GDT: 2022-23 season game 66 LA Kings vs Colorado Avalanche @6:00pm 3/9/23

[GoldenBearHockey]

It's amazing what a difference a real goalie, a real LHD (with size), playing GV, playing Byfield (& w/ good linemates) can make. Not to mention playing spence; not playing Kopi a million minutes, etc.

Still some odd decisions. But it's FINALLY getting less. I still applaud the Kings players over TM or Blake.
For TM, i'll applaud him if we can win a series and make a run. History is not on his side. Hopefully he's learned a thing or two after all these years and this time it'll be different.

Sure about that? Past 5 games Kopi's lowest ice time is 20 min and change

 

[johnjm22]

Vegas has Carolina Saturday and the next stretch with 2 vs Calgary and 2 vs Edmonton. Will be watching the games vs the Pacific hoping they turn into outright wars and physical games. The joy of hockey is watching 2 teams you hate beat the shit of each other.

With this Colorado game behind them, the Kings have one of the softest remaining schedules in the league. Big 7 game home stand coming up.

Vegas on the other hand has a more difficult schedule remaining.

Now is the time for LA to seize the moment and finally win a division title for the first time in 3 decades. And possibly be the number 1 seed in the conference for the 1st time in their history.

 

[AbsentMojo]

Completely agree. Nothing needed or to be gained playing him until he passes leg tests without any residual swelling or pain. The team is rolling and it will give others a chance to step up as well. When he’s fully 100% then let him rip.

Definitely this. no need to be heroic until playoffs. They need to book Fiala's hotel room near ice machine - he can use laundry bag for the icepack

 

[DapperDan]

Definitely this. no need to be heroic until playoffs. They need to book Fiala's hotel room near ice machine - he can use laundry bag for the icepack

Or, you know, they can afford real ice packs and trainers

 

[AbsentMojo]

With this Colorado game behind them, the Kings have one of the softest remaining schedules in the league. Big 7 game home stand coming up.

Vegas on the other hand has a more difficult schedule remaining.

Now is the time for LA to seize the moment and finally win a division title for the first time in 3 decades. And possibly be the number 1 seed in the conference for the 1st time in their history.

I think those are worthless goals as is the presidents trophy...The main thing Id focus on as a team, is to lock in my 3rd pairing for the playoffs and let them get as many reps together as possible. They cant be hidden during away games in the playoffs due to last change and icings.

Or, you know, they can afford real ice packs and trainers

attempt at humor apparently failed

 

[DapperDan]

attempt at humor apparently failed

Should've suggested healing crystals in that case

 

[Fishhead]

I think those are worthless goals as is the presidents trophy...The main thing Id focus on as a team, is to lock in my 3rd pairing for the playoffs and let them get as many reps together as possible. They cant be hidden during away games in the playoffs due to last change and icings.

First in the conference isn't particularly worthless like the president's trophy, which is one of those weird banner moments. What you stated about not being able to hide pairings for away games is the primary reason, if you have home ice you have to worry about that far less. Fewer away games and more likely clinching games at home.

 

[BigKing]

Very solid game last night. Gavrikov's next contract is increasing by $50k every game.

Loved that the defense was looking for solid hits last night. These guys might start being a little more aggressive in this regard if they start believing they "belong".

 

[AbsentMojo]

First in the conference isn't particularly worthless like the president's trophy, which is one of those weird banner moments. What you stated about not being able to hide pairings for away games is the primary reason, if you have home ice you have to worry about that far less. Fewer away games and more likely clinching games at home.

True.. having home ice *first* could let u gain momentum easier in a series (and having game 7 at home). but no way is it guaranteed as the Kings proved in 2012. So ill amend what I said as it being worthless.. just the banners as such as goals.. the home ice thing is def valuable.

 

[BigKing]

Oh, and I love Spence. Great game for just jumping in for the first time this year. That said, he got lost/turned around on a rush coming at him that would have led to 30 posts about how Durzi sucks if it happened to Durzi.

Just a little perspective.

