Game Thread: G6 WCQF 2-3 Kings @ Oliers 5/1/25

[PuckinUgly57]

Game day again, 7pm on FDS. This may be our last GDT of the season, I certainly hope not. It's been great doing this all season with you guys. Also could be Nickson's last game behind the booth, also hope not. Going easy peasy with burgers, beans and chips for the kids so I can watch this.

Kuemper in net, no lineup changes expected. Not much to say here, we all know how important this game is for LA and on a deeper level how important this series is for the Kings as a franchise. Lose and it cements Blake's legacy as a terrible team builder, a team with no guts or balls that is unable to win when it matters. Win and it shows there's a heartbeat and no quit in this group. Their performance will determine which one of those comes true. I think the first 5-10 minutes will tell us exactly which way this may go.

Doughty stated today that they are not going to sit back and go into a turtle defense if they have a lead going into the third. TOTM basically said he expects LA to have a lead going into the third. We will see what happens and how the game plays out, but with nothing to lose I hope the Kings go full throttle from puck drop to end whistle, the issue is do they have enough in the tank after the over usage of players and not enough TOI for essentially 5 guys throughout the series.

This will not look good for Jill, who's already taken a ton of heat this series for his coaching decisions, if the Kings do not put up a fight at the very least. Ottawa is about to lose the series 4-2 but for a first time PO series for a young team played extremely hard. I can live with an effort like that, I can't live with a debacle like G5.

No changes expected in Edmonton although Knobhead showed one thing in line rushes but changed it up during actual game time. Clearly that threw Hiller off, all is fair in the POs. So I'd expect something we arent expecting tonight and the Kings need to be prepared for that.

Prediction: against my better judgment, Kings pull this one off 3-2 forcing a G7. Goals by unexpected guys in Spence and Turcotte and one by Kempe who clearly has PO chops. Get the win, GTFO of Edmonton and live another day.

Let's Go Kings!

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

Keep hearing vibes on the team are good, which I find very hard to believe. Would like to see, win or lose, more active defense on the offensive side. Not sitting back afraid all game. Kings just dump and chase, and hurry to make that line change. Truly losing hockey. Hoping more attack, and more help from the defense to put pressure up front.

I guess I feel better today than after Game 5. One game could change so much, but they just seem unable to make the proper adjustments, or change their style to match what Edmonton does. Still feels like a coaching issue to me. Not too optimistic, but luckily I've been wrong so many times in the past.

You're probably right on the first 5-10 minutes and if LA is able to produce anything and show some life.

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

Saw this post from Fiala of all people.

 

[davnlaguna]

I’m scared to look

 

[PuckinUgly57]

I agree, with what's happened throughout the series with lost leads, Edmonton taking over the third, Jill's stupid coaching, grasping defeat from the jaws of victory (hello my NY Giants, solid draft though) and Edmonton slowly taking over each game by third period I don't how the vibe can be good. I've played a lot of competitive hockey and in situations like this I wasn't loose, I was pissed, intense and focused. Good vibes can come after the win. Just go out and leave it all out there is all I ask.

Also would like to see the defense more involved, seems like they have been literally defense all series. No offense at all, now would be a good time to throw some of that up.

 

[Kings4OT]

Awesome job all year with These GDT...I think I used everyone of them! Such an up n down season really no matter how many points LA had. I still think thats a reflection of the west vsanything LA did. Kings looked monsterous after getting Kuz, but thats now gone and I think yhis is it for LA unfortunately. When players need to say things like "we arent going to do whatever" it is that lost them games previously its almost already over. DD8 has looked like a rookie most of this serieseven when LA was doing well. Fiala will probably be jumpy as fuck and most of the team will become disinterested for large portions of the game. Fully expect Oil to come out and bury LA early if they are smart. Sucks

Still gotta play the game tho soooo GO KINGS GO!

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Saw this post from Fiala of all people.

He's actually had a good series, shook off the can't play in the POs rep a bit IMO.

 

[Kings4OT]

Arrival!

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

Byfield with the nice finish off the great Fiala pass. Would love them to keep pressuring this defense and Pickard.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Buster? Nice job.

Also great backcheck by Draisaitl/s

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Color me shocked...1-1.

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

And give it right back. Scrambly play. That puck hit like 15 things.

 

[davnlaguna]

I think this is the 6th game kings scored first
(It might be 5)

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

Still better start. Just gotta keep going. Feels like it takes 6 goals to beat these guys, so it is what it is.

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

Boom!!! Clarke

 

[Kings4OT]

Haha wtf

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Color me shocked 2.0, Clarke.

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

I gotta be honest. That play right there. I feel like Fiala and Byfield down low and the defense need to stay in there and support. Full retreat is what starts that 3 on 2 the other way and results in the penalty.

 

[Kings4OT]

Ugg

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

Tough. I'd like Kuemper to maybe have that one. And here we go 2-2 six minutes into the game