Game Thread: G78 32-26-19 Kings vs Canucks 4/9/26

[PuckinUgly57]

Game day again, 730pm start on FDS. Will be able to catch this one in full, kids are on spring break. It's nice now and again when you don't have to run around like a chicken with its head cut off.

No lineup changes expected, Forsberg to start and I think k he should run the rest of the way. Apparently Buster is playing through an injury but expected to play tonight. Not sure what that could be except a bruised vagine, softest 6'5 230 guy to play in some time.

I'll post it later but TA had an article on Kuemper and how he cannot be relied on right now. Honestly I think he is done, he's looked so much like Kuemper of years past and not the Vezina finalist from last year at all. Granted that Rantanen hit created all this but it was going to be difficult to replicate last season anyway with the defense corps looking worse than 2024-25. Dummy and Peepee say hello.

I think somehow they should move him this summer, run Forsberg as the starter next season and start giving Portillo some time as the back up. The issue is Kuemper still has one year and $5.25M AAV left after this year so a taker will be tough but the good news is actual cash is $3.75M so maybe someone can take him in a salary dump. But the Kings would probably have to eat some of that or sweeten the pot. Not Blake's fault on this one but still an issue for LA among so many others that will need to be addressed.

Vancouver starts a CA road trip and sit in dead last in the league. The Kings smoked them last week but they should, these are the teams you absolutely need to beat. But they have guys auditioning as well for next season and I'm sure would love to spoil LAs PO chase so I don't expect them to just roll over. But man they are in bad shape.

The Kings completely control their own PO destiny and this is one of those games I'd say is a must win. Currently 3-1-1 on the 7 game home stand which honestly to me is surprising considering how the season has gone. But they need the points so keep it rolling and try to get a regulation win.

Magic 8 Ball says: Very Likely.

Let's Go Kings!

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Preds down 2-0 to Utah, channel 781 on DTV if you have Center Ice. Kings will be scoreboard watching tonight.

 

[davnlaguna]

Sharks down 2-0 vs Ducks.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Kings getting help again, need to do their part.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

These freaking guys....

One of the 70 Pettersons Vancouver has, 1-1.

 

[Kings4OT]

Go take a dump, come back to Armia shooting one in and say to myself "oh cool its 2-0"

 

[PuckinUgly57]

That's one their goalie needs to stop, looked like recent Kuemper.

Armia 2-1. Laughton the assist, they really need to figure out how to keep this guy.

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

Nice answer by Armia. Kings need to sort of runaway with this game in the 2nd. Don't want this close in such an important game against the 32nd ranked team.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Nice answer by Armia. Kings need to sort of runaway with this game in the 2nd. Don't want this close in such an important game against the 32nd ranked team.

100%. This is a team they should railroad and not play tight.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Kings getting burned on stretch passes, means too loose of a gap. It will cost them if this doesn't tighten up.

Overall not a great period IMO and it's concerning it's against a crap team.

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

If Laferriere learns some finish to go with his moves, he might score 40 goals. But he's borrowed Trevor Lewis's hands.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

If Laferriere learns some finish to go with his moves, he might score 40 goals. But he's borrowed Trevor Lewis's hands.

Much better than Lewis, just as complete. He will be a gamer. Dude shows up every single night.

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

We want ice cream! McFlurry Minute goal!

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

Much better than Lewis, just as complete. He will be a gamer. Dude shows up every single night.

Yeah he's solid. I just mean he had that Golden chance end of last game. Beautiful move today he also couldn't finish.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Yeah he's solid. I just mean he had that Golden chance end of last game. Beautiful move today he also couldn't finish.

Lewis couldn't hit water falling out of a boat, that was apparent early on. Still was huge though.

His back checking on Hamhuis to set up Stoll in OT was unreal in 2012.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Man the Kings needed that, Vancouver outplayed LA in the second.

My money is 100% on him being the next captain after Kopitar, Doughty will have to be Poughty. Kempe gets the C.

3-1, go for the kill.

 

[Kings4OT]

I wonder if Doughty demanded Holland not get any dmen better than himself....Holland went as high as he could with Dummy and peepee

 

[Kings4OT]

Like to see LA have a complete 3rd period and close this out

 

[Kings4OT]

Pettersson from NJ14

4-1

Of course they give it to TOTM, since i picked him to sit for a chance to see Kuz with Panarin a bit

 

[PuckinUgly57]

I wonder if Doughty demanded Holland not get any dmen better than himself....Holland went as high as he could with Dummy and peepee

That's basically who was available. Literally Holly had no choice after watching Gavrikov leave and Spence giving them the finger. Which I don't blame BTW, he should have been playing way more than some other defenders. But Jill..

Who BTW is having a phenomenal season in Ottawa. Kings really got reamed on that one.