GDT: 2022-23 season game 79 LA Kings vs Vegas Golden Knights @7:00pm 4/6/23

[Herby]

Holy ship the Kraken, have CHi, AZ and end with 2 against LV when they may be locked in position and resting players.
Probably starting Quick.
We could end up with Avs in round 1 , or whoever tops the central behind top Pacific

If Seattle beats the Hawks on Saturday (big favorites) and the Kings lose to the Avs on Saturday (also likely) the Kraken will control their own destiny to catch the Kings, they'd simply have to win their game in hand.

Although, if Makar is out, I think I'd rather face Colorado than Edmonton. The travel is also much easier for the Kings in the opening round.

 

[Sol]

The depressing thing is that I don’t think Beckerman or whoever the hell is supposed to watching from on high will even notice how much Blake/Luc have f***ed this franchise for another several years of abysmal finishes.

Meanwhile this team is just as far away from a championship now than they were in 2017/2018. Blake has done nothing with this franchise besides change the window dressing around Kopitar and Doughty and call it a contender.

That’s going to be the difficult part for me. I was always leaning heavily towards Stutzle before the draft because he looked a lot more talented than Byfield. It’s going to be a brutal next few years unless Byfield really gets his head out of his ass, but he has shown an inability to do so.

I know a select few will say he’s an advanced stats sweetheart but I guarantee you that if you put Stutzle with Kopitar and Kempe then Stutzle would be an advanced stats deity. Byfield looks timid and talentless. Can’t believe they drafted a guy based upon height at 2nd overall

 

[KingsCrunch]

Fans just need to face it Byfield is just as much of a waste of time as as Peterson. For every nice pass he makes he screws up 10 times more. How many times has he got to the offensive zone only to fumble the puck into the opponents stick? I don't see that ever changing. He is no Kopitar and I don't see him ever being as good.

Luckily we have many good players that Todd will not give a chance right now but hopefully that will change after the Kuala is canned. He was a failure when it mattered before and it is happening again.

I would like to have hope of the Kings making far into the playoffs but this is not the same feeling I had in 2012 when Carter was signed and I knew in my heart that they would make it all the way.

BTW I was at that parade and got busted at work because my brother and I were on TV while coworkers were watching it.

 

[Johnny Utah]

QB has 3 goals in 50 games.

Lucic and Deslauries have more goals each.

The Kings don’t have a “nasty” player. They had one in Lemieux. MacEwen is not nasty. He doesn’t have that mindset.

I remember years back in the pre season Lucic was hit by Couture and he went after him, he doesn’t give a f. Kings did not get bullied when they had guys MacDermid and Lucic.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

So......we played like shit and lost to Vegas.......and the sky is falling, TB played like shit and lost 6-1 to the Islanders.....and....wait, they realize it's a one-off....

Few thoughts, A. Byfield will be fine.....he has not had his best stretch of games, and he's still putting things together, but again, 20 years old, you can see the pilot light sputtering, trying to turn on, he will be there.

B. everyone lamenting omg another timeout not taken, yet all of you missed the fact that after the 3rd goal, they had a de facto time out.....with the review etc, but let's ignore reality, because you are right, TECHNICALLY it wasn't called.....

Again, lot of purse clutchers in here....like teams aren't allowed to have shit nights......cuz it never happens....ever.

 

[mysterman2]

Thats because Kali losses like 8 of 10 board battles along with many miscellaneous turnovers.
I 4th line and PP him

tmac doesnt even give him much PP time- and when you have that elite level shot the coaches job is to put him in position to take advantage and utilize the tools he has.

 

[KINGS17]

Masterclass in choking and piss poor management at the perfect time, guess it should be expected by now.

I'm at the point where I hope for a sweep and a front office house cleaning.

I'm not impressed by going on a fully healthy run against teams with a vested interest in losing, I AM disgusted by this team and management completely folding under any sign of pressure or adversity against playoff teams.

Boohoo you've got a few injuries and a bad call or two, somehow other teams don't instantly turn into shellshocked puddles when things go slightly wrong.

f*** this gutless organization.

Oh and we lost big so expect zero lineup changes, those only come after convincing wins

...but. but mah 100 points!

