-
Xenforo Cloud will be upgrading us to version 2.3.5 on March 3rd at 12 AM GMT. This version has increased stability and fixes several bugs. We expect downtime for the duration of the update. The admin team will continue to work on existing issues, templates and upgrade all necessary available addons to minimize impact of this new version. Click Here for Updates
Puck U
2012 SC CHAMPIONS !
When you are leasing the playoffs in scoring you drawee all the tough assignments. He was also getting doubled up on a few times last night.
He'll be fine
He'll be fine
TonySCV
Golden
Agreed. Particularly the part about leasing and drawee.
Kopitar had some great looks mid-game on. Otherwise teams are keying on him... Leaving Carter available (whose line was dangerous all game).
Herby
How could Blake have known?
Hockey is a game within a game, as long as Kopitar continues to be almost impossible to score against then it's hard to criticize him, especially with guys like Carter and Toffoli feasting on the easier matchups.
damacles1156
Registered User
- Feb 5, 2010
- 21,668
- 1,318
Kopitar actually (according to advance stats) was dominant last night.
The Kings were never on the wrong side of the puck, and the Rangers didn' generate jack when Kopitar was on the ice.
Kopitar put on a defensive clinic, Only problem I had with Kopitar last night was the PP. Kopitar turned the puck over too many times on the PP.
Carter had tons of room to skate, he really is going to benefit from Kopitar drawing the tough match-up.
The Kings were never on the wrong side of the puck, and the Rangers didn' generate jack when Kopitar was on the ice.
Kopitar put on a defensive clinic, Only problem I had with Kopitar last night was the PP. Kopitar turned the puck over too many times on the PP.
Carter had tons of room to skate, he really is going to benefit from Kopitar drawing the tough match-up.
TonySCV
Golden
Yep. Know how many Rangers shots against Kopitar was on the ice for 5 on 5?
NONE.
9 Kings shots for though.
https://twitter.com/ExtraSkater/status/474392019629260801
HarrisonFord
President of the Drew Doughty Fan Club
Yup, pretty much this. He has Toews all over him in the WCF; no easy assignment at all. This round he's got Dominic Moore basically shadowing him on that match-up (who effectively negated Crosby in the ECSF). My thoughts on it are that Sutter could probably work the line changes to get Kopi away from them, and onto a better match-up for him offensively (i.e. the Richards line), but the Kings are so deep that by sticking your shut down line on the Kopitar line, you've got 2 full scoring lines that can expose the Rangers.
Kopitar's biggest problem right now is he looks tired. He's not winning the board battles the way we're used to seeing, he's reaching for a lot of pucks, fumbling easy passes and making uncharacteristic turnovers, especially on the powerplay. I don't blame the guy for being wiped out after the last series, and he's had a great run. Hopefully he can dig deep for just a few more games...
He said it himself during media day: (paraphrasing here) "If you can't get up for the Stanley Cup Final, something is wrong (with you)."
He may be a bit worn down, and that may make him a bit tentative out there. Both Kopitar and Voynov were a -1 out there last night, while Williams, Muzzin, and Greene (!) were are all +2.
All the zone entry tracking I've ever seen says that Kopitar is excellent at carry-in zone entries, which is a better way to enter the zone than dump-ins for offense. Of course, that's not easy to do. In fact, he's better than any other player on the Kings. (The Kings team as a whole tends not to carry the puck in as much as other clubs.)
Kopitar's underlying numbers also say he consistently faces top competition and is an absolute beast at puck possession. Now he's had a legit scorer like Gaborik finally added to his line, he's piled up a ton of points in the offseason.
He is the player you want him to be. I for one relax and appreciate it.
Raccoon Jesus
We were right there
I'm worried about this too, not to make excuses for the guy but he looks abnormal.
But also this.
And he nearly scored on a 1-on-2.
He's gonna be just fine, wasn't going to get points in every game.
lumbergh
It was an idea. I didn't say it was a good idea.
Kopitar is awesome. Every game. Hasn't taken a night off, literally or figuratively, the entire postseason.
Just because he had a nice monthlong point streak, people expect him to be on the scoreboard every single night. When he's not on the scoreboard, even for just one game, there's something wrong. NO.
Of any player on the Kings, Kopitar has been the most consistent throughout the playoffs. From game 1 to game 22, there's no discernible change in his game. He controls play in all three zones every time he's on the ice.
Kopitar isn't all about dangles. He beats opponents by using his teammates to control the puck as much as possible. There's no risk to his game. That's what makes him so good.
Doughty may end up winning the Conn Smythe this year, and Carter may end up with more points, but to me, Kopitar has been the best player all season and post-season long. He makes all the right plays, small or big, to help the team win.
