GDT: 2022-23 season LA Kings vs Vegas Golden Knights @7:00pm 10/11/22

[Fishhead]

Stats from last night's game:

Vegas Golden Knights vs. Los Angeles Kings Box Score: October 11, 2022 | Hockey-Reference.com

Get the latest box score updates on the Vegas Golden Knights vs. Los Angeles Kings game played on October 11, 2022 on Hockey-Reference.com

www.hockey-reference.com

A few takeaways:

Vegas was beasting last night, you can see it in the stats. Kopitar was lined up against the top line almost the entire night, and his oZone start% of 30 tells you how tilted the ice was. They were a top team in top form.

Vilardi, Iafallo, and Byfield were our best forwards statistically. They definitely took benefit from really high Ozone starts but you could see it as well. A decent amount of those starts come from having possession in the Ozone followed by a whistle. Kaliyev was really good as well.

The only defensive pairing that was good was Doughty/Anderson. Edler/Walker was the worst as far as possession, but they had some of the tougher matchups. Durzi/Roy were not good either, but given their easier deployments and high oZone starts they were probably the worst overall.

Durzi can create shots. We know he's an offensive machine but we saw all too well what can happen. Roy was terrible, but was really hitting everything that moved. They obviously need to be separated, they were over-skating all night. Durzi is really fun to watch but it's going to be really difficult to find him a stable partner.

Next game: I would try Roy-Walker (who have worked in the past) and Edler-Clarke/Durzi. I would also consider putting Roy with Edler, who were dominant at the beginning of last season, and Walker with Clarke. I would not put Walker with Durzi.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

Be interesting to see if TM plays Clarke against Seattle.....

I liked that Byfield line.....you can tell GV has taken a step up.....whether it sticks or not, is up to him, I still think Byfield plays like a goddamn waterbug.....but you can see his skill on some of the plays, there's a few plays there as well where he stopped skating, and if he hadn't, he would have been in better position....

 

[KingsFan7824]

Well, sometimes you win them and sometimes you lose them. Usually it’s going to split 50/50 for middle of the pack type teams.

Last year the Kings were great in 1 goal games decided in regulation and Vegas was not. Had both teams gained the expected points in these types of games the Kings would have missed the playoffs. I know it’s more “fancy stats” stuff, but it was one area where the Kings were going to likely see a big regression and would have to make up for it in other areas.

His point is valid, it’s not realistic to expect to get 66% of the total points in 1 goal games in regulation and the easiest way to fix that is to build multiple goal leads, and for the Kings the easiest way to get that is to play better in the 2nd period. Which they didn’t do last season, and are off to a poor start this season.

So, once again, Vegas, an NHL team. also could not build a multiple goal lead, for whatever reason, they didn't, and lost two 3rd period leads, and were one play away from losing the game.

If the Kings get 50 shots in a game and have a chance to lose, we rip them. If they give up 50 shots in a game and have a chance to win, we rip them.

Less than 2% of the season is completed. You get upwards of 25 regulation losses in a season before you have to start worrying. There's plenty of time for us to comfortably perch ourselves on the ledge. Everyone isn't going to be traded today. They're not all going to the minors. Nobody is getting fired.

 

[fivehole32]

Hey now. It was a bad idea but it's not like he bilked millions from a welfare program or anything.

And yeah I thought he was just going to run out the clock but nope. Surprise! joke was on us. Thanks Sean!

Or send out unsolicited crank pics!

 

[Herby]

Stats from last night's game:

Vegas Golden Knights vs. Los Angeles Kings Box Score: October 11, 2022 | Hockey-Reference.com

Get the latest box score updates on the Vegas Golden Knights vs. Los Angeles Kings game played on October 11, 2022 on Hockey-Reference.com

www.hockey-reference.com

A few takeaways:

Vegas was beasting last night, you can see it in the stats. Kopitar was lined up against the top line almost the entire night, and his oZone start% of 30 tells you how tilted the ice was. They were a top team in top form.

