Special teams continues to be a mixed bag for the Kings. They have not allowed a power-play goal in 10 consecutive games — and have moved up to second in the NHL in penalty-kill efficiency — which is outstanding, but they have also failed to score a power-play goal in four consecutive games and went 0-for-6 with the man advantage. It’s worth noting that Calgary’s high-pressure penalty kill usually causes the Kings problems — the Kings are 3-for-31 on the power play in the past two seasons against Calgary — but the Kings have ranked in the bottom half of the league in power-play efficiency for most of this season, so Terry Murray didn’t shy away from the topic of the unit’s continued struggles.
MURRAY: “It should be (talked about). It’s an important part of the game. It’s a critical part of the game, but you know what? The power play we had last night was, to me, the best power play we’ve had all year, and we didn’t score on it. It was outstanding. The puck movement, the recovery, the shot mentality was something that will give you success. We need to build on that. It was tremendous.”
problem was they couldn’t hit the net!
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kevco Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 5:47 pm
@josh, no sh**
Bob was like a recording” shot wide”
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HockeyNerd Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 5:52 pm
@kevco, And NN another recording “blocked”…. I could have broadcasted every single PP. Just send in a recording saying “shot blocked” and loop it…..
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It might help to get a coach that has some concept of how to structure a successful PP unit. That’s what they miss most.
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HockeyNerd Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 6:00 pm
@ragbone,
1. Go back to the very last topic before this.
2. Look for “Jones” post that gives the numbers in the last 10 games for pretty much our top offensive players except Kopitar.
3. Now tell me how TM or ANY coach is supposed to structure a successful PP out of THAT.
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RagBone Reply:
March 23rd, 2011 at 1:53 am
@HockeyNerd,
Well, for starters he could teach them that every tine they stop the puck and look around for a pass or maybe a shot, they allow the defense and goalie to readjust and completely negate any chance, other than a lucky shot, to score. That would raise their percentage by at least 10 points right there.
When Dave Tippitt was in charge he did a lot more with a lot less. For Kompon not to beheld accountable for the rank ineptitude of the mechanics of the Kings approach is just criminal.
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I liked seeing Kopi firing from the point every once in a while, as opposed to sticking to the half wall.
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PaulCat Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 4:56 pm
@MadMatt,
Totally agree Matt. Was there last night and when we on the point we seemed to generate so may shots at the net. I hope they stick with that. Sooner or later those are going to find the back of the net.
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Matthew Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 5:16 pm
@MadMatt, Agreed as well… We obviously need a left handed shot at the point across from DD, but most of JJ’s shot are 2-10 feet off the net. Johnson is a good passer though so I like he and Kopi being free to rotate like last night. I also think Martinez would do a better job getting shots on net on the PP than JJ, but that’s a whole other issue.
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EternalOptimist Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 5:35 pm
@Matthew,
I’d like to see Martinez get a shot as well in place of JJ. Plus he also is better at holding the puck in at the blueline.
I think it was just this one PP chance that looked good. But it seemed like it was improvised rather than planned? Everybody was rotating around like crazy with Kopi and DP rotating to the point and DD actually going to the front to screen the goalie at the end. Just looked like they desperately wanted to score on it… would like to see that effort, desperation on every PP chance.
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DesertKing Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 7:46 pm
@EternalOptimist,
I agree with more PP time for Martinez. That was one of the reasons that they brought him up was due to his ability to score goals on the PP at Manchester. He has a very deceptive wrist shot that is usually on net.
PP did look better last night than in prior games, just not the results. If they are able to continue playing that way on the PP, something may eventually go in.
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Deke'r Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 5:25 pm
@vplaza, Prolem is “eventally’s” time is running out.
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Deke'r Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 5:25 pm
@Deke’r, Problem…
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It seems like for every shot that actually winds up on net, 10 are blocked or miss the net entirely. Why not fake shots a little bit more? Ideally you’d take a penalty killer out of the play and be 5 on 3…at least for a few seconds……
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Osaka Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 5:19 pm
@HockeyNerd, And really sell the fake shot, the D-man take a step or two in with the puck to go with the windup. When your feet aren’t moving and you do a fake shot from the point it does no good.
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CB14 Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 8:12 pm
@HockeyNerd, The reason the shots are blocked or go wide are because the d-men know exactly what the Kings are going to do on the Power Play. It’s been that way the entire year.
