GDT: 2021-22 season game 42 LA Kings vs New Jersey Devils @4:00pm 1/23/22

[Mats26]

The team right now is just a bunch of puzzle pieces. We need to find the right fit for the kids without stunning them with big roles they can't handle. We got the 23-25 age group with Grundstrom , Lias Andersson that need to find roles or we move them. And then the vets, one by one contracts will expire.

This is a transition year but it may take a few years to build this to where we all want it. I think we will see a busy off season to clear for some roster spots.

 

[ru4reals]

Can't believe we are in the second half of the season already. We being 5 games over .500 is a miracle in itself to be honest. Glad we got the win, but I still cannot see this team making the playoffs how Kopi's minutes keep going up and the teams inconsistency. I just have a feeling a few of these teams struggling in the Pacific will eventually catch up if we don't get better. Just too much talent on the Oilers, Flames and even Canucks. We have a winning record against the east but at the end of the year we have to start beating teams in our division and looks like that might be our undoing.

 

[ScoreZeGoals]

The Kings should get credit for winning an ugly ass game that they likely lose in the last couple of years, but their play since the winning streak has been poor, and the special teams will be the death of the team when it comes to making the playoffs.

McLellan should continue running Kopitar into the ground, I'm sure that will work out well...

 

[Mats26]

The Kings should get credit for winning an ugly ass game that they likely lose in the last couple of years, but their play since the winning streak has been poor, and the special teams will be the death of the team when it comes to making the playoffs.

McLellan should continue running Kopitar into the ground, I'm sure that will work out well...

Oh it's alot more serious than that. They want to develop every forward like they're Dwight King.

 

[Buddy The Elf]

I haven't seen a game in two weeks. I've been in Hawaii selling meth. I don't know why Grunstrom doesn't get any love. He's got size, uses it and can score. I really think he'll end up being a decent offensive player with the old adage that power forwards take longer to develop. The guy never gets a chance to play with more offensively skilled players. He's been inconsistent but I think that's more a symptom of ice time and who he's been playing with. He's effective on the forecheck and you'd think the coach would value him more because of it.

 

[DryIslandBartender]

Ugly win but whatever gets this team out of the dive it was in.

 

[regulate]

If Grundstrom is eligible to be sent down without waivers, I still believe Vilardi would be a better option - and also to see if we can get his trade value up - but mainly to give Byfield some better IQ to work with. I think Vilardi could use another shot might help him mentally. But it seems his attitude may be an issue internally because he did admit he's not that thrilled about playing wing - and that is not something you discuss w the press.. so my guess is he is in the doghouse.

Grundstrom is not waiver-exempt. He would have to pass through. He's not likely every going back down, at least not in this organization.

 

[tny760]

I haven't seen a game in two weeks. I've been in Hawaii selling meth. I don't know why Grunstrom doesn't get any love. He's got size, uses it and can score. I really think he'll end up being a decent offensive player with the old adage that power forwards take longer to develop. The guy never gets a chance to play with more offensively skilled players. He's been inconsistent but I think that's more a symptom of ice time and who he's been playing with. He's effective on the forecheck and you'd think the coach would value him more because of it.

i like grundstrom too but i'd like to see a bit more of an identity from him, i'm still just not entirely sure what he brings to the table. i do like his forecheck though like you say. he does make some pretty sloppy mistakes and take some bad penalties but i'm not gonna hang up on the ones he got tonight cause i felt like the officiating was a bit weird too

 

[JTeller97]

I enjoy winning just as much as the next guy and obviously I'd love to make playoffs, but the main focus this year should've been about integrating our blue chippers into the team and putting them into positions to succeed. Playing QB 9 mins a night and healthy scratching Turcotte is doing the exact opposite and I'm genuinely starting to get frustrated and concerned about this organization's ability to develop the talent that we've stockpiled over the past few years.

 

[AbsentMojo]

Grundstrom is not waiver-exempt. He would have to pass through. He's not likely every going back down, at least not in this organization.

Thanks for clarifying...

 

[King'sPawn]

I enjoy winning just as much as the next guy and obviously I'd love to make playoffs, but the main focus this year should've been about integrating our blue chippers into the team and putting them into positions to succeed. Playing QB 9 mins a night and healthy scratching Turcotte is doing the exact opposite and I'm genuinely starting to get frustrated and concerned about this organization's ability to develop the talent that we've stockpiled over the past few years.

You're not allowed to have these concerns while the team is vying for the playoffs.

