Game #61: KINGS vs FLAMES - 2/27/14 - Shutout Win!

[BigKing]

Vey is more talented with the puck on his stick than anyone the Kings have trotted out on the 4th line this season. He needs to learn that--at this level--a dump-in is sometimes better than a cute pass at or near the blueline but I love it when he gets the puck in the zone.

You can't play these kids for "X" amount of time in the AHL to have them be mistake-free at the NHL level. There are going to be mistakes but the other options the Kings have in the lineup make their fair share as well while never looking dangerous offensively. The pros outweigh the cons to me: Toffoli and Vey should not go back to Manchester.

Pearson is not ready; however, he is still a better option at LW2 than my boy Nolan. Love Nolan but that was pretty ugly last night. He needs to remain on the 4th line as a heat-seeking missile.

 

[Winger23]

I don't think so. Brown made a great pass to Stoll in Denver, scored an unassisted goal and made a great pass to set up King in Calgary.

Give the guy some credit.

I'm not talking about just his scoring, its his overall game. Not to harp on it but his pass to stoll was right after he butchered a break away attempt.

I'm giving him credit for 2 good games in a row. Im just making the observation that I think he plays better when guys on his line do something other than suck

I just think Kopi was the reason he scored 25 to 30 goals previously. I don't think he does that playing without him.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I think if that ends up being our third line, we're looking pretty good (King-Stoll-Brown).

 

[theMajor]

Vey is more talented with the puck on his stick than anyone the Kings have trotted out on the 4th line this season. He needs to learn that--at this level--a dump-in is sometimes better than a cute pass at or near the blueline but I love it when he gets the puck in the zone.

You can't play these kids for "X" amount of time in the AHL to have them be mistake-free at the NHL level. There are going to be mistakes but the other options the Kings have in the lineup make their fair share as well while never looking dangerous offensively. The pros outweigh the cons to me: Toffoli and Vey should not go back to Manchester.

i agree. i was really, really excited watching Vey last night. he seemed much more composed with the puck which means hes gaining confidence. Pearson was damn near invisible the entire game it seemed

 

[HYORI 1963]

i agree. i was really, really excited watching Vey last night. he seemed much more composed with the puck which means hes gaining confidence. Pearson was damn near invisible the entire game it seemed

Probably because he was a HS.

 

[KINGS17]

I think if that ends up being our third line, we're looking pretty good (King-Stoll-Brown).

Without a trade, King is going to be needed on the 1st or 2nd line.

Nolan did some decent work as the 2nd line LW at times last night, but I don't think he will stick there. Pearson definitely is not ready for the NHL.

Any vet LW for a pick would help solidify the lines we saw last night. Maybe a guy like Tlusty?

 

[Pucknut50]

i agree. i was really, really excited watching Vey last night. he seemed much more composed with the puck which means hes gaining confidence. Pearson was damn near invisible the entire game it seemed

The reason Pearson seemed invisible is he did not play last night.

 

[HYORI 1963]

Does anyone else see why Toffoli is playing LW and Brown playing RW? Why not have them switch to where they're most comfortable? In Brown's case, I think he's equally comfortable in either wing, but clearly Toffoli could benefit from playing RW. I understand that Brown has played well on the RW since returning from Sochi, but he was playing well on the LW when playing with Stoll and JW.

It's not a big deal as long as we keep winning, but it seems like a bit of a head scratcher to me.

 

[theMajor]

The reason Pearson seemed invisible is he did not play last night.

welllll that makes a lot of sense then! doh

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Without a trade, King is going to be needed on the 1st or 2nd line.

Nolan did some decent work as the 2nd line LW at times last night, but I don't think he will stick there. Pearson definitely is not ready for the NHL.

Any vet LW for a pick would help solidify the lines we saw last night. Maybe a guy like Tlusty?

Very true. I will say Nolan didn't look completely out of place there, no more than Penner did anyway. At least Nolan is fast and physical and has half decent hands. But agree, not a long-term solution.

 

[Ollie Weeks]

Does anyone else see why Toffoli is playing LW and Brown playing RW? Why not have them switch to where they're most comfortable? In Brown's case, I think he's equally comfortable in either wing, but clearly Toffoli could benefit from playing RW. I understand that Brown has played well on the RW since returning from Sochi, but he was playing well on the LW when playing with Stoll and JW.

It's not a big deal as long as we keep winning, but it seems like a bit of a head scratcher to me.

Because Sutter wants to try Toffoli with Kopitar and another strong effective scorer (the majority of which are all RWers). I think the idea is to put the least entrenched piece (Toffoli) in a place to succeed with quality support. And its been working out well the last 4 games.

Brown, he probably wants him to reset his game alongside Stoll and another competant lunchpailer (King). And anyway, Brown can play either side at this point. If his head is in the game it won't matter what side he lines up on.

 

[Ollie Weeks]

Its been a great couple days, and a welcome return to Kings hockey, which I wasn't entirely expecting!

But that #2LW slot. So Pearson had a couple decent moments but was overall fairly lost, and Nolan looked terrible. Do they now try Lewis, Clifford, or go back to Pearson?

 

[HYORI 1963]

Because Sutter wants to try Toffoli with Kopitar and another strong effective scorer (the majority of which are all RWers). I think the idea is to put the least entrenched piece (Toffoli) in a place to succeed with quality support. And its been working out well the last 4 games.

Brown, he probably wants him to reset his game alongside Stoll and another competant lunchpailer (King). And anyway, Brown can play either side at this point. If his head is in the game it won't matter what side he lines up on.

