The Fourth Interval: Dennis Bernstein when requested if the Los Angeles Kings could possibly be trying to transfer a few of their depth of their backside six.
** NHLRumors.com transcription
Pettersen: “Dennis, I need to ask you about LA on the opposite aspect. 7-3-3, they’re doing okay with out Drew Doughty. Little little bit of speak about their backside six perhaps being too deep. However do you suppose any modifications are on the horizon proper now?
Bernstein: “And look, they’d signal for 7-3-3 with out Drew, as a result of when Drew went down in preseason in opposition to Vegas, folks have been heading for the exits. This workforce goes to overlook the playoffs. They’re not any good. They don’t have any depth on the blue line. Effectively, they performed adequate. They haven’t been nice.
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And proceed this, Kate, they misplaced in San Jose and so they misplaced, they blew two-goal main in Chicago, at residence and ended up shedding within the shootout. If that they had received these two video games, you’re speaking about 9-2-3. You’re most likely speaking about Jim Hill for the Jack Adams early on.
So yeah, the depth, right here’s the factor. Do they want extra offense? They do. However are they going to make strikes on the underside six? Not proper now. Now, sadly, in Nashville night time, Alex Turcotte, who can’t appear to get a break bodily, went out, received an enormous hit, really consider from (Jeremy) Lauzon, so he may miss some video games.
However I don’t suppose they’re actually trying to make strikes, as a result of, primary, they’re profitable. And I believe whereas they don’t have a traditional 4C, Trevor Lewis, the long-time King has come again and we’ll play one thousandth sport this 12 months. He’s been adequate at 4C.
So, however once you see Kings win video games, they’re not going to be an overwhelming offense. Quinten Byfield. Hasn’t scored but. Trevor Moore has one objective, had 31 final 12 months. Phil Danault has two.
Once they play like they did night time in Nashville, the place they management puck possession, the place they restrict their probabilities. And Darcy Kuemper had night time. And I credit score Hiller for one factor. Kemper didn’t have sport in opposition to Chicago, and went proper again to him in opposition to a tricky workforce in Nashville, received that, received that sport.
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So at 7-3-3, they gotta adore it, and the truth that they performed so many extra highway video games. Keep in mind, folks don’t keep in mind, seven sport highway journey to start out the season. So 7-3-3, with a really closely ballanced highway schedule. They’ll take it. Robust job in Minnesota, however 7-3-3, you possibly can ask for any higher onsidering Drew isn’t within the lineup.
