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GDT: Kings@Hurricanes 4PM PST

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Kopitar is trending upward
Budaj filling in better than we had hoped, I think he is better and more confident now than when the season started.
Team floating around the 8th spot at All star break. When Quick went down I was hoping they would be right where they are. Ok I was hoping that the offense was leading the way to make up for bad goal tending. Now with Quick maybe out all season, my hope is the offense just gets back to Kings average and Budaj stays where he is now.
I just hope that there is no trade the "helps" this year but hurts long term.
 
Budaj's stat line keeps getting better.

45GP (2nd in NHL)
22-14-0-3
2.06GAA (4th in NHL)
.919SV%
5SO (2nd in NHL)
 
I always said goaltending was the least of this team's problems (so long as Zatkoff wasn't in). Budaj has played well enough to win games, it's the team that averages one or two goals a game that's been letting the team down.

It's a reason why I hate seeing people using Quick's injury as an excuse for their position in the standings. Quick isn't going to get this team to score more goals or improve the powerplay.
 
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This team is the worst. Oilers doing better this season. Worst contracts in the league. No prospects. Worst coach in the history of the Kings. Melrose was better than Sutter. Everyone sell off their kings gear at dirt cheap prices. Thx.
 
Ziggy Stardust said:
I always said goaltending was the least of this team's problems (so long as Zatkoff wasn't in). Budaj has played well enough to win games, it's the team that averages one or two goals a game that's been letting the team down.

It's a reason why I hate seeing people using Quick's injury as an excuse for their position in the standings. Quick isn't going to get this team to score more goals or improve the powerplay.
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If Zatkoff wasn't having a really bad career worst season on a goalie friendly team, or Budaj played a few more games instead, they would probably be comfortably in a playoff spot right now.

If some of the highly paid guys up front were even just a little more productive, they would probably be comfortably in a playoff spot right now.

Ended the east coast road trip with some big wins. Now they have Arizona and Colorado next. Can't waste these next 4 potential points.
 
KingsFan7824 said:
If Zatkoff wasn't having a really bad career worst season on a goalie friendly team, or Budaj played a few more games instead, they would probably be comfortably in a playoff spot right now.

If some of the highly paid guys up front were even just a little more productive, they would probably be comfortably in a playoff spot right now.

Ended the east coast road trip with some big wins. Now they have Arizona and Colorado next. Can't waste these next 4 potential points.
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It's a start reminder of 2014-15 and how disastrous that season was with all of the games they lost to teams they normally would have disposed of (in 60 minutes no less) the season prior.

Their inability to win in regulation and their awful record in OT/SO was their doom that season. Should they fail to reach the playoffs for a second time in three seasons, the built in excuse will automatically point to Quick, but it's evident that is not the case so long as Budaj is in net.

Budaj is tied for 7th in the league in wins, right alongside Carey Price, and has more wins than Lundqvist, Gibson, Crawford, Rinne, etc.

If anyone on this team has deserved a contract extension based on performance, it's him. He's earned the trust of his teammates and at the very least should be brought back as the permanent backup goalie once Quick is ready (and hopefully that'll be in October).

Quite the story with him and how not long ago it looked like his career was over. Tim Thomas was a late bloomer when he took over the net in Boston, so there's that smidgen of hope that the Kings have a similar thing going with Budaj.
 
Ziggy Stardust said:
It's a start reminder of 2014-15 and how disastrous that season was with all of the games they lost to teams they normally would have disposed of (in 60 minutes no less) the season prior.

Their inability to win in regulation and their awful record in OT/SO was their doom that season. Should they fail to reach the playoffs for a second time in three seasons, the built in excuse will automatically point to Quick, but it's evident that is not the case so long as Budaj is in net.
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They were 37-27 in regulation in 14-15, which is the most wins, and tied for the fewest losses, since they got good again. They were 24-16 in 2013. What did them in that year was the blown leads at home against Calgary, 1-7 and 2-8 records in OT and the SO, and then not showing up in the last week of the season.

Other than 11-12, Budaj is putting up roughly the same numbers Quick has in other years. Some even better up to this point. Is the team playing more defensive to help Budaj more than Quick? Maybe? Someone with a keener eye for that might be able to answer it, but I know Sutter has said that if you're actually playing defense, you're doing it wrong. Are they throwing even more nothing shots on net, just to keep the puck away from Budaj? Again, maybe?
 
Ziggy Stardust said:
I always said goaltending was the least of this team's problems (so long as Zatkoff wasn't in). Budaj has played well enough to win games, it's the team that averages one or two goals a game that's been letting the team down.

It's a reason why I hate seeing people using Quick's injury as an excuse for their position in the standings. Quick isn't going to get this team to score more goals or improve the powerplay.
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true enough, but you can count on Quick for those huge saves when the team needs em and that has immense value in itself. Zatkoff is nowhere to be found in these situations and Budaj cant always bail the team out (although he has been lately). plus Quick can win in shootouts, I feel like Budaj is incapable of making saves in the SO. Quick gives this team confidence because they know he will come through and that is important. he is one of the best when it comes influencing in-game momentum
 
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KingsFan7824 said:
They were 37-27 in regulation in 14-15, which is the most wins, and tied for the fewest losses, since they got good again. They were 24-16 in 2013. What did them in that year was the blown leads at home against Calgary, 1-7 and 2-8 records in OT and the SO, and then not showing up in the last week of the season.

Other than 11-12, Budaj is putting up roughly the same numbers Quick has in other years. Some even better up to this point. Is the team playing more defensive to help Budaj more than Quick? Maybe? Someone with a keener eye for that might be able to answer it, but I know Sutter has said that if you're actually playing defense, you're doing it wrong. Are they throwing even more nothing shots on net, just to keep the puck away from Budaj? Again, maybe?
Click to expand...

