WCF Gm#1: KINGS vs. Hawks - 6/1/13 - Another 2-1 Loss

[Frolov 6'3]

King has one less even strength point than Kopitar, as many as Doughty. 7th on the team if you can believe that. One more than Brown, Penner, and Lewis. I think everyone's criticizing the wrong dude.

My friend, I havent read this whole topic so dont know if people were criticizing him. Its just unfortunate that the wrong player was at the right spot, that's all.

That being said, he sucks anyway.

 

[damacles1156]

King has one less even strength point than Kopitar, as many as Doughty. 7th on the team if you can believe that. One more than Brown, Penner, and Lewis. I think everyone's criticizing the wrong dude.

That is comical , all is well though just need toffoli and A Mart in.

It really is amazing that the kings got this far with that awful scoring.

 

[Live in the Now]

Its the hands of stone that make him an easy target. He's very good along the boards but that's all he can do. All his scoring chances are horrible. Its probably good he messed up handling Voyonv's breakaway pass so we didn't have to see his pitiful break away attempt.

Yeah that...and he's slow as hell sometimes. I think considering he plays with two other guys who can't score, we shouldn't be mad about him. But if you're of the position that the Kings need a third line that can contribute more offensively then...both of the wingers on it need to be gotten rid of or moved to the fourth line.

 

[Omni Owl]

Since its a back to back it would make a lot of sense to get fresh bodies out there in Martinez and Toffoli, hell even Nolan I'm feeling generous. And I'm all for breaking up that abysmal top line. **** it, make Kopitar the 3rd or 4th line center with the way he's played. Time to get creative...

 

[Crowne Royale]

Not too disappointed with the game. Both teams got fortunate bounces on the goals. Bolland should be suspended for the same rationale as Torres. Launched, glancing blow to head with elbow, head was PPoC. Let's hope Ricky is OK, but Dean will need to solve this LW dearth at some point.

 

[Reclamation Project]

Kopitar has to be injured. If he isn't, god help us all...

 

[CowMix]

Yeah that...and he's slow as hell sometimes. I think considering he plays with two other guys who can't score, we shouldn't be mad about him. But if you're of the position that the Kings need a third line that can contribute more offensively then...both of the wingers on it need to be gotten rid of or moved to the fourth line.

I dunno if we need to change it that much. Lewis and Stoll have played every well together. Also Lewis and Toffoli won us game 2 versus San Jose. Lewis - Stoll - Toffoli could be a very strong third line offensively.

 

[CowMix]

Kopitar has to be injured. If he isn't, god help us all...

Hasn't he pretty much been injured all year? He needs surgery in the offseason.

 

[Reclamation Project]

Hasn't he pretty much been injured all year? He needs surgery in the offseason.

I trust our team doctors, but something is obviously wrong. I'm sure he's not doing anything to re-aggravate an injury as I don't think anyone would allow him to do so, but he's obviously not playing at 100 percent.

 

[Frolov 6'3]

I just think many people would love to have more players like Lewis. He's just a 4th liner as well, with hands of stone and no scoring touch but he just brings so much more. Not his best game tonight though. Same with Richardson, I always liked him in the playoffs. Nobody expects to see world beaters on the lower lines.

 

[KingKopitar11*]

Effing THIS.

I was crucified for criticizing Dean for not picking up another forward at the deadline and that's exactly what we need. We literally have no NHL depth outside of Toffoli and that is concerning.

Whatever. It is what it is. As long as Kopitar and Brown are totally MIA were not winning this series, anyway.

Pretty shocked DL didn't try hard to go after iggy. He didn't do good during the deadline but maybe it's because he has Bernier to trade away and it's worth the wait. Anyways we should get players like Muzzin and king off and put in Toffoli and Martinez in.

And if we are still too dead, then it's worth the risk putting in young kids. Maybe they'd get the kings going. Who knows. We can't afford to play like this.

 

[Sydor25]

I trust our team doctors, but something is obviously wrong. I'm sure he's not doing anything to re-aggravate an injury as I don't think anyone would allow him to do so, but he's obviously not playing at 100 percent.

He still has the knee injury from overseas. Still wears a knee brace. Wouldn't be surprised to see him have surgery after the kings are done. Hopefully he will be ready for camp.

 

[LAKings88]

I have no true hate for King but I would like an upgrade with a bit more scoring touch. Hoping Pearson can be that. Keep King for the fourth line if possible.

 

[damacles1156]

Pretty shocked DL didn't try hard to go after iggy. He didn't do good during the deadline but maybe it's because he has Bernier to trade away and it's worth the wait. Anyways we should get players like Muzzin and king off and put in Toffoli and Martinez in.

And if we are still too dead, then it's worth the risk putting in young kids. Maybe they'd get the kings going. Who knows. We can't afford to play like this.

