Some notes from last night’s game…
– The Kings lost for the 10th time in their last 12 games, as they fell to the Phoenix Coyotes 2-0 on Thursday night at Staples Center.
– The Kings were shut out for the third time this season, following a 2-0 loss at Anaheim on Nov. 29 and a 1-0 home loss to San Jose on Jan. 1. The Kings were only shut out twice last season.
– The Kings have now totaled two goals in their last three games and five goals in their last five losses. On the other side, they have allowed only two goals in each of their last four games, but have a 1-3-0 record on those games.
– The Kings went 0-for-6 on the power play and 2-for-3 on the penalty kill. The Kings are now 0-for-19 on the power play in their last six games and, in terms of league power-play efficiency, have dropped from 12th to 20th.
– The Kings outshot the Coyotes 36-15. The 15 shots-against were the fewest by any Kings opponent this season. The previous low was 19, which was reached five times this season. The 21-shot gap was also the largest positive margin of the season. The Kings outshot the New York Islanders by 15 — 34 to 19 — in a 5-1 win on Nov. 14.
– The Kings are now 6-14-1 when allowing the first goal and 3-15-1 when trailing after the second period. They’re also 4-7-0 against Pacific Division teams this season and are 4-7-1 in their last 12 home games, after an 11-2-0 start.
– Jonathan Quick stopped 13 of 15 shots and lost his fourth consecutive decision.
– Justin Williams was credited with a team-high six shots on goal. Dustin Brown was credited with a team-high five hits and Drew Doughty was credited with a team-high three blocked shots.
– Drew Doughty led the Kings in ice time, at 28 minutes, 1 second. Anze Kopitar led all Kings forwards in ice time at 23:20.
– The Kings won 27 of 51 faceoffs (53 percent). Jarret Stoll won 11 of 14 draws (79 percent). Stoll now ranks fifth in the NHL in faceoff percentage, at 58.9.
The boys faught hard lastr night and unfortunatly didnt get rewarded for it. this is the first game in a while that i was happy with how we started and ended the game! If we can bring this kind of effort every night we will be tough to beat (assuming we can put at least one puck in the net)
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HockeyNerd Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 11:51 am
@BrokeKingsFan, 100% CORRECT whether or not everyone else here wants to see that.
Oh, I forgot. I’M the “delusional” one. My bad.
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kennynakamoto Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 11:58 am
@BrokeKingsFan, yup i agree with that, we fought hard we were up against a really really really good goalie. if they put this effort in they are bound to start getting some wins under their belt. i dont mind paying for a good effort equaling a loss
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TheRussianKing Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 12:59 pm
@kennynakamoto, I was happy with the effort and grit. I just really wanted to see them get rewarded with goals. I don’t think it’s our players as much as it is the system that’s not helping the scoring. They need creativity and effort. No ones ever there to get the rebound in the slot, we’re always off to the outsides. GKG
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luc20rules Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 6:07 pm
@TheRussianKing, At least if the public verbage is stressed in practice it is the system stressing the need to be in the slot not off to the sides. I just am beginning to wonder if TM is being tuned out by some of the players?
Rich-
This is the only postgame note you need:
-Kings suck once again.
-Players and coaches give same reasons for losing.
-Delusional fans continue to focus on how hard the team is playing instead of their winning percentage.
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HockeyNerd Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 11:41 am
@Katy Perry,
“-Kings suck once again.”
They didn’t. The effort was there. A speeding bullet might not have gotten by IB last night. Sorry, but the truth is the truth.
“-Players and coaches give same reasons for losing.”
They ARE the same reasons, like it or not.
“-Delusional fans continue to focus on how hard the team is playing instead of their winning percentage.”
I’ll tell you what I’d like to see from you and 99% of all the angry bloggers here: take a deep breath, plug your keyboard back in instead of throwing it out the window, and for just ONCE for one tenth of one second say something positive. Geeze, would it really kill you?
What exactly you would like from us so-called “Delusional fans” I have no idea. But if it’s to drink the “fire TM, DL, and start all over” koolaid you’re not getting it from THIS fan…..
