On whether this game was a case of “too little, too late”:
“Too little too early. I think we turned pucks over. [In] the first period we weren’t very sharp.”
On whether he’s happy with Jonathan Quick’s performance and the goaltending consistency:
“I’m not happy. We lost. I’m not happy. We’ve got to win games.”
On what Blackhawks did well in the first period:
“Well, their fourth line has been really good early for them. I think they’ve scored a goal four or five games in a row, and they did again tonight. The Kruger line scored a big goal for them. I didn’t like the Seabrook goal, being that our goaltender should’ve been allowed to have a stick. Pushed it away. It should’ve been a penalty. The shorter referee was standing right by our bench. The other guy couldn’t see it, but the shorter one had the same view that I did. [He] should’ve made the call. We shoved his stick, too, and when they shoved it away it shouldn’t be a goal. That’s my excuse on the first goal.”
On whether L.A. had extra motivation after losing to Chicago the day of the banner ceremony:
“It didn’t appear that way.”
On whether there’s concern at the team’s standing in the second quarter of the season:
“Well, we’re four points out with one or two games in hand on every team ahead of us. That’s what reality is….I think what is more significant, is being at the quarter pole is the fact that we have guys with zero goals at the quarter pole. I don’t even think I’d be in the lineup if I had sero goals at the quarter pole.”
Regarding Sutter’s last line, is he trying to tell DL to bring up some guys from Manchester and get the guys who aren’t producing out of here? That’s what I read into it.
[Reply]
soo-do-nihm Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 4:26 pm
@CB14, No. Helene Elliot tweeted that DS doesn’t think bringing guys from Manch up is going to help anything.
“Darryl Sutter, asked if Kings were considering calling anyone up ‘We have some young players on defense that didn’t play very well tonight and we have some forwards up front that weren’t ready for the heavy lifting. I don’t think going to Manchester is going to help that.’”
I think he’s just getting irritated that some of his “top goal scorers” (Penner, Gagne, etc) aren’t putting any pucks in the net. An assist is not good enough for him it seems.
[Reply]
kissmyblarneystones Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 4:29 pm
@soo-do-nihm,
Nor should it.
[Reply]
CB14 Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 4:38 pm
@soo-do-nihm, Damn, I was hoping to see Toffoli come up.
[Reply]
Gustavo Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 5:00 pm
@soo-do-nihm,
I’m just a poor working season ticket holder (far from being anyone’s coach at this level)…and I’m also sick and tired of the pathetic effort the top payed players put out every other game this season. P-A-T-H-E-T-I-C !!
Besides costing us the obvious dead last standing in the division, it sets the poorest example for the young guys just starting to play at this level.
[Reply]
Kings Fan In Temecula Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 4:59 am
@Gustavo, TOTALLY 110% agree, this kinda effort doesnt belong at the pro level
gvineq Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 5:27 am
@soo-do-nihm, I think he’s just getting irritated that some of his “top goal scorers” (Penner, Gagne, etc) aren’t putting any pucks in the net. An assist is not good enough for him it seems.
You mispelled Kopitar, Brown, Carter, Richards and Williams.
I never expected much from Gagne, he is more of a brittle goal scorer and we’ve already heard how Sutter is bent into turning him into a 4th line grinder. Something with DL and his coaches, it’s more important to grind than score.
DL loves to say “every army needs a criminal or two”, I wish he would modify that to fit in the current NHL. “Every defensive team needs a sniper or two”.
Penner is a whipping boy. His play has been on par with everyone else. Lacking and uninspired.
I appreciate the spark Sutter brought to this team last year, but facts are the game has past him by. You can’t win games 1-0 every night. You can’t wait for the 3rd period to try to score. You have to have some sort of offense.
[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 4:33 pm
@CB14,
Nolan and King haven’t been scoring (obviously) but what’s more disconcerting is they don’t even look like they’re getting chances. Last year was perfect – obviously, but I wouldn’t count on their skill levels to be scoring a lot.
That’s one issue, but add to that the fact that they’ve being centered by Richards, which frankly doesn’t do much to take advantage of such a smart player as Richards.
Look how the Hawks move the puck around. Almost like basketball finding the open man for a great opportunity.
So in response to what you say…. it’s ridiculous that there are so many guys (Gagne, Doughty, Lewis. Penner, King) who have NO GOALS and Williams has ONE. That’s SIX players with a total of ONE GOAL.
