One could certainly say that the Colorado Avalanche were due to win last night. They had dropped their first three home games of the season and hadn’t beaten the Kings at Pepsi Center in close to three years. The Avalanche spread it around, as they got an even-strength goal, a power-play goal and a shorthanded goal. Here’s how The Denver Post covered last night’s game…
LATEST NEWSSOCIAL MEDIA
LA Kings Insider LA Kings Official
One interesting note from Colorado’s comments:
“I dont think the shot count tonight really tells the story of the game.. They seemed to have control of the puck most of the game and they missed a lot of shots!”
That’s something worth to remember, when one reads the TM’s mantra about shot mentality!
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The most frustrating part of the game last night for me was the Kings giving up a shorthanded goal.
also when the game is winding down the last thing you want to do is take a dumb penalty, Dustin Brown did this and the Kings were forced to kill a penalty instead of trying to tie the game in the closing minutes. Then when the Kings were on the short PP, their inability to win a crucial faceoff and take control of the puck and try to tie the game on a 6 on 4 was the final deciding factor.
The kings are really missing simon gagne, it really shows. still dont see much chemistry between brown and richards (other than the couple PP goals they scored).
the guys will get some much needed rest before a big game against the first palce oilers (who would have figured that one?)
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deadcatbounce Reply:
October 31st, 2011 at 9:22 am
@Sebastian,Other than for RNH, I think the Oilers success so far thisseason can be attributed to addition by subtraction. You figure it out…
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wavesinair Reply:
October 31st, 2011 at 9:25 am
@deadcatbounce,
Addition by subtraction…hmmm…ok so if you subtract a player from the Oilers, it acted as if they added a player, which is why they are playing better…hmmm…I don’t know…who could they have gotten rid of that has…OH! I GET IT! Dustin Penner. Ding, ding, ding!
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deadcatbounce Reply:
October 31st, 2011 at 9:27 am
@wavesinair, Congratulations! You win the prize! Please pick up Sebastian’s car at your convenience…
Other than stay healthy and get back into the groove of the overall flow of the game (ie. not take dumb penalties), I’m not sure what else Scott “the sniper we’ve needed for a long time” Parse has to do to convince some of you that he has incredible skill and can make a huge positive impact on this team. The above picture and the subsequent goal should be enough, but I doubt it. And to think that some people believe he isn’t even an NHL caliber player? His numbers clearly say otherwise.
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deadcatbounce Reply:
October 31st, 2011 at 9:24 am
@wavesinair, Parse has never really been a scorer as a pro, but I would be gloriously happy if he could pot twenty this season and stop his penchant for taking unnecessary penalties. Maybe that will come as he gets used to being in game action again.
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wes Reply:
October 31st, 2011 at 10:46 am
@deadcatbounce, “Parse has never really been a scorer as a pro” is an incorrect statement. I’m puzzled by that kind of statement constantly reappearing. Scooter has a better career shooting percentage than anyone on the Kings roster. He’s a creative/dangerous passer too. It shouldn’t be a mystery why the coaching staff has projected him as a top six since his rookie year. Kopitar and Brown lit it up when Parse got to play on their line. No reason Parse/Richards/Brown shouldn’t be more of the same. Scooter’s injury issues have clouded a lot of fans’ impression of him. He’s an offensive impact guy. Penner (history, contract) has messed things up as far as what to with the LAK top six for too long now. If the Kings can keep Gagne/Kopitar/Williams AND Parse/Richards/Brown together, this is an outstanding top six. Just keep Penner away from it.
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deadcatbounce Reply:
October 31st, 2011 at 11:22 am
@wes, It is? Lighting it up for fifteen goals in 09-09 in the minors is being a scorer?
