Game Thread: G41 24-11-5 Kings @ Oilers 1/13/25

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

Dirty dri out there almost 2min and still faster than TOTM by a lot

That was so rough. Kuemper looked so great too. I sorta blame the whole approach though. Oilers come out looking for possession, and they treat the 4 on 4 like a PP. TOTM misses the puck initially coming to him at the Blue line, then gets absolutely worked by Draisaitl. Then he stumbles into the net and is basically doing broken stick impression.

 

[Kings4OT]

That was so rough. Kuemper looked so great too. I sorta blame the whole approach though. Oilers come out looking for possession, and they treat the 4 on 4 like a PP. TOTM misses the puck initially coming to him at the Blue line, then gets absolutely worked by Draisaitl. Then he stumbles into the net and is basically doing broken stick impression.

King do this 4 on 4, other team always going for possession right away and skate/pass while Kings treat it like 5 v 5

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

I don't know why, but I do like this version of the Kings better than last year. Little more grit and fight. But old tendencies pop up and they're still outmatched in certain spots. I think they gotta maybe look to continue to get bigger and faster, which leaves a guy like TOTM odd man out in my opinion. Been a really even matchup overall.

We'll see how this 3rd period goes. Saw something about Skinner and their backup both at right around .900 save percentage, so I just always believe if Kings can just get a little more North-South and get a few more chances, that puck will go in the other net.

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

I feel like the league loves McDavid, so they don't mind this probably being the 4th year in a row these teams matchup in the first round. But imagine if 4 years in a row, McDavid didn't leave the first round because of the same matchup. The league would be clamoring for a return to the 1-8, or some other change. I never liked the system trying to promote rivalries by forcing divisional matchups, but obviously as a Kings fan it's gotten so old. Not just getting beat, but like, can we see some other teams/players by chance?

 

[Kings4OT]

Moore and dunno are tweaners and not 2nd line talent. Thats not a knock, theyve done admirably but TOTM isnt really a 30g guy....ya he can always say he is but reality is going to be barely 15 to 20 no matter where you put him in the lineup

 

[Kings4OT]

I prefer 1-8, I also dont feel like any of those rivalries they tried to manufacture are really there. Meeting Oilers in a different round every year, that would be something way different and hell yeah its on.....but even in the East its not playing out

 

[PuckinUgly57]

TOTM kinda sucks lol

He was not been good all season, and his return screwed up the lines and they got worse. No Buster fan as you know but 37 55 10 was a good line. TOTM comes back, he replaces Jeannot and zero chemistry and even worse no production.

He's always been overpaid, he is looking even worse now as basixally a B3 player.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Rams crushed it. I had tickets to go but obviously game was moved to Arizona. Brother in law lives in Phoenix so we still almost went. But solid win. Nightmare matchup next week, but we'll see how it goes.

Going to be rough. My daughter is an Eagles fan, I have no idea how, but she's been gloating all damn season. I hope the Rams smoke them but that's going to be tough.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Well, that just sucked. Oilers second hottest team since late November and they played a heck of a game defensively. Seems weird saying that but they didn't give the Kings too many good looks and the Kings failed to score early again.

So far 1-2 on this 5 game trip, on to Vancouver on Thursday. And for crying out loud don't use the 11/7.

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

Edmonton is just more talented and hungrier. Kings too passive and they panic with the puck too much. Also credit to Edmonton for just hounding LA and taking away time and space. Really just the big blunder on the goal was the difference, but that feels like maybe an excuse. I do trust Jim Hiller more than McLlelan to at least make some adjustments and see what happens. I thought Kuemper looked great, and he's actually sort of the personality that works for LA, at least right now. Still don't see him being a game breaker, but he's been pretty solid, and he has won a cup (albeit with a loaded Avs team). Just feels like he's not out of place in bigger games, which is nice. Fiala, man. That dude is so talented, but he feels like a head case. Panics a lot, forces stuff, or then brain farts when he could do well to hold it an extra second. They had him at the point for the Empty Net time, and I assume that's to try to get him going. I guess I like them trying it, but it definitely didn't work. It's wild when they need a goal, they still never run Fiala with Kopitar and Kempe. They must just have the worst chemistry in history. Never understood it. Is everything Fiala's fault, absolutely not. But sometimes in these bigger games, you just need a big goal or something, and it's rare from him.

For little stuff. I'd still love a legit faceoff guy. A big, power forward type faceoff guy. 3rd or 4th line center with real size and faceoff acumen. Nothing flashy at all. Heavier body to help wear down opponents a few shifts a period. Pick up the energy with some hitting. Faceoffs at end of game or big moments. Would go a long way.

I think Doughty coming back will be a boost, but that's not really their issue in my opinion.

All that to say, sadly, Oilers in 6. I want to be wrong for sure.

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

Going to be rough. My daughter is an Eagles fan, I have no idea how, but she's been gloating all damn season. I hope the Rams smoke them but that's going to be tough.

On so many levels, I would be on Cloud 9 if Rams beat the Eagles. Philly fans are out of their minds.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

It's wild when they need a goal, they still never run Fiala with Kopitar and Kempe. They must just have the worst chemistry in history.

They did play 22 11 9 a bit tonight, Jill shook up the lines. It seemed OK but a) Kopitar is not the easiest guy to play with as we have seen for almost 20 years and b) Fiala isn't either. On paper however you'd think these 3 as a line makes 100% sense.

I seriously don't have a solution for Fiala but the Kings clearly now have a Fiala problem. He needs to be benched just like Buster does, lot of skating for a lot of nothing.

 

[Kings4OT]

I didnt like that it seemed NJ14 got punished for dumping Mcjesus. Yes, it led to the 4 v 4 goal, but thats not on him. I want to see more of that from LA, dont just take it. We can call out 1 or 2 players but really everyone not Kopi/Kempe needs to up their offensive game. This team is very lacking offensively and it seems every year the PP gets worse, which is fine since these guys aren't dangerous enough to even draw a penalty. Blake really needs to go hard at a real #2c or give up. They can win some games but no series yet again.