Game 11 Preview: Los Angeles at St. Louis

This is the first of three meetings between Los Angeles and St. Louis this season. After tonight, the two teams will meet on Tuesday, March 5 at Staples Center and Thursday, March 28 at Scottrade Center.

Lots more after the jump…

Last year, the Kings finished 3-1-0 against the Blues, going 2-0 at home (with one win in a shootout) and 1-1 on the road. Los Angeles out-scored St. Louis – taking into account the shootout goal – 9-3 in the season series. Jonathan Quick had two shutouts against the Blues last season – allowing one goal in three games – but is not expected to start. Jonathan Bernier, who earned second star honors by stopping 23 of 25 shots in a 3-2 win at Scottrade Center on November 22, 2011, is expected to start. His only other start against St. Louis was the second start (and first loss) of his career, which came less than two months after his 19th birthday. He stopped 27 of 31 shots in a 5-3 home loss to the Blues on October 6, 2007.

Jaroslav Halak will get the start for St. Louis and owns a career record of 6-2-0 with a 1.70 GAA and .935 save percentage against the Kings, numbers that include a two-period performance in Los Angeles’ home opener last season when he made 14 saves on 18 shots. Jake Allen was considered for the start tonight, but Halak was able to come off injured reserve, where he had been since February 1 with a groin strain. Allen was reassigned to AHL-Peoria; Brian Elliott isn’t providing quite the same balance as a season ago and now appears more like a back-up to Halak than a platoon partner with an .853 save percentage on the season.

St. Louis is winless on the current homestand, going 0-2-1. They are winless in four games overall – with Saturday’s shootout loss to Anaheim representing the lone point they’ve earned – and have been outscored 22-10 while their record has dropped from 6-1-0 to 6-4-1. The Blues open a three-game road trip in Detroit on Wednesday.

Rankings and Statistics:

Goals/Game: LAK – t-25 / 2.10; STL – t-3 / 3.36
Goals Against/Game: LAK – t-21 / 3.00; STL – 24 / 3.18
Power Play: LAK – 27 / 10.9%; STL – 1 / 36.6%
Penalty Kill: LAK – 17 / 79.6%; STL – 25 / 75.0%
Shots/Game: LAK – 8 / 30.8; STL – t-6 / 30.9
Shots Against/Game: LAK – 2 / 25.2; STL – 1 / 22.2
Faceoffs: LAK – t-19 / 49.0%; STL – t-19 / 49.0%

Projected Lines – Los Angeles

Simon Gagne – Anze Kopitar – Dustin Brown
Kyle Clifford – Jeff Carter – Justin Williams
Dwight King – Mike Richards – Jordan Nolan
Dustin Penner – Jarret Stoll – Trevor Lewis

Keaton Ellerby – Drew Doughty
Rob Scuderi – Slava Voynov
Alec Martinez – Davis Drewiske

Jonathan Bernier
Jonathan Quick

Notes: Dustin Penner is likely in tonight as a left wing, though it is unclear which line he’ll join. Because of the strong performances by Kyle Clifford and Dwight King in Sunday’s game against Detroit, I’m slotting Penner in on the Jarret Stoll line, opposite Trevor Lewis. Jewels from the Crown has a different projection. As always, line pairings are educated assessments and not definite alignments.

Projected Lines – St. Louis

Andy McDonald – David Backes – T.J. Oshie
David Perron – Alex Steen – Vladimir Tarasenko
Vladimir Sobotka – Patrik Berglund – Chris Stewart
Matt D’Agostini – Scott Nichol – Ryan Reaves

Ian Cole – Alex Pietrangelo
Barrett Jackman – Kevin Shattenkirk
Wade Redden – Roman Polak

Jaroslav Halak
Brian Elliott

Notes: Jamie Langenbrunner is out for the season with a torn labrum in his left hip. Jaroslav Halak was reinstated from injured reserve and will make his first start since February 1. Promising rookie Jaden Schwartz, who has one assist in nine games and played on Saturday against Anaheim, is a projected scratch. As always, line pairings are educated assessments and not definite alignments.

