I don't think Jeff Carter is playing bad hockey. I have never seen him throw any hits but last night he threw 2 or 3 pretty big hits. He is playing great defensively. The games have been EXTREMELY tight there has been NO room for either team to do much except for maybe Brown`s breakaway on the PK and Kopitar`s SH antics. When the game is like that you cant expect anyone to be that visible. Jeff Carter`s name alone on the line up card creates room for Brown, Kopitar and Williams. And after watching it is abundantly clear that Carter`s skating is not the same. Watch how long it takes him to re start after he stops and starts again. Watch how wide he takes his turns now they are not tight like before.
As for Richards and Kopitar. I think they have both been great. I know a few posted above were impressed with Richards game 1 but other then that not impressed. This is playoff hockey. The ice is extremely hard to earn(unless its a non defensive game ala Philly-Pitts) The fact that Richards and Kopitar are even visible at all means they are doing the right things. Points specially in the playoffs don't dictate quality of effectiveness. Thats why during playoffs the most noticeable aspect of the game are the hits and the msg sending.
Thats why teams win Stanley Cups not players. Because during the playoffs you see the team only you don't see individual players.
I am also on the side of the fence that feels that we have not accomplished anything until the 4th game is won. Even if we win the series we should stay classy.
Never count anyone out.
Last edited by riseandfall9: 04-17-2012 at 01:04 AM.
We won three games against the two time Presidents Trophy winners and are the first 8 seed to go up 3-0 in a series in NHL history.
I don't care if we won each game 1-0 in quadruple overtime while being outshot 113-7 and the Nucks having hit 14 goal posts. We ****ing won three straight games over the Canucks. The last time we were this close to winning a playoff round, Pavel Bure was the league's best goalscorer/player and we were playing Stu Grimson on a regular basis.
Enjoy it.
Pretty much. A win is a win but some people just don't get it. Maybe they'd be happier if we had played a great game and lost?
Most pundits haven't given the Kings much of the credit for being ahead 3-0 in games- it's been all about the Canucks, the loss of one of the Sedins, Kesler's inconsistencies, bad ice, blah, blah , blah. People tend to forget that individual players such as Richards in game 1, Brown and Quick in game 2 and the same duo in game 3 have particularly shone. I think Kopitar, Carter and Williams have a lot more to give and as much as the Canucks want to return to Vancouver for game 5, the Kings don't. Daniel or no Daniel, the Canucks are toast if all the top King players play their A game in game 4.
This is true. We need to sweep so Carter can heal. Also, to get Clifford and Richardson so King has less pressure. His problems now with being lost and nervous look exactly what happened last year when he hit the NHL. Hopefully he can get it together soon. Nolan, Voynov, and Martinez are also playing like...well, rookies, compared to how they were in the regular season.
Carter needs to score on the pp. Being injured is no excuse not to do that. Williams is playing like complete crap. The starts of periods need to be much better.
Stoll and Penner are playing like adequate third liners. Greene and Brown are doing the best of their careers. Lewis is stepping up. To go far in the playoffs, the good needs to continue and the bad needs to end. Then, every game will be winnable, even against the best. Without that, there will be a short playoffs.
We must be watching different series. I think King had a so-so game in game three but other than that looked good this series, and I think Voynov and Martinez have played very well. Very well. Williams has had a few struggles defensively, but no more than any other time. He's not been 'crap' by any stretch. I also do not think Lewis has 'stepped up.' He looks every bit the part of Craig Johnson 2.0 still.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Butch 19
... how much carrying-around cash do I budget for game 4?
Enough for a celebatory nacho platter and a coke, along with the standard Sedin bounty
Quote:
Originally Posted by RH63
Pretty much. A win is a win but some people just don't get it. Maybe they'd be happier if we had played a great game and lost?
Bingo.
Nice to see you posting again, hadn't seen you around for a few weeks (unless I'm just blind or something).
Most pundits haven't given the Kings much of the credit for being ahead 3-0 in games- it's been all about the Canucks, the loss of one of the Sedins, Kesler's inconsistencies, bad ice, blah, blah , blah. People tend to forget that individual players such as Richards in game 1, Brown and Quick in game 2 and the same duo in game 3 have particularly shone. I think Kopitar, Carter and Williams have a lot more to give and as much as the Canucks want to return to Vancouver for game 5, the Kings don't. Daniel or no Daniel, the Canucks are toast if all the top King players play their A game in game 4.
You have a hard time getting half of the Kings own fanbase to give them credit for being up 3-0, nevermind the pundits.
You read this thread and you'd think we're maybe up 2-1, and damn lucky to be there.
