Recent history would indicate that the Colorado Avalanche isn’t the team the Kings would like to play right now. The Kings are 0-2-1 against the Avalanche this season and have been outscored 7-4 (not including the bonus shootout goal). The Avalanche are 25th in the NHL in goals per game and 19th in goals-against, but they do have the league’s seventh-best power-play unit, and that’s a red flag for a Kings team that allowed a season-worst three power-play goals last night. Colorado is 3-for-14 on the power play in its last four games. “We’ll have our hands full tonight, because they have a good power play and we have to be careful,’’ Darryl Sutter said. Did Sutter see anything in the Kings’ penalty killing last night that was of particular concern?
SUTTER: “They weren’t really penalty-killing mistakes. On one, Greener got beat on the outside with speed and Kopi lost, with the way we do it, Kopi lost his man. Really, that’s the same as 5-on-5. Then on the tying goal, we win the faceoff and Drew doesn’t get it down the ice. It’s simple. Or (at least) get it out of the zone. Those are just like 5-on-5 plays that you review and show. Those are individual mistakes that you can correct. They’re not system penalty-killing mistakes. That was probably the only frustrating part of it.’’
Kopi, again getting called out. 2 ugly penalties by both green, a vet, and Clifford, a sophomore… How about not taking a stupid penalty tonight?
Penner, Bernier, AM, Big red? Who’s going to be on the ice for tonight’s game?!
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5holer Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 5:20 pm
@KingsGuy, Yes and he should be called out more then most. He has been awful this season. One consolation is that everyone else up front has been equally as awful! Coaches single out the leadership group typically! What leadership? Where is it? Its all Defense and Goaltending, and when that group has a rough night(it does happen!) then it gets magnified excessively because the forwards are on hiatus permanently! Latest Rumors beyond “Nash” are Pominville & Stafford from Buffalo? Well it won’t be Ruutu now! I like Carter for a cheap price(no big roster player, just a young player, a prospect and/or a mid round pick). Long term, but good cap number(5.25ML, 10 yrs livable!). Its doable and they can dump the UFA contracts outgoing (Penner, Stoll, Fraser, Westie, Moreau, & Hunter at TLS= $14.8ML)(RFAs?=King(.525)? & Lok (.668)?).. and still have room for resigning Mitchell($3.5ML) & Parse($1.0ML), plus get another somebody or 2 on the Wings. 8 signed Keepers are Kopi, Brown, Richards, Williams, Gagne, Clifford, Lewis & Richardson (8 Keepers signed add up to $25.65ML, plus add Parse & Lok at say $1.75ML= $27.395ML); need 12 to 14 Forwards with much Cap space!) Ds(6 signed at $19.045ML) & GTs(2 at $3.050ML), plus add Mitchell at $3.5 & Slava at $1.0… Gives you a Total going into July 1st at $53.995ML on Cap of about $68ML or more? About $14ML Space for good forward help!…We are close! Not this year! Numbers from nhlnumbers.com. Roster can get help at forward spots by July 1st!
Believe it or don’t!
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Both of Greene’s penalties he had to take, not a bad play. Clifford made a good hit, nothing wrong there either.
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Not to worry. Kings Penalty Kill is bound to lose you a game once in a while, and luckily it happens to the Kings less than most teams in the league. Just don’t let it happen on consecutive nights. Whenever the Kings PK lets them down, it came in bunches.
Last time I think we let in 6 (in a small time frame) before we went on another really good run of consecutive kills. Time to start another run.
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FKA PakiFro Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 4:26 pm
@Dominick,
Oddly enough, the last 4 power play goals they’ve given up were to the Coyotes. Otherwise, they’ve killed 26 in a row.
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 4:32 pm
@FKA PakiFro, Even when a team is lights out at doing something there is always 1 team that gives them fits. I guess Phoenix is the only team that really has our PK’s #.
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Vrbata owns the Kings, Doan too
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Capt Jam Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 4:35 pm
@Shuchuk,
Historically, he’s been a Kings killer, but he hadn’t really done much this season. He was overdue.
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5holer Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 5:28 pm
@Shuchuk, No such thing! Verby has had a Career Year against all comers…Doan is Just Doan! They are Not just a King problem! Coyotes play for Tippet all the time! Kings play for no coach this year! 3rd successive declining year in 2012!…100+ points, to 98 points to maybe 90 points this year(maybe if lucky, if not 85 or so and out of top 8!). Big tweeks needed up front in off season…and leave D-men and GTs alone Dino!! Hope they stay smart in hockey ops!? This year is gone, let it go!!
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“He” being Doan.
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I was at the game last night. Towards the end of the 1st period Bissonette harassed both Doughty and Kopitar all over the ice. Don’t know if the cameras picked it up or if Bob or Jim talked about it. No one came to either of their defense. After the period was over Doan went to the refs and talked to them for about a minute, no Kings player was around during this “conversation”. Of course from there on out the calls were pretty questionable (no excuse), just IMO.
Also, after the 1st Doughty was a mess and Kopitar was invisible. The point I’m trying to make about these observations is that this team just doesn’t seem to have much heart this season and they have not bonded, or whatever you want to call it.
You know what, I’m not going to sugarcoat this any further…..this team has shown time and again this season that they are heartless, don’t back each other on the ice and have not played as a “team” much. I think the numbers prove this out. I just don’t think this team cares this season, I wanted to think that this team quit on Murray this season, but now watching throughout this season, I think this team never came together and doesn’t care.
Fire away, but I sure wish they’d prove me wrong……
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tornado12 Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 4:58 pm
@Shotongoal, why westie was not playing last night is still a mystery to me. even more so given the last game between the two teams and bison fat being dressed. shame on you sutter!
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Kevco Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 5:21 pm
@Shotongoal, The kings have not stood up for each other for several season now.
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5holer Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 5:37 pm
@Shotongoal, I present you the medal of honor for your insightful and truthful comments! You could NOT be more correct in your assessments! I am glad to have the company on my bandwaggon on this! Plainly stated they Suck and they know it totally! It shows in body language, demeanor, swagger and lifelessness on the ice, at practices and when teammates get roughed up with no back up! I was ready, willing and happy to bleed for my teammates, even to get my deriere kicked in a fight I did not belong in for my mates! That is team, but I don’t see it here! Some of these youngsters get it, but most guys are here to cash their checks and get home or go out clubbin!! A Crown Jewel from you Mr Shot On Goal Guy! Audible Applause!
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I was thinking the same think!! No heart!! you can see it on TV!! pretty sad!! I wonder why!!
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I’d hope for a win tonight, but is it counter intuitive to wish for it! Don’t really care much more then they all do! So Sad! Maddening! Chocked on the hype once again suckers!
So Sorry to say it!
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5holer Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 5:42 pm
@5holer, Choked, not chocked, oops!
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