Pre-Game Talk: Apparently Skinner is starting Game 2

[Whoshattenkirkshoes]

No chance they bring Savoie up.

Savoie would not be great in the playoffs. especially vs Lak

 

[McShogun99]

They allegedly knew for months in advance from Holloway's side that the OS was coming. I can't help but feel they were pissed at Holloway for signing the offer sheet and let him walk. How stupid would that be? We're the fans, we're the ones who get emotional. That should not be management's reaction FFS. You are a better team with him in the lineup. But that chapter has closed, and it's just another textbook example of the bush league front office we've seen bungle so many other things in the past.

I think the same thing to. They got cocky and thought he'd regret his decision to sign in STL.

 

[K1984]

Will Mcdavid and Leon be playing together to start the game?

I do not get how you could not do this after how they looked last game?

Pros:
-LA kings cant zero in on one of them
- They don't have to work as hard/ get less attention
- Maybe we can get a lead and split them so we don't have to play from behind.
- Less chance they get hurt or beat up playing together

We literally don't have the Wingers to split them.

If we don't play them together after last game then I don't really know anymore

The Kings don't have a single matchup anywhere in their lineup to stop them. They would basically have to pick between matching the Kopitar or Byfield line against them, and then hope that the line they don't match against 97/29 dominates one of our other lines as much as 97/29 will do to them (unlikely).

They probably would be wise to not match Byfield against them, so that leaves the Kopitar line, which is by far their most dangerous offensively, or the Danault line which would almost certainly get caved. There is a reason we do this every year against them - they simply don't have the horses to stop 97/29 together and the only ones that might be able to are their scorers, which won't be doing much scoring if they have that matchup.

 

[ManOfSteelI]

Savoie would not be great in the playoffs. especially vs Lak

Philp would be more likely since he's a bigger body and he had a strong finish. I wouldn't put high odds on that happening either, though.

 

[Zerotonine]

Philp would be more likely since he's a bigger body and he had a strong finish. I wouldn't put high odds on that happening either, though.

Fair enough but adure be nice to know what Skinner COULD of done with what Arvidsson was given all year

 

[Duke74]

15 goals primarily playing with the best passer in the game at ES. Arvidsson's and Podkolzin's lack of goalscoring with Drai is criminal. They should have at least 40 goals between them yet they have a little over 20 combined.

Probably cost Draisaitl 10-15 assists.

 

[Drivesaitl]

The Kings don't have a single matchup anywhere in their lineup to stop them. They would basically have to pick between matching the Kopitar or Byfield line against them, and then hope that the line they don't match against 97/29 dominates one of our other lines as much as 97/29 will do to them (unlikely).

They probably would be wise to not match Byfield against them, so that leaves the Kopitar line, which is by far their most dangerous offensively, or the Danault line which would almost certainly get caved. There is a reason we do this every year against them - they simply don't have the horses to stop 97/29 together and the only ones that might be able to are their scorers, which won't be doing much scoring if they have that matchup.

Kings could do something like Supplement Danault if and when Oilers press McDrai. Something like Danault centering Kempe and Laferriere on offwing. They could do it. This compromises their own offense.

They have to have noticed poor old Kopitar can't cover McD anymore. Byfield can't either, doesn't read or play positionally well enough. Doesn't use his size. Danault-Kempe-Laferriere are among the Kings best defensive forwards, can cover, and have the pace to do it.

 

[Whoshattenkirkshoes]

Philp would be more likely since he's a bigger body and he had a strong finish. I wouldn't put high odds on that happening either, though.

I liked Philip and his game down the stretch. I would do this tho

Leon Mcdavid Kane
Arvy Nuge Hyman
Frederic Rico Podkolzin
SKinner Janmark Brown

Swap Kane and Hyman if needed

 

[K1984]

Kings could do something like Supplement Danault if and when Oilers press McDrai. Something like Danault centering Kempe and Laferriere on offwing. They could do it. This compromises their own offense.

They have to have noticed poor old Kopitar can't cover McD anymore. Byfield can't either, doesn't read or play positionally well enough. Doesn't use his size. Danault-Kempe-Laferriere are among the Kings best defensive forwards, can cover, and have the pace to do it.

Yep this is the rub. They could theoretically stave off 29/97, but then they're looking to win scoring 1 or 2 goals. Possible with our shit goaltending and players like Bouchard that can effectively score in his own net at any moment, but not something you want to plan around.

In a weird way the Kings might be better served to just start a track meet where the Kopitar line destroys one of our lower lines while 29/97 destroy one of theirs and hope that they win on who makes the most saves in another 6-5 game.

 

[McBigYak]

You would have to think first round exit puts MANY peoples jobs on the line

Amd in all serious could really jeopardize and make Conor think twice about re-signing with us and really could anyone blame him

If they are as banged up as many say, this is likely just a year they shrug their shoulders and say bad luck. Which, to a degree, it is.

But the goaltending needs to be addressed, zero question.

 

[russ99]

I liked Philip and his game down the stretch. I would do this tho

Leon Mcdavid Kane
Arvy Nuge Hyman
Frederic Rico Podkolzin
SKinner Janmark Brown

Swap Kane and Hyman if needed

Philp was worked in the faceoff dot, which led to him being sent down. Seems silly to have a RH own-zone start faceoff PK center without the faceoffs.

