I would have to say that this was the strongest NHL game I have seen Jonathan Quick play. He looked calm and let the shots come to him, he was even able to start to absorb the shots in to his chest that caused him so many problems last year. He mixed in a few spectacular saves that we all know he is capable of but the best part of the performance was the lack of rebounds. This is really a game for Quick to build on.
Of course even with his strong game the poke check reared its ugly head. This time it came on a wrap around attempt from Quick's former teammate Brandon Segal. Watch the video and it looks like Segal knew it was coming, and he probably did.
He managed to hold the puck and take it wider knowing that Quick would try to poke it off of his stick and open up the entire top portion of the net. He faked so Quick would bite and then put it over the top of him for the goal. A few minutes later the Stars tried it again but this time no poke check and no goal. Nice adjustment by Quick to not fall for it again.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Los Angeles Kings vs. Chicago Blackhawks
LA Kings (L) 1 vs Chicago Blackhawks (W) 3
Jonathan Bernier
I am really starting to question what the Kings minor league system (or maybe Bill Ranford) is teaching their goaltenders. Aside from the lack of focus that seems to be plaguing Jonathan Bernier in his starts this season there are some uncomfortable similarities in Quick and Bernier's games that I did not notice before this year.
Jonathan Bernier
I am really starting to question what the Kings minor league system (or maybe Bill Ranford) is teaching their goaltenders. Aside from the lack of focus that seems to be plaguing Jonathan Bernier in his starts this season there are some uncomfortable similarities in Quick and Bernier's games that I did not notice before this year.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Nationally televised games on Versus
Let's start off with something that has always bothered me a bit. Fans need for their teams to be shown on national TV. Every year the Versus lineup comes out and teams fan base judge their teams worth on how many games they have on Versus. Well Kings Fans stop it; it doesn't matter if the national audience gets to see the game as long as you do. Games on Fox Sports West are covered so much better, would you rather hear Bob Miller and Jim Fox call the game or the Versus crew that sounds like they just finished calling a monster truck rally?
The guys calling the game last night were just plain bad! They don't know when to be excited about a play so they just try and sound excited all the time. And stop trying to use "hockey lingo" I know you want to sound cool and like you know what you're talking about, but it just makes you sound like an idiot.
Secondly fire the director of the broadcast right now! At no point in showing a hockey game should you be showing a close up of the puck while play is in motion. Nobody wants you to zoom in on the puck when a team is trying to break out of their zone, it's not helpful, it's not artistic, and it is stupid. And what is with your camera angles? There is a reason that the most expensive seats in arenas are center ice that is where people what to see the game from. Stop showing teams rush out of their end zones away from the camera and that brings me to the shoot out. Don't show a shooter from the other end of the ice; you can't see anything that way. Jack Johnsons attempt might not have been that good but you didn't know that when you showed the crap angle.
Los Angeles Kings vs. Minnesota Wild 10-25-10
LA Kings (w) 3 Minnesota Wild (L) 2 (SO)
Is it just me or does it look like the line with Smyth, Williams and Stoll is just a hair away from being a decent second line option? The three of them seem to be clicking really well together and I think it is only a matter of another game or two together before they start burying a lot more chances. If the Kings can get that line going and the chemistry of Kopitar, Loktionov and Brown comes together they Kings can put up some big numbers this year and if what I have seen in goal is any indication they are gonna need it.
Jonathan Quick
I am sorry to say Kings fans but so far this year Quick's numbers are a mirage, the team has been playing well enough to win in front of him but he still has a tendency to give up too many soft goals. The good think for the Kings is now they don't let that effect the rest of the game like they used too. For confirmation just look at tonight's game.
Is it just me or does it look like the line with Smyth, Williams and Stoll is just a hair away from being a decent second line option? The three of them seem to be clicking really well together and I think it is only a matter of another game or two together before they start burying a lot more chances. If the Kings can get that line going and the chemistry of Kopitar, Loktionov and Brown comes together they Kings can put up some big numbers this year and if what I have seen in goal is any indication they are gonna need it.
Jonathan Quick
I am sorry to say Kings fans but so far this year Quick's numbers are a mirage, the team has been playing well enough to win in front of him but he still has a tendency to give up too many soft goals. The good think for the Kings is now they don't let that effect the rest of the game like they used too. For confirmation just look at tonight's game.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Los Angeles Kings vs. Colorado Avalanche
LA Kings (W) 6 vs. Colorado Avalanche (L) 4
Before we get to the goalies I would like to say that I am a Kings fan but Wayne Simmonds is a dumb ass and deserves to be suspended, argue all you want but there is no reason whatsoever to butt-end a player, it is pure attempt to injure, you can't do it on accident.
Jonathan Quick
First goal scored after a shot is blocked by a defenseman and the rebound bounced right to Milan Hedjuek who backhanded it over Quick into the top of the net. Quick made a great attempt to make the save but it was out of his reach. Nothing he could do about it.
Before we get to the goalies I would like to say that I am a Kings fan but Wayne Simmonds is a dumb ass and deserves to be suspended, argue all you want but there is no reason whatsoever to butt-end a player, it is pure attempt to injure, you can't do it on accident.
Jonathan Quick
First goal scored after a shot is blocked by a defenseman and the rebound bounced right to Milan Hedjuek who backhanded it over Quick into the top of the net. Quick made a great attempt to make the save but it was out of his reach. Nothing he could do about it.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Los Angeles Kings vs. Phoenix Coyotes 10-21-10
LA Kings (L) 2 vs Phoenix Coyotes (W) 4
The Kings have lost two games this season and both of them a result of a bad short handed goal. As if giving up short handed goals wasn't bad enough having the goalies not give their all to make the saves make it that much worse.
Jonathan Quick
Goals (3) Shots (26) Saves (23) Save % (.885)
Quick overall played a fairly decent game with one glaring error, and unfortunately for the Kings it was the goal that cost them the game. Before we get to that lets look at the first two goals against the Kings.
The Kings have lost two games this season and both of them a result of a bad short handed goal. As if giving up short handed goals wasn't bad enough having the goalies not give their all to make the saves make it that much worse.
Jonathan Quick
Goals (3) Shots (26) Saves (23) Save % (.885)
Quick overall played a fairly decent game with one glaring error, and unfortunately for the Kings it was the goal that cost them the game. Before we get to that lets look at the first two goals against the Kings.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Carolina Hurricanes vs Los Angeles Kings 10-20-10
Carolina Hurricanes (L) 3 vs LA Kings (W) 4
The Kings finished up their home stand with a battle of back up goaltenders. Justin Peters was in net for the Hurricanes and Jonathan Bernier got the start for the Kings. For Kings fans it was good news as Anze Kopitar and Adrei Loktionov scored their first goals of the season.
Justin Peters
Goals (4) Shots (27) Saves (23) Save % (.852)
In his first game of the season Justin Peters had a game that was just kinda blah. He was solid at times but without major mistakes he allowed four goals to the Kings. For the most part he did a good job controlling rebounds, but he ran into a couple of goals that he could do nothing about.
The Kings finished up their home stand with a battle of back up goaltenders. Justin Peters was in net for the Hurricanes and Jonathan Bernier got the start for the Kings. For Kings fans it was good news as Anze Kopitar and Adrei Loktionov scored their first goals of the season.
Justin Peters
Goals (4) Shots (27) Saves (23) Save % (.852)
In his first game of the season Justin Peters had a game that was just kinda blah. He was solid at times but without major mistakes he allowed four goals to the Kings. For the most part he did a good job controlling rebounds, but he ran into a couple of goals that he could do nothing about.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)