The Kings finished the regular season with six power-play goals in their last two games, then scored two power-play goals in Game 1 against Vancouver. It’s been sliding away since then. The Kings went 1-for-4 on the power play and 0-for-8 in Game 3. That’s a bit misleading, given the actual power-play time, but the Kings had only five shots on goal in 12 minutes, 23 seconds, of power-play time, and often struggled to even bring the puck out of their own zone. Given the adjustments that take place within a series, I asked Darryl Sutter whether the Kings needed to re-adjust on the power play, or whether they simply needed to execute better…
SUTTER: “No, we have to make some adjustments, and we have to make sure some of our top guys are on the same page.’’
Question: On entries, in particular? Is that a focus?
SUTTER: “That’s all anybody does, is practice entries. Don’t forget, we’re both great penalty-killing teams. It’s a good reason that they’re able to be a really good penalty-killing team, is because of time spent in the zone. If you actually watch it and break it down, both teams pretty much do the very same things, up ice and outside the blue lines. With entries, how often do you actually enter with speed? How often do you do it? A lot of it is about recovery, and then teams do kill differently in their own zone, so you try to make sure you take advantage of it.
“It’s an issue for us because of the number of penalties the other team has taken. Other than that, it’s not that big an issue, because quite honestly our power play has been been that good all year. So, it’s not someone dropping in something. The most important way to score goals in the playoffs, whether it’s power play or not, is to get the (stuff) pounded out of you in the front of the net, and somebody shooting the puck there. If you’ve got a better analogy than that one…there isn’t. If you watched St. Louis and San Jose last night, St. Louis scored three goals, and they’ve got Patrik Berglund standing in front of the net and guys shooting the puck from the point and an old veteran sliding around and who knows how to score. If you look at the goal he scored last night, it’s very similar to the overtime goal he scored to win a Stanley Cup.
There’s no secrets or miracles. The Boston Bruins won the Stanley Cup last year, and I remember that it was a focus of the TV broadcasters in Game 6 and 7. It wasn’t about who was going to win the Stanley Cup. It was about (how) the Boston Bruins hadn’t scored a power-play goal for a month. But, jeez, they won the Stanley Cup.’’
I love this (stuff)!
[Reply]
Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
April 17th, 2012 at 4:37 pm
@FKA PakiFro, That was good.
[Reply]
P1 LA Kings Fan Reply:
April 17th, 2012 at 5:09 pm
@FKA PakiFro, I see what you did there
[Reply]
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
April 17th, 2012 at 10:26 pm
@FKA PakiFro, I suppose he said what we all think he did? That’s awesome! Let the media figure out how to translate me…they do anyway!
[Reply]
Is it just me or do you get the feeling he’s really REALLY going to have these guys ready to play?
[Reply]
Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
April 17th, 2012 at 4:40 pm
@Dilapidus, It seems to me like he’s a little bit too amped up. At least at practice today, the intensity seemed to kind of come out of nowhere. I wonder if that’s the way he deals with the pressure. I dunno.
[Reply]
FKA PakiFro Reply:
April 17th, 2012 at 4:44 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
I think it might be a welcomed change from Terry Murray’s stoic demeanor. It seemed the team had to find ways to get themselves going under Murray and just wasn’t prepared to do so. Sutter hopefully can show them how to be properly prepared for a situation no one expect to be in.
[Reply]
OneTimer Reply:
April 18th, 2012 at 2:43 pm
@FKA PakiFro,
THISSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!
Lake Forest Reply:
April 17th, 2012 at 4:46 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), it’s the most important game of the season. i would prefer that then being ‘normal’……slap a few of them around if need be. No expectations except to play hard and for 60 minutes, that’s all we can hope for.
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
April 17th, 2012 at 5:13 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
It’s authentic but self-generated.
Any perceived sense of complacency approaching and he’s going to click into Yosemite Sam mode.
This is only one more dimension to the already megadimensional Zen Farmer canon!
[Reply]
Dilapidus Reply:
April 17th, 2012 at 6:27 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
I think when Sutter says it could easily be 0-3 right now he is being absolutely serious. The Kings have not really played their game for a solid sixty yet. As I coach I would be pissed about that and relieved that we have squeaked out wins.