The Kings could go down 0-4 in the first round of the playoffs, and some would still say you're a "purse clutcher".

 

[ibleedkings]

So......we played like shit and lost to Vegas.......and the sky is falling, TB played like shit and lost 6-1 to the Islanders.....and....wait, they realize it's a one-off....

Few thoughts, A. Byfield will be fine.....he has not had his best stretch of games, and he's still putting things together, but again, 20 years old, you can see the pilot light sputtering, trying to turn on, he will be there.

B. everyone lamenting omg another timeout not taken, yet all of you missed the fact that after the 3rd goal, they had a de facto time out.....with the review etc, but let's ignore reality, because you are right, TECHNICALLY it wasn't called.....

Again, lot of purse clutchers in here....like teams aren't allowed to have shit nights......cuz it never happens....ever.

You have no idea if Byfield will be “fine”. He looks like crap and is all hustle no finish. So far it’s looking like a fatal mistake taking Turcotte and Byfield and hopefully the higher ups are paying attention.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

You have no idea if Byfield will be “fine”. He looks like crap and is all hustle no finish. So far it’s looking like a fatal mistake taking Turcotte and Byfield and hopefully the higher ups are paying attention.

When all you judge is on points, of course you won't see the things that he does that indicate he will be 100% fine.....you just have no patience.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Unfortunately TM's contract isn't up till next season and Blake's for another 2(?) So almost no matter what happens from here these guys will get at least another year to blackhole and mishandle the youth and cause some damage that will set us back a decade

but hey at least we get to see Kopitar and Doughty get speedbagged and Quick dumped in the garbage so we can blackhole our way into irrelevancy

I can't imagine an easier job on the planet than coaching against mclellan, it's gotta be like stepping into the cage with a kindergartner

 

[Trash Panda]

After an exciting run towards the playoffs, the team is really looking like it’s gonna go out with a whimper.

Gotta have some sort of philosophy change from the front office if things continue down this path.

 

[Schrute farms]

The depressing thing is that I don’t think Beckerman or whoever the hell is supposed to watching from on high will even notice how much Blake/Luc have f***ed this franchise for another several years of abysmal finishes.

Meanwhile this team is just as far away from a championship now than they were in 2017/2018. Blake has done nothing with this franchise besides change the window dressing around Kopitar and Doughty and call it a contender.

I think ownership/etc. has no clue whatsoever. It's simply the team making the playoffs. From their vantage point, Blake & TM are a success. Two years in a row making the playoffs, 100+ points and they contended for the division. Ownership has no idea the rot, waste, mis-management and horrible player development this FO has built. I seriously believe there's a MUCH better chance of Blake/TM getting extended then ever being fired.

 

[KINGS17]

Unfortunately TM's contract isn't up till next season and Blake's for another 2(?) So almost no matter what happens from here these guys will get at least another year to blackhole and mishandle the youth and cause some damage that will set us back a decade

but hey at least we get to see Kopitar and Doughty get speedbagged and Quick dumped in the garbage so we can blackhole our way into irrelevancy

I can't imagine an easier job on the planet than coaching against mclellan, it's gotta be like stepping into the cage with a kindergartner

But the Kings will be in the playoff race, and if they make the playoffs, anything can happen.

It is a tried and true strategy that served the Kings well throughout their history, except for 2009-2014.

 

[Bandit]

I think ownership/etc. has no clue whatsoever. It's simply the team making the playoffs. From their vantage point, Blake & TM are a success. Two years in a row making the playoffs, 100+ points and they contended for the division. Ownership has no idea the rot, waste, mis-management and horrible player development this FO has built. I seriously believe there's a MUCH better chance of Blake/TM getting extended then ever being fired.

I'm already prepared for the TM extension. I'm sure Blake's will follow soon after.

 

[Nasti]

Maybe we will but not mathematically.
Too bad I might want Edmo or LV more than Avs.


You seem to post here a lot more than you pray for the Kings to lose.

It’s so they don’t matchup against the teams they just went 0-3 against in the last week.

 

[Schrute farms]

tmac doesnt even give him much PP time- and when you have that elite level shot the coaches job is to put him in position to take advantage and utilize the tools he has.

