GDT: GM#14 LA Kings vs Anaheim Ducks @7:30-Willie Era Begins!

[KingPuckChoo]

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

yeah there was absolutely no "prevent defense" going on there, aggression on the forecheck and standups at the blue line, the things i think were missing from stevens' brand

it wasn't perfect by any means but absolutely progress

The standups at the blueline were the most noticable. Muzzin was going for killshots time after time. Even Forbort stuck a few guys to the boards. And forwards weren't just freezing at the top of the zone if their breakout got cutoff, they'd actively skate thru the guy and at least push the pile to the blueline.

Did the coach make the difference, or did the players just decide to be more engaged?

I don't think anyone can answer that without an agenda, but there were noticeable differences in strategy, too. I'd imagine THAT is coaching. Attribute the passion to whatever you want but guys were driving through instead of by and it was strategic as well as emotional.

 

[tny760]

The standups at the blueline were the most noticable. Muzzin was going for killshots time after time. Even Forbort stuck a few guys to the boards. And forwards weren't just freezing at the top of the zone if their breakout got cutoff, they'd actively skate thru the guy and at least push the pile to the blueline.

imagine a little macdermid in this system

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

pretty obvious to me the players decided to show up tonight, way to early to give it to the coach

Like I just said in the previous post, you can't coach guys to care per se, but they were sure being asked to use their bodies as part of the gameplan. That much was obvious.

And if you force guys to play physically, that's automatically going to raise the temperature/engagement.

Not going to go so far as to say 'bravo Willie D, boo Stevens,' but it was definitely encouraging to see a guy not just yelling at guys to play harder but giving them a reason to use the body.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

imagine a little macdermid in this system

If that were MacD instead of Muzzin hitting Sherwood, I think a stretcher would be involved.

 

[Fishhead]

All I know is that's two games in a row when the team looked like they gave a shit. They moved the puck up quicker tonight than I've seen them do in a while, and only had a couple crappy passes while doing so. They looked like they weren't forcing it and were taking what was there, but they were making those decisions faster and were committed to them.

Gotta keep stringing these games together.

 

[riznat]

imagine a little macdermid in this system

I hate this and I hate you for posting it.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

All I know is that's two games in a row when the team looked like they gave a ****. They moved the puck up quicker tonight than I've seen them do in a while, and only had a couple crappy passes while doing so. They looked like they weren't forcing it and were taking what was there, but they were making those decisions faster and were committed to them.

Gotta keep stringing these games together.

That blew my mind as well. Wiring passes tape to tape. I know that's not coaching necessarily--but what the hell exactly was going on that these guys all looked so drunk? Bad preparation?

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Now only 3 games back with 68 to play

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Kovalchuk is producing at a point per game pace, 14 points in as many games.

Old, washed up and slow they said. He’s been the best UFA pickup of the summer and doing what he’s paid to do.

 

[tny760]

I hate this and I hate you for posting it.

one of the finest gifs ever made

 

[KingPuckChoo]

i think Willie didn't like Pearson, Kempe, and Phaneuf's game tonight
i think Willie is going to let Rob know

 

[DryIslandBartender]

Great game, wonder how much of it is the Sucks being terrible or the Kings waking up again like they did after Terry Murray got canned midseason.

 

[DryIslandBartender]

Desjardins is much better in the press conference than John “ I don’t know” Stevens.

 

[Jason Squirties]

I hate this and I hate you for posting it.

Disagree. It has me emotionally engaged and physically flaccid.

 

[Little Psycho]

2 game winning streak! Going to ask Leafs fans how to plan a parade.

 

[Sol]

Yeah, only 18 minutes, and only guys under 10 were kempe and luff with high 9s. Awesome spread. Doughty with only 25.





For the season Jack Campbell has a save percentage that you absolutely would annihilate Quick for. Let's not do this. He's not consistent, that's the issue, and the puck handling caused a GA. Don't just wear your hateQuick blinders.

Hence, consistently. Also, he created two goal scoring opportunities. When was the last time Quick actually did something with the puck besides turning it over? Don't worry I'll wait.
Trying to tell me Quicks save percentage would be better the way this season is going?

Check your own blinders mate.

 

[tny760]

Disagree. It has me emotionally engaged and physically flaccid.

are you coming on to me?

 

[Kingspiracy]

are you coming on to me?

Thats a bit of a leading question isn't it?

 

[regulate]

For the season Jack Campbell has a save percentage that you absolutely would annihilate Quick for. Let's not do this. He's not consistent, that's the issue, and the puck handling caused a GA. Don't just wear your hateQuick blinders.

Not really. Campbell's save percentage this season is higher than Quick's career average. It also the same as or higher than Quicks in six of the last 7 seasons. Not saying Soupy is taking over, just pointing out some current facts.

 

[Little Psycho]

That's what you get bish

 

[damacles1156]

That's what you get bish

Will see how long it last.

That's the play style the Kings players got Sutter fired over.

 

[Legionnaire]

 

[Peter James Bond II]

Time to change avatar from Hughes to Kovalchuk. I was happy the day he was signed and he's been producing consistently. Nice backhand pass to Brown. And a goal scorer's goal. Quick release at top speed, accurate and Gibson was frozen. Most everyone looked very good. 14 minutes for Thompson? He had his best game this season too. Clifford as well. Nice to see Forbort stand up and he had a
good stick...actually, Kopi and Doughty were a little flat, if anything. You know they will have better games ahead. Carter's been better lately, Toffoli was better too. Campbell looks like a starter now.

Luff plays hard and does not look lost or like he's got that deer in the headlights look. Made some decent plays. Looks more polished than Wagner, but hope Amadio gets a chance next game
for someone. Vilardi may yet play in a week or so...and Sturm is going to be on board in 6 days. Things are looking up!

 

[lexlavender]

Feel like they still played poorly overall, but they look better at least.