Regular Season |||||| Playoffs
Season | Team | Lge | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | +/- | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM
2006-07 | Grand Rapids Griffins | AHL | 10 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 6 | -2 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 8
2007-08 | Manchester Monarchs | AHL | 14 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | — | — | — | — | –
2007-08 | Reading Royals | ECHL | 18 | 5 | 11 | 16 | 14 | -5 | — | — | — | — | –
2008-09 | Manchester Monarchs | AHL | 74 | 15 | 24 | 39 | 38 | 6 | — | — | — | — | –
2009-10 | Manchester Monarchs | AHL | 14 | 4 | 11 | 15 | 21 | 11 | — | — | — | — | –
2009-10 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 59 | 11 | 13 | 24 | 22 | 13 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
2010-11 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 5 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
Maybe I’m missing something…
wes Reply:
October 31st, 2011 at 12:19 pm
@deadcatbounce, minors? sorry, apples and oranges here. I was strictly talking about NHL games.
wes Reply:
October 31st, 2011 at 12:24 pm
@deadcatbounce, check shooting percentage in the NHL. thought it was understood that’s what I was referring to. apparently not, my bad. anyway, check me on that (NHL only). i could be wrong but i don’t think i am.
Michael J. Reply:
October 31st, 2011 at 9:25 am
@wavesinair,
I’m very happy that he is having some success. I wish that he would cut down on his trips to the box, he has the skill to score 30 goals and needs to stay on the ice.
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bringbackbutchgoring Reply:
October 31st, 2011 at 9:27 am
@wavesinair, Exactly. He was getting crucified in here a few weeks ago as a lazy bum with no skills. Glad Parse shut up those people….
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
October 31st, 2011 at 9:37 am
@wavesinair, How about staying out of the box? I’m as happy as anyone about his offense, but all things must be taken into account.
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wavesinair Reply:
October 31st, 2011 at 9:47 am
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?,
Mentioned…re-read my friend.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
October 31st, 2011 at 11:10 am
Touché. I did read it and missed the parenthetical. Should have known better, as your posts are always thoughtful.
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jet Reply:
October 31st, 2011 at 10:34 am
@wavesinair, The major point for Parse is that he is now playing a full game. Last night he hustled to get back on an out numbered attack to lock up a stick and dove to tip the puck to a teammate. He is showing that he wants to win, and not just score goals.
With regards to his taking penalties, if you look at a penalty taken, then you have to look a penalty drawn.
Finally, he needs to keep his current play going and show that he can play more than 60 games.
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Where was quick last night? 3 goals on 16 shots? WOW! He looked like a fish out of water on the first 2 goals, the third one not much he could do. But thats the way Quick plays, he’s like a fish out of water and he’s a horrible goalie. Trade quick and make Bernier the starter!!!
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wavesinair Reply:
October 31st, 2011 at 9:20 am
@Kinger,
It’s kinda cool (but a little weird) that Jonathan Bernier’s dad comments on this blog.
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jet Reply:
October 31st, 2011 at 10:36 am
@wavesinair, funny
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Sebastian Reply:
October 31st, 2011 at 9:21 am
@Kinger, LOL, so where were you when the recorded 3 straight shuouts. in the trade bernier bandwagon? you can only really blame him slightly for the wrap around goal. WOW
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Michael J. Reply:
October 31st, 2011 at 9:29 am
@Kinger,
Yah, I totally agree. I mean, he should have seen that wierd bounce coming… And what was he doing telling Doughty to screen him on that sniper shoy by Duchesne??? Number one star for the week and three consecutive shutouts??? That doesn’t matter at all…
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jet Reply:
October 31st, 2011 at 10:38 am
@Michael J., so your team did not look for a rink with bad boards to practice at?