I've never seen a sports franchise put so many guys in the worst position for them to succeed and utilize their strengths. It's like have an old 4x4 truck and a convertible sports car -- and using the old truck for a drive up the coast on the California 1 on a sunny day and using the sports car in the mountains off-roading.

 

[Magicman]

So......we played like shit and lost to Vegas.......and the sky is falling, TB played like shit and lost 6-1 to the Islanders.....and....wait, they realize it's a one-off....

Few thoughts, A. Byfield will be fine.....he has not had his best stretch of games, and he's still putting things together, but again, 20 years old, you can see the pilot light sputtering, trying to turn on, he will be there.

B. everyone lamenting omg another timeout not taken, yet all of you missed the fact that after the 3rd goal, they had a de facto time out.....with the review etc, but let's ignore reality, because you are right, TECHNICALLY it wasn't called.....

Again, lot of purse clutchers in here....like teams aren't allowed to have shit nights......cuz it never happens....ever.

Disagree

TB had nothing to play for, they are locked in as the #3 in their division. They don't have question marks about their club, regardless if it was an off night, or not.

The Kings had everything to play for and have laid 2 eggs in a row, and one of those was against a team that made it know they were going to run Anderson, then did it and when retribution time came, the Kings hid under mommies skirt.

This isn't last seasons team where the Kings played thru the injuries and were on a pretty good hot streak going into the playoffs.

They are clearly on their back foot for whatever reason.

Byfield, to me at least, looks lost the last 10+ or so games. Maybe it's because of injuries and he is wearing down a bit as the season gets long for him, who knows. But getting 2 assists in an 8-2 blowout while going 0-fer in the other 9 while on the top line is troubling.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

Disagree

TB had nothing to play for, they are locked in as the #3 in their division. They don't have question marks about their club, regardless if it was an off night, or not.

The Kings had everything to play for and have laid 2 eggs in a row, and one of those was against a team that made it know they were going to run Anderson, then did it and when retribution time came, the Kings hid under mommies skirt.

This isn't last seasons team where the Kings played thru the injuries and were on a pretty good hot streak going into the playoffs.

They are clearly on their back foot for whatever reason.

Byfield, to me at least, looks lost the last 10+ or so games. Maybe it's because of injuries and he is wearing down a bit as the season gets long for him, who knows. But getting 2 assists in an 8-2 blowout while going 0-fer in the other 9 while on the top line is troubling.

A bit of hyperbole there on my part, but teams for the most part, don't take nights off, they might rest players, but TB didn't, they got smoked, end of story, if you talk to anyone on their team, they aren't gonna be...well...we had nothing to play for...etc...

Agreed, this team is better than last year's teams.....but also has the stigma of last year, when you lose 3 of your top players, that's going to have an affect, and typically, not a good one....

Byfield hasn't been good for the past 9 games, no one is saying he is, but he still shows flashes that he will pan out, that is what I was addressing....

Again, everyone is OMG we suck again....without giving any thought to the idea, good teams have shit nights....

 

[mysterman2]

I've never seen a sports franchise put so many guys in the worst position for them to succeed and utilize their strengths. It's like have an old 4x4 truck and a convertible sports car -- and using the old truck for a drive up the coast on the California 1 on a sunny day and using the sports car in the mountains off-roading.

Durzi on the PK comes to mind...

 

[chris kontos]

we are going to wind up in a worse situation than when lombardi and sutter left. a team with too little size and physicality, just good enough for a first round exit with few draft picks and out of the lottery. questionable ahl talent in the pipeline.
we need a total top to bottom cleanout.
i hate it.
surfs up, eh rob?

 

[Kurrilino]

When all you judge is on points, of course you won't see the things that he does that indicate he will be 100% fine.....you just have no patience.

Holy crap we agree on something.... never thought this will happen but you are bang on.

I thought people learned from Kempe, Villardi and Company.
If you are no generational talent, your true colors don't show before you are 25.
Those kids play against the best of the best in fully grown bodies.

Everyone can see that Byfield has all tools for a CENTER.
His game vision, playmaking, dangling and speed are already great.
He makes Kopitar looking like a NHL player.
Where this obsession comes from, to turn playmaking centers into scoring wingers is far beyond me.

