Faceoff percentage doesn’t get a lot of attention, but it can be an important statistic, and so far in this series it’s been an odd area to figure. In Game 1, the Kings won 57 percent of the draws. In Game 2, they won 41 percent. The Phoenix Coyotes changed their matchups a bit, which would partially explain the disparity, and another factor has been the frequency with which centers from both teams have been tossed out of the circle. It happened a huge number of times in Game 1, and fewer in Game 2 but still noticeable. Jarret Stoll talked about the issue, and what has been going on with the players and the officials.
STOLL: “There’s a lot of talk with the linesmen, with what they want, what they don’t want. The first couple games have been a lot of that, for sure. A lot of guys getting kicked out. I don’t think we were too good on it last night, but we will regroup and be better at home here. But the most important thing is, obviously, we’re up two-nothing.’’
Question: It seems like both teams. Are they just cracking down?
STOLL: “It seems like they’re cracking down a little bit. We’ve just got to figure that out and make it work somehow.’’
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