GDT: GM#75 LA Kings vs Colorado Avalanche @6:00

[Winger23]

I think you are selling a healthy Kings team short here, and are really underestimating the loss of Carter. The Kings are 13-4-3 with him in the lineup even with him having to work his way back. It's not a stretch to say this team has 100 points already with him in the lineup consistently.

He's just mad the kings haven't gone full rebuild mode. Better to just ignore his posts. Not even his Debbie Downer view points are making me enjoy watching the season he's having any less.

 

[KingsFan7824]

Career high sh% for Kopitar this year. The other times he scored 30+ goals, he had double digit PP goals. His 3rd highest goals for a season, he had 10 PP goals. He's got 6 this year. 38 PP points in 09-10, and 34 PP points in 07-08, his two highest scoring seasons before this one. He's got 25 this year, which is slightly below average for him.

He's got 27 ES goals this year. He's never broken 20 before.

 

[lumbergh]

Kopi has 76 less shots on goal than Kucherov. If he was able to make up that difference at half his current shooting average, he'd be tied for 4th in goals and 3rd in points.

That's not the way goal scoring works. Kopitar is highly selective about his shots. He's not Ovechkin. There's a difference between a cerebral player like Kopitar and an Andreoff. When Brown fed Kopitar last night in front of the net, he didn't shoot off the pass and instead deked the pants off Varlomov. When Kopitar had a chance to shoot the puck on the power play, he elected to pass the puck to a partially open Brown in front of the net. Eventually he scored both times, but he elected to shoot when the net was open.

Everybody screams at Kopitar to shoot more like broken record. What fans don't know is that great players like Kopitar are three moves ahead of us fans. He's thinking and playing at a different level than us fans. That's part of what makes him great. That's what separates the Thorntons, the Crosbys, and the Kopitars from the Andreoffs, Cliffords, and Brodzinskis. It's not like Kopitar is that much faster than Clifford or has a harder shot than Brodzinski, it's that he thinks the game of hockey differently than them. Puts himself in the right position, knows where his teammates are , knows what the opponents are going to do, and takes advantage of his raw talent using his skills.

 

[KINGS17]

Kopi has 76 less shots on goal than Kucherov. If he was able to make up that difference at half his current shooting average, he'd be tied for 4th in goals and 3rd in points.

No doubt Kopitar needs to shoot it more. I think everyone here has been saying it for years.

I don't think he realizes how hard his shot is and how quick his release is on his wrist shot. He isn't a sniper as far as picking corners, but he can really shoot it.

 

[WHOneedsSOX]

That's not the way goal scoring works. Kopitar is highly selective about his shots. He's not Ovechkin. There's a difference between a cerebral player like Kopitar and an Andreoff. When Brown fed Kopitar last night in front of the net, he didn't shoot off the pass and instead deked the pants off Varlomov. When Kopitar had a chance to shoot the puck on the power play, he elected to pass the puck to a partially open Brown in front of the net. Eventually he scored both times, but he elected to shoot when the net was open.

Everybody screams at Kopitar to shoot more like broken record. What fans don't know is that great players like Kopitar are three moves ahead of us fans. He's thinking and playing at a different level than us fans. That's part of what makes him great. That's what separates the Thorntons, the Crosbys, and the Kopitars from the Andreoffs, Cliffords, and Brodzinskis. It's not like Kopitar is that much faster than Clifford or has a harder shot than Brodzinski, it's that he thinks the game of hockey differently than them. Puts himself in the right position, knows where his teammates are , knows what the opponents are going to do, and takes advantage of his raw talent using his skills.

I've always said that about Doughty too. Good skater. Good (?) shot. Good vision. Great, great, great hockey mind.

 

[Bandit]

For a game that is over. I responded to a post in the GDT which was made following the game.

When people stop making comments about this topic in the GDT, I will quit responding. Since that one was obviously directed at me, I responded. Don't think I need your permission.

I even commented on what a great game Kopitar had, and how he made a statement. Then someone comes along with a cheap comment, so I responded.

Doesn't matter if the game is over, that doesn't change the topic. There's an entire thread dedicated to Kopitar's contract that you can go happily repeat yourself until Ragnarök. Day after in fact.

Meanwhile... I still can't get over Kopitar's performance last night. That was some serious shit. The backhand on that 3rd goal...

I also love how MacKinnon couldn't do shit but fall on his face as Kopitar stole the puck for the 4th goal.

