Adam Kirshenblatt: Round 1: Vegas Breakdown and Prediction

I also think the Kings take this one, but it'll go 7 games.

- Feds91Stammer

Your cute.

Vegas in 6, only because I love a good underdog....

Adam Kirshenblatt: Round 1: Vegas Breakdown and Prediction
- Adam Kirshenblatt

Pfffftttt!!!

I'm waiting to hear what Ek thinks...

Kings in 6 or 7, but could go either way. Those unsustainably high shooting percentages on Vegas could keep going for awhile longer. Both these Pacific matchups could go either way, unlike the Central (sorry Min, Col)

I disagree that LA has a top 4 on defense to rival Nashville and Tampa. Doughty may be a little better than anyone on Nashville and Tampa, but those top 4s are mostly all better than LA's top 3 after Doughty. No one is going to pick LA's top 4 when they could have Nashville's or Tampa's, instead.

I'm also not sure that I would give the advantage to LA when it comes to offense. Vegas' forwards outscored LA's forwards by 40 goals over 82 games, or almost half a goal per game. Vegas had 5 players with 20 goals or more; LA had 3, though a healthy Carter would've been 4. Vegas also had 8 forwards with 10 or more goals; LA had 7. Vegas maybe overproduced a bit and LA maybe has a little untapped potential, so I'd call the forward match-up about even.

I disagree that LA has a good top 4 on defense to rival Nashville and Tampa. Doughty may be a little better than any of the top 4 of Nashville and Tampa, but those top 4s are mostly all better than LA's top 3 after Doughty. No one is going to pick LA's top 4 when they could have Nashville's or Tampa's, instead.

I'm also not sure that I would give the advantage to LA when it comes to offense. Vegas' forwards outscored LA's forwards by 40 goals over 82 games, or almost half a goal per game. Vegas had 5 players with 20 goals or more; LA had 3, though a healthy Carter would've been 4. Vegas also had 8 forwards with 10 or more goals; LA had 7. Vegas maybe overproduced a bit and LA maybe has a little untapped potential, so I'd call the match-up about even.
- Osprey

I actually agree with everything you said Osprey!
I believe the Kings are probably underdogs in this series. Maybe the experience will win out.

I disagree that LA has a good top 4 on defense to rival Nashville and Tampa. Doughty may be a little better than any of the top 4 of Nashville and Tampa, but those top 4s are mostly all better than LA's top 3 after Doughty. No one is going to pick LA's top 4 when they could have Nashville's or Tampa's, instead.

I'm also not sure that I would give the advantage to LA when it comes to offense. Vegas' forwards outscored LA's forwards by 40 goals over 82 games, or almost half a goal per game. Vegas had 5 players with 20 goals or more; LA had 3, though a healthy Carter would've been 4. Vegas also had 8 forwards with 10 or more goals; LA had 7. Vegas maybe overproduced a bit and LA maybe has a little untapped potential, so I'd call the match-up about even.
- Osprey

Vegas has def overachieved. I think its going to be a hell of a series. And my thoughts were always I'll take LA in a series vs Vegas. But in single games its a toss up. LA knows how to win. Lets just see if they can keep the heads straight to start the series and so on.

It’s almost time!!!!

Kings need Reider on the third and put That’s 70s Line back together. Reider/Kempe/Lewis as the third line. Kings looked sloppy in their own zone and Kopitar needs to shoot the puck when he has a wide open lane.

Golden Fellows in 5. If you don't appreciate the magic at this point you're a soul-dead nihilist.

Kings need Reider on the third and put That’s 70s Line back together. Reider/Kempe/Lewis as the third line. Kings looked sloppy in their own zone and Kopitar needs to shoot the puck when he has a wide open lane.
- LAkings96

Kopi had at least 2 grade A's to put a shot on net and continued to handle himself into no-man's land. Brown was horrible with his passes without any points to compensate. He did lay the body a few times but needs to collect at least a solid hit every other shift. Speaking of laying the body, I was impressed with LVGK physical game. They brought the wood and good on them. Flower needs to be tested more than he was, and that PP needs to create movement and shots. It was very stale. Miller and Marchesault are quickly becoming enemies # 1a and 1b. Cant wait for game 2!

Doughty with a hearing.

Doughty with a hearing.
- LAkings96

should've been marchesault...

should've been marchesault...
- Stu17

Point of contact is with the shoulder first.

https://lakingsinsider.co...egal-check-carriers-head/

Not worried about Doughty.

Good news they only scored 1
Bad news LA couldn’t score.

Good news LA NOT getting shutout out probably for remainder of series (too rare).
Bad news VGK up 1

LA needs to figure out PP. Don’t score PP goal you’re most likely not winning the game. LA PK is pretty strong and will get stronger with Muzzin back but man was VGK buzzing around with their PP.

They had multiple opportunities to make it 1-1 and failed Game 2 should be similar but with more scoring I’m ok taking a split 1-1 into LA (obviously)

Not worried about Doughty.

Good news they only scored 1
Bad news LA couldn’t score.

Good news LA NOT getting shutout out probably for remainder of series (too rare).
Bad news VGK up 1

LA needs to figure out PP. Don’t score PP goal you’re most likely not winning the game. LA PK is pretty strong and will get stronger with Muzzin back but man was VGK buzzing around with their PP.

They had multiple opportunities to make it 1-1 and failed Game 2 should be similar but with more scoring I’m ok taking a split 1-1 into LA (obviously)
- KINGS67

Agreed. Kopi had the game on his stick a few times, I doubt he waits too long going forward. Flower will be tested more. Looking forward to the physical response from the Kings. Also, I'm hoping we saw jitters from LaDue and he settles in, too. They were on him like white on rice. I'll take that game 1. I was screaming at the tv for more shots though...

Agreed. Kopi had the game on his stick a few times, I doubt he waits too long going forward. Flower will be tested more. Looking forward to the physical response from the Kings. Also, I'm hoping we saw jitters from LaDue and he settles in, too. They were on him like white on rice. I'll take that game 1. I was screaming at the tv for more shots though...
- Stu17

Oh yeah more shots for sure. Stop dancing around them trying for the cute play.

Look at VGK goal, pure “let me just fling it in there” oh look it bounces off 1-2 players and in. Really, that shot goes in?

Kings have got to score the first goal and have to do better on PP

Lol Doughty suspended wow!!

Lol Doughty suspended wow!!
- KINGS67

That’s bull poop!!

https://mobile.twitter.co...%5Esafari%7Ctwgr%5Esearch

That’s bull poop!!

https://mobile.twitter.co...%5Esafari%7Ctwgr%5Esearch
- arh777

Yep. Most fans from variety of teams say BS as well. Not just Kings fans biased opinions.

Rediculous call by NHL. Bettman and player safety can F-UCK OFF

Yep. Most fans from variety of teams say BS as well. Not just Kings fans biased opinions.

Rediculous call by NHL. Bettman and player safety can F-UCK OFF
- KINGS67

Their explanation is the head was the main point of contact with the arm being the first point of contact. They say he could have avoided the hit.
What a load of crap in the playoffs!

Their explanation is the head was the main point of contact with the arm being the first point of contact. They say he could have avoided the hit.
What a load of crap in the playoffs!
- arh777

I just listened. Absolutely so far from what happened it’s rediculous. That (frank)er shouldn’t have had his head down to begin with!!
When was the last time a player of Doughtys pedigree was suspended??? I can’t think of one. Scott Stevens maybe??