Quotes

Dustin Brown, on facing a team L.A. eliminated on the playoffs a season ago:
“For us, it’s just another game. Especially in the situation we’ve put ourselves in early on in the season, we have to get off to a good start tonight. It’s going to be the same approach for us as it was in Detroit.”

Dustin Brown, on whether there may be “fireworks at the get-go”:
“I think every time we play the Blues, it’s a pretty physical game. But in saying that, both teams are struggling and need points badly. There’s going to be passion, like in physicality, but I don’t think there’s going to be anything over the top where guys are going to be putting themselves ahead of their teams.”

82 Comments

  1. What's the frequency, Kenneth? says:

    This is a team that really stung the Kings a couple times during the regular season last season, and prior to that, really had the Kings’ number. They need to be prepared to play, which may be quite an understatement.

    [Reply]

    What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:

    Come to think of it, I’ll take Jon’s word that they only lost one last season–must have been the season before last when they lost the other stinker.

    [Reply]

    KC23 Reply:

    @What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, Season before they lost 4 – 0 after an awesome road trip, they came home to a trap game against the Blues and got spanked. After the game TM went postal on the LA fans. In TM’s defense, the fans were horrible especially with regard to Quick, but TM went way over the top in his response.

    http://www.nhl.com/ice/recap.htm?id=2010021064

    [Reply]

    puck73 Reply:

    @KC23, I remember that game. The Kings were totally listless in that one, and got booed off the ice. And your right, TM, who is normally calm and not fazed by stuff like that, was not thrilled in the least.

    Sdgolfer Reply:

    @What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, seriously? They were 2-2 against STL last year. Kings lost both those games 1-0.
    Not to mention the playoffs 4-0 sweep

    [Reply]

    What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:

    @Sdgolfer, Actually, they were 3-1 against them last year, which is what prompted me to respond to my own post.

    [Reply]

  2. What's the frequency, Kenneth? says:

    Umm….something sounds wrong…he allowed 14 goals on 18 shots in two periods?

    [Reply]

    Shakes Reply:

    @What’s the frequency, Kenneth?,

    or it was a really really bad game. The Bakersfield Condor even scored one.

    [Reply]

    BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:

    @Shakes,

    You bad.

    [Reply]

    bbb7 Reply:

    @What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, To be fair, only 11 of them were stoppable.

    [Reply]

    What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:

    @bbb7, :-)

    [Reply]

    JonRosen Reply:

    @What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, Acck. Thanks for catching that. Has been changed to made 14 saves on 18 shots. Dash 1 for me on that shift.

    [Reply]

    BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:

    @JonRosen,

    No need to dash…
    Snark a day keeps the Doctor away…

    Them all’s just getting started.
    Sunday curdled all of our SCC juices.

    [Reply]

    What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:

    @JonRosen, Hey, we all err–at least that’s what my wife says. I’m big in reporting errors, so you can ignore them or take heed, but never take them personally!

    I’m in software, which is a constant battle of killing bugs, so I never have the impression that anything’s “perfect.” Come to think of it, I’ve written my fair share, and never produced any perfect prose, either.

    Cheers, and by the way, thanks for taking over the blog. It’s already obvious you know plenty about hockey, which is pretty cool. :-)

    [Reply]

  3. He Shoots He Scores says:

    14 goals on 18 shots. Happy Gilmore: “that’s gotta be some kind of record, huh?”

    [Reply]

  4. OCKingGirl says:

    JR thank you for all the great content! I was such a fan of Rich’s, and skeptical about anyone else filling his shoes. I am so pleased thus far. Now our Kings need to put together some wins!!

    [Reply]

    Forum Gold Reply:

    @OCKingGirl, +1. GO KINGS GO!!!

    [Reply]

    Munchrat Reply:

    @OCKingGirl, JR has totally won me over!

    [Reply]

  5. harty says:

    Lets stop the daily drama around Penner, in and out, in and out of the lineup……
    Waive him, trade him, send him to Manchester……..
    I’ve said since he came from Edmonton he is not the answer to anything the Kings required then and now or in the future……
    Finally some will say, “but Harty he scored big goals against Coyotes last year in the playoffs”…….guess what that is all he has done since his arrival and say for his salary we have been ripped off……..