We’ve had our disagreements about the PP, and PP coach for awhile now, and that is one of the reasons why the PP coach and system have got to go. We still haven’t improved since the beginning of the year. The only player’s who played significant PP time for us last year who aren’t here this year are Frolov and Jones. I won’t say much about Randy Jones because if I do it would be a long time until I would be allowed to post here again, but needless to say he isn’t missed. Frolov played on the 2nd PP line and only had 13 points on the PP last year. Not a big impact player on the PP. Smyth has been healthy all year, he played in 67 games last year, and Williams(before last night) had been healthy all year, he only played in 49 games last year. Did all of the Kings PP players forget how to play on the PP? I don’t think so. It’s more like opposing teams know our system, and know how to defend against it. It’s time to change the PP coach, and PP system immediately if we are to have a shot of getting past the 1st round of the playoffs. The PP, and offense in general, have been the achilles heel of our team the entire year. We have regressed on the PP, 7th last year but only 21st this year. In 5 on 5 scoring we were 19th last year and 23rd this year. I can live with TM’s coaching because the team defense has been great all year long, but the PP coach and system has got to go. We need a good PP to compensate for our 5 on 5 scoring. Our PK has been great and John Stevens deserves a large amount of credit for that. So if we give John Stevens compliments, how can we not fault the PP coach for it’s ineptitudes?
P.S. I won’t specify the PP coach by name because my hands have become stiff from typing those 2 letters.
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HockeyNerd Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 9:30 pm
@CB14, I have only mentioned JK on ONE occasion before today, and if I recall correctly on THAT day you said I had REPEATEDLY done it. You may be mixing me up with someone else. Although nobody else uses “Nerd” in their name that I know of. “Hockey”, yes, quite a few…..
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CB14 Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 9:45 pm
@HockeyNerd, Yeah I did, and I’m sorry again that I’m wrong. I just posted the same apology further down this page. I’d really like to hear your response to my post, I think ther’re some decent points to talk about.
There is just too much talent on the PP for the Kings not to be scoring. I am waiting for the floodgates to open (I have been waiting all season) like they did in the playoffs last year. You can blame the coaching or the execution but just too much talent not to click. The Kings have shown that they are streaking so it is time to even things out and have the PP be as good as it has been bad.
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HockeyNerd Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 5:15 pm
@Osaka, Where’s all this talent? I see Kopitar, and…. and…. ??
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old man Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 5:21 pm
@HockeyNerd, I think Richardson could help alot on the pp.IMO
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HockeyNerd Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 5:35 pm
@old man, I couldn’t have made my point any better than that. Thank You.
Osaka Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 5:35 pm
@HockeyNerd, DD, JJ, Kopi, Penner match up against some of the best. Vancouver is in a league of their own, not many teams can put that much talent on the ice, BUT ANA is 5th, MIN 8th, ATL 9th, BUF 10th, COL 11th, OTT 14th, NYI 15th. There in no reason LA shouldn’t be in the top half of the league on PP like these teams that have less talent.
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HockeyNerd Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 5:45 pm
@Osaka, I’d argue that the teams you mentioned do NOT have less talent. Remember, we are only talking about OFFENSIVE talent here. I suppose it’s debatable…..except ANAHEIM. I know everyone here hates the quacks but NO WAY NO CHANCE do we have “more talent” to put out on the PP then they do…..
Osaka Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 6:02 pm
@Osaka, I am just talking PP so yes it would be offensive talent. I will give you the Quacks, your right (big time), they have the forwards and Lubo is having a great season on the blueline.
This is interesting: PHI 18th, WASH 19th, LA 21st, BOS 22nd, PIT 23rd.
Osaka Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 5:43 pm
@HockeyNerd, You are confusing a lack of production with a lack of talent. Besides Vancouver who has the dream PP unit? Brown and Stoll (I admit a bit of an enigma) would be on the first PP unit of over half the teams in the league.
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HockeyNerd Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 5:47 pm
@Osaka, Brown? Maaaaaaybe. Stoll???? Give me a break!!!!!!!!
Osaka Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 5:57 pm
@Osaka, Stoll has talent. You don’t get consistant production but his shot is is one of the better ones. I was never a Stoll fan because he is an enigma but I have to be honest, he is talented and would have an important role on a lot of teams.
