LAK 4 : WAS 3 - Tackle this, *****.

[Ollie Weeks]

Scuderi got pressed by the Washington ****ing Capitals. K.

Maybe he shouldn't be playing 23 minutes against them. But he - and the team - can handle just about that against most other teams.

KP has it right, he's being put through his paces by Sutter, testing what he can handle.

 

[cyclones22]

Maybe I'm in the minority, but I'm not too worried about Scuderi. He has been getting very little time and minimal minutes throughout the season, and he probably has his confidence down a bit reticent of December 2011.

Sutter is trying to get him in game shape for the playoffs while still trying to boost his confidence. You can see how quickly Scuderi defers the puck to Doughty even when it may not be the best play. That's not a skill or endurance issue. That's mental.

I'm not expecting him to return to 2012 form. But I think some evaluations have been overstated.

I agree. And I'm not sure I'd pin those goals on him. Rebound on the PK. Lucic's stick getting broken on a slapshot trying to block a shot. A horrible line change by our forwards that left our defensemen out to dry. For the most part, he's been solid in his return.

 

[YP44]

As probably the only guy who broke his hand punching an inanimate object (not Scuderi) last month due to his DVR effing up the recording of the Caps game in Washington, last night's win was mighty nice.

Scuderi can't be logging those many minutes. I sit on the end where the visitors shoot twice...think I said Scuderi immediately before all three goals.

Is that you in the luc jersey in your avatar?

May I ask what you punched?

 

[TonySCV]

Scuderi got pressed by the Washington ****ing Capitals. K.

Maybe he shouldn't be playing 23 minutes against them. But he - and the team - can handle just about that against most other teams.

KP has it right, he's being put through his paces by Sutter, testing what he can handle.

It's also the quality of competition. The Kings have been playing some very high caliber teams of late. Scuderi has been exposed because (as you said), he's playing a ton more minutes than he probably should be.

Sutter is evaluating, and he'll come to the right decision with Scuderi, whatever that may be (play him less, sit him, change up partners, etc.). Sutter is trying to get Scuderi in physical shape. The Kings have a 20 point division cushion. Sutter can afford to turn games into practices if he wants.

 

[gnarls barkley]

I agree. And I'm not sure I'd pin those goals on him. Rebound on the PK. Lucic's stick getting broken on a slapshot trying to block a shot. A horrible line change by our forwards that left our defensemen out to dry. For the most part, he's been solid in his return.

he could have been positioned better on that first Oshie goal, but even that is hard to really fault on him much. I was really pleased with his stick-work at the blueline overall though, seems like he plays there very well actually.

 

[BigKing]

Is that you in the luc jersey in your avatar?

May I ask what you punched?

Yes.

Bar stool in my place. Sober. Seat appeared to have a lot of cushion...optical illusion.

As for Scuderi, I'm not crapping on him completely but rather stating that he can't handle the amount of minutes he is getting and I don't expect him to look good playing 20 minutes against any playoff team, be it the great eams we've played of late or an eight seed.

I don't think Sutter is testing things...I think Sutter trusts him more than any of the other options at #5-7 defense. That's my concern.

He does need to be sheltered. That means he is playing with Doughty. He can't be paired with anyone else or it will be horrific.

 

[gnarls barkley]

Yes.

Bar stool in my place. Sober. Seat appeared to have a lot of cushion...optical illusion.

As for Scuderi, I'm not crapping on him completely but rather stating that he can't handle the amount of minutes he is getting and I don't expect him to look good playing 20 minutes against any playoff team, be it the great eams we've played of late or an eight seed.

I don't think Sutter is testing things...I think Sutter trusts him more than any of the other options at #5-7 defense. That's my concern.

He does need to be sheltered. That means he is playing with Doughty. He can't be paired with anyone else or it will be horrific.

I trust him more than any other 5-7 option we have for D, like I said before though I think that the only issue right now is his TOI - get that down to ~18 minutes instead of over 20 and it's fine. McNabb can handle a few extra shifts with Doughty and spreading out the minutes will keep everyone fresher for the playoff grind.

