GDT: 2022-23 season game 5 LA Kings vs Nashville Predators @6:30pm 10/18/22

[All The Kings Men]

Not sure what was with his usage this game other than the special teams circus maybe.

Nashville and LA are 1 and 2 in powerplay opportunities and times shorthanded.

There were what 13 powerplay chances in that game last night?

Byfield doesn't play special teams...

 

[Fishhead]

Like RJ and GBH were saying I don’t understand this 1-1-2 PK. The highest forward just spends the whole time skating around the point. The low forward either leaves a point shot wide open or the man in the middle. Maybe it’s lack of defensive awareness on our team but someone always seems to be open on the back door.

Just change back to the small box for crying out loud and tell the forwards to be aggressive and have the defense be slightly passive so they aren’t leaving people wide open.

It's a pretty risky formation, like most have pointed out it's not effective against cross ice passes. It can turn just about any turnover into an offensive opportunity, however. It's probably most effective against aggressive power plays that make riskier passes. Against a passive powerplay it's just going to open doors for the opposition.

It's probably more important that whatever strategies they are using just aren't working and some changes are in order.

 

[BringTheReign]

Nashville and LA are 1 and 2 in powerplay opportunities and times shorthanded.

There were what 13 powerplay chances in that game last night?

Byfield doesn't play special teams...

Can you ask why the next time you get to chat with any of the coaching staff? Kempe and Vilardi's eventual breakouts have me less worried, but #2 overall picks should be given offensive opportunities. Clarke has received more PP opportunities than Byfield has it seems and he just got here.

 

[KINGS17]

Can you ask why the next time you get to chat with any of the coaching staff? Kempe and Vilardi's eventual breakouts have me less worried, but #2 overall picks should be given offensive opportunities. Clarke has received more PP opportunities than Byfield has it seems and he just got here.

An excellent question. Byfield should be getting 50% of Kopitar's power play time, and Clarke (as long as he is with the Kings) should be eating more of Doughty's minutes of the power play.

...and no I don't care if it pisses off Kopitar or Doughty.

 

[AzKing]

If Vilardi can stay consistent this year, this is like picking up a young UFA for nothing because we all were just hoping at some point the guy could contribute and stay healthy even if it was a 3rd liner.

It's early of course but his hands are on another level and he looks like the game has slowed down for him and he has figured out where he needs to be to fulfill all that promise.

 

[KINGS17]

If Vilardi can stay consistent this year, this is like picking up a young UFA for nothing because we all were just hoping at some point the guy could contribute and stay healthy even if it was a 3rd liner.

It's early of course but his hands are on another level and he looks like the game has slowed down for him and he has figured out where he needs to be to fulfill all that promise.

I think Vilardi's hands in close, his shot, and his passing ability have always been well recognized by most people who post here. The question has been his health, and why when he is healthy the Kings did not put him in better position to demonstrate the strengths of his game.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

It's a pretty risky formation, like most have pointed out it's not effective against cross ice passes. It can turn just about any turnover into an offensive opportunity, however. It's probably most effective against aggressive power plays that make riskier passes. Against a passive powerplay it's just going to open doors for the opposition.

It's probably more important that whatever strategies they are using just aren't working and some changes are in order.

It could very well be piss poor execution of whatever scheme they have in their heads....I remember coaching and trying to institute an extremely aggressive PK that used a rotation, but it started....in the offensive zone, you funnel them to one side, then peel off as one player steps up, and everyone else rotates.....

Very aggressive, and when it worked.....no one could get past it...and we created a crap ton of turnovers and shorthanded chances....but when it didn't work......it wasn't pretty....at all...

 

[bland]

I think Vilardi's hands in close, his shot, and his passing ability have always been well recognized by most people who post here. The question has been his health, and why when he is healthy the Kings did not put him in better position to demonstrate the strengths of his game.

I think the only thing that has changed is his determination level. He had previously been letting the game come to him, now he is reaching out and taking it. Makes him look faster and sharper, but its just an application of will.

 

[KINGS17]

I think the only thing that has changed is his determination level. He had previously been letting the game come to him, now he is reaching out and taking it. Makes him look faster and sharper, but its just an application of will.

Point well taken. Perhaps the new level of aggression is due to an increase in confidence that comes from more ice time. It's a chicken and egg thing for sure. It's hard for a young player to be aggressive when the mistakes that happen due to non-conservative play will result in reduced ice time.

 

[KingsFan7824]

An excellent question. Byfield should be getting 50% of Kopitar's power play time, and Clarke (as long as he is with the Kings) should be eating more of Doughty's minutes of the power play.

...and no I don't care if it pisses off Kopitar or Doughty.

Remember when Doughty started crying about how he wanted the team to get more help to be more competitive? But then it's supposed to piss him off to not play all game?

The ice time is entirely the coach's choice. Right or wrong, something that the young guys do or don't do in the eyes of TM keeps them from more time. It doesn't matter what it is, we're not in TM's brain, but it's something. Something Vilardi is now doing, in TM's eyes, is getting him more time on the ice.

 

[Docgonzo]

Vilardi at the moment looks like what we’ve been craving the kid prospects to do. To completely seize the torch and carry it as the next wave of forwards. He’s been aggressive and forcing his will on the game and not being passive and taking what he can get.

 

[KINGS17]

Remember when Doughty started crying about how he wanted the team to get more help to be more competitive? But then it's supposed to piss him off to not play all game?

The ice time is entirely the coach's choice. Right or wrong, something that the young guys do or don't do in the eyes of TM keeps them from more time. It doesn't matter what it is, we're not in TM's brain, but it's something. Something Vilardi is now doing, in TM's eyes, is getting him more time on the ice.

Yes, ice time is McLellan's decision, and he should be held accountable for the amount of ice time Kopitar and Doughty get over younger developing players.

