Pre-Game Talk: Ducks-Kings (New Lines)

[Reclamation Project]

It says a lot about Stoll and Richards. Not so much about Carter. The former two are almost useless at this point.

 

[onlyalad]

Just because they are listed as the "2nd" line does not mean they will see "2nd" line minutes

 

[Winger23]

Honestly I don't really give a hoot what the lines are anymore. If they decide they want to play and actually hit people they will win. If they keep trying just to stick check people they lose.

 

[tsanuri]

That just tells you how much confidence Sutter has in Carter/Richards/Stoll....ZERO.

Sutter is willing to try a rookie there, with not a single NHL game played.

The Kings center depth is in shambles. Went from the best Center depth in the league, to having one Center you can count nightly (Kopitar, when he is not slumping).

But like I said above, I wouldn't count on these lines staying the same.

And don't think he won't get very sheltered zone starts. Figure it will be well above 50% O zone starts. Maybe even in the 80-90% mark.

 

[damacles1156]

It says a lot about Stoll and Richards. Not so much about Carter. The former two are almost useless at this point.

To be fair, Carter hasn't been stellar the last ten games either. He hasn't been awful, but he hasn't exactly been good. Sutter is probably having trouble trusting Carter at center as well.

 

[kingsfan28]

It's like throwing him into a rough spot but cushioning it with all these pillows. It's a great approach.

Perfect description for King. Rather have seen Brown up there, but whatever.

 

[Bee Sheriff]

Perfect description for King. Rather have seen Brown up there, but whatever.

Agreed.

 

[kingsholygrail]

Still trashing King?

 

[BigBrown]

King is probably easier to play with for a rookie than Brown anyway. King is predictable and dependable, Brown is all over the place, more of a roamer. Not saying King is better obviously but for a rookie that's looking to keep things simple and play the system King is solid.

 

[Chain]

To be fair, Carter hasn't been stellar the last ten games either. He hasn't been awful, but he hasn't exactly been good. Sutter is probably having trouble trusting Carter at center as well.

Hasn't Carter played wing mostly in the last 10 games though? Even if he's not on a roll right now, he's still one of our best players and likely to get out of the rut at some point. Sutter knows this.

I don't think potentially putting Shore at 2nd center has anything to do with Sutter having a lack of confidence in Carter at center. I think it has more to do with the fact that the wing isn't exactly a stacked offensive position and Carter is capable of playing there as well as anyone on the team outside Gaborik. If Sutter has Shore play center on any line then either Carter has to play wing or either Richards or Stoll has to sit. Richards and Stoll are far from tearing it up, but having them at 3rd & 4th center is still better than having them at wing or sitting them and having guys like Nolan playing.

 

[KingsFan7824]

I don't think there's any one thing Sutter tries to do. He's always talking about the flexibility of the forwards, and he's always trying something. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes it doesn't for a long time before Sutter changes anything. Sometimes it works and he changes it up anyway.

Lines are lines. They can change up at any time. Nothing to get too crazy over.

 

[TheSentinel]

Honestly I don't really give a hoot what the lines are anymore. If they decide they want to play and actually hit people they will win. If they keep trying just to stick check people they lose.

I feel like this too.

 

[Trolfoli]

Jon RosenVerified account ‏@lakingsinsider
Shootout practice!

Well this needed to happen at some point... but thinking this next game is going to OT.... Well....

Shore on the 2nd line!!! Awesome!!!!

Doesn't matter all that much... as others have said... Shore needs to learn to deal with the line blender.... The starting point doesn't matter all that much.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

GDT Open.