Darryl Sutter’s postgame thoughts…
(on the game…)
SUTTER: “The teams were creating chances both ways in the third period. I thought we got a little bit better as the game went along. I thought we had a really good third period.’’
(on the Kings’ effort, in back-to-back games…)
SUTTER: “The NHL is about back-to-back games. You’re either going to have it or you’re not. I don’t look at it like that. We tried to use four lines tonight. When you’re on the road, they [the home team] get the matchups they want, forward-wise. It was pretty much head to head. I was fine with the effort. We scored a power-play goal, our penalty killing did a heck of a job, and at the end of the day it was left to the two goalies.’’
(on Jonathan Quick’s effort…)
SUTTER: “I think both goalies. When it’s 1-1 and you go to the shootout and it goes to the fourth guys, I’m not disappointed in the effort at all. You’ve just got to bury one of those chances. Richardson, that’s the one that sticks out most, that chance. So, we’ll take the point.’’
(on the Kings’ net traffic…)
SUTTER: “The shots we were getting through, there was a lot of traffic. And we had a lot of pucks, because of our traffic, hit us on the way through. So, we’ve just got to stay with that.’’
Apparently someone keeps forgetting to tell the Bruins it’s a 3-2 league.
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kingsxstevenxkings Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 4:16 am
@PP Anybody?,
Seriously? Referencing an anomaly of a game as if it applies to the rest of the league… Both team played like they should tonight… for once our kings.. the 3rd best west team (1. Van, 2. SJ., 3. LAK) played exactly like they could… this is playoffs right there… but don’t bring up an eastern random as if that’s what we should base our play on!
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PP Anybody? Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 7:35 am
@kingsxstevenxkings, The Bruins have consistently had games where they have blown out their competition by 5,6, even 8 goals, all season long. The Bruins don’t have any true superstars on their team, yet they won a cup last year playing a system that utilizes all of its team’s talents, and is pretty much rolling along this year.
The Kings have scored 2 goals or less in regulation for a team record 14 games in a row, for the first time in 45 YEARS, blowing away their record of 9 games in a row. I’m simply pointing out that there are teams out there that aren’t looking to fit within the league standards(Boston, Detroit, Philadelphia, Chicago) but making their own. I would much rather see the Kings focus on emulating organizations that are winning now, than emulating some outdated defensive principals.
I am fine with giving Sutter some time to change things around here, just want to see something more than “more heart and grit”. The X’s and O’s have to change some more if this team is going to get back on track and compete in this modern “3-2″ league.
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Royal Throne Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 9:31 am
@PP Anybody?,
Of course they need to get at least three goals, PP, but when they don’t and are in a shootout, what are they supposed to do, just die? That’s the reality, it is what it is as the players and coaches like to say–you get a few one-on-ones with the goslie and you’d damn well better look alive if you want two points. And if you want to be in the playoffs.
They should be on fire because as usual the Sharks outskated them in regulation. Instead they looked asleep.
kings king Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 11:26 am
@PP Anybody?, We don’t have the speed of Boston, Philly or Chicago. Detroit isn’t the same team it was, they shouldn’t be on that list. Plain and simple, the kings lose board battles and defensemen cause problems for themselves. Last night was a structure breakdown. Our forwards did a decent job of winning battles which was helped by our FO%. Defensemen never took a look to see what their play was before they moved the puck. Sharks dump it in and the defensemen kept putting it in covered areas. When they settle down and take a look our forwards get a clean pass and the kings go to work. Like I’ve said before, the defensemen will ultimately win games for this club. Boston didn’t have this great system or high standards last year, they played a very similar game to the kings. Difference is the forwards own the boards in Boston and the defense always have their head up. And that’s just what a team learns after winning a stanley cup. Kings wont be contenders until they get into the 2nd round where the real playoffs start.
Osaka Reply:
December 26th, 2011 at 3:32 pm
@PP Anybody?, They average 3.52 goals a game, not 6 or 8.
linny Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 4:17 am
@PP Anybody?, and suters stats need at least a temporary revision…like “it is a 3-2 game for most of the league but for us it looks more like a 2-1.5 league”….guess whose averaging 1.5 the last 10 games or so
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Osaka Reply:
December 25th, 2011 at 4:59 pm
@PP Anybody?, The Bruins have the best offense in the league and their goals per game is 3.52, I would say that is well under 4. In fact only 8 teams out of the 30 in the league average 3 or higher goals scored per game. The Kings are dead last with an average of 2.08. So where is Sutter’s comment wrong?
