2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs - Round 1 Series Discussion: #4 Blues vs. #5 Kings

[tigermask48]

The Kings have got to come out and win Game 1. If they do I think they'll roll and take the Blues out fairly easily. The Kings have been the Blues kryptonite all year and are the Blues have struggled facing them. If the Blues take game 1 I think the momentum they gain by getting the monkey off their bakc that early is enought to win the series for them. Kings fans saw the effect of starting strong and exercising a demon can have on players last year. If the Kings don't gain that confidence against the Nucks last year I don't think they go on the run they did. Blues are in the same position this year, where this is a series is a measuring stick to see how they've grown over the last year.

 

[ikeman79]

I agree that the Kings have had the upper hand on the blues over the past few years. Thats an obvious one. I just think that the blues deserve a bit more credit. There are a lot of factors that go into that; Elliot is hot, JayBo and Leopold are here (upgrades over the previous Russell and Cole,) we have home ice advantage, Kings are stuggling on the road.

Jaskin if we don't turtle, they will understand after game one. If we do turtle it might take two games.

We definetly have the advantage at depth. None of us even want to insert Oshie into the lineup and mess up our 4th line....

The Kings fans have no idea how good we are, we know what they are. We watched them destroy us last year. They added a shutdown defenseman.

Elliot is going to surprise some King fans of the quality he is if the team doesn't collapse against him. Let us not forget he had vertigo last playoff series and we only had Allen to backup and Hitch was afraid to throw an AHLer into the fray with just reasoning. This year Halak is backing him up if he doesn't pull a groin, and Allen now I would not worry about. So Elliot isn't going to be stressed like last year. Its perform or move over. Also to the guy that was stating Elliots stats last year weren't that impressive compared to Quicks, might want to go look them up. The Blues netminder had a pretty impressive season. Elliot, is a good goalie, I'm not concerned about him, and I believe after a game or two, neither will the Kings fans.

Here is what the Kings have. Experience, they are in our head a little. A Stanley cup ring clogging on of their ears. Top line talent. We have overall depth, they have star power on their top line. They like to stick a team in mud and slow them down. They like to pin them in their zone and grind. They play a lot like us.

We do have depth. We also have a better defense, our goaltending should not be an issue this year, its pretty even if not better. Who do the Kings put out if Quick happens to turtle? He's awesome no doubt, but anybody can have an off game and that's all it takes in a seven game series. Same with our tenders.

I'm not sure anybody realizes how close these teams are. This is going to be fun. I'm not sure anybody runs away with this one. I am sure whoever makes it to the second round is going to earn it. Unless of course one teams turtles, unlikely though. Very unlikely.

I am not trying to slam any Kings fans, I know this is your board. I just saw Jaskin getting flamed for obvious points to a Blues fan. I'm not sure you guys understand our team as well as you think. I'm not worried about playing you guys, I think its even. I think its more of a coin flip series. Whoever gets the breaks and wants it the most will be the victor in my opinion. I'm not saying we are going to steam roll you, and I'm not saying your going to us. I'm just saying, we are very different than some of you think. We pretty much know what you have and its good. You haven't played the good us in my opinion. I hope we bring it, it will be some sweeeeet hockey to watch.

 

[takk]

^ You made it sound like Kings are some one line team. This is getting annoying really. We get it that Elliot is hot and Jaybo suits your team, but enough with the overly long depth analysis posts.

 

[ikeman79]

^ You made it sound like Kings are some one line team. This is getting annoying really. We get it that Elliot is hot and Jaybo suits your team, but enough with the overly long depth analysis posts.

That's not at all what I meant. I stated you had more star power than us, but we edge you in depth.

Again as I stated you guys making fun of Elliot will probably end if the team doesn't turtle.

I'm simply saying the addition of Jay Bouwmeester and Leopold has made our transition better thus making us more even to combating your style of play.

Again you team is very good. I'm not trying to disrespect your team in any way. I'm just stating, our team is also very good and mabe not quite what you guys are thinking if you just think Elliot is going to get shelled and your going to walk all over us. That's basically what I'm getting a lot of from your guys post. I'm merely saying Elliot isn't likely to turtle. I can't read the future and neither can you guys. Quick could turtle for all we know. Unlikely but possible. Yes Elliot has been inconsistent at times, but generally he has had real reasons for doing so. That's all I'm saying. When on he's a very good goalie. I watch a lot of hockey and see a lot of different players and Elliot is very good when on.

