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

[Moses Doughty]

It's true.

Fiala is a high-end Athanasiou, there' s a reason why Minny was deploying him down the lineup, it's hard to find a match.

And Kopitar has gone through more potential mates than a Kardashian

Maybe I'm misremembering but was Fiala not on the 2nd line? I don't even think it was a factor of them having a tough time finding a match, him and Boldy just worked extremely well together and Kaprizov was gonna be your top line wing no matter what. He was at his best with a skilled guy with speed and a guy who could go retrieve the puck and do the little things (for the Wild that was Frederick Gaudreau). Seems like we may actually get that if Byfield isn't sick tomorrow with those two and Grundstrom in the Gaudreau role.

I know I'm a Quick homer/fanboy, but I didn't really think those goals against last night were soft.

Did we need an extra save? Sure, and you need your goalie to do that for you sometimes, but I don't think the .722 SV% he had last night was reflective of his play.

Even though it was a tip, he needs to play that last goal smarter and not be so far over on that wide shot. Would like to see him stop PLD's goal, but based on the total chances (which the shot total doesn't reflect) and the other 3 goal you can't expect much else

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

Maybe I'm misremembering but was Fiala not on the 2nd line? I don't even think it was a factor of them having a tough time finding a match, him and Boldy just worked extremely well together and Kaprizov was gonna be your top line wing no matter what. He was at his best with a skilled guy with speed and a guy who could go retrieve the puck and do the little things (for the Wild that was Frederick Gaudreau). Seems like we may actually get that if Byfield isn't sick tomorrow with those two and Grundstrom in the Gaudreau role.


Even though it was a tip, he needs to play that last goal smarter and not be so far over on that wide shot. Would like to see him stop PLD's goal, but based on the total chances (which the shot total doesn't reflect) and the other 3 goal you can't expect much else

That was the one I didn't remember, the PLD goal.....that was....so so so bad defensively....Durzi got sucked out of position, Roy made a great specator, just missing the peanuts, and Quick was a step behind, he normally goes out at the puck, this time he followed along and got beat

 

[johnjm22]

I tend to agree, but how many games with that happening need to go by before we say it just has to be better period? It's the NHL and your goalie absolutely has to give you a save and neither guy has done that with any regularity...at least without giving up a backbreaker to compensate.

Maybe unpopular opinion but the biggest difference between TBL game and last night was Jonathan Quick's play.

In a vacuum I wouldn't blame Quick for last night but the repeated performances by both goaltenders are adding a goal or two against per game. That's why I say that raw .862 isn't enough, regardless of the reason. Everyone needs to be better and that includes the goalies, no matter how much they're getting shelled.

I don't think Quick played much different in the Tampa Bay game.

I think the team defense was the biggest difference between the Tampa game and last night.

 

[kilowatt]

Let's imagine a scenario in which Kopitar does get demoted. What might that look like?

Kempe - Danault - Vilardi
Fiala - Byfield - Arvidsson
Moore - Kopitar - Kaliyev
Lemieux - Lizotte - Grundstrom

Then, my two wishlist items are Carson Soucy and Connor Hellebuyck. The Durzi-at-left-defense experiment needs to end.

Anderson - Doughty
Soucy - Clarke
Bjornfot - Roy

Hellebuyck
Quick

 

[Eagle Fang]

This game was so gross and listening to the post-game comments from TMac made it worse. Blake and Tmac are obviously taking the Johnny Lawrence Eagle Fang approach, best defense is more offense which would be fine if they had the players for it. Kopitar as 1C isn't going to cut it.

 

[Moses Doughty]

That was the one I didn't remember, the PLD goal.....that was....so so so bad defensively....Durzi got sucked out of position, Roy made a great specator, just missing the peanuts, and Quick was a step behind, he normally goes out at the puck, this time he followed along and got beat

Durzi on the PK is such a bad idea I can't comprehend it. At the same time, this diamond PK is some Peewee hockey level BS that makes these down low plays and cross creases so easy

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I don't think Quick played much different in the Tampa Bay game.

I think the team defense was the biggest difference between the Tampa game and last night.

He made some huge saves in the TBL game that we aren't talking about because he made them, imo.

Team defense was certainly worse last night, but it wasn't by a whole lot, QUick just covered the errors.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

Durzi on the PK is such a bad idea I can't comprehend it. At the same time, this diamond PK is some Peewee hockey level BS that makes these down low plays and cross creases so easy

Is it a diamond though? I always viewed it as almost a 2-1-1......I guess a T type of set up, either one doesn't work like they way they thought it would in their heads.....I haven't seen a single team emulate that formation....once. Probably a reason for it.

 

[Mats26]

I fear the knee jerk reaction here from the GM is to salvage this season and spend prospects and 1 rounders for patches. You don't build your team during the season you tweak it. We don't need a tweak.

