Thursday morning links: April 23

LA TIMES

Darryl Sutter knows the perils of Jets’ 0-3 deficit against Ducks: It’s a moot point now that the Ducks have moved on, but Helene Elliott consulted with Darryl Sutter to get his perspective on the Jets’ attempt to emerge from a 0-3 series hole.

Man-made earthquakes increasing in central and eastern U.S., study finds: Most likely confirming our armchair seismology, that earthquake that we felt during a Kings-Stars game in Dallas early in the season was probably “triggered by human activity.”

NJ.COM

Flyers coaching search: Los Angeles Kings’ Davis Payne could be dark-horse candidate, source says: For what it’s worth, Jimmy Shapiro at Bovada.com listed the following odds amongst potential Flyers coaches: Todd McLellan 9/4, Dan Bylsma 4/1, Mike Babcock 5/1, Guy Boucher 13/2, Pete DeBoer 13/2, Kevin Dineen 13/2, Benoit Groulx 13/2, Jeff Blashill 9/1, John Stevens 9/1. From Randy Miller’s story at NJ.com:

Payne, 44, was an assistant for the 2012-13 season in LA when Flyers GM Ron Hextall was assistant there under Dean Lombardi and before that was the St. Louis Blues’ head coach for parts of three seasons, building a 67-55-15 record.

“Payne is a guy who got hired by (Kings GM) Dean Lombardi when Hextall was there and when he was in St. Louis his teams played hard for him,” the source told NJ Advance Media. “Before that he won a championship in the East Coast League. “That’s a name that comes to mind who Hextall could go after.”

Davis Payne, who previously coached the St. Louis Blues, would be a fine choice as an NHL head coach. But this still seems a bit speculative, considering the wording “who Hextall could go after.”

VICE SPORTS

The Kings Might Hate Darryl Sutter, But That’s Not Why They Didn’t Make the Playoffs: Forgive me for linking to a story that’s over a week old, but it’s by Paul Brownfield, who also wrote the excellent feature on Darryl Sutter for Los Angeles magazine during training camp. It’s an interesting bookend to the season.

JEWELS FROM THE CROWN

Anze Kopitar Named Selke Trophy Finalist for Second Straight Year

Evaluating the Kings’ two most misunderstood defensemen: With LAKI evaluations about to begin, Jake Muzzin’s may come up as early as next week. There were hiccups in his progression this season, but not to the extent as suggested by those who flooded my timeline during Kings games. Read this article. Debate is coming.

HOCKEY BUZZ

WAR and the LA Kings: What would the Kings be like without Anze Kopitar? Without Dustin Brown? Jason Lewis delves into the emerging Wins Above Replacement stat that has a clear place in baseball analysis and is finding a foothold in hockey. Goals Above Replacement is also discussed.

Losing Leads and One-Goal Games: 13 of the top 15 teams in one-goal game winning percentage went on to make the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Kings, who did not grade well in either, posted their lowest winning percentage (not points percentage) when leading after two periods (.771) since Terry Murray’s hiring.

THE ROYAL HALF

5 Reasons the Anaheim Ducks will Win the Stanley Cup: In case you needed another reason to dislike The Royal Half (jk, <3 u TRH), he/she/it/they wagered $600 on Anaheim winning the Stanley Cup. Come for the explanation, stay for the continued jabs at the Ducks’ social media team.

SB NATION

TACO CANNON TACO CANNON TACO CANNON TACO CANNON TACO CANNON: OK, we’re getting a bit silly here. But it’s good to see a mid-level NCAA hockey program move into new digs and, uh, invest in a taco cannon.

THE PLAYERS’ TRIBUNE

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