Speculation: Another year of this Bluc **** (The 2024 season thread)

[Axl Rhoadz]

The Foegele signing and the Holloway / Broberg offer sheets worked out great for the Kings and Blues, AND crippled the Oilers depth scoring, size, and speed. Win-win-win!

Sounds great, but I won't believe it until April.

 

[johnjm22]

The Foegele signing and the Holloway / Broberg offer sheets worked out great for the Kings and Blues, AND crippled the Oilers depth scoring, size, and speed. Win-win-win!

And they traded away McLeod for Savoie who's in the AHL.

McLeod (25)
Foegle (28)
Broberg (23)
Holloway (23)

That's a lot of high quality prime age depth. I think they'd be the SC favorite right now if they still had these players.


Meanwhile they re-signed/acquired:

Arvidsson (31)
Perry (39)
Skinner (32)
Henrique (35)

They got worse and older in the offseason.

 

[FSL KINGS]

And they traded away McLeod for Savoie who's in the AHL.

McLeod (25)
Foegle (28)
Broberg (23)
Holloway (23)

That's a lot of high quality prime age depth. I think they'd be the SC favorite right now if they still had these players.


Meanwhile they re-signed/acquired:

Arvidsson (31)
Perry (39)
Skinner (32)
Henrique (35)

They got worse and older in the offseason.

If only we could beat them in the first round. Oilers fans would completely lose it.

 

[shuchukfan]

no, i'm right here

No, I'm Spartacus Grumpy Horny Bastard!

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

No, I'm Spartacus Grumpy Horny Bastard!

Turns out we are all GHBs!

 

[Herby]

And they traded away McLeod for Savoie who's in the AHL.

McLeod (25)
Foegle (28)
Broberg (23)
Holloway (23)

That's a lot of high quality prime age depth. I think they'd be the SC favorite right now if they still had these players.


Meanwhile they re-signed/acquired:

Arvidsson (31)
Perry (39)
Skinner (32)
Henrique (35)

They got worse and older in the offseason.

Unfortunately they still have the players that the Kings have been unable to even remotely stop in the playoffs. The Kings didn't lose to the Oilers because of depth, it's because McDavid and Draisaitl have combined for 25 goals and 66 points in 18 games.

And the best way to exploit this team is by playing the polar opposite offensive style that the Kings play.

 

[KopitarGOAT420]

Unfortunately still have the players that the Kings have been unable to even remotely stop in the playoffs. The Kings didn't lose to the Oilers because of depth, it's because McDavid and Draisaitl have combined for 25 goals and 66 points in 18 games.

And the best way to exploit this team is by playing the polar opposite offensive style that the Kings play.

Just gotta limit their powerplay - that's really all there is to it.

As long as their PP doesn't score at like a 50%+ rate again, the Kings will be fine.

5 on 5 the Kings have actually done a decent job containing McDavid and Drai in the past. But when you lose the special teams battle miserably, you typically lose the series.

Our PP needs to get going and our PK needs to hold up come playoff time. If those things don't happen - Kings are toast.

 

[johnjm22]

Unfortunately still have the players that the Kings have been unable to even remotely stop in the playoffs. The Kings didn't lose to the Oilers because of depth, it's because McDavid and Draisaitl have combined for 25 goals and 66 points in 18 games.

And the best way to exploit this team is by playing the polar opposite offensive style that the Kings play.

Maybe so. But they look vulnerable.

They've played a lot of hockey going back to last season. Depth is what helps keep you fresh over a long season.

Goaltending is an area that can be exploited.

 

[chris kontos]

Critical the power play gets going and stays going because teams that are as defensively oriented and offense challenged as the kings dont win in the playoffs. Without a functioning power play.

 

[Herby]

Goaltending is an area that can be exploited.

Agreed, but you think this Kings team is going to be able to do it? The Kings philosophy on the Oilers seems to be to double down on the "hold them to 2" rather than focusing on trying to have a better chance at scoring 4.

