Rout Shows Kings’ Collective Hearts

[Carla Muller]

So many questions for the Kings this year and not enough answers to go around. Fans spent Tuesday watching an answer-filled night. The funny thing is when the NHL schedule came out for this season, the team I most wanted to see up close and personal were the Blackhawks. Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane are considered worth the price of admission. In this very new year, the home team came to compete and compete they did. Los Angeles put on exhibition how they are worth the price of admission when they keep their game simple, play like a team instead of individuals and believe in themselves.

And the visitors, well... it turns out Chicago is just as much a work in progress as the rebuilding Kings. As for the #1 and #3 Rising NHL stars, Kane and Toews, they made no material difference in the outcome. Toews injured his knee in the first so he was out for the remainder of the game. Kane, well, surely he can do better than a one assist night, one shot on goal and a +/- of -3...ouch!

The evening sure started out wrong. In the first 3 minutes, the Blackhawks had 8 shots on goal and a goal to boot in the first 2:54. On this atypical night, this poor immediate start for the Kings led to a very atypical result. Like the Red Wings in their last win against Los Angeles, rather than disappear or get deflated, the Kings went back to work.

Going back to work included scoring in the first 28 seconds of the middle period by Frolov and the first 16 seconds of the third by Nagy. Both had a 5 point night. That hat trick earned the Team LA potential sales when all hats went on sale for the remainder of the night. It earned Nagy a little self respect after being tagged one of two biggest free agents busts by hockey writers and good for him.

Maybe he got a little Hockey Buzz karma since I have noticed some stronger games by players who get called out by this blogger. Am I taking credit? Hardly. However, there is nothing like being called out to challenge a proud player and professional athletes are a very proud lot.

One of the most heard complaints made against Crawford is that his line juggling is more part of the problem than the solution. Well, it turns out Denis Savard tried line changes to combat Sunday’s loss in a quest for balance. It is fair to say that the visitors never looked less in sync Tuesday. Savard explained this to the Chicago Tribune as follows:

"What I'm trying to find is more balance for this road trip," Savard said after practice Monday in Los Angeles. "If you look at L.A., they play four lines, Phoenix plays four lines, Anaheim plays four lines and we have three games in four nights and a tough two weeks coming up, so part of it is to balance everything out more and utilize everybody."

Crawford can take a lesson from Savard though. During the last interminable 8 game losing streak, the coach got desperate. He shortened the bench to three lines tops and the team never looked less balanced. Los Angeles became 23 individuals and no team in sight. Players and fans alike can only hope that Crawford now sees when he focuses on the scoreboard; rather than the process, bad things result.

The full article can be read here:

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune....awks-headlines

Consider the effect line juggling had on the Blackhawks, perhaps fans have a point. Or perhaps not. Jonathan Toews lamented Sunday’s home loss coming to the conclusion that his team lost that battle because they failed to play for 60 minutes. After ringing in the New Year, the Kings’ goal light rang regularly and the visitors not so much. By my rough estimation, Chicago played real hard for the first 3 minutes of period one and the last 4 minutes of period two and frankly, once the rout was on, I stopped keeping track in the third. What was the point?

Tuesday also displayed what I hear most from Kings’ fans. Many define “heart” as being physical, not necessarily within the rules mind you, but surely if one’s team is losing, the correct response is to pick fights, make a statement, or something to that effect. Well, watching the Blackhawks and their “heart-filled” display of character, I never need more proof for how much I disagree with that definition for the word ‘heart’.

Savard might just be the coach Kings’ fans really want. Heck, he dressed David Koci solely to combat the physical play of Raitis Ivanans. To be fair, he earned his ice, I guess, considering he took on the Kings’ enforcer in the middle of the second with one of the longer hockey bouts from my recent memory. I give the win to Ivanans by a Paris Hilton fake eyelash... yikes! After the fight ended, both Koci and Ivanans kept jawing at each other to the extent they got additional 10 minutes to sit on top of their 5 minute majors.

In the last period, Koci again failed to keep his yap shut and earned himself his own personal ten minute timeout. As for physicality, well, that battle is the only one the Blackhawks won where they out hit the home team 31 to 17 led by Seabrook’s 5 and Byfuglien, Sharp and Kontiolo who had 3.

