<p>If that’s what has been happening, then, no, it isn’t Quick’s fault. I should have asked what has happened with the Kings. I’m not usually a let’s-blame-everything-on-the-goalie fan. I haven’t seen the games because I’ve had a few early morning commitments in the past week and the games are just on too late for this old lady. And with every game televised, and two months of this, I can’t watch all of them. Three on none is definitely a rarity.</p>
<p>I am drinking my coffee and waiting for tomorrow evening</p>
<p>Alwaysamom, the Sharks have their entire lineup back. Hertl and Torres are back now. Hertl is the promising young goalscorer who scored this goal in his second ever game, as his fourth goal of the game:</p>
<p><a href=“Tomas Hertl's Fourth Goal vs NY Rangers - YouTube”>Tomas Hertl's Fourth Goal vs NY Rangers - YouTube;
<p>and Torres has a deserved reputation as a dirty player, but he’s a dirty player with good wheels and good hands. So the Sharks have a lineup that is both fast and physical. They play well at home. And with a third line center who scored 41 goals this year, they’re good through the entire forward lineup.</p>
<p>But the Kings are an excellent team too. They play well at home too. They aren’t going away. I expect a tough, exciting game tomorrow. We’re watching two top teams battle it out. It’s kind of unfair that one of them has to go home after the first round.</p>
<p>Yes, I remember that goal by Hertl. I know a lot of predictions of a rough and tough physical series were made. It will be interesting to see what happens in the next game.</p>
<p>So far the games haven’t been close, but the rough, tough, physical predictions have been spot on.</p>
<p>The Habs sweep Tampa Bay. Their first playoff sweep since 1993 when they won the Cup. Doubtful that this year will make it #25 but they’re looking strong. </p>
<p>That was quick. San Jose and Los Angeles hadn’t even played their third game yet when Montreal put the brooms to Tampa. Go Flying Frenchmen! Allez Les Glorieux!</p>
<p>Whew! That was a tough one.</p>
<p>Do any of the rest of you have ridiculous superstitions for playoffs? I went all out for this game. First, to show my commitment to victory, I needed to do a new skill on the mountain bike that I was afraid of during my ride today. Check-- a steep downhill. But I realized that I’d have to do another skill, a rolling mount or dismount, should the game go to OT. I hoped it wouldn’t. </p>
<p>Then, when the game got tense and the Kings went ahead, Fang Jr and I had to go to the rally pudding. (Which was delicious, so it may have been cheating.) The Sharks tied it up. </p>
<p>Time to put on the player-signed jersey. Oh, no, the player-signed jersey wasn’t working-- and it didn’t work the last time either-- time to turn the player-signed jersey inside out. The game was tied. Overtime was approaching. </p>
<p>Yay, power play for the Sharks at the end of regulation! I begged them to score, to save me from having to go out in the driveway and do a rolling mount or dismount of the new bike, because I’m a chicken and afraid of falling. But no. Regulation ended, third intermission, time for the rolling dismount. Off came the inside-out jersey. Out to the driveway. Five minutes of procrastinating and fear, then, roll the bike, commit, dismount. Done, back in to watch the OT and pray that another OT wouldn’t put me back on the bike for the rolling mount which is even scarier for me. </p>
<p>Fang Jr and I picked our guys for OT. I had Kopitar and Marleau; Fang Jr had Richards and Pavelski.</p>
<p>OT. Things looking grim for the Sharks. All Kings. Niemi under siege, somehow keeping the puck out of the net. Icing, Sharks can’t change, Kings win faceoff, Sharks can’t change, can barely move… and then, somehow, the Sharks get out of that pickle, Marleau is out, he shoots, the puck hits a King and bounces somehow off Quicks shoulder and into the net. Victory! And it was my boy, Patrick Marleau!</p>
<p>Much rejoicing in the Fang household. That was the kind of game we were expecting for this series.</p>
<p>Congratulations to the Sharks. Lets see how this all plays out.</p>
<p>bevhills, That Sharks win was pure luck. It could have gone either way. It just as likely could have been completely different: a Kings OT victory, series 2-1, Kings solidly in the series facing a second home game in Staples where they’ve been so dominant.</p>
<p>Cardinal Fang…this is why I like CC. Are we different? I suspect so…but in the end we will salute each other’s team. And yes, either team could have won 2 of the 3 games. But the “real” point of contention: Northern versus Southern California.</p>
<p>I bet you’re happy about yesterday’s result, bevhills. I’m not, of course, but when the series moved to LA, I was hoping the Sharks could steal one, and they did, so… now we see what happens in San Jose.</p>
<p>Yes CardinalFang we are pleased. My family (except me) were there. I am not a huge fan, but I support my Kings. So tomorrow evening we will be sitting in front of the television with wine and snacks rooting for our kings. Feel free to come over as long as you don’t cheer for Sharks or boo the dinner which will be a denizen of the sea.</p>
<p>Thanks for the invite, bevhills 
I can’t figure out what would be the proper food for the Kings game. King crab? Ugh, I don’t like it. Lion? Nooo… Perhaps crown roast of lamb?</p>
<p>You guys are too funny.</p>
<p>Here in Chicagoland we have both the Bulls and Blackhawks battling against teams they should be beating.</p>
<p>Hawks not shown on free TV last night, but yay! One more win, hopefully at the UC. </p>
<p>Actually CardinalFang it will be King Salmon lovingly poached…beginning with caviar, blinis, creme fraiche chopped egg whites and chives…Caviar is a constant reminder of the royalty that our Kings truly are.</p>
<p>…or Titos Tacos.</p>
<p>Dress code: except for the tiaras jeans and/or sweats.</p>
<p>Go Kings! </p>
<p>Getting ready for the Penguins game. Hope things go better tonight!</p>
<p>Caviar and blinis, that does sound like something fit for royalty. I once took some family and friends to the now, sadly, defunct restaurant Cyrus. For an opener before the regular appetizers we had caviar, blinis, freeze-dried creme fraiche and some vegetable diced into micro-dice. The restaurant is gone, but that dish is green in memory.</p>
<p>I’m hoping that my Sharks gobble up your Kings as you gobble up your King Salmon. Up here, we have a tradition that the game meal is something that represents the opposition. So if the Sharks were playing the Quacks, canard a l’orange or Peking duck would be regarded as appropriate.</p>
<p>Ok…now for full disclosure: We have certain traditions in the Ellebud household: For major events like Oscars, Emmys and important athletic events…takeout Chinese food. We too love caviar with champagne…but we are watching the game! We must concentrate! And…I tend to fall asleep after two glasses of champagne.</p>
<p>I can’t honestly bring myself to cheer for the Flyers anymore. So many of their fans are incredibly obnoxious or have little knowledge of the game, or both. Ugh. It makes me sad as someone who was a fan from expansion year. And the team isn’t playing well at all. I think the Rangers will end it with the next game.</p>
<p>Bravo to the Pens for their win and I’m hoping that they’ll finish off Columbus tomorrow night.</p>
<p>Have been travelling this week so haven’t seen as many games as I would at home, but trying to keep up. </p>