GDT: ARI @ LAK 9/28/17 7:30PM NHL Network/Prime Ticket

[Sol]

So stoked about Pearson. He is such a great player, he developed beautifully. Never takes a shift off. Always improving. Such a gem.

 

[kingsholygrail]

2012 Stanley Cup is the gift that keeps on giving with Pearson.

 

[onlyalad]

Bob used to use the word shutout if the Kings were the team with zero to try and jinx the other team

 

[regulate]

Kempe and Brodzinski have struggled three games in a row. There is no guarantee either makes this team, especially if they play Iafallo-Laich-Dowd on Saturday and they look good. Both are waiver exempt.

 

[BamBam1031]

Solid win. Thought Cammy, Pearson and Quick played great. Brodzy and Kempe were hardly noticeable tonight unfortunately. Fantenberg is adjusting nicely.

In other thoughts I thought Faust did a pretty good job tonight. You could tell there were some nerves to start off, repeated some words a few times, but overall he did well. His voice just feels natural

I liked his voice as well. His observations were pretty spot on, too. What I did miss, however, was the way Bob Miller could create excitement with just the cadence of his words. Like if someone was flying down the wing, Bob Miller's words would start flying like a galloping horse. Faust can use tone and volume to do the same, but the cadence is pretty pedestrian.

 

[Bandit]

Kempe and Brodzinski have struggled three games in a row. There is no guarantee either makes this team, especially if they play Iafallo-Laich-Dowd on Saturday and they look good. Both are waiver exempt.

Yeah, only time I noticed Kempe was when he held onto the puck too long and didn't use his linemates. Didn't really notice Brodzinski at all.

 

[Fishhead]

Yeah, only time I noticed Kempe was when he held onto the puck too long and didn't use his linemates. Didn't really notice Brodzinski at all.

I don't necessarily want to use the word comfortable, but there is a definite difference since they got some games with the big club last year. Both of them surely know they don't have a guaranteed spot, but I think some subconscious things are sneaking in (overthinking, pressure, expectations). Guys like Iafallo and Fantenberg are coming into new situations and seemed to be more relaxed and playing instinctually. Both Kempe and Brodzinski look tight out there.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Of all of the guys from Ontario, the only two who have played like they belong in the opening night lineup are Auger and MacDermid. Fantenberg will definitely be making the team as well.

I'd like to see more out of LaDue as well. Brodzinski I expected to go back to Ontario, Kempe needs to be better than Dowd and Shore, and he hasn't been.

 

[Basilisk]

I liked his voice as well. His observations were pretty spot on, too. What I did miss, however, was the way Bob Miller could create excitement with just the cadence of his words. Like if someone was flying down the wing, Bob Miller's words would start flying like a galloping horse. Faust can use tone and volume to do the same, but the cadence is pretty pedestrian.

Good analysis!

 

[AlphaBravo]

Here is my take on this game. Game started off slow for the Kings, the Coyotes were really pressing hard and the Kings were pinned down in the defensive zone for a good part of the first period. The powerplays changed the momentum and got the Kings moving again. After that, the transitions were great, and you could really tell the Kings are playing a completely different offensive system. Lots of buzzing around, quick passes, entries directly to the net, and shots from high danger areas. In fact, even though we had a lower shot count during the first part of the first period, the few shot attempts we had (looking at you Brown) were from high danger areas. It's amazing how effective a new coach and new system can have on a team.

In my opinion, Brown was one of the best players in that game, although he did not get a goal. He was playing with energy, driving to the middle of the net, and even screened the goalie for the goal by Doughty. I am confident that he will rebound this season, and get, at a minimum 15 goals, if not more than that. Cammy looks to be a good fit, and I would keep him on the Kopitar and Brown line.

Next, time for me to eat a little crow here. I have been a big advocate of getting rid of guys like Clifford, Lewis, Shore, AA, and taking a chance on some of the new guys. After watching the Reign play against NHL teams, and comparing their play against Clifford, Lewis etc., I am really starting to appreciate what these guys bring. They may not score many goals (maybe except for Lewis), but they are so effective on the boards, getting the puck from the d-zone to the o-zone, and cycling the puck. I saw guys like Kempe, Brodzinski, Augur and others really struggle or not be as effective with this aspect of the game during the preseason games. I still think we should give Kempe and Brodzinski a shot, and I think they will definitely get better, but I am no longer for a whole-sale revamp of our bottom 6, especially the 4th line of Clifford-Shore-Lewis who have been very good.

With respect to defense, I am pretty set on having a Fantenburg-LaDue pairing, and possibly breaking up Muzzin and Martinez and mixing them with these two. I did not see anything particularly appealing about Folin. He appears to be a slow skater, and is not bringing much to the game. I am okay with keeping him as the 7th D, but MacDermot brings that physical edge and fighting skills we desperately need, so he may be a better option.

 

[tsanuri]

I liked his voice as well. His observations were pretty spot on, too. What I did miss, however, was the way Bob Miller could create excitement with just the cadence of his words. Like if someone was flying down the wing, Bob Miller's words would start flying like a galloping horse. Faust can use tone and volume to do the same, but the cadence is pretty pedestrian.

What Bob did was a learned trait. But also a very lost art that goes back to the days of the games being simulcast on radio and TV. There are still some that learn it and get it over time we'll kind of have to wait and see.

 

[Fishhead]

What Bob did was a learned trait. But also a very lost art that goes back to the days of the games being simulcast on radio and TV. There are still some that learn it and get it over time we'll kind of have to wait and see.

Agreed, it's why Nick is so great at what he does. You can sense it when something could happen and it makes it way easier to visualize the game. I hope he never leaves radio because he's fantastic at this aspect of broadcasting.

 

[Sol]

Personally I like Faust more. As Bob got older his voice wasn't as exciting and he would get players wrong often. Bob in his prime is irreplaceable and to hold Faust to a standard like that is just not being fair. Though I really really love Nick's voice. Sucks that he didn't want the job.

 

[Fat Elvis]

I watched some of the 2nd and most of the 3rd periods. I liked that Stevens broke up the D pairings and tried different pairs. Mussin with Folin and Doughty with Fantenburg, I thought in both in both these cases the pairings worked. It's definitely having the better player with the less experienced player, but it allowed you to see each Folin and Fantenburg's skill sets. I think both make opening night with Ladue going back to Ontario and being the 1st called up.