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BishoptakesKing Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 2:30 pm
@HockeyNerd,
Here’s something positive…..don’t have to worry this year about coming up with the money for playoff tickets.
As a long time fan, I am extremely frustrated with this team as I believe most fans are. After putting our time, effort and money into this team we need an outlet and this blog affords the fans the ability to do just that. When you play like crap, you are gonna get negative comments, part of the game.
The only thing this team of head cases needs other than discipline, is a coach that will kick their butt but what we have is Mr. Mild Mannered. It’s not working.
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HockeyNerd Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 4:01 pm
@BishoptakesKing, You think I’m not frustrated too? More importantly do you think the Kings THEMSELVES are not frustrated?
Last night the Kings did NOT “play like crap”. They played well and LOST ANYWAY. News flash: IT HAPPENS. That’s sports.
This is a team of head cases that needs discipline? Really? You must have some inside information on several players that are not showing up at practice, staying out all night partying, using illegal substances and breaking club rules left and right. So please do feel free to share that with us……..
hockey junkie Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 11:44 am
@Katy Perry,
You’re free to find another team to cheer for!!!
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Katy Perry Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 11:59 am
@hockey junkie,
That’s not a bad suggestion.
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HockeyNerd Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 12:01 pm
@Katy Perry, Feel free. Just don’t tell us on your way out the door that it’s the KINGS who LACK HEART. Take a look in the mirror.
Tookie Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 12:31 pm
@Katy Perry,
also, I kissed a girl and liked it too. BFF’S???
Isn’t cherry chapstick the best!!!
luc20rules Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 6:18 pm
@Katy Perry, Delusional? or Diehard Loyal Fans?
True, we could be like some bandwagon fans in Anahiem, and have an empty arena, but we actually like hockey and will watch even if we don’t have the best team. Why not just carry that over to daily life, and drop the wife when looks fade, and disown kids that don’t complete your own unforfilled dreams.
In conclusion you may move to Anahiem (like minded folk for you), and there are plenty of over priced seats there too.
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Raise the drawbridge, boys…
Kings’ Castle is under fire from all sides at once!
–All Knights to the walls! Defend them to the death! Prevail on Saturday and the days following, or this season is lost!
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KingsFan in OC Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 12:03 pm
@BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy, “A day may come when the courage of men fails, when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship, but it is not this day. An hour of woes and shattered shields, when the age of men comes crashing down! But it is not this day! This day we fight! By all that you hold dear on this good Earth, I bid you *stand, Men of the West!*”
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BrokeKingsFan Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 12:59 pm
@KingsFan in OC, ahhhh, Aragorn speaks once again!
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EllieMurray Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 6:02 pm
@BrokeKingsFan, And he had even LESS chance of making the playoffs.
Rich-
What are the chances that Barry Trotz will be interested in the Kings head coaching position that will be vacant this summer?
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VanKingsFan Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 12:01 pm
@Katy Perry,
Zero chance he is available. Nuff said
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King John Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 3:19 pm
@Katy Perry,
The Nashville franchise has survived and now is thriving because of him. They’re actually doing well in attendance there. Hockey has caught on. I don’t see him leaving anytime soon with what he does with the team when most talent departs on an annual basis.
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I’m sure it was already brought up in other comments but in the still frame photo of the goal, did you guys see the crowd behind them? Guys…all watching the play intently. Women…two texting and one trying (unsuccessfully it appears) to get the attention of the guy next to her. I don’t care if you’re a man or a woman…you have seats that close to the ice, WATCH THE GAME!!!!
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There’s a larger version of the photo on Yahoo’s story about the play.
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Came away from last night’s game feeling the season’s done, the team couldn’t get more unlucky if they tried, and they need to RELAX…
Then I turned off my set before the Lombardi meltdown.
Big mistake.
Everything has changed, now…
–DL absolutely will be fined, if not more… Can’t imagine what that would be…
–DL absolutely CANNOT fire TM before the season is over. If he did, it would look like a move of desperation spawned from the criticism of his comments. To be stable, he must keep TM until the team is eliminated.
