2018-2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs Pt. 2

[TruKingFan]

Unfortunately in Round 1, LA faced the eventual Stanley Cup finalist in both 2016 & 2018. 2015 was also a fluke year to miss.

This team is now in rebuilding mode but with some luck you had won a playoff series here and there.

Now we constantly need to read this ****.

Its from the "wise" and "realistic" fans around here don't you know.

 

[KingsFan7824]

Hopefully, this does not reinforce the "just make the playoffs and anything can happen" mentality that infected the thinking of Kings top management for so long prior to Dean Lombardi's arrival. Granted during the Kings run from 2012 - 2014 the Kings never won the division, but there is a difference between just squeaking into the playoffs, and being built for the playoffs.

What does being built for the playoffs mean? How do you know a team is built for the playoffs until a team wins in the playoffs? Duchene wasn't a playoff player. 0 career goals coming into this tournament. Was barely ever on a team that even made the playoffs. Now he's at almost 2 points per game through 1 round for an average regular season team, and a franchise that had never won a playoff series in their history. Even Bob is doing well in crunch time, so you know things are weird.

The worst teams in the playoffs today are average teams. There are no 1991 North Stars hanging around anymore. Add that to the cap, and it's pretty much just get in. Every team has a flaw somewhere. One injury, and it could change an entire series. We saw that with Hedman. Not that Columbus couldn't have won anyway. We saw that with Vancouver in 2012, not that the Kings couldn't have won anyway.

It might make teams give even less effort in the regular season though. Why push yourself if all you have to do is make sure you get in? On the flip side, this is one of the lowest % of teams that make the playoffs in league history, so you do have to still kind of try.

 

[Frolov 6'3]

Sorry you can't seem to do it.

I explained it. You fail to recognize.

 

[Frolov 6'3]

Or spin bull****. Those results wouldn’t be so bothersome had the team been in a transition period, but management was still trying to push what they perceived to be a winning team, and look where they’re at now.

Have you even been watching any of these playoff games? I haven’t seen the Kings play at such an intense level in years. Of course that increases our desire to see a competitive Kings team competing in the playoffs.

Again.

The Kings had to play a much better team. That already in round 1. Those particular teams went on to the SC finals. So what more evidence do you need?

We will never know what would have happened in 2015.

With some more luck we would have won a series here and there.

Thats is not spinning bull****.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Its from the "wise" and "realistic" fans around here don't you know.

Do you ever add anything productive to a discussion besides making snide remarks and hurling veiled insults at those whose opinions you don’t agree with?

 

[KINGS17]

What does being built for the playoffs mean? How do you know a team is built for the playoffs until a team wins in the playoffs? Duchene wasn't a playoff player. 0 career goals coming into this tournament. Was barely ever on a team that even made the playoffs. Now he's at almost 2 points per game through 1 round for an average regular season team, and a franchise that had never won a playoff series in their history. Even Bob is doing well in crunch time, so you know things are weird.

The worst teams in the playoffs today are average teams. There are no 1991 North Stars hanging around anymore. Add that to the cap, and it's pretty much just get in. Every team has a flaw somewhere. One injury, and it could change an entire series. We saw that with Hedman. Not that Columbus couldn't have won anyway. We saw that with Vancouver in 2012, not that the Kings couldn't have won anyway.

It might make teams give even less effort in the regular season though. Why push yourself if all you have to do is make sure you get in? On the flip side, this is one of the lowest % of teams that make the playoffs in league history, so you do have to still kind of try.

Built for the playoffs is a brand of physical hockey that cannot be played or maintained over the course of an entire 82-game schedule, but can be executed over the two month sausage grinder that is the NHL playoffs. I don't think the Kings system under Sutter was as flawed as some believe. The players just didn't have the will to execute it any longer. I suppose that could be considered a flaw, but maybe what it really signals is that after a 3 or 4 year run, it's time to find some new players willing to execute the system. I think the 2012-2014 Kings teams would have made mincemeat out of the Western Conference playoffs this season.

I wouldn't say a first round win means any of these teams are built for the playoffs. The Kings certainly weren't during the Dave Taylor years yet they managed to beat an injury-plagued Detroit team in the first round one year.

 

[KINGS17]

I explained it. You fail to recognize.

You didn't explain a damn thing.

 

[KINGS17]

Its from the "wise" and "realistic" fans around here don't you know.

