Game Thread: G30 17-9-3 Kings @ NY Rangers 12/14/24

[PuckinUgly57]

Game day again, 10am start time on FDS. Headed out to Christmas shop after the game so I'll be able to watch this one but dreading the holiday crowds. People seem to become stupid during the holidays especially drivers, hopefully no one tests my patience today and we can get in, get out and get home.

Rags and Kings split last season with one win apiece on home ice, the Rangers are in free fall after starting 5-1-0 but going 10-12-0 since. Zibanejad and Kreider are having down years, Kreider was called out by his coach, captain Trouba was just trades unceremoniously to Anaheim, lot of theater going on on Broadway.

Quick is on win 398 and has played his former team well whether that be Vegas or NY so I expect him to get the start today. So clearly he will have his A game on and I expect to see vintage Quick making ungodly saves again. As we know one of the fiercest competitors ever, freaking legend.

The Kings recalled Andre Lee yesterday on an emergency basis, that indicates someone is or could be potentially injured up front. Curious who it is or if Lee will check in. Jill has run the 11/7 several games now and that is not sustainable IMO, with Lee up, on a long road trip I don't think throwing in 12/6 most games would hurt. Thomas, Lee and Burroughs available to check in for any lineup changes.

There was no skate this morning being an early game so no idea who will be in net, but I hope it's Rittich because he played very well against NJ on Thursday and gave the Kings a shot to win. He also has better career numbers against NYR than Kuemper does but he was also undefeated in his career against NJ until Thursday so who knows.

Prediction: the Kings contribute to NYs slide and win 4-3, spoiling win 399 for Quick. LA goals by Helenius (first NHL goal), Laferriere, Kempe and Fiala. Buster prancing around like Bambi as usual looking busy but not actually doing anything.

Let's Go Kings!

 

[PuckinUgly57]

And how could I forget, a match up between Buster and Lafreniere, as we all know the 1OA and 2OA from 2020.

He's on pace for 60 points, almost double what Buster is on pace for. His career hasn't been a heck of a lot better but he's also been better than Buster.

Hope that lights a fire under Buster today, he's been outclassed and outplayed by damn near everyone taken in the top 10 fro that draft class.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Moore the injured forward and out today, Turcotte taking his spot at LW1 with Kopitar and Kempe. Thomas checking in with Helenius as the pair on the fourth line.

Edmunson out as well, Englund taking his spot at LD2 with Clarke. Kings indeed going 11/7, I don't think this is a good idea and changes my prediction to 3-2 Rags.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Correction, Edmundson is in - wasn't listed as available in pregame.

 

[Kings4OT]

Turcott on fya

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Turcotte from Kempe on a sweet two on one. Third goal for him, as many as Buster with half as much TOI, mostly fourth line duties and not primo opportunities every game.

Yeah I'm back in full blown hater mode on Buster, last season was a fluke.

 

[Kings4OT]

How spence let that guy beat him to puck

 

[PuckinUgly57]

How spence let that guy beat him to puck

Too much ramen and not enough steak.

=)~~

 

[Kings4OT]

Lol Fox calling lafreniere and byfield picks of the litter 2020 draft, barely t5 if im drafting

 

[Kings4OT]

Really i woulda taken alexi 3 or 4, tho he was concensus 1st pick. 2chains probably 5.

Probably woulda been fired for my scouting haha, but it was a year I went and looked at those kids pre draft

 

[Kings4OT]

Nogoal, Fox explaining how nobody could have passed that other than 2chains....barely a mention for Nogoal lol

 

[Kings4OT]

Kings all over Rags so far, glad Trouba not there as he would probably run someone

 

[Kings4OT]

Turcotte from Kempe on a sweet two on one. Third goal for him, as many as Buster with half as much TOI, mostly fourth line duties and not primo opportunities every game.

Agree, but Turcott doesnt really do anything either imo and is a bust. Most anyone but 2chains coulda made that shot

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Really i woulda taken alexi 3 or 4, tho he was concensus 1st pick. 2chains probably 5.

Probably woulda been fired for my scouting haha, but it was a year I went and looked at those kids pre draft

In every redraft I've seen since neither guy went 1 and 2, Buster was 10th and Lafreniere around 5th. Stuetzle went first and either of my guys Raymond and Sanderson second and third.

There was some serious miscalculations by several teams including LA on that 2020 draft. Covid was not an excuse because that was only 3 months prior to the draft and most scouting was already done starting over a year earlier.

One of my biggest pet peeves when it comes to that draft. Sure there was no OHL hockey but that applied to everyone not just Buster yet those others have progressed. Next excuse please.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Agree, but Turcott doesnt really do anything either imo and is a bust. Most anyone but 2chains coulda made that shot

Turcotte definitely more engaged than Buster but agreed, another disappointment of a T5 pick.

 

[Kings4OT]

Buster scores!

 

[Kings4OT]

Now they're talking about how perfect buster's shot was, You would think that was the greatest shot anybody ever made

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Holy shit Christmas came early! Buster 3-0 Kings. Now on pace for a whopping 10 goals!

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Now they're talking about how perfect buster's shot was, You would think that was the greatest shot anybody ever made

I'm telling you man, all damage control at this point. AEG mandate IMO.

They'd prop him up for the way he wipes his ass taking a dump it's gotten so bad..

 

[Kings4OT]

Cantplay! Kopi what passing, You see the way buster was cheering that on the bench?