Game Thread: Los Angeles Kings @ Buffalo Sabres, 12/9 4:30 PM, NBCSN

[ouendan1]

AT

Relevant Game Information

The first of a 5 game road trip. Hope the road woes are behind them, or this is going to be a longgggg week and a half.

 

[davnlaguna]

Hope to make it home in time to see gabby with a hat track

 

[pete6835]

It's on FSW also.

 

[Kings4OT]

This is bad, it really looks like LA is on the PP but like when they have a PP they aren't scoring. This kind of game usually ends badly

 

[pete6835]

Barn burner

 

[Deader2818]

At what point in the season do we start to worry about this team? I know we usually sleep walk through the season but ever since that 6 game winning streak we have not really looked good at all.

 

[davnlaguna]

I thought they would award an empty net goal there on Doughty's trip

 

[davnlaguna]

I am not worried yet about this team, but I am getting there.
I don't think Anaheim or Vancouver are as good as their records but SJ is better than theirs.
I think once Kopitar comes out of his funk ( he looks off )
and Gaborik and Carter remember where the net is, this team will get with it.
If Voynov ever comes back, that might help.
if they are still floating around the wild card spot or worse after the All Star Game , yes I am more patient than some, then I will join the sad sack club.

As for tonight's game, I thought they played ok, not great. Some brain freezes at times but they controlled plat most of the game.

Maybe it is time to make them watch the Stanley Cup DVD on the plane, to remind them what they are playing for. (Ending a sentence in a preposition )

 

[oxnardkingsfan]

Special team play beat them again. Buffalo 1 power play goal. Kings 0 power play goals. It's not like they didn't have their chances. Too many missed opportunities in close where the puck just eluded their sticks. Almost like they weren't hungry enough. Got 4 more chances on this trip but they're not easy matchups. Ottawa with their new coach followed by Montreal in a back-to-back situation and then a much improved Toronto team and finishing up against St Louis a team out to prove they can play with LA.

Ox

 

[LALakersboy24.7]

Kings need to win these games Vs east coast teams. We gotta get goals, Kopitar & Carter have not scored in their last 9 games. We need our guns!

 

[ouendan1]

I am not worried yet about this team, but I am getting there.
I don't think Anaheim or Vancouver are as good as their records but SJ is better than theirs.
I think once Kopitar comes out of his funk ( he looks off )
and Gaborik and Carter remember where the net is, this team will get with it.
If Voynov ever comes back, that might help.
if they are still floating around the wild card spot or worse after the All Star Game , yes I am more patient than some, then I will join the sad sack club.

As for tonight's game, I thought they played ok, not great. Some brain freezes at times but they controlled plat most of the game.

Maybe it is time to make them watch the Stanley Cup DVD on the plane, to remind them what they are playing for. (Ending a sentence in a preposition )

I'm actually kind of the opposite. Last night's game put me in the "worry" column.

Something is off about this team. They just look out of sync, and the scoring is starting to dry up. This 5 game road trip could be murder and they didn't get off to a good start. 14-9-5... That's a pace of 41 wins and 96 points. Is that going to be enough to get into the playoffs? Or at least secure the #3 seed in the division? SJ I'm not worried about. I think their record is indicative of that team. I also think Anaheim and Vancouver are for real as well. It's Calgary that bothers me.

 

[oxnardkingsfan]

I quit worrying. It just isn't worth it. I'm too darn old. They'll either snap out of it and have another good playoff run or they won't and miss the playoffs altogether. I'll be disappointed for sure but life's just too short and you never know what's around the corner. They've given me 2 Stanley Cup Championships and all I ever wanted was 1 before I died. Doubled my wishes. Yeah it makes you hungry for more but not worth stressing over. You guys will get there too someday.

Ox

 

[PuckinUgly57]

At what point in the season do we start to worry about this team? I know we usually sleep walk through the season but ever since that 6 game winning streak we have not really looked good at all.

I'm with Laguna D, I think we need to wait until a few weeks before the ASG. If they are still meddling with these bizzaro games, a move needs to be made.

They haven't really fielded their full Cup caliber team all season yet with the slew of injuries, suspensions and slumps so I think based on what we have seen with this team the last 4 years or so - lumber through the RS and turn it up in April - it should be expected but for ONCE I would like to see this team start and finish strong.

Voynov returning would be huge, but there are other issues going on too in the forward corps. Never seen Kopitar look this bad, he isn't even controlling play in the offensive zone like in years past. Defensively he is fine, but he needs to step up as does the entire 70s Line and Richards.

Gaborik needs to stop hurting himself getting out of bed.