GDT: Los Angeles Kings at Edmonton Oilers | Tuesday, April 7, 2015 - 6:30PM (PDT)

[Reclamation Project]

They were actually saying on the Canucks broadcast last night that they feel he should be the front runner.

...

The NHL coaches have spoken to TSN’s Bob McKenzie as part of his end of season coaches poll for the various NHL awards and other fun fodder. And the results … some predictable (Carey Price as the Hart Trophy winner is a slam dunk). Others may be a little surprising.

McKenzie enlisted the services of 10 coaches in the Eastern Conference, and then 10 in the Western Conference.

Furthermore...

According to this poll, Erik Karlsson was the clear cut winner for the Norris Trophy. Yup, the award that’s supposed to be given to the best all-around defenseman.

Again, this is 10 coaches in the East and 10 in the West, and not the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association, which has certain chapters with higher numbers than others. So you therefore have to put a different type of stock into it than the typical Norris voting group.

The Senators’ captain struggled mightily through much of the NHL’s first quarter but, like his team, Karlsson has surged to be a dominant if still inconsistent shooting star who leads all blueliners in scoring.

Nevertheless, Karlsson received eight first-place votes, twice as many as Los Angeles King Doughty (4) and four times as many as the only other two blueliners – teammates Shea Weber and Roman Josi, two apiece – to get multiple first-place votes.

And per the story, with Mark Giordano out with an injury after 61 games played, “You’re right,†one coach commiserated, “the Norris is impossible this year.â€

Karlsson is a wonderful player, and clearly the most valuable skater on Ottawa. His ability to move the puck up ice and skate it out of trouble is unmatched. And he can score, leading blueliners with 65 points this year.

But is he the best all-around defenseman this year? Remember, the Norris Trophy is given to the blueliner who “demonstrates the greatest all-round ability in the position.†While Karlsson’s offensive numbers are unmatched, does he have a better offensive/defensive balance than Weber or Doughty? Plus, do we knock out Giordano just because he’s hurt?

Karlsson’s advanced stats have always been good, his Corsi is at 6.00 5-on-5 according to Behind the Net. Weber’s aren’t so great at minus-0.89. But Weber’s Offensive-zone starts (45.6 percent) vs. Karlsson’s (52.3 percent) are slightly indicative of which defenseman is more trustworthy in his own end.

And Doughty … he’s at plus-11.45 5-on-5 and his o-zone starts are at 52.8 percent. But he plays 2:41 shorthanded minutes per-game to Karlsson’s plays 32 shorthanded seconds per-game. Weber? He plays 2:28 on the PK per-contest.

Apparently coaches think a defenseman who doesn't play on the penalty kill deserves a trophy given to the best all-around defenseman.

 

[Captain Mittens*]

You guys remind me of us from like 2003-2008.

It's worse for them. Just imagine if in 2008 the Kings got Barry Melrose for a GM instead of Lombardi.
We had hope from 06-08, while they have been getting kicked in the balls over and over.

 

[tsanuri]

Looks like Jones gets the call.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

@RP--I'm a big fan of you can't fault a guy for his utilization, i.e. it would be silly to punish a guy because his coach uses his skills to make him most successful, but it's not as if Karlsson is surrounded by fantastic dmen. I mean, for the Kings, it makes sense to have Mitchell-Greene PKing on one unit and Doughty with whoever (REgehr?) on another; but to get such precious little PK time matches the eye test about his defensive abilities.

Now honestly I think Karlsson should be even better at the PK than at even strength really, just because of his IQ and getting the stick in passing lanes to go along with his ability, but coaching repeatedly puts him only on offense. He's elite at that, sure, but watching him fumble around defensively is sometimes Mike Green at his worst.

I'm a guy that likes Karlsson a lot more than the average HFer but my goodness everyone proclaiming that he's even close to Weber, Doughty, Giordano, et. al. at the defensive game blows my mind...and it's unfortunate because he has all the tools, he just doesn't have the focus.

 

[TonySCV]

Glad to see Jones getting a chance, and honestly, if The Kings can't beat Edmonton regardless of who is in net, they deserve to be golfing.

Thought for sure Sutter would go with Quick, but he's dealing with a fatigued goalie.

 

[tsanuri]

From the scores we either blow them out or lose. 6/5/8 in our 3 wins.

 

[HookKing]

Blues are losing, why is every regular season torture for this team's fans.

 

[Scottkmlps]

...
Furthermore...

That last line says it all. It's a points race. It's been that way for decades. That's why they should have a completely different trophy for the top scoring d-man.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

So, will the Kings make Richard Bachman Turner Overdrive look like Bill Ranford tonight? It was almost impossible for the Kings to beat the Oilers when they faced Ranford in net, especially for three consecutive playoffs in 1990, 91 and 92.

 

[DocWest]

We are ****ed. He's playing to honor his brother.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Two turnovers due to fumbled pucks by Williams on his first shift. Good to see he doesn't miss a beat.

 

[kingsfan28]

Jones in tonight, Quick could use the break.

 

[TheSentinel]

This camera angle from behind the benches feels weird

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

This camera angle from behind the benches feels weird

I love it. It seems to be closer to the action on the ice.

 

[Kurrilino]

The Blues are going for the Central division crown for home ice advantage, so they're not just going to throw the game against the Jets. The Kings win out, which is very do able, and they're in. Plain & simple. They still control their own destiny. They win tonight and beat Calgary and they're up 2-4 points depending on the Flames outcome tonight. Who knows, maybe the Flames are looking past the Coyotes to the Kings.
The Kings win tonight & the Flames lose, and the Kings are up by 2 points. They go into Calgary and win, they're 4 up and in the playoffs. These 3 games (Kings/Oilers, Coyotes/Flames, & Kings/Flames) are the season.

If they win against the Jets and the Kings win, the Blues will most likely meet the Kings in 1st round.

I can guarantee you they don't give a dang about the central crown,
they already have home advantage

 

[Little Psycho]

Lol what a loser

 

[KingPuckChoo]

i know destiny is in our hands and all...but would be cool if our opponents would lose sometimes

 

[taz346]

Aule stirring up some crap there

 

[kingsfan28]

Give Ollie the extra

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

McNabb shouldn't take fighting lessons from Matt Greene, but good job standing up for Gaborik.

 

[damacles1156]

EDM is in a 0-4-1 to start the first period....I don't think I have every seen that in the first period in my entire life of watching hockey.

WTF.

 

[Chain]

Gotta like McNabb's willingness to standup for teammates. Hope he gets one of his patented hits in this game.

 

[Captain Mittens*]

After he retires, he needs to open a bar called the Jolly Aulie.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

This team doesn't know how to pass the ****ing puck.

 

[Ari Gold]

Pretty clear the oilers are going to be finishing their hits all night.