Hard decisions need to be made and it is time to look in the mirror. Drop Kopitar from the first line, 1st PP, give Clarke some PP1 minutes. Shop Petersen, Walker and Edler for anything. We didn't spend anything to get them . Maybe have Cal ride the bus and give Copley a shot.

Another TMac beauty. We have Clarke out with Doughty 6-5 when losing the game and needing a goal but Clarke is not on the 1st PP? Fiala-Vilardi-Kempe - Clarke-Doughty -- PP1

 

[Chazz Reinhold]

He made some huge saves in the TBL game that we aren't talking about because he made them, imo.

Team defense was certainly worse last night, but it wasn't by a whole lot, QUick just covered the errors.

Not perfect, I know, but MoneyPuck's expected goals against had the Kings allowing more in the Tampa game than last night.

 

[kingsfan28]

I don't think Quick played much different in the Tampa Bay game.

I think the team defense was the biggest difference between the Tampa game and last night.

This, with one exception...the offense didn't try and run and gun with Tampa. They were really smart with their breakouts. They weren't stupidly risky on the blueline either. 3 goals came off of us in total control and giving it away inside our blueline. I'm looking right at you Danault and Kempe!

 

[All The Kings Men]

- RAMPANT BASELESS SPECULATION

that's an awfully specific choice of phrasing...

 

[Sol]

This all adds up.

That adds up so much. I love Rosen. It’s so obvious that Kopitar is the problem.

 

[KingsFan7824]

Carter was the #1 Center in Philly for quite a while, not sure what he played in CLB as he wasn't there long. The plan seemed to go Kopi-Richards-Carter-Stoll down the middle. Yeah he played some wing but then went to a #2/#3 center role. The point is more you can take a player who traditionally has a certain role and move them around if there's a good fit that balances your team.

As for a trade, I don't think it's so much finding a team but getting the value you want back. I think it will be easier as the season progresses, but I'd take a bit of a loss on someone now to get the roster more cohesive.


Fourth line Fiala has a nice ring to it.

It appears last night was the last bit of rope TM was willing to give. I hope Fiala ends up with Byfield, though. I think they would do well together.

When was the plan Kopitar, Richards, Carter, Stoll down the middle? The only time that happened was when they couldn't keep playing Richards as the 2C, and they tried hiding him at 4C.

For 2 years, from the 2012 deadline to whenever half way through 13-14, it was Carter on the right side of Richards.

And my point is is that Sutter just ran Richards as the 2C until he couldn't anymore.

And when a defenseman is traded elsewhere, you'll reply with "there's no guarantee the team was interested in one of the Kings' D."

Plenty of people who have put in legwork to discuss a variety of issues and scenarios who have been met with shit from others (not just you) like:
- you're not a scout
- you're not a coach
- you're not a GM
- you're a hater
- you're ignoring the details
- but...
- RAMPANT BASELESS SPECULATION

Plenty of gatekeepers and reductive thinkers who just blindly accept or defend every managerial decision or will expect people proposing solutions to have access to resources Blake has.

And then when people DO, certain others say "you have too much time on your hands. Go outside."

If there was a semblance of belief there would be good faith attempts to consider the ideas we have put forth, then I'd happily go through teams who need a RHD. But I think we both know you'll find reasons why the proposed ideas won't work.

There's also no guarantee that Blake wants to trade a defenseman. He had all summer, while knowing Spence and Bjornfot could be down if Clarke took a spot. 5 RHD didn't surprise him. If it somehow did, he's more clueless than even people here think.

There are rarely any ideas about trades. It's just trade a defenseman. And it's not me. There is a lack of trades during this time of year thanks to the cap. Yeah, I won't rip management for not doing what generally isn’t done when it takes at least 2 to dance.

Van made a trade for a D. I'll guess the Kings and Nucks aren't making any significant trades together this early in the year when playoff spots are still way up in the air. If that makes me a party pooper, ok.

 

[bland]

I know I'm a Quick homer/fanboy, but I didn't really think those goals against last night were soft.

Did we need an extra save? Sure, and you need your goalie to do that for you sometimes, but I don't think the .722 SV% he had last night was reflective of his play.

The offsides goal against Tampa was Charmin soft, and based on previous evidence you have to think that it was likely another collapse was narrowly avoided.

Last night, no, they were all grade A chances - except for the wandering deflection. That was badly over-played and it did cost them.

I have always been of the opinion that goaltending is the most overrated position in sports. Its terrific if you have a great one, but really all you need is competency. Just avoid the back-breakers and give your team a chance to win the game.

Last night was a mixed bag. Breakaways have a success percentage in the mid 30s last time I saw that stat. Quick got beat on both. Neither was a bad goal, both were excellent chances, but a quality NHL goalie would hopefully save one of those for his team.

 

[Choralone]

On one hand, you would think those would be the easiest things to work out, but not so much when you're doing things like playing Durzi on the left side. Kings are their own worst enemy.

Durzi on the PK is such a bad idea I can't comprehend it.

