GDT: Gm 1: kings vs flyers 7pm @ Staples

[Steve Zissou]

I liked that 3rd line when Dowd was on it. I thought he actually had a good pre-season.

Thus far, Brodzinski has shown me absolutely zero, and no signs of that wrist shot all of his teammates comment on.

 

[HookKing]

I wouldn't mind trying Kempe as left wing on Carter's line. He likes to pass and that combination of finishing and speed from Toffoli/Carter could be quite dangerous. That would allow Pearson to play with Dowd and Brodz or more likely Gaborik when he returns. That line could be quite a threat if Dowd can upgrade his D. Camer should probably sit most nights.

 

[DocWest]

Quick looked like he was in top form. He's the heartbeat of this team and I think he will help whip the rest of the guys into shape. No way you watch a guy compete that hard and carry the team and it doesn't inspire you to step up. Hopefully Kopi wakes up soon. He's got a shorter leash do to how bad he was last season.

 

[HookKing]

Quick looked like he was in top form. He's the heartbeat of this team and I think he will help whip the rest of the guys into shape. No way you watch a guy compete that hard and carry the team and it doesn't inspire you to step up. Hopefully Kopi wakes up soon. He's got a shorter leash do to how bad he was last season.

That short leash is the same length as Jacob Marley's chains.

 

[HowDareYou]

Seeing DocWest post above about ' Hopefully Kopi wakes up soon ' just reminded of a funny scenario for any L.A. Kings fans / Twin Peak fans that watched the latest season where good Cooper = Old Kopitar and Dougie Jones = New ''slower'' Kopitar and all season long we waited for Dougie Jones to wake up and remember who he really is ( Agent Dale Cooper / old Kopitar ) HA anyway I hope someone gets a kick out of this thought ... thought ...

 

[DocWest]

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Even the coach agrees with us, the third line is a mess. Though I don't think I'd refer to them as the third line. They're the weakest link on the ice.

https://lakingsinsider.com/2017/10/06/october-6-practice-quotes-john-stevens/

On whether the absence of Adrian Kempe’s line in the third period was a reflection of relying more on other lines:
No, I think it’s just that that’ll be earned throughout the hockey game. I thought there were times when we were in our own zone when we got in trouble, and that line, specifically, had some trouble managing the puck in the neutral zone, so that’s the reason they didn’t play as much in the third.

 

[Statto]

I find the enthusiasm with which people have jumped on Kopitar disappointing. Anyone that expected him to turn it on from game 1 is being unrealistic at best. I posted right at the beginning of preseason that for the long serving Kings players it's going to take time to adjust. They've been drilled to play a certain way their whole careers until its second nature. All that instinct doesn't disappear overnight.

There are no guarantees that these guys, Kopitar included, will get it, but it's always going to take several games, minimum. In case some of you didn't notice - we won last night. Whilst Kopitar wasn't brilliant, there were some good moments. Aside from coming close to scoring he also got open a few times when driving the net off the puck and it (the puck) never got to him. If his linemates make better decisions maybe he has a couple of goals to his name. There was one in particular during the first few minutes where Iaffolo took the shot when Kopitar was open at the far post. I'm not going to start assessing Kopitar's form and worrying about it until 5 games in. He's going to need a little time and I'm fine with giving him a little patience.

I also thought Kempe had a few good moments. He had a couple of good linkups with Cami and drove the slot well. The defensive side needs some work but it's as a unit they need to improve. I'd much prefer Dowd out there over Brodz, I think the balance will be better.

Considering we've got a new coach, we're playing a new system, we have 3/4 new lines, we played 5 rookies and have several key players looking for bounce back seasons I cannot believe the negativity after a 2-0 WIN. Half the posters on here were talking about us tanking for a lottery pick at the seasons end. So really a win is actually good news.

 

[KopitarFAN]

The young players in-general were very good (Iafallo in particular, but some of the others as well), that being said i'm not taking too much from one game either way.

 

[kingsfan28]

You win 2-0 on opening night and all the media takes a shot at you because you didn't score 5 or more goals like everyone else. The word inept was used more than once. Un-fricking believable!

 

[onlyalad]

You win 2-0 on opening night and all the media takes a shot at you because you didn't score 5 or more goals like everyone else. The word inept was used more than once. Un-fricking believable!

When was the last time the kings won a home opener? 2011-12 season I think

 

[TruKingFan]

The Kings didn't play particularly well but won anyway. 1st game of a long season so let's chill-out. Some of you are wallowing in such negativity how can you a sloppy win like this.
Tomorrow's game against the Sharks would be a better gauge though.

 

[Sacha Baron Corbin]

Even the coach agrees with us, the third line is a mess. Though I don't think I'd refer to them as the third line. They're the weakest link on the ice.

https://lakingsinsider.com/2017/10/06/october-6-practice-quotes-john-stevens/

I dunno, when you put two rookies and a vet that can’t play defense on the same line you’re asking for trouble when they eventually get stuck in the defensive zone.