WCQF Gm#2: KINGS vs. BLUES - 5/2/13 - Another Heartbreaker...

[AKAY47]

People are crazy if they think Mike Richards is getting traded. The only trade that is going to happen this year is Bernier for a young winger. Penner is gone though, good riddance, I've had enough.

Also, how unimpressive has Regehr been? My God, I actually get scared every time he gets the puck. I wish Willie Mitchell was healthy We look WAYYY better with him

 

[Sydor25]

Wow. This thread has turned quickly.

It's not the end of the world if the Kings lose in the first round. You don't need to trade everyone away because of one series.

The only thing that truly concerns me is Kopitar's annual hiatus. He went 30+ games last season without a goal and he is already up to 17 games without one this season. I really thought he turned the corner in the playoffs last year. I only hope that his knee isn't 100% and the brace is causing issues because he isn't the same player.

I'm okay with losing to the Blues. The Kings have their first cup and the core is still young. Muzzin and Ellerby are getting experience, along with Voynov, King, Nolan and Clifford. Team is still young and last year was a perfect storm: no injuries to their defense for the entire playoffs. Now they are down Martinez, Greene and Mitchell. How many teams can repeat as champs without half of their defense?

Richards is fine as the #2 center. Kopitar is a slight concern at the #1 center spot. Getting a partner for Doughty is a concern for this off season. Another top 6 winger is a concern, but hopefully a prospect can take the bull by the horn in camp.

Go Kings!

 

[SLang]

We are going to really find out the meaning of home ice now. Hitchcock won't be able to dictate the matchups as much, especially allowing him to take advantage of Muzzerby.

Speaking of those two, someone said earlier that defense isn't the reason the Kings haven't been scoring, but in this case I don't think that's entirely true. Being a puck posession team, the Kings rely on that and sustained pressure for offense. Every time Muzzerby are on the ice, they seem to go back on their heels and lose momentum. The breakouts looked so much better last night - except when those two were on the ice. That, without a doubt, can lead to fewer goals for a team like the Kings. I can think of at least three plays last night where it felt the Kings were gaining traction, only to have one of them cough up the puck trying to break out, leading to a good scoring chance and sustained pressure for the Blues. It doesn't even matter if they don't get a minus - it affects the Kings overall game offensively. Kopi can't make it happen offensively if he's back in our zone cleaning up after defensemen.

Couple it with a team like the Blues, where the Kings advantage at center is somewhat mitigated, and it's a recipe for a playoff exit.

I think the only way the Kings can win this series is to pray that the home ice matchup advantage limits the liability that Muzzerby presents enough for a win in both games, and that both Greene and Martinez are able to play in the next game in St. Louis.

Botom line is the absence of Mitchell and Greene, to me, so far has proved to be insurmountable. It wasn't as apparent in the regular season, but this ain't the regular season.

 

[KINGS17]

Brown was a warrior on the ice tonight. The CNBC feed also showed him really pissed off the the bench after the scrum with Backes in front of the net. If only some of the other "core" players on this team showed half the heart maybe we are coming home with a split.

Brown may be a streaky guy, but man when he turns it on. WOW.

Yeah, but we'll see the same garbage from a select few posting about him during the regular next year. He's not a real captain, blah, blah.

As I have said before, there is no way Brown can play the way he does in the playoffs for an entire regular season. There would be nothing left of him when the "real season" started.

 

[kovacro]

Calm down and re-focus. We are still the defending SC Champs until otherwise notified. Life is pretty good. No reason why we cannot win the next 2 at home and turn it into a best 2 out of 3.

 

[AKAY47]

I really hope Toffoli gets playing time. He deserves to play on the line with Richards and Carter. I know it's a tough, physical series and he probably won't be able to handle the physicality, but we need some scoring and the guy can put the puck in the net.

If Muzzin and Ellerby play again tomorrow, I will be ****ing pissed. Muzzin single handedly lost the game for us, along with Quick. He turned the puck over several times, luckily Schwartz missed on the first turnover and he didn't take his man properly on their game tying goal. Those two guys (Muzzin & Ellerby) really need to take a break lol send them to Manchester

 

[takk]

Hmm, well Boston lost the first two games against Vancouver in similar heartbreaking fashion too. Not going to say we'll be like them and pull the series but this is far from over. Reading this thread might give an idea like Kings are relegated to a newcomer.

