Moog-Type-S

It's not like they really need Stamkos.
Team is very stacked as it is.

Yumcha

Well, the Kings are an impressively physical team. Seriously, I applaud that aspect of the game...However, the difference in the game was the 1st period when the team seemed obsessed with establishing that "tone" and go out of their way to hit anything. And that's the issue...out of their way. To the point that they lost sight of what matters...the puck.

So, Chicago coasted to a 2-0 lead early. I mean, it didn't work all last year in the playoffs against Chicago and so far in the prior 2 games...so, why keep trying that? Even more so in this 10 game slump they are in...change it up?

It's one thing to hit but to go out of your way to check a Hawk to next week is kinda stupid. Play the puck. At least they did that in the 2nd but...too late. An offensively challenged squad trying to play from behind is very tough and by the 3rd, they seemed gassed and Chicago easily regained the lead.




Was I just too tired from lack of sleep watching or am I right in my observations?

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

I thought the same, it's good that he used that as motivation but I don't trust that he'll be back to game form/health

Yumcha

Game shape/timing will take some time...

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

Moog-Type-S

First period the Kings were coasting....came out flat.

As far as hittuing goes, Kings had 17 hits in first and 14 in the second period.
Pretty much equal.

It's not the over-emphasis on hitting that's killing their offense.

It's quality chances with the puck. Chances from scoring areas.
Kings have done very little here.

Here is a mind numbing stat.....you can't win games doing this:
Giveaways: CHI 9 LAK 21

Not to mention being the most penalized team in the league will kill your offense. Giving up a PPG right off the bat.....ummm...yea.


I think you watched a different game......or at least from a completely different perspective.

I can go on, but I think you get the point.

Moog-Type-S

Maybe Bylsma being a Pengoon, will tell team USA to "sweep the leg" on Stamkos.
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/4kr24G8jQpM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
It's how the Pengoons do it!

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

Love this shot from the OT game winner celebration

Moogy, is that the Crane technique?

Yumcha

@ Malkin's Crane Technique...

Yumcha

Okay...not a regular observer of your team. I did not find the Kings "flat". They seemed to bring it physically and were it not for getting to obsessed with hitting, they probably would not have had the boarding penalty and then all those interference calls too.

But, yeah...just my perspective. No biggie. It was an admittedly late game...these darn 8:30PM MST games are killer. At least it didn't need OT and the stupid NHL "gimmick" shootout.



Your team's in a funk as are all contenders during the dog days of winter. They have enough players who know what it takes to win to break out of it...I would not sweat it. It's not like the Kings are the...Oilers.

Moog-Type-S

Kings need to have more than one line that scores.
Bottom six forwards are flat out pathetic.
They will trade for another offensive piece, and quite possibly another Dman.

Sure the Kings are "built for the playoffs"....but you still need to score goals to win the game.

Moog-Type-S

Could be.

Again, Malkin can and will use any technique to give him an edge on an opponent. It's what cheap shot artists do.

I think Cobra Kai is more his style, but if he wants to study under Kesuke Miyagi, so be it.

Yumcha

I hear Vanek, Calamari, or Molson Beer possibly going to LA...? TSN seems to think so.

black label

I know all players heal at different speeds but Chris Kelly broke his leg after Stamkos and has already returned to play. If its healed, it's healed, it's not going to heal anymore. I'm guessing his leg will be fine, his timing and cardio would be the issue if he has any problems at all. Lets face it, he's naturally talented at this hockey thing.

Moog-Type-S

I'd be shocked if the squid came back. Deano and him have "history".

Molson...maybe, because of Quick being his brother in law....but the price will be too high...Kings are not far from the cap.

Vanek....price too high in a trade, not to mention his contract WILL be sky high to boot.

Moog-Type-S

...and I've said it before, I'll say it again: Brown is not a good Captain, and he should be traded.

Sure the Kings captured lightning in a bottle on their Cup run, but Brown IMHO is past his prime....and his contract is too high.

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

Yumcha

Well, if Molson/Vanek re-ups...mebbe Dusty Brown can be headed in the other way in a package deal?



Someone should PM Poo and asks what his sources think.

Yumcha

And on Poo's site, there's a report that Sam Ganyay maybe someone the Kings want.

Moog-Type-S

^^ Vey is cheaper and has more upside than Gagne.

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

I'd love the Pens to grab Vanek as a rental player since he's obviously not staying with the Isles

Yumcha

Not saying this season's an indicator, but, your team does NOT need forward help.

When the going gets tough in the playoffs and the checking is air-tight, not sure how Vanek helps. The Pens' recent playoff failures have been attributed to poor adjustments defensively...