He'll do better after a full season next year.

 

[Duke74]

Arvidsson is a plug and I agree, but the reason Draisaitl has always favoured the likes of Yamamoto and Podkolzin is because they work like dogs along the walls, digging out pucks and winning battles, and had enough offensive acumen to know when to get the puck to him and where to go. Less need for him to do the heavy work. Podkolzin was invisible in game 1. He can do a great deal of small things that go unnoticed in a game but when he is on he keeps plays alive. Unfortunately that was not the case in the first game so he had better show up here and make a difference. He will never, ever be a producer at this point. You'd be happy to get 15-20 = 35 out of him in a season.

If you're going to saddle Draisaitl with a Yamamoto/Arvidsson/Podkolzin, there better be a half-decent hockey player that can either pass or finish on the other wing.

 

[ManOfSteelI]

Fair enough but adure be nice to know what Skinner COULD of done with what Arvidsson was given all year

I agree, but it's kind of a moot point now.

I don't think he was very good in game 1 and he doesn't PK. It's either him or Arvidsson as the logical choices to come out. We know the coach gives Arvi the benefit of the doubt, regardless of whether that's deserved, it makes sense for Skinner to be the pick to come out.

 

[trollytrackz]

You guys got some skin in the game I take it!

 

[Zerotonine]

If they are as banged up as many say, this is likely just a year they shrug their shoulders and say bad luck. Which, to a degree, it is.

But the goaltending needs to be addressed, zero question.

Maybe so. But injuries didn't cost us game 1 and it's not what's gonna cost us the series either.

 

[Drivesaitl]

Yep this is the rub. They could theoretically stave off 29/97, but then they're looking to win scoring 1 or 2 goals. Possible with our shit goaltending and players like Bouchard that can effectively score in his own net at any moment, but not something you want to plan around.

For the Kings I just don't see the point of having Moore with Danault. Moore is not hard to play against and it goes against the grit that is Danaults game. Give him some horses to work with. Moore is a complimentary player and can work plays in topsix.

Trouble is Kings have some options and I think people recognize now I wasn't making up that Kuzmenko has been good for Kings. He's been their biggest weapon since arriving. Which isn't saying much about the Kings current offense.

Kings PP was simply awful before Kuzmenko. Trying to pass puck in net all year. They needed some life on that unit.

 

[CycloneSweep]

Sitting Skinner is wild with this ljneup
He’s better than 4 of the guys above him at minimum.

Also lol at Knob already in panic load the top line mode.

 

[Jarvi]

As much as I rag on Knob for his Jeff Skinner decisions, and want to see the guy in the playoffs, him coming out for Kane makes sense.

I don't recall any big plays by Skinner in game 1, his assist was mostly due to Frederics work getting the puck to janmark in front of the net. He was -3 with no points vs LA in 3 rs games. Perry and Janmark both scored so they can't come out, Janmark is also needed for PK work. Frederic needs reps to get to game speed. Podkolzin plays a safer game, and he can punish guys physically.

Sucks, I almost hope someone underperforms so he can come back in. But it makes sense imo.

 

[MessierThanThou]

I agree, but it's kind of a moot point now.

I don't think he was very good in game 1 and he doesn't PK. It's either him or Arvidsson as the logical choices to come out. We know the coach gives Arvi the benefit of the doubt, regardless of whether that's deserved, it makes sense for Skinner to be the pick to come out.

I believe Arvidsson was partially signed because of how well he's played in the last couple postseasons, so he'll get a much longer leash than Jeff...longer than usual.

 

[CycloneSweep]

I believe Arvidsson was partially signed because of how well he's played in the last couple postseasons, so he'll get a much longer leash than Jeff...longer than usual.

Which is dumb cause current Arvidsson can barely stay on his skates.

 

[Zerotonine]

Lol so scratch Skinner and instantly put back mcdrai. What a shit show. More prove Knoblauch has lost it

 

[K1984]

Which is dumb cause current Arvidsson can barely stay on his skates.

Just like Skinner.

Splitting hairs between the two, but at least Arvidsson isn't slow as molasses and doesn't need to raise his arms in the air to gain skating momentum like a 12 year old.

 

[CantHaveTkachev]

J. Skinner doesn't PK so t makes sense for him to come out

 

[CycloneSweep]

Just like Skinner.

Splitting hairs between the two, but at least Arvidsson isn't slow as molasses and doesn't need to raise his arms in the air to gain skating momentum like a 12 year old.

Skinner has out produced Arvidsson while he has mostly played bottom 6. Arvidsson gets gravy minutes.
Skinner is also a +1, Arvidsson a -3
Skinner is a better player and gets far less opportunity.

 

[foshizzle]

Pickard plays a competitive style and he has a way of finding saves in key moments.

Skinner folds at the first sign of any pressure.

They both suck, but one of them has the ability and wherewithal to compete and elevate beyond his normal capabilities at times. The other one just parks his ass on the line and hopes it hits him.

Nailed it. In the past 2 weeks- how many times did Pickard find that one big save at the end of the game to preserve the win? Stu had that opportunity, and let a 2km/hr floater by him