You’re simply gonna lose more games than you’re gonna win with stats like that. Simple.
I’ve complained long and hard wrt DL and the super focus on dmen. Now I’m Very Very Thrilled that we won the cup. Nothing will change that ever. But he’s drafted forwards who either are big and brawny and tough with not much scoring touch (except Simmer) or smaller with a good scoring touch but for whatever reason had to move on (Lokti, Moller, Purcell).
Thing is, this isn’t a new issue. It’s been an issue with this team for the last three full seasons. Spectacular goaltending, great d and timely goals won them the cup. But you can’t count on having all of those elements all the time.
[Reply]
kissmyblarneystones Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 4:38 pm
@number 6,
DL drafted Charley Simmer?
[Reply]
CB14 Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 4:45 pm
@kissmyblarneystones, He means Simmonds.
kissmyblarneystones Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 4:54 pm
@CB14,
Oohh!
g smith86 Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 4:43 pm
@number 6, agree…they need a couple guys with the combination of speed and skill…now add some size to that and now were talking…unfortunately, everybody is looking for that…I do think a little guy with speed and skill would do wonders…a Briere or Witney type guy…is there a tree somewhere where DL could pick one or two of those guys?
[Reply]
Gustavo Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 5:04 pm
@g smith86,
We had that in Lokti. he did not fit the overall system.
g smith86 Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 5:08 pm
@g smith86, yea…but, not all little guys have the courage to play with the big boys…NJ sent lokti down after like 2 games
CB14 Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 4:45 pm
@number 6, With regards to Richards, he had plenty of chances with Carter and Gagne, and failed to produce anything. So I don’t blame Sutter for moving him down a line. Seemed like the majority of todays game he was back with Carter and Penner.
Yeah, we’ve had plenty of convesations about Dean’s drafting style. It doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to draft guys who are too small to fit your style of play.
P.S. Good to see you back on here.
[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 5:02 pm
@CB14,
Hi CB. I’m making a brief appearance.
Really concentrating on my work these days. But always did appreciate your comments. As for Richards moving down a line, what I was driving at was more the idea that even if he started slow, he’s still a very intelligent player, and if you had some third line guys with a tiny bit more touch around the net he could take advantage of it.
I noticed that the Devs third (or fourth) line has been scoring well. I think it’s five straight games that the Hawks fourth line has scored.
As ‘obviously’ seems to be the operative word on the site these days, I’ll say ‘obviously’ neither Nolan or King has put a string of consecutive games together where one of them has scored, as they have twenty five games between them and NO GOALS. That’s poor no matter which way you dice it.
Mars Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 4:57 pm
@number 6, I did a tally below should have done it here, just didnt want to double up.
[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 5:06 pm
@Mars,
Saw it. Thanks.
kissmyblarneystones Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 6:00 pm
@Duncanz,
HA HA HA HA HA HA..
And you thought I was bad…..
Russ Dynda Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 5:30 pm
@number 6, The other night Jim Fox repeated his description of the Kings’ style of play, one he was given numerous times before. He called them a hard forechecking team which generates much of its offense by shooting the puck into the opponents’ zone and then charging in using its big bodies to create mayhem down low and get the opponent to cough up the puck. We depend on that to create a large percentage of the team’s offensive opportunities. In effect, much of the scoring is dependent on getting “ugly goals.”
Last year this style of play was successful during the playoffs, largely because it was buttressed by a smothering defense in our zone and sensational, Vezina level goaltending. Prior to the playoffs the results were spotty. Our defense and goaltending were just as good, but offensively we ranked 29th and that kept us down at the 8th seed. This seemed strange because we had several players in their primes who had shown high scoring ability with other teams prior in their careers. In addition we had Kopitar, who had cracked the 30-goal level, Brown, who had cracked 25, and Stoll, who had cracked 20, while with us. With so many potentially high goal scorers in the lineup, why was the team’s scoring so down? Fans here tended to blame the players’ effort and to call for acquiring new players who could score goals. But that is what Lombardi had been trying to do in getting Carter, Richards, Williams, Gagne, and Penner. What justifies us thinking that bringing in players who score with other teams will solve our scoring problem? I think if you look closely our scoring problem has more to do with style.
