Somewhat lost, in the variety of storylines from Saturday night’s game, was the sense of purpose that Jarret Stoll started the game with against the Ducks. Stoll came out hitting, and took a first-period charging penalty. It seemed to set a tone for Stoll, as Stoll and his line earned the trust of Darryl Sutter and got a big chunk of the ice time late in the second period, after the first line got fastened to the bench. Stoll talked about the attitude with which he started the game against the Ducks…
STOLL: “It should have been a physical, intense game, and it was. It was a battle. I wanted to make sure that we were ready, and not feeling our way into the game. Maybe I went a little bit overboard there, taking a penalty, but we killed it off. Those are probably good penalties that we can kill, and want to kill. I was just trying to be intense and ready to start the game.’’
Stoll’s stats are still far off-page, in terms of previous years, but his overall game has been noticeably improved of late, since he returned late last month from a mid-body muscle strain.
STOLL: “I feel good. I feel way better. Not that it was an issue before, but with that 10 days off, just getting refreshed and making sure the groin is fine, it was a great rehab, and the trainers did a heck of a job to get me back, so I feel good. I’m just moving my feet more, getting in on the forecheck more. That’s where my game starts. I’ve got to be skating and I’ve got to be moving. Any kind of hesitancy in my game is a bad thing, and I know that. I’ve just to make sure I’m doing that consistently, not being hesitant.’’
Now, if he can just get more shots on net.
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MM Reply:
March 5th, 2012 at 11:31 am
@vplaza, “on net” – That’s the key right there…
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SDGolfer Reply:
March 5th, 2012 at 12:37 pm
@vplaza, is that the only way a shot can be effective?
Not a shot to a teammate for a deflection?
Not a shot off the boards to come on the other side of the net to an open teammate?
Not a shot off the goalie just to set up a rebound chance?
Im sure there are many others.
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Stuart Reply:
March 5th, 2012 at 12:39 pm
@SDGolfer, maybe you haven’t noticed the last season or three, but the propensity of most of JS’s shots are not of the “other” good variety of shots that are possible… so to ask for JS to simply place shots ON NET is a very true and accurate statement. It definitely isn’t the ONLY way for a shot to be effective, but considering it’s JS, it’s the best place to start!
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SDGolfer Reply:
March 5th, 2012 at 2:04 pm
@Stuart, maybe you havent noticed that JS is very accurate with his shot (as witnessed by his awesome shootout percentage,although no so much this year)but as you know defense is so good that there is not only one but two or more defenders to go through to get the shot on net. So just to say get the shot on net is easy to say, not that easy to do in reality.
Stuart Reply:
March 5th, 2012 at 2:18 pm
@SDGolfer, well allow me to retort… First: JS has never, nor will he EVER, be invited to take part in any type of accuracy competition. His awesome shoutout percentage (which has taken a severe hit this season) is a part of the game that is so far removed from actual game-play pressure/situations. If he’s got all day to cruise in from the red line and blast a shot on net, I’d hope to the Hockeygods that he can put it on net. Second: During actual game-situations, it has happened more often than not that JS’s shots HARDLY get blocked en route to the net, and it has NOTHING to do with your assertion that defenses are so good nowadays that they there are more defenders that shots need to make it through to get on net. While what you’re saying is true, it has no bearing on whether or not JS’s shots get through. They are way wide straight off his stick. Out high, down low, in the crease, the man is a shankapotomus from anywhere on the ice. I would much rather see his shots being blocked because then they might actually be taking bites out of people, but as it stands the only people that need to worry about taking a JS slapper to the dome are the people in the stands not protected by the netting behind the glass…wait a minute! Maybe THAT’s the netting JS thinks he needs to shoot it on??? At least that would go a long way in explaining the horrible trajectory of most of his shots.
