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. 





So from the goalies standpoint I would have to say that it was a good goal and he shouldn't worry about it.  If I were his coach though I would have him work on kicking the rebounds into the corners more.  Not because of the goal (though it would have helped) but I just see a tendency in his game to kick the puck back out to danger areas.  The good news for Kings fans is even with that dangerous habit Quick is 2-0 with 2 goals allowed and save % of .964 so far this season.


Chris Mason
Goals (2) Shots (34) Saves (32) Save % (.941)

I a losing effort I thought that Mason played a pretty good game.  I think he is just what the Thrashers need in net right now.  There is a lot of promise in Atlanta but you can tell the team is not all on the same page yet.  Which is understandable with so many new players and a new coach.  Mason was strong in net giving up relatively few rebounds, luckily for him two rebounds early in the game ended up hitting the post and staying out of the net.  The goals he gave up were a result of the Kings hard work more than anything he did wrong.



In this video you will notice that Justin Williams did a great job of getting right in front of Mason and not only forcing him to make the save but not allowing him to cover the rebound.  The Thrashers defense went to Williams because he was more dangerous and Ryan Smyth got lost and tucked the puck home.  I don't know what else Mason could have done to keep the puck out.

The second goal scored on Mason was just bad luck.  The Thrashers defenseman forced Stoll to the outside and kept his stick in front of Stoll's to block the shot or pass.  When Stoll shot the puck it hit the dman's stick and started to flutter just out of Mason's reach off the far post and in.  The one thing Mason did wrong here is he overplayed the move to the outside and lost his angle to the puck a bit.  This left just enough room for the puck to get past his blocker.



The third goal was scored into an empty net.  All and all it was a pretty good night for the goaltenders, despite the high shot totals they the opponents scores low with good in control play.