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PP Anybody? Reply:
December 26th, 2011 at 7:54 am
@Osaka, Some people aspire for greatness, some people aspire to be average.
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Osaka Reply:
December 26th, 2011 at 3:30 pm
@PP Anybody?, ? Huh? Who doesn’t want to be great? You mentioned someone didn’t tell the Bruins it is a 3-2 league, the stats prove it is.
Kingstane9 Reply:
December 26th, 2011 at 3:54 am
@PP Anybody?, hehe
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DEH Reply:
December 26th, 2011 at 7:41 am
@PP Anybody?, the game is different in the west than it is in the east, or… we know what the Red Sox are doing in their off season.
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These quotes are right out of the Terry Murray quote book if you ask me…
This lack of offense is a buzzkill to the max. Will this team EVER get their offense going? Sheesh!
Pray for some goals underneath the Christmas Trees, boys!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS, ALL!
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tellmeY Reply:
December 23rd, 2011 at 11:16 pm
@mash-ola, u r wrong…..it was up to the goalies in the end…one shot was all it took….kopi needs to slip it into one gear up….he scores one goal….regulation or shoot out we win…it’s that simple.
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TheZamboniMechanic2 Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 5:49 am
@tellmeY, Has anyone notice that San Jose has the worst TV director in the league.The camera is fixed on an extreme long shot the entire game and its impossible to see the puck. The LA TV production team is one of the best in the league and really appreciated after watching last night’s game.
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KFII Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 7:29 am
@TheZamboniMechanic2, I sure noticed. I don’t always have to wear my glasses to watch games, but I felt like I was sitting up in nose bleed country the whole game. Sheesh! The LA production team rocks! However the sound feed seems like it needs to be louder. I turn the games up loud, I must admit, but when I turn the channel, or when the commercials come on, whoa, must hit the mute!
Marc Nathan Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 9:45 am
@TheZamboniMechanic2, Has almost nothing to do with the director. Has everything to do with where the building allows for the placement of the cameras, and as with the broadcasting teams, the building has screwed the pooch.
Press Box Scratch Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 10:08 am
@tellmeY, I agree. Not only placement, but the shots he was selecting. Almost missed Brown’s shot in the shootout. It was like the producer came straight out of the Holiday Party, he was a few seconds late (just like Justin Williams).
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I’m seeing a pretty big difference in this team already – all radiating from the energy and actions coming from the new guy in the tie behind the bench.
Gotta be happy with the 1 point. 2 woulda been an early Xmas gift … but I’ll take the 1.
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linny Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 4:23 am
@OneTimer, I must admit that there are some positive changes…like immediately rushing the forwards up ice when we get the Puck and the lines look a little better. BUT…they will continue to flounder until they get a star…top-notch scorer and (Lombardi can’t seminar to draft it trade for one-on-one
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40YearKingsFan Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 8:02 am
@OneTimer, Agreed. I’ll take the point on the road against a hot SJ and call it good. On the same note, we need the 2 at home against the Yotes.
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bonvivant1 Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 8:06 am
@AZ King, Apparently the lyrics to the Adam Sandler song are not published.
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The effort was terrific which only made it more disappointing that we got just one point.A team that gets only one goal, someims two, per game, has to win the shootout. Brown and Stoll did nothing there though they’re usually good. Richards, our best shooter, barely got the puck off his stick.Kopitar, who works so hard, also flubbed it. When the whole team has worked so hard all game, they’ve got to have passion in th shootout and attack the goal like it was the last moments of regulation. Quick was excellent, should have had a win.
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PP Anybody? Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 7:41 am
@Royal Throne, They need more passion in the shootout? Actually, they just need to score 3 goals for once in regulation. Other teams do it, it’s actually possible in this league. Teams usually win when they do it too.
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Doesn’t any one see what is clearly beyond obvious? Kings lack an offensive “home plate” mentality. The Kings start from a center-line slot position and actually skate it out to the boards, or skate around the net and pass to blue line. It’s like “You made it to your destination, horizontal pass, or shoot” seems beyond obvious, develop offensive “home plate” mentality.
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Jack Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 5:14 am
@Marty’s Fists, +1….they are magnetic to the boards….in this game at least they had some open looks on some rebounds and garbage near the crease…but the opponents do well blocking stick movement!