Maybe you haven’t noticed and just chalk up his horrendous shooting to better defense…in which case you’d be terribly wrong.
vplaza Reply:
March 5th, 2012 at 1:17 pm
@SDGolfer,
As Stuart pointed out above, Stoll has a tendency to simply shoot the puck off target. I doubt that he’s hoping for a deflection, carom of the boards, or something off the goalie (which, most of the time, means it was shot on net).
So, while the answer to your question is no, a shot on net is not the only way for it to be effective, the reality with Stoll is, if you’ve watched him over the years here, the bulk of his shots are wide or high of the net. I’d be dollars to donuts, many here have pulled their hair out when they see him streaking down on a break or partial break, only to see the puck go off target.
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TheZamboniMechanic2 Reply:
March 5th, 2012 at 1:26 pm
@vplaza……..
Hey Stolly stop cocking your leg before every shot! You’re telegraphing every shot, which I know is besides the point, since you seem to be aiming for Olympic Blvd.
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RobSD Reply:
March 5th, 2012 at 2:47 pm
@TheZamboniMechanic2,
HAHAHA! From what the guy was saying above… all those deflections won’t happen if he shoots a foot high and a foot wide. If there was a stat about how many times a shot goes so wide the puck rattles all the way around the boards back to center ice… Stoll would lead the league.
He has also shot wide on 2 shootout attempts this year, if I recall correctly. He had good energy last game and the past few weeks but he isn’t worth keeping. His faceoffs are his main benefit and those haven’t been all that great lately. Most likely the next 20 games (hopefull more) are the last we will see of Stoll.
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Gary Reply:
March 5th, 2012 at 5:38 pm
@RobSD, Not to mention, how many wide shots lead to breakouts the other way. Get them down, too!
Stoll had a great game. i was surprised the didnt even go to the bench after doing a feceplant on the ice druing a faceoff.
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Stuart Reply:
March 5th, 2012 at 11:27 am
@Sebastian, OMG, he hit the ice so hard, I saw it and thought he would head off, but he finished his shift and skated to the bench and IDK if the trainer even looked at him. You know he had to have rung his bell at the very least. I thought more would’ve came from it, but thankfully all seems well.
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Just stay within yourself and don’t leave your feet while making those hits Stollie!
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if he can combine some scoring with this new found intensity and purpose, it will make a huge difference…
if this team can average 2.75 goals down the stretch, the kings should not only make the playoffs, but win the division…
there’s such a fine line between being a front-runner and an also-ran…
it’s all about scoring for us – period…
if we score, we will win…
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FiG17 Reply:
March 5th, 2012 at 11:32 am
@variable,
Completely agree… 19-0-2 with three or more goals…
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His overall performance has improved the past 3-4 games. Maybe he is finally healthy? Hopefully his scoring touch comes back during the homestretch run and play-offs.
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Jeff_R Reply:
March 5th, 2012 at 11:24 am
@DesertKing, Not only is he healthy but he is back in his rightful position, 3rd line center.
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DesertKing Reply:
March 5th, 2012 at 11:33 am
@Jeff_R,
Good point!
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MM Reply:
March 5th, 2012 at 11:43 am
@Jeff_R, Completely agree here. I did not like Stoll on the 2nd line as a winger. 3rd line C seems to be perfect for him.
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jacky boy Reply:
March 5th, 2012 at 12:06 pm
@MM, Yes that is exactly what he is a 3rd line center
While Jarrett played a good game, for him to think leaving his skates and hitting someone was a good thing…couldnt disagree more.
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Stuart Reply:
March 5th, 2012 at 11:28 am
@puck73, it’s not like he jettisoned himself. His skates barely left. I’d much rather have that then a hooking/holding call. He got caught up in the heat of the game and wanted to finish his check HARD, his skates got up a little but the contact was clean… I’ll take that from Stolly everyday.
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puck73 Reply:
March 5th, 2012 at 11:35 am
@Stuart, Yes it was a clean body hit, and I dont have a problem with playing hard. That being said, when you leave your skates, its called charging, the referees either missed it, or didnt feel like calling it.