“Finishing,” the ultimate goal of offense, tends to feed off instinct, spontaneity and creativity. Even “ugly goals” are often scored via quick, instantaneous reaction. Contrarily, effective forechecking demands dedication to a system. One’s mind must be focused upon carrying out a predesigned plan. When that becomes the overriding consideration of the offensive thrust, particularly for the forwards, it would seem that the scoring instinct and creativity could not help but be inhibited. Instead of creating their own opportunities, the team must depend upon first pressuring the other team into making mistakes and giving us opportunities. Often times the other teams are not so generous and we find ourselves stymied. Instead of seeking to create the high opportunities in the center of the ice we instead find our best scorers expending much of their energy mucking in the corners or along the boards trying to get possession. We have had certain levels of success with this, particularly in last year’s playoffs. But this approach can only reduce the effectiveness of gifted scorers. In any case, that is, and has been, the style that the team is devoted to and anyone coming on board has been expected to adjust to that style. I believe some have difficulty, not because they are resistant, but because they don’t find it natural.
Now I admit that forechecking plays an important role for every team. Obviously, you can’t expect to retrieve the puck from the other team without being assertive, and that’s most effectively done in their defensive zone. However, our style demands that a large percentage of the time we GIVE the other team the puck purposely with the intent of trying to get it back in a better scoring position. This in contrast to the “puck possession” style. When you depend on forechecking you take a lot of creativity out of your offense. I realize that some teams (i.e. Columbus) do not have many talented offensive players and are most effective when depending on the forecheck. We were like that during many of Andy Murray’s years. But this team seems loaded with potentially good scorers.
It would seem that inspired coaching could utilize the forecheck to the degree that it does not discourage puck possession and interfere with creative scoring. Do all four lines have to be totally devoted to forechecking? Obviously, King, Nolan, Clifford, Lewis, Richardson, and Fraser are most effective forechecking. But is it productive to demand the same level of forechecking intensity from all the others? Look at the Ducks. They forecheck. But Teemu Selanne isn’t a “hitter” and is basically a soft forechecker. He’s been scoring a point-a-game. I wonder if he could play for us. Or, for that matter, could Crosby or Stamkos.
I believe that the rigid devotion to a system, in spite of the varying skills of your players, is a recipe for mediocrity. Kings’ fans tend to point to winning the Cup as proof that this style is great. I see the team’s fade at the end of last regular season as a sign of bankruptcy. It was like the coach did not have the smarts to make the offense profitable, ran out of money, then went to the liquor store and bought a winning lottery ticket which financed the team through a 17-game run. Now the till is depleted again and I wouldn’t depend on the lottery this time.
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 5:50 pm
And they all lived happily ever after
kissmyblarneystones Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 6:01 pm
@Duncanz,
HA HA HA HA HA HA..
And you thought I was bad….
Duncanz Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 6:09 pm
@kissmystorybooks, Did you spot my comment earlier about your aim?
Up above and where I wrote the comment ate two examples of why you should jetison your khazi beginning right away and use your bathtub.
And I’m sure you’ll need it!
kissmyblarneystones Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 6:19 pm
@Russ Dynda,
Which brings us to the Penner issue you were referring to in an earlier post. I’ll be honest I’ve never looked at it from that perspective and on it’s face I believe you have articulated your position well.
But, The system in place where those 20 to 30+ goals were scored was established by Terry Murray. Not exactly a Run & Gunner.
I have to think about it more, but overall a very astute observation on your part. Well Done.
Russ Dynda Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 7:06 pm
@Russ Dynda, I agree with you about Terry Murray. The man was a pure systems guy, like an assistant coach rather than a head coach. Our offense was completely suffocated by him. That is one thing I give credit to Sutter for–releasing the team from Murray’s straightjacket. But I still see a four-line dedication to the system and this troubles me.
jess Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 9:41 pm
@Russ Dynda,
Lost sea scrolls?
Cntrmn19 Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 4:37 pm
@CB14, he may be hinting at that but not much to draw from. As well, anyone coming up will just get caught up in the same no-show mentality at starts of games which has been happening too often. Someone has to set the mood in the room before the game and set the example on the ice especially over the first rotation of shifts on the ice. DS has juggled lines well but it’s in each players hands (and moving feet) to get a fast start.
[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 5:11 pm
@Cntrmn19,
As for Manch, I don’t care if someone down there is tearing the league apart.