–There is every sign that TM is no longer listened to inside the room.
–There is every sign that TM’s offensive philosophy is an abject failure, and thus SHOULD BE FIRED…
Therefore, watch–
The Kings are about to become the hottest team in hockey.
I know that sounds ridiculous, but the reduction of pressure within the room is going to help considerably. It’s not that the Kings have been losing by a lot, but by just enough.
Watch as the Kings skate onto the ice on Saturday. The absence of pressure will be visible. Just watch…
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hockey junkie Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 12:00 pm
@BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy,
You have now made me want to watch again. Hope you are correct!!! gKg!
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fsd1 Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 12:09 pm
@BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy, People just aren’t being smart in this, TM’s offensive scheme has NOT failed, what has failed is the players executing it by putting the puck over the goal line. They played a fine game last night, held the opposing team to what 16 shots? had 29 themselves, stop telling people it is TM’s fault when that is just a blatant false statement.
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BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 12:54 pm
@fsd1,
Have to differ with you.
Last night, I watched the end of the DET-STL game, where the Blues battled back from a 0-3 deficit. From the point of the tie to the end of the OT, the Wings put on an offensive clinic. It was not that they skated so hard, hit so hard or outraced the Blues to the puck. It was spacing, spacing, spacing…
Hockey required space between the offensive players to optimize passing and rebounds. Time after time the players entered the zone together, lead skater with the puck just so in front of the two trailing wingers, well spread at the blue line. Shot after shot gets to the net with a forward just about perfectly timed to get a rebound. The game was going to be over; it was just a matter of time.
Offensively, the Kings always appear disorganized. They use the brute force mantra–muscle, muscle and more muscle in front of the net. I think that TM’s utility has ended. He was great in elevating the player’s readiness for each game, intensity and focus a priority. He is not a great X’s and O’s coach.
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xeropoint Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 1:35 pm
@BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy,
That is exactly correct. More often than not, players are either too ahead of the play or behind it. That’s all decision making, all mental, which in turn is being reinforced by the “net presence” and “shot mentality” mantras. Even Justin Williams mentioned it last night, when he said their were plenty of rebounds the Kings weren’t in good positions to capitalize on.
The instinctual part of the game isn’t there for them. Knowing the right time to take the shot, dump it in or go to the slot is “off”.
Cortex949 Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 12:17 pm
@BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy, That’s an interesting thought which I can probably agree to. I, personally, love the comments by DL and TM. Normally I don’t like complaining and whining about the officials but we aren’t talking about a missed high stick or a tripping call. This changed the outcome of the game. It’s funny too, it totally looked like a dive by the Phoenix player on the tripping that led to the power play they eventually “scored” on.
As stated above I like the comments made about the officials and here’s why. The players are obviously very frustrated by this stretch of games. We really can’t catch a break to save our lives. Sometimes certain players seem to have been lacking in effort and have been called out by TM and I’m sure the practices have been pretty heavy recently. To have the coach and gm get on the same side as the players and “back them up” so to speak, regarding this bs call has got to feel really good for all the players. Have you ever had a boss at work who drives you really hard and who you might have developed some contempt for? Then one day he backs you up and tells off HIS boss saying you are busting your ass and getting a raw deal? I have, and it immediately puts you and the boss (TM and or DL) on the same page and working towards the one goal. This could be what we needed in a round about way.
I would love the league to admit that the call was blown and try to get past it but that won’t happen with this organization. Imagine if this happened to the leafs or our beloved Crosby!
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Nice to see Kevin McGran had some nice things to say about you Rich!
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This game gave a good look into the question of “is it the players or the system, or both” that is the problem. Frankly, in general, the players played great. Hustle everywhere, speed (and the Kings didn’t look slow), good line work by Simmonds, Clifford, and Lewis, tons of possession time in the O-zone, pretty solid goaltending, very few shots against, and lots of shots for. There were individual shortcomings and missed opportunities, but overall the players played really well and showed themselves to be a relatively talented team.