So again, I'm not sure how I'm being taken, but I'm saying both teams are very good, you have more top line talent than us, I didn't say anywhere you were a one line team. I said we edged you in depth, which is true in my mind. That's not to say your team isn't good or has no depth its only to say the Blues depth is exceptional but we lack top line star power like a Carter, Richards or Kopitar.

About J-Bo again only trying to say he has really helped our transition game along with Leopold. Way better than Cole and Russell. That's all I meant.

I'm not coming on your board flaming your team. I am stating both teams are really good and both fan bases will know that after this series. This is the premier battle in the west in my opinion. Fans from other teams are going to be really glad one of our teams our gone after this series.

So please take nothing I say as disrespectful as I have respect for your team. I just like to talk hockey and think my team is also very good as you do yours. That's all.

 

[Prince]

Has the Kings practice schedule in STL been announced?
Thanks.

 

[Omni Owl]

Good lord lets hope Matt Greene will be back and healthy. That 3rd pairing scares me without him....

 

[SLang]

That's not at all what I meant. I stated you had more star power than us, but we edge you in depth.

Again as I stated you guys making fun of Elliot will probably end if the team doesn't turtle.

I'm simply saying the addition of Jay Bouwmeester and Leopold has made our transition better thus making us more even to combating your style of play.

Again you team is very good. I'm not trying to disrespect your team in any way. I'm just stating, our team is also very good and mabe not quite what you guys are thinking if you just think Elliot is going to get shelled and your going to walk all over us. That's basically what I'm getting a lot of from your guys post. I'm merely saying Elliot isn't likely to turtle. I can't read the future and neither can you guys. Quick could turtle for all we know. Unlikely but possible. Yes Elliot has been inconsistent at times, but generally he has had real reasons for doing so. That's all I'm saying. When on he's a very good goalie. I watch a lot of hockey and see a lot of different players and Elliot is very good when on.

So again, I'm not sure how I'm being taken, but I'm saying both teams are very good, you have more top line talent than us, I didn't say anywhere you were a one line team. I said we edged you in depth, which is true in my mind. That's not to say your team isn't good or has no depth its only to say the Blues depth is exceptional but we lack top line star power like a Carter, Richards or Kopitar.

About J-Bo again only trying to say he has really helped our transition game along with Leopold. Way better than Cole and Russell. That's all I meant.

I'm not coming on your board flaming your team. I am stating both teams are really good and both fan bases will know that after this series. This is the premier battle in the west in my opinion. Fans from other teams are going to be really glad one of our teams our gone after this series.

So please take nothing I say as disrespectful as I have respect for your team. I just like to talk hockey and think my team is also very good as you do yours. That's all.

Are Kings fans going to the Blues board and posting stuff like this? Yeah, we get it, you guys have a good team, I don't think anyone's taking them lightly.

 

[Ollie Weeks]

For all the talk about Muzzin and Ellerby, how bad has Voynov been the past 10 games? Am I the only one seeing this?

 

[Bandit]

For all the talk about Muzzin and Ellerby, how bad has Voynov been the past 10 games? Am I the only one seeing this?

Nope, you're not alone. He's been brutal.

 

[SLang]

Anyone think that Martinez should have been given a look in the last couple of games of the RS? I know home ice was on the line but I don't seem him as anything more of a liability than Ellerby or to a lesser extent, Muzzin. He got got Cup-winning experience and played well in the playoffs last year. I hate to see him having to come in cold like that, if it's necessary.

 

[deeshamrock]

Has the Kings practice schedule in STL been announced?
Thanks.

From the LA Kings Insider this morning:
The Kings are scheduled to take the ice at the Scottrade Center at 2:00 pm CT.

 

[The Butcher]

Jaskin if we don't turtle, they will understand after game one. If we do turtle it might take two games.

We definetly have the advantage at depth. None of us even want to insert Oshie into the lineup and mess up our 4th line....

The Kings fans have no idea how good we are, we know what they are. We watched them destroy us last year. They added a shutdown defenseman.

Elliot is going to surprise some King fans of the quality he is if the team doesn't collapse against him. Let us not forget he had vertigo last playoff series and we only had Allen to backup and Hitch was afraid to throw an AHLer into the fray with just reasoning. This year Halak is backing him up if he doesn't pull a groin, and Allen now I would not worry about. So Elliot isn't going to be stressed like last year. Its perform or move over. Also to the guy that was stating Elliots stats last year weren't that impressive compared to Quicks, might want to go look them up. The Blues netminder had a pretty impressive season. Elliot, is a good goalie, I'm not concerned about him, and I believe after a game or two, neither will the Kings fans.

