GDT: Game 44: Monday January 16, 2017- Lightning @ Kings 1:00 PM PST

[KingsFan7824]

It's not just the Kings though with the hitting. It's like that most anywhere you look in the league today. Whether it's the speed, or the rules, or a combination of the two, you don't get that sort of physical play in too many places anymore.

And yeah, the Kings have a different roster. It's funny how the same thing happened with the 2004 Flames. Sutter was the coach, had a lot of grind it out players, and then as the years went on, the Flames slowly added more skill guys, but didn't get better, or got worse, in the standings/playoffs.

I know, I know, how do the Kings have skill? Well, Carter, Gaborik, Toffoli. Even a guy like Shore is more of a skill player than Fraser was on the 4th line. Dowd over Stoll in the just pure skill department. The Kings actually won, and kept it up for a few more years, but the Kings had a better roster than those Flames teams. Same general trajectory though.

There's no more Richards, Williams, Stoll, Scuderi, Mitchell type guys. The crusty, battle tested veterans. They've been replaced by younger players that don't have that same, aura, if you will. It's Forbort, Gravel, Dowd, those guys. Time marches on, those crusty vets were once inexperienced young guys themselves, and the cap is what it is, but if the Kings are in a Game 7, on the road, you're no longer as confident.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I agree with Ziggy that there are less 'impactful' hits. But it does make sense with the speed and the rules--it's easy to get buried in the corner if you're finishing your checks against a team that moves the puck quickly. That's one way SJ and CHI capitalized against our style and turned everything into a 3-on-2 and 2-on-1 (or 2-on-0 ); let the guy commit to a check, move the puck quickly, and you'll have no backchecker--or at least one way behind the play--while you fly the zone with speed.

I DO think it would be nice to see a return to that in the playoffs a bit as it makes more sense when you're playing the same opponent repeatedly than a simple one-off in the middle of the season. But it makes sense as a self-preservation tactic as well as a stylistic thing. We've become more of a hold-the-puck team rather than a super-aggressive physical team. IE our big guys are puck shields rather than bangers. Though of course we do still lead in hits because we take the game to the boards.

 

[damacles1156]

Just go back to some of those recorded (DVR) 2012 season games.

The Kings really smacked people, I mean really hit people.

Dustin Brown would rattle boards nightly.

Those days are over.

 

[tsanuri]

Just go back to some of those recorded (DVR) 2012 season games.

The Kings really smacked people, I mean really hit people.

Dustin Brown would rattle boards nightly.

Those days are over.

Brown's playing that way changed from two things.
First was his suspension. He really pulled back after that.
Second was his injury where he was wearing the brace.
But you have to wonder what was said at that suspension hearing. Or was it just a fear of what would happen if he had another one. We know what other fans think of him but most of us have never thought he was dirty just played on the edge. And he stopped doing so after the suspension.

 

[WHOneedsSOX]

Brown's playing that way changed from two things.
First was his suspension. He really pulled back after that.
Second was his injury where he was wearing the brace.
But you have to wonder what was said at that suspension hearing. Or was it just a fear of what would happen if he had another one. We know what other fans think of him but most of us have never thought he was dirty just played on the edge. And he stopped doing so after the suspension.

He also said before the 2015 season that he wasn't going to hit guys as much and as hard anymore because he knew they were taking a toll on his body. He said he would have to pick his spots better.

 

[johnjm22]

Just go back to some of those recorded (DVR) 2012 season games.

The Kings really smacked people, I mean really hit people.

Dustin Brown would rattle boards nightly.

Those days are over.

What sticks out to me watching those games is how much energy they were playing with.

Sutter really lit a fire under their ass.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

What sticks out to me watching those games is how much energy they were playing with.

Sutter really lit a fire under their ass.

They didn't give opponents any time and room to think. Whoever had the puck was quickly checked or swarmed by Kings jerseys.

I recall how Vancouver, particularly the Sedins, would easily control the puck for lengths without any King being able to stop them back in 2010. That wasn't the case in 2012.

 

[Legionnaire]

Thanks for the well wishes for Mom ya'll. It is appreciated. She's as diehard as any of us.

Umm. Update. Hmm. Well, that happened Columbus Day so it's been about three months. No progress on the PCS really. The 9 inch gash running from her forehead all the way back to her scalp has improved. But it is going to be a serious scar.

Other than that, she refuses to go to physical therapy and do anything to get better. She fell again two weeks ago and had to start all over. Back at square one in regard to the PCS recovery.

CT scan came out good. Minimal brain atrophy for someone her age...so it is definitely that. You remember? You thought she was having a stroke. She's just not with it - just like then. You know. She's a Kings fan who is as hard-headed as ****.

I have been stressed as **** for the last three months. She won't take any steps to not fall again and so I'm just waiting for the one that ends her up in the home or worse. Ugh.

Anyway, in general, she's fine. It's just like dealing with a two-year old who is tall enough to reach everything.

Thanks for asking. I hope all is well with you.

...Probably shouldn't have moved so far away so you could look in on Grandpa.

 

[PJ Kings Hockey]

Thanks for the well wishes for Mom ya'll. It is appreciated. She's as diehard as any of us.

Umm. Update. Hmm. Well, that happened Columbus Day so it's been about three months. No progress on the PCS really. The 9 inch gash running from her forehead all the way back to her scalp has improved. But it is going to be a serious scar.

Other than that, she refuses to go to physical therapy and do anything to get better. She fell again two weeks ago and had to start all over. Back at square one in regard to the PCS recovery.

CT scan came out good. Minimal brain atrophy for someone her age...so it is definitely that. You remember? You thought she was having a stroke. She's just not with it - just like then. You know. She's a Kings fan who is as hard-headed as ****.

I have been stressed as **** for the last three months. She won't take any steps to not fall again and so I'm just waiting for the one that ends her up in the home or worse. Ugh.

Anyway, in general, she's fine. It's just like dealing with a two-year old who is tall enough to reach everything.

Thanks for asking. I hope all is well with you.

...Probably shouldn't have moved so far away so you could look in on Grandpa.

Hey Leege, I'm sorry about the medical issues you and your Mom are dealing with. I know someone who has been dealing with a concussion and it's a tough and tricky thing to navigate around. Prayers for your family, friend.