GDT: 2022-23 season game 26 LA Kings vs Arizona Coyotes @7:30pm 12/1/22

[bmr]

- Bjornfot bjelongs
- Durzi still atrocious defensively even when on his strong side, but he is great offensively
- Arvidsson looking better, but that was a bad pass to Durzi leading to the goal.
- Kaliyev being used to generate offense with his shot? Whoda thunk it? It's almost as if he should get more time
- Lizotte makes his linemates better. People need to stop wanting to trade him.
- Fagemo and Grundstrom are both very good bottom six players and hopefully get more time to gel.

Agree on all counts. Fiala is the most dynamic/skilled player on the team. It's amazing some of the moves he can pull off - we haven't had that in a long time.

I'm still on the fence with Durzi. Does the offense make up for all the defensive lapses? Maybe he just needs the right partner. I still think Spence needs to be up with this team. I've watched more video of him and he is just a really high IQ player. If i'm pressed, i'll take Spence over Durzi if it comes to that.

 

[Sol]

The Kopitar Defense Force is out in full swing today after he took the puck to the net for the first time 25 games into the season against a tanking Arizona Coyotes.

Plays best game of the season by far and everyone acts like that’s the standard of his play this season. The ghost of Bropitar possessed him.

 

[bmr]

Kempe leaves his body for 10 games at a time and goes to some other dimension.. Last year - first 8 games: 1G 1A.. then a stretch in Feb - 10 game scoreless streak. For last month he had 9 scoreless games out of 14 total. I wonder wtf is wrong w him.. maybe Fiala with the bigger salary and clearly better has him a little put off

I really think it's all mental for Kempe. Someone should spike his Gatorade or something. If he plays like he's on a mission, he can't be stopped. I think we all saw that last year when he was single-handedly winning us games in overtime.

Plays best game of the season by far and everyone acts like that’s the standard of his play this season

I don't think that's true - if anything it just proves that he's still capable of that kind of quality game. Despite everything that's happened thus far, Kopitar has 21 points in 26 games and is second on the team in scoring. That's a far cry from a liability.

 

[lumbergh]

Yeah he looked good offensively last night, it was nice to see him turn back the clock on the assertiveness and he was noticeably more aggressive in scrums and as a Captain. That's a huge step.

But I love that when he scores people start saying "I told you so" because that's not even the criticism. His production is fine-to-good (PP is another argument but hey); it's that he keeps losing his matchups night after night. Even last night he was down bad relative to team on possession and scoring at 5v5....that people are chest thumping over 45% CF%, 1 goal against, and on the wrong side of all the scoring chances (6 to 9) with most of the damage against done by the uber-great line of Maccelli-Guenther-Nick f***ing Bjugstad should tell you how rough he is most other nights.

in contrast, OFF Kopitar's line, Gabe Vilardi at nearly 85% CF....

But I want to be wrong, tonight was an excellent step towards leadership, some serious fire in his eyes that I haven't seen since 2018.

Did you look at the previous game against the Kraken? Easy to ignore the good games and focus on the bad ones. Kopitar and his line were the reason the Kings were even in the game at all.

HFBoard MO: find a scapegoat, relentlessly bash, never take a look at bigger picture.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

Cant speak for KP nor do I need to- but the combo of watching his play style in Ontario and getting his first NHL point last night as a 22 year old rookie maybe just gives some evidence the kid might be an NHLer.

After ONE game, we’ve made the determination that the kid is going to be a ‘very good bottom six player’. Yah, I don’t get it, sounds like typical message board dramatics to me. I’ll give it 15-20 games for my determination.

 

[Schmooley]

Did you look at the previous game against the Kraken? Easy to ignore the good games and focus on the bad ones. Kopitar and his line were the reason the Kings were even in the game at all.

HFBoard MO: find a scapegoat, relentlessly bash, never take a look at bigger picture.

Did you look at the Ottawa game? Easy to ignore the bad ones. His effort in overtime cost them the game.
He was great vs Edmonton and he was great last night. It is ok to say when he plays good and when he plays bad.
Just cut the bs we all have eyes.

 

[lumbergh]

Plays best game of the season by far and everyone acts like that’s the standard of his play this season. The ghost of Bropitar possessed him.

He was even better in the previous game against the Kraken. 1G 1A +3. His line a collective 2G, 6A, 8P, +11. Buried under atrocious penalty killing.