But they play within a system that channels their movement, positioning, and focus. The current Kings’ system on O mandates two forward be down low–usually one is below the goal-line and the other in the corner or along the half-boards– and the third forward stays high reading the play to either jump forward or be ready to drop back if we lose possession. On the pp, the system used is the umbrella formation: one forward in front of the net (Smyth/Hanzus) one forward along the half-boards (Kopitar) and two defensemen and one forward up high. The primary product of both of these systems is shots from the outside and from bad angles. That’s where our players are; where else would they shoot from? “Move,” you say. OK, but that’s not the system: the systems are based on POSITIONING not on movement.
Here’s a clear example: if the pp was systematically designed to take advantage of movement, there would be more back-door opportunities. A player positioned up top and away from the puck would be coming down and Kopitar would be LOOKING for this movement because he would anticipate it happening because that would be the systematic design. He doesn’t look because it doesn’t happen because that’s not the system. When was the last time we scored a back-door goal? Seriously, even-strength or on the pp? It doesn’t happen because the systems are the equivalent of “three yards and a cloud of dust” and play good defense. We don’t think laterally, we don’t play laterally. However, the open side of the net is away from the puck; if we don’t work to get the puck over there, we’re going to keep taking low-percentage, long-range, bad-angle, easily-blocked shots.
You can score some goals and win some games this way, but the odds are systematically designed to be low.
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rick Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 12:12 pm
@BringBackTheShieldJersey, Excellent analysis. I would add, however, that another problem we have is the skill set of the forwards. There were several opportunities last night for goals, but the players ivolved (Lewis comes to mind in one case) just didn’t have the skill to put the puck beind Bryzgalov. It does make me wonder whether the system is the problem, or whether the system has been designed to deal with the lack of top end talent we have at the forward position. Either way, it is not a recipe for success.
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Lanny McDonald's 'Stache Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 12:17 pm
@rick,
Both of you make excellent points and I agree 100%.
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Stuart Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 12:15 pm
@BringBackTheShieldJersey, I think the last back-door goal for us was Martinez in one of his first games…
I hear what you’re saying, but Kopi should be able to think for himself and take the puck to the middle for a shot every once in a while on the PP. That would open up the entire ice for him.
And rather than 3 yards and a cloud of dust, we’re more like 2 yards and a turnover.
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tantrum4 Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 1:21 pm
@BringBackTheShieldJersey,
If it was only that easy you’d be an NHL coach. Sorry, but a coach can only do so much inpractice, it’s up to the players to move around and create their own scoring chances. NO ONE is tying a leash to them when they are on the ice forcing them to stay in a certain position. They can all move around wherever they want, they just aren’t creative enough to figure out what works.
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EternalOptimist Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 1:36 pm
@tantrum4,
Oh, you’re not seeing the puppet strings attached to the players with TM in control?
You bring up individual creativity, I’ve rarely if ever heard TM mention this in any comments. Maybe since the coaches are always stressing playing with the system that the players are hesitant to try creative plays?
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BringBackTheShieldJersey Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 2:37 pm
@tantrum4, Thanks for the non-responsive reply. The old “if you were so smart you’d be the coach/GM’ is devoid of cogency. And yes, the coaches do tell players where to go: you see it on the wipe-board, and its called the system. This system discourages movement and emphasizes positioning. It’s why whenever we do put someone in the slot, not directly in front of the goalie as a screen, that person is ALWAYS in the high slot and on the near-post. This is where they’re being told to be, and so they go there. It’s also almost totally useless as whenever they do get the puck they have to catch it, cradle it, and turn to the net before shooting; all of which give the opposing D and goalie time to adjust. Why not, instead, be on the far-post so you can one-time it? Because that is not where they’re being told to be. And so they don’t do it.
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BringBackTheShieldJersey Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 2:42 pm
@tantrum4, Oh yeah, read the quotes from Jack Johnson about how the players are being told what to do (i.e., the system), are doing it (i.e., are following the system), but it’s not working and players need more freedom to generate speed (i.e., move).