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Marty's Fists Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 4:14 pm
@Jack, true but it’s only because of one man, Richards. Quick was so pissed he snapped his stick. If we could produce even just 2.6 goals per game we would be in the top of the west. How sad Murray had to go to get the same exact system.
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PP Anybody? Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 7:42 am
@Marty’s Fists, It’s “dot to boards”, cause that’s what all the successful teams are doing these days.
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Marty's Fists Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 4:02 pm
@PP Anybody?, From what I’ve seen a lot of goals scored in the “new NHL” are akin to many football games I have seen. You have 2 or sometimes even 3 guys almost in a straight horizontal line driving straight across the blue line. Then you create a lot of passing options, left, right, and behind “the running back”. You have the Defense backing off, and screening the goalie many times. If the opposing team gets the puck, you’re still on the right side of it. That’s how many goals are scored in the new NHL
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BobKnob Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 5:56 pm
@PP Anybody?,
huh? All the good teams I’ve seen play regularly attack the slot.
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PP Anybody? Reply:
December 25th, 2011 at 4:14 pm
@BobKnob, I know. Please forward your response to DL. I was only paraphrasing what DL seems to believe.
One more thing, Doughty was average last year, BEFORE he got paid the big bucks.
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40YearKingsFan Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 8:09 am
@CB14, Exactly.
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BringbackButchGoring Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 8:11 am
@CB14, Even last year, he was well above average….
http://www.behindthenet.ca/2010/gvt.php?sort=14&mingp=&team=&pos=D
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CB14 Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 9:52 am
@BringbackButchGoring, But for him it was an average season, that’s what I meant. It was also in response to someone else’s post that got deleted.
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Sutter is kind of calling Richardson out for that missed opportunity, any fortune tellers have guesses as to what will come of this, if anything at all?
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DEH Reply:
December 23rd, 2011 at 11:56 pm
@Purple and Gold, well what will come of this? A boat load of passing drills, that’s what. Third period Stoll had an opportunity to drop pass to Penner on a give and go chance, instead he opted to try to shoot the puck through the defender’s stick. I think same period there was a 2 v 1 and instead of passing to the guy in front of the open net the guy shoots it into the defender’s skate. The players are trying to force plays that aren’t there instead of setting up what is.
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BobKnob Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 5:57 pm
@DEH,
x2. Saw the first play and was like WHATAREYOUDOINGSTOLL.
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@CB14, I think he’s just trying to say that we as fans need to support our players. If we were all positive fans maybe it would have a positive effect on our team.
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kingsxstevenxkings Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 4:28 am
@Kingscup25,
Not being rude, but have you ever played a sport in front of thousands of people? I’ve played (twice…weeee) in front of about 11-12 thousand people when I was in juniors, and yes I was young and yes not quite professional (hence my posting on a kings blog), but it does have an affect that you cant predict until you’re there.. not a game changer in my experience, but in the NHL, were centimeters might mean the difference I can see that crowd might play into it.
So maybe, as a King’s fanatic.. give it your all and support your boys out there whether you’re happy or not.. then, pray for the best
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KC23 Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 7:26 am
@Kingscup25, Interesting that one would tell fans to stfu and be more positive.
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CB14 Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 9:50 am
@Kingscup25, Looks like the original poster got sent off into the land of moderation. I understand what he’s saying, and agree if we’re talking about the fans who are actually at the games, but I don’t see how me writing something negative about our lack of scoring on a blog is going to affect anything. It’s not like the players read what we write.
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“…and at the end of the day it was left to the two goalies.”
What about the shooters???
Don’t they carry any responsibility for not getting the job done?
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crashin' da net Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 10:27 am
@Gustavo, exactly. we were very inept (offensively again) on the Shoot Out.
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I like whats hes brought so far. I did not expect much change these last 2 games since hes pretty much only had 1 practice day with the team but i really like how he talks to his players on the bench like in OT he was talking to doughty after he got in that lil scrum. ill be interested to see what he does with more time
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KC23 Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 7:32 am
@Kasey9, Yeah, my take on that was he was telling Doughty not to take himself out of the game and put us short handed. Sad that something needed to be said, but DD obviously thought his pride was more important than the win at that moment.
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KFII Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 7:32 am
@Kasey9, Exactly!