Their weakness at the goaltending positon is largely cancelled out because the Kings just don't have the finishers to exploit it.

I've heard the previous two years various different reasons why it was going to be different than the year before, but any small differences are always just made up for by 97 and 29. It's just very difficult to beat this team 3-2 when those guys are all-in. And as discussed before, the depth issues are less advantageous to the Kings than they'd be to teams facing the Oilers later on, if the Oilers are threatened they will put 97 and 29 together at ES and double shift them, which is almost impossible to stop. They will eventually pay for it, but it will be later on in the playoffs when all the 22 minute games start to add up.

 

[johnjm22]

Agreed, but you think this Kings team is going to be able to do it?

I wouldn't bet on it, but it doesn't seem as far fetched as it was the last two years.

The Kings philosophy on the Oilers seems to be to double down on the "hold them to 2" rather than focusing on trying to have a better chance at scoring 4.

Their weakness at the goaltending positon is largely cancelled out because the Kings just don't have the finishers to exploit it.

I've heard the previous two years various different reasons why it was going to be different than the year before, but any small differences are always just made up for by 97 and 29. It's just very difficult to beat this team 3-2 when those guys are all-in. And as discussed before, the depth issues are less advantageous to the Kings than they'd be to teams facing the Oilers later on, if the Oilers are threatened they will put 97 and 29 together at ES and double shift them, which is almost impossible to stop. They will eventually pay for it, but it will be later on in the playoffs when all the 22 minute games start to add up.

The reason LA took them to 7 in 2022 was largely because Quick won the goaltending matchup (the numbers don't tell the whole story).

Kings weren't winning games "3-2" in that series:
Game 1 4-3
Game 4 4-0
Game 5 5-4

^Bad goaltending means you don't need great finishers to score.

I've seen McDavid and Draisaitl wear out late in games because they're getting overplayed, but you need to be playing from ahead for that to happen.

 

[bland]

Agreed, but you think this Kings team is going to be able to do it? The Kings philosophy on the Oilers seems to be to double down on the "hold them to 2" rather than focusing on trying to have a better chance at scoring 4.

Their weakness at the goaltending positon is largely cancelled out because the Kings just don't have the finishers to exploit it.

I've heard the previous two years various different reasons why it was going to be different than the year before, but any small differences are always just made up for by 97 and 29. It's just very difficult to beat this team 3-2 when those guys are all-in. And as discussed before, the depth issues are less advantageous to the Kings than they'd be to teams facing the Oilers later on, if the Oilers are threatened they will put 97 and 29 together at ES and double shift them, which is almost impossible to stop. They will eventually pay for it, but it will be later on in the playoffs when all the 22 minute games start to add up.

THIS team will put up a much better fight than the couple. Its a shame the Durzi year couldn't overachieve just one more night, but the last two teams were overmatched on all fronts.

BUT, Byfield does run riot on Edmonton, and I don't think it's too hot of a take to think that Clarke could swagger his way up a level in a hotly contested series. It will be their team when they reach out and take it, and a playoff series is an ideal and definitive setting for that to happen.

The support - which now includes Kopitar - is much deeper and better slotted than the last two. Even if Kuzmenko doesn't get off the schneid, that line is playing a much more controlled possession game. The Danault line is going to be a huge factor, and they can finally counter-punch with Foegele's speed.

I think a lot of those criticizing Jeannot and Edmundson individually are doing themselves a disservice by not noticing just how much taller this team carries itself this year. It IS tougher, harder-edged, and generally firmer than the last two years.

This is coming from a dude who knew we would be slaughtered the last two. My biggest fear, and this kills me because I just cherish the guy, is that Doughty is just one step too off pace to keep up with Edmonton's best.