Or while they're out of the playoffs, because who wants to put the youth in a losing culture.

Or when the player is under 23, because you're rushing and impatient.

Or on a day that ends in -day.

Basically just shut up and celebrate the infallibility of management.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

i like grundstrom too but i'd like to see a bit more of an identity from him, i'm still just not entirely sure what he brings to the table. i do like his forecheck though like you say. he does make some pretty sloppy mistakes and take some bad penalties but i'm not gonna hang up on the ones he got tonight cause i felt like the officiating was a bit weird too

I like him too and have the same concerns. But also impossible to see him getting into a rhythm when he keeps getting jerked around like all the other youth. Remember when after his best three games he got benched?

At this point I think he's gonna stay a bottom sixer but as a grinding wing with some skill he could have a good career (ideally third line 20 goal guy would be stellar). Byfield and Grundstrom is two thirds of a good third line.

 

[Fishhead]

Byfield had 15 minutes of ice time against Colorado in his first game in the NHL this year, I'm not concerned at all about his ice time. To be fair, he had a couple of short shifts tonight, one because of that weird Brown call. He also got dinged in the foot and was out of commission for a bit. The first goal against was on him because he didn't get the puck deep and was out of position to boot, so I don't mind him getting an extra rest there to recompose. If those things don't happen he has a few more minutes and no one notices.

I figured Turcotte was going to be scratched once Byfield was called up, that's the logical move. They aren't going to play him out of position once guys come out of protocol. I'm worried about a few things that coaches/management do, but Byfield and Turcotte aren't on that list for me right now. I'm far more worried about Kopitar's ice time, which had been trending down until the last couple of games. Yeah, he picked up a shift or two tonight for Byfield, I just hope he gets back down sub-20's like he was a week or so ago. It's done wonders for Brown, it would do the same for Kopi.

I know the knock on TM is that he's an old fossil, but I don't know if that's completely true. When's the last team a Kings coach has put this many rookies and young players out there with regularity when there are veteran options in Ontario? I don't think Andy Murray even had that much confidence in the younger guys.

 

[Steve Zissou]

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING:
FAUSTY AND KEMPE ARE BACK – 'Careful there Tatar, Pepe's kid is a biter' Edition

devilsblood : Trying to get good vibes out of Zacha is like squeezing water from a stone.
ThePrideofStockholm : Just got covid so im gonna be able to watch this one
njdevils1982 : (to user who got COVID) well, the only prescription for that is more cowbell
Bleedred : Ruff is definitely the best head coach in the building tonight. Todd is the NHL's biggest LOSER head coach to last as long as he has.
Better Call Sal :

My3Sons : The defense is off to a rough start. Lots of grenade handling on each pair.
The Wumpus : Who else is annoyed that Arvy doesn't wear 36

OmNomNom : Lol Dustin Brown embellished? Forgot he still plays
My3Sons : So if that was embellished how was it a cross check? It’s one or the other to me.
The Wumpus : You may not like it, but this is what peak performance looks like:

TheUnseenHand : Kings taking major liberties out there.
The Wumpus : Jesper Howe
Hisch13r : Imagine ever having hated that guy (Bratt)
None Shall Pass : BRATTATTACK
TheUnseenHand : (Why in the hell is Bratt fighting?) Someone had to. The kings were laying giant hits on everyone and no one was responding.
Mgd31 : Who the hell is that trash fighting Bratt?
swiiscompos : Kings are playing very physical, probably trying to get advantage of young team + second day of a back to back, we need our bigger guys to start responding, but meanwhile Bratt did a wonderful job!
Better Call Sal : Their defender looked like he was holding Zacha’s legs at the end of that chance. (Mikey Anderson, and he's right, it did look like Mikey was holding on for his life!)
My3Sons : At least LA are sloppy too
SJinNewJersey : Someone has to step up and level a King or two.
Fear the Wushu : If they could stop hitting Jack, that would be great.
Forge : C'mon...how does that type of stuff not get called. Right out int he open like that lol (probably referring to Kempe's trip, which it was)
Blender : How the f*** was that not a penalty!?!?
Hisch13r : Jesper Bratt is the the best player in the world.
OmNomNom : Hell yesss. Was hoping for a Gordie howe for bratt but maybe he'll get a hattie
Emperoreddy : PAY HIM ALL THE MONEY. I would pay Jack all the money too, but we already did
Blackjack : Bratt matches his career high in goals and sets a new career high in points
JimEIV : Oh my god that looked like a real professional NHL Power Play.
Blender :

Blender : Bratt on that 80 point pace.