Now, I want to give some much deserved credit. Nagy had his third career hat trick and a five point night. The chemistry so present with Brown and Kopitar is now coupled with the very same great mix between Frolov and Nagy. Only good things can follow if the Kings have two scoring lines, a shut down line and an energy line. Tuesday night was Exhibit “A” for this proposition.

Crawford, now for the love of all fans’ collective sanity, don’t shorten the team bench when the Kings are losing. You yourself acknowledged that when the team focuses on the process rather than the big picture, good things follow. It is so easy to snap when you fear for your job and your own personal sanity. The thing is panic from you translates to panic in your players.

Confidence breeds confidence. Even the players whose contributions weren’t measured by a point sheet displayed their best. I like how Nagy put it on the post game show. He explained that the team decided to just simplify things. For the power play, the team consciously chose to just shoot the puck at the first opportunity and then be at the net for rebounds. With 5 power play goals on the night against the league’s best road penalty kill unit is no small feat.

Apparently, the Kings need to be followed by the Staples Center’s KISS cam for a better outcome. Keep it simple, good things result. All concerned can now only hope the players keep living this lesson. The losses suffocate the collective souls of all concerned. Three consecutive wins become intoxicating in a really great kind of way. Kings’ fans are the best fans and will reward their team when deserved.

The New Year became just such an occasion where the home team received two standing ovations from their fans. Heck, those in attendance became so drunk off their team they spent portions of the third screaming, “We want ten. We want ten. We want ten.” Well, nine proved to be the limit. The Kings’ players now hopefully know their limitations are few when working as a team – rather than individuals.

Personal Rant

I have spent a fair amount of time debating the definition of “heart” with other fans. I find a material distinction between paralyzed play and heart-filled play. I contend that just because the Kings don’t goon up their opponents, it does not mean during losses there is nothing under those jerseys accept skin and weak skin at that.

Was anyone proud of O’Sullivan for taking a 10 minute game misconduct for intent to injure Zyuzin? The last thing the Kings need is that particular display of heart. I understand that Chicago’s physical night got to O’Sullivan. That is no excuse for losing control. Having read multiple articles regarding this New Year’s game, where exactly none mentioned this ugly incident, perhaps O’Sullivan gets a pass. That doesn’t make what he did okay; it just means he got a get out of jail free card this time.

Los Angeles and Kings are hardly arch enemies or bitter rivals. The game was chippy to say the least. As the Blackhawks goal differential got more out of whack, the hitting and physical responses got more out of whack too. I look forward to the flames this blog might spark when others try to explain to me how roughing and penalties equates to heart.

I believe the Kings’ league ranking in wins and losses is just a measure of wins and losses – not a representation of nothing under their jerseys as some contend. I invite others to convince me and prove your case that roughing others is a better way to win and rebuild than strong team play.

Carla Muller

Carla.hockeygal@att.net

[fansince67]

Well said.

[hornman]

Well put...

I agree with you on the subject of "heart" in hockey. Heart isn't defined by unsportsmanlike conduct. It is defined by perseverance and hard work.

Keep the reviews coming...great take on the game!

hornman

[WaginSec311]

I thought the match penalty assesed to Sully was a little harsh. I watched it on the replay when I got home just to be sure I did not miss anything. I didn't. A 5-minute major would have been appropriate. The Hawk player was not cut nor did he ever leave the bench to go tho the lockerroom for any repairs. Sully does not have a history of being a dirty player, so I would be surprised if he recieved more than one game suspension. If intent is in question, why would anyone whack someone with a stick in the dome intentionally with a seven goal lead in the final minute? Makes little sense. Ref overeacted.

[Cup B4 I Die]

Great article.

I'm looking forward to attending the Feb.23rd game vs Chicago at Staples!! We'll sign Marty McSorley for that game, and the Blackhawks can counter with Bob Probert.

[FishMonger]

Good article, been reading them for a while and finally wanted to contribute.

I must say I am confused by your definition of heart. You say the Kings have a lot. Most days I'd disagree.