Vilardi, Iafallo, and Byfield were our best forwards statistically. They definitely took benefit from really high Ozone starts but you could see it as well. A decent amount of those starts come from having possession in the Ozone followed by a whistle. Kaliyev was really good as well.

The only defensive pairing that was good was Doughty/Anderson. Edler/Walker was the worst as far as possession, but they had some of the tougher matchups. Durzi/Roy were not good either, but given their easier deployments and high oZone starts they were probably the worst overall.

Durzi can create shots. We know he's an offensive machine but we saw all too well what can happen. Roy was terrible, but was really hitting everything that moved. They obviously need to be separated, they were over-skating all night. Durzi is really fun to watch but it's going to be really difficult to find him a stable partner.

Next game: I would try Roy-Walker (who have worked in the past) and Edler-Clarke/Durzi. I would also consider putting Roy with Edler, who were dominant at the beginning of last season, and Walker with Clarke. I would not put Walker with Durzi.

The Kings bottom lines are going to feast in this division, a lot of teams in this division have garbage bottom sixes and the Kings have skilled guys. The top line is an area of concern, I don't know where Kopitar ranks as far as C's in the division but he is not on the caliber of Jack Eichel anymore and that is pretty clear. The Kings will need to have a balanced offense this season, after watching that game I am more confident in my more balanced statistical projections.

So, once again, Vegas, an NHL team. also could not build a multiple goal lead, for whatever reason, they didn't, and lost two 3rd period leads, and were one play away from losing the game.

If the Kings get 50 shots in a game and have a chance to lose, we rip them. If they give up 50 shots in a game and have a chance to win, we rip them.

Less than 2% of the season is completed. You get upwards of 25 regulation losses in a season before you have to start worrying. There's plenty of time for us to comfortably perch ourselves on the ledge. Everyone isn't going to be traded today. They're not all going to the minors. Nobody is getting fired.

I wasn't commenting on Vegas, was more talking about the Kings not being able to rely on getting 66% of the points in one goal-games. It's not sustainable and being able to build multi-goal leads is a major area of emphasis this season should the Kings be a playoff team again.

I'm not worried, I think this was kind of an anomaly game for the Kings, who usually play strong defense. I am just not sure the Kings aren't icing the #8 and #9 d-man in the organization in the starting lineup, but if that is the case it should correct itself.

 

[Mats26]

So can someone explain what the old Koala was doing putting Arvidsson on PP1 when Vilardi was the net front presence all camp?

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

Be interesting to see if TM plays Clarke against Seattle.....

He absolutely has to after that shitshow last night.

 

[King'sPawn]

So can someone explain what the old Koala was doing putting Arvidsson on PP1 when Vilardi was the net front presence all camp?

Eh, he contributed to a goal on the second unit. So I'm not complaining there. I guess I wonder why it's the second unit.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

So can someone explain what the old Koala was doing putting Arvidsson on PP1 when Vilardi was the net front presence all camp?

Arvidsson wasn't available all of camp to be put on PP1. Does it matter? They made the 2nd unit better with GV and look, they even scored a goal.

 

[Mats26]

Eh, he contributed to a goal on the second unit. So I'm not complaining there. I guess I wonder why it's the second unit.

The 2nd unit will get 30 seconds at most, he needs to be on PP1 with Durzi.

 

[tny760]

So can someone explain what the old Koala was doing putting Arvidsson on PP1 when Vilardi was the net front presence all camp?

veteran presence>netfront presence

 

[Mats26]

Arvidsson wasn't available all of camp to be put on PP1. Does it matter? They made the 2nd unit better with GV and look, they even scored a goal.

It matters when vets still get the ice time over prospects that look like are making a turn in their development and confidence.

 

[Bandit]

So, once again, Vegas, an NHL team. also could not build a multiple goal lead, for whatever reason, they didn't, and lost two 3rd period leads, and were one play away from losing the game.

If the Kings get 50 shots in a game and have a chance to lose, we rip them. If they give up 50 shots in a game and have a chance to win, we rip them.

Less than 2% of the season is completed. You get upwards of 25 regulation losses in a season before you have to start worrying. There's plenty of time for us to comfortably perch ourselves on the ledge. Everyone isn't going to be traded today. They're not all going to the minors. Nobody is getting fired.

