Game Thread: G66 36-20-9 Kings @ Wild 3/17/25

[PuckinUgly57]

Game day again, 5pm start on FDS. It's St. Patrick's Day so I have corned beef going in the crock pot, can't wait to mow into that in a few hours when the game is going on. A friend of mine told me her local bar always serves corned beef tacos, I'm going to try that with the leftovers. Was thinking of going to the watering hole tonight after the game but decided not to, it's amateur night and cops will be in full force.

Nothing new to report, Kuemper to start and the same 12/6 line up tonight. Doughty didnt skate this morning and by his quote it's exactly what we thought, resting the ankle. Apparently this has been planned and will continue to as we move along. Thomas, Lewis, Burroughs and Moverare the expected scratches again. Lewis being out has made a world of difference, I'm sure that's not easy being a 1000+ game veteran but as always he's a pro and will do whatever is best for the team.

The Wild are still missing Kaprizov and Eriksson Ek, which is good for LA. Kaprizov seems to score at will on LA so not being in the lineup is an advantage for LA. They've lost 4 of the last 5 and got whooped by the Blues 5-1 Saturday so they'll be looking to get back to a win as well. I expect this to be a tough game for LA especially considering their abysmal road record.

Kuemper was named the NHLs First Star of the Week and I think it was earned, he's on a roll right now. This is his fourth straight start though so I'm hoping Jill doesn't burn him out. I think Rittich may play against the Hawks on Thursday though.

While I want to believe the Kings will win, I think Minnesota comes out and takes this one 3-2. Kings road woes continue with goals by Kopitar and Laferriere. Buster with 8 assists and he sees his 6 game goal scoring streak come to an end and a non factor period again begins. Hope I'm wrong though, Kings need the points as they fell back to PD3 with Edmo beating NY last night.

Let's Go Kings!

 

[Kings4OT]

Kempe makes it 1-0 from Fiala...Kuemper making some lucky plays again....wanna mention something but Wild will score soon as I do....

 

[Kings4OT]

Well 2 min into 2nd, 1 shot pp goal for hartman

1-1

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Hartman, deflection. I just chuckled thinking of that cat fight he and Karlsson had in Ottawa with their wives that led to trades. What are we, 5?

 

[davnlaguna]

Three shut outs in a row too much to ask for

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Three shut outs in a row too much to ask for

He isn't 2001 Potvin.

Kuzmenko, I don't know what to think of this guy. His arrival slotted guys correctly which is good, but all tradees TDL have registered at least a point (except defensemen) but not him. This guy seems to be everywhere but nowhere at the same time and he isn't generating opportunities either.

Unless something changes he will not be getting a contract from the Kings on July 1.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Gavrikov straight up one on one going to the net and goes around the net. Why do these guys do that????

 

[Kings4OT]

Hartman, deflection. I just chuckled thinking of that cat fight he and Karlsson had in Ottawa with their wives that led to trades. What are we, 5?

I thought that was Hoffman? or was he a part of some other stupid thing

 

[Kings4OT]

He isn't 2001 Potvin.

Kuzmenko, I don't know what to think of this guy. His arrival slotted guys correctly which is good, but all tradees TDL have registered at least a point (except defensemen) but not him. This guy seems to be everywhere but nowhere at the same time and he isn't generating opportunities either.

Unless something changes he will not be getting a contract from the Kings on July 1.

Ya, hes made some skill plays that resulted in nothing. He got Lewis out of the lineup....thsts worth a 3rd lol

Especially with LA scouting

 

[PuckinUgly57]

I thought that was Hoffman? or was he a part of some other stupid thing

Doh my bad haha.

 

[Kings4OT]

Gavrikov straight up one on one going to the net and goes around the net. Why do these guys do that????

Getting it as deep as possible

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Ya, hes made some skill plays that resulted in nothing. He got Lewis out of the lineup....thsts worth a 3rd lol

Especially with LA scouting

He's played nothing but L1 minutes too since he got here. I know he was low risk high reward but damn, this guy seems to do nothing at all but looking busy.

 

[Kings4OT]

He's played nothing but L1 minutes too since he got here. I know he was low risk high reward but damn, this guy seems to do nothing at all but looking busy.

Buster when he bulks up

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Buster when he bulks up

Federal employee.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Haven't heard Turcotte’s name much since he got moved to L4. I think this dude is trade bait.

I get it's the B6, minimal playing time and whatnot but even there he isn't doing much. Matt Martin is like 400 years old and still making an impact as a B6 player.

Chalk this one up to another great pick by this franchise. Even the booth isn't mentioning him.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Especially with LA scouting

I just remembered the Kings actually do hit on later round picks, specifically fourth but also third (Laferriere). This trade actually may burn LA in the end even though it looks innocent.

Dude stinks, gave up a 3rd. Low risk, no reward.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Well that went as planned...

 

[Kings4OT]

Figured this would be tough even with them down 2 top players. Jekyll and Hyde

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

Kinda feel like they left those points out there. Little too cute on a few plays, and then special teams difference at the end there.

Turnover was bad leading to Moore tripping penalty. But what is Kempe doing on that PK? He just leaves that whole side open, and then double covers the slot guy who is already covered.

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

Actually thought that early 3rd period PP looked like it had great movement. Just dudes fanning on shots everywhere. I am probably hyper focused on him, but I feel like the pressure of a game, or a slightly larger moment, and he's gonna fan on a pass or shot. Gonna grip his stick a little too tight, or overthink something.