First, a reminder that the NHL is now in its mandatory two-day Christmas break, so there will be no Kings practice today or tomorrow. That leaves the Kings to think about the past couple games, and where they’re headed. They’re 2-0-1 in their last three games but still aren’t scoring enough goals in order to feel comfortable. What was the key aspect of the Kings’ shootout loss to San Jose last night? I’ve presented three options, and you can vote for your choice as well…
—–
The key to the game???? We didnt score more then S.J.????
[Reply]
good game, gotta score more goals. Quick was SOLID.
[Reply]
Well, Terry Murray is gone so you know what that means? Dean Lombardi…tick tock tick tock. Thats right Dean, the spotlight is now directly on you wether you like it or not. You have changed coaches Dean, and the offense still stinks. Better do something DL, because if this team fails to get out of the 1st round again, or flat out doesnt make the playoffs, you will be joining your good friend Terry Murray in the unemployment line.
[Reply]
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 8:43 am
@puck73, I think it’s a little early for that rhetoric, don’t you?
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 8:55 am
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, No I dont Ken. This is Deans 6th season building this organization. Our defense and goaltending are in very good shape. But Dean knows that this team cant be in the bottom 10 in 5 on 5 scoring in the NHL and expect to get to where he dreams of going. He is going to have to do something, and he knows it.
[Reply]
Cruiznblue Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 9:06 am
@puck73,
I’m pointing the finger at Kompon now. We need PP goals…there is no reason why our PP with the skill out there isn’t doing better.
[Reply]
Pesus Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 10:39 am
@puck73,
Come on man, Sutter has had what, 2 practices?
[Reply]
Its not a blue ice issue, 2 or 3 guys in front of Quick are not pulling thier weight…….
-Doughty is not a defensive defensemen, he is actually constantly out of position in our end (wrong side of the puck)
-Greene nice guy, gret heart, but slow
-JJ has lots of upside but suffers as he tries to do too much always, simple JJ up the boards and out
-Scuds looks good but is feeling his age I bet
-Mitchell, big body but also can be caught on the wrong side of the player of puck often
-Voynov, small, smart and gets pushed off the puck unfortunately
-Martinez has the tools but lacks intensity at times
-Drewiski just a plug when any of the others have an issue to play
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 8:36 am
@Harty, You just went after all of our defensemen and found their weak spots. But guess what Harty? Defense is not this teams problem. Instead, why dont you post about the lack of finish on this team dude!? The fact is, we just changed coaches and still cant finish! That should tell you that they need to add a finisher or 2.
[Reply]
mcsorleyfan Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 8:56 am
@puck73, Preach it!!
[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 10:30 am
@puck73,
Draft some finishers…. you’ll get some finishing. Draft dmen and defensive forwards, you’ll get a lot of games going to SO, win some, losse some, or try and win as many one goal games as you can. This team doesn’t have the strength nor depth up front to be winning games 4-1, 4-2 etc. Never mind what Sutter says. Plenty of teams are winning games by two and three goals. You can always find stuff to backup your arguments.
And if that is a reality (3-2) then given that they haven’t scored 3 goals in reg in 14 games (going on a quarter of a season) they have mucho problems.
[Reply]
Harty Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 10:55 am
@puck73, I did in a seperate post, however not getting it done is Gagne (watch his game), Stoll (lots of skating going no where), 4th line has to stay tough, keep it going…….
I think the following players are doing there jobs and will support in the new year big time…….
-Kopi
-Richards
-Brown
-Penner
-Williams
…….outside of this all others need to pick up the scoring pace, sorry if you don’t agree puck73 just painting it like it is….
[Reply]
SDGolfer Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 11:37 am
@Harty, Kopi is NOT scoring, he needs to be called out.
HockeyOnlyAwaitingModeration Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 5:43 pm
@puck73, I’d almost bet that we’re going to see at least 3 on their way outta here or maybe just a blockbuster.
[Reply]
PurpleBlacknGold Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 8:53 am
@Harty, Puck73 is right on. When we only allow one goal against a team that has averaged 4-5 per game in the last week, the defense is not where the problem lies…
[Reply]
neil Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 9:02 am
@PurpleBlacknGold, That is why its on DL…You have Whiskey…Martinez…Muzzin…Hickey….Bernier(yes Bernier).What are you waiting for?? Xmas??? Oh yea..you cant trade till next week.If you cant get a top six then at least get a bottom 6 forward who can score.
[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 10:32 am
@neil,
So Neil… you and I see it pretty much thru the same optic.