    Finally we need D help, this is the sixth time I’ve posted this…..if we don’t get a solid D guy not much will improve, the new kid from Florida will be fine in years to come as will Muzzin, and Drewiski but right now we need to replace Mitchell and or Greene as a D man, solid stay at home guy……..

    [Reply]

    neil Reply:

    @harty, “Thats all he’s done” well for me…that is enough to be a fan for life…Penner gave me the chance to enjoy my team winning the cup….I dont care what his salary is…..The Cup is priceless !!!! With that said..I would love to see Penner play well so we can run 4 lines again…

    [Reply]

    Michael J. Reply:

    @neil,

    Let’s not forget that he scored the Game 1 winner in the Vancouver series, plus he was very good against St. Louis.

    Keep him in.

    [Reply]

    neil Reply:

    @Michael J., Penner did his share and more to help the Kings win the Cup…..I will never forget..Its like the Giants(Baseball) and Zito. His contract was way too much …yet the Giants won 2 World Series….Money over spent but well worth it !!!!

    harty Reply:

    @neil, you can’t be serious, you beleive that is a good spend… NHL gm’s would say no overwhelmingly
    except for DL as its his butt on the line…..

    Just not the guy and will not do his part due to lazy, sleepy play.

    [Reply]

    neil Reply:

    @harty, Iam guessing that if a player like Penner and the costs involved will get you a Cup….Yes every G.M. would do that deal…The Kings made LOTS of money on that investment. If you are a Kings fan then I believe you would take that trade off also….

    trytodethroneus Reply:

    @harty,

    The question is………….Since the KINGS are not dealing from a position of strength,
    do they “overpay” to get the type of defenseman needed?

    In your opinion, who would be some names of D-men that would fit?
    What player(s), prospect(s), pick(s), would they trade to get him?

    [Reply]

    LVKINGS88 Reply:

    @trytodethroneus, Mark Streit,Jordan leopold, Chris Campoli are the names being bandied about.

    [Reply]

    Deke'r Reply:

    @trytodethroneus, ….zactly….

    [Reply]

    KC23 Reply:

    @harty, I don’t think there is much drama around Penner. Seems like no one really cares either way these days.

    I do think Penner and Stoll have to be the worst combination of players we have. Frankly, I’d rather see Penner than Stoll myself, but that’s me.

    [Reply]

    CB14 Reply:

    @KC23, Me too.

    [Reply]

    jet Reply:

    @harty, Penner is a place holder until KC and King can hold down the 2nd and 3rd lines full-time.
    Did we really get ripped off? We traded Tuebert and Saad for him. He seems to be one of those guys who cannot go full out for 60 seconds, but he has given us what we needed if not what we wanted.

    I agree on the D, but who would you get. No team is going to trade a top defenceman especially to the cup winner. The good news is that this experience is really going to help our D depth next season. If we were not on the line all season last year, we might have been able to give DD2 and muzzin a few games last spring.

    [Reply]

    harty Reply:

    @jet, Saad looks pretty good with Kane and Toews in Chicago……..

    [Reply]

    KC23 Reply:

    @harty, Who wouldn’t looke good with Kane and Toews … just sayin :)

    Michael J. Reply:

    @KC23,

    Penner? ;)

    DesertKing Reply:

    @harty,

    It has been so worth every dime we paid Penner just to see Doan start crying and Smith meltdown after Penner scored the WCF series winner. That said, I don’t see him or Gagne being back with the Kings next season.

    [Reply]

    Deke'r Reply:

    @DesertKing, ….the way the seasons going so far may introduce alot of changes next season…..ooooooooo….crystal ball….

    [Reply]

  6. xeropoint says:

    Look out for that power play. Hoping for a big win but not holding my breath, either.

    [Reply]

  7. pesus says:

    Everybody claims the problem is that Greene and Mitchell are out, but they dont score goals. Giving up 3 is not a problem when you score 4 or 5.