Option 1:

King-Kopi-Toffoli
Brown-Stoll-Williams

vs.

Option 2:

Toffoli-Kopi-Williams
King-Stoll-Brown

I don't know about the rest of you guys, but I like option 1.

 

[lexlavender]

Option 1:

King-Kopi-Toffoli
Brown-Stoll-Williams

vs.

Option 2:

Toffoli-Kopi-Williams
King-Stoll-Brown

I don't know about the rest of you guys, but I like option 1.

I think Sutter would be worried about the lack of veteran presence on the top line in option 1. Hard to believe, but King is only in his 3rd year. What happens when it hits the fan, or that top line is matched against a heavyweight line, like the Toews, Sharp, Hossa line, which would eat that top line for lunch?

 

[Degenerate]

Missed this game, sucks. Congrats to the Kings though, I mean I expected them to win and it's really no surprise it was a shutout.

 

[HYORI 1963]

I think Sutter would be worried about the lack of veteran presence on the top line in option 1. Hard to believe, but King is only in his 3rd year. What happens when it hits the fan, or that top line is matched against a heavyweight line, like the Toews, Sharp, Hossa line, which would eat that top line for lunch?

Sutter has as much confidence in King, as he does in any forward. King is slowly replacing Lewis as Sutter's favorite.

 

[KingsFan7824]

Im just making the observation that I think he plays better when guys on his line do something other than suck

Who doesn't? The guys that have to play on a line with Brown do better when Brown doesn't suck too.

At least we've seen a more, I don't want to just say active, but a more purposeful Brown the last 2 games. He's been too active all year long. Flailing all over the place most of the time. He's been much more efficient since Wednesday. The Kings need more of that out of him.

That's why I'm liking this King/Stoll/Brown line right now. If Brown shows that he's back to a certain level, then maybe you can play around with him on some other line. Right now though, keep things simple. 3 goals in the last 2 games out of that line. 3 points on the road for Brown. No need to break them up.

 

[Herby]

Its been a great couple days, and a welcome return to Kings hockey, which I wasn't entirely expecting!

But that #2LW slot. So Pearson had a couple decent moments but was overall fairly lost, and Nolan looked terrible. Do they now try Lewis, Clifford, or go back to Pearson?

Lewis and Clifford should be completely out of the question in a scoring line role.

I fully expect some kind of trade by the deadline, I was previously a bit skeptical about giving up assets, but when you have Jonathan Quick in goal you truly have a chance to win any series and they might as well try and atleast fix the lw hole at the deadline. They can wait until the summer to address the long term issues like a partner for DD and a 2nd line center.

To answer the question, I think you stick with Nolan or move King up. Atleast Nolan can handle a pass and make a tape to tape pass, that is more than can be said about Clifford or Lewis.

 

[Butch 19]

Sutter has as much confidence in King, as he does in any forward. King is slowly replacing Lewis as Sutter's favorite.

well King has earned it.

He is responsible for maybe 5-7 wins on his own due to his passing / scoring / general overall play / making things happen. And for how (s^$t^o!) this team played just before the olympic break, EVERY point may come into play come playoff time.

Kings is easily one of my untouchables on the roster. (no more Moulsens $%^#!!)

 

[KINGS17]

Very true. I will say Nolan didn't look completely out of place there, no more than Penner did anyway. At least Nolan is fast and physical and has half decent hands. But agree, not a long-term solution.

Two biggest reasons to like him a lot more than Penner when it comes to being on that line. Sutter may have to go with this the rest of the way as his best overall solution. Nolan will create space and turnovers for Richards and Carter to feed on if he really likes the King-Stoll-Brown line.

 

[damacles1156]

I'm not talking about just his scoring, its his overall game. Not to harp on it but his pass to stoll was right after he butchered a break away attempt.

I'm giving him credit for 2 good games in a row. Im just making the observation that I think he plays better when guys on his line do something other than suck

I just think Kopi was the reason he scored 25 to 30 goals previously. I don't think he does that playing without him.

Brown has scored 20+ goals away from Kopitar, Brown is a Goal scorer (streaky one).

 

[damacles1156]

well King has earned it.

He is responsible for maybe 5-7 wins on his own due to his passing / scoring / general overall play / making things happen. And for how (s^$t^o!) this team played just before the olympic break, EVERY point may come into play come playoff time.

Kings is easily one of my untouchables on the roster. (no more Moulsens $%^#!!)

Moulson was an UFA and offered a contract, he choose to go elsewhere.

 

[damacles1156]

Vey is more talented with the puck on his stick than anyone the Kings have trotted out on the 4th line this season. He needs to learn that--at this level--a dump-in is sometimes better than a cute pass at or near the blueline but I love it when he gets the puck in the zone.

You can't play these kids for "X" amount of time in the AHL to have them be mistake-free at the NHL level. There are going to be mistakes but the other options the Kings have in the lineup make their fair share as well while never looking dangerous offensively. The pros outweigh the cons to me: Toffoli and Vey should not go back to Manchester.

Pearson is not ready; however, he is still a better option at LW2 than my boy Nolan. Love Nolan but that was pretty ugly last night. He needs to remain on the 4th line as a heat-seeking missile.

Nolan was fine with Richards/Carter.

The Problem with Pearson is, he doesn't move his feet. He has the same problem in Manchester.

He gets caught flat footed everywhere on the ice.

 

[Trolfoli]

I thought we spent the season up to this point figuring out why you shouldn't play bot 6 guys in the top 6... Going into the playoffs with Nolan as the 2LW isn't going to work.

 

[Reclamation Project]

Nolan also works a whole hell of a lot more than Penner ever did.