Few observations--

1. This might be the best d-core we've had since 2012. Mobile, defensive, smart.

2. Possession. WE're actually down this year, but we've spent a lot of time in our own zone--but that means less rush chances and odd breakdowns like we saw from the Muzzin and Martinez pairing. How many games over the last few years have we had dominant possession only to have the other team get a glorious 2-on-1? Right now, teams set up in our zone, but we've done a great Terry Murray job of mostly protecting home plate. In other words, I'd argue there are fewer really dangerous chances. But to your question about throwing more nothing "possession" shots, we're not. And we're allowing more shots, less possession, but less actual scoring chances. Suggests better actual defending, not just overpowering possession on offense.

2017: CF% 54.4 (2nd), CA/60: 49.60 (1st), Scoring Chances Against/60: 6.89 (6th)

2016: CF%:56.37% (1st), CA/60: 48.95 (1st), SCA/60: 7.43 (8th)

2015: CF%: 55.35 (1st), CA/60: 48.46 (2nd), SCA/60: 7.25 (8th)

2014: CF% 56.82 (1st), 47.60 (2nd), SCA/60: 7.30 (11th)

3. Budaj's always been 'good' and we've minimized his weaknesses with good defense--he's smaller and vulnerable to getting sniped, but when was the last time a great shooter had a clear shot? Plus, when his confidence is soaring, he's really wonderful. BUt when he gets shook, he's shook and doesn't seem to recover, which is likely why he's never been a stable #1 (and in this era, size too). Also, while he's pleasantly surprised me with his ability to see pucks through traffic, I've noticed what seems like a vast decline (i'll try to follow up by looking at shot heat maps later) in point shots through traffic, which was messing Quick up the last few years. I remember the job we did on Burns and NOTHING like that was happening the last few years. It was one part Quick struggling with tracking, one part a complete inability to block shots effective and instead creating screens.
 
Raccoon Jesus said:
Few observations--

1. This might be the best d-core we've had since 2012. Mobile, defensive, smart.

2. Possession. WE're actually down this year, but we've spent a lot of time in our own zone--but that means less rush chances and odd breakdowns like we saw from the Muzzin and Martinez pairing. How many games over the last few years have we had dominant possession only to have the other team get a glorious 2-on-1? Right now, teams set up in our zone, but we've done a great Terry Murray job of mostly protecting home plate. In other words, I'd argue there are fewer really dangerous chances. But to your question about throwing more nothing "possession" shots, we're not. And we're allowing more shots, less possession, but less actual scoring chances. Suggests better actual defending, not just overpowering possession on offense.

2017: CF% 54.4 (2nd), CA/60: 49.60 (1st), Scoring Chances Against/60: 6.89 (6th)

2016: CF%:56.37% (1st), CA/60: 48.95 (1st), SCA/60: 7.43 (8th)

2015: CF%: 55.35 (1st), CA/60: 48.46 (2nd), SCA/60: 7.25 (8th)

2014: CF% 56.82 (1st), 47.60 (2nd), SCA/60: 7.30 (11th)

3. Budaj's always been 'good' and we've minimized his weaknesses with good defense--he's smaller and vulnerable to getting sniped, but when was the last time a great shooter had a clear shot? Plus, when his confidence is soaring, he's really wonderful. BUt when he gets shook, he's shook and doesn't seem to recover, which is likely why he's never been a stable #1 (and in this era, size too). Also, while he's pleasantly surprised me with his ability to see pucks through traffic, I've noticed what seems like a vast decline (i'll try to follow up by looking at shot heat maps later) in point shots through traffic, which was messing Quick up the last few years. I remember the job we did on Burns and NOTHING like that was happening the last few years. It was one part Quick struggling with tracking, one part a complete inability to block shots effective and instead creating screens.
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Out team defense has always been great, even last year. The big question mark last year was that we did not have mobile defenseman, and played guys like Scuderi, Schenn, McBain and McNabb against the Sharks during the playoffs. Now, our defense has been revamped, with Forbort, Gravel, and healthy Martinez, which has made a world of a difference.

Unfortunately, out lineup is lacking enough top 6 forwards and there is no quick fix to that problem with no cap space beyond this year or assets to pull of a trade.
 
Good game. My only comment is that Forbort was a force that game. So stout defensively, and made smart transition plays. Loving how he's coming along.
 
AlphaBravo said:
I know everyone's hearts warms up when they hear of Jim Fox, but objectively the guy is very annoying. I can't wait till he is replaced.
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He started to slide a bit once the Kings started to make the playoffs again but he's like Hayward level since 2012.

If I was not a Kings fan, I'd have no problem hating the guy's commentary. Ultra homer.

I echo the sentiments of those that said Ralph should take over for Bob when it is time. Easily the best replacement so far.

Thought Thorne was the worst.
 
I feel like people aren't giving Budaj enough credit.

He's gotten better as the season has gone along. An argument could be made that he's our team MVP right now (him or Carter).
 
johnjm22 said:
I feel like people aren't giving Budaj enough credit.

He's gotten better as the season has gone along. An argument could be made that he's our team MVP right now (him or Carter).
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I think the people on this board have given Budaj all the credit he deserves. Under the Kings system, we just need a goalie that can play at an NHL level and make the saves he is supposed to save, unlike Zatkoff, who has been a complete disaster. Like Jim Fox keeps saying, Budaj has maximized his skill set to the best that he can. Remember he was a 3rd string goalie playing in the NHL until the Quick injury. He has gone above and beyond. But with Budaj, you just have to expect a soft goal or two every 4 games or so.
 
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