    Does anybody think that Sutter has put more pressure on the forwards to come back and help out defensively, because those guys are out? That would explain the lack of out numbered attacks. Im just searching for answers I guess.

    [Reply]

    goldielocks Reply:

    @pesus,

    Why did they score so many shorties in playoffs? I think that’s because forwards trusted their back end therefore they were one step ahead to make transition from D to O. But now they can’t trust each other defensively so that makes transition one step behind. Just a thought.

    [Reply]

    Wilmonde Reply:

    @goldielocks, This, exactly. A good defense will lead to a good offense, primarily because knowing that trustworthy defensemen are back there allows the forwards to loosen up and be more creative offensively.

    [Reply]

    Kings1234 Reply:

    @Wilmonde,

    While that’s absolutely true to a point, this a team that had 47 shots yesterday and only put 2 in the back of the net.

    Eventually the guys getting those shots have gotta be held accountable for actually scoring.

    California Royalty Reply:

    @pesus, Having those rocks out though, forces everyone to play a more conservative game.

    I don’t know the numbers, but I’d assume Drewiskie has played more games already this year than he did all of last season.

    [Reply]

    HockeyNerd Reply:

    @pesus, Giving up 3 goals and scoring 4 or 5 is not our game plan. Even during that cup run. Especially during it, in fact. We are no better than an AVERAGE goal scoring team at best. That is fine as long as we can hold the opposition to 2 goals or less a game. Most of are forwards are grinders and that is not going to change. What has to happen now is for Mitchell to get healthy and Quick to play better.

    [Reply]

    Deke'r Reply:

    @HockeyNerd, …..”average” is being gracious….

    [Reply]

  8. Forum Gold says:

    Are you ready for some Kings hockey? A Monday night party. The whole house is rockin’, let’s drop the puck and launch this thing, raise the roof, that’s right All my rowdy Insider friends are here on Monday night. GO KINGS GO!!!

    [Reply]

  9. rogiesbackup says:

    I just really think the Kings are just not implementing Penner the correct way. He’s too big NOT to be on the slot yet the Kings/or he hasn’t been there. The Kings big guys and Penner really needs to stay around the slot area like yesterday’s game against Detroit….”net presence.” Strange, same set of problems from last year. I might venture to say Kings, by design, do not play up to their standards in the early part of the season. Could it possibly be that they don’t want to give the NHL too show too much of the their talent so the NHL doesn’t know what to expect? lol

    Getting back to Detroit winning facing off goal….I think it was designed to have double coverage on Datsyuk to prevent him making a pass/play. I think DS/kings was okay to have Erricson be open for a shot that they expected Quickie to stop the gobble up the rebound, but unfortunately, in sports sometime things just don’t pan out the way it is planned.

    [Reply]

  10. Shotongoal says:

    @pesus, no I don’t think there’s added pressure for the forwards to backcheck, I just don’t think they’re doing as good of a job at it so far this season. I think there’s probably a few reasons but maybe the most obvious one is that key players just aren’t in game shape. As far as Mitchell and Greene not being goal scorers, while that may be true this teams offense is based on shutting teams down in their own zone and then breaking out of their zone by passing and/or skating the puck out quickly. Not having Mitchell and Greene on the ice doing that is affecting the offense. But again, I know it sounds simple but until this teams top players are in game shape they will struggle in all areas. I’m truly not worried and won’t be unless this play continues into mid to late March. April will determine which teams make the playoffs, and as far as I’m concerned making the playoffs is all that matters as I could care less how make Pacific Division banners are hanging in Staples Center…….

    [Reply]

    DesertKing Reply:

    @Shotongoal,

    Completely agree. They are still not playing that tough physical forecheck game that was so effective during the playoffs.

    [Reply]

    Pesus Reply:

    @Shotongoal,
    I wrote something similar in another thread, our forcheck is been ok but we are not getting turnovers. It takes 3 forwards working together to create a great forcheck, not 2 guys and 1 guy out of gas. I’m not hitting the panic button yet either but remember you only play your confrence so somebody is getting points every night making it harder to make up points.