 

[Kingspiracy]

That's not the way goal scoring works. Kopitar is highly selective about his shots. He's not Ovechkin. There's a difference between a cerebral player like Kopitar and an Andreoff. When Brown fed Kopitar last night in front of the net, he didn't shoot off the pass and instead deked the pants off Varlomov. When Kopitar had a chance to shoot the puck on the power play, he elected to pass the puck to a partially open Brown in front of the net. Eventually he scored both times, but he elected to shoot when the net was open.

Everybody screams at Kopitar to shoot more like broken record. What fans don't know is that great players like Kopitar are three moves ahead of us fans. He's thinking and playing at a different level than us fans. That's part of what makes him great. That's what separates the Thorntons, the Crosbys, and the Kopitars from the Andreoffs, Cliffords, and Brodzinskis. It's not like Kopitar is that much faster than Clifford or has a harder shot than Brodzinski, it's that he thinks the game of hockey differently than them. Puts himself in the right position, knows where his teammates are , knows what the opponents are going to do, and takes advantage of his raw talent using his skills.

Yeah Kopitar has great hockey IQ and makes some great decisions. However with the benefit of watching the play unfold on TV us fans can often see better options, ie shoot the puck instead of passing it to (insert shit player here)

 

[WHOneedsSOX]

Doesn't matter if the game is over, that doesn't change the topic. There's an entire thread dedicated to Kopitar's contract that you can go happily repeat yourself until Ragnarök. Day after in fact.

Meanwhile... I still can't get over Kopitar's performance last night. That was some serious ****. The backhand on that 3rd goal...

I also love how MacKinnon couldn't do **** but fall on his face as Kopitar stole the puck for the 4th goal.

And then MacKinnon had a semi 2 on 1 late in the game and couldn't even get a shot on goal. Shot it short side and wide.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Except for this season Malkin has been a better player on a consistent basis. Malkin demonstrated early in his career he is a generational talent and has for the most part maintained that level of performance. That's the big difference between Kopitar and Malkin.

Kopitar having a great 2017-18 season doesn't change my opinion. Now if Kopitar goes on to put up 80+ point seasons over the next 5 years, I will gladly eat crow.

Depends on what you mean by a consistent basis

Do I think he's the more talented player? Absolutely, in the same way I think Mario Lemieux was a better player than Gretzky. But you still have to stay on the ice and I think that's where you're massively underrating Kopi. Dude hasn't played 82 games in a decade. Games played by the last few years: 62, 57, 69, 60, 31 (lockout), 75, 43, 67.

 

[Little Psycho]

This guy was rocking the wig and crown the entire night

 

[TruKingFan]

It really really pains Kings17 to see Kopi have a bounce back year so now it's like "well he better have 5 more years like this so I can eat crow" crap. LOL. Meanwhile, the rest of us Kings fans are enjoying a much better year for the team than the "contract haters" predicted back in Oct 2017. Eat that.

 

[Frolov 6'3]

It really really pains Kings17 to see Kopi have a bounce back year so now it's like "well he better have 5 more years like this so I can eat crow" crap. LOL. Meanwhile, the rest of us Kings fans are enjoying a much better year for the team than the "contract haters" predicted back in Oct 2017. Eat that.

Well at least he still posts while others have disappeared. We will see them again if the Kings do miss the playoffs or with a first round PO exit.

Besides, what has happened to deaderhead "we need another top 4 defensman & top 6 player but I dont care about the cap" 28 ?

 

[johnjm22]

I've noticed a change in Kopitar's game since the back-to-back games against Vegas. Offensively he's holding on to the puck more.

I've always said that contrary to popular belief Kopitar is a better goalscorer than playmaker.

I wonder if he's finally realized this, or maybe Turgeon did.

 

[BigKing]

It doesn't pain him to see it. His point is that he doesn't think they have the team around him to be a Cup winner and his cap hit will preclude them from being able to do so in the future when he inevitably declines or has his "every other year poor season" that has occured the last four seasons.

I can guarantee he enjoys Kopitar playing this well and hopes he can for years and years. He just doesn't believe he will.

He's got two seasons under this contract. One was his worst and one was his best. Even during his best season, the Kings are scratching to get in to the playoffs. There is validity to his argument as it is big picture vs. "look at Kopitar's current season".

That being said, he's hoped he's wrong the entire time he's held this stance. Back when we all wanted to dump DL before the Cups, he was DL's top supporter on here. This isn't a case if being a Debbie Downer but rather a case of a person having a strong opinion that, if it happens, will suck for all of us.