PurpleBlacknGold Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 12:13 pm
@neil, I have to agree with you there. If this is gonna turn around to the extent we all want it to, I think a move should be made. Two weeks ago I didn’t feel that way. Now I do.
HockeyOnlyAwaitingModeration Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 5:46 pm
@neil, You forgot Lewis, Loktinov, Hunter possibly Penner and Stoll. Only DL and DS know.
BringbackButchGoring Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 9:06 am
@Harty, DD is one of the best defensive defenseman in the league. Matter of fact, he had the highest GVT for defense in the league last year. That gets overshawdowed because he is also great offensively. Check his
http://www.behindthenet.ca/2010/gvt.php?sort=14&mingp=&team=&pos=D
Greene has been playing great. Scuds and JJ not so much.
[Reply]
Thought they actually played pretty well last night, just didn’t finish their scoring chances. I like the new lines and think they’ll gel given a couple more games together. Just hope Sutter doesn’t go all ‘Murray’ on us and start randomly throwing lines together. The talent is there, just give it a few games and it will turn around.
Merry x-mas, Happy Hannukah, Happy New Year, etc etc….
Hope you all have a safe weekend and Don’t drink and drive!
Go Kings!
[Reply]
40YearKingsFan Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 10:57 am
@Cup B4 I Die, My sentiments exactly. We played well and held SJ to a goal! We couldn’t finish but had plenty of scoring chances. Guys we know can score aren’t finding the back of the net, but the chances are there and the scoring will improve. Leave the line combos and let them develop. We’re gonna be fine and it’s not time to panic. PP could use an overhaul, but I’m sure that’s coming.
Merry Christmas All!
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 11:13 am
@40YearKingsFan, amen! With all the “buzzing” going on with our forwards, it’s only a matter of time until we get those bounces… we will start to make our own breaks real soon me thinks.
[Reply]
40YearKingsFan Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 1:22 pm
@Stuart, Me thinks you thinks correctly. These are not the same shots we were getting 2 weeks ago. We are getting quality chances with people in front of the net,,, the puck will start going in.
Quick was a beast. I was really pulling for him in the shootout.
[Reply]
All of those three options all basically say the same thing, hahah. “The curse of two continues” is lack of offense. “Quick, the unsupported goalie” is lack of offense. “The Kings’ one-man offense” is lack of offense. I don’t think anyone could possibly vote other, because it’s quite clear that, whichever option you want to choose, this team’s problem is lack of offense…
[Reply]
mcsorleyfan Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 8:58 am
@Zamboni, Was going to post this; thanks for saving me the trouble!!
[Reply]
DFW King Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 9:37 am
@Zamboni, I consider this the preseason with sutter and were looking good. 3 more games then the real season starts. At least we’re not the philly eagles
[Reply]
The lack of offense is, I think, is missing by a step, pass doesn’t connect or making the wrong choice at the critical moment. Just play the game boys and the offense will come. They seem to be pressing and thinking to much, holding their sticks too tight at times.
[Reply]
Hey, Rich, be fair now, it’s a 2 man offense, Kopitar to………insert-name-of-goal-scorer.
They boys played decent last night. They also played a lot of these same type games under Murray.
Why is it any different?
So now they get a “pass” because Sutter is the coach? Ridiculous.
They’re struggling as much now as they were under Murray. Please don’t kid yourselves just because the hierarchy behind the pine has switched………….same team, same results, no offense, Quick doing all he can and the same excuses, except now instead of Murray “liking their compete”, Sutter says “they did a good job” or “they did a heck of a job”
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 8:52 am
@The Grice Boys (formerly Barrie G), Agreed. Dean Lombardi to the courtesy phone, pageing Dean Lombardi to the white courtesy phone.
[Reply]
neil Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 9:05 am
@puck73, I wish I was selling “white courtesy phones” for the Holidays…The next two days are important…it will give Sutter some time to review the game tapes and see if he can make some adjustments to make the team score…Remember the Kings do have players that have scored in the past.Its breaking old habits and instilling new ones. If Sutter is as good as DL says..then the Kings will start scoring soon..if not…..
[Reply]
40YearKingsFan Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 11:11 am
@neil, Good points!
Facts:
We have scorers. Check the career stats.
We’ve started to get quality scoring chances, not just slappers from the blue line.
The PP is bad but can be fixed. Give Sutter a few games to assess the changes needed.
The goals will come. Stay the course. A couple of these lines are going to step up and create an identity. Keep the faith and don’t panic. It’s too far into the season to blow up the box. Our fortunes will change.
Stuart Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 11:25 am
@The Grice Boys (formerly Barrie G), I can’t agree with you… last night I said to my wife that they could’ve definitely played this way for TM but weren’t. They are not playing the same, same type of system? yes, but with much more “buzz” and speed. The forecheck was pretty damn good last night, the speed was also good.
