Kings Article: Talking X's and O's: This Year's Kings Defense
- Thread starter Jason Lewis
- Start date
-
Xenforo Cloud will be upgrading us to version 2.3.5 on March 3rd at 12 AM GMT. This version has increased stability and fixes several bugs. We expect downtime for the duration of the update. The admin team will continue to work on existing issues, templates and upgrade all necessary available addons to minimize impact of this new version. Click Here for Updates
Most teams overload different areas of the ice in D zone coverage. I'm not so sure the Kings are playing "zone" down low. They seem to be playing more man to man, or a hybrid of sorts where D1, D2 and F1 will play man-on-man down low and F2 and F3 will collapse in the slot and play zone. That's why it's hard to watch this years D try to keep up on the cycle if the other team gets the puck. The hybrid style is aimed at handling teams that cycle, whereas it's hard to stop cycling in an all zone coverage. In "zone" coverage, the down low guys don't follow players around and try to stay tight. They don't follow guys behind the net and into the other corner.
I don't know about this explanation of the Kings coverage. All D coverages are geared to limit shots, and try to keep them to the outside.
I don't know about this explanation of the Kings coverage. All D coverages are geared to limit shots, and try to keep them to the outside.
I agree with you in essence and it's hard to really pinpoint their D zone coverage sometimes. It looks like a hybrid low-zone/Man-to-man at times, but then morphs to a more standard low-zone coverage. I've seen King D men trail players behind the net, but also rotate off.
It's a theory.
Raccoon Jesus
We were right there
Speed changes passing angles quickly so I'm not surprised that those teams give us hell and open up seams that neither our defense nor Quick can handle. I'm looking at the Hawks as a better example. I'm more worried about the more recent issue of guys living in the slot with the departure of Mitchell, the injury of Regehr, and the scratching of McNabb. All those 'bad bounces' we've been getting are due to traffic and guys making centering passes that likely wouldn't bank off a dude that's getting boxed out.
In relation to what you're talking about, I think we've been generally okay with point shots even if it's the system's 'weakness', because we've had guys that keep forwards away from the front of the net when a guy is cranking it up from the point.
The other thing is the simple fade-into-the-high-slot play and lack of mid-to-high-slot coverage that's seeped back into our game. That hasn't happened much since 2011 since it was good for like 1 GA a game then
Agreed that last night was closer to the Kings textbook, but there were still some issues. They were just erased by goaltending, whiffs, and much better coverage.
In relation to what you're talking about, I think we've been generally okay with point shots even if it's the system's 'weakness', because we've had guys that keep forwards away from the front of the net when a guy is cranking it up from the point.
The other thing is the simple fade-into-the-high-slot play and lack of mid-to-high-slot coverage that's seeped back into our game. That hasn't happened much since 2011 since it was good for like 1 GA a game then
Agreed that last night was closer to the Kings textbook, but there were still some issues. They were just erased by goaltending, whiffs, and much better coverage.
Speed changes passing angles quickly so I'm not surprised that those teams give us hell and open up seams that neither our defense nor Quick can handle. I'm looking at the Hawks as a better example. I'm more worried about the more recent issue of guys living in the slot with the departure of Mitchell, the injury of Regehr, and the scratching of McNabb. All those 'bad bounces' we've been getting are due to traffic and guys making centering passes that likely wouldn't bank off a dude that's getting boxed out.
In relation to what you're talking about, I think we've been generally okay with point shots even if it's the system's 'weakness', because we've had guys that keep forwards away from the front of the net when a guy is cranking it up from the point.
The other thing is the simple fade-into-the-high-slot play and lack of mid-to-high-slot coverage that's seeped back into our game. That hasn't happened much since 2011 since it was good for like 1 GA a game then
Agreed that last night was closer to the Kings textbook, but there were still some issues. They were just erased by goaltending, whiffs, and much better coverage.
Definitely concerning. That's why I brought up the Sedins and Vancouver. Back when Vancouver was in their heyday a couple of years ago the Sedins could execute that play on command against us it seemed like. Daniel would drop down behind the net while the other forward, be it Burrows or Henrik would slip into the high slot.
Like you said, it was practically a goal against a game.
I think the Kings in general are okay with the point shot weakness as well. If you are going to pick a "weakness" it might as well be that instead of Edmonton or Buffalo firewagon hockey where the slot is as wide open as a South Dakota prairie.
