GDT: GM#72 LA Kings vs New Jersey Devils @1:00pm

[kingsboy11]

New Jersey Devils(36-26-8, 80pts, 5th in Metro) @ Los Angeles Kings(39-26-6, 84 pts, 3rd in Pacific)
Staples Center| Los Angeles, CA
TIME: 1:00 pm PT | TV: FSW | RADIO: 790 KABC

QUICK STATS
Previous meeting: NJD 5-1

PP/PK	18th/3rd	14th/8th
Faceoffs	19th	30th
Leading Scorers	Anze Kopitar: 29 goals, 51 assists, 80 points	Taylor Hall: 31 goals, 45 assists, 76 points

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

Lines*

Injuries: None!

Injuries: Pavel Zacha, Marcus Johansson

*Lines Subject to Change

News/Notes:

• The LA Kings defeated the Detroit Red Wings 4-1 Thursday night.​
• Anze Kopitar's 4 point night moves hi up 8th overall in total points this year. 1 point shy off his career high and will eclipse his point total from last year with his assists alone. An incredible year from the captain.​
• Taylor Hall recently had his 26 game point streak cut short, but he will still likely beat his career high set in 2013-14. He has 129 points in 137 games since being traded from the Edmonton Oilers to the Devils.​
• The first overall pick from the 2017 entry, Nico Hischier, is currently 5th in rookie scoring this year with 15 goals and 30 assists. While he may not win the Calder trophy, he has been excellent for the Devils.​
• It is unknown who will start today for either team, but I'm willing to bet it'll be Schneider vs Quick today.​

Click to read more...

 

[LAKings88]

1:00pm......nuff said.

 

[DarkBurOak]

That second line though.... Poor Jeff.

 

[The Tikkanen]

Is there any chance this team comes out for a 1PM game like the Ultimate Warrior entering the Royal Rumble?

 

[rajuabju]

Wow I had no idea Boyle was still playing. Good for him. Always felt he was never given a fair chance / right role in LA

 

[Frolov 6'3]

Wow I had no idea Boyle was still playing. Good for him. Always felt he was never given a fair chance / right role in LA

Scored 4 goals in 8 games and got demoted the day after scoring 2.

 

[King'sPawn]

That second line though.... Poor Jeff.

At least he's not being stuck with season-long underachievers.

 

[kingsboy11]

Keith Kinkaid will go tonight. Currently 18-9-0 this season with 28 starts, 2.95 GAA and .906 save% and won 4 of his last 5 starts

 

[BallPointHammer]

Question.

I don't know how far the players live from Staples Center or what the drive is like on a Saturday morning, but would it be advantageous for the players to stay at a hotel near Staples on Friday night instead?

 

[kingsboy11]

Question.

I don't know how far the players live from Staples Center or what the drive is like on a Saturday morning, but would it be advantageous for the players to stay at a hotel near Staples on Friday night instead?

Most of the players (I believe) live in Manhattan Beach which is about a 45-50 drive to Staples with traffic. Personally I don't see the harm in staying in a hotel considering their ****ty 1pm starts, but I don't think its because of the early morning commute.

 

[The Tikkanen]

Question.

I don't know how far the players live from Staples Center or what the drive is like on a Saturday morning, but would it be advantageous for the players to stay at a hotel near Staples on Friday night instead?

No and the team wouldn't want to pay for it and the players union would have a fit. Yes, these guys are athletes and the Kings are just dreadful to start games, it's a bad joke at this point but they are also human beings who own homes and have families. Telling them to stay away from their home and family would make the morale worse. The issue for me is the coach needs to find a way to motivate the guys, maybe the practices are too easy? Maybe they are too hard and the players are worn down? Is the training staff telling the players the right information on how to be ready for early starts, pre workout supplements, nutrition, weight lifting, stretching-maybe it's time for a new training staff? The bottom line is these guys are almost never ready to play hockey and when it happens repeatedly and maybe costs the team a playoff spot heads need to roll.

 

[BallPointHammer]

Thanks for those answers. A lot of factors to consider.

It just struck me though (duh!) does anyone know if the Ducks, Sharks or Canucks have the same issues? There has to be an answer and I put the onus on the players, not anyone else.

 

[KingCanadain1976]

a team from the east check
at home check
LaDue playing check

Dare a i say a win for the kings today Go kings go

 

[johnjm22]

So this is the 3rd straight back up goaltender we're facing?

Devils are coming off road wins against Vegas and Nashville. #GetYourExcusesReady

 

[KingsFan7824]

I'm ready for whatever version of the Kings chooses to show up.

 

[Kingspiracy]

I'm ready for whatever version of the Kings chooses to show up.

I'm not. The game starts at 9am here, i'm only two coffees in so far, gonna need more caffeine if they play like shit

 

[Frolov 6'3]

Hopefully we finally win a 1 PM game.

Last two times I went to bed with that horrible loss vs. Chicago and a 7-2 beating from St.Louis.

Not good.

 

[KingPuckChoo]

this is a tough game to predict, nothing will shock me

GoKingsGo!

 

[mbar]

Kings desperately need the first (preferably early) goal to wake them and the crowd up for the matinee. Crowds are lifeless on Saturday afternoons.

 

[Bandit]

A win would be preferable.

 

[KingsHockey24]

Blowout incoming.

6-1 Kings.

 

[Sol]

A win would be preferable.

Not a bad idea.

 

[Sol]

Hope Quick can play like he did last game. He was very focused and wasn't being over aggressive. A conservative Quick is an elite quick.

 

[Bandit]

Kings desperately need the first (preferably early) goal to wake them and the crowd up for the matinee. Crowds are lifeless on Saturday afternoons.

Kopitar tried. Good first shift

 

[Frolov 6'3]

Hope Quick can play like he did last game. He was very focused and wasn't being over aggressive.

This ?