Although I will admit that McNabb/Schenn as a 3rd pairing looks surprisingly much more stable than I'd have imagined.

 

[BigKing]

I trust him more than any other 5-7 option we have for D, like I said before though I think that the only issue right now is his TOI - get that down to ~18 minutes instead of over 20 and it's fine. McNabb can handle a few extra shifts with Doughty and spreading out the minutes will keep everyone fresher for the playoff grind.

Although I will admit that McNabb/Schenn as a 3rd pairing looks surprisingly much more stable than I'd have imagined.

Not completely arguing the 5-7 option (would like more Gravel) but 18 minutes is Top 4 and not #6 minutes.

I'd like 12 minutes. Going to have to play some guys like Chicago's bottom pairing in the playoffs last year when their Top 4 played the entire game.

 

[gnarls barkley]

Not completely arguing the 5-7 option (would like more Gravel) but 18 minutes is Top 4 and not #6 minutes.

I'd like 12 minutes. Going to have to play some guys like Chicago's bottom pairing in the playoffs last year when their Top 4 played the entire game.

I know 18 minutes is top 4, but I'm being realistic. They brought him in because he played with Doughty well before, and they obviously view him as more than a 6-7. Sutter is going to give him more minutes than he probably should get, but that's how it goes. I'd like to see more Gravel too but I don't expect to see him playing consistent minutes until next season.

If they do play a Chicago-style D core and lean heavily on the top 4...he's gonna be one of those four. That's pretty obvious at this point, unless he's single-handedly losing them games (and I really really hope it doesn't come to that). I don't think he's THAT bad - I honestly like him much better than McNabb on that top pairing, it really did help smooth out our D issues - but I also think that anything near 20 minutes is a potential liability down the stretch.

 

[Trolfoli]

OK.. you don't give an Alcoholic a bottle of Whiskey to hold. You don't give Sutter an aging veteran D that may not be able to handle top pairing minuets because that's what's going to happen.

I don't see where else Scuderi is going to play in the lineup. Scuderi/Schenn could be brutal. Kings just have to hope it doesn't get too bad.

 

[driller1]

OK.. you don't give an Alcoholic a bottle of Whiskey to hold. You don't give Sutter an aging veteran D that may not be able to handle top pairing minuets because that's what's going to happen.

I don't see where else Scuderi is going to play in the lineup. Scuderi/Schenn could be brutal. Kings just have to hope it doesn't get too bad.

Someone mentioned it earlier, but wouldn't mind seeing McNabb with Doughty for a few shifts, like the 2nd period for example. Taking 4 shifts away results in about a 3 minute decrease in TOI.

 

[Little Psycho]

So Matt Greene was practicing today. Kings are gonna be slow as **** if he enters the line up.

 

[Trolfoli]

Someone mentioned it earlier, but wouldn't mind seeing McNabb with Doughty for a few shifts, like the 2nd period for example. Taking 4 shifts away results in about a 3 minute decrease in TOI.

Then Scuderi's still out there in the 3rd with the game on the line. Great!

The Troll in me loves this plan.

 

[Trolfoli]

So Matt Greene was practicing today. Kings are gonna be slow as **** if he enters the line up.

Perfect!!!

Muzzin/Doughty
Martinez/Schenn
Scuderi/Greene

This is awesome!!! That's a cup caliber D right there.

(Sometimes I'm not sure if I'm delusional or if the sarcasm switch is permanently turned to the on position. **** it... next stop crazy town!!! Lead the way Lombardi!!)

 

[Ollie Weeks]

I may eat crow later, but right now I'm so over Greene being a part of the team.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Greene, Schenn, Scuds, McNabb. Only three will be in the lineup at once. Not much different than where we're at now. Getting Greene back as a depth option? THat's better than Schultz, imo. Plus, his locker room presence period.

My issue with Scuds was merely minutes. His first game here was much more in line with how things should be down the stretch, imo...IIRC everyone was 15 minutes and up, Doughty was at like 25. Even things out and keep people fresh (although there's maybe merit to skating Scuds into shape). The problem for a while there was the bottom d getting 9 minutes and Doughty getting 35.