I think you need to have a young player or two who is A) learning and B) contributing. The team isn’t doing all that well to begin with. They need to be doing well. Take away Toffoli and they’re really in a hole.
DL simply simply needs starting from two years ago or whenever it was to start drafting some forwards who have speed, skill and can put the puck in the net.
Oh, and for those inclined to say…. yeah, there are so few of those around. Everyone wants them. I say… really?
David Conte who drafts for the Devils managed to find Adam Henrique in the third round 82nd overall.
Milan Lucic and Brad Marchard were Both picked in the same draft…. 2nd rd and 3rd round. Marchand has fantastic hands.
So…. if you state that you want to be like the RedWings or any other dynastic team….. you’ll never ever do that if you don’t find a way to integrate talented forwards into the mix. I give DL credit for harping on Kopi to deal with his conditioning, but no credit for drafting him since DT gets the credit for that.
[Reply]
Kopi needs to play mean. With an edge.. He’s too nice. He slows down the PP also. The team seems to be affected by his level of intensity. Get mean Kopi!
[Reply]
Our D was real shaky early on. I don’t think they’ve witnessed a swarm like they did at the beginning of this game. DD was totally out of sorts for the 1 period and Ellerby did just OK. Drew Doubty is only a good as the guys around him. He’s in effective when he has to stay at home.
Three D men who played the opener were out today and that was the difference IMO.
[Reply]
kissmyblarneystones Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 4:35 pm
@kissmyblarneystones,
Oh! DD = Drewiski.
[Reply]
g smith86 Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 4:37 pm
@kissmyblarneystones, DD2 was bleepin awful today…he was getting beat and putting himslf in all kinds of bad situations…just horrible reads all day long…and with his lack of speed, he needs to read the play properly everytime
[Reply]
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 5:37 pm
@g smith86, He made one nice block…
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 4:55 pm
@kissmyblueylines,
2 missing from Gm 1; Greener, AMart.
Scuds, DD, DD2, VV all played.
[Reply]
kissmyblarneystones Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 5:18 pm
@Duncanz,
A Mart? Oh ya, he was out wit the face plate thingy!
[Reply]
Russ Dynda Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 5:21 pm
@kissmyblarneystones, Drew Doubty? Was that a typo? If not, it’s damned clever and could be appropriate.
[Reply]
kissmyblarneystones Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 5:31 pm
@Russ Dynda,
I’ve used a few time when I think it’s appropriate? Thank you.
[Reply]
kissmyblarneystones Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 5:36 pm
@CB14, I’m just funnin’ with you brother. Truth be known, I think you are one of the more astute bloggers here. Peace!
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 5:56 pm
@kissmydartythrows,
With aim like this, I sure hope you aint drivin’!
kissmyblarneystones Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 6:23 pm
@kissmyblarneystones,
I can’t figure out what is happening. I wish we had an edit button on this blog
luc20rules Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 11:06 pm
@kissmyblarneystones, I actually thought VV had a bad streak of games. It looked like he was counting on his speed to make up for mistakes, but you can’t do that verse elite players they are just as fast or faster. While he has excellent potential and played extremely well moving the puck, he has had some lapses recently drifting outside letting Datsyuk drive the middle for a goal, not tying up the stick for the loan Columbus Goal, and today getting beat on a one on one. And no I am not one of those that blamed him in the playoffs for having weird bounces off him as he was tying up the opponents stick which is basically what you hope a small Dman would be able to do. I also think he just needs to refocus watch some film and get better position on D. A long talk with Willie Mitchell would likely solve some of his recent lapses. The D & Forwards had some lapse in the 1st period, and the non-calls on Chicago players making contact with Quick was part of it as well.
[Reply]
Honest…I do agree with him on what happened before the first goal…that should have been a penalty…no doubt…that could have been a momentum breaker for the Hawks
[Reply]
soo-do-nihm Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 4:43 pm
@g smith86, Can we start blaming the ref now? That’s 2 GA that the ref allowed (and I suppose the goalie should’ve gotten it but I’m content blaming the ref!)
Last game at home, Aucoin tackled Brown and then literally kneeled on top of him while the ref just watched. That gave Columbus the breakaway they needed and we got caught shuffling our feet. I still blame the ref on that one, though.
I love a good scapegoat!