Dominick Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 6:15 pm
@Osaka,
I agree, on most teams he would be a very important player. Only on the Kings is he considered a throw away.
A few games back on that road trip, people were down on Stoll, even though he lead all forwards in face offs and lead all players in hits with 7. He also lead all players in shots (on net).
I read those comments and thought to myself “here’s a couple of guys who never even looked at the stats before they posted”.
HockeyNerd Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 6:28 pm
@Osaka, @Dominick, Let’s “keep our eye on the ball”, as it were. Stoll is not considered by many here to be a “top 6 forward”. I think he is. That is not what we are arguing about here. The claim made was that he would be on the first PP unit of half the teams in the league. I’m looking RIGHT AT his statistics, and I just don’t see it……
Osaka Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 7:00 pm
@Osaka, Stats don’t tell the whole story. Every player on the Kings could have better stats playing in a different system. I am not complaining about the defense system the Kings play, I like responsible hockey. Does Stoll have skill? Is there another player on the Kings you would rather see on a breakaway. Maybe Kopi but maybe not. Stoll is SICK with his shot. Maybe he is misused? He is on pace to set a career high in goals this year. Look at his stats, then check out the rosters of 29 other teams and look at their stats. Stoll is no hockey god, but this isn’t the 80′s anymore, scoring isn’t what it use to be. I respect your opinion on Stoll but my point was the Kings acually have a lot of offensive depth or “talent”. I think they lead the league with 20 goal scorers, Stoll is about to be another.
HockeyNerd Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 7:20 pm
@Osaka, What you have to understand is that having 5 or 6 20 goal scorers AS FAR AS THE PP IS CONCERNED is like having two number one Goalies. It’s a nice problem to have but you can’t play them both AT ONCE just as you can’t put everyone out on the PP at the SAME TIME either. For PURPOSES OF THE PP you are better off having 3 30 goal scorers and 3 10 goal scorers. Stoll has talent, no question. But is he really better than HALF the league’s #1 centers? That is essentially what you are trying to argue and I just don’t see it…..
Dominick Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 7:44 pm
HockeyNerd,
Stoll is a very good complimentary player. Any team that would have him on there roster would use him exactly the way the Kings use him. It’s been the same as the teams before he played with the Kings, and I suspect it will be the same after.
He was used on the 1rst unit with Edmonton because of his shot, and faceoffs. Just because you don’t see it with the Kings doesn’t mean that any team that signs him is going to just ignore his qualities as a player.
On some teams with the position he plays, he would be considered a downgrade, but he would be a considerable upgrade for alot of other teams. Rating his usefulness to just us is kind of looking at it with blinders on.
Osaka Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 7:52 pm
@Osaka, I would have him center the first line on the Kings PP! Put Kopi and Penner on the wings. Kopi can still play the half borads.
Bkrs-Bud Reply:
March 23rd, 2011 at 1:08 am
@HockeyNerd, Thank you i thought i was the only one that noticed the glaring lack of skill on the power play,inaccurate shooting,passing,poor decision making,taking to long to make a decision.
The power play has been changed and it does look better,but the lack of basic skills is glaring.
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yes, last night the PP was firing on all cylinders. great speed, quick passes, good puck movement. it was really intense and exciting to watch. it’s just too bad so many pucks didn’t make it to the net. hopefully they can build on that and get it rolling as they head into the playoffs.
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bbb7 Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 5:42 pm
@Newf, Yeah, I was calling for a new PP system months ago and I really dont mind the new one – they are moving, going across the ice, switching positions… just they DONT FINISH. The D need to shoot sooner and with less telegraphing… oh, and ON GOAL. That will fix it.
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Dominick Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 8:03 pm
@bbb7,
I’m right there with ya. I have been calling for change for a while. I do like the new set up, but this late in the season to be revamping the power play is risky, and is going to take even more time to become second nature to our guys. Timing is the key on what to watch for.
I see the movement and cross ice passes starting to take form, but I think it’s still in the early stages, and the timing will take some time to click. If TM can stay consistant, I think it will produce (hopefully this season). The only other choice we have is to start over yet again and hope the next change will click faster, and I don’t want to see that happen with the playoffs still at stake.