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bringbackbutchgoring Reply:
October 31st, 2011 at 9:37 am
@Kinger, Yes and perhaps we can free up some cap space and sign Penner to a long term deal…
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
October 31st, 2011 at 9:39 am
@bringbackbutchgoring, yea that a great idea and lets trade Kopitar and Richards they are not doing anything good
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jet Reply:
October 31st, 2011 at 10:39 am
@KingsFanFTW, we would probably have to give up both to get LaBarbara back
deadcatbounce Reply:
October 31st, 2011 at 9:52 am
@Kinger, Try to cut Quick some slack. Maybe he went out to lunch with Dustin Penner yesterday and they ate too many Rocky Mountain oysters…
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puck73 Reply:
October 31st, 2011 at 10:09 am
@Kinger, @nyKingfan and I had an interesting conversation this morning about mental toughnes. And with Jon Quick, I see him mentally tough in the 3rd period, overtime, and the shootout. The reason I bring this up, is because we were talking about the mental toughness of those Islander teams who won 4 cups in a row from 1980 to 1983. And it all started with Billy Smith in goal. He may not have been always the top goalie in the regular season, but in the playoffs where it really counted, this guy was a monster.
I see the same mental toughness in Jon quick, I dont think Bernier has that intangible IMO.
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Sloppy neutral zone the last four games… you’d think I’d be used to it by now.
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In 2010-2011
Van was #1 in goals a game at 3.15.
Bos was #5 in the nhl at 2.98, #2 in the east.
In 2009-2010
Chicago led the west in goals per game at 3.20
In 2008-2009
Pitt was #4 in the east in goals per game at 3.15 and only 17 in the nhl in goals against at 2.84
In 2007-2008
Det led the west in goals for at 3.07, led the nhl in goals against at 2.18
All teams were atleast in the top 6 in goals against, accept for Pitt.
So what have we leared?
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Michael J. Reply:
October 31st, 2011 at 9:47 am
@Pesus,
That those teams have more talented players than the Kings???
Give it about ten more games, these guys are going to start to click…
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Pesus Reply:
October 31st, 2011 at 10:00 am
@Michael J.,
I hope your right. But Im pretty sure we have more talent then phx and col.
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Michael J. Reply:
October 31st, 2011 at 10:26 am
@Pesus,
Give it about ten more games, these guys are going to start to click…
tacomakingsfan Reply:
October 31st, 2011 at 10:33 am
@Michael J.,
If they don’t… give it 10 more games after that? I hope they figure it out soon..
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Michael J. Reply:
October 31st, 2011 at 10:40 am
@tacomakingsfan,
Before camp started I said that it will take 20 games for the Kings to begin to put it together. As long as they keep winning I am not too worried. Should they drop out of the playoff picture around the first of the year, then TM will need to worry.
Hate the results, but watching both games I personally thought the Kings played at least as well as the ‘yotes on Saturday and outplayed the Avalache on Sunday. All three of the Colo goal on Sunday were a little odd. At least the first two where really flukey.
Anyway, bad results, but not badly played.
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wavesinair Reply:
October 31st, 2011 at 9:34 am
@Weasel,
Agreed. If the point-men put most of those missed shots on net and Gagne was on the left side up front with Kopi the past 2 games, the Kings would likely be coming home winning 3 straight on the road.
In other words, practice your one-timers boys and Dustin Penner, it’s 11 games in and Matt Greene and Willie Mitchell both have more points than you. You should be ashamed of yourself.
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bringbackbutchgoring Reply:
October 31st, 2011 at 9:39 am
@wavesinair, To be fair, Green and Mitchell have historically put up big numbers. Those two can snipe…
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wavesinair Reply:
October 31st, 2011 at 9:48 am
@bringbackbutchgoring, You’re right. I stand corrected. (while laughing and coughing up my coffee)
I show up for the game, the Avs win with something like 13 shots on goal. That’s about right. I probably could have given Tebow some help too, if I’d have shown up at the Broncos game to cheer for the Lions.
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Michael J. Reply:
October 31st, 2011 at 9:49 am
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?,
LOL.
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Pesus Reply:
October 31st, 2011 at 10:59 am
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?,
I dont wear pants to staples and I must have my ticket scanned by a female. Doesnt always work. But what I do know if I wear pants or have a dude scan my ticket kings have no chance.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
October 31st, 2011 at 11:32 am
Note to self: try leaving pants at home.
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