GDT: 2021-22 season game 66 LA Kings vs Chicago Blackhawks @7:00pm 3/24/22

[Schmooley]

Chychrun! Thank the heavens AZ asked too much. The last thing this team needs is Blake to blow a ton of assets on a D that can't D.

Starting to question Blake's abilities as a gm for not being able to identify & address issues.

The issue right now is 4 of their best dmen are injured and they dont want admit to themselves that their first line is putrid.

 

[Choralone]

Whatever happened to that Blackhawk fan who jumped on the Kings wagon because they were pissed at the Hawks. They were so active for like 1-2 weeks.

He posted at some point something to the effect that, try as he might, he couldn't shake being a Blackhawks fan and wished us well.

 

[kingsfan28]

Chychrun! Thank the heavens AZ asked too much. The last thing this team needs is Blake to blow a ton of assets on a D that can't D.

Starting to question Blake's abilities as a gm for not being able to identify & address issues.

huh?

 

[FSL KINGS]

How have the Kings been doing this for a while?

The only bad team that has beaten the Kings in regulation is the Sharks, who are a division rival who have gotten up for us since we humiliated them in 2014.

Here are some results to check out. Other than the Sharks, the only other bad teams the Kings had lost to this season are:

Philadelphia in OT on 1/29.
Anaheim on 11/30 in SO
Arizona on 11/21 in OT.

Notice none of those are in regulation. Whatever you may be perceiving doesn't match up with what is actually happening.

There isn't an instance this year where they've flat out lost to a bad team after dominating. In the regulation losses to the Sharks, they got shelled.

The reason the Kings are hanging on to their playoff spot isn't because of the crappy Pacific teams, it's because they're hovering around a .600 point percentage.

They weren't pushed around last night, Chicago didn't exert any force of will and rarely hit anyone. Did you miss the Nashville game where they were ridiculously physical against one of the tougher teams in the league? We could use more toughness, but it's not that bad.

The rest of it is just anger and hyperbole. You are upset about very minor things, my friend. When you roll out a really young team like this you get inconsistency, they don't know how to bring their A-game every night. It's incredible that they are still getting points. Nearly the entire D core has been out for a while and they are still playing over .500. That's fantastic.

Kings did great on the cycle, controlled play & haven't figured out how to score on that cycle yet. This goes back to '15? Earlier? They take shots & the front net guy is off to the side looking for a rebound & not screening. With the teams shooting ability an average nhl goalie will just stop those shots without a rebound, especially if you keep shooting into the goalies glove or over the net & making it easy.

What is the breakdown between rush chances & cycle goals? Is there a site that tracks this?

Why is the Kings' cycle so bad at scoring? Other teams generate good chances. Kings get point shots from Maatta.

The issue right now is 4 of their best dmen are injured and they dont want admit to themselves that their first line is putrid.

The D injuries don't help. Putting the blinders on with regards to that top line is an issue.

Seems like there are a bunch of small fixes that could add up & make a difference.

 

[Docgonzo]

I’m actually very impressed with how this team has handled itself with the injuries to defense through the season. Only 2 players have played the full season so far and that’s Kopitar and Moore. Doughty has been down for half the season, we all expected Maatta to be a 7th D but he’s at 51 games played now.

It’s pretty amazing this team is in 2nd with a lineup of rookie defenders and journeymen. The team doesn’t seem to give up, just keeps trying to fight their way back. And the goalie numbers aren’t amazing so it’s not like that’s what’s saving them.

Plus we are getting looks at youngsters on the backend and how they might fit into the future. But sadly with 7 rookies in the lineup a night there will be lots of mistakes.

 

[The Butcher]

I'm angry. Wish someone in the organization was angry. Getting a feeling that the Kings are in a large part where they are in the standings because of bad seasons from Oilers, Knights & Canucks.

Kings lost to a bad team. Kings got pushed around by a bad & not physically intimidating team. Hawks just put 3 guys in the Kings crease multiple times & no one got cleared out. I'm not asking for a contender. Just not an embarrassment.

Dominated for stretches & can't bury a shot & put the team away. PK scoring might start to out pace the PP. Lucky to get out of OT. Not one shot on goal in the shootout.

You are very extreme

 

[kingsfan28]

He posted at some point something to the effect that, try as he might, he couldn't shake being a Blackhawks fan and wished us well.

He in hiding just like Kubliak's game. And you though AI wasn't scoring. I think they said he's been scratched in back to back games.

 

[head eyes]

So Kubalik was a healthy scratch. I haven't seen you-know-who in a while. Did he change his name again?