Okposofan21 : Who is your PA announcer? He sounds like a high school freshman.
SpeakingOfTheDevils : He’s terrible. We had some goofy contest to fill the vacancy and there were some pretty impressive candidates but this guy allegedly won.
The Wumpus : Get this intermission over with so we can see more Jack and Jesper
DevilsfanfromCanada : Weird thing I noticed from the Kings side of things. Byfield only played 2:20 in that period. On pace for 7 minutes of ice time. This is his second game of the season. I watched the last one against Colorado and he played 15:00, was there best player IMO and looked amazing. This is weird and certainly doesn’t seem like good prospect development on their part.
MVP Zacha : I am starting a Go Fund Me to raise the funds to tattoo Bratt 63 on my back.
Bleedred : I didn't even know Todd McLellan's only NHL goal came against the Devils until tonight.
Its Always Sundstrom : So, who’s this Jesper Bratt fella? Some kind of hot dog?
JK3 : Cmon give me a Brattrick.
My3Sons :Yes Sevs is better than Doughty
The Wumpus : PERIOD OF THE LONG CHANGE
Emperoreddy : I forgot Claude's dirtbag kid played for LA
Blender : Another bad turnover for Hughes. Both goals beat Gillies in the same spot.
Billdo : Gillies needs to work on geography
JK3 : Bastian just wrecking everybody.
MauDevils : Bastian is just going bowling tonight.
SJinNewJersey : You would think Zacha would want to hit someone after he gets hit, but he doesn't.
DevilsfanfromCanada : First time 59 has touched the puck this game.
MauDevils : Boring game and they're getting dominated.
Whaddagoal : They need to find their legs to keep in this period.... Kings rolling the 3rd period so far...
Bleedred : Come on dude, we're getting outplayed by LOSER TODD McLellan. We're the only NHL team that ever allowed a goal to his worthless ass too.
Better Call Sal : I know some people will view it as an excuse but we're on a back to back and the Kings haven't played since Thursday. nIf either team was going to have their legs in the 3rd, LA was more likely.
Emperoreddy : I don't think we have played well at all since the 1st period
JK3 : That shot Subban lol.
Devils son : And there it is… it was just a matter of time and the Hughes line, I think, has been on the ice for all 3 goals against.
SJinNewJersey :

MauDevils : Shots 33-19. Pretty gross.
Bleedred : Make a f***ing save goddammit. The puck goes right through his blocker when he's square to it. Guy is a f***ing BUM.
MadDevil : Careful there Tatar, Pepe's kid is a biter.
OmNomNom : Kings are gonna grind low event hockey like it's 2012 to protect the lead
OmNomNom : Horrendous game by Hughes this whole game. Had a part in all 3 kings goals
MauDevils : I'm so bored.
Bleedred : It's amazing that they look like the 2012 Kings tonight. If they weren't talking about this blowhard loser coach so much and his one measly NHL goal 35 years ago against the Devils I would have thought bitter beer face Sutter was back behind their bench.
Blender : Too much man?
Better Call Sal : Stinks to lose that one. Didn't have the legs in the 3rd the Kings had and it showed.
Bleedred : I thought this was our worst game in a while, to be perfectly honest. This was lousy.
My3Sons : (Bills / Chiefs game) That was much better than the hockey game
Auto Pilot : Gotta say considering Subban barely got any sleep given what happened to his brother, he had a damn good game.

 

[Schmooley]

The first goal against was on him because he didn't get the puck deep and was out of position to boot

Looked like he was trying to start a cycle to generate offense and no one was there. I didnt watch the replay but thats what I was thinking in real time.
Hughes had a turnover that led to a goal he didnt miss shifts for it. Ive seen Zegras do it countless times and no benching. I dont agree with benching rookies for mistakes especially when veterans are getting away with lots of em.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Looked like he was trying to start a cycle to generate offense and no one was there. I didnt watch the replay but thats what I was thinking in real time.
Hughes had a turnover that led to a goal he didnt miss shifts for it. Ive seen Zegras do it countless times and no benching. I dont agree with benching rookies for mistakes especially when veterans are getting away with lots of em.

Especially since it was the ongoing miscommunications of the Bjornfot-Durzi pairing. We're gonna have to live with that since they're pretty aggressive AND 20/23.

 

[Schmooley]

Especially since it was the ongoing miscommunications of the Bjornfot-Durzi pairing. We're gonna have to live with that since they're pretty aggressive AND 20/23.