As long as their getting chances and continuing to work at the current system, I’ll support it. If I see it go back to the old power play I’ll let them know about it.
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Iginla goes to the top of the circle and gets some wicked shots. That is where Kopi needs to be, not along the boards, IMHO.
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Bill M. Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 5:29 pm
@edwood2, He did do that, several times, last night, and it generated several chances. I think our PP did look really good last night. It was a tough, tight game in general, and calgary usually has our number on the PP, so I can forgive the PP not hitting last night, based on the fact that several times they looked like they should have.
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I thought the exact same thing watching the game last night. I even complimented it and I think I got critisized for it. It was a sight to behold, although they didn’t score. A step up from the stationary telegraphed shot from the point 5 man perimeter box power play we’ve been watching all season long.
Baby steps.
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You see this is all part of the grand plan, come playoff time the real power plan is going to be revealed and the Kings will be unstoppable!
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EternalOptimist Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 5:41 pm
@king Doughnuts,
Yeah, we struck a deal with the PP gods for the playoffs only LOL
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 5:53 pm
@EternalOptimist, SHHH u ruined the suprise
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Lets go Kings that all i got to say
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The PP lastnight looked like the team took it in there own hands rather than the structured system Kompon has in place.
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Hey why not bring in Schenn?
I haven’t read through all the earlier comments on Williams being out and Moller in, so forgive me if somebody has already answered this…but if somebody says, Oh he’s fragile…and we can’t ruin him for the future, blah blah blah–I will slap you silly so fast….
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 5:54 pm
@rontheking, because u will ruined Schenn in the Future
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rontheking Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 6:03 pm
@KingsFanFTW,
That’s right! I forgot…the number one player in his league and he’s fragile…Oh that’s such a shame because the kings could sure use a player of his caliber…oh well….
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 6:06 pm
@rontheking, LOL
Helvetica Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 6:08 pm
@rontheking, He’s playing against children. I wouldn’t exactly call him fragile, but he hasn’t fully matured yet physically and he gets pushed around by grown men as evidenced by his few games at the beginning of the season. The NHL is bigger and much faster than where hes playing now and, i think everybody agrees, hes not quite ready… as much as we all want him to be.
Bkrs-Bud Reply:
March 23rd, 2011 at 1:11 am
@rontheking, Schenn is not available.
HockeyNerd Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 5:56 pm
@rontheking, Put those arms and hands down because until Schenn is COMPLETELY finished with Juniors that is NOT an option……
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Dave's a Killer Reply:
March 23rd, 2011 at 10:54 am
@HockeyNerd, I really wish that all Kings fans (and especially those on this blog) would read HockeyNerd’s post over and over. Schenn is NOT available. And by the way, Helvetica is also correct. Playing Juniors “ain’t even the same ballpark”
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Helvetica Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 6:04 pm
@rontheking, Because he’s stuck in juniors until they finish the season. Once thats over i believe he gets assigned to manchester, however if they called him up from there they’d burn a year off his ELC. You are basically not going to see Schenn this year so forget about him.
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HockeyNerd Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 6:16 pm
@Helvetica, DL did exactly that before the trading deadline….thankfully!!!!
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Helvetica Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 6:23 pm
@HockeyNerd, haha, indeed.
EternalOptimist Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 6:14 pm
@rontheking,
Assuming we could call him up, I wouldn’t because he is a center and the 4 that we have right now are playing really well.
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our PP looked MUCH better last night..although, I do agree, they were missing the net WAY TOO MUCH! But..I like hearing that we’re ranked #2 for our PK! That is SAWEET! GKG!
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it amazes me a certain someone kept their job during a certain slump this year but it amazes me 100x more a certain someone else has kept their job during two years of this PP debacle.
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Helvetica Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 6:09 pm
@nickdoh, What was our PP like last year?
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Bill M. Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 6:11 pm
@nickdoh, two years of this PP debacle?
So you call the seventh best power play in the league, and a 30+% rate in the playoffs, a “debacle”?
Wow. you have high standards.
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HockeyNerd Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 6:11 pm
@nickdoh, Go back one topic and search for “Jones” post. It’s at or near the bottom, and it has the stats for what are more or less our top offensive players except Kopitar.
Now realize that 9 teams have a WORSE PP then the Kings AND we are winning more than we are losing despite those numbers.
THAT is why they still have jobs.
