after that one, looked like kinger caught him good there — Jonathan Quick (@JonathanQuick32) November 15, 2013

Sassmonster Quick.

Was everyone else drinking heavily at this point? Not just me? As we would all soon find out, we didn’t need to worry because the Manchester Monarchs were here to save the day! Slava “GLORY!” Voynov opened up the scoring with a nice sharp angle shot to the left of Poulin to start the comeback train.

GLORY SLAVA! SLAVA BEST!

After being left out of the first round of Monarchs call ups, Tanner Pearson was out to show how much he wanted to play with the big dogs. And man, he gave a pretty convincing argument as he tosses it towards the net. It just trickled past the goal line before Poulin could get a glove on it, so it remained a good damn goal for Pearson’s first in the NHL.

Please note how he CANNOT stop smiling. Bless his little heart.

PRECIOUS.

Tanner Pearson shows his hockey chops and ties it up. I am now sort of hoping for the best, but bracing myself for defeat. Or at least OT. But then fucking Top Titty Toffolli deflects the next goal for the game winner. 7 points in 5 games. Dean Lombardi, can we keep him???

Actually, can we just keep all of them. Let’s write to the NHL and get special permission for a 30 player roster.

This wasn’t the result that I had expected at the beginning, but I’ll fucking take it. KINGS WIN! No loser point for the Islanders! Homegrown rookies forever! Not to bring it down or anything, but let’s also note that this is still happening:

Just a (sad) reminder: Pearson with 1 G in 1 game and 9:33 TOI. Trevor Lewis with 0 G/Pts in 19 games and 274:06 TOI. #poortrevorlewis — THX BUD (@thxbud) November 15, 2013

Poor Trevor Lewis. Poor poor Trevor Lewis. Maybe next game buddy? Maybe?

At the beginning, there was hope followed by despair followed by drinking. Then cautious optimism and gross joy and excitement. I think the LA Kings Twitter account said it best though.

Rad. — LA Kings (@LAKings) November 15, 2013