Sheng Peng: When Improbable Was Probable On LA's second missed postseason in three years

Fist greetings!

realistically, what can they do during the off season and going into next season? does it really make sense to get rid of Lombardi?

sure you can blame him for the contracts, but he isn't really at fault for why the team is not performing.

I can, however, point to Sutter and the coaching staff for very specific things.

-he hates to use the young talent in ways that breed scoring and success and relies to heavily on veterans in situations where they don't produce.

-he refuses to admit that the team is much slower than the rest of the league.

-he is dismissive of any line of questioning that would force him to be accountable for his decisions.

-he kills offense with his game plan. D never allowed to pinch, D never join the rush unless they are in a desperate game situation. He preaches shooting the puck solely with the intent of getting a rebound, when rebounds should be viewed as a by product of trying to score (and yes, sometimes you take a shot to score that has a higher % chance for a rebound.)

-he looks lost behind the bench 90% of the time.

-his line combinations for 5v5 and the Power play are extremely questionable most of the time.

Davis Payne has an uncanny ability to assemble the most predictable power play set ups game in and game out.

John Stevens is nothing but a Sutter disciple so he should not be given the helm and should be walked out the door with the rest of the staff.

Great read, love you work Penger.

I feel like the minority here, but I believe what's causing so much trouble are the defensive holes we've yet to fill (I'm not talking Voynov). Guys like Greene, Regher, Scuds, and Mitchell are hard nose clear the front of the net kind of D-man we lack.

Although a lot of shade has been tossed at Kopi for he lack of scoring, but isn't another part his job to stop other teams top liners from scoring..and if that's the case he's pretty good at that.

I also feel that the clutch goal scores(Richards, Williams, Stoll) also need to be filled.
These are guys that didn't have the best numbers with us, but damn did they sure score when we needed them to.

Maybe its because I've been a fan for so long this doesn't seem like such a dark time to me. As far as blowing up the team, Sutter and DL, I think we need to give them more time. This team took a while to build and it will take a while longer to patch up.

In Dean we Trust.

Patty O'Neal sounded like someone died during that postgame show. Worse, he sounded like this wasn't obvious for the last 3 weeks or so, like they'd be in the playoffs if they had won that game. Did he also say this team was a Stanley Cup contender going into the season?

Absolutely delusional broadcast. Also I see Jim Fox has decided to just go ahead and audibly cheer on the air when the Kings score. Hayward doesn't even do that.

gtrman09 - Enjoy it. Enjoy it while you can because remember even if the Ducks go far into the plays, hell even if they win it all. NO ONE WILL CARE.

They are in a City that can only sell out their home when the visitors decide to show up(Thanks Kings fans).

Do you live in orange county? If so do me a favor, when you drive home tonight see how may Ducks stickers you see on cars vs Kings.

The only time anyone cares about the Ducks is to see who their team is playing.

Patty O'Neal sounded like someone died during that postgame show. Worse, he sounded like this wasn't obvious for the last 3 weeks or so, like they'd be in the playoffs if they had won that game. Did he also say this team was a Stanley Cup contender going into the season?

Absolutely delusional broadcast. Also I see Jim Fox has decided to just go ahead and audibly cheer on the air when the Kings score. Hayward doesn't even do that.
- gtrman09

Hayward is hands down the worst thing in sports. Even my Duck fan buddy thinks so.

Patty O'Neal sounded like someone died during that postgame show. Worse, he sounded like this wasn't obvious for the last 3 weeks or so, like they'd be in the playoffs if they had won that game. Did he also say this team was a Stanley Cup contender going into the season?

Absolutely delusional broadcast. Also I see Jim Fox has decided to just go ahead and audibly cheer on the air when the Kings score. Hayward doesn't even do that.
- gtrman09

How many times do you duck fans have to be reminded, Jim Fox has ONLY been with the Kings organization this is all he knows in his professional career. It's literally his favorite team so why not cheer for them.