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Sutter needs to, and I believe he will in the coming days, instill better team play on the offense. You know the dreaded passing drills, puck awareness, and for the love of god, waiting until your forwards get on the ice before a defenseman bum rushes the offensive zone through 4 players from the opposing team (see doughty). I mean it’s not like passing lowers your contract value.
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I really don’t know what it is. San Jose is a hell of a team, and so are the kings. The bitching that we aren’t the flyers is pointless, we never will be a high scoring team. Given that, the fact that we’ve made the playoffs 2 years in a row when noone was expecting it speaks volumes. This is a game of inches, and if we improve 5-10% and start turning the opportunities into goals then we’ll have a whole lot more 4-2 victories and we might again be a contender.
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KC23 Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 7:34 am
@When?, It was very much expected the Kings would make the playoffs last year.
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@KingMe20, Indeed, indeed, bring back the good old days — like 1979-80. That’s when the Kings scored 290 goals in 80 games. That’s an average of 3.6 goals per game. Ah, yes, those were the days.
In those days, we had season tickets five rows behind the Kings’ bench. Scoring 3.6 goals per game gave us plenty to cheer about.
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Hadley Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 1:06 am
Of course, I should note we gave up 313 goals that year and lost more games than we won. But stay-at-home defense is not important — is it?
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@DEH,
what holiday break, they play 4 games next week…..? do u mean at the end of January, that might be to late
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DEH Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 7:26 am
@OCKINGin HB, 2 days of practice, enough time..
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@DEH, Sorry, but I disagree. The Red Wings play an entirely different system than ours, with an entirely different set of philosophies. The reason some believe it is system is because some agree with those philosopies.
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I think when Sutter sees game tape, he’ll realize it looked like the defender got stick on stick on Richie’s chance there. I was a bit bent at first too, but the replay looked like he was hampered from behind on that shot stick on stick.
Our biggest problem right now is ALLOWING teams to enter our zone with ease most times. Watch the D-men if it’s an even man rush. Their first step at the line is almost always BACKWARDS! That’s playing with a defensive posture. It’s more for teams with a lack of confidence, afraid of making the mistake that gives them the quick rush into the zone. It allows them to set up faster when you allow entry like that. San Jose is the exact opposite. Standing up at the blue line, forcing angles, daring you to gain fast entry. It causes us to dump n chase just to turn ‘em, which we did a whole lot tonight.
We need to be more aggressive against d-zone entry. We collapse WAY too much. We’ll never get any chances at turnovers and odd man rushes if we keep playing so far back defensively. We have the wheels to stand up. It’s almost like we’re playing like this defensively because we’re so worried about not scoring goals. It’s a vicious and dangerous cycle. Somewhere, confidence and some risk has to take over if we want to not only have more o-zone time, but score more goals.
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Dominick Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 2:00 am
@Cynic, The players do seem more concerned with defensive positioning then taking chances offensively. the reads on when to pinch, when to join the rush, when to spring forward ahead of their defense, are all way too cautious. Kings are rarely in behind the defense in the nutral zone, and very few passes forward to breaking players looking to get a break away. A few 2 on 1′s, but most came off of lucky bounces that resulted in turnovers in fortunate areas, and not systematic passes once possession was gained.
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kingsxstevenxkings Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 4:37 am
@Cynic,
Ok, and I’ll be gentle about this… It’s ridiculously obvious we care more about defense than offense. We’ve known this for 3 years now… why point this out again 2 games into a coaching change.. changes take time, we’re not going to miraculously change our entire system
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PP Anybody? Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 8:38 am
@kingsxstevenxkings, Well,to also be obvious, nothing has changed in that regard in 3 years either. I’m not expecting miracles in a couple of games under Sutter, but then again I’m not realistically looking at any real change in this philosophy under him or DL either.
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number 6 Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 11:16 am
@kingsxstevenxkings,
It’s unlikely to change, because Sutter coaches the way DL wants the team to play, which is with a defense first posture. So if you’re expecting radical changes, they will probably be fairly minimal.
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BobKnob Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 6:03 pm
@number 6,
Standing up at the blue line is very much a defense first strategy. I agree with him that we let them in the zone too easily, too often, and that allows the opposition too much time to create with the puck.
