The Kings, Structure, and Creativity (or a Lack Thereof)

It's always the short crisp passes that allow the Kings to work the pass up the ice and gets them into their comfort zone. Brown has never been mistaken as someone with hands, imo the Kings would be better served working it up and out the other side with Goborik taking that all-important first pass (even though he hasn't exactly been all world handles so far this season either). Lucic couldn't take a pass to save his life either right now and even sure handed Kopi has been bad with the biscuit. All these things and more is what's leading to this terrible on-ice production or lack thereof.
this too shall pass...

This team has many problems. But as long as the core stays together, 8,32,11,77, The Kings should be contenders for the cup.

I think the Kings defense is excellent, but with Quick playing like he is, that doesn't matter much. I was skeptical of their forward lineup entering the season and will remain so until they prove otherwise. Brown, Carter, Lucic, and Gaborik are all on the decline/past their primes and the forward depth overall isn't elite either. They should still finish 3rd in the Pacific division.

my 2 c:

not enough dump and chase and winning battles

exits from the zone have been choppy, bouncy and ugly

need some of the big dogs to start chipping in, maybe a line juggle is in order

Kings will turn it around, i have full faith in that.

Despite poor starts, I fully expect the Kings and Ducks to face each other in the playoffs this year. Kings will work through the issues they are experiencing now. They have too many smart veterans on this team who now how to play and more importantly know how to win.

The Kings, Structure, and Creativity (or a Lack Thereof)
- Jason_Lewis

On another note, Richards contract will cost the Kings 3.12 million this year leaving about 2.1 to play with.
http://m.thn.com/blog/rep...settlement-until-2031-32/

Meh, I feel like the season still hasn't started.

I don't know why they are playing so craptastically, I just know they are. Everything Jason mentions in his breakdown seems like a symptom to me and not the core issue.

wake me when they decide to play hockey, but I still stand by my prediction that they win only 1 game in October -and trust me, it aint gonna be tonight, unless the Wild play with the butt end of their sticks and even then I would not put money on the kings winning

Still far too early to panic, but more creativity sure would be nice. Mersch in at 3LW, Pearson up to 1LW... ...Gaborik back to 1RW, Brown down to 3RW, Lewis down to 4 and sit one of Nolan or Andreoff. Or if Lucic continues to struggle then down to 4 and try Mersch next to Carter. A Mersch-Carter-Toffoli run could get interesting.

Definitely lack there of...

The team as a whole isn't very good passing and when they do make a good pass the receiver can't handle it.

The one that drives me nuts is our future 10 million dollar man Kopitar. There's always complaining about the likes of Lewis and such, but when was the last time Kopitar handle a great pass to spring him past the defense. I can remember more often him fumbling the pass than receiving it and breaking away.

Meh, I feel like the season still hasn't started.

I don't know why they are playing so craptastically, I just know they are. Everything Jason mentions in his breakdown seems like a symptom to me and not the core issue.

wake me when they decide to play hockey, but I still stand by my prediction that they win only 1 game in October -and trust me, it aint gonna be tonight, unless the Wild play with the butt end of their sticks and even then I would not put money on the kings winning
- MikeOxbyg

Kings are 2nd in the league in Corsi in all situations so far at 56.4 with the worst PDO in the league. Carolina tops at 61.9 so I really don't know what the hell to think, but this funk isn't going to last.

Kings are 2nd in the league in Corsi in all situations so far at 56.4 with the worst PDO in the league. Carolina tops at 61.9 so I really don't know what the hell to think, but this funk isn't going to last.
- cryptical77

Yea, the PDO is very telling. Columbus has a very poor one, so do the Kings, so does Pittsburgh. These are teams people expected to be competitive. It is not the be all end all, PDO that is, but a low one can really attribute to a measure of "Unsustainable" runs of form.

Meh, I feel like the season still hasn't started.

I don't know why they are playing so craptastically, I just know they are. Everything Jason mentions in his breakdown seems like a symptom to me and not the core issue.

wake me when they decide to play hockey, but I still stand by my prediction that they win only 1 game in October -and trust me, it aint gonna be tonight, unless the Wild play with the butt end of their sticks and even then I would not put money on the kings winning
- MikeOxbyg

If the Kings are under .500 after the first 20 games I'll be surprised. They played quality hockey in the preseason, especially in Las Vegas against Colorado when both teams were using mostly their NHL lineups. The last three games were sloppy, but that won't continue indefinitely. My guess is 8-8-4.

when brown has the puck, kopi does not.
when brown has the puck, kopi does not.
when brown has the puck, kopi does not.

when brown has the puck, kopi does not.
when brown has the puck, kopi does not.
when brown has the puck, kopi does not.


- hiway39

Been screaming this from the mountain tops for years now. He needs permanent ban from top line duties!!

Yea, the PDO is very telling. Columbus has a very poor one, so do the Kings, so does Pittsburgh. These are teams people expected to be competitive. It is not the be all end all, PDO that is, but a low one can really attribute to a measure of "Unsustainable" runs of form.
- Jason_Lewis

I think you (frank)ers are about to regress!!!

i would bet $1000 that the kings will lose tonight. they are so far from anything good that i think they will have the worst first quarter since 2009. I hope I'm wrong but Gaborik looks lost, Kopitar looks like "WTF happened to my team?" and I will say Brown looks better and Toffy is looking good. the system looks like shyt

i would bet $1000 that the kings will lose tonight. they are so far from anything good that i think they will have the worst first quarter since 2009. I hope I'm wrong but Gaborik looks lost, Kopitar looks like "WTF happened to my team?" and I will say Brown looks better and Toffy is looking good. the system looks like shyt
- dprice818

I'll take that bet

I'll take that bet
- Stu17

Well played game by the Kings. 3rd period was nervous time but you expected that push by the wild. Get better at finishing and we're golden.

The Kings, Structure, and Creativity (or a Lack Thereof)
- Jason_Lewis

Nice to finally get in the W column. Looking forward to your write up Jason.

Been screaming this from the mountain tops for years now. He needs permanent ban from top line duties!!
- Stu17

Scream all you want, he's been the best forward thus far.

Scream all you want, he's been the best forward thus far.
- bluecoconuts

Because he has the most shots? Or probably because the rest have been that poopty. When Brown is our best forward you know we're in trouble.

Because he has the most shots? Or probably because the rest have been that poopty. When Brown is our best forward you know we're in trouble.
- Stu17

Great game, finally! Even if they tanked this one in OT, I still would have liked the effort the Kings put in last night. On Brown, I would say he has been one of our better forwards this year so far. He's definitely getting some good chances out there. I was also impressed by Forbort. It's one game, but it's a start. Hopefully they can keep it going for a few, hehehe.

The failure to hold a lead in the 3rd is not positive, but (frank) it: I'll take the W!

Because he has the most shots? Or probably because the rest have been that poopty. When Brown is our best forward you know we're in trouble.
- Stu17

I don't disagree, you want guys like Kopitar, Gabbo, Carter to be better than Brown, but they haven't been. Brown has been effective this year, he earned his spot on the top line, and Lucic didn't fit well up there. The other guys will probably get their legs under them and be better as the year goes on, but so far Brown has been good, and he's fine on the top line.