Quick Stars, but Stars are Quicker
- Updated: January 8, 2020
I’m getting tired of writing this story. Stop me if you’ve heard it before – the Kings have all the chances, none of the puck luck, and lose a game they didn’t actually deserve to. Yeah poor Jonathan Quick deserved better than tonight. He made second star for bailing the team out but once again offense was lacking where it really shouldn’t have been.
And once again, the Kings started out hot. 2:01 in, with traffic in front of the net, Tyler Toffoli completes a slick cross crease pass to an open Anze Kopitar, waiting patiently on the wing. 1-0. Easy, right? But like their last game, the Kings were going to pay for not capitalizing any further. The shot count technically saw both teams at 1 when the Kings first power play 8 minutes in, though Quick, or at least the defense in front of him, seemed busier since the opening goal. Alas their power play wasn’t anything to write home about – there was puck movement but it was more unnecessary passing than confusing the opposition. A few after the whistle scuffles added some level of excitement, but mostly it was a dull back and forth that showed off Quick’s skills and the Kings lack of offense. Even when they did have chances – and with three minutes to go there were literally 5 shots in the space of 7 seconds – none were going in. It wasn’t that they were playing badly, far from it. But the puck wasn’t going in and it wasn’t because Khudobin was playing Jedi. At 18:18 Wagner took a tripping penalty and while I don’t begrudge him that specifically, I just don’t see his value on the team. It did serve for some pretty funny penalty kill moments, however; the Kings made the Stars look like fools, playing keep-away for most of it.
By the second period it was clear the Kings were going to be in trouble for those missed opportunities. Traditionally it’s always the second they have trouble; tonight was no exception. Drew Doughty and Alex Iafallo bailed them out on the remainder of the penalty kill, Doughty playing goalie and Iafallo making a very important clear. They had a good forecheck going but didn’t do well in the neutral zone. By this point it was also clear that Blake Lizotte, who left the ice after two shifts in the first period, wasn’t coming back. (He won’t make the trip to Vegas and instead will remain behind to be evaluated.) Things continued in a predictable manner: Quick looked strong and the Kings offense looked close, but one of those things were bound to break and it was the Kings own fault it wasn’t the one they wanted. Doughty went to the box for slashing. Quick went down early (as he is prone to do). And Jamie Benn easily lifted the puck over his head into the back of the net. 37 seconds later Blake Comeau slapped one clean past an otherwise set Quick and there was the game right there. Sure there were 5 minutes left in the second and the whole third to play, but there it was. Somehow, despite how many chances it looked like the Kings had, they only had 12 shots on goal around that point, dragging it up to 16 by the end of the period.
Kopitar took a nasty hit/fall into the post early in the third and needed help back to the bench, so lines looked iffy as the third progressed. He eventually made his way back out there but wasn’t as effective. With 10 minutes to go they had a power play that could have changed the tide, but instead was a complete waste of two minutes of hockey. To their credit, the Kings didn’t give up, but it was clear that Quick was doing the best work of the team and deserved an offense that did more than try. I do look forward to the day when that effort pays off with some goals and a win, but the standing don’t tell a pretty story, and it may be too little too late.
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2 Comments
About Emily Redenbach
ed
January 9, 2020 at 7:43 am
Wagner, Luff, Amadio, Lizotte… Not sure if any of these players make another NHL roster. I guess, you always need your Dwight Kings and Jordan Nolan’s for fourth line fodder if they serve a purpose.
I get that the Kings are trying to get faster, but one way to kill speed on the other team is to hit them. From what I see, only Prokhorkin and Brown seem willing to finish hard hits.
This time next year, we’ll have at least six new players on the team (could be as high as 10). Hopefully new energy, more skill and a willingness to do what it takes to compete.
Emily Redenbach
January 9, 2020 at 12:52 pm
Lizotte I think will do well, I think he has a lot of potential and has been one of the better players on the ice this season. Amadio could do well if given the right linemates and a bit more experience, but Wagner I just don’t see being useful at all. He can’t finish, he makes dumb mistakes that cost the Kings goals, and they just can’t afford someone like him on their roster right now.
I hear Toffoli is on his way out, potentially for a first or second round pick, so bring on the newbies.
MacDermid also can bring the hits, but he’s been suspended the last two games and a healthy scratch last night. Clifford too to an extent. The Kings just aren’t that kind of team, they’re banking on speed over muscle, but they need players who can finish once they get there.
It’s a pity because they should be more competitive than they are, and it’s baffling to see them lose game after game when they’re good enough and motivated enough to win.