The Ducks have arguably the worst broadcaster in Heyward in all of any major sports.
Not only do Kings fans think he's annoying and biased as poop other team fans do too. It's been said on here countless times.

Now go back to the hole you crawled out of.

gtrman09 - Enjoy it. Enjoy it while you can because remember even if the Ducks go far into the plays, hell even if they win it all. NO ONE WILL CARE.

They are in a City that can only sell out their home when the visitors decide to show up(Thanks Kings fans).

Do you live in orange county? If so do me a favor, when you drive home tonight see how may Ducks stickers you see on cars vs Kings.

The only time anyone cares about the Ducks is to see who their team is playing.
- kingsfan1981

LA is the most densely overpopulated city west of Chicago, and your team strategically switched their colors (for the 2nd time) to the Raiders colors. Hmm is it any wonder there are more Kings fans around? If that's your bragging point, or if you cheer for a team simply because lots and lots of people will celebrate with you, you're kinda pathetic. I don't care if I'm the only one in attendance for a Cup-clinching game, the number of additional fans has no bearing on my enjoyment. Also did you watch the kings before 2011 or so? That arena was never full either. Your fanbase's constant attendance-bragging really shows how little you know about the sport.

Hayward is hands down the worst thing in sports. Even my Duck fan buddy thinks so.
- poisondhearts37

You're wrong, Hayward doesn't cheer for the Ducks on the air. He doesn't go "Yeaaah!!" when they score a big goal. He doesn't say things like, "The Kings aren't out of it yet, only 13 points out with 6 games to play!"

LA is the most densely overpopulated city west of Chicago, and your team strategically switched their colors (for the 2nd time) to the Raiders colors. Hmm is it any wonder there are more Kings fans around? If that's your bragging point, or if you cheer for a team simply because lots and lots of people will celebrate with you, you're kinda pathetic. I don't care if I'm the only one in attendance for a Cup-clinching game, the number of additional fans has no bearing on my enjoyment. Also did you watch the kings before 2011 or so? That arena was never full either. Your fanbase's constant attendance-bragging really shows how little you know about the sport.
- gtrman09

You and your fans constantly try and make the argument all kings fans are bandwagon. That's just as pathetic.

You're wrong, Hayward doesn't cheer for the Ducks on the air. He doesn't go "Yeaaah!!" when they score a big goal. He doesn't say things like, "The Kings aren't out of it yet, only 13 points out with 6 games to play!"
- gtrman09

Thats because hes not preoccupied crying, moaning and complaining the entire broadcast.

Thats because hes not preoccupied crying, moaning and complaining the entire broadcast.
- poisondhearts37

lol that's funny

You're wrong, Hayward doesn't cheer for the Ducks on the air. He doesn't go "Yeaaah!!" when they score a big goal. He doesn't say things like, "The Kings aren't out of it yet, only 13 points out with 6 games to play!"
- gtrman09

Yes this is MLB but here's a little insight for you about crazy things have happened in sports regarding games left.

The Braves played a major role in one of the craziest days in baseball history. Atlanta held an 8.5-game lead over the Cardinals on Sept. 6, which St. Louis cut to 3 with five games to go. On the final day of the season the Cardinals won, forcing the Braves to beat the Phillies to clinch their playoff spot. Atlanta took a lead into the 9th inning but its bullpen blew the lead, and the Braves eventually lost the game — and their playoff spot — in the 12th inning.
"On the very same night the Braves choked away their season, Boston did the same. The Red Sox blew a 3-2 lead over the Orioles — after having Baltimore down to its final strike — and the rival Yankees blew a 7-0 lead over the Rays just minutes later. Boston held a 9-game lead over Tampa Bay in the AL Wild Card after Labor Day weekend, but the team’s now-infamous penchant for “fried chicken and beer” eventually caught up to them. The Red Sox lost 20 games in September and became the first team in MLB history to miss the playoffs after holding a 9-game lead in the final month of the season"

No im not saying the Kings had a chance but again crazier poop has happened. So in reality fox was right they are not completely out of it. Why would I want a broadcaster that doesn't have hope in a team?