Cynic Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 12:14 pm
@kingsxstevenxkings, Sure, but I’m speaking about this from a PLAYER perspective, not a COACHING one. Do you think you can play with a defensive posture and still stand up at the blue line? OF COURSE! This is the point I’m getting at. Sutter, I’m sure, would want his guys to stand up at the blue line as much a s possible to prevent easy entry. The players are not doing that because they are being to cautious (Lack of confidence). It’s not about Sutter, it’s about the individual players playing aggressive from a defensive posture instead of a submissive one.
I’m sure the defensive system is designed with both scenarios in mind and the ultimate choice on what to do on the ice is based on what the player reads on the play. When you consistently see the same backward step, you have to know the player9s) is(are) second guessing themselves and collapsing to make the safe play.
That is what I want to see change. Tey also have to trust that their teammates will support their decisions when they stand up. I’m not seeing that either because they are (For the most part) ALL taking that step backwards.
Hope that helps explain my position.
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BobKnob Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 6:05 pm
@Cynic,
I agree, but you need the forwards to support the defensemen, and perhaps they aren’t in position to do so enough. So ultimately the coach needs to make the adjustment to get everyone on the same page.
PP Anybody? Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 7:49 am
@Cynic, Solid take.
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For anyone who watches the replay. Things to look at:
Breakouts.
San Jose sent 1 forechecker in that didn’t just go towards the puck to force the puck carrier to one side, or the other, but went directly at the puck carrier himself (even if he was behind the net). It disrupted the Kings breakout by pressuring the puck before they could even set up the breakout (Quite brilliant actually).
Defensive zone.
San Jose sealed off the 1/2 boards, and isolated the puck carrier, and because the Kings play a passive coverage on the outside to protect the middle, they got out numbered on gaining possession.
The nutral zone
Penetration seems more fluid when there was a puck carrier (DD, Kopi, Richardson, Richards, whoever) navigating, and carrying it all the way across the nutral zone, and the Kings mainly ran into trouble whenever they tried to make passes to get across.
Maybe some others could watch, and see if I’m seeing things right.
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Dom Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 2:16 am
@Dominick, my first-name brother, you’re seeing things pretty well…… but it’s still spelled “neutral”.
Carry on, always like to read your comments!
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Dominick Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 10:47 am
@Dom, I know, but I’ve been spelling it wrong for so long that it becomes habbit. That’s what happens when you don’t think about grammer, or proof read what you write.
Ironic that friends call me Dom.
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BobKnob Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 6:06 pm
@Dominick,
grammar
BOOM
Dominick Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 8:00 pm
@BobKnob,
Ha ha! You caught me. I didn’t notice till after I posted, but nobody else said anything. lol
kingsxstevenxkings Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 4:41 am
@Dominick,
This D formation is called the “Sweedish Torpedo” and has been around for a while (mostly utilized by Michigan State for a long time) but can be very effective.. although SJ used it well tonight, few teams employ this and it relies on GREAT fowards, which (unfortunately) SJ has…. we can’t use this system as well as they do, but we can learn and adapt for the next time we play them
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Dominick Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 10:42 am
@kingsxstevenxkings, Yea, I wasn’t looking at systems we could copy, but how San Jose played us, and where we could of made in game adjustments. San Jose Started out that way from the very 1rst forecheck, and played that way consistantly all through the game, and the adjustments weren’t made by the Kings to break San Jose’s forecheck. Just wanted to shed some light on what I was seeing. Nice call on the formation, and it gave me another system to research.
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KC23 Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 8:00 am
@Dominick, In the end it just looks like we have collected a very large group of untalented forwards.
I think Stoll is the most over rated forward of them all. He does next to nothing to help offensively, yet is put in our most important offensive situations over and over because he is a few percentages better than other players on the face off. Right now even Fraser looks better than Stoll.
What ever line Stoll goes on a lack of production follows. Sudden Penner and Williams are with Stoll and we get nothing … nada.
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number 6 Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 11:19 am
@Dominick,
Dominick, you have a really good feel for the game (the game…. in general sense, not one specific one) and, it’s actually a bit depressing. A great system to ‘not lose’ games. Of course if it were me, I’d rather play w at least a minimum of gamble in my game. No risk, not much reward. I think 14 games and counting attestifies nicely to that.
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Dominick Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 8:02 pm
@number 6,
Thanks. We see things a lot alike, for sure.
