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Toffoli and Vey Shine in Kings' Beatdown of Canucks

November 10, 2013, 1:20 PM ET [19 Comments]
Jason Lewis
Los Angeles Kings Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Kings got a couple of career firsts last night in a 5-1 thrashing of the Canucks at Staples Center. Toffoli etched his first career three-point game, as well as his first career multi-goal game. And in his second career game Linden Vey recorded his first career NHL point on a disgusting dangle and dish on Jordan Nolan's opening goal.

It was overall one of the most complete games I've seen this season from a hit or miss Los Angeles Kings squad. Mike Richards furthered his tremendous form of late with a three point night as well. Richards now has eight points in his last four games and is arguably one of the hottest players in the league right now. On his wing instead of injured Jeff Carter is Carter-lite, AKA Tyler Toffoli.

Everytime Toffoli stepped on the ice I tried to isolate him to watch his game. The thing that strikes me most with Toffoli is how intelligent a player he is. He makes tremendous reads of the play in the neutral and attacking zone and just seems to know what to do with the puck on his stick. He has absolutely one thing on his mind when he gets the puck on his stick in a scoring position and it's to put it on net. His release is deceptive and he can really pick corners. It's not just flash and dash either, Toffoli picked up both his goals by driving the net and putting himself in the right positions for goals.

Toffoli, who now has 10 points in 13 regular season NHL games, is no stranger to the scoresheet. Twice he had over 100 points with the Ottawa 67's of the OHL back in 2010-11 and 2011-12, and last year he had 28 goals and 51 points in 58 games of his rookie AHL season. While the Kings' system has never been known for producing high-skill and high-scoring prospects, Toffoli is as good as they get. To me, the young forward has 30-40 goal top-6 potential at his ceiling. While his defensive game could probably stand to improve, that will only get better over time. With the chemistry he already seemingly has with Mike Richards I can't wait to see what happens when Jeff Carter gets back in the lineup. This could be a real three-headed dragon style line with goals coming form anywhere and everywhere.

If you missed Linden Vey's first career assist, well it was a beauty. Vey has always been a pass first player, but he made sure his first assist had a little extra flare on it before the pass came.



That's a great play no matter what level you are at. Vey was heads up in seizing the puck from a falling Dan Hamhuis before putting on a slick little curl and drag around the back checking forward Brad Richardson. Hopefully this is the first of many assists for Linden Vey in a King uniform.

Isolating Vey last night, he was strong. While he isn't the biggest player, and sometimes that becomes obvious, he is a very intelligent player who makes solid reads in every zone. He went 2 for 5 in the faceoff circle for 40%, had one hit, and played three of his near 14 minutes of icetime on the powerplay. When you look at Vey's body of work at the AHL level the last two years, he has been Manchester's most valuable player outside of Toffoli. He had a 43 point rookie campaign with the Monarchs, but really showed his value as a legit playmaker when Toffoli joined the ranks last year. With a threatening goal scorer in Toffoli and a workhorse in Tanner Pearson added to Vey's wings, he flourished and was able to showcase his solid on-ice vision. He had a 67 points, 45 assist campaign in his sophomore AHL season. Vey also has a great defensive zone game, which allows him to be used in a complimentary top-nine role rather than just a top-six role.

With the two rookies being the highlight of a big victory, let's not take away the fact that this was arguably the most complete 60 minute effort the Kings put together. The Canucks seemingly had no answer for the Kings physical domination of the game. It seemed like every board battle and fight was won by the Kings last night. Strong games from every single line were integral for the Kings. The Kings also took just two penalties, which is a nice change from their habitual four and five penalty games that they have had of late.

Quick came up with some top drawer saves in the first period which held them in it, and the pairing of Muzzin and Doughty continues to look more and more comfortable. Dwight King had one of his stronger performances of the season. Alec Martinez continued to look strong since his reinsertion into the lineup as well. Good performances were peppered throughout the lineup last night.

Let's also give a stick tap to one Jordan Nolan. He definitely seemed to hit a sophomore slump last year in the shortened season, but he already has three goals this season in 14 games. Compare that to the four he had in the previous 70 regular season games. He's a bull in a china shop, and when he gets in the opposing teams faces he is a tremendously effective bottom liner. Remember everyone, Nolan is also only 24 years old. Oh and he was a seventh round pick. Vey was also a fourth round pick. Lombardi late round magic.

It was definitely a statement win for the Kings who chased Roberto Luongo on after he gave up four goals on 18 shots (none of which were his fault in my opinion). The only black mark on the game was the injury in which Kyle Clifford sustained on a hit in the first period.

According to Sutter, Clifford:

[Clifford] got his bell rung in the first period. It’s clear and everybody saw it.


The team is already playing without Carter, Stoll, and Matt Greene so another injury would further test the depth of the Kings. With players like Vey, Nolan, and Toffoli stepping up it helps ease the loss though. Hopefully the Kings can continue to roll as they start a four game New York swing starting on Tuesday.

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Hey Brad Richardson didn't have a hat trick. Moulson index foiled!

AND a double stick tap to the eldery gentleman in my section who walked away unscathed on a three stair stumble and tumble over the seats with hot coffee in his hand. What a trooper.

Also if you listened to Kings Talk last night after the game...What is wrong with some of these people??

Question: What former King player scored his first NHL goal the same night that Drew Doughty scored his first NHL goal?

Some of the answers from callers: Luc Robitaille, Justin Williams, Alexander Frolov...

The answer is Oscar Moller, but my god...

Anyways what did you all think of the game?




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