Kings Article: How the Ducks and Kings matched up in the first two games

[TonySCV]

Great read.

http://www.jewelsfromthecrown.com/2...ucks-and-kings-matchup-in-the-first-two-games

"The Ducks tried to beat the Kings at their own game in the first two games but came up short.

Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry had a very successful regular season. Boudreau was betting that they could hold their own against Kopitar, and that his depth lines could carry them over the top given that they helped comprise the highest scoring team in the league this year.

Through two games that well went dry as the Ducks have only been able to convert on 4% of their shots. Perry and Getzlaf have managed 0 goals on 12 shots. And there play in game two lead Boudreau to comment that they were dominated by the Kopitar line."

"One cause for concern for LA is that Anaheim has been able to dictate the pace through the first two games.

While that may have been by design in game two given that LA played switched to a highly conservative style after gaining the lead, they’ll need to get back to playing a strong puck possession game to finish off the Ducks who likely won’t continue shooting 4%."

Click to read more...

 

[etherialone]

Very solid read and an interesting take.

 

[KingsCorona]

"One cause for concern for LA is that Anaheim has been able to dictate the pace through the first two games.

While that may have been by design in game two given that LA played switched to a highly conservative style after gaining the lead, they’ll need to get back to playing a strong puck possession game to finish off the Ducks who likely won’t continue shooting 4%."

Awesome the way Kopi's line handled the Ducks.
I do agree, though -- this "Prevent defense" stuff isn't what I like to see. When we won The Cup, a big part of it was an aggressive, suffocating forecheck that kept the puck on the other end, slowed movement through the neutral zone, and gave us more scoring chances. I'd like to see us get back to that. The Ducks are a skilled team and giving them so much offensive zone time is asking for trouble, I fear.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I agree but I also wouldn't read too much into it (game 2 that is). We were playing with the lead on the road with Jeff Schultz and Matt Greene in the lineup as well as numerous other guys banged up. I expect Game 3 to be different.

 

[ukyo]

Wow, that says a LOT about Sutter's confidence in our 2-4 lines if JFTC is right about him saving Kopitar on the bench just for the Getzlaf line.

 

[DoktorJeep]

These teams are done feeling each other out. Based on how ANA closed out the final minutes of game 2, and Getlaugh's quotes about being "pissed off", I can see a need for the Kings to maintain their composure early in Game 3. I wouldn't be surprised to see Dustin Brown do something early to stir the pot and try and get guys like Perry & RG off their games.

 

[Ollie Weeks]

Wow, that says a LOT about Sutter's confidence in our 2-4 lines if JFTC is right about him saving Kopitar on the bench just for the Getzlaf line.

Also, from comparing Stoll's shift numbers to Kopitar's at a glance, Stoll ate more minutes but Kopitar had several more shifts. Basically kind of what I mentioned in the other thread, Stoll is likely burning through stretches of extended play at ES, and Kopitar is a little more on-call for Getzlaf, special teams deployment, and other moments of opportunity. Sutter's showing very shrewd, selective deployment of Kopitar, who for all intents and purposes is a win-button.

In that particular Game 2 setting, defending a lead on the road, that's the correct tactical decision. I'd guess for Kopitar's minutes to be back up in Game 3, with home ice advantage to abuse.

 

[TonySCV]

I loved how Sutter immediately noticed that Boudreau stopped trying to shift Getzlaf with Kopitar (because it wasn't working) and then tried to get Kopitar out with Getzlaf at every opportunity anyway.

Now that Sutter has last change, it'll be interesting to see if that continues.

I know we all got used to it in 2012, but it's still absolutely devastating for the home team to drop both of the first two games of a series. It's one thing if the road team loses (they should more often than not, after all). It's a whole other mess if it's the home team.

 

[Jason Lewis]

Robert always kills it. One of the smartest guys out there covering the Kings right now IMO.