GDT: 2021-22 season game 69 LA Kings vs Edmonton Oilers @6:30pm 3/30/22

[Herby]

I thought Byfield looked much better last night, even when you take away the goal. Seems his best games also mirror when Kupari is killing it. Granted, that's been two times total but I'll take what I can get at this point.

Byfield actually tried a pretty difficult deke through traffic at the end of the 2nd that would have made everyone here lose their minds if it was successful. I was just stoked to see him try it. That was really nice to see.

Good observation, I thought the same thing when he tried that deke, it was finally a player that had some confidence after his goal and his really nice rush that should have been another goal (have to finish those GV)

Here we go again though, another chance for QB to string together a couple of good games in a row, this time coming off probably his best game as an NHL'er. I think last night was the first time where he really looked like a #2 OA pick.

 

[Telos]

I thought Byfield looked much better last night, even when you take away the goal. Seems his best games also mirror when Kupari is killing it. Granted, that's been two times total but I'll take what I can get at this point.

Byfield actually tried a pretty difficult deke through traffic at the end of the 2nd that would have made everyone here lose their minds if it was successful. I was just stoked to see him try it. That was really nice to see.

Agreed. I think the biggest disappointment last night was that he was not utilized in OT or the shootout. He has shown that when the time, space, and pressure is eased a little bit he can be quite effective and I think he has the tools to flourish in both spaces. Not to mention he is the heir apparent of the franchise at the current moment and needs this experience.

Yeah that’s not necessarily true. It was injuries that forced his hand not adjustment. Brown is still on the Kings and we wouldn’t have seen this chemistry today if Brown didn’t get injured.

I do not share your logic. I think talent can carry mediocre coaches and I think that’s exactly what’s happening here. Talent is what got the Kings a point last night, not coaching. 7-8 mins for Grundstrom and Kaliyev.

I think logically the Kings would be in a better position with a decent coach. Todd is not a good coach, his inability to adapt is prevalent in his career. And we’re seeing that right now.

Not all of his decisions have been injury motivated, and it is not his fault that Brown is on the team and has the status that he does. He eventually moved Brown down to the bottom 6 as well without being forced to. Despite it not working, the idea was sound to have a veteran and pro like Brown sort of mentor Byfield, it is just obvious now that he can't keep up and is done as an NHL player.

Lastly, I don't think this team has enough talent firing on very many cylinders to make that assertion. I also don't see much evidence to conclude that Todd is a bad coach other than complaining about player usage and ice time where adaptations have been made. Those are invalid, as that is a fair criticism of TMac, as he is very slow to make modifications, but it is hard to argue that they never get made or are all forced. There has been nothing citing an inability to effectively communicate with players or manage personnel. The players seem to still listen and respect him and they are playing his systems and are in a playoff position with a very high chance of keeping it. Todd deserves some credit somewhere. Saying he is just a lucky SOB riding on some glorious playoff destined talent that this team possesses is crazy. There aren't many playoff prediction lists that had the Kings on it at the start of the season...

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

Good observation, I thought the same thing when he tried that deke, it was finally a player that had some confidence after his goal and his really nice rush that should have been another goal (have to finish those GV)

Here we go again though, another chance for QB to string together a couple of good games in a row, this time coming off probably his best game as an NHL'er. I think last night was the first time where he really looked like a #2 OA pick.

That deke after the goal, THATS what we need from Byfield, f*** it if it's successful or not, we want him to try it every single time....thats what I was talking about 10-15 games ago....where he just chipped instead of trying to make a play

 

[ru4reals]

2fold.
1. TM does not like Lias. He's never given him a real chance to be used on offense. If he puts him in and he does not play a perfect 4th line type game, he scratches him the next game. You can tell when he has talked about him, he does not like him. Lias would have a better chance here if he was born in Saskatoon and had no skill; he would then have a better chance here. TM prefers him in Ontario, where Lias is properly used and scores 6 goals in 4 games. 2 of them with between the legs goals, that Lias says is easy to pull off. (if you have elite hands and can put pucks in the net)
2. I think Edler is not up to speed yet and by dressing 7 D, he can give less minutes to whomever is the weakest link of the game - probably non-100% Edler or Moverare.

You can also tell he loves Alex and gives him an A, when he has no game at all - FOR 2 MONTHS.
You can tell he does not think much of Carl, when he has a beastly goal, hits that Oiler behind the net
and takes the puck, goes around the net and buries that puck. Something Alex cannot do. (physically dominating an opponent and going straight to the net and burying it) When asked about the 2 key goals, seconds apart to tie the game, he calls that "3 minutes of offense - or 2 minutes" (it was 14 seconds) and downplays Carl's effort and PRODUCTION on that crucial game tying goal as less important than the Byfield goal. Insane.

Oh, and the big word 'definition' escapes him.

