What Brown’s doing for you
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Dustin Brown‘s name was bopped around prior to Monday’s NHL trade-deadline.
“I can’t really give you one word, it’s probably a mix of a lot of emotions. I’ve been here for a pretty long time. I don’t know any other NHL team.” – Brown on trade rumors
And he won’t meet another, as for now. Dustin Brown reacted – and played his way through this threat in prolific fashion.
As soon as rumors hit the airwaves, Dustin Brown pleaded with production — showing where he really wants to be, and where he belongs – for now. The Kings have played three games since Brown’s name was dangled, Brown has been involved in seven of the Kings’ nine goals since the media blitz.
Seven points in three games. The last span in which Dustin Brown notched seven points, it took a good 17 contests. That hints at a sense of worry, anxiety, maybe hit with an unwelcomed wake-up call. Whatever has triggered Brown’s point-rush, the trade rumors had to ignite a spark in some aspect.
Leadership has been in question throughout the year for this club, and of course that’s going to center on Brown’s shoulders – the Captain, especially with his offensive struggles mirroring the rest of the team.
This shows a strong sign from a struggling leader, who stole the spotlight in Jeff Carter‘s Kings debut and reunion with Mike Richards while netting his third career hat-trick.
You’re afraid this is just another streaky stretch of success, few Kings players have been consistent with their scoring, it’s been extremely spotty. In the end, consistent scoring is all that matters – especially where the Kings stand right now.
This impressive three-game stretch from Brown could be forgotten and washed up in frustration in a handful of days. You’re almost naive to buy into it at this point, because any glimpse of hope we’ve seen this season has quickly disintegrated into failure.
Maybe the deadline conversation hit Dustin Brown in rough fashion, but sometimes that’s what it takes to shake the idleness out of a player’s potential.
With 70 points, they’re in the Western Conference‘s 10th-slot. The only reachable spot available is owned by the Chicago Blackhawks, who are in 6th with 73 points. The Kings have teams trailing hard, threatened all the way back to the 13th-seed Anaheim Ducks, who are sitting on 64 points. Every team that’s in playoff contention behind the Kings have a game in-hand, having two points on the table is a priceless gift this time of year.
The San Jose Sharks, who sit at 7th, have three games in-hand on the Kings. So, really, there are only two spots for grabs in the Western Conference. It’s dangerous confines for the Kings these days.
The odds are certainly against this club, but if leadership can continue to produce in expected manner, while stemming it to the roster, they should have a pretty good shot at making something work.
That’s all you can say, that’s all you dare say.
The Trick of the Trade
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