This is the second of four meetings this season between the Kings and the Vancouver Canucks, following Vancouver’s 3-2 victory at Staples Center on Nov. 10. Where is the Canucks’ weakness? They rank in the top 10 in the NHL in goals per game (third), goals-against per game (seventh), power-play percentage (first) and penalty-kill percentage (seventh). After a wobbly 9-9-1 start through mid-November, the Canucks are now on a 15-3-1 run, and they have scored 13 goals in their last three games. Vancouver is expected to start Roberto Luongo in goal. Luongo has allowed two or fewer goals in four of his last five starts. For the latest on the Canucks, check out coverage from the Vancouver Province and the Vancouver Sun, followed by tonight’s possible lineups for both teams…
The Vancouver Province’s Canucks coverage
The Vancouver Sun’s Canucks coverage
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KINGS LINEUP
Richardson-Kopitar-Brown
Loktionov-Richards-Lewis
Penner-Stoll-Williams
Clifford-Fraser-Hunter
Scuderi-Doughty
Mitchell-Voynov
Johnson-Greene
Quick
Bernier
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CANUCKS LINEUP
Daniel Sedin-Henrik Sedin-Alexandre Burrows
Mason Raymond-Ryan Kesler-Jannik Hansen
Andrew Ebbett-Cody Hodgson-Dale Weise
Manny Malhotra-Maxim Lapierre-Mark Mancari
Dan Hamhuis-Kevin Bieksa
Alexander Edler-Sami Salo
Andrew Alberts-Keith Ballard
Roberto Luongo
Cory Schneider
I would like people to pay close attention tonight to the way Vancouver structures their offense. In one simple way, which is very effective for them, and which the Kings do not currently use.
I’m referring to how Vancouver positions their F2 forward down low in the slot right in front of the goalie, and they rotate their F3 just above the F2, higher in the slot. This allows for two players to receive a pass from the F1 digging the puck out on the boards. This also allows for two players to be in position for deflections/rebounds. This also still allows the F3 to get back if needed on a turnover.
The Kings still position their F2 down below the F1 digging along the boards, and the F3 back up along the high side of the board, near the point man for support. If someone gains possession, it’s only one player still that may possibly rotate into the slot(which is at least better than none as TM had them playing).
The more successful offenses in the league tend to use similar approaches to Vancouver. SJ, Boston, Florida, etc. all are doing pretty well with this strategy. I’d like to see Sutter start to incorporate something more like this in the offensive zone, to maximize the players chances, and create more offense, which still seems to be lacking, and will generally bring this team down again if it can’t be improved.
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CB14 Reply:
December 31st, 2011 at 6:05 pm
@PP Anybody?, The object of the game is to not allow any goals against, not score goals. Why would you want to win games 4-2 when you could win games 1-0 in the shootout? That’s just crazy talk.
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jess Reply:
December 31st, 2011 at 6:07 pm
@CB14,
If we get physical enough tonight with the nucks tonight, that will be a major key to the dub.
On another note. I wish we had Cogliano from the Ducks. This guy is a machine and would be a great fit for our club.
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CB14 Reply:
December 31st, 2011 at 6:10 pm
@jess, While I agree with you on principle, I would be hesitant to be too physical with the Casucks. They love to dive, and their PP is great. We can’t afford to give them too many PP chances.
jess Reply:
December 31st, 2011 at 6:15 pm
@CB14,
I’m not talking about taking penalties, talking about getting gritty with them. I’ve seen other clubs do it to them and they back off and get intimidated fairly easily. St. Louis did it to them (I think it was them) and they turned into girl scouts!
CB14 Reply:
December 31st, 2011 at 6:39 pm
@jess, I’m not disagreeing with ya jess, but it just seems like we have a problem with taking stupid penalties, cough Drew Doughty cough. Especially when we try to play physical. I wouldn’t want to see what happens when we try to play even more physical. I’m not saying we should play like fairies against them, just play like normal.
johnjuan Reply:
December 31st, 2011 at 6:39 pm
@PP Anybody?, I like your assessment of the Cnuks but the Kings have started to play a little differently than 3rd man high. You see two kings in front of the net now and the D men pinching and joining the rotation away from the blue line. Very different look than 3 weeks ago.
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Classic moment just now – Nuck horde by their bench waiting for warm-ups. Blackhawk fan in full red jersey
stands above them and unveils a sign with the Nucks logo followed by H-O-K-E. It took the Nucks fans a minute or two to realize whatit meant. They were speechless. GKG!!!
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CB14 Reply:
December 31st, 2011 at 6:07 pm
@DesertKing, Nice
Side note, WTF is Blackhawk fan doing there?
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DesertKing Reply:
December 31st, 2011 at 6:09 pm
@CB14,
Have you ever been in Chicago on New Years?
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CB14 Reply:
December 31st, 2011 at 6:12 pm
@DesertKing, Nope, let me guess, it’s friggen cold?
jess Reply:
December 31st, 2011 at 6:17 pm
@DesertKing, Windy and cold with nowhere to hide?
DesertKing Reply:
December 31st, 2011 at 6:22 pm
@DesertKing,
I was very young then but remember it being Bxxx Axx cold.
ducksuck Reply:
January 1st, 2012 at 2:27 am
@DesertKing, I saw him he was so good I loved that CHOKE sign. I was like hey everyone (all canuck fans waiting for the warm ups) look at that guy. I loved the game such a rival now and great hockey.
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I hope Bob loses his voice tonight yelling, “he shoots, he scores”! (Sorry Bob) And nothing would sound better than hearing that goal horn, over and over again.
Here’s to a great game tonight.
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jess Reply:
December 31st, 2011 at 6:23 pm
@KFII, Yeah let’s start with that powerplay..
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New Years Eve dream- 7-0 Kings WIN!
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Duncan Reply:
December 31st, 2011 at 6:56 pm
@johnjuan, Puro fantasia! But its fun tho, eh? I’ll for a win in regulation and LBs or UBs (injuries).
Enjoy the game everyone!
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Duncan Reply:
December 31st, 2011 at 6:58 pm
@Duncan, (settle for …)
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Kings have always been a lazy Sat.night team tonite they will be run over if they come out lazy. Sutter is good coach and needs to put the screws to them. Maybe 2012 will see more goals!
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Jets just beat Leafs in 1st game of HNIC double header 3,2- good game –2nd game features Kings/Canucks–racial slur directed towards P.K. Subban by Florida player, heard by linesman – look for disciplinary action from league
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CB14 Reply:
December 31st, 2011 at 6:56 pm
@petemagoop, I didn’t know Avery was claimed by the Panthers.
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You da man rich! Reply:
January 1st, 2012 at 4:11 am
@CB14, Hahaha!
Screw Avery! Everytime he’s played here since he left I’ve spent the extra cash to sit down low, like 1st 10 rows at staples and yell as loud as I can “Avery you suck!” each time he steps on the ice! I do the same to Corey fairy and rob Blake when he played! Eff those guys!
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best game of the season at home for sure! What a great game full team effort! Does anyone know what the answer on Kings talk was? It was which Kings defenseman played the most game as a King, WITHOUT playing for any other team.
Great new lines 2 best players on first 2 lines then speed on the richie, laki, lewis line. then the checking line with cliffy fraiser hunter who all use the body. Very fun game to be at. And of course this Kings team which every line, every player played great ALL 60 MINUTES.
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