Bolland and toews would love that.

Could you imagine vey trying to defend hossa or sharp .... Lol

 

[Reclamation Project]

He still has the knee injury from overseas. Still wears a knee brace. Wouldn't be surprised to see him have surgery after the kings are done. Hopefully he will be ready for camp.

Hopefully it's something simple and not too serious of an injury. I doubt he would be playing if it was that serious.

 

[Live in the Now]

Hawks are too good to experiment with lineups we haven't seen before.

I thought Pearson looked out of place in SJ, and he was our best forward prospect not to play with the big club, right?

 

[kingsfan28]

Pretty shocked DL didn't try hard to go after iggy. He didn't do good during the deadline but maybe it's because he has Bernier to trade away and it's worth the wait. Anyways we should get players like Muzzin and king off and put in Toffoli and Martinez in.

And if we are still too dead, then it's worth the risk putting in young kids. Maybe they'd get the kings going. Who knows. We can't afford to play like this.

The prices were astronomical. Any deal, most likely a rental would've cost Toffoli plus Bernier and another high end prospect. Iggy was a great player but is on the downside of his career, and he held the cards on which team he went to.

 

[Frolov 6'3]

I think its useless to talk about what Dean forgot to do @ the deadline. The Kings are in the WCF for Christ's sake. 26 teams cant say that. Chicago is a hell of a team. Kings have done well and it will probably end in this round. Nothing to be ashamed off.

Pearson played 5 minutes of hockey. I cant judge a player based on that sample size.

 

[Peter James Bond]

Hawks are too good to experiment with lineups we haven't seen before.

I thought Pearson looked out of place in SJ, and he was our best forward prospect not to play with the big club, right?

I think Vey is supposed to be closer to being ready. TG ranks him higher than Toffoli, if I am not mistaken. I would definitely get Toffoli n the rest of the playoffs and consider Pearson as well. If Richards is out,
I would also give Vey a game and see how he does.

 

[damacles1156]

Hawks are too good to experiment with lineups we haven't seen before.

I thought Pearson looked out of place in SJ, and he was our best forward prospect not to play with the big club, right?

They all still need to grow a Bit more . Dean said that already. Vey/ Peaeson got tossed a little in that ahl playoff series . Just imagine what hossa would do..

 

[Reclamation Project]

I think its useless to talk about what Dean forgot to do @ the deadline. The Kings are in the WCF for Christ's sake. 26 teams cant say that. Chicago is a hell of a team. Kings have done well and it will probably end in this round. Nothing to be ashamed off.

Pearson played 5 minutes of hockey. I cant judge a player based on that sample size.

Ditto. Agreed 100 percent!

 

[Andrew Knoll]

Kopitar is like Hanzal (Stumpel works too) right now, maybe even worse. Depressing, I hope for future's sake he's fighting a tough injury because his play has been unacceptable. Can't believe we've gotten this far playing like this...

Handzus is looking like Kopitar and Kopitar is looking like Handzus right now, right?

I am pretty sure Kopi is one of the most consistent and best prepared guys in the league. If his play is off, sure, something is amiss. Please do not take that as me saying I know something specific, I do not. These guys don't discuss disclosed injuries usually, let alone speculative ones.

Helene Elliott also made reference to not being surprised if she were to learn he had a mid-body injury in one of her columns during the San Jose series. I don't think you need any great level of access to see that though.

 

[Andrew Knoll]

Ditto. Agreed 100 percent!

Absolutely, and also, what was the market at the deadline? Overpaying for rentals and iffy commodities. The only deals I really liked were the acquisitions of Bouwmeester and Torres.

 

[deeshamrock]

Not sure how accurate this is, it's from a poster on LA Kings Insider:

Rich Hammond tweeted that Colin Fraser said Richards looks fine to him

It looked awful and as angry as I was at the poor performance by most of the team, I felt they could regroup for game 2.
If Richards is out, they're done.

 

[Peter James Bond]

Handzus is looking like Kopitar and Kopitar is looking like Handzus right now, right?

I am pretty sure Kopi is one of the most consistent and best prepared guys in the league. If his play is off, sure, something is amiss. Please do not take that as me saying I know something specific, I do not. These guys don't discuss disclosed injuries usually, let alone speculative ones.

Helene Elliott also made reference to not being surprised if she were to learn he had a mid-body injury in one of her columns during the San Jose series. I don't think you need any great level of access to see that though.

I remember by Kopitar's second season, I would watch his shifts closely and re-watch them and he made an impact every single time he was on the ice...he was making things happen continually. He was amazing. Now, he looks like a 36 year old, 3rd line player, going through the motions. His knee must be bad, as well as a wrist or shoulder as well.