[Reply]
g smith86 Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 5:11 pm
@soo-do-nihm, I get your point
[Reply]
soo-do-nihm Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 7:55 pm
@g smith86, Sadly, I was being serious about the scapegoat…
Helene Elliott
Darryl sutter, asked if Kings were considering calling anyone up “We have some young players on defense that didn’t play very well tonite and we have some forwards up front that weren’t ready for the heavylifting. I don’t think going to manchester is going to help that.’
Yea, right, and this ain’t the development camp either.
[Reply]
jess Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 5:11 pm
@goldielocks, haha
[Reply]
There have been too many games leith similar starts. What the hell is the problem not coming out sharp?
DS needs to figure this out. His responsibility is to have these guys ready…perception or reality, it sure doesn’t look like he’s got them ready.
Muzzin and Drewiskie were terrible. How they performed in the first 40 min of this game wasn’t even AHL level. One needs to sit and watch. My bet its Muzzin but who cares, they boh played like sh##.
Richards play early was indicative..he didn’t come ready to play and it showed. Poor job. His 3rd period play is what we should see every period..not once a quarter of season. I’m sure DS must have lit into him. It looked like he road the bench for a stretch.
Gagne is hands down the worst forward on this team. His career is at the end.
There’s are plenty others as well…VV, Williams who’s goal total must make him want to puke..it sure makes me wanna puke.
If there was ever a game a team deserved its fate, this is the one.
Bring it against Edmonton!!!!!
Go Kings!
[Reply]
CB14 Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 4:49 pm
@Nykingfan, Not to mention the too many men on the ice penalties that have happened far too frequently this season.
[Reply]
goldielocks Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 4:54 pm
@CB14,
And ice the puck unneccessarily which leads to the own zone faceoff which leads to the confusion which leads to allow the goal. I say it again ‘Hockey is a sport of Karma’.
[Reply]
linny Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 4:57 pm
@CB14, speaking of which, I’ve always thought the coach was to blame for these….there have been many players involved n I can’t imagine they’re all stupid. IMO its one or the other
[Reply]
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 5:40 pm
@linny, Not necessarily. The player has to time his entry right, and if he doesn’t he ends up on the ice when his man has the puck or ends up just over the boards with the puck coming to him, or something along those lines.
Lack of goals from guys…All with 0.
Drew Doughty
Simon Gagne
Colin Fraser
Dustin Penner
Matt Greene
Brad Richardson
Trevor Lewis
Dwight King
At least on the board….
Justin Williams 1
Davis Drewiske 1
Jake Muzzin 1
Jordan Nolan 1
Alec Martinez 1
Rob Scuderi 1
Kyle Clifford 2
Slava Voynov 2
Jarret Stoll 2
Dustin Brown 3
Mike Richards 4
Anze Kopitar 4
Jeff Carter 6
[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 5:04 pm
@Mars,
Damn, Mars, did you have to?!! It’s even worse than what I thought. Eight guys with no goals and six guys with one goal. 14 guys out of 21 who haven’t gone beyond one? I’m amazed they’re even close to .500 at that rate.
[Reply]
g smith86 Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 5:14 pm
@number 6, conversely, the ducks have about 8 or 10 guys with 4 or more goals…ain’t that a pisser
[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 6:25 pm
@g smith86,
Yes, cause it’s not a question of having guys who have scored 20 goals in their career….. it’s a question of having guys who have a nose for the net and always have….. Perry, Ryan, Getzlaf, Selanne, and then the rest is gravy.
Gagne has had a splendid career, but injured last year and it’s probably taken it’s toll as he seems to be far past his best days.
Last season when everyone was complaining about the Kings not scoring…one of the main complaints was the line changes….a year later..same problem….IMHO keeping the lines the same helps the scoring..it did last season…Please dont say we dont have scorers…we do…Lots of players who have scored 20 or more in a season. The lines need to stay the same and let the chemistry devolop.It worked last season and will work again…Also let the 4th line play…The team got lots of good play from the 4th line when DS threw them out there and made them sing or swim…Same problems we had till DS came in and settled everything down last year…now DS is back to mixing..its not working.
[Reply]
goldielocks Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 4:59 pm
@neil,
Do you think TM is hypnotizing DS somehow? Like subliminal images or sounds?
[Reply]
Mars Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 5:00 pm
@neil, I agree.