    [Reply]

    Shotongoal Reply:

    @Pesus, if they can compensate for the losses of Greene and Mitchell I think they will make up those points in late March and April. They played well against their conference last season. I saw a breakdown of the season last year, believe its in the latest issue of The Hockey News and shows that the Kings would have finished as the fifth seed in the West last season if the league had played only conference games. I know that was LAST year but just one of the reasons I’m not really worried, but the biggest reason is that they proved last season that just making the playoffs is what it’s about. Also, the key players won’t be out of game shape all season, just won’t happen……..hopefully!

    [Reply]

    Kenny44 Reply:

    @Shotongoal,

    The schedule in March is bru-ha-ha-tal!

    Shotongoal Reply:

    @Shotongoal, they’re all brutal if you’re not winning. There are no teams in this league that the Kings can’t beat, they just have to play their game. I think they will once key players are in game shape. Of course, not having Mitchell and Greene, especially Willie, is very tough for this team, as it would be for any team that is without their best D-man.

    Michael J. Reply:

    @Shotongoal,

    You are right. Regardless of who’s in the lineup your defensive responsibilities are the same. Wings play their wings down to the dot, d-men play their positions, and centers play the entire ice from behind the other team’s net to behind your own net… Unless your name is Wayne Gretzky… Or Cindy Crosby…

    [Reply]

    What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:

    @Shotongoal, Yup, the offensive influence of Greene, and Mitchell in particular being out is the transition game.

    [Reply]

    Shotongoal Reply:

    @What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, YES!

    [Reply]

  11. SLIM says:

    Understatement of the week….
    Boy do we need a win,badly…
    For so many obvious reasons…
    I’m almost afraid to watch this game….
    The minute Bernier lets in a goal..He’ll be a bum…
    Penner, will definitely be to blame….If we lose…
    This blog will go crazier…Which is fun to see….
    If the fans ever NEEDED a win..Tonight’s the night…
    So…..GKG…..

    [Reply]

  12. Eric says:

    @pesus

    I agree its not because of Greene and Mitchell out. This team has two scoring threats, Kopitar and Carter. Richards might be third best but to hot/cold. Brown and Williams are not first line offensive players on most teams and just don’t finish. I am not sure what Lewis, Stoll, Penner,Richardson, Gagne, Fraser, really do. Maybe role players. King and Nolan are young and I cannot judge them in the same manner, yet…plus they aren’t expected to contribute lots of offense. We need players that have the ability to shoot the puck and score.

    Our shots are from the outside or the point and mostly blocked/deflected. The team has a real problem releasing shots quickly. I think Doughty tries to make a fake every time, prior to shooting. Most of the team members have low velocity on their shots and guys like Lewis cannot lift the puck. We need quick releases. Harder shots…slap shots.

    I think another problem was bringing the entire team back. These guys all feel a sense of worth and might not have any edge in their game. Where is the motivation to continue to improve. I just don’t think better defense is the solution, though you should always try and improve it.

    [Reply]

    pesus Reply:

    @Eric,
    Kings dont know what a one-timer is.

    [Reply]

    What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:

    @pesus, Voynov does, and he’s probably our best defenseman right now, with Mitchell out. He even proved it a couple games back with a hell of a nice one-timer.

    [Reply]

  13. Michael J. says:

    I’ve figured it out! They are “showcasing” Bernier to deal him for either Luke Schenn, Shea Webber, or Zdeno Chara ;)

    [Reply]

    California Royalty Reply:

    @Michael J., All 3 of those trades would get someone fired.

    [Reply]

    Michael J. Reply:

    @California Royalty,

    1. DL.
    2. David Polie
    3. Peter Chiarelli

    [Reply]

    puck73 Reply:

    @Michael J., Now your thinking!

    Best Regards, @Phil Sykes

    [Reply]

    Michael J. Reply:

    @puck73,

    ……………… thanks……………………. I like your posts………………too……………..

    [Reply]

    CB14 Reply:

    @Michael J., L…………O……………L…………..