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@KingMe20,
Ok seriously? anyone who references the *)(^(%*$&^%$&^%$*&#^%(^$)^&$)&$ <—- all swear words! ANOMALY that was an 8-0 game need to sit back and re-evaluate their understanding of the game. 1.) This was a good (almost great) game by the kings.. if the reason why surpasses you then take some time to study hockey please
2.) another good game with good coaching by Sutter. Sure, we're nowhere near "out of the woods" but this was actually a HUGE step forward.. lets be more than fans (def: fanatics) and be supporters for a bit.. sutter is 3/4.. this team should be 3/4 all season… lets make PO's and see where we go.. I don't care if we're 8th seed or 1st seed, and neither will the cup once the names or etched upon it
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kingsxstevenxkings Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 4:23 am
@kingsxstevenxkings,
or=are (damn iphone
)
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number 6 Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 11:24 am
@kingsxstevenxkings,
If that was an almost great game by the Kings then we’re for sure seeing two different things. I for sure respect your opinion, but to me the Sharks applied max pressure on the Kings. Now if your definition of a great game is that your goalie almost steals one for you, then yes, you’re right.
As has been the case all season long, the Kings didn’t have a huge number of chances (see Dominick’s comments above), and because they don’t have good finishers on the team, they need far more chances than what they’ve had to score goals. In all honesty I haven’t viewed the last 14 games as I don’t live in LA, but from what I have seen, last night looked very similar to so many other games. Quick is brilliant, the Kings find a way to get a goal, if the stars are aligned they get two and thats it. I look at results. The results say that they are an incredibly poor team offensively, and until that changes, I can’t imagine saying they are playing great on a consistent basis. The odd game perhaps, but what do you want to do? Edge into the playoffs and win a game or two, or win a Stanley Cup. Cause based on that performance last night, that isn’t a Stanley Cup team.
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put kopi richards and brown on the top line and start the scoring the others will follow.that easy…the way quick is playing and the d it could work……………or make a trade and get some help in the foward positions…………….berniers good trade bait and if quick is going to play 9 of 10.bring of satkoff to back him up…………lombardi quit blamming the team for murry which was ridiculous……..and help the team. if the problem wasnt murray than how can you explain the last 4 games nite and day effort………im siok of the bs of lombardi.he needs to get the job done of fire his ass……………..another problem the power play sucks…..we need another coach to correct it………….get rid of stevens and kompon and get some ex players with some knowledge….and spirit..moving forward…………..we are so close to being in the top five in the league.lombardi wake up you did good by getting rid of the statue murray.now finish the jobe get 1 scoring forward and 2 new asst coaches………….game on boys looking much better…
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DEH Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 7:41 am
@kingfisher, why Stevens, the PK isn’t the problem? Stevens runs one of the best PKs in the league, keep him. Kompon is a strength/conditioning coach and video coordinator by training, the reason why he’s running the pp is beyond me. He’s not even an offensive minded coach and he’s put in charge of a purely offensive minded part of the game? Don’t fire Kompon but move him far away from the PP and hire someone to take his place running the pp. Notice how Sutter keeps saying that Stevens and Ranford will stay, but makes no mention of Kompon? I think Kompon will be gone faster than 2011.
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ddc Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 7:51 am
@kingfisher,
i disagree about getting rid of stevens (please, send kompon back to the north pole with santa though)… stevens has nothing to do with the PP, yet heads up a very impressive PK and top rated D…
yes, bring in a new assistant for the PP and F, have stevens maintaining exactly what we have going in the D zone, let sutter crack the whip and build our swagger back, and we’re good to go…
GO KINGS GO!!!
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I’m really liking Sutter. I think he will take this team the distance!
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number 6 Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 7:35 am
@KFII,
You’re very optimistic. My opinion, this team looks nothing like a team that can go the distance against good opposition. If it weren’t for Quick they’d be in another race…. which would be for a lottery pick as I see it.
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If Quick was on a decent team…he’d be 25-4, Feel bad for him……
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DEH Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 7:50 am
@thrustable, you mean like last two years? He was top 5 in wins for a goalie the last two years. I find it interesting that DL keeps trying to compare this team to the Red Sox… Seeing how the Red Sox’s season went I would figure that would be the last thing he would want to do. Like the Sox, we have high expectations, have underproduction from key players, and struggled at the start. The only thing in that comparison to look forward to is a surge in January, but then an epic collapse in march. Unlike the Sox, we didn’t wait until the end of the season to “fire” the coach (Sox didn’t officially fire their coach, be we all know what happened), but DL would’ve rather done it that way.
