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.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Vancouver Canucks vs. Los Angeles Kings 10-15-10
Vancouver Canucks (L) 1 vs. LA Kings (W) 4
"100% of shots not taken, don't score"
This is one of that variations of a quote by Wayne Gretzky, and it couldn't be more true than in this game. What most shooters don't understand is that it is very hard to stop every shot. The puck is small and the net is big and pucks bounce off of things in weird ways. In the breakdown of Roberto Luongo's performance this will become very clear. Also you will see out stats don't tell the whole story of a players performance.
Roberto Luongo
Goals (4) Shots (19) Saves (15) Save % (.789)
If you just look at Luongo's stat line you would think that he played a horrible game and really let his team down. To a certain extend he did but in looking at the goals individually you will see a different picture start to take place.
"100% of shots not taken, don't score"
This is one of that variations of a quote by Wayne Gretzky, and it couldn't be more true than in this game. What most shooters don't understand is that it is very hard to stop every shot. The puck is small and the net is big and pucks bounce off of things in weird ways. In the breakdown of Roberto Luongo's performance this will become very clear. Also you will see out stats don't tell the whole story of a players performance.
Roberto Luongo
Goals (4) Shots (19) Saves (15) Save % (.789)
If you just look at Luongo's stat line you would think that he played a horrible game and really let his team down. To a certain extend he did but in looking at the goals individually you will see a different picture start to take place.
Friday, October 15, 2010
The Devils and their DUI
Time for your wake up call Devils fans. The Devils have committed a major party foul, whether they want to admit it or intended to do it the Devils circumvented the salary cap. Just like getting a DUI/DWI the Devils are now tainted.
For those that don't know the legal blood alcohol limit is .08, in California at least. When you have been convicted of a DUI you generally get five years probation in which you are now held to higher standards. You are no longer allowed to have any alcohol in your blood at all. How does this relate to the Devils you might be wondering?
For those that don't know the legal blood alcohol limit is .08, in California at least. When you have been convicted of a DUI you generally get five years probation in which you are now held to higher standards. You are no longer allowed to have any alcohol in your blood at all. How does this relate to the Devils you might be wondering?
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Atlanta Thrashers vs. Los Angeles Kings 10/12/10
Atlanta Thrashers (L) 1 vs. LA Kings(W) 3
The Kings looked much better in their return to Staples Center. Though they had plenty of bouts of lackluster play there were some good signs for Kings fans. The defensemen look like they are moving the puck quicker and the forwards are moving their feet more.
Jonathan Quick
Goals (1) Shots (32) Saves (31) Save % (.969)
A surprising shot total for a game that did not seem to have a lot of action for either goalies. Good defense from the Kings kept Quick from seeing shots on the rebounds that he was leaving. The one goal that Quick allowed was a result of miscommunication by the forwards and the defense which you will see in the video blow. My gut reaction to this goal was that Quick got hung out to dry. I did honestly feel that on first look I would have preferred him to play a little deeper in his net so he would be in better position to stop the rebound, but on further review he was where he was suppose to be.
The Kings looked much better in their return to Staples Center. Though they had plenty of bouts of lackluster play there were some good signs for Kings fans. The defensemen look like they are moving the puck quicker and the forwards are moving their feet more.
Jonathan Quick
Goals (1) Shots (32) Saves (31) Save % (.969)
A surprising shot total for a game that did not seem to have a lot of action for either goalies. Good defense from the Kings kept Quick from seeing shots on the rebounds that he was leaving. The one goal that Quick allowed was a result of miscommunication by the forwards and the defense which you will see in the video blow. My gut reaction to this goal was that Quick got hung out to dry. I did honestly feel that on first look I would have preferred him to play a little deeper in his net so he would be in better position to stop the rebound, but on further review he was where he was suppose to be.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Los Angeles Kings vs. Calgary Flames 10/10/10
LA Kings (L) 1 vs. Calgary Flames (W) 3
The LA Kings continued their season opening road trip with a pathetic performance against the Flames in Calgary. Two things really stood out to me this game. #1 the Kings offense needs some help and as much as I hate dump & chase hockey sometimes you have to play it. #2 don't put too much stock in what a commentator tells you because half the time they don't know what they are talking about.