It's obvious you don't know.

 

[KINGS17]

Yep. Look, we get it. The Kings are in a downward turn cycle. It's time to rebuild. You may as well list every team that has won 2 playoff games over the last 5 seasons as well. It's an interesting (and painful) footnote, but we're all well aware. If you want to talk about perspective lost, how about 41 - FORTY ONE!! - playoff game victories from 2012 to 2014.

No one can deny that was an incredible record for the Kings in the playoffs over the course of those three seasons. Best Kings hockey we will probably ever see. 41-23 in the playoffs over three seasons is simply amazing. Great job by the players, the coaches, and the entire organization.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Again.

The Kings had to play a much better team. That already in round 1. Those particular teams went on to the SC finals. So what more evidence do you need?

We will never know what would have happened in 2015.

With some more luck we would have won a series here and there.

Thats is not spinning bull****.

They failed to qualify in 2015, whatever scenario you want to make up, they were not a playoff team.

Fine, you want to say they ran into one of the best teams in the league in 2016 and 2018, but looking at the team’s performance, their offense completely vanished in both of those post seasons. The only reason the Vegas series was competitive was because of Jonathan Quick.

Then you have 2017 and 2019. We don’t need to delve deep into what happened, and those years aren’t flukes. None of this changes the facts and numbers pointed out, with whatever perspective you want to apply. Those results of one single playoff game won in five years with an aging and expensive roster will remain.

Thankfully with a rebuild taking place, we don’t have to hear management try to peddle this team as a potential Stanley Cup contender. And the point I was making is that they haven’t been that team for quite some time.

 

[bouncesonly]

Fine, you want to say they ran into one of the best teams in the league in 2016 and 2018, but looking at the team’s performance, their offense completely vanished in both of those post seasons. The only reason the Vegas series was competitive was because of Jonathan Quick.

f*** that, only reason Kings didn't win against Vegas cause we didn't get bounces, nevermind not scoring the minimum amount of goals to win a series

 

[Frolov 6'3]

You didn't explain a damn thing.

Sometimes i wonder what person is behind this account.

I am not saying we were incredibly unfortunate or otherwise we had won the Stanley Cup.

We are all aware about the fact this team wasnt good enough the last couple years.

Yet, not everything is always black or white.

 

[KINGS17]

Sometimes i wonder what person is behind this account.

I am not saying we were incredibly unfortunate or otherwise we had won the Stanley Cup.

We are all aware about the fact this team wasnt good enough the last couple years.

Yet, not everything is always black or white.

Apparently, Luc Robitaille and Rob Blake were not aware. That is the point.

 

[Frolov 6'3]

They failed to qualify in 2015, whatever scenario you want to make up, they were not a playoff team.

Strange.

On the main boards you repeatedly said that it was ridiculous that the West was so strong that LA missed the playoffs with 94 points. Back then one of the highest point totals ever to miss it.

Now it suddenly doesnt matter anymore.

Very strange.

Fine, you want to say they ran into one of the best teams in the league in 2016 and 2018, but looking at the team’s performance, their offense completely vanished in both of those post seasons. The only reason the Vegas series was competitive was because of Jonathan Quick.

yeah the "they didnt come to play" argument. How about, they werent good enough because they ran into one of the better teams? Like you said.

Then you have 2017 and 2019. We don’t need to delve deep into what happened, and those years aren’t flukes. None of this changes the facts and numbers pointed out, with whatever perspective you want to apply.

i never said anything about a fluke for those years.

I am talking about 2015, 2016 and 2018 and the "one win in 5 years comments" without context.

 

[Master Yoda]

Built for the playoffs is a brand of physical hockey that cannot be played or maintained over the course of an entire 82-game schedule, but can be executed over the two month sausage grinder that is the NHL playoffs. I don't think the Kings system under Sutter was as flawed as some believe. The players just didn't have the will to execute it any longer. I suppose that could be considered a flaw, but maybe what it really signals is that after a 3 or 4 year run, it's time to find some new players willing to execute the system. I think the 2012-2014 Kings teams would have made mincemeat out of the Western Conference playoffs this season.

I wouldn't say a first round win means any of these teams are built for the playoffs. The Kings certainly weren't during the Dave Taylor years yet they managed to beat an injury-plagued Detroit team in the first round one year.

I think that's an interesting point. Maybe bringing in a slew of new/different players was the way to go. But on the other hand, I don't know if other players could've executed that system and have the same type of success they had in 2012~2014.

