The Achilles heal of the Kings is becoming their strength on the current combined four game winning and home stand winning streak. In the last four games, Labarbera has given up a miserly 4 goals on 127 shots enabling the entire team to begin playing to their potential, and when potential meets reality, just keep your fingers crossed you have a good seat…. Yeah!!
Again, the first period was a bit of a “feeling out” one as the game started slow as the intensity built. The Oilers may not be winning now, and their power play is a scary last place in the league, the home team Kings gave a small hand in that regard, but these Oilers when they are on, are a treat to watch.
There were times when it seemed the Kings had no room to move out there in the first period. The ending shots when the whistle blew were 11-10 but the period never felt that close to me.
Giving credit as I see it, the Oilers are quite effective as shot blockers. Officially, only 7 are recorded but I find that statistic misleading. More than one King never bothered shooting because an Oiler was already in the path of their yet to be swung shot. On the penalty kill, there were times when again the Oilers seemed like they were everywhere.
All this opponent team stuff is a mere prelude to how fun it is becoming to be a Kings’ fan. Winning is not something I have personally had much experience with first hand as I only returned to California during the lockout year, so I missed the only playoff series win residing in the Lone Star State. I must say, winning at the Staples Center is just sweet.
In the first penalty kill of the game, this was a real bright spot. I noticed four shift changes on the same kill. When your team is clearing the zone often enough that every forwards’ shift is 30 seconds or less, with those kind of fresh legs, no goal is scored and on this kill, no shots were given up either…. Wow!
The story and play was not nearly as pretty, or effective on the second penalty taken, while Handzus was in the box. Then, Stoll scored which was no surprise to this fan since the Kings seemed frozen in place as if moving their feet would have cost money and the guys were out of singles, seriously. Thankfully, that was an isolated example of the night.
In fact, my in game notes at the time were, if the Kings are going to watch their own penalty kill from the ice, Anschutz might as well make them buy tickets for the view… yikes!!
Thankfully, shortly thereafter, O’Sullivan and Nagy and took off for a 2 on 1 that changed the tenor/quality of the Kings’ play for good. With an Oiler blocking the passing lane, O’Sullivan connected with a rolling shot that found twine. This was the beginning of a special night for a forward that has become more known for defensive play this season than offense. Tonight, Kings’ fans got a hint of the offense this guy was known for before his NHL days began.
Looking back on the first, if I had to guess who the best line was, I assure you my first 3 guesses would not have been the Calder, O’Sullivan and Willsie line but there they were fighting hard, making things happen when the Kings’ #1 line were given no room, nor respect by the Oilers.
To be fair, this is one of the first games where I remember seeing an opponent dropping to the ice before a King can even think, much less attempt a shot. To the team’s credit, they found a way to work around this tactic by the second where the team never looked back.
The second period, the period where the team and game went south in Calgary seems to now be when the team takes off. The goals tonight were the kind and from places not easily made.
Before I get to the scoring highlights, I want to give kudos for the back checking and skating the Kings were not known for during the losing streak that preceded the team’s current run. As Labarbera explained in a post game victory interview, he noted during the losses the team was turning the puck over in dangerous spots and at the blue line and the give-aways were turning into goals.
Now, Labarbera noted that there was a lot more communication on the ice between the defensemen and him, more forechecking between forwards and defensemen and the guys were getting a confidence in themselves, each other and with that good things were following.
One example was when the Oilers took off on a 2 on 1 and Brown skated at a speed I never noticed from him before tonight and broke up the play. The newly extended King was known before this year mostly for his hitting, and tonight was no exception when he gave 6 solid hits. Only now, Brown’s play is showing up in other very good ways too. It is also worth noting that that Zeiler is giving Brown a run for his money, as Zeiler did Brown one better with 7 hits.
The second began with quick shots from both teams, and then a lot of defense, highlighted by Brown amongst others, before the Kings’ took control of the game for good. O’Sullivan followed Brown’s defensive prowess by breaking up some Oilers’ offense which enabled some quick offense highlighted by a slapper from Johnson which didn’t go in, but continued to show Johnson’s skills from the point.
It was about mid-way through the second that my game notes started to mirror the first but with the Kings taking over where the Oilers were on the front 20. In the first period, I found myself frustrated more than once. It seemed that the Kings’ were playing Edmonton’s game. In the second, the exact opposite happened. The Oilers’ white jerseys started to blend so completely into the ice that the only movement and game seemed to be tilted the Kings’ way due to the Kings’ strong on ice performance.