Yea they have some blunders as a pair but I dont mind it as much if they are engaged and trying to make things happen. Its the lazy mistakes that should be unacceptable. Bjornfot has to think a bit more out there playing with Durzi thats for sure.

 

[lexlavender]

I actually believe the team was told not to try to hard tonight. I legitimately believe that.

No other explanation for the honestly lazy performance, right?

 

[Stimpythecat]

Conserving energy for the game against the Rangers.

 

[ru4reals]

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING:
FAUSTY AND KEMPE ARE BACK – 'Careful there Tatar, Pepe's kid is a biter' Edition

devilsblood : Trying to get good vibes out of Zacha is like squeezing water from a stone.
ThePrideofStockholm : Just got covid so im gonna be able to watch this one
njdevils1982 : (to user who got COVID) well, the only prescription for that is more cowbell
Bleedred : Ruff is definitely the best head coach in the building tonight. Todd is the NHL's biggest LOSER head coach to last as long as he has.
Better Call Sal :

My3Sons : The defense is off to a rough start. Lots of grenade handling on each pair.
The Wumpus : Who else is annoyed that Arvy doesn't wear 36

OmNomNom : Lol Dustin Brown embellished? Forgot he still plays
My3Sons : So if that was embellished how was it a cross check? It’s one or the other to me.
The Wumpus : You may not like it, but this is what peak performance looks like:

TheUnseenHand : Kings taking major liberties out there.
The Wumpus : Jesper Howe
Hisch13r : Imagine ever having hated that guy (Bratt)
None Shall Pass : BRATTATTACK
TheUnseenHand : (Why in the hell is Bratt fighting?) Someone had to. The kings were laying giant hits on everyone and no one was responding.
Mgd31 : Who the hell is that trash fighting Bratt?
swiiscompos : Kings are playing very physical, probably trying to get advantage of young team + second day of a back to back, we need our bigger guys to start responding, but meanwhile Bratt did a wonderful job!
Better Call Sal : Their defender looked like he was holding Zacha’s legs at the end of that chance. (Mikey Anderson, and he's right, it did look like Mikey was holding on for his life!)
My3Sons : At least LA are sloppy too
SJinNewJersey : Someone has to step up and level a King or two.
Fear the Wushu : If they could stop hitting Jack, that would be great.
Forge : C'mon...how does that type of stuff not get called. Right out int he open like that lol (probably referring to Kempe's trip, which it was)
Blender : How the f*** was that not a penalty!?!?
Hisch13r : Jesper Bratt is the the best player in the world.
OmNomNom : Hell yesss. Was hoping for a Gordie howe for bratt but maybe he'll get a hattie
Emperoreddy : PAY HIM ALL THE MONEY. I would pay Jack all the money too, but we already did
Blackjack : Bratt matches his career high in goals and sets a new career high in points
JimEIV : Oh my god that looked like a real professional NHL Power Play.
Blender :

Blender : Bratt on that 80 point pace.

Okposofan21 : Who is your PA announcer? He sounds like a high school freshman.
SpeakingOfTheDevils : He’s terrible. We had some goofy contest to fill the vacancy and there were some pretty impressive candidates but this guy allegedly won.
The Wumpus : Get this intermission over with so we can see more Jack and Jesper
DevilsfanfromCanada : Weird thing I noticed from the Kings side of things. Byfield only played 2:20 in that period. On pace for 7 minutes of ice time. This is his second game of the season. I watched the last one against Colorado and he played 15:00, was there best player IMO and looked amazing. This is weird and certainly doesn’t seem like good prospect development on their part.
MVP Zacha : I am starting a Go Fund Me to raise the funds to tattoo Bratt 63 on my back.
Bleedred : I didn't even know Todd McLellan's only NHL goal came against the Devils until tonight.
Its Always Sundstrom : So, who’s this Jesper Bratt fella? Some kind of hot dog?
JK3 : Cmon give me a Brattrick.
My3Sons :Yes Sevs is better than Doughty
The Wumpus : PERIOD OF THE LONG CHANGE
Emperoreddy : I forgot Claude's dirtbag kid played for LA
Blender : Another bad turnover for Hughes. Both goals beat Gillies in the same spot.
Billdo : Gillies needs to work on geography
JK3 : Bastian just wrecking everybody.
MauDevils : Bastian is just going bowling tonight.
SJinNewJersey : You would think Zacha would want to hit someone after he gets hit, but he doesn't.
DevilsfanfromCanada : First time 59 has touched the puck this game.
MauDevils : Boring game and they're getting dominated.
Whaddagoal : They need to find their legs to keep in this period.... Kings rolling the 3rd period so far...
Bleedred : Come on dude, we're getting outplayed by LOSER TODD McLellan. We're the only NHL team that ever allowed a goal to his worthless ass too.
Better Call Sal : I know some people will view it as an excuse but we're on a back to back and the Kings haven't played since Thursday. nIf either team was going to have their legs in the 3rd, LA was more likely.
Emperoreddy : I don't think we have played well at all since the 1st period
JK3 : That shot Subban lol.
Devils son : And there it is… it was just a matter of time and the Hughes line, I think, has been on the ice for all 3 goals against.
SJinNewJersey :