And rightfully so……
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LA’s PP is ranked with the best teams in the East: PHI 18th, WASH 19th, LA 21st, BOS 22nd, PIT 23rd. The problem is the Kings don’t score as many 5 on 5 goals as these teams so the lack of production on the PP is magnified.
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Dave's a Killer Reply:
March 23rd, 2011 at 10:56 am
@Osaka, Very good!
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The PP actually looked the best it has all year last night. We didn’t score but we had better chances and the flames actually had to work on the PK. When finally had players moving and changes postions, quicker passes that had the flames leaving open lanes. They finally took Kopi off the half wall and moved him to the point. Kopi and Martinez should be at the point as theyre the only players that can consistantly hit the net from the point.
I just don’t know why it took Kompon 73 games to change it up?
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HockeyNerd Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 6:40 pm
@ta, Did Kompon actually change something? Or did the PLAYERS actually realize that moving their legs and reacting according to *** what was happening on the ice ** would be a good idea?
I don’t know the answer to that and I bet you don’t either…….
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ta Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 7:38 pm
@HockeyNerd, Actually I’ve heard many players as well as the Kings announcers say that they’ve been working on changes on the PP in practice. I think that they would know better than you.
As well as the fact the last night was the 1st time this year that Kopi wasn’t stuck on the half wall during the PP. So yes they did make some changes!
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HockeyNerd Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 8:01 pm
@ta, What I was trying to say (my fault I didn’t phrase it properly) is that it is NOT as simple as JK and TM do something different, now the PP clicks.
The PLAYERS have to actually execute it.
And with the slump almost ALL our goal scorers are in, I just don’t see putting it all on JK and TM for “not adjusting” or whatever.
Let’s hope we can hit 25% or at least 20% from here on out. The increased movement is promising, but almost everyone is guilty of one of two things: waiting forever to shoot or shooting quickly but not forcing the Goalie to have to actually stop it………..
Hat trick Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 6:47 pm
@ta, I agree. Even though they didn’t score still was A Lot better than what they normally had. I think it was Jim Fox who said that Murray is telling the team to sort of wing it on the PP now. I think that’s a damn good idea considering that’s how Vancouver does it and they’re i think 2nd in the league.
What I don’t get is that they waited all this damn time to actually DO something about it. Did it really take the coaching staff all these games to realize that the PP completely sucked and was garbage? Kinda makes me wonder how they’re able to tie they’re shoelaces in the morning.
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HockeyNerd Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 6:55 pm
@Hat trick,
1. Go back one topic.
2. Search for the “Jones” post. It’s at or near the bottom.
3. Now explain to me how this is all the fault of the coaching staff.
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Hat trick Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 7:56 pm
@HockeyNerd, Well the coaching staff is going to have some sort of PP strategy. They’re going to have some set plays. The Kings PP is typcially that umbrella formation. Now as the opposing team scout’s the teams PP it wouldn’t take very long to figure out that this is how the team sets up most of the time. Maybe some players will change positions but in general they will set up this way. They’re trying to create a lane for the point guys to blast a shot on net hoping to 1. get a screen 2. get a rebound or 3. get a tip.
Is it any wonder why the defending PK unit blocks so many shots? Other than the fact that these guys are the best of the best? It’s because they know what the PP unit is going to do and once you figure that out you can then create plays to defend against it.
In the case of Vancouver where the coach basically tells the PP unit, go out and make it happen how can you scout a PP unit like that? You can’t and that’s why they’re so successful. Murray is now basically telling them to use more of their instincts on the PP rather than using that umbrella formation. Yes they still use that but it’s more mixed up now. Now when they set up in that umbrella formation and then start moving around into something totally different to where the other team doesn’t have a clue as to what’s going on it creates havoc and that havoc creates chances, open lanes, backdoor passes, etc to where the defending PK is now at a disadvantage in defending it. Along with the fact that they are also a man short.
The coaching staff is the one that implements these changes. If Murray didn’t tell the PP unit to “use more of their instincts” on the PP then nothing would have really changed. That’s why I’m amazed at the coaching staff for implementing these changes now rather than before when the PP sucked just as badly.