We shouldn't be surprised. Trent Yawney on June 2, 2022 regarding Durzi:

It’ll be a big change for him because next year he’s not going to be getting 20 minutes a night and not going to be playing in the top four unless we run into the same situation. He’s going to have to learn how to manage his game playing lower in the lineup and still provide the strengths he provided our team. But he can do it. He’s become a very good penalty killer. So he’s going to get minutes there and he can play both sides, which is a bonus. A lot of positives with him.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

We shouldn't be surprised. Trent Yawney on June 2, 2022 regarding Durzi:

 

[kingsfan28]

The offsides goal against Tampa was Charmin soft, and based on previous evidence you have to think that it was likely another collapse was narrowly avoided.

Last night, no, they were all grade A chances - except for the wandering deflection. That was badly over-played and it did cost them.

I have always been of the opinion that goaltending is the most overrated position in sports. Its terrific if you have a great one, but really all you need is competency. Just avoid the back-breakers and give your team a chance to win the game.

Last night was a mixed bag. Breakaways have a success percentage in the mid 30s last time I saw that stat. Quick got beat on both. Neither was a bad goal, both were excellent chances, but a quality NHL goalie would hopefully save one of those for his team.

Are you talking about the 5th goal?

 

[ScoreZeGoals]

Damn, we are really going to Kavalchuk Fiala after 9 games? Is this organization run by idiots?

Has he been great? Absolutely not, but he's played very much like Minnesota Wild Kevin Fiala, which is exactly what they traded for. The problem is he's not a fit with Kopitar (which MANY predicted before the season), the solution is not to put him with f'n Lizotte. Does this front office actually watch the games of who they are acquiring, or are they just looking at stats? Fiala is a improv rush player who will commit some dumb penalties, that's what he was in Minnesota and what he's shown this season so far. There is a major disconnect between who this organization acquires to play with Kopitar and who he's capable of playing with. Clown organization

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

The offsides goal against Tampa was Charmin soft, and based on previous evidence you have to think that it was likely another collapse was narrowly avoided.

Last night, no, they were all grade A chances - except for the wandering deflection. That was badly over-played and it did cost them.

I have always been of the opinion that goaltending is the most overrated position in sports. Its terrific if you have a great one, but really all you need is competency. Just avoid the back-breakers and give your team a chance to win the game.

Last night was a mixed bag. Breakaways have a success percentage in the mid 30s last time I saw that stat. Quick got beat on both. Neither was a bad goal, both were excellent chances, but a quality NHL goalie would hopefully save one of those for his team.

f***, that explains SO SO SO much........

 

[Moses Doughty]

Is it a diamond though? I always viewed it as almost a 2-1-1......I guess a T type of set up, either one doesn't work like they way they thought it would in their heads.....I haven't seen a single team emulate that formation....once. Probably a reason for it.

Maybe I just need to rewatch some highlights but it seems like a narrow diamond, just with the rotation rather than 2 in any one plane at a time. But yea, whatever it is, doesn't work

 

[kingsfan28]

This play probably kept most of the coach staff up all night. Lizzotte has total control by the net with an easy option to get it out, a simple 4 foot pass behind the net to dman 1, then up to the dman 2 and it's cleared . Instead, he goes left into the boards to a waiting Jets player and it's turned over and they eventually score. It's such a bad decision for a guy who's been playing so long. This was the theme all night. Really bad puck management.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

This play probably kept most of the coach staff up all night. Lizzotte has total control by the net with an easy option to get it out, a simple 4 foot pass behind the net to dman 1, then up to the dman 2 and it's cleared . Instead, he goes left into the boards to a waiting Jets player and it's turned over and they eventually score. It's such a bad decision for a guy who's been playing so long. This was the theme all night. Really bad puck management.


View attachment 600252

Don't forget the two dosy doing at the top of the circle doing nothing......Fiala is literally stopped watching the play.....

Maybe I just need to rewatch some highlights but it seems like a narrow diamond, just with the rotation rather than 2 in any one plane at a time. But yea, whatever it is, doesn't work

Maybe, keep in mind my recall sucks...so I maybe misrembering it, but I distinctly remembering the top guy having to cover both points so the middle guy can cover the bumper, that's asinine.

 

[Schmooley]

This play probably kept most of the coach staff up all night. Lizzotte has total control by the net with an easy option to get it out, a simple 4 foot pass behind the net to dman 1, then up to the dman 2 and it's cleared . Instead, he goes left into the boards to a waiting Jets player and it's turned over and they eventually score. It's such a bad decision for a guy who's been playing so long. This was the theme all night. Really bad puck management.


View attachment 600252

Lizotte got a promotion after and is now on line 3. Imagine if that was JAD or Gabe. Permanent banishment.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

Lizotte got a promotion after and is now on line 3. Imagine if that was JAD or Gabe. Permanent banishment.

Yes.....it was THAT play....that caused it......imagine if the entire team worked like Lizotte.....