But all this doesn't matter if your #1 center is no threat at all and you #1 defender can't keep anyone in check.
But here we are again like we have never witnessed what happened last playoff.
A veteran reunion tour without any chance to get past the 1st round to please exactly who ???

Kupari is looking fantastic all of his 5 minutes of ice time.
I would love to see what happens putting him between Kempe and Kalijev for a stretch of 10 games
Villardi looked extremely well with Fiala and Grunstrom as 2nd line
Danauld's line played way beyond their abillities and need to be demoted to 3rd line where they can succeed.

Korpisalo is no answer to anythying while Copley keeps on shining,
Let him lead next season with Petersen being backup and Portillo start the AHL.

But all those are called Fever Dreams as usual, so back to playoff exit without exiting draft picks it is.

 

[Herby]

When all you judge is on points, of course you won't see the things that he does that indicate he will be 100% fine.....you just have no patience.

But you can't just keep coming up with the "stat watching" thing time and time again, when forwards are taken in the Top 5 the expectation is they are going to be offensive producers, period.

Thus far neither guy has been even close to the kind of offensive producer that was expected of a player taken that high. And yes, it is damaging to the team in the current, we will see if it is in the future.

That’s going to be the difficult part for me. I was always leaning heavily towards Stutzle before the draft because he looked a lot more talented than Byfield. It’s going to be a brutal next few years unless Byfield really gets his head out of his ass, but he has shown an inability to do so.

I know a select few will say he’s an advanced stats sweetheart but I guarantee you that if you put Stutzle with Kopitar and Kempe then Stutzle would be an advanced stats deity. Byfield looks timid and talentless. Can’t believe they drafted a guy based upon height at 2nd overall

People can be optimistic about the future, that is fine. But there is to much denial that the poor results from the two high picks is indeed hurting the Kings in the present. It's pretty damning that three and four years ago you go center in back to back drafts with 5 and 2 picks and here we are with Blake Lizotte as the 3C.

We don't know what the future holds, maybe Byfield breaks out to a 90 point player next year, we don't know , but we do know that the lack of results from those two picks is hurting the team now, that can't be debated.

Holy crap we agree on something.... never thought this will happen but you are bang on.

I thought people learned from Kempe, Villardi and Company.
If you are generational talent, your true colors don't show before you are 25.
Those kids play against the best of the best in fully grown bodies.

Everyone can see that Byfield has all tools for a CENTER.
His game vision, playmaking, dangling and speed are already great.
He makes Kopitar looking like a NHL player.
Where this obsession comes from, to turn playmaking centers into scoring wingers is far beyond me.

Ummmm.....

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

But you can't just keep coming up with the "stat watching" thing time and time again, when forwards are taken in the Top 5 the expectation is they are going to be offensive producers, period.

Thus far neither guy has been even close to the kind of offensive producer that was expected of a player taken that high. And yes, it is damaging to the team in the current, we will see if it is in the future.

Agreed....but the kid is 20....he was drafted as a project......but people want him to be something he's not.....all I am saying is patience, I could be 100% wrong and he turns into a dud......but he is showing enough for me to believe that isn't going to happen.....

 

[chris kontos]

I did see this coming. We needed a classic rebuild after lombardi and sutter left but in an attempt to keep butts in seats, some other half as**d measures were taken. Present mgt was set up as a good old boys club similar to the edmonton teams that attempted to make professional hockey mgmt staff out of the jocks that won all those cups.
A high school dropout team president, multiply concussion history gm, proven loser egomaniac coach that throws players under the bus in the media, plays favorites and once sent leon drysaital to the ahl.
What could go wrong?

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

I did see this coming. We needed a classic rebuild after lombardi and sutter left but in an attempt to keep butts in seats, some other half as**d measures were taken. Present mgt was set up as a good old boys club similar to the edmonton teams that attempted to make professional hockey mgmt staff out of the jocks that won all those cups.
A high school dropout team president, multiply concussion history gm, proven loser egomaniac coach that throws players under the bus in the media, plays favorites and once sent leon drysaital to the ahl.
What could go wrong?

WTF are you regurgitating old lines from years ago?

Show me one team that hasn't gone "good old boys club"......I can wait....again, Draisatil in the AHL.....for six f***ing games like that really destroyed him...holy f***, for all you know it helped him....