GDT: 2020-21 season game 22 LA Kings vs ST. Louis Blues @6:00pm 3/5/21

[KingsFan7824]

They're 3-1-1 against StL this year, but still 7 points back of them with 2 games in hand. Because StL is 12-5-2 in non-Kings games, while the Kings are 6-7-4 in non-Blues games.

But, StL is 7-1-1 against Ana and SJ. 7-7-1 against the other 5 teams. The Kings are 1-1-1 against California.

The Kings are 6-6-4 against the 4 teams ahead of them. Not great, but sort of respectable. The 4 OT losses, to the Wild and Blues, the 2 teams directly ahead of the Kings in pts%. 3 of the 4 OT losses, on home ice. In the 3 OT losses, they had a lead either entering or during the 3rd period.

Everything else being the same, had they held onto those games, they go from:
StL, 24GP, 30pts
Col, 21GP, 27pts
Min, 21GP, 27pts
LA, 22GP, 23pts

To:
StL, 24GP, 28pts
Col, 21GP, 27pts
LA, 22GP, 26pts
Min, 21GP, 23pts

In 3 results, 6 GA, they go from controlling their destiny over both opponents, and a punchers chance of getting ahead of the Avs, to well behind the 8-ball. 5 of the next 7 are against Col and StL though, so, they can get back in this thing. The other 2 games are against a team that can't score. The 7th worst offense(and 13th worst team) since the lockout.

As much as they can still compete for a spot, it can also fall apart just as fast. Obviously Col and StL can win those games, and Min has Ari in 4 of their next 6. Could have about 6 weeks of meaningless hockey soon.

 

[Fat Elvis]

How did Kupari look?

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

How did Kupari look?

I thought he looked pretty nervous for like the first two periods(not surprising)...but looked significantly better in the 3rd. He had a pretty good chance in the 3rd, right in the slot.

He also looked 15 yrs old in the post game interview.

 

[Bandit]

I thought he looked pretty nervous for like the first two periods(not surprising)...but looked significantly better in the 3rd. He had a pretty good chance in the 3rd, right in the slot.

He also looked 15 yrs old in the post game interview.

Yup agreed. He looked much better in the 3rd.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I don't want to play against Tank but good for him and glad he's back to health.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

They're 3-1-1 against StL this year, but still 7 points back of them with 2 games in hand. Because StL is 12-5-2 in non-Kings games, while the Kings are 6-7-4 in non-Blues games.

But, StL is 7-1-1 against Ana and SJ. 7-7-1 against the other 5 teams. The Kings are 1-1-1 against California.

The Kings are 6-6-4 against the 4 teams ahead of them. Not great, but sort of respectable. The 4 OT losses, to the Wild and Blues, the 2 teams directly ahead of the Kings in pts%. 3 of the 4 OT losses, on home ice. In the 3 OT losses, they had a lead either entering or during the 3rd period.

Everything else being the same, had they held onto those games, they go from:
StL, 24GP, 30pts
Col, 21GP, 27pts
Min, 21GP, 27pts
LA, 22GP, 23pts

To:
StL, 24GP, 28pts
Col, 21GP, 27pts
LA, 22GP, 26pts
Min, 21GP, 23pts

In 3 results, 6 GA, they go from controlling their destiny over both opponents, and a punchers chance of getting ahead of the Avs, to well behind the 8-ball. 5 of the next 7 are against Col and StL though, so, they can get back in this thing. The other 2 games are against a team that can't score. The 7th worst offense(and 13th worst team) since the lockout.

As much as they can still compete for a spot, it can also fall apart just as fast. Obviously Col and StL can win those games, and Min has Ari in 4 of their next 6. Could have about 6 weeks of meaningless hockey soon.

That's a good look thanks, was trying to imagine the 'what if' scenarios minus those collapses and pretty crazy to see they'd be comfortably in a playoff spot.

If they're in this thing until the last week or two I think we have to consider this season a success and they'd have pretty much matched my expectations.

 

[bland]

How did Kupari look?

Kupari essentially has two moves that repeats over and over. With the puck he has a power move around the outside to the net that will get sussed out almost immediately at this level, and then with zone possession he likes to get lost in coverage, slide back then horizontally across the slot to set himself up for a one time feed.

That's the extent of his offensive game. It will work occasionally and he will look good in those situations, but he watches an awful lot and doesn't really get involved too much. That's been the story of his pro career so far, and he is going to need to add some variety to his game if he wants to be a regular NHLer.

 

[KINGS17]

Kupari essentially has two moves that repeats over and over. With the puck he has a power move around the outside to the net that will get sussed out almost immediately at this level, and then with zone possession he likes to get lost in coverage, slide back then horizontally across the slot to set himself up for a one time feed.

That's the extent of his offensive game. It will work occasionally and he will look good in those situations, but he watches an awful lot and doesn't really get involved too much. That's been the story of his pro career so far, and he is going to need to add some variety to his game if he wants to be a regular NHLer.

Dustin Brown needs to teach him the pull and drag. I am sure you will agree.

 

[redcard]

How did Kupari look?

Like a young Leo DiCaprio

 

[Reaper45]

Now put him through the wall.

 

[Nickster]

Now put him through the wall.

Wasn't Walker the one who knocked him out of the game last year with a seemingly innocent rubout along the wall that began this long nightmare for Vlad?