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Interesting that Sutter saw a very different third period than I did. So, given that he’s clearly the one who knows a lot more about hockey than I do (and I meean that sincerely) then I need some new Hockey 101 courses. Thing is, it looked to my eyes as though SJ dominated the last period. However, if I’m not mistaken, Bob and Foxy also seemed to think the momentum in the third was all going SJ’s way.
So, not sure what to say.
One last comment though. Every team in the nhl has an architect, and I find that DL has done an exceptionally poor job of building the front end of the building. Brown and Kopi (first line) were already there six years ago. DL made the acquisition of Mike Richards. Excellent. However, there is not one single soliltary Kings forward other than Brown, Richards or Kopi (though he’s in another one of those nasty slumps) who looks remotely like scoring. Must make the oppositions job far easier knowing they can cheat and double team Richards and Kopi when need be.
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puck73 Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 7:56 am
@number 6, Totally agree. And as time goes on your post looks more spot on. You know what else is becoming evident? Whether anyone wants to admit it or not, including the players, Mike Richards is the best player we have and shows more leadership then anyone we have on offense, and Brown and Kopitar both know it. I mean, without Richards, our powerplay flat out stinks. Kopitar is a good player, but he is clearly not Mike Richards…its that obvious, especially live at the game last night.
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Stuart Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 8:11 am
@puck73, MR sees the game so well and always seems to be changing up his speed within the game. So clear last night with his puck handling, forecheck and especially his shot selection. His goal was excellent proof, didn’t try to blast it through Niemi, he kind of flicked to the lower corner with a puck that was on edge… Very crafty player, probably the craftiest we got, IMO!
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Was at the game last night. It was great to hang out with, and watch the game with @408Kingsfan and his wife who picked us up at the train station outside HP Pavillion which we took from downtown San Francisco, Totally Awesome! As we found our seasts, we were joined by @Kingsrule, who sat with us thru most of the game and kept us entertained.
As for the game, once again, despite putting on pressure and playing a more entertaining brand of hockey, THIS TEAM STILL CANT FINISH. I think its time to make a move or 2. 2 players that are available but will cost are Iginla and Eric Staal. Which one do I like better? Short term, Iginla would help our powerplay, and probably cost less brcause he is 34. On the other hand, If this team were to roll out Staal, Richards, and Kopitar on a nightly basis…you wanna talk about STRONG UP THE MIDDLE! Jeff Carter might be a possibility as well, although he wouldnt come cheap either.
Regardless, this teams offense scares few goaltenders and to keep depending on Quick to steal you 1 or 2 points every game will get you to the playoffs, but wont get you to the promise land either….Time for DL to be bold and get a finisher or 2.
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California Royalty Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 7:56 am
@puck73, Who are the Kings going to have to give up to get Staal though, who is their heart and soul. We would be saying goodbye to probably some great prospects. Although… Jack Johnson for Tom Priessing anyone?
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California Royalty Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 8:00 am
@California Royalty, I just checked. And by Priessing, I mean Tyverdovski, Gleason and Belanger
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KC23 Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 8:07 am
@puck73, Agreed. Stoll is killing us offensively. He is 99% ineffective and he is put in our most important offensive situations over and over again.
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number 6 Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 8:31 am
@puck73,
Thanks for the comments. As for being strong up the center, it seems to me that the Kings are having all sorts of problems of front due to their weak wings. And I mean that sincerely. Neither Williams nor Gagne are ‘strong on the puck’ in the corners as I see it. They have other aspects to their games. But neither is bringing those aspects. Especially Gagne. If he isn’t contributing to scoring chances then he doesn’t help the team. And he doesn’t look llike he’s been close to scoring from what I’ve been seeing – though I’ve only actually seen a few games, as I’m most of the time back east.
They could seriously do with some more dynamic wingers. Who is the most dynamic winger on the team? Brown, and he’s terrific, but he’s at best a legit second line winger.
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crashin' da net Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 1:42 pm
@number 6, williams at tleast ries to “dig” but is not pwerful enough. gagne doesn’t even try to work down low. He just looks for the glamourous break out and hangs out in the neutral zone. Not liking his play at all for the Kings.
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BobKnob Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 6:12 pm
@crashin’ da net,
“glamourous break out”
haha, nice.
Is that 13 games in a row now?
Merry Christmas to you Rich, and all of the Insiders!
