Kings Article: LA Kings Are Showing Signs Of Shaken Confidence, Frustration, Tension

[FrozenRoyalty]

The fact that the Los Angeles Kings suffered an embarrassing 4-0 loss to the Detroit Red Wings on January 5 was bad. But even worse is that there are indications that things could be even worse than this loss might indicate.

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LA Kings Are Showing Signs Of Shaken Confidence, Frustration, Tension

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[PJ Kings Hockey]

As soon as the final horn sounded, Kings players skated to goaltender Jeff Zatkoff, as they usually do with whomever is in goal. But Zatkoff, who had been victimized by blatant turnovers and blown coverages by Kings skaters on all four Detroit goals, appeared to want to have nothing to do with that. In fact, he skated straight to the bench—quicker than usual—and into the dressing room, appearing to completely ignore his teammates.

Zatkoff has the reputation of being a great team guy and a really nice guy, so he had to be pretty upset to zip off the ice as quickly as he could. I don't know if he was more upset at himself or the team's defensive lapses. I feel bad for the guy. He gets supplanted as back-up by Budaj after getting the groin injury and when he finally gets a game, everybody craps the bed.

Dowd's line was hot for awhile, but not lately. Without scoring from the 1st and 3rd line, the load is almost completely falling on Carter's line. The 4th line is certainly hustling out there, doing their best with their skillset.

 

[KingsFan7824]

Dowd's line was hot for awhile, but not lately. Without scoring from the 1st and 3rd line, the load is almost completely falling on Carter's line. The 4th line is certainly hustling out there, doing their best with their skillset.

Which one is the 4th line again?

Pearson/Carter/Setoguchi - 35 goals
Clifford/Dowd/Lewis - 11 goals
King/Shore/Nolan - 10 goals
Gaborik/Kopitar/Brown - 8 goals

Signs of shaken confidence, frustration, and tension have to have been building for most of the last 208 games. Couldn't win a must win game in Edmonton late in 2015. Couldn't hold a 3-0 lead at home against Winnipeg in the last game last year. Since 3v3 OT, they're about .500 in regulation(below .500 this year), and propped up by the OT point. That does a lot of nothing come playoff time, as they're a quiet 1-4(0-3 at home) in the last 2 years in the most important games.

It's a decent sample size at this point.

 

[PJ Kings Hockey]

Which one is the 4th line again?

Pearson/Carter/Setoguchi - 35 goals
Clifford/Dowd/Lewis - 11 goals
King/Shore/Nolan - 10 goals
Gaborik/Kopitar/Brown - 8 goals

Signs of shaken confidence, frustration, and tension have to have been building for most of the last 208 games. Couldn't win a must win game in Edmonton late in 2015. Couldn't hold a 3-0 lead at home against Winnipeg in the last game last year. Since 3v3 OT, they're about .500 in regulation(below .500 this year), and propped up by the OT point. That does a lot of nothing come playoff time, as they're a quiet 1-4(0-3 at home) in the last 2 years in the most important games.

It's a decent sample size at this point.

2nd line scoring more than the other 3 lines combined? That isn't even including Toffoli. That is messed up. Interesting stats you provided. When I think of OT scoring, I primarily think of Carter, Marty, and Pearson. Again, the 2nd line. That Winnipeg game stings ore than any other single game in the last 2 years for me.

I don't question this team's heart. They just needs more goal-scoring ability and the rookies need to keep maturing...fast. Muzzin needs to change some key habits, whatever they are, to get back his game. The team has had a great GA record, but something is breaking down at key times.

 

[member 88115]

Dowds' line was the best hockey when Andy-Dowd-Brown played together. Since Andy came back, he has only 4th line or been benched. But this team need Muzzin to get his head out of his @ss and Kopitar needs to start gelling with whoever he plays with. Because he has had opportunity with Pearson and Toffoli at different times in the year and Sutter took those wingers out and played them with Carter.