LA KINGS OUTSIDER 2.0

Doughty could win or lose this series for the Kings. Most Kings fans would immediately give the advantage to Los Angeles here.  The Kings allowed 2.07 goals per game, 2 nd best in the league but Vancouver wasn’t far behind allowing 2.22 goals, 5 th best. Both teams  showcase two of the brightest young blueliners in the NHL.  The Kings are led by 22-year old Drew Doughty, who burst onto the scene as one of Canada's best defenseman in the 2010 Olympics.  The past two seasons have been filled with inconsistencies and a contract dispute but make no mistake he's still been the Kings most valuable blueliner.  With the departure of Christian Ehrhoff to Buffalo via free agency, 25-year-old Swede Alexander Edler made sure the Canucks didn’t miss a beat and had by far the most productive season of his young career. The Kings and Canucks bluelines are built differently.  The Kings have three puck-moving defenseman featuring Doughty, Slava Voynov, and Alec Mart...

The $56-million man?!?! Terry Murray (6-3-2, 2.36 GF/G, 1.91 GA/G, 22.5 PP%, 86.1 PK%) Grade: C I only grade TM because I hated his decision to start Bernier vs. New Jersey.  I heard his explanation and still disagree.  I understand that he wanted Quick against the two division rivals but Quick and the Kings were on an absolute roll.  I’m a big believer in momentum and without a doubt the Kings had it.  The Kings played their worst game of the season in front of Bernier and got shutout by New Jersey. Jonathan Quick (6-1-2, 1.52 GAA, .947 SV%, 3 SO) Grade: A Quick has been outstanding for the Kings in the first month of the season.  Three consecutive shutouts earned him a Player of The Week honor already.  But don’t get too excited yet because Quick started off hot last October (7-1-0, 1.84 GAA, .936) only to never reach those numbers again for the rest of the season.  Jonathan Bernier (0-2-0, 3.55 GAA, .857 SV%, 0 SO) Grade: C I thought ...

Drew Doughty 2010-11 Stats: 76 GP, 11 G, 29 A, 40 PTS, +13, 15 PPP, 68 PIM RFA this Summer Plain & Simple: Drew Doughty letdown this year.  Following a breakout campaign last season that included a 59 point regular season, Olympic Gold medal, and Norris Trophy nomination; expectations couldn't have been any higher for the 21-year old.  After his sluggish start, his work ethic and off-season conditioning were called into question.  The explosiveness and puck control that drew comparisons to Ray Bourque and Paul Coffey last season seemed to abandon Doughty at times. His production was down across the board.  He put up 40 points following a 59-point campaign last season.  Whether Doughty's struggles were indicative of the power play's struggles or vice versa; his numbers were cut in half.  From 31 points (9G, 22A) on the man-advantage to just 15 points (5G,10A) this season.

Doughty Should Take All The Time He Needs The 2010-11 NHL season has gotten off to quite a controversial start.  We've seen seven suspensions and six fines thrown out in the first three weeks of the season.  The Kings have found themselves right in the middle of a couple controversial hits over the past week.  Let's take a look at both of them.

Drew Doughty was the Kings best player during the regular season and the playoffs.  He led all defenseman in scoring in the first-round. It's unfortunate that Norris Trophy voting took place before the opening round because he outplayed both of his competitors for the award: Duncan Keith and Mike Green.  And it sounds like Doughty was playing hurt . "Doughty has been nursing quite a few injuries, actually. The biggest problem that he has right now, probably, is the sprained thumb, sprained wrist." Sprained thumb? No Big.  Sprained wrist?  No worries.  He's a gamer.  Check him out yappin during Game Three... "Keep yappin' buddy, keep yappin'. I got all day. Come down my way, come down my way. Come down here. I'll f''n hipcheck the (stuff) out of you." Canada loves Drew Doughty too.  Check out his Inside Hockey profile on CBC's Hockey Night In Canada that aired during Game Two.  Another reason why Canada's coverage is superior to ...

