GDT: 2022-23 season game 9 LA Kings vs Winnipeg Jets @7:30pm 10/27/22

[Moses Doughty]

One thing I think that gets ignored with how many chances the Kings had is that we do a poor job making goalies move alot of the time. Sure Helle had a very good game, but you're making his life easy when so many chances are stepping into shots he has time to position for with no screen or tip. Of course all goalies will be worse vs movement, but a big guy like him means you have to focus on it even more. 3/4 goals were with him moving/tipped puck (only a great shot by Arty otherwise) while the defensive structure allows too many of both of those. 4/5 goals despite having less than half the Shots on Goal total were like that for Winnipeg. And the only one that wasn't was a triple King screen

 

[SherVaughn30]

One thing I think that gets ignored with how many chances the Kings had is that we do a poor job making goalies move alot of the time. Sure Helle had a very good game, but you're making his life easy when so many chances are stepping into shots he has time to position for with no screen or tip. Of course all goalies will be worse vs movement, but a big guy like him means you have to focus on it even more. 3/4 goals were with him moving/tipped puck (only a great shot by Arty otherwise) while the defensive structure allows too many of both of those. 4/5 goals despite having less than half the Shots on Goal total were like that for Winnipeg. And the only one that wasn't was a triple King screen

That might be because other teams protect the front of their net better. There were many instances where the Jets had easy back door plays. It means the Kings were not protecting the front of net good enough. If you protect the middle of the ice in front of your net, you don't chase the opponent and you keep your opponent to the perimeter.

 

[Sol]

Kings need an LD , a new Hc, and goalie. This team is built to fail. And one thing that grinds my gear is Kopitar. Isn’t it crazy how no one except scrubs seem to gel with Kopitar. At what point is he the problem. They should try someone else at center on that line. A lot of fans at the game think he’s holding the linemates back and are angry with him. It was weird to hear that opinion shared by so many people but also see it reflected here. He needs to be demoted.

 

[KingsHockey24]

Boy am I glad to have missed this one.

 

[RocketKing]

This crap just can’t continue. I hope we don’t have to go old school Terry Murray but somethings gotta change. The 4 right handed D experiment has officially failed we have to go out and get a legit LD who can carry some minutes and most likely a goalie unless Cal can find a way to recover his mental breakdown. If we don’t make some real moves in the next month I’m guessing this season is a write off. It’s that bad.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

A lot of fans at the game think he’s holding the linemates back and are angry with him.

Maybe we could get his address and go protest at his house.

 

[Mats26]

Most concerning is that we are not losing games because of the kids. The vets are the ones dragging this team down. At their age, Kopitar\Doughty\Quick need different roles , they can't carry this team anymore. That's 27 million in cap space, mind boggling.

 

[mysterman2]

wasnt able to watch the whole game but the remaining legacy vets are hurting, lack of LHD is hurting us, goaltending hurting us, coaching hurting us, having D that cant play D etc etc....

Weve got 3 losses that were all winnable games.

Interesting quote from Tmac- and credit to him.

On what he felt he needed more of tonight
We could use a better coaching staff, we could use some forwards that committed, we needed D that move the puck and we needed goaltending. There isn’t one area. I told the guys between the second and third, we all own a piece of this. So, dig yourselves out and we didn’t do it.

Someone mentioned this team looks a lot like the oilers team he coached and got fired from. At some point Kings brass has to be mulling this idea.

 

[cyclones22]

Jon Rosen had an interesting tweet comparing Kovy on Kopitar's line and how that didn't work, with Fiala currently on that line. He said that Kopitar really needs a structurally sound winger and that freelancers don't work with him. It's why Iafallo always ends up back on his line. Hell it's why Brown even played a lot of minutes with him last season. It's because he knows exactly where he's going to be. Unpredictability cannot mesh with him at his age physically.

Think about it. How many wingers in Kopitar's 16 plus years have actually worked with him? Brown, Williams, Gabo for a bit, Iafallo? It's been a revolving door of wingers who don't mesh with Kopi over the years. Yes Kempe scored many goals last season, but he was great with Phil too. That first line was a net negative last season.

It's funny when I read that Kopi can offset the freelancing done by his wingers, in this case the new acquisition in Fiala, by people who don't really watch the Kings. Kopi is no longer an elite defensive player. He hasn't been for a few seasons. He's 35. Remember that Blake brought on RV specifically to play on Kopi's wing. That also was short-lived. Stop bringing in players to prop up your aging center.