Here is what the Kings have. Experience, they are in our head a little. A Stanley cup ring clogging on of their ears. Top line talent. We have overall depth, they have star power on their top line. They like to stick a team in mud and slow them down. They like to pin them in their zone and grind. They play a lot like us.

We do have depth. We also have a better defense, our goaltending should not be an issue this year, its pretty even if not better. Who do the Kings put out if Quick happens to turtle? He's awesome no doubt, but anybody can have an off game and that's all it takes in a seven game series. Same with our tenders.

I'm not sure anybody realizes how close these teams are. This is going to be fun. I'm not sure anybody runs away with this one. I am sure whoever makes it to the second round is going to earn it. Unless of course one teams turtles, unlikely though. Very unlikely.

I am not trying to slam any Kings fans, I know this is your board. I just saw Jaskin getting flamed for obvious points to a Blues fan. I'm not sure you guys understand our team as well as you think. I'm not worried about playing you guys, I think its even. I think its more of a coin flip series. Whoever gets the breaks and wants it the most will be the victor in my opinion. I'm not saying we are going to steam roll you, and I'm not saying your going to us. I'm just saying, we are very different than some of you think. We pretty much know what you have and its good. You haven't played the good us in my opinion. I hope we bring it, it will be some sweeeeet hockey to watch.

Blah blah blah. Let's hear your breakdown after the series.

Blues cheerleading should be done on the blues board.

 

[Daley Tarasenkshow]

May the best team win.

 

[kingsfan]

Praying to God that some lower seeded team beats Chicago before the Kings would have to face them if the Kings manage to go deep again. I just don't see any team beating them this year.

I think a lot of people were saying that about the 1982 Oilers as well.

About a week ago, one 0f the NHL writers had an interesting stat. The LA Kings were the only team in the NHL to be top 7 in scoring, top 6 is GAA, top 10 PP and top 10 PK.

that would be impressive in any stance, but without Greene and Mitchell all year, it's amazing, esp the PK.

"Glad I could help."

Courtesy of the LA Kings Insider, team stats:


Goals/Game: LAK – 10 / 2.73; STL – 17 / 2.58
Goals Against/Game: LAK – t-7 / 2.38; STL – t-7 / 2.38
Power Play: LAK – 10 / 19.9%; STL – 12 / 19.5%
Penalty Kill: LAK – 10 / 83.2%; STL – 7 / 84.7%
Shots/Game: LAK – 12 / 29.8; STL – 23 / 27.8
Shots Against/Game: LAK – 3 / 25.0; STL – 2 / 24.2
Faceoffs: LAK – 4 / 52.0%; STL – 13 / 50.7%
Save Percentage: LAK – 16 / .905; STL – 20 / .902

That one will be the key to series. The team that starts with puck possession more often is the team that will win more often, all other things being equal (which they pretty much are in this series). This series will be close, but we should win for that fact alone. If Elliott and Quick play like they did last playoffs though, LA could clobber St. Louis.

Lol. That was so dumb. You don't see that very often above juniors, especially when the team is losing, which, IIRC, St. Louis was down like 5-1 or something when he did that, weren't they?

Here's the breakdown for Canada peeps:

MIN vs. CHI game 1 on CBC Saskatchewan to East Coast
LAK vs. STL game 1 on CBC Alberta - BC

I figured Manitoba would get the Wild/Hawks. Lots of Winnipeg fans of the Wild, largely due to all the years without NHL hockey. How do things work out for the rest of the series after game 1? Do we get to see the Kings then?

 

[kingsfan]

Btw, two things for the Blues fans in this thread.

1) Thank you for not being a bunch of whiny *******s like Ducks and Nucks fans. Let's keep it that way.

2) We know you have a good team, but this is the Kings forum so of course we're going to generally think our team is better, so we don't need, or really even want, your long-winded explaination of why Jay Blow is going to be annointed the new Jesus and how Elliott saves everything, from pucks to dying orphans. If that's all you have to bring to this thread, go preach your Jehovah's-like mantra about the Blues on your own forum. If, on the otherhand, you want to just have a basic discussion and answer some questions about your team (and we can do the same for you), please stick around, because we'd love to have you.

 

[TonySCV]

I figured Manitoba would get the Wild/Hawks. Lots of Winnipeg fans of the Wild, largely due to all the years without NHL hockey. How do things work out for the rest of the series after game 1? Do we get to see the Kings then?

Assumedly yes given that the times (mostly) line up properly for games 2, 3 and 4. No times have been announced yet for 5-7.