Osaka Reply:
March 23rd, 2011 at 2:31 am
@HockeyNerd, Who is to blame for those numbers? The coaching or the players?
ta Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 8:02 pm
@Hat trick, I totally agree, as i’m sure that most of our fans were wondering when they were going to make some changes to the PP all year. It has been one of our most glaring weekness this year and we will need a much better PP if we’re going very far in the playoffs. It’s weird because last year our PP was much more effective and was VERY good in the playoffs against Van. last year.
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Hat trick Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 8:08 pm
@ta, Absolutely. I think going into a playoff game and the score being tied up or being down a goal and going 0-6 or whatever on the PP is just a killer. That one extra goal on the PP could be the difference between winning or losing a game.
I dunno hopefully the PP starts kicking in here shortly.
HockeyNerd Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 8:10 pm
@Hat trick, Well argued. I’m just saying that everyone seems to be putting this ALL on JK and TM, and I don’t see it. It seems like with every shot the defenders either KNOW it’s coming or it goes wide. Players at this level have to be able to shoot quickly AND accurately. Vancouver, Anaheim, etc. have those kinds of players. We don’t, and THAT is also a lot of the problem……..
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Hat trick Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 8:23 pm
@HockeyNerd, Well I think the coaching staff is to blame no doubt but yeah for sure the players need to make it happen since they’re the ones on the ice.
No doubt it’s frustrating to see a shot go wide by five feet or whatever. It’s like what the hell was that? I think it’s harder to get one to the net then one might think IMO. Also one timers aren’t always the easiet to hit. The pass has to basically be a perfect pass or pretty close to it to where the guy taking the shot can really lean into it with some accuracy. I mean they’re the best of the best and they’ve been doing this for a long time so it’s frustrating when most of their shots go wide.
I disagree that we don’t have the caliber of players. I think we do. Yeah we don’t have the Sedin twins but so what I think with the guys we got out there they can definitely make it happen. They just need to be more creative and create more havoc. It’s like watching a PK unit get scored on and the look on their faces have that what the hell just happened look.
Everyone not named “Kopitar” is in a HORRIBLE slump and yet, true to form, everyone wants to blame JK and TM for our “dreadful” power play (which actually is NOT at the bottom of the league and no worse then our 5 on 5 offense).
If your baseball team has nothing but .230 hitters, with ONE player (only) that hit as many as 20 home runs would you blame the manager because the guy who is batting 6th should be batting 3rd?
Come to think of it, most of you probably would……
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Osaka Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 7:45 pm
@HockeyNerd, I disagree with blaming the coaches but also your assessment the Kings have a bunch of .238 hitters. They have a lot of depth of talent but play a tight system. They are not a high scoring team. I like the style of play and have no problem with the players’ stats or the coaching, but with this system they NEED more production on the PP to go far in the playoffs. A team of 5 20 goal scores, solid D, physical team, great goalie….. I like this playoff team. Just need the PP to click a little better.
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CB14 Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 8:31 pm
@HockeyNerd, How is it not in the bottom of the league? they are 21st out of 30 teams on the PP right now according to NHL.com. If you are separating it into top and bottom then 16th or worse would be the Bottom of the league. Not only are they in the BOTTOM of the league, they are in the bottom third of the league. 21st out of 30 would be considered bottom third in my opinion!
As far as your baseball analogy goes, you are way off. We aren’t saying TM or the PP coach should change the players on the PP, but rather change the system and PP coach (Hitting Coach in your analogy). Lastly comparing players with low batting average’s to home run hitter’s, just does’t make sense. Plus it’s a completely different sport with completely different skill aspects. You can be a great baseball player without hitting home runs, see Ichiro, as can a player with a low batting average and alot of home runs, see Mc Guire, Mark.
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Hat trick Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 8:46 pm
@CB14, There you have it 21st in the league. If that doesn’t tell you that the PP sucks then I don’t know what will.
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HockeyNerd Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 9:26 pm
@Hat trick, “Sucking” is relative. I said we weren’t AT the bottom. We aren’t because, ONLY the 30th ranked team is. We ALL want the PP to be better. Yes, even JK and TM.
My point remains that to hold them and ONLY them responsible for it is nonsense.
HockeyNerd Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 8:56 pm
@CB14, You are over analyzing what I said WITHOUT understanding my point.