The game winning goal predictably followed when Nagy got into the action with his own unassisted goal, no small feat when you consider he had an Oiler all over him on his way to the net. That is the other thing that is starting to become apparent. This team has such tenacity. Opponents are impeding the Kings’ ability to move and the Kings are moving forward nonetheless.
Stand in front of a King, no problem. Sandwich a King, no problem. Get in his line of shooting, no problem. Ask Kopitar who scored the third goal of the night from an impossible angle using Roloson’s back as a spring board to scoring… really!
By the last 2 minutes of the second, the fans started screaming in unison, without prompting at a loud volume, “Oilers Suck”. The emotion in the arena was something to just drink in as a fan. As a player, that must have been such a rush of adrenaline to feel the appreciation from fans that started the prior home stand with some pretty ugly boos, and tension that made being at games in person even more brutal to feel those losses. Feeling the wins, that is a must see event!
By the end of the second, the Kings left the ice to a standing ovation. Something I think everyone concerned could get used to… credit must also go to the Oilers’ fan contingents who were in full force. Winning or losing, the Oilers’ fans’ presence in the arena was pretty cool. What they did not have in numbers in an opponent’s arena, they absolutely made up in volume.
The Oilers when they stop shooting and skating, really do become quite invisible. Edmonton went from 3 shots in the first 4 minutes to no shots for the next 8:40 of ice. The Oilers tried again the last five of the second with no success based upon a combination of strong overall team play and the wall that has now become the Kings’ net… who knew!!
The start of the third and throughout the third, the Oilers really tried. Edmonton had a whopping 14 shots to the Kings 9 but saw nothing and got nothing for their efforts. It is worth noting that Gagner had 16 shifts, 2 shots, a -1 for the night, 2 give-aways and was barely noticeable on the ice.
In direct contrast, the real highlight of the final 20 minutes bar none, has to be O’Sullivan’s pretty and unlikely angle that connected and Labarbera's strength between the pipes.
Calder’s rebound found its way to O’Sullivan who promptly did his best Denis Savard spin-o-rama impression as he somehow got a shot away while doing a 360 and shooting from what sure seemed like an improbable way to score. This may be just O’Sullivan’s first multi-goal game but it most definitely will not be the last.
Like the Dallas win, without Labarbera in the 3rd and the Kings have a different outcome. One of the Oilers shots came so close to scoring that Toronto had to be consulted before the referee’s call on the ice was confirmed, no goal, no goal, no goal…!!
The only thing better than the score, and the win, was the support and appreciation from the fans for their team, who is now currently tied with Dallas for the lead in the Pacific Division.
Of course, Dallas has 2 games in hand, but frankly who cares… this turnaround could only have been predicted or believed by the players themselves. Because 10 days ago, if any Kings’ fan could have found a way to put Anaheim or Ottawa’s number on speed dial, fans probably would have shared the expense of bringing Gerber or Brygalov to the Kings, hell hath no fury like angry Kings fans.
In the same breath, I will tell you, there is nothing sweeter than fans behind their team in this non-traditional hockey market. The last 30 seconds of the game, fans again stood, clapped and screamed for their team and hailed them off the ice and the score board in unison.
While other teams and fans may leave their arenas early, and I am not suggesting Kings’ fans are not guilty of this, but overwhelmingly during this home stand, and the last two games in particular, the fans are staying behind not just to the last second of the game, but until the three (3) stars are named, lucky Kings’ fans are the recipients of their team’s stars game twigs and a interview of Labarbera who has now been named the #1 star the last 3 games in a row.
It Must Be Said
Thornton cannot buy a second of ice time as he has been scratched this home stand while healthy. I get that he is not the Kings’ strongest player and is here more for his leadership or his ties to Lombardi than what he does on the ice anymore.
I only take issue with the choice, not because I think he should be dressed, but because the same coach who is scratching him also named him an alternate captain. There seems to me to be some level of disrespect to name him a leader but insufficient in his play to dress for the majority of this season’s games.
It Must Also Be Said
The Kings need to show up stronger in the third or at some point, there luck will run out and/or Labarbera cannot continue to backstop the chances, real scoring chances they are giving up at his current level of success.
This team needs to remember to fore-check as strong in the last period as the first two. I am beyond thrilled this team is getting a swagger and showing the confidence a team this young, and at this stage of rebuilding is accomplishing in the present.
I would hate to see their momentum lost and their confidence diminished by the chances the Kings are giving their opponents in the third. Against stronger teams, this oversight will turn wins into losses.
Carla Muller
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