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Stuart Reply:
March 5th, 2012 at 11:44 am
@puck73, oh no, it was called… and I think the fact that he came along way to make the hit, and ON TOP OF THAT left his skates, it was an easy call… over exuberance = emotionally into the game, and I liked it. but yes, a penatly nonetheless.
Kaiser Soze Reply:
March 5th, 2012 at 12:47 pm
@Stuart, Too much adrenaline. Didn’t like that he took a penalty, but I absolutely loved the emotion. Stolly’s been a beast since returning to 3rd line center. I think he put too much pressure on himself up on the 2nd line.
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iansez Reply:
March 5th, 2012 at 11:29 am
@puck73, that wasn’t really his point.
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nykingfan Reply:
March 5th, 2012 at 12:55 pm
@puck73,
I like dht epenalty (especially after they killed it)
It set the tone that the Kings came to play hard.
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DesertKing Reply:
March 5th, 2012 at 1:11 pm
@puck73,
I think the Kings were expecting the Ducks to come out and try to control the game through intimidation and “goon” tactics, which is their normal method of operation. Stoll took it upon himself to show them that the Kings were not going to be pushed around, and after a few hits and Fraser dropping the gloves with Beleskey, the Ducks were taken out of their game and actually had to play hockey straight up which led to them losing to the better hockey team. GKG!!!
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He’s trying to earn a fair extension. He just built his dream home, loves LA, and his new girlfriend. Doubt he wants to leave, but if things kept going as they had for the first half of the season, he was likely heading out the door. We are going to lowball him, but I expect him to take it.
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DesertKing Reply:
March 5th, 2012 at 11:35 am
@Telos,
And I would agree with it.
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Phil Reply:
March 5th, 2012 at 11:38 am
@Telos, how about 2-2.5 mil, 2-3 years? I think thats fair for both sides.
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jacky boy Reply:
March 5th, 2012 at 12:08 pm
@Phil, I say offer him 3 years at 6.5M total… Not more than that
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Capt Jam Reply:
March 5th, 2012 at 11:48 am
@Telos,
I don’t even expect Deano will make an offer to Stoll. The Kings are on the outside looking in due in large part to the subpar production of guys like Stoll, Penner, Williams, Brown and Kopitar (to name a few). Granted, Stoll should shoulder less of the offensive burden since he’s been in a bottom 6 role for the most part, but his salary exacerbates the disparity between his production and his function. The Kings can get more toughness and production from the 3rd line center spot for less or about the same money over the summer.
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Jeff_R Reply:
March 5th, 2012 at 11:55 am
@Telos, I would not mind re-signing him to a 1-3 yr contract. He might take a 1 yr to show that this year was a fluke and then sign a multi yr deal next year. However he may want some security so a 2 or 3 yr deal would work also. I would assume if he stays he will be the 3rd line Center and Lokti will either have to move to Wing or be traded.
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39scars Reply:
March 5th, 2012 at 12:04 pm
@Telos, Very good observation He may lose his roommate though
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Kevco Reply:
March 5th, 2012 at 12:17 pm
@Telos, so if they re-sign him as a center, them what happens to the other centers in the AHL we have. What do the kings do with Lokti? Kopi and Richards are top two as they should be and Stoll is a good 3rd liner but we’ve got a lot of centers now.
Maybe he was playing hard for the Ducks to notice him? Stay in LA still. I dont know what the Ducks have in the way of centers, and really dont care either.
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Save, Hrudey! Reply:
March 5th, 2012 at 12:54 pm
@Kevco,
The only center that stands out in Manchester is Lokti now. The others aren’t ready for the leap.
Our depth on the farm is at wing: Toffoli, Vey, Kozun, Kitsyn
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Interesting hypothetical by Dennis Bernstein of the Fourth Period. He mentioned the Caps trading both Ovechkin and Mike Green and then signing Parise at 45/5 and Suter 35/5. He has Ovechkin being traded to the Kings. Can you imagine a line of Ovechkin-Richards-Carter. Man what wet dream that is.
