Monthly Archives: March 2015

Scoring changes aplenty from L.A. Kings’ win over Colorado Avalanche

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Looks like Tuesday was a rough night in Denver for the retired gentleman, as Kings coach Darryl Sutter once called the folks who keep track of the statistics for the NHL at the league’s games, There were a couple of significant scoring chances in the Kings’ 5-2 victory over the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center.

The Kings’ first goal now reads: Marian Gaborik from Brayden McNabb and Justin Williams at 7:47 of the first period. So, take away an assist to Dustin Brown and add one for Williams, who ended up with three for the game.

The Kings’ third goal now reads: Kyle Clifford from Justin Williams and Andrej Sekera at 14:25 of the first period. So, take away a goal for McNabb and add an assist for Sekera, his first point since the Kings acquired him last month.

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Pregame reading: Los Angeles Kings at Colorado Avalanche

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KINGS AT AVALANCHE

Faceoff: 6 p.m. TV/Radio: NBCSN, 790-AM

The Kings (31-21-13) left for a two-game trip mired in ninth place in the Western Conference standings, two points out of the eighth and final playoff spot. It’s difficult to imagine the reigning Stanley Cup champions missing the playoffs, but time is short and the teams ahead of them are playing well. (Vancouver defeated the Ducks on Monday, for instance). The Kings must improve their play away from Staples Center if they are to move up. They are 10-14-6 on the road, and play all but six of their final 17 games away from home. They have 10 games left against teams in playoff spots. The Kings also must find a way to score more goals. They have been blanked 1-0 twice in their last six games and their 175 total goals ranks as the fewest of any of the playoff contenders in the West. Colorado is 30-25-11.

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L.A. Kings coach Darryl Sutter’s quote of the game (part 1)

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A reporter asked Kings coach Darryl Sutter if every game from now until the end of the regular season is must-win. Here’s how Sutter responded after the Kings’ 4-3 shootout win over the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday at Staples Center:

“There’s no must anywhere. You don’t have to do anything. You try and win. There is no such thing as a must-win. Nobody gets locked up or thrown in the ocean or anything like that. Other than that, it’s just a game.”

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Pregame reading: Los Angeles Kings at Edmonton Oilers

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KINGS AT OILERS

Faceoff: 6:30 p.m. TV/Radio: FSW, 790-AM

Kings general manger Dean Lombardi didn’t make a deal at the NHL’s trade deadline Monday, so the roster will remain intact for the rest of the regular season and the playoffs, if they make the playoffs. The Kings have lost three consecutive games, including a lackluster 5-2 defeat Sunday to the Winnipeg Jets, and fell from a playoff spot after winning eight consecutive games and returning to the postseason field. The Kings are 29-21-12 overall, but only 9-14-6 away from Staples Center. Only the Buffalo Sabres (seven), Toronto Maple Leafs (seven), Edmonton Oilers (eight) have fewer road wins than the Kings, which explains their predicament. Coach Darryl Sutter hasn’t been pleased with the play of his veterans during the Kings’ three-game losing streak, but he hasn’t named names. The Oilers are 18-35-10, and last in the Pacific Division and in the Western Conference.

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Trade deadline: Grading the L.A. Kings, and all the winners and losers

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Here’s one man’s perspective on the winners and losers at the trade deadline. OK, it’s not my view, but give it a look, anyway. There is some solid analysis courtesy of Yahoo Sports: https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/nhl-2015-trade-deadline-report-card–puck-daddy-s-winners–losers-150357318.html

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Trade deadline: What will the L.A. Kings do to improve their roster?

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The NHL’s trade deadline is at noon Monday (Pacific time). Last year, Kings general manager Dean Lombardi pulled off a major move to get veteran winger Marian Gaborik from the Columbus Blue Jackets. Gaborik scored a team-leading 14 goals during the playoffs, helping to guide the Kings to their second Stanley Cup championship in three seasons. Can Lombardi swing another deal that will benefit the struggling club? There was a rumor early Monday that the Kings would attempt to deal suspended defenseman Slava Voynov, but that was shot down quickly.

Last week, Lombardi acquired puck-moving defenseman Andrej Sekera from the Carolina Hurricanes for a draft pick and a prospect, a move designed to fill a void created when Voynov was suspended indefinitely Oct. 20 by the NHL over a domestic violence charge at his Redondo Beach home. The addition of Sekera means the Kings are prepared to move on without Voynov.

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Jeff Carter talks about the L.A. Kings loss Sunday to the Winnipeg Jets

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Kings forward Jeff Carter isn’t among the most talkative players in the dressing room, and he doesn’t often give insightful answers when he does speak to reporters. However, he cut to the heart of the Kings’ troubles after a 5-2 loss Sunday to the Winnipeg Jets.

Said Carter:: “I do not even think it was close to be honest with you. We know what to expect coming in here. We have played here for the last four or five years. We did not play near close to what we should be playing to even come close to getting two points. We need to get going. We are in a tight race and every game for us right now is a playoff game, and we need to get our level up.”

The Kings face the Oilers on Tuesday in Edmonton to conclude a two-game trip.

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L.A. Kings coach Darryl Sutter’s quote of the day

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Here’s Darryl Sutter summing up the Kings’ losing streak, which was extended to three games with a 5-2 loss Sunday afternoon to the Winnipeg Jets: “The Ottawa game we got a goal taken away from us (on a quick whistle during a goal-mouth scramble in a 1-0 loss). Then I said after that game some of older guys didn’t play very, and I think in Anaheim some of them didn’t play very well and some tonight did not play very well. So it’s not that it’s not a team thing.”

 

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