Yandle chased by Carter and Richards (5/2012) – Photo: IKIRI
FINAL: COYOTES 5, KINGS 2
Game Photos | Box Score | Event Summary | Play-by-Play
PAUL’S TAKE
Sadly, I saw this one coming. It was the perfect game for Coach Tippett to emphasize. They had already lost once at home to their rivals. To let it happen again, especially with the Kings having just played the day before, would send a message to LA: “You own us.” True to form, Tippett got his club ready to come out firing and that’s just what they did, building a 4-0 lead that was too much to overcome in the end despite a brief comeback in the 3rd.
Matt Murray from LifeInHockeywood.com, is running his blogger predictions panel again this year. It’s always fun read some of the takes others around the Kingdom have on these games. But it’s never fun to predict a loss for your home team, which is what I did last night as you can see here. On top of thinking the Coyotes would be hyper-ready for this one, I also think Coach Sutter’s decision to start Quick was faulty. The decision to not use two hot goalies in back-to-back situations this year seems obviously incorrect. I won’t say the Kings would have won with JB in net, but I do believe it would given the club a slight spark.
This leads me to tomorrow’s matchup against the Sharks. Who starts now? And will Sutter use an off game as a reason to bench another player (Martinez last night) despite a team playing really well overall? I fear this time we’ll see a forward sitting out in favor of getting Tyler Toffoli an opportunity to show what he can do. And while I don’t disagree with getting him some playing time, I do think the situation has to be right instead of an almost self-fulfilling prophecy.
POSTGAME READING
NHL.com
Coyotes Head Coach Dave Tippett had a little chat with Mikkel Boedker after practice on Monday, and the message was one that every young scorer wants to hear. “We had a long talk about how I need to keep the puck when I have it and not be in such a rush to give it up,” said, Boedker, who had gone seven games without a goal. “He wanted me to keep my feet moving, be more in control and make things happen.” More…
LA Times.com
“They were a refreshed team, we were a tired team. Simple,” said Kings Coach Darryl Sutter, whose team was playing for the third time in four nights while Phoenix was playing for the first time this week. Kings captain Dustin Brown wouldn’t use that as an excuse, though.” More…
VIEW FROM CALGARY…
AZCentral.com
The Kings were completing second half of a back-to-back Tuesday, and the Coyotes – who had two days off since they last played – capitalized on that advantageous twist of the schedule, scoring first at 9:25 of the first period. Winger Raffi Torres fed Boedker, who kicked the puck up to his stick, skated into the slot and wired a wrist shot past Kings goalie Jonathan Quick. More…
POSTGAME INTERVIEWS
Brown
POSTGAME HIGHLIGHTS
NHL Tonight Recap
Good read Paul.
I agree on starting JQ, the guys usually play a bit more defensivley minded with JB in net, that could have been the spark that created the difference.
I also think that DS should have yanked quick, something he doesnt (LIKE TO) do, not so much as a problem with Quick, but to send a message to the rest of the guys.
C’est La Vie.
Also, they won 1. Let them get a big head.
I doubt they will catch us sleeping again.
I too agree DS should’ve started JB. I wish I knew what his reasoning was behind it, but JQ has not been making the game saving saves. That first goal was stoppable even though it was from the middle of the slot. I feel like JQ got a piece. Last year he was making those saves and the Kings would bend but not break.
A fresh goalie both mentally and phsycially could of been the difference in holding off the strong start by the Yotes until the Kings got there legs under them.
The Kings missed their morning skate and decided to use the first 35 mins of this game as the morning skate.
Oh well…time to move on. JQ will get the start in SJ IMO,
Solid take. Think “The Toff” will play?
Thanks Mars! Next Monday should be one hellva game.
cant always pull the goalie..the message will start to fall on deaf ears…Needed to play the 4th line more to give the team energy early….
Agreed. I bet halfway through the first, Sutter was thinking, “Shit, I should of started JB.”
I figured Sutter gambled on the emotions of his mentally, physically and emotionally spent team when he decided to go with JQ and not JB. Plus, Quick needs the play time for confidence and the Kings had won previously against Phoenix with him in net. Or maybe simply thought JQ was the better goalie for the job.
Honestly, I didn’t think Kings would win this one. It’s a B2B so there’s lots of fatigue (I know, I know, not an excuse), it’s their third game in 4 days and they seem to really struggle in these games, as exemplified by the Dallas game. Did I expect it to be that bad? No, but these things are hard to predict (though you seem to be an expert
)
IMHO, blow out games serve a good purpose (as suggested by Kings Men podcaster Jesse): gives them a good chance to really shore up their weakest areas defensively and allows Sutter to adjust as needed against a team that’s been so average lately. They lose to the Ducks on home ice then manage a win in Anaheim only to lose.to the struggling Blues (who are doing surprisingly better of late).
The nice thing is, they’ll end the Phoenix series with home ice.advantage which is huge for the Kings
Sorry for letting the wind blow lol. Always happens after a loss.
Not at all. I enjoy your takes Robyn! Good stuff. I’m not so sure a blowout is ever a good thing but when it does happen, it’s crucial to use it as a lesson in what not to do. Sutter seems to think fatigue was the main factor whereas Brown doesn’t, which makes me wonder if any lesson will be learned.