I get it on D right now.
But the core lines should be paired and held with the exception of rotating Penner and Gagne.
I am hoping they get it together, there is time, but the window is closing fast.
[Reply]
linny Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 5:04 pm
@neil, its a Guinness record attempt. Assuming only 12 offensive players who could play any position on any of four lines, there r about 2700 possibilities. He needs to change lines every minute the rest of the year to do it. At the rate he’s going not out of the question
[Reply]
harty Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 6:26 am
@neil, this is the truth and I agree totally……
[Reply]
First time I think I’ve ever heard DS admit to making an ‘excuse’.
[Reply]
Mars Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 5:07 pm
@Duncanz, Yeah. I dont like it.
He needs to whip these guys into shape.
The TM line changes must stop.
Solidify and practice, practice, practice.
Skating lines til they drop
Weights til they cannot lift.
No food, they are not hungry enough.
[Reply]
g smith86 Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 5:17 pm
@Mars, limieted time for practice though…with all the games so closely bunched…these guys are gonna have to raise their level of play…plain and simple…no excuses anymore…and certainly not ” we weren’t ready to play”
[Reply]
Mars Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 6:11 pm
@g smith86, Laps in the isle on the plane
Pushups, squats, crunches handstands.
Something anything.
Need to find a way to wake them up.
The talent is there, the motivation and desire seems to be lacking.
Nobody is hungry, The only one playing like himself is Carts.
I love Brown but he hasnt been hitting, Stoll hasnt been shooting wide.
DD has been showing signs of snapping like he did in 10-11.
We need dedicated lines. I know injuries etc. But they need some stability
AND a kick in the pants.
Penner’s another guy with not an ounce of professional pride. Pick or choose him or gagne gone first. They’re the 2013 version of Trent Hunter and Ethan Moreau.
I wonder who will be this years version of King/Nolan?
[Reply]
vinny Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 5:13 pm
@Nykingfan, penner was one of the best kings out there today in my opinion
[Reply]
Nykingfan Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 5:25 pm
@vinny,
He had a couple of good shifts in the 3rd but it’s just not enough and it seems to be every night with him.
[Reply]
freezerflatten Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 6:28 pm
@Nykingfan, everybody is fast to jump on penner, but lets put the blame on everyone. the only player to come to play so far is carter.
Gustavo Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 5:15 pm
@Nykingfan,
Clifford & Lewis. Even though Lewis is not scoring, his hustle and speed are there.
Penner and Gagne are definitely this season ‘Practice Pylons’ candidates.
Gagne cannot.
Penner will not.
Get rid of them both. Bag some picks and move up Toffoli once and for all. He cannot do worse than DP and SG have so far.
[Reply]
Nykingfan Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 5:27 pm
@Gustavo,
I think that management is making sure Toffoli’s ready before making the move.
[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 6:26 pm
@Nykingfan,
Yes, and thank god they do the smart thing there. Voynov would certainly not be Voynov had he not had all that experience in the minors.
Mars Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 5:17 pm
@Nykingfan, Hopefully Nolan and King.
[Reply]
Nykingfan Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 5:22 pm
@Mars,
Yeah that’s a real good point.
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 5:23 pm
@Mars, Ha ha. In any order?
[Reply]
g smith86 Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 5:25 pm
@Nykingfan, Penner wasn’t necessarily the problem today…I like to pick on him too…but, I thought he did alright today…the porblem with DP is is he has to contribute offensively…he has to make an impact on the score sheet because he can be such a liability in the D zone or with his puck handeling (which can lead to bad turnovers and goals against)…He needs to be scoring 20 to 30 goals to make up for the mistakes
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Nykingfan Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 5:34 pm
@g smith86,
You know what bothers me about Penner and Richards…..
Neither one thought iit was important enough to get in shape.
It’s been embarrassingly clear so far and they’ve hurt the team because of that. They’re not to blame for everything, but that’s something they controlled themselves and didn’t care.
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g smith86 Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 6:33 pm
@Nykingfan, I’ll give you that…MR has been inconsistant (mostly consistantly in consistant) as a King…I am pretty sure that DL expected a lot more from him than the fumbelin, bumbelin, stumbelin MR we have seen so far…and well he should…I have yet to see the player that I saw in previous years with Philly…The SC was awesome…and MR had a part in it, but he certainly wasn’t a dominate player during the run…and most nights was not really the main story at all…
As for DP…sigh
freezerflatten Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 6:30 pm
@g smith86, so put him in front of net where he can score, not handling the puck or playing on the boards.
