Even with goaltending, Kings lose against defeated Wild

[CarlaMuller]

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

[khanon81]

They should disband the whole franchise for once and for all, and move the ducks to Staples. I use to be a die hard kings fan, and as a result of their style as a team and the decisions management has made (wimpy, small, lack heart, leadership, courage, don't drop the gloves, don't stand of for teammates, etc), I have no choice than to watch the real hockey team in California, the Ducks. Lets be real here, what kind of a team lets opposing players knock down your goalie without a fight, or has michael cammaleri stand up for kopitar and get injured for a quarter of the season. This team is embarrassing, and I'm sure this will not change.

[crAss]

Originally Posted by khanon81

They should disband the whole franchise for once and for all, and move the ducks to Staples. I use to be a die hard kings fan, and as a result of their style as a team and the decisions management has made (wimpy, small, lack heart, leadership, courage, don't drop the gloves, don't stand of for teammates, etc), I have no choice than to watch the real hockey team in California, the Ducks. Lets be real here, what kind of a team lets opposing players knock down your goalie without a fight, or has michael cammaleri stand up for kopitar and get injured for a quarter of the season. This team is embarrassing, and I'm sure this will not change.

So what team bandwagon will you jump on if the Ducks stop playing up to your standard...will you become a Sharks fan and start saying they are the only real team in California.

Part of being a fan is sticking with a team even if they are playing bad, even if they play bad year after year, it's about home town pride. Yes the Kings have some problems and fans like you are the biggest problem they got.

[twomanfist]

Originally Posted by khanon81

They should disband the whole franchise for once and for all, and move the ducks to Staples. I use to be a die hard kings fan, and as a result of their style as a team and the decisions management has made (wimpy, small, lack heart, leadership, courage, don't drop the gloves, don't stand of for teammates, etc), I have no choice than to watch the real hockey team in California, the Ducks. Lets be real here, what kind of a team lets opposing players knock down your goalie without a fight, or has michael cammaleri stand up for kopitar and get injured for a quarter of the season. This team is embarrassing, and I'm sure this will not change.

Geez, are you going to cut and paste this brilliant little gem everywhere you might deem appropriate? Trust me, reading it once was more than enough.

[khanon81]

Originally Posted by IluvLAK

So what team bandwagon will you jump on if the Ducks stop playing up to your standard...will you become a Sharks fan and start saying they are the only real team in California.

Part of being a fan is sticking with a team even if they are playing bad, even if they play bad year after year, it's about home town pride. Yes the Kings have some problems and fans like you are the biggest problem they got.

Actually, if the organization correctly is building a REAL hockey team, I'd support the team through all of the losing. Sorry...but I just can't support small, wimpy, heartless players.

This team should draft big players with real potential and stop taking advantage of the lack of media coverage here in LA. Believe me, if there was decent media coverage, the team would be pressured into rebuilding properly...

[OrangePuck]

Originally Posted by khanon81

They should disband the whole franchise for once and for all, and move the ducks to Staples. I use to be a die hard kings fan, and as a result of their style as a team and the decisions management has made (wimpy, small, lack heart, leadership, courage, don't drop the gloves, don't stand of for teammates, etc), I have no choice than to watch the real hockey team in California, the Ducks. Lets be real here, what kind of a team lets opposing players knock down your goalie without a fight, or has michael cammaleri stand up for kopitar and get injured for a quarter of the season. This team is embarrassing, and I'm sure this will not change.

You can watch our hockey but you are NOT allowed to call yourself a Duck fan. You sir, are sloppy seconds we do not want.

[CarlaMuller]

Originally Posted by khanon81

if there was decent media coverage, the team would be pressured into rebuilding properly...

And other than talking smack, what exactly is rebuilding properly? Oh and by the way, if you were to compare the players in Manchester brought by Taylor and brought by Lombardi, you would see that Lombardi is in fact building a bigger team.

Here is a prior blog of mine where I listed the specfics:

HockeyBuzz.com - Carla Muller - Lombardi’s Report Card

Lombardi

1. Kevin Westgarth 6’4” 235 lbs. 23 Forward
2. Teddy Purcell 6’3” 195 lbs. 23 Forward
3. Joe Piskula 6’3” 214 lbs. 23 Defenseman
4. Scott Parse 6’1” 185 lbs. 22 Forward
Signed by Hextall 7-1-07
5. Troy Milam 6’0” 188 lbs. 27 Defenseman
Re-signed by Hextall 8-10-07
6. David Meckler 6’0” 184 lbs. 20 Center
7. Trevor Lewis 6’1” 192 lbs. 20 Center
8. Jon Klemm (C) 6’2” 205 lbs. 37 Defenseman
9. Gabe Gauthier 5’9” 193 lbs. 23 Center
10. Erik Ersberg 5’11” 182 lbs. 25 Goaltender
11. Vladimir Dravecky 5’10” 185 lbs. 22 Forward
12. Paul Crosty 6’2” 220 lbs. 25 Forward
13. Dan Cloutier 6’1” 185 lbs. 31 Goaltender
14. Marc-Andre Cliché 6’1” 185 lbs. 20 Forward
15. Drew Bagnall 6’3” 215 lbs. 24 Defenseman