 

[Schmooley]

I've heard the previous two years various different reasons why it was going to be different than the year before

I think by the time the playoffs came last year nearly everyone on here knew they werent gonna win. We were talking about Blake getting fired when they lose. The main boards were complaining how we were so pessimistic. The year before there was definitely more chest thumping that the Kings could do it after taking them to 7 games the year before. This year Edmonton looks a little worse than lst year though and Kings are maybe the same but less soft. I wouldnt put money on the Kings though.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Do I think they have a chance vs. Edmonton? Absolutely.

But it's going to require some uncomfortable coaching and management, unlike the last two years

They played absolutely chickenshit deer-in-headlights hockey the last couple of sessions vs. the Oilers

They have to play their game and be okay going down losing doing what they've done this last little stretch with the lines and minutes. If they start 1-1-3ing while down 2 and trying to defend them into oblivion it's just going to be groundhog day.

It's aboslutely absurd how differently they play vs. McDavid and Draisaitl in the playoffs vs. how they play literally anyone else any other time. Zero balls, scared to play hockey.

 

[SaltyElkHunter]

Do I think they have a chance vs. Edmonton? Absolutely.

But it's going to require some uncomfortable coaching and management, unlike the last two years

They played absolutely chickenshit deer-in-headlights hockey the last couple of sessions vs. the Oilers

They have to play their game and be okay going down losing doing what they've done this last little stretch with the lines and minutes. If they start 1-1-3ing while down 2 and trying to defend them into oblivion it's just going to be groundhog day.

It's aboslutely absurd how differently they play vs. McDavid and Draisaitl in the playoffs vs. how they play literally anyone else any other time. Zero balls, scared to play hockey.

Well you know they said they were willing to get uncomfortable. Lol

 

[FrozenKing18]

They’ve been bounced 3 years in a row. I’d like to see em just say f*** it, channel the 2012 Kings and play smashmouth hockey.

 

[Trash Panda]

They’ve been bounced 3 years in a row. I’d like to see em just say f*** it, channel the 2012 Kings and play smashmouth hockey.

That would require a recomp of the roster, to turn it into one that has smash mouth players.

The general pulse of this group is less “smash mouth” and more “butterfly kisses”.

 

[tigermask48]

That would require a recomp of the roster, to turn it into one that has smash mouth players.

The general pulse of this group is less “smash mouth” and more “butterfly kisses”.

Not really imo, I salivate at the thought of Clarke getting turned loose and busting out spin-o-ramas and joining rushes.

Mikey has shown an ability to get a little greasy when he needs to.

Lee, Helenius showed a good bit of nastiness in the A.

Danault was a lunchbox type of player in that cup run with Monteal.

Turcotte's big knock was his injuries, which you can make the argument was related to his willingness to go to the dirty areas despite being undersized.

I'd argue this is/was a better team playing any other style of hockey than "watered down boring evry guy is a JAG Kings Hockey" like they've played the last 3-4 years.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

Not really imo, I salivate at the thought of Clarke getting turned loose and busting out spin-o-ramas and joining rushes.

I think Clarke is going to get exposed really bad come playoff time. I question his quickness in breakouts and I feel he's a year a way to have enough man-strength to be successful in the playoff battles. I hope I'm wrong...

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

They won't play 2012-2015 smashmouth hockey but they're built to be aggressive waterbug forecheckers

No they aren't going to crush you but it's annoying as f*** to have guys 5'11" - 6'1" all up in your grill every time you turn around

It's less of a weardown effect and more of a 'footsteps' turnover pressure with sticks and stuff

And then once in a while you'll turn around and it'll be Jeannot about to send you into the first row

then he stops and kisses your cheek instead

 

[unicornpig]

Just gotta limit their powerplay - that's really all there is to it.

As long as their PP doesn't score at like a 50%+ rate again, the Kings will be fine.

5 on 5 the Kings have actually done a decent job containing McDavid and Drai in the past. But when you lose the special teams battle miserably, you typically lose the series.