#FreeSlava

#FreeSlava
- SRam19

You're wrong, Hayward doesn't cheer for the Ducks on the air. He doesn't go "Yeaaah!!" when they score a big goal. He doesn't say things like, "The Kings aren't out of it yet, only 13 points out with 6 games to play!"
- gtrman09

No question that Fox doesn't try to hide the fact that he's a huge fan of the Kings when he's on the air. What do you expect? He's been part of the organization since he was drafted by them in 1980 and he's paid to broadcast their games to their own fans.

I get the fan bases don't like each other. Serious, I get it. But to bring up attendance comparisons is just stupid. It really is.

Ranger fans were all over Staples, just like they were at the Honda Center. Blackhawks fans will be in abundance Saturday at Staples, just like they'll be at the Honda Center Thursday. The Kings will ALWAYS outdraw the Ducks (same as Lakers vs Clippers), with a few season exceptions here and there.

Kings have been around for 50 years. Anyone that's a hockey fan in So. Cal. rooted for the Kings, since they were the only game in town until the Ducks arrived in 1993. We can argue about the teams, but attendance comparisons are really lame. imo.

No question that Fox doesn't try to hide the fact that he's a huge fan of the Kings when he's on the air. What do you expect? He's been part of the organization since he was drafted by them in 1980 and he's paid to broadcast their games to their own fans.
- PancakesPenner

He and other duck fans don't understand this

Hayward is hands down the worst thing in sports. Even my Duck fan buddy thinks so.
- poisondhearts37

Hayward sucks. Jim Fox is just as bad. Last time the Ducks played the Kings he actually said the only reason a shot beat Quick is because of 'modern stick technology'. Lol what a tool.

I get the fan bases don't like each other. Serious, I get it. But to bring up attendance comparisons is just stupid. It really is.

Ranger fans were all over Staples, just like they were at the Honda Center. Blackhawks fans will be in abundance Saturday at Staples, just like they'll be at the Honda Center Thursday. The Kings will ALWAYS outdraw the Ducks (same as Lakers vs Clippers), with a few season exceptions here and there.

Kings have been around for 50 years. Anyone that's a hockey fan in So. Cal. rooted for the Kings, since they were the only game in town until the Ducks arrived in 1993. We can argue about the teams, but attendance comparisons are really lame. imo.
- quackup

Hayward sucks. Jim Fox is just as bad. Last time the Ducks played the Kings he actually said the only reason a shot beat Quick is because of 'modern stick technology'. Lol what a tool.
- niedermayer27

I'm pretty sure there was sarcasm in that.

He jokes about stuff like that all the time

You would take that seriously lol

No question that Fox doesn't try to hide the fact that he's a huge fan of the Kings when he's on the air. What do you expect? He's been part of the organization since he was drafted by them in 1980 and he's paid to broadcast their games to their own fans.
- PancakesPenner

I don't like the Ducks broadcasters either. But the best guys to listen to are the ones that aren't complete homers. Watched the Calgary broadcast last night, they were great. Not biased one way or the other. Jim Fox is one of the biggest homers in the league. If you like that then who am I to judge.

I'm pretty sure there was sarcasm in that.

He jokes about stuff like that all the time

You would take that seriously lol
- KINGS67

You sound like a Trump fan. Claim something was a joke after the fact. Lol. He says stuff like that all the time, but only about opposing teams. Pretty sure he's not joking, just a massive homer.

You sound like a Trump fan. Claim something was a joke after the fact. Lol. He says stuff like that all the time, but only about opposing teams. Pretty sure he's not joking, just a massive homer.
- niedermayer27

Again you would take what a broadcaster says seriously LOL