LAK 5 : EDM 2 - King me!

[Fishhead]

If that was true, Muzzin would not even sniff the Top 20 of advanced metrics or come close to CF60%

It's not true, if all of those Massive turn overs turned into goals, he wouldn't be a dominant defender.

How so? A guy could be on the ice for 20 shots for, and only 5 against. What if 3 of those are passes through the slot, picked off for goals? Corsi for is completely exclusive of turnovers, if any player turned the puck over enough that it had a significant impact on his Corsi there's no way he would even sniff the ice. Corsi just shows puck possession trends, not what the players do with said possessions.

I think he's completely developed into a dominant defender, he's really fun to watch now. I also don't think he made any more mistakes than any other rookie player breaking in to the league, but when he made them, many of them were gift-wrapped for goals.

 

[tsanuri]

I don't know what's up with Gaborik. Honestly, he doesn't look that dissimilar from last year - flashes of speed and skill, a few nice shots. He seemed to be in the right place at the right time all of last season. I don't even think he was crashing the net as hard last year as this year.

Idk. Can't explain it.

It's actually quite simple. He has fallen into the shooting percentage black hole. He's 5.8% below his career average. Which would equal almost 6 goals based off his shot totals.

 

[damacles1156]

How so? A guy could be on the ice for 20 shots for, and only 5 against. What if 3 of those are passes through the slot, picked off for goals? Corsi for is completely exclusive of turnovers, if any player turned the puck over enough that it had a significant impact on his Corsi there's no way he would even sniff the ice. Corsi just shows puck possession trends, not what the players do with said possessions.

I think he's completely developed into a dominant defender, he's really fun to watch now. I also don't think he made any more mistakes than any other rookie player breaking in to the league, but when he made them, many of them were gift-wrapped for goals.

It would show up in Muzzin's metrics, if every turnover he committed his rookie year, ended up in the net. Did Muzzin turn the puck over ? Yes, were they catastrophic all the time ? No.

 

[Fishhead]

In other news, the 3 points tonight gives Dustin Brown 2 more points (14) than Ryan Kesler, (12) in the battle of who really has the worst contract in the NHL.

Brown with 5 points in his last 4 games, and a bounce here or there it could have been 7 or 8. Playing much better.

It's really good to see. I haven't seen him actually carry the play consistently like he has lately in a long time. Fingers crossed that he's turning a corner and his production starts to mirror the massive amount of times he puts the puck on net.

King was impressive on his line too, it really makes it easier for Brown. Even though he missed 35 games, King is still on a pace for 141 points.

 

[damacles1156]

It's actually quite simple. He has fallen into the shooting percentage black hole. He's 5.8% below his career average. Which would equal almost 6 goals based off his shot totals.

I suspect it has to do with Gabo not going to the area's he needs to.

He has had too many games of floating this season.

 

[King'sPawn]

I agree with Weal, he has had trouble making (His) game translate on NHL ice.

It's why he keeps getting benched, he is giving Sutter nothing to work with, or build on.

I know it's going to sound like I'm tooting my own horn (well, maybe I am a bit), but it's a big reason why I had him ranked so low in my rankings for a very long time. I just didn't see his game translating into the NHL level, at least on the Kings. And it's even harder when the first few games especially he wasn't even playing his game.

Sorry but Gaborik has been just a drag on any line he joins. It's why his ice time continues to dwindle. Gaborik somehow managed to only play 13 mins again, and end up a -2 player tonight.

He is struggling, has been all season.

I suspect it's why Pearson is paired with Gabo, Pearson is the new J-Dub (try and get your teammates going).

I agree completely. Not really sure what's going on with him.

I will say, while I have always liked Weal, and seen him do a lot of real skilled stuff... I have seen him try even more.

Meaning, he is almost playing the percentages. Try a move often enough and your gonna nail it.
in the AHL games of his I had watched, I saw plenty of really good stuff, and at least a handful of him trying to do really good stuff... and it just not working.

I am starting to think the combo of facing better competition where he can't get away with ****, as well as being under scrutiny where he can't afford mistakes, therefore can't really go for it is gonna prevent him from really showing us anything? He needs to play a little more reckless, but I think maybe NHL players are too good for him to get away with that.

At the AHL, level, Weal was exceptional at stealing the puck away from opponents. At the NHL level, when players are more aware and communicate better, it's just not going to happen.

He also depended a lot on his ability to hang onto the puck and make plays. Again, at the NHL level, only very few players are gifted enough to hang onto the puck for long. If you can't do something with it right away, put it somewhere for your teammates to do something with it.

He's just not moving the puck smartly, and he's having to adjust to not being gifted enough to hang onto the puck against AHL talent like he used to be able to.

