Kopitar needs Smytty: Flyers 3, Kings 2

19 Nov, 2009 | by Connie Kim

It is very clear that Anze Kopitar needs Ryan Smyth. The Los Angeles Kings hosting the Philadelphia Flyers was one I knew would be a feisty battle to the end. I can retrospectively say this was probably the worst game for Smyth to be out of the lineup because the Flyers came to Staples Center and left with a bashing victory. This game was wide open due to missed passes and subsequent turnovers, and the Flyers were all over the place pouncing on loose pucks and misreads by the Kings.

The first 10 minutes of the game were north-south to the max. The feeling out process for teams in different conferences takes a bit of time, and thankfully the Kings were the first to gain control. Jarret Stoll was able to score off a sharp angle on Brian Boucher for the first goal of the game. (I seem to remember Boucher letting in a similar goal last season when they faced the San Jose Sharks.) The second period went back to neither team dominating causing an overall manic feel and the third was flat out frantic. The 5-on-3 advantage the Kings had should have slowed the game down drastically in their favor, but it was just about the worst man-advantage I have ever seen. The Kings couldn’t get the puck past the offensive blueline let alone set anything up. The Flyers were aggressive all around and the 2-man advantage expired with nothing to show for it.


Let me make it clear that Alexander Frolov doesn’t belong on the top line. I’m not saying he played terribly; I’m merely saying Frolov is best served on, at most, the second line. He was supposed to up his game and compliment Kopitar and Justin Williams on the first line, but nothing changed for Frolov. He looked the same and I’m not sure what to say other than there will be a different left wing on that line Saturday against the Calgary Flames. Williams, on the other hand, had a strong showing with 8 total shots on net. Kopitar had 6 shots while Frolov had only 1. As a team, the Kings landed 39 shots on the Flyers goaltender with Jonathan Quick seeing just 20.

(LAKings.com)

This was a high hitting game and I was mildly impressed with some players and not with others, as is usually the case. In this particular game, Teddy Purcell stepped up his visibility a touch while Davis Drewiske did not. I’m not going to strategically analyze their play for this one game; rather, I’m just going chock it up to playing in modified lines against a team they are unfamiliar with. (Let me know when that line gets old.)

The incredible high/low light of this game was the rolling puck parallel to the Flyers’ blueline that could have led to the Kings tying goal with just seconds left in regulation. The insanity at the end of the game could have tilted just one degree in favor of the Kings, but it predictably didn’t and the large “L” loomed upon them on the stats sheet. That, my friends, is the definition of heartbreak.

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  • collector Joe
    everyone knows that i am not a big williams supporter, but after watching him play against the flyers, i can honestly say that i was impressed. he was everywhere and was creating plays out of nothing. he complimented kopi in every way. as for fro, he did look great at times, but was nonexistent for most of the evening as usual. I am not sure when he is going to realize that everyone knows about his behind the net backhand move. Boucher clearly had the net covered down low with his paddle, yet he proceeded to make the move. instead, he could have done the same move, but passed the puck to the point where doughty i believe was standing all alone. even if doughty did not score, a possible rebound could have been warranted. fro looked completely out of place. as for Drewiske, not sure what his problem was. he was falling down and making bone head moves. instead of using the boards, he decided to pass up the middle. (he was not the only culprit who made some poor decisions..ie doughty & johnson). at least they have the speed to correct their mistakes. either way, i can only hope that the time without symth will benefit kopi and the team and make them stronger as a unit. lastly, the Sasha reference on Fro is great! Simmonds would make a nice Fro replacement. he is gritty and is not afraid of going into the corners. Brownie should join the unit only when on the PP. that is unless the reuniting of simmonds produces no results
  • bgdnbln
    id have to say i like fros play/holding the puck down low but he never seems to come out from behind the net to the right hes always backhanded which i believe hinders any pass or shot ..he dosnt have the legs to keep up with the speed of the first line great grinder but thats it ...the team all in all couldnt hold on to the puck when they needed to clear the zone this is what the boards are for (jack get the hint )....and to watch that puck glide down the line ...we are right above it man so close ...good one guys ...they really need smyth cant wait for his return the flow of that line is great 2nd-3rd lines need to step up....
  • Sam
    You know, I couldn't disagree more. I thought Frolov had a huge spring in his step. The Flyers played a good game, the Kings made some bad plays and that swung the result. Doughty had a rough game, someone should have beaten Carcillo in to a pulp at some point. The 5-3 PP needs to be way better. All that said, its far too early to decry Smyth's absence as the bringer of doom. Kopitar needs to be able to play without him for 5-7 games without becoming benign, that's not too much to expect. If the Kings had won, then what? Is Frolov all of a sudden a great fill-in? Can we just give it some time?
  • Sam, I think Frolov DID have a nice spring in his step. He played a nice puck-possession game. But there wasn't anybody in front of the net there. Not to mention he didn't shoot the puck all game. At this point, I'd almost like to see Brown temporarily take the left-wing spot on the top line. At least he will go to the front of the net. He's certainly not a natural left winger but he could help do the job.

    I agree that Kopitar needs to learn to go without Smyth for a few games (it WILL happen) but I'm not sure Frolov is the answer.

    And, no, if the Kings had won, I'd say the same thing about Frolov.
  • I'm for Wayne Simmonds getting another chance.

    Kopitar shouldn't completely rely on Smyth but there's something to be said for a dynamic pairing.
  • Unlike usual, I have to agree with Connie in this instance. Wayne Simmonds did pretty well on the top line before and I think he's more effective on that top line than Sasha could ever be.
  • The difference between Simmonds on the top line now and before is that he was on the right-wing (replacing Williams).

    While Brown is a right-wing as well, he did step in on the left last year. To me, I think that's a better stop gap.

    @K9 Did you refer to Frolov as "Sasha"? Hilarious!
  • LOL yes I did. I actually picked that nasty habit up from "The NHL Arena" site.

    And I know that Wayne replaced Williams... I follow the Kings, remember? I just figured if Brown can play his off-wing so can Wayne - or at least try.
  • The game was disappointing, especially with that huge 5 on 3 and of course the 1.5 inches away they came from a tie at the end. The Kings were at least able to get the puck to the net around those big bodies. Not exactly quality chances but chances. We still hung in there against a very solid team. I say we win or escape with a point with Smyth in.
  • What the Kings missed the most was Smyth's big body in front of the net. I agree, we would have, at worst, lost in overtime with Smyth. Frolov had one shot all game (in the final minute). That is unacceptable.
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