I am not "worrying" or asking for anyone to be traded or fired. I simply said allowing teams to hang around within a goal is how you let them back in and lose, which is exactly what the Kings did last night. It's not a complex statement. Stop being a brick.

 

[Kudelski37]

So can someone explain what the old Koala was doing putting Arvidsson on PP1 when Vilardi was the net front presence all camp?

The Kings only have 2 right handed forwards. One (Arvidsson) has more time playing with the guys on pp1 and the other (Vilardi) has more playing time with the guys on pp2 at the AHL and NHL levels. This seems like an attempt to put players where they can succeed.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

It matters when vets still get the ice time over prospects that look like are making a turn in their development and confidence.

Arvidsson is 29 yrs old and consistent 30-goal scorer. You think they traded for him a year ago to come in and babysit the kids and sit on the sidelines? I get the 'vision' you guys have on what should be happening, but that's obviously not reality for what the team is actually going to do. So why do you continue to question it as if this is your first day on the job?

 

[bishop12]

Notwithstanding that last place, I thought Durzi looked like John Klingberg out there....

 

[Schrute farms]

1. GV was the best player on the ice for the Kings last night
2. Quick was great
3. Byfield looked good. I felt like he was losing most of his FOs, but the stats say it was only 60% against. So not as bad.
4. Fiala -- as advertised with his dumb penalties at times. That elbow was not only dumb/unnecessary, but horrible timing since the momentum was in our hands and it swung right back to Vegas.
5. AK34 again shows he belongs, needs more minutes and knows how to score.

1. Roy -- not much more i can add. I haven't seen someone make that many TOs in a game in a long time.
2. Durzi -- the good with the bad i guess. But that last play was inexcusable (even for him). I hope he learns from it. He really either needs to be paired with a very responsible/solid SAH defensive guy or sent down to work on his defensive issues. I'm not even talking about that last play.
3. Arvi is just mehh to me. He's one to go imo to give the young guys options.

Ultimately, it was game one. So it's understood to have issues. You can't overreact one way or another to just game 1. As much as i want to on the defensive side, i'm willing to keep an open mind on some of these guys and not completely put dirt on them (Roy, Walker, durzi, etc.)....not yet.

 

[LAKings88]

1 game-throw it out and move on.

I actually am excited for this team. Look forward to seeing each line and I feel like they will be competitive in every game. Get that PP going tho.

 

[bishop12]

2. Durzi -- the good with the bad i guess. But that last play was inexcusable (even for him). I hope he learns from it. He really either needs to be paired with a very responsible/solid SAH defensive guy or sent down to work on his defensive issues. I'm not even talking about that last play.

You could tell Durzi was devastated by the last play.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

1. GV was the best player on the ice for the Kings last night
2. Quick was great
3. Byfield looked good. I felt like he was losing most of his FOs, but the stats say it was only 60% against. So not as bad.
4. Fiala -- as advertised with his dumb penalties at times. That elbow was not only dumb/unnecessary, but horrible timing since the momentum was in our hands and it swung right back to Vegas.
AK34 again shows he belongs, needs more minutes and knows how to score.

1. Roy -- not much more i can add. I haven't seen someone make that many TOs in a game in a long time.
2. Durzi -- the good with the bad i guess. But that last play was inexcusable (even for him). I hope he learns from it. He really either needs to be paired with a very responsible/solid SAH defensive guy or sent down to work on his defensive issues. I'm not even talking about that last play.
3. Arvi is just mehh to me. He's one to go imo to give the young guys options.

Ultimately, it was game one. So it's understood to have issues. You can't overreact one way or another to just game 1. As much as i want to on the defensive side, i'm willing to keep an open mind on some of these guys and not completely put dirt on them (Roy, Walker, durzi, etc.)....not yet.

Agree with Arvidsson there, he's one of those, where yea, was good, but if we can get something out of him at the trade deadline, we do it, plug in AK up there, bring up Kupari.....etc, and keep chugging forward.....