I'm sure you'd agree this team is incredibly talented. If that's the case this terrible season (I feel) can only be contributed to lack of heart. Heart isn't just wanting it. I want to make $4m/year, but that doesn't mean I will, unless I work hard for it and keep focused. Unless I have the heart. I'd say heart is synonymous with an outward display of passion. To steal a line from Batman Begins, 'it is not who I am inside, but what I do that defines me.' Heart comes from the insdie but shows on the outside. Unless you disagree with that, the Kings, for the most part this season, have lacked heart. I'd go so far to as to say that at times, they showed the antithesis of heart: apathy.

You mentioned in this post that petty thuggery isn't a show of heart. I'd have to disagree, to some extent. Heart, passion, whichever you want to call it can be shown in inappropriate ways, i.e. Patty this last game. It was stupid, but it does show heart, it shows emotion. At the very least, it wasn't an apathetic move.

GO KINGS GO

-Fish

[Carla Muller]

Originally Posted by FishMonger

Good article, been reading them for a while and finally wanted to contribute.

First, thanks. As to contributing, I hope you and others will continue to do so. My goal in writing is to start dialogue, have an opinion and along the way provide perspective/information that hasn't been provided by more traditional sources for hockey press.

Originally Posted by FishMonger

I must say I am confused by your definition of heart. You say the Kings have a lot. Most days I'd disagree.
I'm sure you'd agree this team is incredibly talented. If that's the case this terrible season (I feel) can only be contributed to lack of heart. Heart isn't just wanting it. I want to make $4m/year, but that doesn't mean I will, unless I work hard for it and keep focused.

I want to at the outset acknowledge that my opinions/perceptions are based upon watching the games and reading A LOT to get as much knowledge as possible before I begin writing. This is my way of saying I have no direct access to the team at the present time.

With that understanding, where I take issue with the perception that the Kings lack heart is because there are a lot of reasons to explain indifferent play or not standing up for a teammate besides lack of heart. That is the easiest place to go; but, I question if that is the right conclusion.

For starters, here is a small but hardly complete list of possible causes of indifferent looking play:

• 50% turnover of players
• young team as to the newer players
• generally filler players as to the veterans
• 50% turnover of players also at the AHL level
• A losing team can be losing for reasons other than heartless play. Crawford is a fiery coach and while in a losing streak, he seems the type to make players afraid to make a mistake.
• A team afraid to lose can be mentally shut down. Speaking from personal experience, there have been times in my life I didn't respond/react when moments required it and I froze. It didn't mean I lacked heart or didn't care, it just means I froze.

I acknowledge my list is my own speculation. I am also not suggesting these reasons are the likely ones to explain this season. What I refuse to do until I know otherwise, as to THIS season, with this much turnover from the top to the bottom of the organization is to go to the easiest cause first. It is emotionally satisfying but too convenient.

From watching San Jose and Ottawa and their years of success in the regular season and far less in the post season, getting a more talented team is only step one. Once there is sufficient talent, then like any good meal, you have to sort out the ingredients and figure out where there is too much salt and where there needs to be some sugar.

This year is only year 2 on a complete rebuilding of the organization. That many new faces this quickly, in my view, just takes time to get all going on the right cylinders, at the same pace at the same time.

Using your example, making $4 million dollars a year doesn't stop Handzus from being human and all the imperfections that go with being human. That is the mistake/excuse I see most said about this year's Kings. Once a player is already a millionaire, he still has a mortal body to contend with.

Again, using Handzus as an example, he had his knee rebuilt a year ago, just relocated his family and for the first time in his life had his body fail him b/c he couldn't make his body do things by sheer will. All injuries prior to this most recent one, he did just that.

Speaking from my own personal experience, that is no small thing to rebound from. The married players on this team have their wife and kids getting used to new towns, new places and they are not there to help the family with those kind of transitions.

I do get that I bring a unique perspective I have yet to see anywhere else. It doesn't make me right or wrong, just different and I get that. Suffice it to say, by trying to look at this team and these players from a non-emotional place, combined with my own life events where I have lived with massive upheaval and major injuries that I feel atypically able to bring a perspective that has some merit and is just as possible to be the cause of this year's Kings as lack of heart. (I do get it is possible this year's results are due to heartless play. There are just far too many other possibilities as to today's Kings for me to write about the easiest cause than the potentially right one.)

[SirJW]

I think a lot to do w/ the lack of heart on this team is that there are quite a few players that know they are bridge players w/ one year contracts and no future in the orga-ny-zation.