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g smith86 Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 6:37 pm
@freezerflatten, so then we get into system again…maybe DP isn’t a good fit here…
that being stated,…he can’t just always park himself in front of the net…the puck isn’t always at the point or in the slot on another Kings stick..that is a timing thing…it always will be…and DP is just always a step or two away
TiredOfIt Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 11:30 pm
@Nykingfan, Does this look like the face of a guy with no pride???
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Nykingfan Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 6:27 am
@TiredOfIt
Yes it does!!!!!!
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My take, links and video in my postgame story here…
http://kingsnewsdaily.com/outclassed/
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g smith86 Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 5:22 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), thanks Paul…
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Duncanz Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 5:24 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
Nice repping on the rippers last night, @PA!
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Eddie Olczk pointed out during the game when the Kings had 2-on-1 scoring chance with Lewis and Voynov and the trailer(Stoll) was calling the puck wide open in the slot but Lewis did not even look back and shot the puck.
The exact same play took place last year when Lewis was 2-on-1 and at that time the trailer was Mike Richards. He was banging the ice with his stick to call the puck because he was wide open as well. Lewis ignored him and shot the puck as if he could score the goal. Richards screamed ‘F-!’ in frustration afterward.
Now … is this guy either deaf or stupid or incredibly selfish or what? This is really frustrating because I like the guy as a human being but not as a hockey player.
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g smith86 Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 5:29 pm
@goldielocks, it’s a quick game out there…I don’t know…maybe he figures the best play is to get the puck on net…rather than turn it over…which his passes seem to have happen to them all the time…I don’t think you can count on Lewis for a fancy pass…that’s just not his game
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Duncanz Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 5:45 pm
@g smith86, Quite honest (DS) it wouldn’t have been a fancy pass, just a simple drop pass with no traffic.
I could do that and I can barely stand up.
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g smith86 Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 5:33 pm
@goldielocks, is he considered to be a high skill guy? I don’t think so…part of being the guy with the puck on an odd-man rush is hopefully…the guy who has the puck is the most skilled…
Different time, but…if your old enough to remember…Gretzky always had the puck on the odd-man rush…if he didn’t right away…they would pass it to him, almost immediately
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number 6 Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 6:29 pm
@goldielocks,
Don’t get me started Goldie. He DOES have speed and strength which is why DL drafted him in the first round. What he lacks as do so many of DL’s other drafts of forwards is offensive creativity and hockey sense. Guess why the Black Hawks are so good. Not just because of Kane and Toews, but because they have a lot of guys who have good hockey sense. Even their fourth line has scored in I believe 5 or 6 consecutive games.
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g smith86 Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 6:43 pm
@number 6, you here the words “Hockey I.Q.” being uttered by the pundits a lot…the thing is…any player that has made it the ultimate level (the NHL) has a pretty darn good grasp of the game…wouldn’t ya think? I think what seperates players is there natural ability…wether it is having a great first step, or a great set of hands or really amazing eye sight and hand-eye coordination…give me that and I will show you some “Hockey I.Q”
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goldielocks Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 7:20 pm
@number 6,
Yeah … I just don’t know who to blame. I mean … who recommended the guy before Giroux? Scouts? Is DL getting enough scout report to make a right decision? That is the question I always have.
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it’s time to try something a little different, Campbell and Bernie should be in the next game, if I had my way there would be a new forward up as well
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RePost!
@CB14, I’m just funnin’ with you brother. Truth be known, I think you are one of the more astute bloggers here. Peace!
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Duncanz Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 5:52 pm
@kissmynancyboys, Nancy.
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kissmyblarneystones Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 6:45 pm
If you only knew what was going on in my head right now.
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Duncanz Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 7:06 pm
@kissmyhoaryscopes, I really, really hope it’s about some bird called Nancy..
Why is nobody calling out Doughty? Yes, he eats minutes but he has been brutal this year. Another King who didn’t take conditioning seriously.
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Duncanz Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 5:58 pm
@5points, Those minutes he eats are weighing a little heavy, obviously.
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5points Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 6:02 pm
@Duncanz, ha ha
. Good one!