ONLY the 30th ranked power play is AT the bottom of the league. And that’s not us. It’s not 29th or 28th or 27th or 26th either. No, it isn’t in the top half. I didn’t say it was. I said it WASN’T dreadful. I said what I said, not what you’d like me to have said….
Everyone and their Grandmother here is claiming “the PP should be so much better with all the talent we have”. I repeat my point yet again. WHAT talent? Yes any team would take Kopitar. Yes Penner and Smyth and Stoll are all useful. But are these players ANYWHERE near as talented as the Sedins, or the Anaheim forwards, or Ovechkin, or almost EVERY team that has a better PP then we do? (And actually it’s quite surprising what teams we DO have a better PP then). Take a look.
And incidentally this is only the SECOND time I have even brought this whole thing up. The first time you stated I had been bringing it up repeatedly when it was the VERY FIRST TIME. You may be confusing me with some other blogger. But that’s not my problem…..
I still don’t buy it…..
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CB14 Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 9:41 pm
@HockeyNerd, Sorry I didn’t understand what you meant about the PP being at the bottom of the league. I thought you meant the bottom half, or even bottom third, both of which the Kings are in.
Of course our forwards aren’t at the level of the Sedin’s, or the Ducks, but they are pretty darn good. In response to the what talent question, what talent did we have last year that isn’t their this year? I responded to one of your earlier posts higher up on this page and that details why in my opinion the Kings PP should be much better. It’s the post you made at 5:00 on this same page.
I took a look and Atlanta is 8th on the PP, and Minnesota is 9th on the PP.
Atlanta’s top goal scorer is Ladd who has 26 goals, Kopi has 25.
Atlanta has 1 20 goal scorer(Ladd), the Kings have 5 ( Kopi, Brown, Williams, Smyth and Penner, even though they weren’t for us he’s still a 20 goal scorer).
Would you want Atlanta’s players on a PP, or ours? I’d want ours.
Minnesota’s top goal scorer is Havlat who has 21 goals, as stated above Kopi has 25.
Minnesota has 1 20 goal scorer(Havlat), as stated above the Kings have 5.
Once again, would you want Minnesota’s players on a PP, or ours? Again I’d want ours. In terms of teams below us in PP%, there are definately teams I would not have expected to see there. That proves that coaches play a huge part in the PP success. Certainly one would expect Pittsburgh to be better than us on the PP, but that’s exactly why I think the coach, and his system, are the biggest drawback to our PP. If a team with Crosby, Malkin and Letang don’t have a good PP, mabye the system is too blame?
If this is only the second time you have brought this up then I’m sorry. It just seems to me that I a usually see you defending the PP coach when others want him fired. Mabye I just notice your name the most because there aren’t many people defending him, and your name is easy too remember. Take a look at my other response for my detailed description on the Kings PP woes.
HockeyNerd Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 10:50 pm
@HockeyNerd, In the case of Atlanta and Minnesota, you got me. I’d love to know what they’re doing that we’re not, and copy it.
On the other hand, we definitely have LESS talent then a few teams close to our percentage or even below it…..
We were MUCH better last year with the same coaches. What changed? You got me. I think we’re missing Frolov but that doesn’t begin to explain the decline.
The thing is, and I sort of made that point somewhere else today is we have good BALANCED scoring. That’s not a bad thing in a lot of ways but it’s like having two number 1 goalies. The problem is you can’t play them both at ONCE. You’re better off having one GREAT one and a backup who can win a game here and there. Similarly, if you’re going to have a good PP, I think you need 3 30 Goal scorers, not 6 20 goal scorers. Again, why this isn’t such an issue for Minnesota or Atlanta (or why Washington’s isn’t better) is a good counterpoint to my theory. Wish I had a good answer.
I just have to keep getting back to the same thing. I’m not buying that it’s JK/TM “turning players loose” or “making a few adjustments” or “designing some new plays” and boom, everything will click. That may very well be true. It’s definitely partially true. But shots have to stop going wide, and shots from the point have to stop being “announced” and that is ultimately on the players……
CB14 Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 11:48 pm
@HockeyNerd, I saw that post that you were talking about and it does make sense to have 3 30 goal scorer’s(vancouver with the sedin twins and kesler), as opposed to 6 20 goal scorer’s. I guess it’s the chicken and the egg theory as too whose at fault for the poor PP. Is it the system that causes their shots too be blocked or go wide(gets my vote), or is it the players themselves. The main reason why I think it’s the system is because it seems like it happens to all of our point men, except Martinez who it seems like never gets his shot blocked. If it was just one of either DD, JJ, or Stoll, whose shots were going wide/being blocked, then I would place the blame on that one player. With it being all 3 of them, I have to blame the system being too well known and the PK’s know exactly where the puck is going so they’re able to get in the shooting/passing lanes. Also it has been happening all year long. Mabye the other teams noticed how great our PP was in the playoffs last year, and figured out how to stop it. Lets just hope it improves quickly or the Kings won’t last long this playoff season.
