Minnesota came into Saturday’s game with five losses and predictably less confidence. The last Wild win was against the Kings on March 2nd. Once again, the visitors cured what ailed their opposition… ouch! The only thing tougher to watch than the Kings’ effort would have to be the commentary on HDNet. Who knew neutral commentators could provide such homer analysis. Examples:
• Missed shots by Minnesota is the game story (as opposed to the Kings only taking 3 shots on goal through the majority of the 2nd … later on 4 were added);
• The Wild needs to score before they let the Kings wipe out the Wild’s efforts with one shot ( as opposed to the score is even {at that time} and it is anyone’s game);
• Minnesota power play needs to finish (as opposed to the Kings’ penalty kill efforts stopped the Wild).
In fairness, it is true that the Wild had 21 missed shots total to go with their 29 counted shots on goal. The home team came to play. The visitors not so much. Once again, Ersberg did exactly what a goaltender should do, gave his team a chance to win. He controlled rebounds, stopped shots through traffic and played the puck with a proficiency and confidence rarely exhibited by any Kings’ goaltender.
The problem is that Los Angeles wanted this win less. They just did. When your opponents generated 50 attempted shots on net and the Kings put forth 34 (24 actual and 10 missed), a loss is pretty much a given. Also consider that through most of the second, there were really only 3 shots on goal with a late effort of an additional 4 to barely get to 7 for the entire 2nd period.
Keeping it real, the Wild deserved the win. They played far closer to a 60 minute effort, forced most Kings’ shots to come from the perimeter and came up big when they needed to on penalty kills. (Yes; I am aware Armstrong missed an open net during the PP when a rebound goal was there for the taking.) Minnesota also skated far more depleted by injury than the Kings. Due to an absence of natural centers, Lemaire used Demitra as a center. In theory, that choice seemed smart since he has been proficient there.
The thing is that Demitra apparently doesn’t want to take on the additional defensive responsibilities required while playing center. As a result, while he started where his team needed him, his lack of desire to be there was evidenced by his play and what he showed in the face-off circle where through the first he was a scant 2 for 6. Somewhere in the 2nd, he found more success on the draw with statistics at 4 and 1 and in the third he was at 2 and 1. While becoming even at the end, there is no way to ignore the fact he forced his coach to use other options by his less than stellar effort as seen by 8 draws through 1, to 5 through the 2nd and a meager 3 in the last period.
For those longing for a Demitra return to the Kings, I submit he is not the answer if he is at odds with his coach, takes issue with playing the role his team needs him for and compelling his coach, who is handcuffed without legitimate centers to go to Plan “C” when his Plan “B” fails due to Demitra not stepping up. Seriously. Do Kings’ fans really want their team to absorb yet another “Me First” player? I didn’t think so.
Going to a more positive note, Ersberg was the story for the Kings. He saw every puck he could, stopped every shot he should, cleared the zone sometimes by himself and swallowed rebounds like they were his favorite meal. (Yeah!) It is nice to see that at least one Kings’ player is earning his next contract. What that says for the rest of the team is another discussion entirely.
Riddle this:
• Since the trade deadline, shot blocking for the Kings went from a team strength to a team stingy 7 blocks;
• Only Pittsburgh has worse face-off success than the Kings;
• Klemm got just over 2 minutes ice time for the ENTIRE GAME, why is he here again?
• The unofficial Crawford dog house must contain Klemm, Calder, Ivanans, Giuliano and Ivanans considering their ice time (Weren’t these last games supposed to be about who wants to earn a spot next year? Why not dole out ice time more evenly to figure out who to give what ice time in the future?)
• Where are the kids? If Klemm, Giuliano, Calder are not the answer, then why not bring up Boyle, Purcell and Moulson to get NHL experience under their belt for which should pay dividends next season?;
• Is it a good or a bad thing that Crawford is using Murray’s tactic of pulling the netminder with 2 minutes to go when there is little to be gained by a win now?
I get that the Kings have less to play for. I do not get why Crawford is shortening his bench with nothing left to win or play for this year. In theory, someone getting less ice might just get the message and step up his play. The problem is that same proverbial player could get his confidence kicked to the curb and find it challenging to be effective on the rare ice opportunities given to him.
Here are some articles for this game as well as a link to watch game highlights:
Gaborik a Cut Above Backstrom’s Shut-Out Game Highlights
Suggestions Welcome:
As the Kings’ season comes to a close, Los Angeles’ fans have a long off-season… again. I received multiple requests for a blog on Ersberg. This is on my things to do list and will be done as soon as my work permits. Any other topics or players wanted, let me know those too.
Carla Muller Carla.hockeygal@att.net