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g smith86 Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 6:01 pm
@5points, welcome back…and still on dd…he is on an island out there…he needs some help
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5points Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 6:03 pm
@g smith86, thanks…agreed, he has a hard job, but that is why he makes 7 million!
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g smith86 Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 6:21 pm
@5points, yea yea yea..here we go again…okay…you got me…DD is not a stay at home guy…which now he feels like he has to be…and he has to be an offensive guy as well…Did his plus 16 in the playoffs last year not impress you?…or is it a case of…that was then, this is now…and what have you done for me lately…
take lidstrom in his prime and give him this system with this group and i’ll bet his stats don’t look so good either
5points Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 6:23 pm
@5points, very true, well said.
puck73 Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 6:10 pm
@5points, Didnt take conditioning in the off season seriously? Are you serious!?!? The guy came in to start the season in better shape then almost anyone, in fact, he came in at 205 lbs, when during the playoffs he was playing around 220.
Drew Doughty’s problem is the same problem that a lot of defenseman under 25 are…they are still learning! Defense is the hardest position to be consistent in at the NHL level.
Drew’s other problem?….The same as Scuds….They are missing the best closer in the NHL..Willie Mitchel. Once Willie is back, Scuds and Drew will be slotted properly as a 2nd pairing. The fact is, as good as these 2 guys are…They couldnt carry Willie’s jock.
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5points Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 6:22 pm
@puck73, well said, I stand corrected.
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jess Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 6:23 pm
@5points,
No…
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5points Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 6:28 pm
@jess, no?
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jess Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 6:44 pm
@5points,
No on the myopic DD post. This team has 50 holes to fill right now. We just went up against the number 1 team in the NHL who is on fire. You think DD is the weak point? There’s 49 more where that came from in every aspect of our game. But thanks for the bug’s eye view!
freezerflatten Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 6:34 pm
@5points,dont know about conditioning, but doughty has been brutal. he is supposed to be the guy on defense. he is neither the guy on defense or offense.
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As long as Greene and Mithell are out this year and the rest of the team is doing their off season conditioning during the regular season nothing is going to change, so it’s team to wheel and deal the unproductive types out now for picks and bring in our future so the future is not 40 years
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Duncanz Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 6:14 pm
@Ravens, I don’t think we’re that desperate yet.
Who do you think we are, the Blackhawks?
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neil Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 6:16 pm
@Ravens, you missed a good attempt at a comeback
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DS sounds as frustrated as we all do…I like that
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5points Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 6:30 pm
@g smith86, yeah, did sound frustrated.
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You can blame the players all you want but DS is not instilling confidence in anyone.
He mixes and matches lines like most do drinks.
This is crazy, stop Sutter, you have to know this does nothing for chemistry let alone a players confidence.
One mistake and your riding the pine, seriously.
He played in this league and he is doing this………..
………..this is worst then TM changing lines.
Darryl stop this madness, change your ways and let the guys get some chemistry and confidence.
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harty Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 8:02 pm
@harty, Dean Lombardi you have some choices to make………too early for Toffoli or not??
Penner, Stoll, Richardson you wasted our money. Yes our money the ticket supporters.
Time for a big shake up, who goes, let me tell you.
Package Penner, Gagne, Bernier and Richardson for anyone with half decent scoring.
Brian Little in Winnipeg, Kessel in Toronto…..anyone with some touch.
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I think if anyone gets traded, it’s Justin Williams. Penner has little value, Gagne maybe as a rental at the deadline, but with Toffoli showing he’s ready, he could easily give you what Williams is producing for far less and with younger legs. Lets hope Mitchell and Martinez are back ASAP, otherwise, the D is the big problem at the moment.
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tomb Reply:
February 17th, 2013 at 9:51 pm
@He Shoots He Scores, what has Toffoli done? Nothing. Until the guy plays in the NHL he is a minor leaguer. I wouldn’t trade away proven veterans like Penner and Gagne for some kid in the AHL. That is just silly.
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I believe Darryl isn’t happy…..
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harty Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 6:22 am
@Moondoggie, who cares about DS, its the players that play the game on this ice…..as far as I’m concerned DS is showing signs of scrambling, all these line changes are crazy…..even in the 1st period……really you don’t see successful coaches doing this trait.
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Bernier was being showcased the 2 previous games. Only thing that makes sense starting Quick today after his(Bernier) 2 wins. Something is coming (trade)
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