It’s been nice having this discussion with you and I hope we don’t have to have this discussion again. Not because I don’t enjoy it but rather the PP will either improve, and i’ll shut up, or I think the PP coach won’t return in his current position if it doesn’t improve.
Osaka Reply:
March 23rd, 2011 at 2:27 am
@HockeyNerd, CB14 gets it. Our team does have plenty of talent, in the top 15 in the league, and our PP should also be in to top 15. Just for you to make a blanket statement doesn’t make it true. Experts around the league talk about the depth of talent on the Kings. The Kings are 4 points behind SJ, if we win the division can we say the offense is adequate? We are a plus 22 in goal differential, that is the stat I like. We play a defense first system, scoring will be down. Do you believe Stamkos would put up his same numbers in this system? Because the Kings don’t have a 30 goal scorer doesn’t mean they don’t have players that would score 30 on another team playing a more wide open style. I am sure Kopitar could score 40 playing on TB or COL. Kopi is being talked about for the Selke now because of his two way play. For the PP, if your saying the players are not executing or are not capable then both cases that would be 100% on the coach. The system is flawed, predictable, or they are not being prepared properly to do their job. If may employees don’t do their job I am 100% responsible.
HockeyNerd Reply:
March 22nd, 2011 at 10:52 pm
@CB14, I accidentally put my response as a “response to myself”. You’ll see it somewhere close by……
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Dave's a Killer Reply:
March 23rd, 2011 at 11:03 am
@HockeyNerd, Pitching, like defense and goal tending in hockey, win the big one. Look at the Giants
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Osaka Reply:
March 23rd, 2011 at 4:06 pm
@Dave’s a Killer, Defense wins in every sport.
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Again, I’d like to see Marty on PP1. He can get the puck through the traffic and on net where either his shot goes in, someone in front redirects the shot, or there is a big rebound for someone to bury!
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Once again….
We have an offense that has Kopitar and little else, nearly every top 6 forward is in a HORRIBLE slump, the PP while admittedly not “good” is ranked BETTER then our 5 on 5 offense and actually better then at least 2 or 3 teams that CLEARLY have more talent and EVERYONE wants to blame this ONLY on TM and JK?
I’m STILL not seeing it……
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Osaka Reply:
March 23rd, 2011 at 12:19 am
@HockeyNerd, I am not blaming the coaches but you don’t help your argument by saying Kopitar is the only offense they have. By saying that you are admitting by definition that it is a coaching issue. There should be no reason a whole team is in a slump. If you wouldn’t hold a coach accountable then who? When would he ever be accountable? Again, I like the coaches and want them all around for years to come. I see them going deep into the playoffs this year.
Another problem with saying Kopi is the only offense is so much of a PP depends on the blueline and with DD and JJ the Kings have one of the best pairs in the league. When I say the PP has too much talent not to score, those two guys are the main reason I say that. They are a much more important part of the PP than Kopitar or any forward. All the Kings 20 goal scorers should just be rotated in.
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Bkrs-Bud Reply:
March 23rd, 2011 at 1:25 am
@HockeyNerd, I am with you i see the same thing.
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The need to keep the power play moving. When they survey the situation usually the puck is given away and they don’t get a decent chance. Especially from the points.
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@HockeyNerd,
Well, for starters he could teach them that every tine they stop the puck and look around for a pass or maybe a shot, they allow the defense and goalie to readjust and completely negate any chance, other than a lucky shot, to score. That would raise their percentage by at least 10 points right there.
When Dave Tippitt was in charge he did a lot more with a lot less. For Kompon not to beheld accountable for the rank ineptitude of the mechanics of the Kings approach is just criminal.
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