The Fourth Period: Dennis Bernstein when requested if the Los Angeles Kings could possibly be seeking 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 facet. 7-3-3, they’re doing okay with out Drew Doughty. Little little bit of discuss their backside six perhaps being too deep. However do you assume any adjustments 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. Nicely, they performed ok. They haven’t been nice.
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And proceed this, Kate, they misplaced in San Jose they usually misplaced, they blew two-goal main in Chicago, at dwelling and ended up shedding within the shootout. If they’d gained 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 evening, Alex Turcotte, who can’t appear to get a break bodily, went out, received an enormous hit, really consider from (Jeremy) Lauzon, so he would possibly miss some video games.
However I don’t assume they’re actually seeking 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 a thousandth sport this yr. He’s been ok at 4C.
So, however whenever 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 purpose, had 31 final yr. Phil Danault has two.
Once they play like they did evening in Nashville, the place they management puck possession, the place they restrict their possibilities. And Darcy Kuemper had evening. 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 troublesome workforce in Nashville, gained that, gained that sport.
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So at 7-3-3, they gotta find it irresistible, 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 begin the season. So 7-3-3, with a really closely ballanced highway schedule. They’ll take it. Powerful process in Minnesota, however 7-3-3, you possibly can ask for any higher onsidering Drew isn’t within the lineup.
