Sure, I can create numerous graphs and pie charts, bombard you with endless statistical details and facts as to how and why we got to this point of the season, dead-last in scoring. But that would only make me…and probably you…more frustrated and depressed about this Kings squad.
With Jarret Stoll now heading to the injured reserve list today with an abductor muscle injury, the Kings have decided to call up Dwight King and Jeff Nolan. It’s kind of apropos that it’s Stoll’s abductor muscle, since his offensive production seems to have been abducted by some evil spirit. During today’s practice, coach Darryl Sutter placed both King and Nolan on the second line, centered by Mike Richards. Dustin Penner was seen skating – presumably – on some kind of fourth line by committee, featuring the likes of Colin Fraser, Trent Hunter, Kevin Westgarth and Brad “Don’t call me Craig Johnson” Richardson. Maybe Sutter is trying to see if he can skate five forwards at the same time. Maybe that will help. Then again….
So, I now ask all ‘y’all the same question: What will help the Kings score more goals? Will these call ups make any difference? Is a trade going to come before the deadline? Will I ever succeed in obtaining love on a farm boy’s wages? Okay…you’re not obligated to answer the last one, but feel free to chime in on your thoughts as to what the Kings should do and what will and won’t help.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll keep saying it. The Kings just need to activate their defense more. Each of the last few games, the Kings have gotten last minute type goals from activating DD and JJ into the play, resulting in great sustained pressure and Grade A scoring chances. They have yet to give up any shorties by taking these chances either. If the Kings were to trust their D men to get more actively involved in helping with a full five man attack on offense, instead of the current strategy of holding back at the blue line for 55 minutes of the game, we would see a much better Kings team, I’m convinced. I’m also convinced that what I want to see won’t happen, that adding another “scorer” will ultimately fail, and that we will lose more prospects ala Simmonds/Schenn because of it.
DL is starting to come up against the ropes. He either needs to change his philosophy, or he’s going to get knocked out.
@PP Anybody?:
i agree with yr d-men activation assessment – i think that could only help…
The Kings need more ugly goals by creating havoc in front of the net. Have someone get in front of the goalie more often, ready to deflect a shot past the goalie and ready to pick up a loose puck from a rebound.
I know “what Brown can do for you” park it!! With Brown camped in front, the puck carrier should drive to the net, doing what they can to do to get the puck through and on net.
The call ups will make some difference as to put some fire in those healthy scratches.
I think DL will pick up someone before the trade deadline.
@Jay GoLAKings:
i like to think that we should already know how to score the ugly goals because many on this team used to display a knack for those in previous years…it would be a welcomed sight to start seeing them rekindle that scoring methodology again before time runs out…
Outside of a new offensive system, nothing, just as you and I both predicted when Sutter was hired. No. Yes, but it won’t work out, ala Penner last year. Doubtful.
@CB14:
yes, CB…you and i had virtually identical opinions about the coaching change not being a panacea…
however, i did think penner was a good pick up at the time…and, obviously and unfortunately, i was wrong…
@variable: If it makes you feel any better, I did too.
@CB14:
nah…not really…that’s one of the things i wished we were also right about…(emoticon expressing shucks, with a crooked, frazzled disposition)…
I think everyone is sanbagging it hoping to get traded. I was hoping to see the speedy guys get a chance. Some to bring a change to this structured style perimeter play. That panther game was painful. So dang boring. Had a houseful, we may as well done the laundy. Get some better players or get out Dean!
Hey V.
I think the song [instead of Help]… Should be A Wing and a Prayer.
@SLIM:
hehe…
which version…?
sinatra, the mission uk or…dare i say…the bee gees…?
Players that are willing to go to the net. We are missing what the better teams have. I’m watching the Blackhawks and they are working hard for net presence when point shots are taken. Our forwards are in too deep most of the time with no opportunity for rebounds. So many goals as stated by a blogger above are ugly goals. If this group is not willing to make the sacrifice start the housecleaning as this dedicated fan base deceives so much better.
Sorry about the spelling-deserves. Should not do this on an iPad with these old eyes.
@Forum Gold:
no prob….
thanks for responding…
but your spelling deception deserves props…(!)
how about just changing this, as this happens every game!
Brown falls down
Brown over skates the puck
Brown looses the puck
brown goes up the boards, trying to go through 3 players, looses that battle
Brown trys to shoot, puck goes under brown’s stick
If Brown could keep the puck…….might just help
Just saying
Kings player (insert Name here) shoots, shot blocked
because (insert Name) trys to shoot with defense
standing right in fornt, thus reason for shot being blocked
Waves,
As to your last question. So Amy is your sister?
Or does that just mean you aren’t a farm boy & you’re talking about someone else?
As for finding more offense. Could the Kings squeeze into the playoffs, timing the discovery of newfound offense whilest marching thru the playoffs? Stranger things have happened, and remember, timing IS everything! It could happen.
But then, I might’ve gone to sleep on a drunk and been dreaming it all up. Yeah, defense wins championships, but you still gotta score goals to win. No tickee, no washee!
@Kingsfanone:
actually…
i authored the post and question – no worries…
re: love on a farm boy’s wages…
it’s a reference to a song by xtc…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WIpo3h2SFs
…and the playoffs is still very possible, in spite of our scoring problems…but yr right – you still gotta score goals to win…but you don’t have to use a drunk for a mattress, though…(!)
@variable:
V,
You don’t look like a farm boy………do you?
And I sure hope the boys find their offense genes. I’m not completely optimistic they will.
@Kingsfanone: @Kingsfanone:
i don’t think so…
but yr welcomed to decide for yrself…
check out the “about” menu – variable page…and you will find a relatively recent pic of me towards the end of the page…
i’m from brooklyn originally…and there weren’t too many farms in sheepshead bay…(!)
i’m not sure why cliche hasn’t been given a shot…he’s on a two-way contract, too…
Most of the comments above were constructive and true.
Of course, we’re all perfectionists, so we always think we’re doing much worse than we are! Every club has its problems.
That said, we do have to address at least half of these major deficiencies to start turning scores around to favoring ourselves, as well as change the culture in a big way around here; i.e. settling for losing games specifically, and failure in general!
One aspect that really pains me to witness repeatedly is that most very basic of team sport skills; passing and receiving… so many rudimentary misses this season! The godawful passing at times, everybody’s seen. As far as the receiving, case in point:
1st Period vs Florida – Penner gets puck in King’s defensive slot – slips perfect soft pass by a Panther player to Richards who is primed to start a breakout with Florida badly over-committed in the Kings zone – Richards inexplicably flubs the puck and turns it over to a grateful Panthers unit that barely misses on a Grade ‘A’ scoring opportunity. Frightening!!
I learned this back in the 70s when I was much younger:
Practice makes perfect
Yes I can prove it
Business or pleasure
The more that you do it!
…. So many ironies, no farms in Sheepshead … the lyrics to the XTC song are like a Darryl Sutter paean to The Kings and the blog, “High stands the corn”, etc,etc.
Here’s another little paean for ya:
Long legged lady with a black dress on
On my knees mama, please
I’m a regal man
I’ll do what I can
To t-t-take you to the promised land!
~ ~ ~
@Duncanz:
DUNCANZ…
“on returning” to this blog, with yr wire lyric reference back to me with “practice makes perfect”…and then you throw in a lil’ cult to boot…cool stuff…(!)