Taylor

1. Lauri Tukonen 6’2” 198 lbs. 21 Right Winger
2. Matt Ryan 5’11” 182 lbs. 24 Center
3. Jonathon Quick 6’1” 200 lbs. 21 Goaltender
4. Richard Petiot 6’3” 200 lbs. 25 Defenseman
5. Scott Parse 6’1” 185 lbs. 22 Forward
Drafted 6th round 2004
6. Brady Murray 5’10” 185 lbs. 23 Winger
7. Troy Milam 6’0” 188 lbs. 27 Defenseman
Signed by Taylor 9-08-04 left for other AHL clubs
8. Petr Kanko 5’10” 190 lbs. 23 Left Winger
9. Peter Harrold 5’11” 190 lbs. 24 Defenseman
10. Jeff Guilano 5’9” 205 lbs. 28 Left Winger
11. Brian Boyle 6’7” 250 lbs. 22 Defenseman

Next time you decide to talk trash, it would help if you could back it up.

[khanon81]

Originally Posted by CarlaMuller

And other than talking smack, what exactly is rebuilding properly? Oh and by the way, if you were to compare the players in Manchester brought by Taylor and brought by Lombardi, you would see that Lombardi is in fact building a bigger team.

Here is a prior blog of mine where I listed the specfics:

HockeyBuzz.com - Carla Muller - Lombardi’s Report Card

Lombardi

1. Kevin Westgarth 6’4” 235 lbs. 23 Forward
2. Teddy Purcell 6’3” 195 lbs. 23 Forward
3. Joe Piskula 6’3” 214 lbs. 23 Defenseman
4. Scott Parse 6’1” 185 lbs. 22 Forward
Signed by Hextall 7-1-07
5. Troy Milam 6’0” 188 lbs. 27 Defenseman
Re-signed by Hextall 8-10-07
6. David Meckler 6’0” 184 lbs. 20 Center
7. Trevor Lewis 6’1” 192 lbs. 20 Center
8. Jon Klemm (C) 6’2” 205 lbs. 37 Defenseman
9. Gabe Gauthier 5’9” 193 lbs. 23 Center
10. Erik Ersberg 5’11” 182 lbs. 25 Goaltender
11. Vladimir Dravecky 5’10” 185 lbs. 22 Forward
12. Paul Crosty 6’2” 220 lbs. 25 Forward
13. Dan Cloutier 6’1” 185 lbs. 31 Goaltender
14. Marc-Andre Cliché 6’1” 185 lbs. 20 Forward
15. Drew Bagnall 6’3” 215 lbs. 24 Defenseman

Taylor

1. Lauri Tukonen 6’2” 198 lbs. 21 Right Winger
2. Matt Ryan 5’11” 182 lbs. 24 Center
3. Jonathon Quick 6’1” 200 lbs. 21 Goaltender
4. Richard Petiot 6’3” 200 lbs. 25 Defenseman
5. Scott Parse 6’1” 185 lbs. 22 Forward
Drafted 6th round 2004
6. Brady Murray 5’10” 185 lbs. 23 Winger
7. Troy Milam 6’0” 188 lbs. 27 Defenseman
Signed by Taylor 9-08-04 left for other AHL clubs
8. Petr Kanko 5’10” 190 lbs. 23 Left Winger
9. Peter Harrold 5’11” 190 lbs. 24 Defenseman
10. Jeff Guilano 5’9” 205 lbs. 28 Left Winger
11. Brian Boyle 6’7” 250 lbs. 22 Defenseman

Next time you decide to talk trash, it would help if you could back it up.

I'm sorry to break it down to you, but the core of the current kings team (Kopitar, Brown, Cammaleri, Frolov) are Taylor's picks, which I have no problem with. As a true hockey fan who admires old school hockey instead of the current European style the Kings play, all Dean has to do is add three big stay at home defenseman who will protect the net and drop the gloves when necessary, and about three big, tough, gritty forwards. Then maybe the kings may have a chance at competing for a Stanly cup. Without toughness, the Kings are going nowhere, and its sad that most Kings fans don't understand this very important aspect of hockey... Toughness wins you games, not cowardness

[crAss]

Originally Posted by OrangePuck

You can watch our hockey but you are NOT allowed to call yourself a Duck fan. You sir, are sloppy seconds we do not want.

You tell him OP!