I see the tweaks in the system coming soon, such as no more passing up top when a forward takes the puck down low, I think DS will make the boys look to the front FIRST and then maybe play the puck up top. I already see much more entry with possession but unfortunately I still see too many shots taken from just inside the blueline.
and the BIGGEST thing I’ve seen so far in the 2 DS games is DS leaning over and talking to players immediately after shifts!! BIG big difference there. Instant feedback/correction.
[Reply]
HockeyOnlyAwaitingModeration Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 5:51 pm
@Stuart, Dead on, I told my wife the same thing and she doesn’t know a thing about the game.
[Reply]
Give the guys a break. After 3 1/2 years of Murray’s tutelege and no offense coaching, there has to be a new mindset. Kopi was a prolific scorer but is so imbedded with defense mantra, he needs a little time to readjust. Same with the rest of the guys. Yes, d is important, but not if it excludes o.
P.S. Does anyone know where Kopi’s brother is playing and how he is doing?
Merry Christmas and Happy new Year to all.
[Reply]
Kingstane9 Reply:
December 26th, 2011 at 3:47 am
@Poe, Gašper is playing his second season for Des Moines Buccaneers, USHL, I think. Became captain of the team, 17 games/ 12points(6+6) this season. Not bad I’d say…
[Reply]
I’m tired of this Kings team. Has the NHL gotten boring with this defensive styled play or is it just that Kings games are boring? The players don’t show consistent tenacity and intensity. I really liked Clifford last season when he played with Simmonnds, he was intense, fighting, getting goals and that energy carried through the team, but now he doesn’t offer anything. It seems like the best teams in the NHL are hitting, bullying and playing hard nosed hockey that overwhelms opponents. Kings are mailing it in every night with the exception of a few guys. It makes me sick and regret the money I spent of a 10 pack of tickets. I’ve been an unconditional kings fan for 22 years but this year I really have a bad taste in my mouth and feel like if this team doesn’t care to play with heart and passion why should I be so invested in them. Sorry, I had to get that out.
WAR Brown firing up, WAR Quick never having to pay for meal again when eating with his teammates and WAR our only hope Mike Richards.
[Reply]
I wonder what the NHL record is for scoring 2 or fewer goals in a row? Probably the expansion California Seals or something. But I’ve never seen a team as unable to score as this one, and I’ve followed the Kings for a very long time. Yeah, two or 3 players having slumps at the same time. But no King’s top 9 forward is on track to exceed his career average, much less have a ‘career year’, except for Mike Richards. Williams, Gagne, Penner, Hunter, Stoll, and Richardson are all on track to have roughly 1/2 or less of their career average in goal scoring. We can throw Moreau and Doughty in there too. The Kings are scoring on 6.8% of their shots. I don’t know if there is a recent equivalent for scoring futility. Despite Quick’s stellar play, but for Richards the Kings would be the Islanders this year. Maybe they’ll all break out at once and we’ll average 5 goals a game for 14 games in a row. We can at least hope.
[Reply]
if not for Quick this season would already be over
[Reply]
Pesus Reply:
December 24th, 2011 at 10:46 am
@petemagoop,
“So your sayin theres a chance”
[Reply]
dump penner, dump stoll and get 2 finishing wingers.. add in bernier or drewiske or martinez if anyone wants…then here we go
finisher-kopi-finisher
gagne-richards-brown
richardson-lewis-williams
clifford-fraser-westy
if we spice up that #1 line it looks pretty awesome….
we have loads of defensive talent in manchester, including jones and zatkof in goal…
make a trade Dean! If we arent scoring just add some scorers.. once a few start scoring, the rest will follow..
I mean in reality with 1 extra goal each game our record could be improved by 50%
[Reply]
Bottom line is, Quick plays outstanding for them every night. They need to start playing for Quick and scoring goals!!!! How frustrated do you think Quick is standing on his head every night and playing like the allstar that he is? Well, you see it at the end of games when he breaks his stick at the door. This guy should be our top paid player, not Doughty. If we were putting more pucks in the back of the net, i bet Quick wouldve been voted as the starter in the allstar game. And if it werent for the combo of him and THE BEAST/Gretzky2(Mike Richards) which equals a two man team, we would be hangin with the Ducks on the regs, and god darn I HATE THEM and their BBQ sauce stained coach!!!! The forwards NEED to snap out of whatever funk or haze they are in, if not, Sutter just needs to unleash the fury!! Merry Christmas!!
[Reply]