And don't get me wrong, I have no problems with Weal making mistakes (as you said, play reckless). As long as he's playing his game. His game is utilizing his vision and making skill plays. He needs to see the ice and play develop without the puck, because when he waits till he has the puck, it's too late.

 

[tsanuri]

I suspect it has to do with Gabo not going to the area's he needs to.

He has had too many games of floating this season.

Maybe but Brown is also still in the black hole. Even though he got a goal tonight. But he's also 5.7% off and even 2% off last years horrible shooting numbers. But his game has looked good all year.

 

[johnjm22]

Muzzin was oft criticized during his initial stint with the Kings, and during his rookie season. So was Martinez (more so than Muzzin)

McNabb hasn't developed as much as I thought he would by now, but he's shown flashes. I still think he's very capable of developing into an excellent 2nd pairing defenseman.

 

[Fishhead]

It would show up in Muzzin's metrics, if every turnover he committed his rookie year, ended up in the net.

It didn't.

Of course it would. But if even 5 of those giveaways end up in the net in a key situation, that's pretty significant and it's what many are remembering.

It's not like it's just one or two people who remember his terrible timing with gaffes. My section used to joke that his first name wasn't Jake, but Dammit, because of how often they said it.

 

[damacles1156]

Maybe but Brown is also still in the black hole. Even though he got a goal tonight. But he's also 5.7% off and even 2% off last years horrible shooting numbers. But his game has looked good all year.

I wouldn't contribute Browns poor production to just SH%, Brown is no longer skilled enough to play with Kopitar, or on the PP as much. Gaborik would probably be just fine if he would go back to the area's, he scores from.

In tight, around the net.

Have to remember though, that Gabo is 33 years old now, this may be what you get from now on. He may not be physically able to crash the net like he used too.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

I wouldn't contribute Browns poor production to just SH%, Brown is no longer skilled enough to play with Kopitar, or on the PP as much. Gaborik would probably be just fine if he would go back to the area's, he scores from.

In tight, around the net.

Have to remember though, that Gabo is 33 years old now, this may be what you get from now on. He may not be physically able to crash the net like he used too.

Seems a bit drastic to go from 28 goals at 32 years old to a handful at 33.

 

[damacles1156]

Seems a bit drastic to go from 28 goals at 32 years old to a handful at 33.

Dustin Brown, Mike Richards right before our eyes. Marion Hossa is on pace for a bad season, coming off a 66 point season. Getzlaf has two goals all year so far.


Heck look at Crosby....He is only 28.

We are almost 40 games into the season, this is not a small sample size.

 

[Reclamation Project]

Gabby is on pace for 16 goals, but I'd be shocked if he didn't hit 20. Far too much talent and intelligence to not hit 20.

 

[damacles1156]

Gabby is on pace for 16 goals, but I'd be shocked if he didn't hit 20. Far too much talent and intelligence to not hit 20.

At this point, 20G 20A would be ideal for Gabby, he is really behind in production.

It really does open your eyes to what Jagr is doing. Jagr is a freak of nature, just incredible.

 

[Trolfoli]

I did enjoy seeing vintage McMuffin show up against the Coyotes and almost cost the game.

Also McNabb has the ability to throw a hit that makes opposing teams lose their ****. This can come in handy in the playoffs. See the Vancouver/Arizona series.

Kinger's back!!!! Great guy for the half court game. He can slow it down and use his size to get position on defenders. He creates mismatches down low and was getting guys out of position because of it. He even got Brown and Lewis to score. Part of that may have been the team formerly know as the Oilers.

220 club... Kopitar/Lucic/King/Mersch/Nolan. That's a lot of size for opponents to handle. Go big or go home!!!

Edit: Gabby showed some speed with the puck today.... his game probably doesn't work well with Kings regular season mode enabled. As long as he can start turning it up the last month or so I really don't care if he takes the year off.

 

[Ollie Weeks]

Great to see King back and pushing our third line over the top. Really sparking with our other bottom six players who needed some love.

And congrats to Mersch!

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

How so? A guy could be on the ice for 20 shots for, and only 5 against. What if 3 of those are passes through the slot, picked off for goals? Corsi for is completely exclusive of turnovers, if any player turned the puck over enough that it had a significant impact on his Corsi there's no way he would even sniff the ice. Corsi just shows puck possession trends, not what the players do with said possessions.

I think he's completely developed into a dominant defender, he's really fun to watch now. I also don't think he made any more mistakes than any other rookie player breaking in to the league, but when he made them, many of them were gift-wrapped for goals.

Of course it would. But if even 5 of those giveaways end up in the net in a key situation, that's pretty significant and it's what many are remembering.

It's not like it's just one or two people who remember his terrible timing with gaffes. My section used to joke that his first name wasn't Jake, but Dammit, because of how often they said it.