One indifferent shift could light the spark under a very scared Canucks team …
[Reply]
kingrussell Reply:
April 17th, 2012 at 7:39 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), Sutter is just what the Kings need.They can’t get complacent.
[Reply]
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
April 17th, 2012 at 10:29 pm
@kingrussell, He has to walk the fine line between inspiring confidence and fighting complacency.
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
April 17th, 2012 at 10:27 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), I think it’s calculated to keep their attention when it’s most likely to wander.
[Reply]
If we do meet the blues in the second round we are going to have to watch for that.
Bergerland was a beast yesterday in front.
[Reply]
scott Reply:
April 17th, 2012 at 4:50 pm
@Lake Forest, Doesn’t the winner our our series play the winner of the Detroit/Nashville series?? Your point about Berglund is well taken though.
[Reply]
Mariabronn Reply:
April 17th, 2012 at 7:52 pm
@scott, We play the highest remaining seed in the 2nd round, which could be anybody EXCEPT San Jose or Chicago. We definately will not play either of those 2.
[Reply]
Shakes Reply:
April 17th, 2012 at 9:19 pm
@Mariabronn,
Depending on who wins this round the waterfall of who we would play next round , in order:
St Louis
Phoenix
Nashville
Detroit.
And yes as Mariabronn states we would play San Jose or Chicago because by definition there will always be a higher ranking team by virtue of the fact the the winner of (4) Nashville and (5) Detroit series will have a higher seeding than either of those two
Shakes Reply:
April 17th, 2012 at 9:20 pm
@Mariabronn, “we would” = we would NOT play San Jose or Chicago
Duncanz Reply:
April 17th, 2012 at 5:05 pm
@Lake Forest,
Ehhh aheh heh … isn’t that the joint where Beavis & Butthead work?
[Reply]
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
April 17th, 2012 at 10:30 pm
@Duncanz, They work?
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
April 18th, 2012 at 9:23 am
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?,
Berglund, Burger World … what’s in a name?
Hey, don’t be dissin’ on my boy mentors now.
We could all learn from their ethic and diligence.
McVicker sucks!
We need to stay focus, and stay out of the box, let them go in and dive in there were the water’s hot, and if we can play like the first two games, all focused then we have the reins to go further.
Go Kings Go, only thing on minds should be win win winnnnnnn!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[Reply]
I think they need to play tough but loose. Look for opportunities to go the other way because Vancouver will be gripping.
[Reply]
The Kings’ pp had very little structure in G3. When they were able to set it up, the chances consisted largely of low percentage shots from the perimeter. They need to get back to playmaking and making the defenders move. Better decisions with the puck and all 5 need to use their legs.
[Reply]
Wow, NJ really can’t hold their leads anymore.
[Reply]
So there it is.
On the power play, The Kings need some old veterans sliding around who know how to score.
You got a better analogy than that … there isn’t one …. period!
[Reply]
Jeff_R Reply:
April 17th, 2012 at 5:05 pm
@Duncanz, This is where the loss of Zeus hurts us the most. We scored a lot of PP goals with him in front of the net.
[Reply]
Mars Reply:
April 17th, 2012 at 5:18 pm
@Jeff_R, I have been trying not to bring that up… Sniff.
I liked the brown Zeus combo!
[Reply]
SLIM Reply:
April 17th, 2012 at 5:27 pm
@Mars,
Well not this year, seemingly…
He’s been a healthy scratch for awhile..
Either not having a good year or
Tmac doesn’t know how to use this guy..
Duncanz Reply:
April 17th, 2012 at 5:21 pm
@Jeff_R, Well, to be quite honest, what me & Darryl were kinda gettin at is veterans who can score, not washed up old carthorses on their way to make glue.
You got a better analogy than that … there aint one period! [laughs]
[Reply]
bbb7 Reply:
April 17th, 2012 at 5:36 pm
@Jeff_R, The Zus of 4 years ago, maybe. We’re nor missing anything not having the Zus of 2012.