Lets look at #1 and try and figure out what is wrong with the Kings offense. Team speed is not always about fast skaters, its about moving the puck. Right now the Kings are suffering from the defense men not moving the puck quickly. In trying to get up the ice the forwards are reaching the offensive zone before the puck is passed to them. This is resulting in the puck being passed to players who are not moving. When this happens it is very easy for the defense to stand up at the blue line. Instead of then dumping the puck into the zone they are trying to keep with the teams new philosophy and carry the puck across the blue line where the opposing team is just taking it away and going back on offense. If the forwards are getting the puck at the blue line while they are not moving then they need to stop trying to carry the puck in the zone and just dump it.
Since I hate dump and chase hockey I will offer my remedy for the Kings offensive woes. First the defense men need to pass the puck quicker, I have noticed them holding the puck too long at the point also. Second the forwards have to help out, move! If the forwards are hitting the blue line without the puck being passed, circle back to the puck carrier. It worked for the Russians forever and will still work today, also don't show the puck carrier your back skate cross ice and make the pass easier this isn't table hockey. Finally SHOOT! make the goalie make a save, it is really not as easy as it looks, goalies make mistakes.
The LA Kings continued their season opening road trip with a pathetic performance against the Flames in Calgary. Two things really stood out to me this game. #1 the Kings offense needs some help and as much as I hate dump & chase hockey sometimes you have to play it. #2 don't put too much stock in what a commentator tells you because half the time they don't know what they are talking about.
Lets look at #1 and try and figure out what is wrong with the Kings offense. Team speed is not always about fast skaters, its about moving the puck. Right now the Kings are suffering from the defense men not moving the puck quickly. In trying to get up the ice the forwards are reaching the offensive zone before the puck is passed to them. This is resulting in the puck being passed to players who are not moving. When this happens it is very easy for the defense to stand up at the blue line. Instead of then dumping the puck into the zone they are trying to keep with the teams new philosophy and carry the puck across the blue line where the opposing team is just taking it away and going back on offense. If the forwards are getting the puck at the blue line while they are not moving then they need to stop trying to carry the puck in the zone and just dump it.
Since I hate dump and chase hockey I will offer my remedy for the Kings offensive woes. First the defense men need to pass the puck quicker, I have noticed them holding the puck too long at the point also. Second the forwards have to help out, move! If the forwards are hitting the blue line without the puck being passed, circle back to the puck carrier. It worked for the Russians forever and will still work today, also don't show the puck carrier your back skate cross ice and make the pass easier this isn't table hockey. Finally SHOOT! make the goalie make a save, it is really not as easy as it looks, goalies make mistakes.
Los Angles Kings vs. Vancouver Canucks 10/9/10
LA Kings (W) 1 vs. Vancouver Canucks (L) 1 (SO)
The Los Angles Kings and Vancouver Canucks opened the Canucks 40th anniversary season much the same way the Canucks began 40 years ago, with a LA Kings victory. In what was actually a pretty boring game both teams looked a little sloppy. Being the first game of the season I guess that is to be expected. The Kings trying to be more offensive look like they need a lot more practice. The lines did not seem to mesh very well and I am not sure if they just need to get some games under their belts or if they need to change them up. Time will tell I'm sure. On to the goalie's performances.
Jonathan Quick
Goals (1) Shots (24) Saves (23) Save % (.958)
It was a solid start to the season for Quick. He played the game under a little more control than we saw at the end of last season. He was not as antsy in the net, letting plays come to him for the most part and that is a good sign for the season to come.
The Los Angles Kings and Vancouver Canucks opened the Canucks 40th anniversary season much the same way the Canucks began 40 years ago, with a LA Kings victory. In what was actually a pretty boring game both teams looked a little sloppy. Being the first game of the season I guess that is to be expected. The Kings trying to be more offensive look like they need a lot more practice. The lines did not seem to mesh very well and I am not sure if they just need to get some games under their belts or if they need to change them up. Time will tell I'm sure. On to the goalie's performances.
Jonathan Quick
Goals (1) Shots (24) Saves (23) Save % (.958)
It was a solid start to the season for Quick. He played the game under a little more control than we saw at the end of last season. He was not as antsy in the net, letting plays come to him for the most part and that is a good sign for the season to come.
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