He was right about DL: hopefully he is wrong about this. Unfortunately, Kopitar's amazing game last night doesn't close the case.

 

[Frolov 6'3]

Please, how big are the odds that this team will win another cup in the next 6 years, I would say, pretty slim.

With or without the caphit of Kopitar.

I can say, I also dont believe Kopitar will keep up this pace until 37. Wow, what a prediction.

 

[TruKingFan]

If he hopes he's wrong about his disdain for Kopi's contract then he should just shut up about it as no amount of bellyaching every time he's got a chance will change it.
Kopitar (and Brown for that matter) was instrumental in the 2 Cup runs. Do you think without those Cups Kopi and Brown would have signed a lesser contract?
Point is, whether we win another Cup or not with Kopi and Brown's (and very soon Doughty) contracts shouldn't matter at this time since they already delivered. And who can predict what kind of team we will have and what kind of league there will be when he's 37?

 

[Little Psycho]

The guy on the far right said a whole lot of nothing. Looks familiar. Retired player?

 

[Fishhead]

Where the Kings are in the standings this year has everything to do with Carter being out for an extended period. With him present, this team is clinched already or right on the verge of it. It's not really fair to say "Look at the Kings even when Kopitar is tearing it up" when there are other very significant factors at play. When healthy, this team is a contender. With both Kopitar and Carter in the lineup, this team is on a 119 point pace. Heading into the playoffs, the top guys are playing like top guys. Brown is pulling his weight. Gaborik has been replaced by something expensive, yet effective. Muzzin has looked better and better. Even Forbort is starting to play like a warrior. I can guarantee that other teams are looking to avoid the Kings regardless of where they are in the standings.

I love K17's posts though, even if I don't agree he always makes great points and always presents something to think about.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

The guy on the far right said a whole lot of nothing. Looks familiar. Retired player?

Yep, that's Mike Rupp. Usually like him. Tripped over his words here though

 

[SettlementRichie10]

What did he say that was so blasphemous?

He said what most of us have said: this team is hard to get a read on because they’re on some nights, off on others, and heavily rely on spectacular play from their stars.

This shouldn’t be controversial information. They looked great last night. Kopitar was an absolute beast, and of all the things I’ve doubted about the squad this year, Kopitar isn’t one of them.

But they also looked good in those back to backs against Vegas. And they followed it up with stinkers.

Rupp is completely correct. The Kings need to string together several wins here and build momentum going into the playoffs.

 

[Kingspiracy]

It doesn't pain him to see it. His point is that he doesn't think they have the team around him to be a Cup winner and his cap hit will preclude them from being able to do so in the future when he inevitably declines or has his "every other year poor season" that has occured the last four seasons.

I can guarantee he enjoys Kopitar playing this well and hopes he can for years and years. He just doesn't believe he will.

He's got two seasons under this contract. One was his worst and one was his best. Even during his best season, the Kings are scratching to get in to the playoffs. There is validity to his argument as it is big picture vs. "look at Kopitar's current season".

That being said, he's hoped he's wrong the entire time he's held this stance. Back when we all wanted to dump DL before the Cups, he was DL's top supporter on here. This isn't a case if being a Debbie Downer but rather a case of a person having a strong opinion that, if it happens, will suck for all of us.

He was right about DL: hopefully he is wrong about this. Unfortunately, Kopitar's amazing game last night doesn't close the case.

When you refer to "he" are talking about kopi or king17 or are they the same person?( Which would be some mad undercover action by either), spooky.

 

[2-4 Slashin]

Nice blow out. The **** storm that will be unleashed when they go from playing like this to back to how they have been on average this season is gonna be epic. Games like this are nice, but we all know consistency has been the number 1 issue for the Kings all season. I'll say they still have a playoff shot when they play like this 3+ games in a row.

Sadly, I’m very pissed to say... I can’t disagree with you... Yet.

 

[tny760]

sad a 4 goal night on the west coast that doesn't involve mcdavid gets a 2 page thread that i've been dragging along on the main board

should've dropped a few "generational"s to get the hype up

 

[Bandit]

sad a 4 goal night on the west coast that doesn't involve mcdavid gets a 2 page thread that i've been dragging along on the main board

should've dropped a few "generational"s to get the hype up

Everybody stays up to watch west coast games though, right? Buncha*****es.

 

[Ollie Weeks]

Hey I’m vested and even for me its getting hard to stay up some nights, with the performances we get.

The Kings play their best in the 3rd period aka 1230am est. Blarp.