 

[lumbergh]

Did you look at the Ottawa game? Easy to ignore the bad ones. His effort in overtime cost them the game.
He was great vs Edmonton and he was great last night. It is ok to say when he plays good and when he plays bad.
Just cut the bs we all have eyes.

Uhh what? I guess he was supposed to cover Giroux on that breakaway?



Whatever. I call out good and bad. Kopitar has good games and has bad games. On the whole he is doing everything he's always done, eat minutes, play a 200 foot game. Same Kopitar year after year.

 

[mysterman2]

I don't think there's a PP1 and PP2 anymore. Over the past few games the Danault-Arvidsson-Moore-Kaliyev-Durzi unit has actually gotten more power play time than the Kopitar-Fiala-Kempe-Vilardi-Doughty unit, and started several power plays. Probably better to just refer to them as the Durzi unit and the Doughty unit as opposed to PP1 and PP2.

I use that as a blanket term but agreed....Danault, Moore Arvidsson should be top line on the PP given the Kopi/Kempe combo typically ineffective.

 

[Schmooley]

Uhh what? I guess he was supposed to cover Giroux on that breakaway?

You dont think he could have gotten that puck behind the net? He was coasting and playing it defensively not even trying to get possession. Doughty took flack for a bad read but looks like he was open in the slot thinking Kopitar was gonna get that puck.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Uhh what? I guess he was supposed to cover Giroux on that breakaway?



Whatever. I call out good and bad. Kopitar has good games and has bad games. On the whole he is doing everything he's always done, eat minutes, play a 200 foot game. Same Kopitar year after year.

No but his effort on Stutzle behind the net that allowed him to make the giroux pass was absolutely pathetic and maybe the worst I've ever seen from him. It wasn't a check, a stick check, it was a barely skate by and do nothing.

He's trending up and that's amazing for us and for the team.

But this 'see he scored, suck it haters' bullshit is tired and ignorant when that's not the criticism at all.

It's not the same 200 foot game, and it hasn't been in calendar year 2022 at all. There's no shame in that--he's aging and overplayed--but as you say, I'll call it like I see it.

The guy is a Kings legend and we will be sorely hurting when he's gone but that doesn't give him immunity to criticism. I'm trying to stay positive and say the last couple of nights the first line has mostly been putting it up but we need them to do that consistently with attention to detail to have a real shot at anything at all (and apparently even TM agrees). Now extra credit to Kopitar that he's gotta carry two defensive liabilities out there in Kempe and Fiala so between that and his crazy minutes it's important to stay in context but that just makes it all the more important for him to be fresh and focused.

 

[mysterman2]

After ONE game, we’ve made the determination that the kid is going to be a ‘very good bottom six player’. Yah, I don’t get it, sounds like typical message board dramatics to me. I’ll give it 15-20 games for my determination.

that fine and we are all on pins and needles waiting for your valued assessment. For those of us who follow the Reign- you get a clear idea of Fagemos skillset and how it may transition at the NHL level; last night a small step into what many of us discussed prior to his call up. Maybe a better conversation for people who consistently watch the prospect playing in Ontario.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

The real test will be the Canes on Sat.

They looked like mostly dog shit vs. the worst teams in the league in this stretch but just barely started to right the ship last night with far fewer back breaking errors...but CAR is gonna be a good litmus for how much they have learned.

 

[psych3man]

Over the past few games the Danault-Arvidsson-Moore-Kaliyev-Durzi unit has actually gotten more power play time than the Kopitar-Fiala-Kempe-Vilardi-Doughty unit, and started several power plays

I saw the same thing and haven't researched this but I'm afraid that seems to only happen when the Kopitar line has drawn the penalty far into their shift.
Hope I'm wrong.

 

[SaltyElkHunter]

You do realize that Durzi is the only dman who can pass and score on the pp, right?

Switch Spence and Clarke on those pairings. Honestly doughtys offense dried up like vaginas when Sol walks in the room. He can be the defensive anchor on that pairing. Especially since his point shot is a dump in because it never is on net.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

that fine and we are all on pins and needles waiting for your valued assessment. For those of us who follow the Reign- you get a clear idea of Fagemos skillset and how it may transition at the NHL level; last night a small step into what many of us discussed prior to his call up. Maybe a better conversation for people who consistently watch the prospect playing in Ontario.