So, if I'm Shero, I'm not going after the most exotic/shiniest offensive weapon. Sid, Danny LaRusso, Neal, et al can score plenty enough.

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

Here we go with the defensive talk, the Pens D is the deepest and strongest it's been in years, they need a top 6 winger to replace Dupuis who's out for the year. It's been a turnstyle at that wing position for the last month plus. I'd love to see the Pens use their young prospect Bennett who's still out with a broken wrist, but my guess is Shero will go after a wing, that's been the talk since Duper blew out his knee. Yes they didn't adjust defensively against Boston last year, but they didn't score goals either.

Yumcha

Well, Letang has been very unhealthy this year.

Again, just personally think defensive depth is the way to go. How often has the biggest trade in the lame March deadline yielded a home run? I'm not saying it doesn't happen but it's just all it is...hype. And very little else.

Vanek's got some appeal but no one knows his playoff history and it's often the team that can roll 4-lines and run out 3 defensive pairings that win it all. So, what I was saying is, how does another 1st/2nd-liner help the Pens? You're so stacked there.

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

They're more stacked on D than they are on top 6 forwards, we're playing defenseman as 4th line wings, because we have too many good defenseman that we can't start them all, their 3rd and 4th lines are stacked, not their top lines

Moog-Type-S

You can't be serious.

The fate of the Pens will be the same as last year if they go the route you would like them to go.

Playoff hockey is not regular season hockey.

black label

It's funny seeing letangs name followed by defensive depth. Letang could be replaced by taking any decent forward and putting him on the backend.

Yumcha

And again, you're talking about Top 6 forwards. And I'm seriously telling you that is not the Pens' issue/weakness.

In the playoffs, it is the Top 6 which will be checked to death. And so, it will be the bottom lines that will often prove to the be difference. Look at every Cup winner and you'll see a very impressive 3rd and 4th line because the Top 6s are a wash usually.

Now, that being said, I'm also saying the Pens forward corp is not bad. The D is young...you say they are good and I'm not disagreeing with you. So, relax. But, young and impressionable is not playoff seasoned either. This is why I'm saying, if I'd have a wish-list, I'd add a nice veteran D-man at #3/4/5/6 to slot in when the going gets tough and the kids have their eyes glazed over.




Vanek won't help that. Did Iginla do much last year? He was the biggest, shiniest piece and now, he's pulled a Hossa and signed with Boston.

Yumcha

Oucho...harsh!


I debated with Ack last season about Letang's abilities and did give him my word to not go there anymore.

Moog-Type-S

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

All I said was I'd like Vanek as a wing, with Dupuis out, they need a top 6 guy. Like Yummy said, playing 19 year olds there isn't going to win anything.

I'm aware that the 3rd and 4th lines need to be strong, but when the Pens are so top heavy, if Malkin's line and Crosby's lines don't score, they have no chance, look at the Boston series last year, neither Malkin or Crosby had a point, and the team only scored 2 goals, you can't blame the lack of offense on the D. The Pens have a hole at top wing, they need to fill it with someone.

4 of the top 6 are veteran D, they signed Scuderi to fullfill that need, their 5th D-man is Niskannen who has the top plus/minus in the league, the only young D-man is their 6th D-man. Who else on the D is young?

They made too many moves last year, they took a 16 year right winger who came to play with Crosby, and put him on Malkin's left wing, they did not use him correctly at all. Can't blame him for leaving, frankly adding 3 new forwards 2 of which were captains was too much and hurt them more than it helped them. I would like to see them add 1 scoring winger, that's it.

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

Like twigcha pointed out, he hasn't been healthy, and definitely hasn't been playing up to his contract, won't disagree with you there. He still has far more upside than downside though

black label

Hmm, grab some tissues and your Crosby build a bear to comfort you, then take a look at Krugs stats compared to letang, then look up their contracts.

When your done crying and the crysby build a bear is completely waterlogged, come on back and explain this "upside" you speak of.

black label

Why do I keep having these mystery smileys as a header?

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

I don't play with build a bears, you have me confused with someone else

Games played - Letang: 34 - Krug: 52
Goals - Letang: 10 - Krug: 12
SOG - Letang: 100 - Krug: 120
Experience - Letang: 7 years - Krug: 2 years

Thanks for playing

black label

So since we're done playing, I declare myself the winner of the offensive defensemen who actually plays hockey for his money instead of sitting on the bench broken game.

black label

And you forgot....

Krug +8

Letang -6

Moog-Type-S

-6....ummm...yea

e30cabrio

iTrader: (6)

I dislike both Boston & Pittsburgh so as an "uninterested" observer, I'd say Krug is winning this comparison.

He was a game changer against the Rangers in the playoffs last year, I hated him which means he did his job.