Vote For Doughty   I compiled all the love that came pouring down on Doughty after the Kings trip to Toronto earlier this year. I'd expect a whole lot more to be coming real soon after it was announced that Doughty will be one of three finalists for the Norris Trophy along with Chicago's Duncan Keith and Washington's Mike Green. If I had to handicap it; I would say Doughty's Olympic D-partner Keith is still the favorite.  But keep in mind that Keith plays with Brent Seabrook and Brian Campbell.  While Drew has to deal with the stone hands of Rob Scuderi and Sean O'Donnell. Either way, great accomplishment and I hope the NHL writers realize how much he's meant to the team this year.

My Best Barry Melrose Impression I've played alot of NHL10 on my PS3. Their overall PP has been very good in March; succeeding at a 30% (15 for 50) clip. The Kings power play versus the Wild was frustrating to watch.   Two 5-on-3 PP's.  One of them for 50 seconds.  The other for a full two minutes.  And yet the Kings can't capitalize. I'm no Barry Melrose.  But I don't understand why Kings continue to set up their 5-on-3 PP in a 'umbrella formation.'  That formation is fine if you've got Alexander Ovechkin firing one-timers or Mike Cammalleri for that matter.  Both of those guys are snipers; they hit the net. Jarret Stoll is a not a sniper.  He's a good player with a decent shot.  He's Fulton Reed (shameful Mighty Ducks Movie plug).  "One out of five."  That's about how often Stollie hits the net. On a 5-on-3, the Kings need to move the puck down low and look to work off a cycle.  Or look to pass in the slot. ...

After watching the Kings hold on in two games against Colorado.  Watching them get dominated by the Blues.  And then get dominated again tonight versus the Stars on home ice.  I came to one conclusion. The Kings are tired.  Some would say the Kings are catching some bad breaks with officials.  That might be true but the Kings have been back on their heels for a while.  Time to step up their game.  Soon. This group has never been in this position before; playing games that mattered in late-March.  And it's beginning to show. It's been widely discussed that Jonathan Quick hasn't played this many games.  And it's becoming clear he hasn't gotten his game on track since that extended Olympic break. Drew Doughty looked outstanding in the Olympics.  Since returning; he looks spent.  I've never seen him turn the puck over more than once in a game.  It's become more frequent with each game. I don't know what they're going to do....

My Heart Wants America; My Brain Says It'll Look Alot Like 2002 Unlike the women's bracket; there's actually a competition taking place on the men's side.  The NHL-ice surface may give a slight advantage to the Canadians and Americans. There is so much offensive firepower from teams #1-#7 that staying off the penalty kill will be important for every team.  Imagine a Kovalchuk-Malkin-Ovechkin-Datsyuk-Gonchar Power Play....WHOA! Eight of the twelve countries have NHL starting goaltenders.  Any of them are capable of stealing a game.  Once the tournament reaches the quarterfinals and becomes single-elimination; their could be some huge upsets. And without further adieu; my predictions for Men's Ice Hockey at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games. GOLD: CANADA - No country can match Canada's depth at every position.  With the games in Vancouver; too much is on the line for this team to fail. SILVER: RUSSIA - The trio of Ovechkin, Malkin and Kovalchuk should b...

Canada Loves Drew Kings beat the Leafs 5-3 at the ACC on Tuesday night.  Rich Hammond's Game Recap . Per Pierre LeBrun Drew Doughty makes it look so effortless, it's mind-boggling to think he just turned 20 last month. I apologize ahead of the time for the hyperbole, but an NHL scout recently told me Doughty was a "right-handed Scott Niedermayer in the making." Per Bruce Arthur, National Post ...the most complete young defenceman in hockey is just 20, too. Per James Mirtle, The Globe & Mail After missing out on the Calder Trophy last season, he will likely be in the Norris Trophy mix this time around (and for years to come). His selection to the Canadian Olympic team on Dec. 30, however, is what really put Doughty on the map this season, as he beat out older stars like Mike Green and Jay Bouwmeester for a roster spot. After missing out on the Calder Trophy last season, he will likely be in the Norris Trophy mix this time around (and for years to come)....