[Reply]
Jeff_R Reply:
April 17th, 2012 at 5:53 pm
@bbb7, For 3rd line he would be fine, especially on the PP where all he needs to do is stand in front of the net. I don’t know why he didn’t work out in SJ I didn’t see him play. He was fine last season for us, not great, but fine. I still say we would of been better offesensively with Zeus standing in front of the goalie screening him, especially on the PP.
Duncanz Reply:
April 17th, 2012 at 6:28 pm
@Jest_R,
You’re memory has the hue of a smog-tinged LA sunset.
I liked a lot of the intangibles he brought to the team, but MiZeus was almost as hard to get in front of the net as Penns is.
Everyone remembers the handful of goals we got with him there as if it were a hatful.
Don’t you think SJS might’ve finally figured out what DL did at the end of last season?
By all rights, he should be plying his trade in Europe next year.
I don’t really want to hear anything about anything beyond the next game. Right now, everything else is irrevelant. Pardon me I’m freaking out right now lol.
[Reply]
MEMO TO THE KINGS:
Time to put our boot firmly on the neck and apply maximum pressure!
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
April 17th, 2012 at 5:23 pm
@King Cobra, … and bench MR for a game or two …
[Reply]
Pili Reply:
April 17th, 2012 at 6:01 pm
@Duncanz, Mike Richards. An integral part of the evil plan to rid us of 44 years of frustration.
[Reply]
Lake Forest Reply:
April 17th, 2012 at 6:07 pm
@Pili, frustration = stabbing mentality!
King Cobra Reply:
April 18th, 2012 at 8:32 am
@Duncanz, Enough of the anti Richards stuff!!!! I think the guy is a winner and helps our team. I know we should bench him for the game 1 he played setting the tone for our whole series. I know all those draws he won at the end of game 3 just killed us!!!
Go do something.
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
April 18th, 2012 at 9:29 am
and you hurt my feelings..
Stuart Reply:
April 18th, 2012 at 8:52 am
@Duncanz, attaboy Duncz! way to get under their scales!!!
[Reply]
King Cobra Reply:
April 18th, 2012 at 9:02 am
@Stuart, There are plenty of Vancouver, Sharks fans to F with out there.
I can bring it to, I am just using my energy to pull for the Kings at this time, not bag on some of the key players, serious or not…..
GKG
Stuart Reply:
April 18th, 2012 at 9:25 am
@King C, I hear ya! We can pile on Duncz in the offseason, just don’t take it too far, there’s always moderation lurking around the corner!
Duncanz Reply:
April 18th, 2012 at 9:27 am
@Korn Cobber, hey dude, you just exhausted yourself bagging on an innocent new-to-hockey blogger who is just thinking of MR’s better interests and would like to see him get well.
King Cobra Reply:
April 19th, 2012 at 6:56 am
@Duncanz, Dun C now I seem to know where you are coming from. It is hard to tell with you because you really like to antagonize. MR was back on track in game 1 and of course towards the end of the game he had to take multiple serious blows to the head again. He is back to where he was a few weeks ago now. When it comes to this stuff I would rather he sit as well.
Thanks for the rare saying what you really mean.
[Reply]
I’ve often wondered why teams that are having trouble entering the zone dont just send three guys full tilt into the zone just as a trailer hits the red line and lofts a high pass into the corner… and then SWARM. Kopi is a master of the aerial pass so let him do the honors and everyone else converge on the puck! I think this could work if you threw it in once in a while, AND it would have the D quickly retreating every time it is even faked.
[Reply]
Is Sutter on monitoring?
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
April 17th, 2012 at 6:16 pm
@JackKent Cooke, Quite honestly, it would only be fair to the rest of us …
an’ set a good effin’ precedent and stuff.
[Reply]
Pili Reply:
April 17th, 2012 at 6:37 pm
@Duncanz, LOL
[Reply]
if Lidstrom can make it look so easy on the pp entry for the Wings, then Doughty can do it too, or should be able to learn from his mistakes…
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
April 17th, 2012 at 5:52 pm
@Real 7, Many would say Lidstrom is an average at best NHL mucker.
He should be pretty easy to emulate.
I can’t understand why any old bod can’t just grab a handful of Norrises and skedaddle.
I mean why does no one seem to want to copy this guy?!?!?
[Reply]