 

[kingsfan]

For some extra reading, the Hockeynews posted this on their website, a breakdown of each series, including which team gets the edge in certain areas, like coaching, defense, etc. and expected winners. We are at the bottom: http://www.thehockeynews.com/articl..._medium=email&utm_campaign=thn_daily_20130429

Winner and why: The difference in this series could simply be that the Kings are battle-tested and the Blues are not. The Kings are more explosive offensively, but the Blues are a little more deep and can produce more from the blueline. One thing is certain: This will be a very difficult, very grinding series where the participants will have to battle for every inch of the ice. You have to wonder whether the winner of this series will have enough left to go much further in the playoffs. Kings in 7.

 

[The Butcher]

Jaskin if we don't turtle, they will understand after game one. If we do turtle it might take two games.

We definetly have the advantage at depth. None of us even want to insert Oshie into the lineup and mess up our 4th line....

The Kings fans have no idea how good we are, we know what they are. We watched them destroy us last year. They added a shutdown defenseman.

Elliot is going to surprise some King fans of the quality he is if the team doesn't collapse against him. Let us not forget he had vertigo last playoff series and we only had Allen to backup and Hitch was afraid to throw an AHLer into the fray with just reasoning. This year Halak is backing him up if he doesn't pull a groin, and Allen now I would not worry about. So Elliot isn't going to be stressed like last year. Its perform or move over. Also to the guy that was stating Elliots stats last year weren't that impressive compared to Quicks, might want to go look them up. The Blues netminder had a pretty impressive season. Elliot, is a good goalie, I'm not concerned about him, and I believe after a game or two, neither will the Kings fans.

Here is what the Kings have. Experience, they are in our head a little. A Stanley cup ring clogging on of their ears. Top line talent. We have overall depth, they have star power on their top line. They like to stick a team in mud and slow them down. They like to pin them in their zone and grind. They play a lot like us.

We do have depth. We also have a better defense, our goaltending should not be an issue this year, its pretty even if not better. Who do the Kings put out if Quick happens to turtle? He's awesome no doubt, but anybody can have an off game and that's all it takes in a seven game series. Same with our tenders.

I'm not sure anybody realizes how close these teams are. This is going to be fun. I'm not sure anybody runs away with this one. I am sure whoever makes it to the second round is going to earn it. Unless of course one teams turtles, unlikely though. Very unlikely.

I am not trying to slam any Kings fans, I know this is your board. I just saw Jaskin getting flamed for obvious points to a Blues fan. I'm not sure you guys understand our team as well as you think. I'm not worried about playing you guys, I think its even. I think its more of a coin flip series. Whoever gets the breaks and wants it the most will be the victor in my opinion. I'm not saying we are going to steam roll you, and I'm not saying your going to us. I'm just saying, we are very different than some of you think. We pretty much know what you have and its good. You haven't played the good us in my opinion. I hope we bring it, it will be some sweeeeet hockey to watch.

Blah blah blah. Let's hear your breakdown after the series.

Blues cheerleading should be done on the blues board.

 

[TonySCV]

I don't think it's a stretch to say that if Greene is out, the Kings aren't winning this series. Losing Greene and Mitchell is too much. Defense wins championships and I think even though the Kings have a clear edge offensively, they aren't going to outscore their way to a series win. They need a healthy D corps. Mitchell was MVP on D behind Doughty.

Regehr helps blunt the loss of Mitchell, but it's still a net loss, particularly on the puck possession side. Per timeonice.com, Regehr's possession number is only 49% in his 12 games with the Kings, worst among defensemen on the team. (That is not unique to the Kings BTW - it is Regehr regardless of the team he's on.) Drew Doughty's possession number has been 49% when paired with Regehr. When not paired with Regehr, Doughty's number is 10 percentage points better at 59%.

Overall the Kings are still the #1 possession team in the league, and from a team perspective the overall possession number has dropped an average of 1% since Regehr arrived, but it's still a concern when you're talking about facing a healthy Blues team. Greene sidelined makes the Blues a really tough hill to climb.

 

[kingsfan]

The only thing that really concerns me for the Kings is that we are arguably the least battle tested defending Cup champion in league history.

How much adversity did LA really face last playoffs? We started every series by going up 3-0 and we never had an injury. We have no idea how this team will respond if they drop the first game of a series or it's 1-1 going home, nevermind if they drop a could of games in a series. Even against New Jersey last year when it went to a game six, did anyone really have a lot of concern? If we had fallen behind in that game then maybe I would have started to be concerned, but that never happened and I certainly wasn't worried we'd lose the series.