    DesertKing Reply:

    @Michael J.,

    @phil sykes is Uncle Phil?

  14. Ravens says:

    I was thinking that maybe if I don’t watch the game they might win….then I started thinking wow life really is all about me and my actions, the outcome of games that others watch and play is determined by my simple actions and I felt very much better about life in general and wondered how it all worked before I got here

    [Reply]

    neil Reply:

    @Ravens, I thought I was the only one with that “power”…. If I mention “shutout” every time a goalie is having one……and can stop it from happening….man it feels amazing to be that POWERFUL !!!!

    [Reply]

  15. California Royalty says:

    “Sorry I’ve got a flight to catch.”
    - Dustin Penner in the handshake line after eliminating the Coyotes in the 3rd round of the playoffs.

    [Reply]

    Michael J. Reply:

    @California Royalty,

    It was a lucky, lazy goal.

    Respectfully,

    Harty

    [Reply]

  16. Pumpernicholl says:

    If those are actually the lines, I like the looks of them. Fraser, Richardson, Muzzin as the scratches makes sense. Carter as 2nd line center, Richards as 3rd line between King & Nolan also makes sense. I like the Kings’ chances tonight.

    [Reply]

  17. King Alex says:

    Tonight the Kings character will be tested after that complete heart-breaker yesterday to Detroit. It’s time to take a look in the mirror, dig deep and for each and every King to man up tonight and get the win in regulation. I believe we will win tonight! Let’s make the Blues sing that same sad tune as when we booted them, check that, SWEPT them out of the playoff’s last season!

    GMFKG!

    [Reply]

  18. Duncanz says:

    Ran over the tape from yesterday.
    Apart from the Datsyuk ‘offside’ call being correct (discussed in earlier threads), rewatching Keaton Ellerby’s play, he actually had a quite satisfactory 1st game, all things considered.
    Sure, he needs to tidy up on a few things, but his positional play and passing were mostly fine, he got in a couple of good checks, had a couple of shots blocked high (who hasn’t had?), hardly got dispossessed much and never in bad areas of the ice.
    He was chiefly DD’s partner and it’s interesting to note that the first 5 on 5 shift they got split up and Scuds and DD were out, Red Wings scored (2nd goal).
    When you think about it, Wings didn’t have a single Grade ‘A’ chance when KE was on the ice so that’s got to something right there!
    DD’s season long +/-, -10 was No. 1 on the EJ5 today, so maybe Ellerby can help him out a little there.
    Keep an eye on Keaton …

    [Reply]

    BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:

    @Duncanz,

    I smell BRAWL.
    Nolan wants more of Stewart, I’m sure…
    STL fans have blood-lust…

    Win this one for JQ.

    [Reply]

    Kingsfanone Reply:

    @BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy,

    Were you at Condor game when the real bird got loose and frightened? Saw a highlight on a sports report.

    [Reply]

    Deke'r Reply:

    @Duncanz, …..that’s the way I saw it….

    [Reply]

  19. DesertKing says:

    “Understanding is what allows people like us to tolrate people like you” – Ferris Beuhler

    [Reply]

  20. NamidaEurope says:

    Does anyone know why I’m trying to stay with wide open eyes and not to fall a sleep hour after midnight, after hard working day, just want to see at least the first period of Kings hockey despite of our actuall standings etc…? I loved the effort against the Detroit and hope we will bring it to STL. It’s still one hour to start… Guys, could you wake me up if I fall to a sleep?

    [Reply]

    Kingsfanone Reply:

    @NamidaEurope,

    I’ll toss a small pebble at your window! :-)

    [Reply]

    NamidaEurope Reply:

    @Kingsfanone, Deal! :)

    [Reply]

    Duncanz Reply:

    @NamidaEurope, At 41, JJ68 w/ 3G,5A,8pts and a +4 is better than any King so far!.
    Did that wake you up?

    [Reply]

    Kingsfanone Reply:

    @NamidaEurope,

    Tossing pebbles at your windows…….

    :-)

    [Reply]

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