On the bright side, if Kings manage to come out of this hole they'll become mentally even tougher as a team. If they lose life goes on. Needless to say game 3 is a must win.

 

[Crosby87Domi11]

We are going to really find out the meaning of home ice now. Hitchcock won't be able to dictate the matchups as much, especially allowing him to take advantage of Muzzerby.

Speaking of those two, someone said earlier that defense isn't the reason the Kings haven't been scoring, but in this case I don't think that's entirely true. Being a puck posession team, the Kings rely on that and sustained pressure for offense. Every time Muzzerby are on the ice, they seem to go back on their heels and lose momentum. The breakouts looked so much better last night - except when those two were on the ice. That, without a doubt, can lead to fewer goals for a team like the Kings. I can think of at least three plays last night where it felt the Kings were gaining traction, only to have one of them cough up the puck trying to break out, leading to a good scoring chance and sustained pressure for the Blues. It doesn't even matter if they don't get a minus - it affects the Kings overall game offensively. Kopi can't make it happen offensively if he's back in our zone cleaning up after defensemen.

Couple it with a team like the Blues, where the Kings advantage at center is somewhat mitigated, and it's a recipe for a playoff exit.

I think the only way the Kings can win this series is to pray that the home ice matchup advantage limits the liability that Muzzerby presents enough for a win in both games, and that both Greene and Martinez are able to play in the next game in St. Louis.

Botom line is the absence of Mitchell and Greene, to me, so far has proved to be insurmountable. It wasn't as apparent in the regular season, but this ain't the regular season.

A few people have said it, myself included, honestly im pretty sure we all realize that defense plays a part in scoring BUT its not the main reason we arent scoring. the forwards need to produce bottom line. and if we are going to blame the defense, blame them all not just the two rookies who have never played in the playoffs until like 4 days ago.

 

[AKAY47]

Guys who I hope we go after this off-season are Filppula, Clowe (Sutter/Lombardi love him), Clarkson, Iginla. As for dmen, there aren't really any big names. I hope we re-sign Scuderi, the guy is an absolute stud

 

[Crosby87Domi11]

Guys who I hope we go after this off-season are Filppula, Clowe (Sutter/Lombardi love him), Clarkson, Iginla. As for dmen, there aren't really any big names. I hope we re-sign Scuderi, the guy is an absolute stud

Honestly i doubt Iggy leaves Pittsburgh, theyll try their damnedest to keep him. for the others Clowe isnt a bad option and neither is filppula. clarkson i cant really comment on because im not familiar with the way he plays. Scuds is a damn good player and could be used for veteran presence but hes looked slower lately.

 

[SLang]

A few people have said it, myself included, honestly im pretty sure we all realize that defense plays a part in scoring BUT its not the main reason we arent scoring. the forwards need to produce bottom line. and if we are going to blame the defense, blame them all not just the two rookies who have never played in the playoffs until like 4 days ago.

I won't lay it entirely at the feet of Muzzerby. There is that other thing - you know - those guys in Blue? Their strength at center and their improved breakout over last year are playing havoc. Overall, that exposes Muzzerby even more for the playoff rookies they are. Is it their fault? No, no more than the fact that Mitchell and Greene are injured is not their fault. Do I consider it a primary factor in the Kings lack of scoring and the fact that they are down 2-0? Definitely.

 

[kovacro]

If Muzzin and Ellerby play again tomorrow, I will be ****ing pissed. Muzzin single handedly lost the game for us, along with Quick.

You aren't serious about Quick losing the game for LA last night are you? did you see some of the saves he made? C'mon man.

If Quick doesn't go all gumby like on Muzzin's give away in the 3rd it's over right there. Muzzin owes Quick big time for that one.

I refuse to blame Quick. He's given up 4 goals thus far. And even though he had a massive brain outage in Game 1 OT if it wasn't for him that one would have been long done in regulation time.

The offense has to begin to produce more and help him out. They do that and this series is far from done.

 

[Crosby87Domi11]

I won't lay it entirely at the feet of Muzzerby. There is that other thing - you know - those guys in Blue? Their strength at center and their improved breakout over last year are playing havoc. Overall, that exposes Muzzerby even more for the playoff rookies they are. Is it their fault? No, no more than the fact that Mitchell and Greene are injured is not their fault. Do I consider it a primary factor in the Kings lack of scoring and the fact that they are down 2-0? Definitely.

