Dancing in the Reign: Kings Sharp In Preseason Opener; Thoughts on 4-2 Victory in Colorado

Label tonight a success. Don’t grade it on the win alone, but the performance that earned it. The Kings found themselves facing a 2-0 deficit early in the second period, and answered the uphill battle with four unanswered goals to seal a 4-2 victory against the Colorado Avalanche. Where should the analysis start? The four goal second half resurgence? The even strength scoring success? Camp Prospects marking territory? The only thing that would have improved tonight’s act would be Television coverage. Don’t let me get too fussy, tuning into the voices of Daryl Evans and Nick Nickson calling the game on KTLA AM 1150 cured the four-plus months expended without hockey. Obviously it didn’t have the same effect on the official scorers at Pepsi Center, who were forced to make three scoring changes, all related to Kings goals. Below I’ve got thoughts and notes on tonight’s pre-season opener. First, here’s a look at how the Kings skated tonight:

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*NOTE: The other defensemen to dress were Hickey, Campbell, Martinez, and Mullen. The pairings for these four shuffled throughout, with no pairings seemed to be set in stone.

Forwards

Parse-Stoll-Williams
Ponikarovsky-Handzus-Holloway
Richardson-Elkins-Zeiler
Nolan-Azevedo-Westgarth

Defense

Drewiske-Harrold

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Thoughts on the game:

Jonathan Bernier‘s start in goal was tough to gauge tonight. Surrendering 2 goals on 14 shots is…well.. alright. Am I analyzing too much on a preseason game? Bernier faced only 9 shots thereafter, but in a stretch of 30-plus minutes. He wasn’t tested enough after the two goals, and is what I would label as a mediocre start. ‘Mediocre’ can easily be reversed in his next start, and I expect it to be. We all know he has the ability to do it. Bernier will see plenty of preseason pucks. Godspeed Erik Ersberg. The guy had one last shot, and a freakin’ hand injury is his kiss of death. It’s not official, but is sadly inevitable. Adios, Erik. Bernier is the favorite to get the start tomorrow night in Phoenix.

Even Strength Productivity has been stressed by Terry Murray throughout the summer. Power-play success is great, but when it becomes a segway for positive offensive vibes, there’s a problem. Kings went 1-10 on the powerplay tonight, tallying the other 3 goals at even strength. Tonight’s even strength fortune should be valued more than the failures on special teams.

Distant Memories? Former King Kyle Quincey beat Jonathan Bernier with a slapshot for Colorado’s 2nd goal. Never was impressed with him, and expectations were so high just a few years ago. Shows how difficult the step to the NHL really is.

Prospects Produced tonight, which may be the underlying factor in preseason games. Bud Holloway and Corey Elkins lent a hand for the first two Kings goals, each awarded with helpers. Thomas Hickey provided the assist on the game-winning goal in the process of a +2 night. John Zeiler recorded the first goal; Zeiler is running out of clock in the Kings organization and needs to impress. Important goal, can’t interpret the -1 performance. Kevin Wetsgarth, who is fighting (literally) for a spot on the fourth line dropped the gloves tonight. Here’s a set equation for you: Preseason + Kevin Westgarth = Rhymes with Frighting

Justin Williams surprised me tonight. To be honest, I took out most of my offseason stress on #14, convincing myself he was over the hill, and expressing my distaste for his injury-prone history. I’d bring up JW, and got looked at as if I was rocking a Denis Gauthier jersey or something. The people I was with that night were obviously ignorant. 2 points with a goal and an assist will be inked in the notepad. Williams’ health and consistency is a key factor in 1st line success with projected linemates Anze Kopitar and Ryan Smyth.