Now having said that, if he turns into a 40 goal scorer between now and then...I reserve the right to forget this post.

 

[KingsFan7824]

I am not "worrying" or asking for anyone to be traded or fired. I simply said allowing teams to hang around within a goal is how you let them back in and lose, which is exactly what the Kings did last night. It's not a complex statement. Stop being a brick.

And all I said in response was that Vegas was guilty of the same thing last night. That's not complex either, but I got a response to that then detailing how great Vegas was. Despite being one play away from losing a game they got 50 shpts in because they couldn't build a multiple goal lead.

 

[Mats26]

Arvidsson is 29 yrs old and consistent 30-goal scorer. You think they traded for him a year ago to come in and babysit the kids and sit on the sidelines? I get the 'vision' you guys have on what should be happening, but that's obviously not reality for what the team is actually going to do. So why do you continue to question it as if this is your first day on the job?

Arvidsson is a better 5-5 player than a PP specialist at this point in his career. He can use his speed 5-5 more than on the PP. He hasn't hit 30 goals in 5 years and will never again. I think you got to put your hot players in on PP1, but then again this is the Kings where the vets over kids seems to be an unwritten rule. Not surprised at all. Just glad they moved Kopitar over...only took 10 years to do that.

 

[King'sPawn]

1. GV was the best player on the ice for the Kings last night
2. Quick was great
3. Byfield looked good. I felt like he was losing most of his FOs, but the stats say it was only 60% against. So not as bad.
4. Fiala -- as advertised with his dumb penalties at times. That elbow was not only dumb/unnecessary, but horrible timing since the momentum was in our hands and it swung right back to Vegas.
5. AK34 again shows he belongs, needs more minutes and knows how to score.

1. Roy -- not much more i can add. I haven't seen someone make that many TOs in a game in a long time.
2. Durzi -- the good with the bad i guess. But that last play was inexcusable (even for him). I hope he learns from it. He really either needs to be paired with a very responsible/solid SAH defensive guy or sent down to work on his defensive issues. I'm not even talking about that last play.
3. Arvi is just mehh to me. He's one to go imo to give the young guys options.

Ultimately, it was game one. So it's understood to have issues. You can't overreact one way or another to just game 1. As much as i want to on the defensive side, i'm willing to keep an open mind on some of these guys and not completely put dirt on them (Roy, Walker, durzi, etc.)....not yet.

I agree with all of this, most notably the conclusion.

There are things I liked and didn't like. And there are changes I hope that come sooner rather than later (just based off my own philosophies and arguments posted by others, like Fiala not meshing much with Kopitar). But I'm also willing to give them a few more games.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

Arvidsson is a better 5-5 player than a PP specialist at this point in his career. He can use his speed 5-5 more than on the PP. He hasn't hit 30 goals in 5 years and will never again. I think you got to put your hot players in on PP1, but then again this is the Kings where the vets over kids seems to be an unwritten rule. Not surprised at all. Just glad they moved Kopitar over...only took 10 years to do that.

Hot players on PP1...got it....so when Marner, Matthews, McDavid (if he ever does) but your top players go cold for 2-3-4 games....you are advocating to take them off the PP1 for the "hot" players?

 

[fsanford]

The Kings bottom lines are going to feast in this division, a lot of teams in this division have garbage bottom sixes and the Kings have skilled guys. The top line is an area of concern, I don't know where Kopitar ranks as far as C's in the division but he is not on the caliber of Jack Eichel anymore and that is pretty clear. The Kings will need to have a balanced offense this season, after watching that game I am more confident in my more balanced statistical projections.


I wasn't commenting on Vegas, was more talking about the Kings not being able to rely on getting 66% of the points in one goal-games. It's not sustainable and being able to build multi-goal leads is a major area of emphasis this season should the Kings be a playoff team again.

I'm not worried, I think this was kind of an anomaly game for the Kings, who usually play strong defense. I am just not sure the Kings aren't icing the #8 and #9 d-man in the organization in the starting lineup, but if that is the case it should correct itself.

As injuries take their toll on teams in the coming weeks and months, this fact is going to produce some solid dividends.