GDT: GM 2: Kings vs Sharks 7:30 @ SAP Center 10/7/17

[kingsfan28]

One really positive thing about Kopitar this year - Rosen's article with quotes from Kopi/Turgeon was enlightening. They both were going into detail about what has been working and they sound excited about it.

It's highly encouraging and better than the blah canned responses we got from him last year. I think the whole captaincy thing hung a dark cloud over Brown/Kopi last year. That has certainly lifted from Brown, and Kopitar seems way more positive and looser off the ice. If Kopi continues to crank it up on the ice, the team will follow.

Lombardi, in one last stupid move to make Sutter happy gave Kopi the "C" and the weight of it crushed him and messed up Browns head for an entire season. You know there had to be some tension between them last season.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Lombardi, in one last stupid move to make Sutter happy gave Kopi the "C" and the weight of it crushed him and messed up Browns head for an entire season. You know there had to be some tension between them last season.

That’s a great point. The players definitely do seem a lot looser and less tense this season. They don’t look like they’re afraid to take chances and play some hockey. Having all of that systemic crap driven home repeatedly wore on them, and it resulted in some of the most boring and predictable hockey we’ve ever had to witness in our lifetime as Kings fans.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I'm done with the discussion at this point, but re: Kopitar, frankly all I'm saying at this point is if you're so willing to levy criticism when it's due (it is), give credit where it is due as well.

That’s a great point. The players definitely do seem a lot looser and less tense this season. They don’t look like they’re afraid to take chances and play some hockey. Having all of that systemic crap driven home repeatedly wore on them, and it resulted in some of the most boring and predictable hockey we’ve ever had to witness in our lifetime as Kings fans.

Guys look like they're having fun again, even smiles on the bench. Looks like some still need to be deprogrammed a bit but I'm super stoked to see guys being creative while still keeping some semblance of Kings-style hockey (i.e. they're still holding the puck).

 

[jfont]

I know its only 2 games but I knew these guys can skate.

I can remember a few years ago the kings booth telling us that the kings need to slow it down when it becomes end to end skating.

First line, Brown and Kopi can skate. 2nd line, Carter and Pearson can skate, 3rd line, kempe, 4th line, lewis and Clifford can skate...

 

[kings11]

I know its only 2 games but I knew these guys can skate.

I can remember a few years ago the kings booth telling us that the kings need to slow it down when it becomes end to end skating.

First line, Brown and Kopi can skate. 2nd line, Carter and Pearson can skate, 3rd line, kempe, 4th line, lewis and Clifford can skate...

The defense is also much more involved, decisive and have more offensive purpose...

 

[Sol]

Credit where credit is due? No doubt. But let's not pretend two games overwrites an entire season of suckage. I'm not saying he was bad these two games, first game he was alright, second game he did great, but you can't hold it against fans for having doubt after the crappy season he had, and preseason.

Regardless, players do look a lot looser since the overseers (DL and Sutter) are gone. They seem to have a lot more freedom and seem to be more emotional now. Hopefully this is a sign of a big season from a formerly boring pedantic team.

 

[cyclones22]

Last year, Kopi (and Muzzin) were garbage. There's no denying that. That being said, I don't care about last season anymore. I missed most of the preseason, so I have no frame of reference on how Kopi or whoever may have sucked during it. I watched the first game and it was patently obvious that Kopi and the rest of the team for that matter looked much more dangerous than they did last season. There was little to no skating around the back of the net after a rush, which was common last season. They were creating chances in areas of the ice that they seemed to be avoiding in the past. Game 2 was much of the same, but with better finishing. The team looks completely different on the ice and it's the philosophical change. Look, the Kings ate other teams' lunch in 3 v 3 overtimes over the last few years. That doesn't happen on accident. It's because they have skill. Problem is that Sutter only wanted it unleashed in OT, not in regulation. Now you're seeing them attack without the dump and chase being the primary weapon and the opposition is getting caught by the Kings actually taking risks instead of the safe play 99/100 times. I'm very curious what taking the shackles off of Gaborik will be like. He still has the wheels.