Comments on: Kopitar needs Smytty: Flyers 3, Kings 2

By: collector Joe

collector Joe — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:13:36 +0000

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

By: collector Joe

collector Joe — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:13:36 +0000

By: bgdnbln

bgdnbln — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:07:11 +0000

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….

By: K9Jeeper

K9Jeeper — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:56:57 +0000

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 than so can Wayne – or at least try.

By: Keith Korneluk

Keith Korneluk — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:43:03 +0000

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!

By: K9Jeeper

K9Jeeper — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:13:04 +0000

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.

By: Connie Kim

Connie Kim — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:17:16 +0000

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.

By: Keith Korneluk

Keith Korneluk — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:15:59 +0000

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.

By: Keith Korneluk

Keith Korneluk — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:13:05 +0000

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.

By: Sam

Sam — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:11:15 +0000

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?

By: Flyers 3, Kings 2 @ LA Kings Hockey Club Podcast

Flyers 3, Kings 2 @ LA Kings Hockey Club Podcast — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:04:01 +0000

[...] out. It’s a tough series of games coming up. Can the Kings handle it without Ryan Smyth? Read Connie’s Post-Game Blog var [...]

By: Tweets that mention Kopitar needs Smytty: Flyers 3, Kings 2 @ LA Kings Hockey Club Podcast -- Topsy.com

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:01:05 +0000

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Keith Korneluk and Connie Kim, KCPunk. KCPunk said: RT @tweetmeme Kopitar needs Smytty: Flyers 3, Kings 2 @ LA Kings Hockey Club Podcast http://bit.ly/4m4OTW [...]

By: Chris Kaliszewski

Chris Kaliszewski — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:50:43 +0000

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.