Despite the fact that both teams Thursday came on the ice looking for credibility, something had to give when both teams skated to three game losing streaks before the current affair got started. The Kings sported the fourth best power play. They also spent the prior nine games letting their opponents score first.
Like other teams before them this season, the Maple Leafs probably thought that Thursday, the “lowly Kings” provided an opportunity for redemption. It wouldn't change the universe; but a win is a win is a win. Surely, Toronto could beat the Kings. Heck, the Predators just schooled the home team two days before. The boo birds were on auto pilot, hostility was in the building from the home crowd waiting to pounce. The Leafs only needed the Kings to fold. A funny thing happened Thursday. Again, the end score reflected that seven goals lit the lamp between the two teams.
Of course, that little statistic is really the only similarity between Tuesday’s and Thursday’s games. The head scratcher for me is why the Maple Leafs thought the answers lie in a California road trip. I read press articles that eluded to that possibility. A change of scenery was possible. A change of this year's Leafs' woes -- not so much.
Anaheim is riding high. The Kings despite being in last place possess the talent to rebound and crown their opponents when they are so motivated. Thursday, the Leafs’ second game at Staples Center showed the talent of the Kings current configuration possesses the skill to be scary good. Los Angeles most definitely spooked their visitors.
By the time the Leafs took their game up a notch, the game was half over and LaBarbera was both primed and ready to prove Tuesday's game did not define him or the Kings. Give the Leafs credit. They took over the last half of the second and all of the third and couldn't comeback from the five goal deficit.
San Jose is weak on their own ice so maybe that game will give the Leafs what they are looking for -- or not. I have no doubt that the Leafs’ faithful is now contemplating the options to blowing up this team. What Kings' fans can tell you is that it is one thing to argue in the theoretical and quite another to live it. A real rebuilding, the blowing up of the baby, the bath water and everything in between, is far harder to live with up close and personal.
If playing Raycroft was somehow supposed to increase his value to the Kings to facilitate a trade, the first period turfed that possible plan if Lombardi was so inclined. I doubt that possibility. Either way, Raycroft’s Leaf tenure may be over since Pogge was recalled from the Marlies and may even start against the Sharks.
The Leafs no doubt figured they could at least win against the Kings. Los Angeles is this season's weakest NHL link. Only they couldn’t. Toronto probably felt they were living the movie “Ground Hog Day” when they were down 4-0 in the first, benched Raycroft and still managed to go down another goal before they turned their game on.
The best part of Thursday besides the win is that Los Angeles finally began playing at the start of the game; rather than after they gave up a goal or two. In the first period, it wasn’t just the goals. That is too easy. Rather, the home team finally spent the first 20 in the other team’s end. LaBarbera finally had a shot to exhale before being bombarded by shots, then goals and the predictable boos.
The latest win was far more about redemption, validation and a much needed jolt of morale. LaBarbera proved he can hold down the fort if he controls the rebound shots. The skaters figured out if they consider the possibility that the best offense is a good defense that the mood might just be contagious.
Toronto fans who were present in spirit and volume found nothing to cheer until the second period and even then, well into half of that. In fact, after Toronto scored, the crowd at Staples burst into simultaneous rival team chants. Like some bad sound system, some screamed for the Leafs while others screamed for the home team. Either way, that mass of passion and volume made for an even better experience for the fans.
It is becoming pretty common place for the Kings to play their opponent’s back-up netminder. As I have said in other blogs, it now becomes a given that the Kings solve what ails other teams. This is true to such an extent that losing to Los Angeles becomes a tragedy beyond compare.
When in doubt, consider the following, Dallas fell asleep in the third period’s Royal Rebound game, faced humiliation and GM Doug Armstrong become unemployed within a week. Thursday, the Leafs failed to rebound from a five goal deficit. The press releases today imply that Ferguson’s days in Toronto might be mercifully over.
Once upon a time, Ted Nolan got exiled based upon a perception he was a GM killer. A decade later, now the Kings may just take on that title for their opponents' GMs... Ouch! Whatever the issues with Toronto, it seems by this outsider to be far greater than skin deep.
For those who reasonably critique Lombardi as to the unrestricted veterans he brought in, riddle this: Lombardi’s veterans overall came in for less dollars and less term in comparison to his desperate Toronto counterpart.
• Bryan McCabe (32) signed thru 2010-2011 season with a no movement clause;
• Jason Blake (34) signed thru 2011-2012 at $5 million per year;
• Darcy Tucker (33) signed thru 2010-2011 at $3 million;
• Pavel Kubina (30) $5 million dollars thru 2008-2009.
• Tomas Kaberle (29) signed thru 2010-2011 (This long term signing Ferguson got right.)
Of the disappointments on Lombardi’s part, Willsie and Thornton have contracts that expire this year. Stuart and Nagy also have expiration dates at this April. Blake ditto and of late, he is finally earning his paycheck including a sweet goal off a Frolov pass only made possible because three separate Leaf players tried to dismantle Frolov from the puck and his stick. Like others who have tried, they failed, he passed and Blake scored.
As to Preissing, he is signed for four years at 2.75 million – essentially a steal compared to the cash Ferguson gave away over the last two off seasons. With time on the first unit of the power play, fans can now appreciate his potential. As to Handzus, no doubt he is under-performing from expectations of both Lombardi and fans. I still plan to give him a full season to get used to his surgical knee before I judge that signing.
If Ferguson’s tenure ends this week as some are speculating, that means Toronto needs to consider acknowledging what everyone outside Leaf land can see, competing for the eighth seed annually is no way to run that organization if winning it all is on the agenda.
With Dallas on Saturday’s agenda, the Kings gain yet another opportunity to assess their own progress since the Royal Rebound which turned out to trigger more success for the Stars then whatever was gained for Los Angeles.
It Must Be Said
Someone needs to explain to me how LaBarbera can save 48 of 50 shots and not earn the right to be ANY of the three stars of the game in his own building. In contrast, the NHL names him the #1 Star of the Night... huh? Exactly.
It Must Also Be Said
How can the Leafs come to town for the first time in years and the game NOT be televised? Shame on whoever made that decision.
It Must Be Read
Lombardi gave an interview during the Nashville debacle that provides some context and understanding of his plan for the Kings. It is a lengthy but worthwhile read. Check it out:
http://www.insidesocal.com/sb/inthis...ardi.html#more Carla Muller Carla.hockeygal@att.net
CarlaMuller
Kings as Opponents' GM Killers? 