 

[cyclones22]

My only issue with Doughty's playing time right now is that he's not 100%. His skating is fine, his defense is fine. His puck handling looks hampered. Playing him even more minutes doesn't help heal that injury. Kopitar's minutes so far have been fine. They shouldn't increase back to last year's totals unless TMc wants someone who not only looks like a zombie but has the speed of one by the end of the season. The crazy powerplay minutes at least early on can be attributed to learning a new system. But if the personnel continue to be lacking in results, then hopefully there's some shuffling of the units. Last season it was the same people in the same spots all season long. The result is the PP sucked. Currently, PP looks better at times, but results still suck. Let's see some in season adjustments if warranted.

 

[KingsFan7824]

Yes, ice time is McLellan's decision, and he should be held accountable for the amount of ice time Kopitar and Doughty get over younger developing players.

Assuming it's the wrong thing to do. Which you don't know. Nobody does. Maybe they get the right amount of ice time. Maybe they end up the same player in 10 years that they would've been whether they had 30min or 10min when they were rookies. Maybe they don't. Maybe they're better, or worse. Does more time to fail increase or decrease confidence? It depends on the person. Some people fail consistently, and shrivel up as they get older. Some people do it, get punished, and work hard to overcome it. Some people fail, don't get punished, and work hard to overcome it.

 

[KINGS17]

Assuming it's the wrong thing to do. Which you don't know. Nobody does. Maybe they get the right amount of ice time. Maybe they end up the same player in 10 years that they would've been whether they had 30min or 10min when they were rookies. Maybe they don't. Maybe they're better, or worse. Does more time to fail increase or decrease confidence? It depends on the person. Some people fail consistently, and shrivel up as they get older. Some people do it, get punished, and work hard to overcome it. Some people fail, don't get punished, and work hard to overcome it.

Depends on the objective. Is it to make the playoffs now and lose in the 1st round, or is it to develop talent and be a contender at some point in the future. This organization says it wants to win a Stanley Cup in the future, but it either isn't being honest with us, or perhaps they have deluded themselves into thinking the current roster can contend.

 

[deaderhead28]

Hear from Roy, Petersen and Head Coach Todd McLellan following the win.

FINAL - Kings 4, Predators 3 (SO) - Roy, Petersen, McLellan - LA Kings Insider

The LA Kings used an impressive third-period comeback to claim their third consecutive victory, a 4-3 shootout win over the Nashville Predators. Defenseman Matt Roy scored twice, his first career two-goal game in the NHL, while Gabe Vilardi had another multi-point night with a goal and an...

lakingsinsider.com

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

Depends on the objective. Is it to make the playoffs now and lose in the 1st round, or is it to develop talent and be a contender at some point in the future. This organization says it wants to win a Stanley Cup in the future, but it either isn't being honest with us, or perhaps they have deluded themselves into thinking the current roster can contend.

Or maybe you just refuse to pay attention?

The org has made it clear that the expectations are higher this year -- so if they made the playoffs last year, what do you think that means?

 

[Eagle Fang]

I think Vilardi's hands in close, his shot, and his passing ability have always been well recognized by most people who post here. The question has been his health, and why when he is healthy the Kings did not put him in better position to demonstrate the strengths of his game.

His speed was also a huge concern. It was pretty evident last year, but not at all this year which is pretty interesting.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

His speed was also a huge concern. It was pretty evident last year, but not at all this year which is pretty interesting.

This is the first offseason in a while he just got to focus on improvement rather than just rehab. It's clear he put the work in!

I hope folks keep this in mind when thinking of Byfield and Turcotte.

 

[KingsFan7824]

Depends on the objective. Is it to make the playoffs now and lose in the 1st round, or is it to develop talent and be a contender at some point in the future. This organization says it wants to win a Stanley Cup in the future, but it either isn't being honest with us, or perhaps they have deluded themselves into thinking the current roster can contend.

But that's what I'm saying. Just because Byfield isn't getting PP time right now, doesn't mean that they won't win the Cup in 4 years with Byfield having the most PP min on the team. If they lose in the 1st rd again this year with Kopitar playing the entire game, that doesn't mean Kaliyev won't win the Conn Smythe in 2027. One thing doesn't absolutely negate the possibility of the other.

For all the worrying, they haven't yet ruined or lost a prospect.

And unless you just have a very cheap owner, everyone's goal is to win the trophy, and I don't know what dishonesty wanting to win the Cup would mean.

 

[FSL KINGS]

Byfield is 51 games into his NHL career. He has plenty to learn b4 focusing on the power play. Get a solid base that allows you to get time at the NHL level & not just be a specialist.

 

[kingsfan28]

Point well taken. Perhaps the new level of aggression is due to an increase in confidence that comes from more ice time. It's a chicken and egg thing for sure. It's hard for a young player to be aggressive when the mistakes that happen due to non-conservative play will result in reduced ice time.

Valardi isn't backing down from anyone this year. He's throwing hits, and using is size to his advantage now. Add his scoring touch, and you have a potential old school power forward.

 

[SaltyElkHunter]

Valardi isn't backing down from anyone this year. He's throwing hits, and using is size to his advantage now. Add his scoring touch, and you have a potential old school power forward.

Could be he is finally comfortable in his frame and is puting it all together. Everyone including myself probably needs a reminder of this. An example in real life does wonders for belief though.

 

[Sol]

Vilardi if he keeps this up will undoubtedly become an elite first liner no questions asked. I haven't seen this type of play and domination from a young player since Kopitar.

 

[bouncesonly]

How do you interpret the game score composition, Roy vs Anderson defense impact for example? Is Roy's defensive impact above average that it helps limit goals against? Or is it saying he's a liability and is creating goals against?