I thought we would win this series but never once thought we would be up 3-0 with a chance to sweep. So far we have done so much more than expected. Weds game will be tough but we have accomplished so much so far that you have to love what you are seeing no matter how critical of this team you might be.
According to either Murphy's Law or Blue Jackets' luck (whichever way you want to look at it), LA should get at least as far as the Conference Finals. Thus, completing the utter futility of the CBJs season.
My heart wants the Kings to win (because I like the Kings better), but my head wants the Canucks (with Luongo playing well so that we get a better draft pick and maybe they will trade us Schneider).
Pretty much. A win is a win but some people just don't get it. Maybe they'd be happier if we had played a great game and lost?
That's a little over-reactionary, don't you think? No one here would be happier if that were the case. It's an internet discussion board - what's wrong with talking about what can improve? Every interview with a King player or coach I've seen in this post-season has them saying they haven't played their best hockey.
I think Voynov and Martinez have played very well. Very well.
I think that Voynov has looked good defensively against tough competition (even beat Sedin badly 1-on-1 once). But his offense has completely disappeared. That's OK (better than the opposite like Drew's first couple playoffs), but it's different and you can tell he's struggling. Martinez just looks like he's trying too hard and panicking out there.
That's a little over-reactionary, don't you think? No one here would be happier if that were the case. It's an internet discussion board - what's wrong with talking about what can improve? Every interview with a King player or coach I've seen in this post-season has them saying they haven't played their best hockey.
No not really. I just think you and some other posters are just nitpicking. Heck, we're playing against the supposedly the best team in the nhl. We're not going to look like world beaters. I'm just glad we're playing well enough to be up 3-0.
Kingsfan, I've been here. Just don't post as much as I use to but I'm usually around.
According to either Murphy's Law or Blue Jackets' luck (whichever way you want to look at it), LA should get at least as far as the Conference Finals. Thus, completing the utter futility of the CBJs season.
My heart wants the Kings to win (because I like the Kings better), but my head wants the Canucks (with Luongo playing well so that we get a better draft pick and maybe they will trade us Schneider).
Good health to both teams.
I hate to say it, but I was thinking of Blue Jackets luck when they trade went down. At first I was disappointed that we added a 1st in for Carter, but then I thought that with the Blue Jackets luck, we'll make that pick fall down the draft board. So far so good.
Even if we don't make it fall more than it is (17th overall I believe) I think there's a fairly good chance the Blue Jackets will mess the pick up. No disrespect to you or other Blue Jackets fans, but when it comes to first round draft picks your team hasn't really hit it out of the park to often. I feel sorry for you guys, I really do. No one deserves to go through that level of futility. As a Kings fan for 24 years, I know about several tough years in a row. I feel for you guys.
Quote:
Originally Posted by PRMan
I think that Voynov has looked good defensively against tough competition (even beat Sedin badly 1-on-1 once). But his offense has completely disappeared. That's OK (better than the opposite like Drew's first couple playoffs), but it's different and you can tell he's struggling. Martinez just looks like he's trying too hard and panicking out there.
I think for a rookie in his first playoffs against the best team in the league two straight years, Voynov has looked brilliant. Offense has struggled, but A) that's par for the course this year, and B) we only have 4 even strength goals this series, so not sure who is looking good offensively on this team (outside of Brown, as well as Richards in game one).
As for Martinez, maybe we are just focusing on him at different points, but I've been impressed and don't see the panick you speak of.
Honestly, the defenseman I've been least impresssed with this series is Willie Mitchell. He's looked a bit slow and flatfooted at times down low when the Cnaucks have their presssure on, and he's been given a few penalties as a result. That said, when you're worst defensemen in a series is WIllie Mitchell, you have one heck of a good defense playing for you right now.
Martinez and Voynov are both making the occasional mistake in their own corners, but so are Scuderi and Mitchell. Come to think of it, I haven't noticed Greene or Doughty doing the same, which is rather surprising.
Nearly everyone is making the odd stupid decision back there, but the rest of the team covers and thee guilty party resets for the next shift. That's a very good sign, rather than having your play go down a sinkhole a la Edler.
I think that Voynov has looked good defensively against tough competition (even beat Sedin badly 1-on-1 once). But his offense has completely disappeared. That's OK (better than the opposite like Drew's first couple playoffs), but it's different and you can tell he's struggling. Martinez just looks like he's trying too hard and panicking out there.
I changed my mind, you are right. Voynov has been better than expected defensively, just worse offensively, which is what is more noticeable. Overall, the quality of his play is in line with my high expectations for him, if not being what I predicted.
I hate to say it, but I was thinking of Blue Jackets luck when they trade went down. At first I was disappointed that we added a 1st in for Carter, but then I thought that with the Blue Jackets luck, we'll make that pick fall down the draft board. So far so good. 
