Postgame notes

Haven't seen the Kings roll 4 lines that well in years.

Didn't someone mention that it would be nice if the stars of the game skated out for more than 2 seconds? Well, they did that and even gave their sticks away to fans. Think someone named Luc might be paying attention to us?

I was mad at the line shuffle, but you know what it gave a really nice balance to all of the lines. Gotta say nice job Crow.

I liked the effort. It wasn't there in the first few games after the London trip. Maybe it was jet lag? In any case, I will watch and root as long as they try. Even if they don't win. But the winning streak is nice, and Jason looks good between the pipes. Calder is a good character guy that has been missing. They are all doing the little things right, and that adds up to some bigger good things. Maybe they've finally turned the corner?

concur with goon squad. i didn't like the line switching, but you can't deny that all the lines were effective tonight. crawford also said something to the effect that he wanted to get armstrong and frolov together because they both seemed on their game, and that makes sense. i guess there is a method to his mad line-combo merry-go-round after all.

What's really impressing me during this run by the Kings is the improvement on the defensive side of the puck by our younger forwards. That aspect of their game has improved tremendously, particularly when compared to last year.

like pierroth i'm really impressed with the defense from the defense from the forwards. the forecheck was also very effective in the 2nd and 3rd last night (most notable on the PK late in the game when o'sullivan killed about 30 seconds on the forecheck without having control of the puck).

also, if they want to get armstrong and frolov together, why not go Frolov - Armstrong - O'Sullivan? i'm not complaining though, every line looked good. i just have a feeling that o'sullivan is about to break out of his offensive woes and be rewarded for his hard work this year.

frolov has really turned it on, he was excellent last night.

Somebody was saying something about the stars of the game, and maybe doing more than a skate and turn around. Apparently they were listening...last night Frolov and LaBarbera skated out and gave aways their sticks. I thought that was pretty cool.

Adding on to Goon's comment above re: Crow. I think we have to realize that not only did the players have to learn and adapt to a new system when Crow came on, but there had to be an adjustment and development period for the new coach of a pretty young team as well.

Learning the strengths and weaknesses of 20 players, and when and where they best fit, takes time. Granted, we have a bit more talent on the team this season, but my sense is that Crawford is finally settling the conflicts between his shift-to-shift objectives and his players' strengths. It seems that not only are the on-ice decisions improving greatly, but the decision-making behind the bench is improving as well.

I watched the game on the local Dallas channel. They interviewed Dave Taylor in the 1st period and Had Jim Fox on for the 2nd. DT looked a little peeved talking about the Kings even though his answers were the usual polite talk. I think there is some obvious bitterness in him. Jim and Darryl "Razor" Reaugh (sp?) took emails from the fans and answered them on TV.

Dallas is reporting how the stars blew the game and let go of the momentum that they had in the 1st period. There was barely a mention about how the Kings got better from the 2nd on.

It was nice to see the Kings finally win against the Stars. This should be a huge boost in their confidence. I hate the Stars with a passion and I'm predicting that the Kings will win the season series this year and sweep next year.

Go Kings!

yeah, that was my first thought when i saw fro and labs skate out and give away the sticks.

oh, and you can officially add me to the kyle calder bandwagon. the guys is looking solid, doing all the little things.