What a F**ken POS!!! Just what I suspected. Wonder why so many want him gone. Sheesh.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

LIASSSS is USELASSSS

Saying this out loud brightened up my day thanks

 

[Sol]

I already told you my opinion, but you don't like it. I'll trust TM's decisions until I have a reason not to. (that might come sooner than later, but right now we're still in 2nd place)

Until then, anyone shouting 'f*** OFF TM' on a message board I will continue to ask if they are unstable. You claim that's an insult...I think it's a fair question based on the message they are posting.

Another vapid response offering zero substance. Glad it took a couple messages to see how hollow your opinions are of substance.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

Another vapid response offering zero substance. Glad it took a couple messages to see how hollow your opinions are of substance.

Maybe I'll do better once I'm averaging 3000 posts a year. (which will never happen because I actually have a life)

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Maybe I'll do better once I'm averaging 3000 posts a year. (which will never happen because I actually have a life)

Well, technically it may never happen because you were banned for a few years for this exact schtick--attacking posters instead of posts--offsetting the averages...but based on this thread alone you would be on pace for over 4000 posts this year so you might want to re-evaluate that thought.

Edit: to be crystal clear though I DO 100% appreciate your defenses of the team/coaching as they're pretty reasonable but they should lead to good discussion instead of body blows.

 

[bland]

It's pretty infuriating that he isn't getting more playing time. I'm in no way an expert on evaluating NHL talent but the guy brings it just about every night he plays and plays with his size which most of the team won't do even if they have it.

Kupari is definitely starting to stand out as well. Last night might've been one of his best games yet. That line seems to have chemistry.

If I am Grundstrom's agent, I am requesting a trade this summer.

Pound for pound he has been one of the team's top performers this year, contributes a skill set missing throughout the lineup and organization, yet is repeatedly scratched or benched even in or after games in which he has thrived.

Frankly, its piss poor management. The kid gets 1 and 1 in seven minutes of time, consistently changes the tone of the game in favor of his team in an important game on the FRONT night of a back to back yet can't see the ice after tying the score. Imagine being able to hem the Oilers deep in their zone on nearly every shift yet sitting there watching players actively struggling getting 4 times as many minutes. Can't be easy to take.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

If I am Grundstrom's agent, I am requesting a trade this summer.

Pound for pound he has been one of the team's top performers this year, contributes a skill set missing throughout the lineup and organization, yet is repeatedly scratched or benched even in or after games in which he has thrived.

Frankly, its piss poor management. The kid gets 1 and 1 in seven minutes of time, consistently changes the tone of the game in favor of his team in an important game on the FRONT night of a back to back yet can't see the ice after tying the score. Imagine being able to hem the Oilers deep in their zone on nearly every shift yet sitting there watching players actively struggling getting 4 times as many minutes. Can't be easy to take.

100%.

Just absolutely piss poor handling of a dude who has been dicked around worse than anyone this year. Checks guy off puck, bulls way through two checks to front of net and forces puck in...then plays 4 more shifts for a total of just over two minutes for the entire back half of the game.

What the actual f*** goes thru the coaching staffs head, I'll never know. I get the argument that there's 'behind the scenes' to some degree but playing Grundstrom down AFTER that is absolute horseshit when you can find an additional 12 minutes of icetime for Iafallo after that point.

 

[King'sPawn]

100%.

Just absolutely piss poor handling of a dude who has been dicked around worse than anyone this year. Checks guy off puck, bulls way through two checks to front of net and forces puck in...then plays 4 more shifts for a total of just over two minutes for the entire back half of the game.

What the actual f*** goes thru the coaching staffs head, I'll never know. I get the argument that there's 'behind the scenes' to some degree but playing Grundstrom down AFTER that is absolute horseshit when you can find an additional 12 minutes of icetime for Iafallo after that point.

You're not allowed to criticize coaching. Get your act together.

 

[kingsfan28]

Another injury?
or Blake taking matters into his hands and wiaved AI?
or...TM hates Lias so much, they recalled JAD to play tonight, to have 12 fowards?

I was going to say Iafollo was getting scratched but we all know it will never happen.

 

[Sol]

Maybe I'll do better once I'm averaging 3000 posts a year. (which will never happen because I actually have a life)

Apparently not much of a life since you’re still talking about my post count when you could have simply justified your position 4 messages ago

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

100%.

Just absolutely piss poor handling of a dude who has been dicked around worse than anyone this year. Checks guy off puck, bulls way through two checks to front of net and forces puck in...then plays 4 more shifts for a total of just over two minutes for the entire back half of the game.

What the actual f*** goes thru the coaching staffs head, I'll never know. I get the argument that there's 'behind the scenes' to some degree but playing Grundstrom down AFTER that is absolute horseshit when you can find an additional 12 minutes of icetime for Iafallo after that point.

As good as Grundstrom looked, he's an absolute nightmare in the defensive zone, just gone....no idea what to do.