MauDevils : Shots 33-19. Pretty gross.
Bleedred : Make a f***ing save goddammit. The puck goes right through his blocker when he's square to it. Guy is a f***ing BUM.
MadDevil : Careful there Tatar, Pepe's kid is a biter.
OmNomNom : Kings are gonna grind low event hockey like it's 2012 to protect the lead
OmNomNom : Horrendous game by Hughes this whole game. Had a part in all 3 kings goals
MauDevils : I'm so bored.
Bleedred : It's amazing that they look like the 2012 Kings tonight. If they weren't talking about this blowhard loser coach so much and his one measly NHL goal 35 years ago against the Devils I would have thought bitter beer face Sutter was back behind their bench.
Blender : Too much man?
Better Call Sal : Stinks to lose that one. Didn't have the legs in the 3rd the Kings had and it showed.
Bleedred : I thought this was our worst game in a while, to be perfectly honest. This was lousy.
My3Sons : (Bills / Chiefs game) That was much better than the hockey game
Auto Pilot : Gotta say considering Subban barely got any sleep given what happened to his brother, he had a damn good game.

LOL. I missed most of the game and I had to read this again and again and pinch myself. Is this even true or are these people watching another game.

TheUnseenHand : (Why in the hell is Bratt fighting?) Someone had to. The kings were laying giant hits on everyone and no one was responding.

swiiscompos : Kings are playing very physical, probably trying to get advantage of young team + second day of a back to back, we need our bigger guys to start responding, but meanwhile Bratt did a wonderful job!

Fear the Wushu : If they could stop hitting Jack, that would be great.

And then this beauty!!! Even Devils fans notice Todds tactics.

DevilsfanfromCanada : Weird thing I noticed from the Kings side of things. Byfield only played 2:20 in that period. On pace for 7 minutes of ice time. This is his second game of the season. I watched the last one against Colorado and he played 15:00, was there best player IMO and looked amazing. This is weird and certainly doesn’t seem like good prospect development on their part.

 

[unicornpig]

Oh it's alot more serious than that. They want to develop every forward like they're Dwight King.

Pretty much this

 

[kingsfan28]

now THAT is a horseshit penalty

i'm alright with the embellishment earlier but holy f*** you're not allowed to tie up sticks on the faceoff now?

same ref i think

Brown tied him up, then he tripped over the linemen and went down .He totally sold it.. That play happens 20 times a game, hell, it happened on the next faceoff.

 

[TwzKing]

LOL. I missed most of the game and I had to read this again and again and pinch myself. Is this even true or are these people watching another game.

TheUnseenHand : (Why in the hell is Bratt fighting?) Someone had to. The kings were laying giant hits on everyone and no one was responding.

They were laying the body and i think Hughes got checked hard at least 3 times. Like knocked on his ass

 

[kingsfan28]

Unless Durzi has a big regression, if he keeps on like this he could be LA's new Martinez like 3-4. He may earn a mid-term contract here.

Durzi is the only dman, and basically outside of Kempe willing to make that move. His shot will come as he learns the game. Doughty used to do that in years 1-3.

 

[cyclones22]

Looked like he was trying to start a cycle to generate offense and no one was there. I didnt watch the replay but thats what I was thinking in real time.
Hughes had a turnover that led to a goal he didnt miss shifts for it. Ive seen Zegras do it countless times and no benching. I dont agree with benching rookies for mistakes especially when veterans are getting away with lots of em.

Not only that, the pass to Bratt was basically a 3-line pass from below the dot. And that's on Byfield for trying to cycle and the puck being intercepted where it was? What a reach of pin blame on him. That's 100% on the defensemen for allowing a leak out to get passed them.