 

[Buddy The Elf]

I’m actually very impressed with how this team has handled itself with the injuries to defense through the season. Only 2 players have played the full season so far and that’s Kopitar and Moore. Doughty has been down for half the season, we all expected Maatta to be a 7th D but he’s at 51 games played now.

It’s pretty amazing this team is in 2nd with a lineup of rookie defenders and journeymen. The team doesn’t seem to give up, just keeps trying to fight their way back. And the goalie numbers aren’t amazing so it’s not like that’s what’s saving them.

Plus we are getting looks at youngsters on the backend and how they might fit into the future. But sadly with 7 rookies in the lineup a night there will be lots of mistakes.

I don't know how anyone could've predicted the bolded given how they performed the prior two years.

 

[kilowatt]

I don't know how anyone could've predicted the bolded given how they performed the prior two years.

There are a couple big differences to this year's team as opposed to prior years. Danault and Durzi. They've got heart.

 

[YP44]

Given how inexperienced the Defense is, there are going to be games like this. Hope they learn from it.

LA did good at limiting the number of shots, but felt like every second shot by the Hawks was a legit scoring threat.

 

[Steve Zissou]

There are a couple big differences to this year's team as opposed to prior years. Danault and Durzi. They've got heart.

Here's looking at you, kid.

 

[Docgonzo]

There are a couple big differences to this year's team as opposed to prior years. Danault and Durzi. They've got heart.

Arvidsson too

 

[kingsfan28]

There are a couple big differences to this year's team as opposed to prior years. Danault and Durzi. They've got heart.

Danault 21 goals so far is a career high. Nobody saw that coming, and it's f-ing great!

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

Starting to question Blake's abilities as a gm for not being able to identify & address issues.

Really? Last I checked this team is sitting in 2nd place in the division and a playoff spot…mostly due to the roster that has been constructed over the last year. Thanks Blake!

You should seriously consider stepping away from the keyboard.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

How have the Kings been doing this for a while?

The only bad team that has beaten the Kings in regulation is the Sharks, who are a division rival who have gotten up for us since we humiliated them in 2014.

Here are some results to check out. Other than the Sharks, the only other bad teams the Kings had lost to this season are:

Philadelphia in OT on 1/29.
Anaheim on 11/30 in SO
Arizona on 11/21 in OT.

Notice none of those are in regulation. Whatever you may be perceiving doesn't match up with what is actually happening.

There isn't an instance this year where they've flat out lost to a bad team after dominating. In the regulation losses to the Sharks, they got shelled.

The reason the Kings are hanging on to their playoff spot isn't because of the crappy Pacific teams, it's because they're hovering around a .600 point percentage.

They weren't pushed around last night, Chicago didn't exert any force of will and rarely hit anyone. Did you miss the Nashville game where they were ridiculously physical against one of the tougher teams in the league? We could use more toughness, but it's not that bad.

The rest of it is just anger and hyperbole. You are upset about very minor things, my friend. When you roll out a really young team like this you get inconsistency, they don't know how to bring their A-game every night. It's incredible that they are still getting points. Nearly the entire D core has been out for a while and they are still playing over .500. That's fantastic.

Thank you….thank you….thank you.

 

[apocalypse]

I think Vilardi does slot back into that center position. Seems like he likes center more. Can't go wrong with:
Byfield
Vilardi
Danault

 

[Fishhead]

I think Vilardi does slot back into that center position. Seems like he likes center more. Can't go wrong with:
Byfield
Vilardi
Danault

Vilardi has been way better on the wing. He doesn't have good footspeed so if he's in the middle he doesn't fully commit forward, that way he can make it back if he needs to. Right now he's free to make plays and create opportunities, which is working well. There is a reason the guy has been drawing penalties like crazy, when he shakes free other teams panic a little bit. His passing and vision forces them to be aware of him.

Putting him back in the middle will negate all that, he will end up hanging out up high again where he's not as effective.

 

[apocalypse]

Vilardi has been way better on the wing. He doesn't have good footspeed so if he's in the middle he doesn't fully commit forward, that way he can make it back if he needs to. Right now he's free to make plays and create opportunities, which is working well. There is a reason the guy has been drawing penalties like crazy, when he shakes free other teams panic a little bit. His passing and vision forces them to be aware of him.

Putting him back in the middle will negate all that, he will end up hanging out up high again where he's not as effective.

I always felt that he just wasn't a factor through the neutral zone. That, after he got some more time in, he would feel the game quicker and be more of a factor.

 

[Buddy The Elf]

There are a couple big differences to this year's team as opposed to prior years. Danault and Durzi. They've got heart.

Oh absolutely but nobody would expect the team as a whole to perform this good and what's even more impressive is they continue to win after all these injuries. I really hope they make the playoffs and beat Edmonton or Vegas in the first round.