All We Want For The New Year Is …
- Updated: January 1, 2017
Jim Ellis
For the Kings to Play With More Consistency.
Ah, the New Year. Another chance for a new season. And so? Moving forward? What I would like most from the Los Angeles Kings moving into 2017 is … consistency. Not gonna do that whole “All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth” hockey gag. Plus it’s past Christmas anyway. We’ve already had our holiday cheer losing the last three games through December 29. It’s time to start afresh. So consistency! And I’m not talking about this consistency our team has displayed:
· Jeff Carter being the only goal scorer putting pucks in the net and points on the board.
· The consistent inability to clear the puck from the defensive zone during a penalty kill.
· The horrible slapstick comedy that arises when the team has an outnumbered attack – do they practice those?
· The habit of giving something up RIGHT after we’ve gotten a break or scored a goal.
· The reliance on a goalie to make every single shot since we aren’t going to be racking up the goals.
· The curse of the “C” on a King’s jersey since it does not stand for “Consistent” … unless you claim that to be a lack of offense.
· Playing to the level of the opponent. Losing 2-1 to Vancouver? What?
· Groin injuries.
So what sort of consistency are we looking for? How about we start with wins? The season started off this way: 3 losses, 4 wins, 3 losses, 3 wins, 4 losses, 5 wins. Is that inconsistent or consistent? Hard to say but we do know clearly – the sort of consistency, besides wins, would be gladly welcomed here:
· Puck handling. Clean and crisp sharp passing.
· Checking that takes the opponents out of the play just long enough to gain advantage.
· Matt Greene, Kyle Clifford, Jordan Nolan, Andy Andreoff, Braydon McNabb standing up for all that is righteous in the world … of sportsmanship.
· Being able to cleanly clear the puck from the defensive zone on a 5-5.
· A low amount of penalties.
· Solid defense, outstanding goaltending.
· Scoring.
· And Carter can keep doing what he does, since those goals are pretty slick.
Can’t get enough of that.
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