 

[kingsholygrail]

Once Durzi is healthy, Spence will be sent back down.

 

[BigKing]

True.. having home ice *first* could let u gain momentum easier in a series (and having game 7 at home). but no way is it guaranteed as the Kings proved in 2012. So ill amend what I said as it being worthless.. just the banners as such as goals.. the home ice thing is def valuable.

Kings are 1-7 in their last eight home playoff games including a clinching game. 3-5 on the road.

 

[Kudelski37]

Once Durzi is healthy, Spence will be sent back down.

If Durzi misses several games he is going to be Wally Pipp-ed.

 

[King'sPawn]

Or, you know, they can afford real ice packs and trainers

Or have my ex lay on his knee.

 

[AbsentMojo]

Kings are 1-7 in their last eight home playoff games including a clinching game. 3-5 on the road.

Well there you go.. i wonder what the league-wide stats show on home/away splits in playoffs

 

[kingsfan28]

That’s so Kings

He's said it more that once that he hates playing the Kings. They frustrate his team to no end.

 

[kingsfan28]

With this Colorado game behind them, the Kings have one of the softest remaining schedules in the league. Big 7 game home stand coming up.

Vegas on the other hand has a more difficult schedule remaining.

Now is the time for LA to seize the moment and finally win a division title for the first time in 3 decades. And possibly be the number 1 seed in the conference for the 1st time in their history.

Part if me wants this, and part of me doesn't . We could play the Avs in round one or play Seattle as it is. The Jets would be a tough out too.

 

[ibleedkings]

Oh, and I love Spence. Great game for just jumping in for the first time this year. That said, he got lost/turned around on a rush coming at him that would have led to 30 posts about how Durzi sucks if it happened to Durzi.

Just a little perspective.

Yea but Durzi does it multiple times a game every game.

I want Spence playing. He looked fantastic last night and there’s zero reason he shouldn’t be playing over Walker/Edler and to some extent Durzi.

 

[johnjm22]

Part if me wants this, and part of me doesn't . We could play the Avs in round one or play Seattle as it is. .

I don't think it will be the Avs. They have almost the easiest schedule in the NHL from here on out.

If we're the top seed in the conference we most likely get the Jets. Outside chance it could be Calgary or Nashville.

 

[WHOneedsSOX]

Definitely this. no need to be heroic until playoffs. They need to book Fiala's hotel room near ice machine - he can use laundry bag for the icepack

Maybe LeBron will let Fiala sleep in his hyperbaric chamber.

 

[Fishhead]

Kings are 1-7 in their last eight home playoff games including a clinching game. 3-5 on the road.

Very true, but you have to go way back to a different Kings team that was falling apart at the time to get that big of a sample size. Really all we have is last year to go on for this iteration. They were 1-2 at home and 2-2 on the road, IIRC. And they were clearly not as good as Edmonton with their key injuries.

 

[Sol]

It’s pretty interesting that the Kings entire success rests upon the shoulders of a player with a retro porn-stache.

 

[BigKing]

Very true, but you have to go way back to a different Kings team that was falling apart at the time to get that big of a sample size. Really all we have is last year to go on for this iteration. They were 1-2 at home and 2-2 on the road, IIRC. And they were clearly not as good as Edmonton with their key injuries.

I've just been at all of them so I have PTSD.

 

[Fishhead]

I don't think it will be the Avs. They have almost the easiest schedule in the NHL from here on out.

If we're the top seed in the conference we most likely get the Jets. Outside chance it could be Calgary or Nashville.

Yes, this. Winnipeg is our highest probability outside of divisional foes.

 

[AbsentMojo]

If Durzi misses several games he is going to be Wally Pipp-ed.

I dont get why the coaches dont get a boner watching Spence wheel around the ice and play organized in the d-zone.. i must not assess D very well... they'll say he got outmatched in the EDM series.. like Durzi didnt? The guy knows what he is doing positionally and has much better skating than Durzi Walker and obviously Edler.
(removed combined post, i hate that)