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CoffeyIsForClosers Reply:
March 6th, 2012 at 9:36 am
@Jeff_R, Won’t happen. Richards and Ovechkin hate eachother. I couldn’t see them playing together. That’s a personal feud that goes back to Junior World Champs.
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physical Stoll is physical
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Think Jeff Carter deal lit the fire?
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The Kings have 17 games left. 7 of those are at home and 10 on the road. Let’s say they win all 7 at home and go 500 on the road at 5-5. Do you think 96 points would be enough to win the division? Most likely they will make the playoffs though.
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jacky boy Reply:
March 5th, 2012 at 12:09 pm
@Jeff_R, I think we prob need 98pts to win the division
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Good ol’ Strollsy….
Sorry but he’s way overdue in “picking up his intensity”.
We are better off him resting for 10 days then him to play half-azz, like he was.
Now if the NHL widen the goal by 26 feet and raised in an additional 6 feet, he’d be a powerhouse.
He’s had a few physical games that I’ve noticed, other than that it’s the usual Hooking penalty and wide shot…..
He has been stellar on the face off, which works wonders.
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Just 11 wins from the playoffs, GO KINGS GO !
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I wish Stoll did more of that and guys like Clifford and Lewis would follow suit. I’m tired of watching those two try and make some move at the blue line with the puck and then it gets taken away or someone goes offside and they lose the momentum. They need to just chip it past the D, put their head down and try and skate past the D man. No fancy puck handling or trying to put it in the other guys feet. That way they force that guy to turn around under pressure and maybe make a mistake with the puck. Or the D will get called for interference if they try and block.
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Go Penguins!
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Steve W Reply:
March 5th, 2012 at 12:14 pm
@crashin’da net, and Oilers!(10 points behind the Quacks).
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So was Stoll’s injury an ABductor muscle injury (as originally reported) or a groin (ADductor muscle) injury?
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Michael J. Reply:
March 5th, 2012 at 1:00 pm
@BobKnob,
“220, 221, whatever it takes”
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SSE6 Reply:
March 5th, 2012 at 4:02 pm
@Michael J., Mr Mom reference…love it!!
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Just some food for thought… if this team had consistent scoring, maybe quick wouldn’t be having the year he is having. Because the team was playing so poorly he has had to stand on his head, but if we played better… maybe people wouldnt be so high on JQ.
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AH..Hah..
Rich with the obscure..
Timbuk 3 song..Love it..
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If you want to blame someone, blame the coach!
JS is a natural center. He’s finally playing his natural position…just look at his play and the results as of late. The guy hits everything that moves and he’s one of the smaller guys on the team!
He played C2 and the power play last year and put up some good numbers. We bring in Richards to play C2 (brilliant) and move JS to wing (stupid) You are putting him in a position where he can only fail!
C3 is a perfect fit. Give him a couple of wingers like Gagne and Nolan instead of Penner/Lewis and that’s one hell of a 3rd line.
Brown / Kopi / Williams
King / Richards / Carter
Gagne / Stoll / Nolan
Clifford / Fraser / Lewis
Re-sign Stoll for 2 years @ $5m unless we can get Zeus back for the same or less. If Nashville doesn’t re-sign Ryan Suter….he’s the guy we go after! If we don’t’ get him…you know Detroit will!
Trade Scuds now (he only has one year left after this season) for a winger we need. You have Penners money along with Scuds and Gagne next season. Plenty to sign Suter and lock up JQ! And with the youth at forward working their way up through the system…the future looks very bright!
Suter / DD
Mitchell / VV
Martinez / Greene
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Totally gritty game.
Nicely done.
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I am afraid Mr. Stoll with his weak play most of the year has missed the boat on a new contract here?????
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