 

[Papa Mocha 15]

“No hockey history there” is a piping hot take for a Kings fan.

Go back to the 70s and 80s and see how much Canadians and midwesterners disparaged hockey in California. How many years did we have to deal with everyone saying Gretzky only wanted to play in LA because of his wife?

The Kings are the original “non traditional market.” Pretty hypocritical insult if you ask me.

I wasn't asking you but you are free to your opinion. LA has been around since 67. SJ since the 90s. Vegas 2nd year so hockey history. It's length of time, not if it snows here which is traditional vs non traditional market. Many just don't like hockey in cities where it doesn't snow, which is fine. Opinions. They laughed and said what's next a team in Arizona or Texas. Blah blah blah and now the Pacific is what it is.

But there is a difference in what I was talking about and you took it out of context so I'll try to re-explain it. So there is a difference in a team's fanbase that has had 2 years existence vs a team's fanbase that is almost 20 or 30 years which was my original point. A fanbase with 20 years behind it knows what it is to suffer, has had multiple coaches, players cycle through it's system. Fans have had jerseys retired, fans who have followed the team since inception and can remember the original jerseys, top players, top lines, maybe a few trophy winners like Norris or Hart over a few decades and can recite them 10 years later with their stats and someone might even name a kid after a player at some point. But no cup yet. There is a hunger there. We've all been there when LA was losing but we continued to follow. We all love the sport and for some of us, it goes back to being 8 or 9 years old.

But that's hockey history to me. It's the difference between a fanbase that is 2 years in existence with no history that can come and clean up vs a team that has been around and lost a number of times. I just don't like the idea of Vegas winning IMHO. They don't appreciate it like a team that has been around and arguable paid it's dues. That's hockey history vs non traditional market which his totally different. But if you want to go further into how Back East teams follow stats more closely or are more likely to play the game outside because it snows sure and this is desert, go ahead. We're just talking about different things.

I'm fine with Vegas eventually winning someday. I just don't want it to be now. I don't think the city has earned it yet and especially with Reaves on the team.

 

[crassbonanza]

Man, it'd be nice if the negativity about the Kings could take a backseat in just one of these threads. These have been some fun f***ing playoffs so far with a shitload of storylines to discuss, instead it resorts to people talking about how Luc and Blake suck again.

 

[kingsholygrail]

The rebuild just started. Had management realized this team needed to restock instead of living in the past, you wouldn’t have to read this ****.

Sorry for mentioning that fact. I’m sure nobody takes pride in that result, especially when having among the oldest and most expensive rosters in the league.

So when would you have blown it all up?

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

So when would you have blown it all up?

I wouldn’t describe it as “blowing up” but some deals like the Lucic one were ill timed and pointless. After 2017, I would’ve liked to have seen a transition to a younger roster, but they had nothing in the pipeline to accomplish that.

 

[YP44]

I wouldn’t describe it as “blowing up” but some deals like the Lucic one were ill timed and pointless. After 2017, I would’ve liked to have seen a transition to a younger roster, but they had nothing in the pipeline to accomplish that.

Vilardi injury hurts the above. He was the type of prospect i was hoping could have made an impact this season.

I think LA's prospect pool has got a lot better, we just need them to step up sooner than later before the likes of Kopitar and Doughty are too old to be elite.

 

[YP44]

Man, it'd be nice if the negativity about the Kings could take a backseat in just one of these threads. These have been some fun ****ing playoffs so far with a ****load of storylines to discuss, instead it resorts to people talking about how Luc and Blake suck again.

on that note who do you think takes each game 7?

I hope Boston but think the leafs take tonight
I hope Vegas (helps LA's pick from Toronto) and think they take it
I hope Carolina but think Washington takes it

I don't know about in the states but here I feel the Carolina Washington series is not getting the attention it deserves. Has been terrific from what I have been able to catch.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

I wasn't asking you but you are free to your opinion. LA has been around since 67. SJ since the 90s. Vegas 2nd year so hockey history. It's length of time, not if it snows here which is traditional vs non traditional market. Many just don't like hockey in cities where it doesn't snow, which is fine. Opinions. They laughed and said what's next a team in Arizona or Texas. Blah blah blah and now the Pacific is what it is.