Move Fiala off of Kopi's line permanently already. Most people knew that wasn't going to work from the onset. Having one speedy unpredictable winger on his line is enough. Having two does not stylistically work at all. Kevin Fiala's warts are well known. With all that he is still a successful and productive player. But thinking he should change his game to fit with this version of Kopi is ridiculous.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

Jon Rosen had an interesting tweet comparing Kovy on Kopitar's line and how that didn't work, with Fiala currently on that line. He said that Kopitar really needs a structurally sound winger and that freelancers don't work with him. It's why Iafallo always ends up back on his line. Hell it's why Brown even played a lot of minutes with him last season. It's because he knows exactly where he's going to be. Unpredictability cannot mesh with him at his age physically.

Think about it. How many wingers in Kopitar's 16 plus years have actually worked with him? Brown, Williams, Gabo for a bit, Iafallo? It's been a revolving door of wingers who don't mesh with Kopi over the years. Yes Kempe scored many goals last season, but he was great with Phil too. That first line was a net negative last season.

It's funny when I read that Kopi can offset the freelancing done by his wingers, in this case the new acquisition in Fiala, by people who don't really watch the Kings. Kopi is no longer an elite defensive player. He hasn't been for a few seasons. He's 35. Remember that Blake brought on RV specifically to play on Kopi's wing. That also was short-lived. Stop bringing in players to prop up your aging center.

Move Fiala off of Kopi's line permanently already. Most people knew that wasn't going to work from the onset. Having one speedy unpredictable winger on his line is enough. Having two does not stylistically work at all. Kevin Fiala's warts are well known. With all that he is still a successful and productive player. But thinking he should change his game to fit with this version of Kopi is ridiculous.

This is all really interesting, but who’s playing on Kopi’s line has very little to do with the inability to hold a lead or allow less than 3 goals a game.

Someone mentioned this team looks a lot like the oilers team he coached and got fired from. At some point Kings brass has to be mulling this idea.

After 9 games and being only one game under .500?? You guys are funny….really f***ing funny.

 

[Matt13]

I bet Stutzle would have meshed with Kopitar.

 

[bland]

Jon Rosen had an interesting tweet comparing Kovy on Kopitar's line and how that didn't work, with Fiala currently on that line. He said that Kopitar really needs a structurally sound winger and that freelancers don't work with him. It's why Iafallo always ends up back on his line. Hell it's why Brown even played a lot of minutes with him last season. It's because he knows exactly where he's going to be. Unpredictability cannot mesh with him at his age physically.

Think about it. How many wingers in Kopitar's 16 plus years have actually worked with him? Brown, Williams, Gabo for a bit, Iafallo? It's been a revolving door of wingers who don't mesh with Kopi over the years. Yes Kempe scored many goals last season, but he was great with Phil too. That first line was a net negative last season.

It's funny when I read that Kopi can offset the freelancing done by his wingers, in this case the new acquisition in Fiala, by people who don't really watch the Kings. Kopi is no longer an elite defensive player. He hasn't been for a few seasons. He's 35. Remember that Blake brought on RV specifically to play on Kopi's wing. That also was short-lived. Stop bringing in players to prop up your aging center.

Move Fiala off of Kopi's line permanently already. Most people knew that wasn't going to work from the onset. Having one speedy unpredictable winger on his line is enough. Having two does not stylistically work at all. Kevin Fiala's warts are well known. With all that he is still a successful and productive player. But thinking he should change his game to fit with this version of Kopi is ridiculous.

I wonder where that has been discussed before?


The disappointing thing is that this should have been common knowledge by now, its been blatantly obvious since 2010. But, our management team continues to make dumb, hopeful, lazy decisions instead of smart, aggressive ones.

 

[mysterman2]

Lets face it.

With 19 shots against you will win 9 out of 10 times.

Unfortunately not last night.

If they do this every night we will win a lot of games

thats assuming your goalies have an average sv% above .877

 

[bland]

I bet Stutzle would have meshed with Kopitar.

Nope.

This is all really interesting, but who’s playing on Kopi’s line has very little to do with the inability to hold a lead or allow less than 3 goals a game.


After 9 games and being only one game under .500?? You guys are funny….really f***ing funny.

You seriously don't understand that Kopitar gets the prime defensive situations and that his wingers don't have an effect on every one of those shifts? That those wingers see the majority of even strength minutes?

