GDT: Game 57: Columbus at Los Angeles | 2/6 10:30PM EST

[Iron Balls McGinty]

About 8 games ago I said it was possible the CBJ could go 0-3 on this west coast trip that has killed everyone in the league so far this season. The CBJ have pulled out 3 out of 4 pts so far.

I was also expecting to go into the olympic break with 64 pts. going to OT or winning tonight against San Jose will do that or better. It sucks they lost but they still got an important point on a west coast trip and the points given to LA are irrelevant to the East playoff chase.

They aren't going to win every game to end the season but games with zero points need to be as minimal as possible. They got 1, move onto the next one.

 

[GoJackets1]

Well we took care of the Sharks with ease last year, hopefully that continues tonight.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

Question then is, where does RJ end up? Horton and Cam play the right side on the next two lines, so does RJ replace one of them, move to the left (where he has played but, I believe, less effectively) and move Matt down to line 4, or does he replace Tropp on the fourth line, himself?

Either the Calvert or Tropp scenarios, IMO.

I don't know who's going to play well together, even less so than the coaches (obviousness alert), so who knows. A couple weeks ago we were thinking it'd be a bad idea to mess with the success of Ryan between Nicky and RJ, so...

 

[blahblah]

The funny thing about last night is that Regehr could take that shot another 100 times and never come close to hitting that spot again. Try and get it on net and accidents happen I guess.

 

[jackets4life]

Official: no hearing for Brown.

 

[Nordique]

A couple of reasons

1. Its looking like a toss up as to whether Bob starts for Russia and there are negatives either for either outcome. If Bob gets beaten out by Varlamov we could see some rust due to him not playing, and this also could cool off his play in general. Alternatively if he wins the starting job that's alot of extra work for Bob which could affect him down the stretch when we need him most.

2. In addition to Bob we also have a few other players going to the olympics (Nikitin, Tyutin, and Anisimov) who all will have extra work loads and have a chance (albeit very small) of injury)

3. The olympic break is a momentum killer for teams. The last month and a half the jackets have been on a roll, but this break is like someone tossing water on a fire. It stops all the positive momentum the jackets have been building.

It may seem a bit far fetched, however our most important player is Bob and as Bob goes so we go, therefore anything that can negatively affect Bob's play can negatively affect our chances of making the playoffs.

This I agree with. The rest, not so much. Bob is better playing for Russia than sitting idle for 2-3 weeks.

 

[Samkow]

About 8 games ago I said it was possible the CBJ could go 0-3 on this west coast trip that has killed everyone in the league so far this season. The CBJ have pulled out 3 out of 4 pts so far.

I was also expecting to go into the olympic break with 64 pts. going to OT or winning tonight against San Jose will do that or better. It sucks they lost but they still got an important point on a west coast trip and the points given to LA are irrelevant to the East playoff chase.

They aren't going to win every game to end the season but games with zero points need to be as minimal as possible. They got 1, move onto the next one.

But the team apparently stopped trying to intentionally score

 

[Kev22]

I posted this on the mains in the discussion of the Brown hit on Murray.

Brown's off the hook. According to Aaron Portzline, there will be no hearing. I thought the hit wasn't necessary. Murray was already covered by two players and pretty much took himself out of the play with his lunge. I'm not sure why people are arguing the charging call. Here's the rule:

42.1 Charging - A minor or major penalty shall be imposed on a player who skates or jumps into, or charges an opponent in any manner.

Charging shall mean the actions of a player who, as a result of distance traveled, shall violently check an opponent in any manner. A “charge” may be the result of a check into the boards, into the goal frame or in open ice.

Brown was skating full tilt and came from quite a distance to make that hit. Looked like textbook definition of charging. But why let rules get in the way of a debate.

Brandon Dubinsky laid a hit on Saku Koivu earlier this year that was very similar and received a major and a game misconduct. Koivu was concussed (don't know about Murray). I guess a little consistency from officiating would be good. Regardless, IMO the hit was completely unnecessary, which is why it comes off as dirty.