[SirJW]

Carla, what is your background, how long have you been a Kings fan, hockey in general and did you ever have another screen name on LGK?

[Carla Muller]

Originally Posted by SirJW

Carla, what is your background, how long have you been a Kings fan, hockey in general and did you ever have another screen name on LGK?

I have a been a Kings fan since the 1993 playoffs. When I moved to Texas in 1995, before satellite dishes and the Center Ice package was readily available, I watched every and any game shown on ESPN and ESPN2.

Since my return to California in 2003, I have been a season ticket holder and have re-established my first loyalty to the Kings that I couldn't experience in the same way there. No question I have been a passionate hockey and Kings' fan since 1993. One game and I was hooked.

As to my background, professionally, I am an attorney. I am not sure that was the background question you asked. If not, let me know.

[Carla Muller]

Originally Posted by SirJW

I think a lot to do w/ the lack of heart on this team is that there are quite a few players that know they are bridge players w/ one year contracts and no future in the orga-ny-zation.

So... whom would you like to ship to NY? .... tee hee tee hee....

All kidding aside, the bridge players on short contract are here to have JOBs in the NHL. While they may not be key to this team's future, what they do here could be the difference between them staying in the league or not. Examples there are Willsie and Thornton. I am having a hard time believing either will be getting anything more than a two way contract offer next off season from another organization, if that.

[Carla Muller]

Originally Posted by SirJW

did you ever have another screen name on LGK?

I forgot to answer this question in my earlier response.

When I was a lurker, I posted under the screen name, PuckerI. As my blogs got more exposure here, I appreciated that if I wanted to participate on the message boards, if I used any name other than my own, why would anyone believe I was the Kings' Hockey Buzz blogger.

It is a different experience conversing using my given name. Nothing I have written anywhere would have been written differently; there is just a certain security in not providing your full name in a public medium.

Since I began using my given name, this site has provided me an audience/exposure to my blogs that is truly appreciated. I never take for granted that with an audience, comes responsibilities. I take that very seriously and plan to ensure that never changes.

[pucktheducks]

Bravo Carla...well said

[FishMonger]

Originally Posted by CarlaMuller

I feel atypically able to bring a perspective that has some merit and is just as possible to be the cause of this year's Kings as lack of heart. (I do get it is possible this year's results are due to heartless play. There are just far too many other possibilities as to today's Kings for me to write about the easiest cause than the potentially right one.)

I think our disagreement stems from the amount of stock we put into heart.

Back in the days where the Kings shattered the unofficial 'man-games lost due to injury' record, our boys were still in the palyoff race up until the last 10 games of the season. They were able to do this because of heart.

I'm sure I need not remind you of the Royal Rebound. In this case, it was the current group of guys playing with a whole lot of heart.

You mentioned that Step 1 is to build up more talent. I'd have the disagree with that. Talent without heart is what this team has had this season, we don't need any more (not saying we can't use more talent, just that it shouldn't be a priority). With our top boys (Cammy's scoring touch, Browny getting in front of the net and still hitting like a freight train, Fro's ability to hold the puck and get it to someone, and Kopi.. well, he's self-expalnitory) leading the way, I'm hard-pressed to see that it's a lack of talents. When these players don't do what they're capable of, and don't do it on a consistant basis, I find it hard to see it's anything but heart.
It seems to me that it's when they show their true grit, their passion, their willingness to take punishment and stand up for eachother, when they show their heart... that's when they succeed. And seeing as they are last by far, I don't see how anyone can say they've had heart most of this season. To list reasons such as injuries, age, and filler players for a bad season is to insinuate that other teams don't have the same issues, and they do. "It is not the winds that determine our destination, but how we set our sail."

I'd like to end on this: My reason for thinking heart is so important is from my own experiences. I've played the game for over a decade, and I can tell you that while talent goes a long way, heart is the real reason teams win. I've played on teams with a huge amount of talent and we got beat by smaller, slower guys who wanted it more. I've been on teams that have gone against undefeated teams for the finals and won, desipte being smaller, slower, and just overall less talented. I believe this happens because of heart. We wanted it more, and we were able to turn that desire into passion, that passion into action, and that action into great results, and I have full faith that our boys are more than talented enough to do the same... if they can find the heart.