 

[johnjm22]

Grundstrom's 5v5 P/60 is 1.65. That's sixth best on the team. Same as Kopitar.

It's not like Grundstrom is purely a grinder. He was a 2nd round pick for a reason.

Also, despite having Danault and Lizotte, who are more than serviceable defensive centers, Kopitar's 5v5 OZ start percentage is pretty much the lowest on the entire team. Which means he's still being used in a defensive role more than any other forward. Why Todd?

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

Grundstrom's 5v5 P/60 is 1.65. That's sixth best on the team. Same as Kopitar.

It's not like Grundstrom is purely a grinder. He was a 2nd round pick for a reason.

Also, despite having Danault and Lizotte, who are more than serviceable defensive centers, Kopitar's 5v5 OZ start percentage is pretty much the lowest on the entire team. Which means he's still being used in a defensive role more than any other forward. Why Todd?

Not looking it up, but I would think faceoff percentage.....him and Danault top two on faceoffs...

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

As good as Grundstrom looked, he's an absolute nightmare in the defensive zone, just gone....no idea what to do.

No one is pretending he's a savant, he's a depth player who can move up in a pinch. But he's earned more icetime than single digits...for all his 'troubles' he's 5th amongst forwards with a +4 including 2 in this game while defensive savant Kopitar is DFL with -9 and yet him, Iafallo, Kempe are still getting literally 3.5x the ice time within the same game.

There are levels to this. There are dinosaur coaches who rely on veterans, then there are coaches who are clueless to what's going on in-game...then there are several hundred feet of crust...THEN there is TM.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

No one is pretending he's a savant, he's a depth player who can move up in a pinch. But he's earned more icetime than single digits...for all his 'troubles' he's 5th amongst forwards with a +4 including 2 in this game while defensive savant Kopitar is DFL with -9 and yet him, Iafallo, Kempe are still getting literally 3.5x the ice time within the same game.

There are levels to this. There are dinosaur coaches who rely on veterans, then there are coaches who are clueless to what's going on in-game...then there are several hundred feet of crust...THEN there is TM.

Grundstrom hasn't proven a thing in this league, really not the best idea to compare them to guys who have, regardless of how they are playing now....

Should he have gotten more ice time last night, sure....but ask yourself, do you put Grundstrom out there against McDavid, or Draisaitl?

 

[tny760]

you guys just don't understand, you must have a different understanding of the word "production"

 

[johnjm22]

Not looking it up, but I would think faceoff percentage.....him and Danault top two on faceoffs...

Probably, but it's not enough of a justification for his deployment. Danault and Lizotte are both good on the dot.

 

[johnjm22]

When Grundstrom is on the ice, the Kings give up 1.5 GA P/60. That's best on the team.

Obviously his matchups aren't as difficult, but if he was a total wreck defensively that number would be higher.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

When Grundstrom is on the ice, the Kings give up 1.5 GA P/60. That's best on the team.

Obviously his matchups aren't as difficult, but if he was a total wreck defensively that number would be higher.

How do you figure, if his matchups are as inept offensively as he is defensively, why would it be higher?

Are we expecting guys like Matt Martin to turn into 30 goal scorers?

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Grundstrom hasn't proven a thing in this league, really not the best idea to compare them to guys who have, regardless of how they are playing now....

Should he have gotten more ice time last night, sure....but ask yourself, do you put Grundstrom out there against McDavid, or Draisaitl?

Well, now we're right back to the chicken-and-egg thing.

Can't prove yourself if only the vets are proven. How does one exactly get more playing time? You would think a point per 3 minutes of icetime and +3 in 7 minutes would draw some attention?

Also if the opposition last change it doesn't matter who I put him out against....but he did fare better than Kopitar did vs. McDavid in limited icetime. When Alex Iafallo is 29% CF and has 2 goals against it might be time to tone down his 22 minutes and offer some fresher, more effective guys some ice.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

Well, now we're right back to the chicken-and-egg thing.

Can't prove yourself if only the vets are proven. How does one exactly get more playing time? You would think a point per 3 minutes of icetime and +3 in 7 minutes would draw some attention?

Also if the opposition last change it doesn't matter who I put him out against....but he did fare better than Kopitar did vs. McDavid in limited icetime. When Alex Iafallo is 29% CF and has 2 goals against it might be time to tone down his 22 minutes and offer some fresher, more effective guys some ice.

But then you are picking and choosing, has Kaliyev proven himself..?

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

But then you are picking and choosing, has Kaliyev proven himself..?

Last night, he would have been another candidate for promotion, like Grundstrom. How is that picking and choosing? There can be more than one option. Iafallo AND Kempe were both getting chewed up, why not flip them for even a shift, see if you can get a spark?

For an org with such a deep analytics dept and experienced coaching they are TERRIBLE at in game trends/adjustments and it's like they don't even look at TOI or player health.

I for one am not excited to see how the corpses of the top line do tonight.