When the series got tight against the Nucks and Sharks, LA looked lost at times. I'm not saying we'll be like that again, but a real test is something the Kings didn't face last year and it'll be interesting to see how they do if St. Louis wins game one or takes two of the first three.

 

[The Butcher]

The only thing that really concerns me for the Kings is that we are arguably the least battle tested defending Cup champion in league history.

How much adversity did LA really face last playoffs? We started every series by going up 3-0 and we never had an injury. We have no idea how this team will respond if they drop the first game of a series or it's 1-1 going home, nevermind if they drop a could of games in a series. Even against New Jersey last year when it went to a game six, did anyone really have a lot of concern? If we had fallen behind in that game then maybe I would have started to be concerned, but that never happened and I certainly wasn't worried we'd lose the series.

When the series got tight against the Nucks and Sharks, LA looked lost at times. I'm not saying we'll be like that again, but a real test is something the Kings didn't face last year and it'll be interesting to see how they do if St. Louis wins game one or takes two of the first three.

I agree. This, I think, will be the difference between Terry Murray and Darryl Sutter. Not to mention we have more scoring depth and comeback ability than we had in those days. At least I hope we do.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

The only thing that really concerns me for the Kings is that we are arguably the least battle tested defending Cup champion in league history.

How much adversity did LA really face last playoffs? We started every series by going up 3-0 and we never had an injury. We have no idea how this team will respond if they drop the first game of a series or it's 1-1 going home, nevermind if they drop a could of games in a series. Even against New Jersey last year when it went to a game six, did anyone really have a lot of concern? If we had fallen behind in that game then maybe I would have started to be concerned, but that never happened and I certainly wasn't worried we'd lose the series.

When the series got tight against the Nucks and Sharks, LA looked lost at times. I'm not saying we'll be like that again, but a real test is something the Kings didn't face last year and it'll be interesting to see how they do if St. Louis wins game one or takes two of the first three.

I agree to an extent but we had to suffer some heartbreaks before that. Our chokefest vs. Van 2 years back and stretching San Jose to 6 with no Kopitar, a one-armed Williams, and Stoll suspended a game were good experiences for this team.

I do think the Blues defensive depth > ours this year. No Mitchell hurts, Greene clearly isn't 100% in game shape and whether he's in or not that hurts...Muzzin and Ellerby will be exposed over a long series, and while the Blues don't cause matchup issues as much as say, the Sedins (if we had to put Muzzin, Ellerby, and the 4th line out vs. those guys...vomit), there's no one on the Blues to "take advantage of" anymore. As much as I think Bouw is a punching bag, he DOES have a good first pass and skating ability. These guys tooled up to beat us, folks.

 

[kingsfan]

I agree to an extent but we had to suffer some heartbreaks before that. Our chokefest vs. Van 2 years back and stretching San Jose to 6 with no Kopitar, a one-armed Williams, and Stoll suspended a game were good experiences for this team.

Oh I agree, but how did we fare when we faced those heartbreaks? We lost those series.

We haven't faced a heartbreak since SJ, so we don't know how we'll fare. I'm going to assume that winning a cup strengthens your resiliency, but that resiliency has not been tested in the playoffs...yet. It will be interesting to see how we do if St. Louis can get ahead in the series. It's easier to play calm and cool when you're never trailing in a series, or when you have no injuries to deal with.

 

[tigermask48]

Are Kings fans going to the Blues board and posting stuff like this? Yeah, we get it, you guys have a good team, I don't think anyone's taking them lightly.

It's almost if they are trying to desperately convince somone other than themselves that they are a good hockey team...

1) Thank you for not being a bunch of whiny *******s like Ducks and Nucks fans. Let's keep it that way.

I really like Blues fans, knowledgable, funny, and don't get too pissed when stuff like last year happens. Great fans that I wish get a taste of success at some point in the near future... Just not against the Kings.

Lol. That was so dumb. You don't see that very often above juniors, especially when the team is losing, which, IIRC, St. Louis was down like 5-1 or something when he did that, weren't they?

Kings were up 3-0 nothing at that point I think. Just a stupid move in that situation. That said I'd take him on the Kings in a heartbeat as I love his game and what he brings to a game.

 

[Daley Tarasenkshow]

I really hope we see a brawl in one of these games. That will settle everything.

Also, why have the kings not played bernier? He seems to be playing well when he does play. Is quick that good? From an outsider, I think its time for the kings to trade bernier.

Also, I think it goes without saying that Stewart can act stupid at times, but only because the kings do nag him on here and there..Stewart is my favorite player. He's solid.