You're not misremembering. I remember more than once talking about how the corsi metrics were hiding his plays.

It's really not a big deal and not a sword I care to die on, but we can't just sit here and pretend Muzzin didn't have a heaping ******** of BAD turnovers while he learned on the job. We took the good with the bad until he turned into absolute gold. Maybe he didn't make more mistakes in raw numbers, but his blooper reel of the top of my head would make Randy Jones blush. I appreciate what someone said earlier about 'pushing' his game and that's what made him better; I can fully agree with that. You have guys who turn the puck over while making big plays, that was Muzzin. He wasn't just turning the puck over on the boards repeatedly like Greene or something.

Hell you can have fantastic possession metrics and still let in a ****ton of goals, look at Karlsson.

These minutes are going to help McNabb be very very good in short order. Of course, when he plays down the lineup, he won't have a babysitter like Doughty, but he'll be much more prepared to face better players when they get the matchups and in much more manageable minutes.

 

[drugold]

Pretty much how I feel too. In no way did I think Muzzin would develop into the reliable beast he is today. I want to know who it was that saw the spark that the penguins gave up on.

Cmon now, everyone could see those happens. Muzzin had LOTS of turnovers that led directly to goals, and often at the worst possible time. He was terrible at handling pressure when he first started.

Now, I think it's one of his strengths, he's so much calmer back there. And the reason we remember those once in a while things is because he did them way more than anyone else.

 

[KingsFan7824]

 

[SettlementRichie10]

The best we can hope for with Mcnabb is that he turns into a poor man's Kronwall, I think. He has that style of defending.

 

[bob77]

DD seems to love playing like that. He's actually quite smart at being able to conserve his energy.
But I don't like seeing him play that much.

Well DD was conserving energy on their second goal. He couldn't get to his man out front. If he's conserving energy, then he's not being as effective as he could be if he had more energy. He's just so damn good that he gets away with it most of the time. If he played fewer minutes, I'd think we'd see more spectacular shifts, as opposed to just trying to get through all of them.

 

[TwzKing]

On gabbo, he doesn't need to light world up right now. Just play effective hockey and save those goals for later in the season and playoffs. He'll turn it around.

 

[damacles1156]

You're not misremembering. I remember more than once talking about how the corsi metrics were hiding his plays.

It's really not a big deal and not a sword I care to die on, but we can't just sit here and pretend Muzzin didn't have a heaping ******** of BAD turnovers while he learned on the job. We took the good with the bad until he turned into absolute gold. Maybe he didn't make more mistakes in raw numbers, but his blooper reel of the top of my head would make Randy Jones blush. I appreciate what someone said earlier about 'pushing' his game and that's what made him better; I can fully agree with that. You have guys who turn the puck over while making big plays, that was Muzzin. He wasn't just turning the puck over on the boards repeatedly like Greene or something.

Hell you can have fantastic possession metrics and still let in a ****ton of goals, look at Karlsson.

These minutes are going to help McNabb be very very good in short order. Of course, when he plays down the lineup, he won't have a babysitter like Doughty, but he'll be much more prepared to face better players when they get the matchups and in much more manageable minutes.

No one is saying that Muzzin didn't make mistakes. No one is saying that.

But what is not true, is that he did it all the time. That is simply not true.

Muzzin didn't do it all the time, not even close. Just like the narrative of (McNabb has never played well), that is also not true. McNabb had stretches of very good play last season.

If all of your turnovers are catastrophic, you are Jack Johnson. Erik Karlssson for the amount of touches he makes per game, actually turns the puck over not that much.

 

[Sydor25]

Gaborik seemed to have his skating legs last night, but not enough drive to the net. I would like to see Lucic play with Gaborik and Carter when he gets back.

Pearson-Kopitar-Toffoli
Lucic-Carter-Gaborik
King-Lewis-Brown
Mersch-Shore-Nolan/Andreoff (not sure if he can play RW)

That 3rd line can create some matchup problems in the playoffs for other teams. They certainly gave Edmonton fits last night, too bad Edmonton isn't a playoff team.

 

[mrkolice]

Well DD was conserving energy on their second goal. He couldn't get to his man out front. If he's conserving energy, then he's not being as effective as he could be if he had more energy. He's just so damn good that he gets away with it most of the time. If he played fewer minutes, I'd think we'd see more spectacular shifts, as opposed to just trying to get through all of them.

pretty much this, and the same goes with kopi. anticipating a huge toi in a certain game equals in playing a smarter game, with calculating battery level/award ratio all the time. dd & kopi cannot afford a loose and sprinting game in this regard, it's more like running a marathon. with such a toi they had to adapt and still they're smart and skilled enough to keep their production stats very high.