Seem like a familiar script? Kings raise a banner to the rafters, after a 30 minute ceremony reflecting on their past year's achievements, and then subsequently get run out of the building. It happened in 2012-13 when Chicago beat the Kings on banner night 5-2 in a pretty lackluster performance.
I'm here to tell you though that it honestly wasn't all that bad.
Kings played a pretty decent game overall, and chances were fairly even throughout. They never really dominated the run of play on the Sharks, but then again neither did the Sharks. The deciding factor was little mistakes. The Sharks converted on an unnecessary penalty from Kyle Clifford, and a Quick miscue behind the net also cost the Kings a goal.
Not a great start for those players I said had a lot to play for this year...
The chart from Hockeystats.ca make it look as though the game was a lot closer than the scoreline indicated. Which was true.
In terms of players, the Kings were without one of their top defenseman in Jake Muzzin. Muzzin is listed as day-to-day with an upper body injury as it currently stands. Filling in on the top spot was McNabb, who actually looked very good through the first 40-50 minutes or so. He and Doughty had actually only allowed about three chances through the first half of the night. Of course, with any young defenseman who is making the leap into the NHL it got difficult for him in the latter portions of the game. McNabb played a whopping 23 minutest, and was moved off of Doughty's pair toward the end. All in all though, the young defenseman that the Kings traded Nic Deslauriers and Hudson Fasching for was pretty solid most the evening.
The lovingly named "That 70's line" had a bit of a tough go, generating a few scoring opportunities while being on the ice for several against. The team's fourth line also seemed to struggle at times.
Quick allowed 3 goals on 20 shots, two in particular which stand out. The sharp angle shot from Tommy Wingels and the misplayed puck behind the net for Nieto's goal.
Seriously though, when are the Kings going to tell Jonathan Quick to not go out and play the puck?
GIF: 14 seconds later, Nieto puts Sharks up 4-0 http://t.co/pr1atYQyJv
— Steph (@myregularface) October 9, 2014Well, I guess it's good to get that first one out of the way now, but sheesh. It seems like once every five games or so we get a Quick puck handling error that makes everyone collectively clench. There isn't a need to go out and play the puck all the time, especially in this instant with an opposing forward bearing down on you. It's great if you want to help out your defenseman or try and get the play moving up ice, but do it within reason! The sharp angle shot was just a combination of a split second lean forward by Quick and a great roofed shot by Wingels. Probably could have been played better but it was a superb shot. Still though, Quick definitely looked rusty.
The top line also was a bit of a spectator in this game, as were most of the forward lines. Few sustained pressure shifts occurred, and only a handful of Grade-A chances existed.
Was it the ceremony? Was it the emotions of reliving the cup run?
Mike Jones said it great on the post-game, "This is a game that meant a lot to the San Jose Sharks, while meaning very little to the Los Angeles Kings."
Sharks were amped up to enact some sort of "revenge" while the Kings were just starting another year with a banner raising. Opposite ends of the spectrum.
It is what it is, they won't go 0-82-0 and there's really nothing to reasonably worry about after one game. It was closer than the score indicated as well.
Chock it up to that stupid banner. Sheesh. If I had known a banner and championship would make us lose our first game of the season to our NorCal rivals I would have told the Kings to bow out in the first round. Ya know, so they could start this season with some kind of dignity.
I guess it did matter to some though...
I really do love karma. "@SanJoseSharks: You could hear a staple drop in this place right now.…
— Jessica Bradley (@jessiebear23) October 9, 2014You mean that karma where we lost a 3-0 series lead? Or something? I'm confused.
Did you see how my @SanJoseSharks looked last night, I can't tell if that's just revenge, or that we might have a run in us this year.
— Eric Martinez - CEO (@ERICDMARTINEZ) October 9, 2014It's good to base these things off of one game.
Just wondering where all y'all bandwagon "go Kings go" fans were last night when the @SanJoseSharks shut them out 4-0 on the opening game?
— L♡ (@mrsswift_xo) October 9, 2014Most were probably still in a meditative haze due to the massive ring on Bob's finger during the pregame ceremonies.
Bob Miller has some new bling. pic.twitter.com/42Y1yixmy3
— Ted Starkey (@TedStarkey) October 9, 2014I...can't....look.....away.....
Got to love Fear the Fin keepin it real though.
When do we raise the "2014 LA Kings Banner Night Champions" banner?
— Fear The Fin (@fearthefin) October 9, 2014Sharks played well. Kings were sluggish. Niemi made some sound saves, Wingels had a fantastic game. It's game one of a long 82. Keep the belly aching to a minimum.
Small takeaways? Brayden McNabb looked pretty solid. Mike Richards wasn't too bad either. Top line had a quiet night and that won't be the case on most nights. Likewise with Jeff Carter. Um, Jones looked great on those 3 shots he stopped in the 3rd period? Meh.
On to an early back to back Saturday, Sunday against Phoenix and Winnipeg.
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