Sums up my opinion.

 

[blahblah]

Brandon Dubinsky laid a hit on Saku Koivu earlier this year that was very similar and received a major and a game misconduct.

Was it similar? If I remember the correct hit, Dubinsky pulled his shoulder in and attempted to slow down.

The intent from Brown was clear. He was going to go out of his way to destroy Murray. It wasn't an attempt to remove Murray from the puck or finish a check. The intent was punish him physically and I don't think he cared if he hurt Murray. He never, at any point, attempted to pull up or slow down. He was going to go through Murray, regardless of what position Murray was in.

He obviously had no issue driving through his head as the principle point of contact and certainly showed no interest in seeing if Murray was alright. He was too busy *****ing and complaining about a clear charge. We can debate the hit to the head and if he was head hunting, but that was clearly a charge (as you stated).

That dude is a lump of hell and he clearly has no idea what a good hit is. Frankly, I though the charge (not the hit to the head, I can see how those thought it was incidental) was worthy of a fine if not a game suspension. He gave himself no chance to let up on a vulnerable player. It was a reckless play and it was reasonable to assume that an injury was possible if not likely.

As far as hit comments on if hits are allowed. I see dozens of them in a game. Good clean hits. I've even seen good open ice hits. That sniveling response says a lot about him.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

The intent from Brown was clear. He was going to go out of his way to destroy Murray. It wasn't an attempt to remove Murray from the puck or finish a check. The intent was punish him physically and I don't think he cared if he hurt Murray.

Bingo.

As the good Mayor suggested above, it's more than an odd coincidence that this player is repeatedly involved in these kinds of plays.

 

[MFRONE]

Elliot Friedman just said on Twitter that if Brown was suspended, it would have been enforced by the IIHF during the Olympics.

Would have been nice to see his undeserving ass not playing for Team USA as well.

 

[Iron Balls McGinty]

But the team apparently stopped trying to intentionally score

Not sure I saw the same thing. I still saw plenty of play in the Kings end. Their forwards stepped up and had enough speed and pressure to prevent any good scoring opportunities in the 2nd or 3rd. Quick seemed on top of his game and had good positioning to be in front of any good opportunities the CBJ had.

 

[Viqsi]

Elliot Friedman just said on Twitter that if Brown was suspended, it would have been enforced by the IIHF during the Olympics.

Would have been nice to see his undeserving ass not playing for Team USA as well.

I think that's Bizarro Viqsi's cue to insist that by getting away with that hit, Brown took away a Team USA roster spot from RJ Umberger.

HOW DARE HE.

 

[Samkow]

RJ Umberger doesn't have (nor ever had) a chance at the Olympics.

Now Dubinsky's spot....maybe.

 

[Bobcat110]

Not sure I saw the same thing. I still saw plenty of play in the Kings end. Their forwards stepped up and had enough speed and pressure to prevent any good scoring opportunities in the 2nd or 3rd. Quick seemed on top of his game and had good positioning to be in front of any good opportunities the CBJ had.

I'd agree...thought we played well. Some good chances that were stopped by Quick. Bobvrosky had some steller saves. Game was called tight. I think the 24 minutes of special team play (12 minutes per team) kind of played into Kings style, we do so much better in low penalty games and keeping play 5on5.

Shouldn't be any complaints for 3 of 4 points on this trip so far. Three was the minimum we wanted, hope the team can secure another 1 or 2 tonight.

We have outside shot of being 2nd in Metro for next three weeks with the following:

CBJ Win tonight
NYR loss in regulation tonight
PHI loss (regulation or OT) tomorrow

We would win tie-breakers vs both teams due to 1 less game played.

 

[major major]

I'm pissed the league didn't suspend Brown. It's simply intolerable to allow dirty hits to the head like that. Since the league won't act I would like the Jackets to act on Brown next chance they get.

 

[major major]

RJ with Arty I don't like. Gaborik goes with Arty and Nicky when he returns. I don't know how that works R/L-wing-wise, but that's what I'd look at. Arty and Gaborik have played well together in the past. So have Dubi and Gabby, so I'd look there too if need be.