Just because he had a nice monthlong point streak, people expect him to be on the scoreboard every single night. When he's not on the scoreboard, even for just one game, there's something wrong. NO.
Of any player on the Kings, Kopitar has been the most consistent throughout the playoffs. From game 1 to game 22, there's no discernible change in his game. He controls play in all three zones every time he's on the ice.
Kopitar isn't all about dangles. He beats opponents by using his teammates to control the puck as much as possible. There's no risk to his game. That's what makes him so good.
Doughty may end up winning the Conn Smythe this year, and Carter may end up with more points, but to me, Kopitar has been the best player all season and post-season long. He makes all the right plays, small or big, to help the team win.
I want him to win the damn Smythe. Ridiculous that a player from tiny Slovenia is even in the conversation.
Martyros
Allow me to retort
He doesn't curl and drag because he doesn't want to trade chances if and when he turns it over on entry.
losingsand
Registered User
Kopi was lights out in the first 2 series, and was the runaway conn smythe... the Chicago series was a whole new beast and challenge. Having to contain one of the best players in the NHL is no easy feat, as well as Chicago really focusing on him. Offensively Kopi was a bit snake. He had few opportunities and didn't bury them in Chicago.. i think we're seeing some carry over into this series. Don't want to speculate an injury, but anything is possible. I think he'll be fine... Kopi is a true professional and I actually argue that he was our conn smythe in 2012. The goals he scored in the entire playoffs in 2012 were highlight real, clutch, game winning, and he made a lot out of nothing.
Players do disappear from series to series... I really doubt a player like Kopitar can be invisible for 2 straight series'. Look at Dustin Brown in 2012... was lights out and the runaway favorite against ST. LOUIS and VANCOUVER and serviceable against Phoenix... but he tailed off and was sort of invisible in the final til game 6.
At least gaborik is still scoring consistently and a lot of that has to do w/ Kopitar. Kopitar has a world class shot and I'm hoping he gets that going and gets his Offensive swagger back.
Players do disappear from series to series... I really doubt a player like Kopitar can be invisible for 2 straight series'. Look at Dustin Brown in 2012... was lights out and the runaway favorite against ST. LOUIS and VANCOUVER and serviceable against Phoenix... but he tailed off and was sort of invisible in the final til game 6.
At least gaborik is still scoring consistently and a lot of that has to do w/ Kopitar. Kopitar has a world class shot and I'm hoping he gets that going and gets his Offensive swagger back.
jfont
Registered User
If Kopitar is off his offensive game, this gives Mike Richards a chance to step up and fill the offensive void, and get more ice time.
Reclamation Project
Cut It All Right In Two
- Jul 6, 2011
- 34,135
- 3,783
Ziggy Stardust
Master Debater
Kopitar has led Kings forwards in ice time for how many years now? I was critical of him as well last night, but I realize there are going to be games where he looks out of gas and last night was one of those games. Hopefully he's recharged for Saturday's game because the Kings will need to get more out of him to keep the puck in the Rangers' end of the ice.
regulate
Registered User
I agree. He just looks tired and out of gas. He is playing great defensively as usual, but his offensive zone attacks seem to lack his typically burst of speed we are used to that backs off the D. And yes, I know he did break through on goal one time last night. Being the #1 target of the top teams the Kings has had to battle through is taking it's toll. We always expect more, even when it's not fair to do so from Kopitar, because he is that good. He has battled Thornton, Getzlaf, and Toews. He has to be mentally and physically beaten down. The tank is on empty. These two off days hopefully will rejuvenate him mind, body and soul.
Reclamation Project
Cut It All Right In Two
- Jul 6, 2011
- 34,135
- 3,783
I think he is worn down, is banged up and a little off.
However, what I want to see him do, is get off the half wall on the PP and
go to the net on the PP more! If you look at his stats the last few years,
he had 1 PP goal over some 50+ games, which is abysmal and unacceptable.
He is too good offensively and a goal scorer, to ever go 50 games with 1 PP goal.
He had more this year and it happens, when he gets off the half wall and does not
look to pass as option 1, 2 and 3, but actually shoots, or gets to the net!!
The Kings PP has been decent, but better when Kopitar becomes an active shooter
on it.
However, what I want to see him do, is get off the half wall on the PP and
go to the net on the PP more! If you look at his stats the last few years,
he had 1 PP goal over some 50+ games, which is abysmal and unacceptable.
He is too good offensively and a goal scorer, to ever go 50 games with 1 PP goal.
He had more this year and it happens, when he gets off the half wall and does not
look to pass as option 1, 2 and 3, but actually shoots, or gets to the net!!
The Kings PP has been decent, but better when Kopitar becomes an active shooter
on it.