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I like Sutter so far but his post game comments are boring…..
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KC23 Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 8:09 am
@neil, Rare to find any post game comments from any coaches and players alike that aren’t boring. I think NY has the only remotely interesting post game comments from their coach and of course Avery.
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neil Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 8:12 am
@KC23, agree…I guess we will have to wait for one of Sutter’s infamous blow up…Hopefully it will be a long time for that!!!
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bonvivant1 Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 8:20 am
@KC23, They may be boring because there is only a couple of ways to describe the course of hockey game to describe a win or loss. You comment on the other team, you say whether or not you played hard and you say there is another game. That’s it. Sports’ commentary leaves a lot to desire. You want less boring turn on MSNBC or Faux News arrgghh Fox News and that will give ou a kick.
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Marc Nathan Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 9:49 am
@neil, They all read from the same book of cliche’s… just some are more expressive than others. And, besides, boring teams offer little to say about their play.
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BobKnob Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 6:13 pm
@neil,
get used to it, because personality in front of the microphone is not his strong suit.
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I thought the boys battled last night, just came up a little snake-bitten as usual. The goals will come. I like the new lines, I like the fight in BR and TL… A little stronger on the puck and those lines will eventually take us far.
Penner had another really good game, and so did JW and VV. I like the entries into the zone and the passing is getting better… still saw some rush killing TM-shots but overall I feel things are going to start an upswing in the standings!
GKG
Happy Holidays to all!
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rick Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 10:43 am
@Stuart, Penner had a good game? Dustin Penner?
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Stuart Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 11:06 am
@rick, that’s what I said…
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Good news…only 3 points from a playoff spot….bad news….4 teams 3 points out of a playoff spot.Minn.is fading fast and that looks like another spot that could open up…
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Something mystical need to happen for us to get out of this slump. I responded to Goldielocks to that affect.
Maybe before the game on Monday we can simultaneously chant like the monastics (Monks) for a few seconds. We can schedule a time just before the game, explain to whomever we are around what is going on and then hum in some key for 10 seconds.
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Re: Its a 3 2 league.Sutter said that ‘s the avg.You have 5 2 games and 2 1 games but the avg. is 3 2.Also when you play a team like the Sharks and can keep the score low then Iam ok with that.Esp on the road.The Kings need to score more when they play a team that is not that good.A former professional baseball player once told me..”You dont get your batting avg. to 300 against the good pitchers..you need to get your hits off the bad ones” Same with the Kings..I will take a low scoring..give your team a chance to win….against the elit teams…but we must pounce on the weak ones!!!!
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Seriously folks our biggest concern is two area’s, D and Gagne……..
-DD, JJ have to figure out how to play D for us, they have the offensive end down but are absolute liabilities in our end…..how can they possibly be so bad behind our blueline, collectively 10 million or close and we get this for D guys, com’on!!!!!!
-Gagne is not producing, he is unbelieveably nervous and never engages with anyone, I wonder if he lives in a round house he is so scared of corners!!! Really for his money he should be doing it all up there, watch others Simon and pick up your game.
That’s it as it seems Penner is refreshed although last night wasn’t spectacular he is still better then pre injury. Finally I’m not overly concerned about Kopi catching fire, he will and when he does look out.
Kings rest up, it all starts Monday for the playoff drive. We need the two points vs. the Dogs of the West.
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Kings in CO Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 8:45 am
@Harty, Agreed on Kopi…he is making heads up plays and passing the puck, getting to the loose pucks and using his size to make plays.
The focus has to be the Stoll line……they are pressing right now and it shows.
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puck73 Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 8:58 am
@Kings in CO, Stoll’s production has become so bad that you just have to figure that it is a matter of time before he gets moved.
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Kings get 3 out of 4 points playing back to back games! All this after a coaching change, four game road trip, take the Sharks four rounds into the shootout and come away with one point in their building.
Its very obvious after these poor results, two games into the Sutter era, and since were not Detroit or Boston, we need to fire or trade our way to the Stanley Cup. Last I checked this isn’t baseball and were not the Yankee’s.
How about we give Sutter another 10 games before we all fire him!
Merry Christmas!
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kb Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 4:49 pm
@Barry’s Mullet, the truth, the sarcasm, and the peace offering. tie it all together with a little holiday cheer and you have yourself a post! agreed, i like what Sutter is bringing so far
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