I agree completely, though putting Gaborik with Arty is mostly because Arty has had chemistry there before and needs to get going, not because RJ is uniquely hard to work with. Dubi has also played well with Gaborik, but Dubi plays well with lots of guys.

I'd go:

Jenner-Johansen-Horton
Calvert/Umberger-Dubinsky-Atkinson
Foligno-Anisimov-Gaborik
Mackenzie-Letestu-Umberger/Tropp

I'm suggesting here trying Umberger in each place - alternating in place of Tropp one game and Calvert the next. Umberger has said that he prefers the right side, but with his style of game I really doubt the side matters, he ends up forechecking and cycling to both sides anyways.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

I agree completely, though putting Gaborik with Arty is mostly because Arty has had chemistry there before and needs to get going, not because RJ is uniquely hard to work with. Dubi has also played well with Gaborik, but Dubi plays well with lots of guys.

I'd go:

Jenner-Johansen-Horton
Calvert/Umberger-Dubinsky-Atkinson
Foligno-Anisimov-Gaborik
Mackenzie-Letestu-Umberger/Tropp

I'm suggesting here trying Umberger in each place - alternating in place of Tropp one game and Calvert the next. Umberger has said that he prefers the right side, but with his style of game I really doubt the side matters, he ends up forechecking and cycling to both sides anyways.

Agree with this exactly. My open was not an attempt to knock RJU, but only to say I don't like him and Arty together (so far).

 

[db2011]

Basically you're saying it's bad to have to play the extra games and it's bad to not play at all.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but every team will have to deal with at least one of those, if not both, to varying degrees.

You know, I had the urge to get on this post, too, because it seems circular and negative. But to the bolded, I have to say that yes, basically, that's a way to sum up a position that is not happy about the Olympic break.

And while every team has to deal with it, it could be argued that for some teams that are underperforming the break is a benefit, and for teams that have some momentum, the break is detrimental. Our team has/had momentum. It could turn out that the break doesn't affect the team's play and will help players who need some R&R, but I understand being apprehensive about it.

 

[Nordique]

Agree with this exactly. My open was not an attempt to knock RJU, but only to say I don't like him and Arty together (so far).

I think after last night, Arty would agree.

 

[blahblah]

You know, as much as we like to rail on RJ and the AA line I've thought for the last few games the Dubinsky line has been our worst.

I came to the realization a while back that is really doesn't matter how good RJ plays or for how long, a game or two slump or even just a game in which he doesn't covert and the parade of bashing starts.

It's fascinating, seeing as I've seen this happen to other players and it goes mostly unnoticed.

Whipping boy status is fun around here.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

You know, as much as we like to rail on RJ and the AA line I've thought for the last few games the Dubinsky line has been our worst.

To be clear, I have added the caveat regarding RJU. And while I realize that line scored three goals a couple nights back and has only been together a short while, I haven't really liked it, specifically those two together. That's it. Nothing in relation to other lines or anything. Just an observation that seemed apt when I posted it given the concurrent discussion about needing Gabby's potential offensive contributions.

 

[Nordique]

You know, as much as we like to rail on RJ and the AA line I've thought for the last few games the Dubinsky line has been our worst.

I was only referring to that collision between the two last night.

RJ has been playing well regardless of his center. 18-42-71 was our best line in ANA.

 

[blahblah]

To be clear, I have added the caveat regarding RJU. And while I realize that line scored three goals a couple nights back and has only been together a short while, I haven't really liked it, specifically those two together. That's it. Nothing in relation to other lines or anything. Just an observation that seemed apt when I posted it given the concurrent discussion about needing Gabby's potential offensive contributions.

I doubt you'll ever seem me imply or state that you allow yourself to become borderline irrational with your dislike of a player.

 

[blahblah]

I was only referring to that collision between the two last night.

RJ has been playing well regardless of his center. 18-42-71 was our best line in ANA.

Thanks; I wouldn't go that far. However they were noticeable in a good way at times.