We need a remedial forum with REAL gatekeepers before this kind of nonsense gets posted.

 

[bmr]

Arvidson is a 3rd line player if that. If we still can’t stop the titanic from sinking into our net every night by playoffs he will fetch a nice draft pick and and free up cap space next year.

Moore needs to stay, Vilardi has locked down a forward spot, and Arty is quietly outing up good numbers while being as inconsistent as his ice time has been.

Kempe and Fiala are not going anywhere and they are good goal-scorers. Moore brings a ton to the table and Iafollo is one of x pensive ass third liner when he comes back.

Byfield can come along on the third line and not hurt us. That’s all too 9 forward positions locked down for a long time!

The D is a colllection of Gi joes Doughty and Clarke) thunder cats(Anderson and Spence) transformers/turnovers (Durzi) 2 broken go bots (Roy and Walker) and one Swedish pet rock carbon dating to know how old it really is (Edler).

Iafallo deserves every penny that he gets. He is one of the most underrated players on the team. He does everything on the ice well, including his defensive assignments. He was vital to the huge success of that 3rd line, which effectively was the best on the team with Vilardi and Byfield.

Not bad ideas but I think Grundstrom has outplayed Arvidsson so far and he could use a reduced role to ease back from the injury. With Fiala/Arty, I don't think Arty/Byfield have been that great a match, Danault/Moore can play with Arty and cover up his speed/defense issues, and Fiala's best play was with Boldy, a speed forward who can carry the puck and dish it well

Grundstrom has outplayed Arvidsson so far? How in the world do you make that assessment?

 

[Kurrilino]

Kings need an LD , a new Hc, and goalie. This team is built to fail. And one thing that grinds my gear is Kopitar. Isn’t it crazy how no one except scrubs seem to gel with Kopitar. At what point is he the problem. They should try someone else at center on that line. A lot of fans at the game think he’s holding the linemates back and are angry with him. It was weird to hear that opinion shared by so many people but also see it reflected here. He needs to be demoted.

Absolutely

Fiala and Kempe would benefit from an equal fast center like Byfield.
In general i would pair players who benefit from each others playstyle.
One playmaking center, two scoring winger

Kopitar doesn't create any offense anymore and shows meh defense.
As long as Kopitar is nor demoted, we will not be able to compete.
Same with Arvidson who makes me head scratch so many time through the game.
Kupari is bringing exactly the speed and playmaking we need and i would call him up

Fiala - Byfield - Kaliev
Kempe - Kupari - Vilardi
Moore - Danauld - Grundstrom
Lemieux - Lizotte - Arvidson

I would "rest" Kopitar for one or two games and see if the youngsters are willing to take over

 

[Butch 19]

What, .... no hate for Quick?

He gave up 2 - 3 soft goals.

 

[mysterman2]

What, .... no hate for Quick?

He gave up 2 - 3 soft goals.

he gets the legend pass I guess but agreed- neither goalie even playing at an average level.

 

[Docgonzo]

It’s fairly obvious, Brown was the linchpin that held that locker room together. He’s gone and it’s chaos and zero structure.

 

[cyclones22]

What, .... no hate for Quick?

He gave up 2 - 3 soft goals.

He gets the benefit of being compared to Cal

 

[Ollie Weeks]

Congrats everyone, we did it. We’re the Devils.

 

[Little Psycho]

That was a sexy shift. Expecting a 4 goal comeback tho from the jets

I hate being right. That was classic kings.

 

[Mats26]

I bet Stutzle would have meshed with Kopitar.

What are u talking about, he would look great next to Lizotte - TMac

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

What, .... no hate for Quick?

He gave up 2 - 3 soft goals.

Nope, it's Kopitar's fault.

 

[Fishhead]

Taking the load off isn't even a demotion for Kopitar, it's putting him in the appropriate role. Jeff Carter was a clear #1 level center when he got here, yet they put him with a couple really young players because they meshed. It's just what worked. I think it's coming soon, it has to.

Teams still get too caught up in the 1st 2nd 3rd line, etc. To TM's credit, he's finally squishing the ice time a bit where the gaps aren't so big and the top 3 lines are all getting decent time. Kopitar is obviously showing his age this year, but put him against weaker competition and his level of play will rise.

I also think it's time to move a D out and bring Tobi back up. Not so much because he's head and shoulders above the others, but having 3 LD really helps with getting pucks out of the zone.