PuckinUgly57
Don't be a jabroni.
Frustrating to learn Muzzin wasn't going to play last night and I felt it was a glaring hole. Quick looked phenomenal after being pretty suspect a few games of late, which is extremely promising.
As much as I am not a fan of Muffin he is an every night defender who can play all situations. I honestly felt very nervous seeing LaDue and Fantenberg in there but the Kings don't really have a choice right now. All we can hope for is Muzzo to get better quick and get one of those two out of the lineup.
Vegas was a good draw for LA compared to SJ or Anaheim, those two teams play heavy hockey too and would have battered the hell out of an already depleted lineup. This series at least buys LA some time for Forbort and Muzzin although it doesn't sound like Forbort will be playing any time soon.
Quick was outstanding, he showed why he is a big game goalie. Need more of that the entire run, whatever that may be.
Does anyone else believe that maybe Carter is hurt again? He hasn't looked the same to me for about 2 weeks.
I actually consider maybe benching Toffoli because he's too slow and doesn't bring enough intangibles to the table (for my money. I know the analytics etc.).
I don't think he is hurt but he was MIA last night for sure. It's a big jump from coming off a long term injury just to RS speed and then making another jump to get into PO mode in barely 6 weeks so I'm just going to chalk it up to him simply not at that level yet. He is a pro however and I think will have a better Game 2. He is a difference maker in this series no question.
Toffoli, to me anyway, was actually more noticeable than he has been since Christmas. I thought it was a solid game from him all around compared to how he has played the last 4 months. Drew a penalty, made some good plays, took some SOGs. Way more than he had done prior so hopefully he has woken up and is getting it into gear.
Faceoffs were a nightmare in my opinion. Several times Vegas would ice it and LA would lose the endzone draw (I mean almost every single time). We're already not generating enough as is, so those draws are uber important. Kopitar and Carter no less, but it's team based, because on a few occasions the King would pull it back, but Vegas would jump and get to it first. That's on the wingers and defense at that point.
Faceoffs were not their friend last night, and I know both Kempe and Stevens think he excels at center but he is terrible on draws - I think he finished the season at 37% or something which is embarrassing even by NHL standards for someone who took lots of FOs all season long.
They really should just put him at LW and let his speed do the rest. Move Kempe to the T6 and move Iaffalo to the B6 - either 9/11/23 or 70/11/23 and 9/77/73 leaving 19/22/10 and 13/44/71.
They have Thompson and Lewis available to hold down the B6 lines at center which I think would be a better option against this opponent. That third line creates a speed line to at least counter one of Vegas' line and the fourth line is there to simply disrupt and check - both Clifford and Thompson are physical players and Mitchell can zip around and help in a support role.
I would actually consider putting in Andreoff on the fourth line in place of Mitchell seeing how Vegas wants to play the body.
Just my .02.
I agree, we gotta hit them more. Can't just sit back and take it as they run Doughty the whole game (loved that he got his back).
It was obvious from the dirst drop they were going to play physical and targeted Doughty, every time he was out there so was Carrier. All fine and dandy, but then the Kings' big boys need to be plastering the Karlssons and Marchesseaus out there.
It is hard to hit what you can't catch, and Vegas' speed plays a role in this, so open ice checks would be the way to go - perhaps a Phaneuf Special at the blue line will send a nice message back.