Wasnt saying you were solely blaming them just stating what ive seen/heard. i wasnt trying to target you. Plus theyve been getting better as the games go on i think theyll be fine.

 

[Omni Owl]

The longer this series goes, the less likely we are to win. These guys mailed it in due to fatigue, thats why their play dropped off after the 1st period. Everyone looks out of it and gassed, making too many mistakes and getting outplayed towards the end.

 

[damacles1156]

The Kings scored at a 3.0 Goals per game pace last year in the playoff's.

Until that starts to happen again, they are not winning any games.

 

[AKAY47]

You aren't serious about Quick losing the game for LA last night are you? did you see some of the saves he made? C'mon man.

If Quick doesn't go all gumby like on Muzzin's give away in the 3rd it's over right there. Muzzin owes Quick big time for that one.

I refuse to blame Quick. He's given up 4 goals thus far. And even though he had a massive brain outage in Game 1 OT if it wasn't for him that one would have been long done in regulation time.

The offense has to begin to produce more and help him out. They do that and this series is far from done.

He's been unreal but he should've had both GWGs. He even admitted that he should've had Jackman's goal

 

[Seventyx7]

We lost two road games to a very good team that could have gone either way.

Maybe, going up 3-0 in every series isn't an easy thing to do. Shocking right?

I'm not counting the Kings out until they lose that fourth game. Lots of players need to be better, but I think they will be. It's not supposed to be easy.

GO KINGS

 

[Whiskeypete]

He's been unreal but he should've had both GWGs. He even admitted that he should've had Jackman's goal

that's JQ taking the blame, because he does that. i don't blame him and Sutter doesn't either. Sutter even says he think he was screened.

i guarantee you he didn't see the shot until it was about 5-10' in front of him. Jackman is LH and the shot/release point came from outside with DD's legs screening the release of the puck. Quick didn't move until the puck was on top of him. it was a perfect shot-perfect scenario for Jackman.

 

[TheSlovenian]

 

[takk]

^ ********

It could be worse. Imagine giving the first two games at home. Imagine giving them to an 8th seed

It's not over till it's over.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

^ ********

It could be worse. Imagine giving the first two games at home. Imagine giving them to an 8th seed

It's not over till it's over.

LOL.

And I don't care what anyone says about Brown right now...the guy is a total fireball. You can tell he's trying so freaking hard. He was flat out talking to himself on the bench and yelling and screaming all night. I know we want results, but damn if there isn't effort. The guy is hitting and hitting HARD. Absolutely reckless like a bull in a china shop.

 

[TheSlovenian]

^ ********

It could be worse. Imagine giving the first two games at home. Imagine giving them to an 8th seed

It's not over till it's over.

 

[The Big Giant Head]

I think there is some credit that needs to be paid to Elliott as well...He's playing just as well as Quick, he's been lights out. But it seems to me we're too busy trying to play the Blues game, they are as physical as they come and instead of playing our game, we're trying to match them tit for tat. The team needs to refocus and just do what got us this far which is play our style of hockey. Also, we need Greene back in the line up. Ellerby and Muzzin together has been our weak link.

Lastly....how ****ing awesome is Robyn Regehr! that guy need to finish his career here in LA, he's one of my new favorite players. I dont think ive seen him smile once, he's all business and he gets his **** taken care of.

 

[takk]

I think it would be a lot better if we dropped a couple games against St. Louis and won our games against Dallas / Minny / Phoenix whatever. Maybe St. Louis wouldn't gain such boost of confidence after they figured out how to win against Kings.

Elliott playing at his top form is making Blues what they are now but they're not the same team from last year as well. Scratches like Nichol, Langenbrunner (lol), Russell, Cole, Woywitka were all regulars when we swept them.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I think there is some credit that needs to be paid to Elliott as well...He's playing just as well as Quick, he's been lights out. But it seems to me we're too busy trying to play the Blues game, they are as physical as they come and instead of playing our game, we're trying to match them tit for tat. The team needs to refocus and just do what got us this far which is play our style of hockey. Also, we need Greene back in the line up. Ellerby and Muzzin together has been our weak link.

Lastly....how ****ing awesome is Robyn Regehr! that guy need to finish his career here in LA, he's one of my new favorite players. I dont think ive seen him smile once, he's all business and he gets his **** taken care of.

Broken nose? Whatever. I've lost track of how many times I've broken it. Put me back out, coach