But there is a difference in what I was talking about and you took it out of context so I'll try to re-explain it. So there is a difference in a team's fanbase that has had 2 years existence vs a team's fanbase that is almost 20 or 30 years which was my original point. A fanbase with 20 years behind it knows what it is to suffer, has had multiple coaches, players cycle through it's system. Fans have had jerseys retired, fans who have followed the team since inception and can remember the original jerseys, top players, top lines, maybe a few trophy winners like Norris or Hart over a few decades and can recite them 10 years later with their stats and someone might even name a kid after a player at some point. But no cup yet. There is a hunger there. We've all been there when LA was losing but we continued to follow. We all love the sport and for some of us, it goes back to being 8 or 9 years old.

But that's hockey history to me. It's the difference between a fanbase that is 2 years in existence with no history that can come and clean up vs a team that has been around and lost a number of times. I just don't like the idea of Vegas winning IMHO. They don't appreciate it like a team that has been around and arguable paid it's dues. That's hockey history vs non traditional market which his totally different. But if you want to go further into how Back East teams follow stats more closely or are more likely to play the game outside because it snows sure and this is desert, go ahead. We're just talking about different things.

I'm fine with Vegas eventually winning someday. I just don't want it to be now. I don't think the city has earned it yet and especially with Reaves on the team.

What exactly do you expect Vegas fans to do? Not cheer for their team to win? Are they supposed to meekly shrug and gentleman clap whenever their team does well, and then apologize afterward because they really don’t “deserve” a good team?

What about the franchise itself? Are they supposed to purposely suck for X amount of time because “that’s just the way it’s supposed to be”? Do you realize how arbitrary and absurd this all sounds?

I invoked your status as a Kings fan because we should all know what it’s like to encounter this kind of childish gatekeeping. You’re allowed to hate whatever team and whatever franchise you want, but stop pretending as if that hate is justified by some mysterious unwritten rule of fandom. At least BigKing and others just outright admit, “yeah, it’s salty and petty, but I don’t like Vegas and I don’t like their fans.” Just be honest.

When exactly is Vegas allowed to win a Cup? Do they have to wait as long as the Kings? If so, there are a lot more franchises you should have a problem with for not waiting long enough.

Again, I understand why Kings fans in particular would dislike Vegas and their fans. I get it. But the rest of this is just insane sports fan dogma.

 

[KingsFan7824]

Built for the playoffs is a brand of physical hockey that cannot be played or maintained over the course of an entire 82-game schedule, but can be executed over the two month sausage grinder that is the NHL playoffs. I don't think the Kings system under Sutter was as flawed as some believe. The players just didn't have the will to execute it any longer. I suppose that could be considered a flaw, but maybe what it really signals is that after a 3 or 4 year run, it's time to find some new players willing to execute the system. I think the 2012-2014 Kings teams would have made mincemeat out of the Western Conference playoffs this season.

I wouldn't say a first round win means any of these teams are built for the playoffs. The Kings certainly weren't during the Dave Taylor years yet they managed to beat an injury-plagued Detroit team in the first round one year.

How were the 2012 Kings any more built for the playoffs than anyone that has won a 1st round series so far? They had only won 1 playoff series by this time 7 years ago.

 

[kingsholygrail]

I wouldn’t describe it as “blowing up” but some deals like the Lucic one were ill timed and pointless. After 2017, I would’ve liked to have seen a transition to a younger roster, but they had nothing in the pipeline to accomplish that.

They were in win now mode. But we don't know what they would have done after the 2017 season because they all got fired.

 

[KingsFan7824]

on that note who do you think takes each game 7?

I hope Boston but think the leafs take tonight
I hope Vegas (helps LA's pick from Toronto) and think they take it
I hope Carolina but think Washington takes it

I don't know about in the states but here I feel the Carolina Washington series is not getting the attention it deserves. Has been terrific from what I have been able to catch.

I still want to see Toronto/NYI in the 3rd rd, and the Islanders to take that one. However, if the Leafs lose tonight, that's fine too, because it's the Leafs, and the pick thing.

I'm guessing the Sharks win tonight. The magic has to run out at some point for Vegas(or maybe not, who knows). Go Avs in either case.

I want the Canes to win, just so that everyone can complain about parity, because at least for this season, it ain't the format that's getting rid of all the good teams. The Caps most likely show up at home though. Which would set up Trotz against the Caps.

The potential road for the Islanders seems like the road for the Kings in 2014.