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EternalOptimist Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 1:26 pm
@BringBackTheShieldJersey,
Good points… maybe allowing for more individual creativity in the system would create more of these back door type plays.
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BishoptakesKing Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 2:35 pm
@EternalOptimist,
More than likely though the team would continue to be one of the most undisciplined teams in the league, and that is the lone fault of the coach.
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They played well last night to start, but once that goal went in (which was a bad call) just took the wind out of our sails. Then they came back and game up a goal off a MARTINEZ turnover. He needs to go. It has been a tough season and we need to figure something out fast and now before our season is done. It is getting harder and harder to watch them play well and come up with nothing. I feel that we need to change our shooting approach because we are relying on shots from the point where half of them hit, and get garbage goals. That is a great thing to do, but we need to shoot more and faster. Everyoe blocks shots in the NHL now, you have to be quick with getting the pucks to the net. I hope something changes soon or it’s going to be a tough rest of the season and big dissapointment for all fans, coaching staff, and players i feel.
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They did play hard and that’s what they were missing for many games. Like Foxy said at the end of they day the puck needs to go in the net. Plus, regardless wins are a must in the western conference.
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HALLELUJAH BROTHER. Been saying that for weeks.
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Justin Williams lost his composure in the first period, got frustrated after he turned the puck over and committed an offensive zone penalty. Look, I like that the guy cares, but his inability to control his emotions reversed all of the Kings momentum and gave Phoenix the power play for the game winning goal. Same kind of crap is what got Williams benched for the playoffs. He needs to be called out and if he does it again, benched. And why doesn’t Kopitar shoot more. He should have at least five shots per period. And his pay should be based on how many shots he takes per game. And why can’t brownie finish those one-timers. He’s a veteran now, he should not be whiffing on come from behind goals like that. I think the whole team needs a sports psychologist. Quite simply they need to will a win.
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No points for “fighting hard”. Not impressed.
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Reports online about AEG denying they are trying to sell the team. Let’s see, do I believe Tim Leiweke, who has consistently misled Kings fans since AEG bought the team, or Forbes magazine? Then again they say Philip Anschutz was “shopping the Kings around” and that can’t be true because it implies that he is actually aware that he owns the team. Leiweke, in an effort to quell the rumors, says they are “Very focused on the NFL.” They are looking at another league and this proves they want to remain in the NHL? What else needs to be said? What a disappointing team executive.
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Booooooo!!
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Can someone please, please get a garbage goal to break the bad luck, please, we’ve got absolutely no luck going for us, just look at the puck rolling of the goalie and not going in.
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You have to look at the Kings like a young child. As a new born 5 years ago they were entering a whole new world as a team, then a few years go by and our baby gets stronger, and “they” start to create an identity that would take time to develop. Now this child/team thats entering its teen years is struggling to fit in with the kids/teams that eventually/inevitably will be common foes on a regular basis. The future is bright, the present can be also, if you look at this time like a growing period. Our young core will eventually figure out how to get it done on theyre own, the old guys are on their way out and now they need to show the young guys coming up how to carry themselves. This team is no longer going to suprise any teams, so while they started strong and fast, theyre only as good as theyre oldest players. The lack of speed is really the only thing holding this team to back from being what we all know they can be.
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BishoptakesKing Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 2:47 pm
@kngfan4lyf,
You don’t feel 5 years is enough time to build a winner? Really? Is this Dean Lombardi?
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We were talking at the game last nite with the other season ticket holders around us. We figured the Kings are going to have to win somewhere around 70% of their remaining games to hit the playoffs. Rich, any chance?
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We only allow 15 shots and still lose! That’s crazy.
We keep getting bad breaks, bad bounces, and bad calls. It’s tough when trying to break the losing cycle. Last night. Quick misplaying pucks… Even a recent game when Green accidentally put the puck over the glass which was a penalty and led to the winning PP goal by the other team. It just seems to happen a lot to us.
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It’s LA, let the drama build, it will be that much sweeter….
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