Kings Gameday: Bugged by Injury
Dallas Stars at Los Angeles Kings, Oct 22, 2009 7:30 PM PDT
Defending Big D is celebrating a win over the Ducks, although it seems like everyone's doing that these days.
Never say the Kings aren't good sports. In light of Dallas' recent injury epidemic the Kings were kind enough to hold Alex Frolov out of Monday's game; now they're holding Justin Williams out of tonight's game with a "lower body injury," which I choose to believe means he contracted syphillis until told otherwise. This should put an already jumbled line-up into even more disarray. Terry Murray had already shuffled the line-up a bit yesterday, placing the Brown with Alexander Frolov and Michal Handzus and Wayne Simmonds down alongside Ted Purcell and Jarret Stoll. There's no word on who will take Justin Williams' spot in the line-up, although word on the street is that it'll likely be Trevor Lewis or Ted Purcell. Probably Lewis, so the Kings can keep the rest of their lines intact.
You're not going to believe me, but I was going to write how the Kings should put Brown with Frolov and Handzus for today before I heard about the line-up switch yesterday. Kopitar and Handzus' lines are getting the lion's share of the even-strength time available each game, meaning Wayne Simmonds was getting more even-strength time than Dustin Brown every night. Brown was making it up on special teams, but it was still non-sensical to give Simmonds (who I love, don't get me wrong) that much time. Now, the Kings can run their top two lines and then cycle in the bottom-six when needed. Fro-Handzus-Brown will still likely get the toughest assignments while Purcell-Stoll-Simmonds will be a good secondary shutdown line when needed.
Dallas is playing their 5th game in 7 nights tonight. Has that been done before? That sucks for them, but good for the Kings. Marc Crawford confused me on Monday night because he kept trying to get his top line on the ice when the Kings had their 4th line out on the ice. I guess he was trying to get as many points from his top line as possible because he knew his depleted forward core was going to have trouble putting the puck in the net, but why not try to win that match-up against the Kings' shutdown line (especially the Kings' shutdown line with Raitis Ivanans on it) instead of just giving up on the other 3 match-ups? The game pretty much went like this: Ribeiro skates around in the Kings' zone, Smyth-Kopitar-Williams dominates Brunnstrom's line, Brown dipsydoodles around Dallas' 4th line, Raitis Ivanans falls down, rinse and repeat. Oh well, I guess that's not the first time Marc Crawford has confused me.
Tonight should be a more traditional struggle, with checking lines matching against top lines and the rest filtering itself out. Brad Richards might play tonight and the Stars better hope to God he does so because Tom Wandell sure as shit wasn't cutting it against Anze Kopitar on Monday.
Prediction: Kings win, 5-3. Goals by Frolov (x2), Brown, Smyth and Doughty.
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20 comments
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Comments
Purcell makes the most sense, he’s good at puck control and passing, not as good at the checking game. Lewis would fit better with Stoll and Simmonds.
by Nut on Oct 22, 2009 2:12 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Oh, and I did a quick Q & A with the Dallas Stars blog over at ESPN Dallas if anyone’s interested. No? OK then.
The West Coast is the Best Coast.
by RudyKelly on Oct 22, 2009 2:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
When did you write this?
You missed the JW injury…
by 88fingerslukee on Oct 22, 2009 2:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wrote it earlier this morning. I sent him an e-mail letting him know but I guess he didn’t get it in time.
The West Coast is the Best Coast.
by RudyKelly on Oct 22, 2009 3:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
“And a quick shout out to Wayne Simmonds, who you probably saw all over the place in Monday’s game. He’s only 19 but has quickly become one the fan favorites at Staples because of his style of play and his nickname: “Meat Train.”
That is hilarious and awesome! I love how you maintain a professional demeanor with ESPN, then personalize it by targeting Ott and then point out Simmonds while throwing in the nickname you gave him. That is genius. I swear to god if Bob Miller or Jim Fox ever refer to Simmonds as Meat Train on air I will refer to you as my personal hero… right after I clean up the beer that just went through my nose from laughing so hard. Fuck that is funny.
by Irish Pat on Oct 22, 2009 3:09 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I’m just assuming that if I keep saying Meat Train like it’s his actual nickname that at some point someone other than me will start using it. I mean, it worked with DodgerThoughts and Matt “Bison” Kemp.
The West Coast is the Best Coast.
by RudyKelly on Oct 22, 2009 3:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I took my Minnesotan friend to the Kings-Wild game on the 8th and told him that was Simmonds’ nickname. He said it sounded like a gay porn star. So, your wish has been granted.
by Donzo on Oct 22, 2009 5:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sure, Frolov will score two goals. But he will score them…DISPASSIONATELY
Sorry, couldn’t resist the chance to act like 400 other commenters there for a second. Though I do I think Fro could use some big, bulgey freak eyes like Raitis. Or maybe he can bite off Morrow’s ear.
Pumper-nicholl!
by Niesy on Oct 22, 2009 5:50 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
That was a very indifferent assist by Frolov on that goal by Meat Train
2009-10 LA Kings Hockey: Where Smyt Happens!!
by DodgerBlueBalls on Oct 22, 2009 8:06 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Pretty good period. One bad goal thanks to Rob Scuderi but otherwise a solid effort.
The West Coast is the Best Coast.
by RudyKelly on Oct 22, 2009 8:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Did he forget to take his heart vitamins?
Pumper-nicholl!
by Niesy on Oct 22, 2009 8:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The worst part about the Dodgers not winning the World Series this season? Mayor Villaregosa’s Inner City Wealth Redistribution Plan gets postponed for one more year.
Or until the next Lakers championship…
2009-10 LA Kings Hockey: Where Smyt Happens!!
by DodgerBlueBalls on Oct 22, 2009 8:41 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Kopitar’s 3rd goal was totally a result of Frolov’s carrying that puck into the zone and his amazing puck possession skills. Sweetbabyjeebus, I hope the Kings brass stop undervaluing poor Alex…
2009-10 LA Kings Hockey: Where Smyt Happens!!
by DodgerBlueBalls on Oct 22, 2009 8:48 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Cool goal…and I was just feeling sorry for Fro for being all alone and having no one to pass to.
Off topic, but instead of hats, could we throw vials of vitamin K on the ice for Kopi’s dark circles? I love him but your picture reminded me of our house theory that he’s half vampire.
Pumper-nicholl!
by Niesy on Oct 22, 2009 8:53 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Ow. Ow ow ow ow ow.
Sorry, I need to spam my pain.
Pumper-nicholl!
by Niesy on Oct 22, 2009 10:01 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Now I am as bipolar as the team is. Yay yay OMG.
Pumper-nicholl!
by Niesy on Oct 22, 2009 10:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sucks to basically have the Kings give away a point in the standings to a division rival by letting the game go to overtime, but it’s a relief that they managed to earn the W this evening
2009-10 LA Kings Hockey: Where Smyt Happens!!
by DodgerBlueBalls on Oct 22, 2009 10:12 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Quick was HORRIBLE. Need a lot more from him if this team want to make the playoffs.
by RealDrew on Oct 22, 2009 11:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah luckily so was Auld. He needs to calm down out there, he’s getting too antsy.
by Nut on Oct 22, 2009 11:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks for the point
boys.
What a weird game. The officials screwed both sides.
Seek goaltending help.
by Brad G on Oct 22, 2009 10:16 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

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