 

[Fishhead]

For all the *****ing, this team is allowing 1.83 GA/G since Valentine's Day.

Not saying they can't be better, but I don't find the situation as dire as some I guess. Even with these slow guys, turnover machines, and fossils back there, the Kings are tied for the best defensive team in the league.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

For all the *****ing, this team is allowing 1.83 GA/G since Valentine's Day.

Not saying they can't be better, but I don't find the situation as dire as some I guess. Even with these slow guys, turnover machines, and fossils back there, the Kings are tied for the best defensive team in the league.

I agree. It's actually been magnified by bad offense, heh. But I guess that's what happens when your team is playing 2-1 games like it's the playoffs, you notice every bad defensive play because the potential of overcoming a goal against is not good.

 

[Trolfoli]

For all the *****ing, this team is allowing 1.83 GA/G since Valentine's Day.

Not saying they can't be better, but I don't find the situation as dire as some I guess. Even with these slow guys, turnover machines, and fossils back there, the Kings are tied for the best defensive team in the league.

I don't really care about regular season numbers... out side of Kinger's goals... The question is can the D make it happen in the playoffs against the best teams. We just saw a 3rd period 3 goal lead get blown away. That doesn't make me feel warm and fuzzy.

 

[cyclones22]

For all the *****ing, this team is allowing 1.83 GA/G since Valentine's Day.

Not saying they can't be better, but I don't find the situation as dire as some I guess. Even with these slow guys, turnover machines, and fossils back there, the Kings are tied for the best defensive team in the league.

It's because this forum is now filled with spoiler mother****ers. Being the best in the league isn't enough. You have to be comparable to the ghosts of 2012 and 2014 otherwise meh. And this team got to 40 wins faster than any Kings team. Unsustainable!

 

[BigKing]

It's because this forum is now filled with spoiler mother****ers. Being the best in the league isn't enough. You have to be comparable to the ghosts of 2012 and 2014 otherwise meh. And this team got to 40 wins faster than any Kings team. Unsustainable!

Well, they are contenders so that is what i compare them to: other contenders.

Feel this team can beat anyone but that doesn't mean we can't be a bit scared of the weak links on the team. Chicago won it all last year with an abortion of a 3rd pairing but the Kings don't usually score like they do.

The Chicago game will be interesting on Monday to see how the current six on the back end handle an offensive team on the road.

 

[Trolfoli]

It's because this forum is now filled with spoiler mother****ers. Being the best in the league isn't enough. You have to be comparable to the ghosts of 2012 and 2014 otherwise meh. And this team got to 40 wins faster than any Kings team. Unsustainable!

In the last week they dropped 2 to the Ducks, blew a 3 goal lead to the Caps. This isn't good. The only matches that matter at this point are the Sharks/Ducks/Hawks/Caps. Kings have been looking a little rocky.

The only reason the offense is functioning right now requires a line up where Lecavalier is the 2C and Lewis is the 3C. That is not ideal either.

Team has holes. It's going to take a lot of luck. Like Brown scoring kind of luck... maybe more then once.

 

[Bandit]

For all the *****ing, this team is allowing 1.83 GA/G since Valentine's Day.

Not saying they can't be better, but I don't find the situation as dire as some I guess. Even with these slow guys, turnover machines, and fossils back there, the Kings are tied for the best defensive team in the league.

Yup. If Carter and Toffoli can get going again at the right time along with Kopitar and Lucic, watch out! Chin nuts for the rest of the league.

 

[TonySCV]

For all the *****ing, this team is allowing 1.83 GA/G since Valentine's Day.

Not saying they can't be better, but I don't find the situation as dire as some I guess. Even with these slow guys, turnover machines, and fossils back there, the Kings are tied for the best defensive team in the league.

I few all of this Scuderi/McNabb/Schultz/Greene *****ing as nitpicking. Team defense is NOT the problem. Offense? Brown? HELL YES. Dean is going to have to pull pixie dust out of his ass to get rid of Brown's albatross contract (or just a lot of money on a buyout this summer).

 

[Tijuana Trotz]

Or maybe brown has a great playoffs and some team will bite with minimal retained