I've heard pretty good things about Lias Andersson in a Reign uniform as well....

 

[tny760]

Nice to see Bjornfot called up and immediately look good, hope he sticks. Durzi is the wild card, his offensive ability is the only reason he's still in the lineup. We're still missing Pepe and Iafallo, hopefully Byfield completes his stint and can come back swinging. Fiala can be dynamic but he still frustrates the hell out of me sometimes.

it's kind of a dumb thing but bjornfot being able to pick the puck off the boards on his left side was such a boon to the cycle game, i lost count of how many times he was able to smoothly pick it and walk the line

definitely deferred off the shot most times but he was able to make clean crossice passes going left to right and still seemed to look comfortable trying to activate right to left. probably a very generous secondary assist but i'm glad he got it

can't lie i was watching him more in the o zone but i guess that's a statement in itself about his d too

 

[kinghock]

Agree on all counts. Fiala is the most dynamic/skilled player on the team. It's amazing some of the moves he can pull off - we haven't had that in a long time.

I'm still on the fence with Durzi. Does the offense make up for all the defensive lapses? Maybe he just needs the right partner. I still think Spence needs to be up with this team. I've watched more video of him and he is just a really high IQ player. If i'm pressed, i'll take Spence over Durzi if it comes to that.

I think Durzi has multiple personality disorder.

He has high IQ on offensive side and very low IQ on defensive side.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

The real test will be the Canes on Sat.

They looked like mostly dog shit vs. the worst teams in the league in this stretch but just barely started to right the ship last night with far fewer back breaking errors...but CAR is gonna be a good litmus for how much they have learned.

Wish they played the Canes last night, that would have been a much clearer indication if they got the message or not.....yea they won....they played well.......but....it's AZ so that has to be taken into consideration

 

[mysterman2]

I've heard pretty good things about Lias Andersson in a Reign uniform as well....

Yeah- and the people who follow the reign and made the Fagemo assertions are also the same ones far and wide who assessed Lias looks to be a tweener- too good for AHL and not good enough for NHL. Who proclaimed Andersson as a future member of the bottom 6? If you cant point that out your comment here is meaningless.

 

[Docgonzo]

Nice to see Bjornfot called up and immediately look good, hope he sticks. Durzi is the wild card, his offensive ability is the only reason he's still in the lineup. We're still missing Pepe and Iafallo, hopefully Byfield completes his stint and can come back swinging. Fiala can be dynamic but he still frustrates the hell out of me sometimes.

I feel Iafallo’s stability and defense is greatly missed right now. Not to mention puck possession abilities to help swing momentum back.

 

[mysterman2]

I'm still on the fence with Durzi. Does the offense make up for all the defensive lapses? Maybe he just needs the right partner. I still think Spence needs to be up with this team. I've watched more video of him and he is just a really high IQ player. If i'm pressed, i'll take Spence over Durzi if it comes to that.

Package Durzi while you can. Spence plays better D and better decision making, Durzi probably gets offensive edge but can you afford an Offensive specialist in Todays NHL? I like Durzi and his passion....but ZERO trust in his defensive ability and awareness.

 

[johnjm22]

Calgary and Edmonton lost again. Kings are still in 3rd in the Pacific.

Kind of crazy to think the 2 expansion teams are at the top of the division.

Only two teams in the Pacific have a positive goal differential.

A lot of people praised Calgary's offseason moves. But in reality the moves they made were terrible and will handicap the franchise for a decade. Sutter will be fired soon IMO. Maybe they'll get the post coaching change boost.

Not sure what's going to happen with Edmonton, but they usually go through a lull each season and eventually get it together. Their roster construction and goaltending are too poor to make them a real threat.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

A lot of people praised Calgary's offseason moves. But in reality the moves they made were terrible and will handicap the franchise for a decade. Sutter will be fired soon IMO.

LOL, didn't they just sign him to an extension -- and he was named coach of the year for last season? Again, ridiculous as the LA situation -- he's not getting fired after 25 games into the season.

 

[johnjm22]

LOL, didn't they just sign him to an extension -- and he was named coach of the year for last season? Again, ridiculous as the LA situation -- he's not getting fired after 25 games into the season.

When you have expectations, and things aren't working, that's usually the formula for a firing.

I don't know if it will happen, but I'd put the odds above 50% if things don't turn around fairly soon.