Our PP needs to get going and our PK needs to hold up come playoff time. If those things don't happen - Kings are toast.

kings are one of the most penalized teams though....

 

[Herby]

THIS team will put up a much better fight than the couple. Its a shame the Durzi year couldn't overachieve just one more night, but the last two teams were overmatched on all fronts.

BUT, Byfield does run riot on Edmonton, and I don't think it's too hot of a take to think that Clarke could swagger his way up a level in a hotly contested series. It will be their team when they reach out and take it, and a playoff series is an ideal and definitive setting for that to happen.

The support - which now includes Kopitar - is much deeper and better slotted than the last two. Even if Kuzmenko doesn't get off the schneid, that line is playing a much more controlled possession game. The Danault line is going to be a huge factor, and they can finally counter-punch with Foegele's speed.

I think a lot of those criticizing Jeannot and Edmundson individually are doing themselves a disservice by not noticing just how much taller this team carries itself this year. It IS tougher, harder-edged, and generally firmer than the last two years.

This is coming from a dude who knew we would be slaughtered the last two. My biggest fear, and this kills me because I just cherish the guy, is that Doughty is just one step too off pace to keep up with Edmonton's best.

Is any of this going to slow down 97 and 29?

The biggest weakness the previous three years is still the biggest weakness. The Kings as of right now are 16th out of 16 playoff teams in offense, the previous years they were 15th (2024), 9th(2023) and 14th (2022). It's just tough for a team built like the Kings to beat a team like the Oilers with two of the five best players in the world. Anyone else in the conference I would buy the Kings having a fighters chance, but this is just such a poor matchup for the Kings in every way.

 

[bland]

Is any of this going to slow down 97 and 29?

The biggest weakness the previous three years is still the biggest weakness. The Kings as of right now are 16th out of 16 playoff teams in offense, the previous years they were 15th (2024), 9th(2023) and 14th (2022). It's just tough for a team built like the Kings to beat a team like the Oilers with two of the five best players in the world. Anyone else in the conference I would buy the Kings having a fighters chance, but this is just such a poor matchup for the Kings in every way.

No, but the gap is considerably narrower than 23-25.

McDavid really hasn't been the issue, its been Draisaitl eating Anze's lunch.

If they matchup Danault with McDavid and Byfield against Draisaitl, the Kings would be in their best position yet to beat the Oilers. Doesn't make them favorites by any means, but the increased Kings depth and weakened Oiler roster is a factor in the Kings favor. They haven't enjoyed that advantage in the three prior tries.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

The Oilers absolutely walked all over the Kopitar line, and the pairing of Roy and Gavrikov were the absolute shits in the playoffs last year. Not to mention Talbot in net with his .861 save percentage and 5.30 GAA.

Unlike the Kings, the Oilers top players actually showed up. I think Kempe has been the only consistent performer against Edmonton in the playoffs.

Also forgot PLD and his big contribution of one goal in 5 games. Only two Kings scored more than one goal in last year's playoffs, Doughty and Kempe. Kopitar, PLD, Fiala, Moore, Lizotte, Moore, and Mikey Anderson each scored one goal.

An absolutely pitiful performance.

 

[AbsentMojo]

Re Oilers I dont think anything else matters if the extreme special teams disparity cant be addressed. PP over last 3 playoffs:

• Edmonton Oilers:
  • 2022: 50.0%
  • 2023: 50.0%
  • 2024: 45.0%
  • Overall (3 seasons): 48.1%
• Los Angeles Kings:
  • 2022: 15.8%
  • 2023: 22.2%
  • 2024: 0.0%
  • Overall (3 seasons): 16.3%

Other notes:

Outscored 9-0 on special teams v EDM last playoffs

24-25 Reg season PP%: EDM 25.6, LAK 15.6.

Penalty minutes taken/60: EDM: 7.02, LAK: 8.29

Penalty minutes drawn/60: EDM: 7.39, LAK: 6.96