Everything Else

Wish I Was Special

By 1936 0

It’s never easy to try and look clear-eyed after something like last night. But if you can cut away the emotion of all of this, it doesn’t take an expert to see that the Kings’ power play is the difference in this series. Because at even-strength, it’s been pretty even, if the Hawks haven’t actually shaded it. But the special teams battle makes this series look like a mismatch. That particular facet certainly is.

It’s too simplistic to say that it’s due to inept penalty killing, because this Kings’ PP is humming. I’m not sure any team could stop it right now, though one with a coach able to recognize what is actually happening might stand a chance (however infinitesimal). The Hawks have yet to recognize the problem, or if they have they haven’t really done much about it. I went back through all the power play goals the Kings have scored this series (boy that was fun) to see if we can’t find the problem.

Everything Else

Now I Get Up Around Whenever, I Used To Get Up On Time: Hawks 3 – Kings 4 (Kings lead 2-1)

By 1687 0

Box Score

Event Summary

Extra Skater

You know what’s weird? This is the first game this series where the Hawks have had the upper hand in possession, in terms of Corsi. You could make an argument that for most of this, they were pretty much where they needed to be. But that was the story when the PK was a sure thing. It most certainly isn’t now. That was the story when the Hawks didn’t make boneheaded mistakes or get bad bounces. They did tonight for sure. It’s why they find themselves trailing this series. It’s also probably why they don’t have any reason to panic. Hockey can be weird. It get weirder when you can’t kill the penalties you take, for whatever reason.

Let’s do it:

Everything Else

Digging Through My Old Muscles, Looking For A Clue: Hawks at Kings Game 3 Preview/Pregame Thread/Keepy Uppy

By 1194 0

Hawk Wrestler vs. King Jerry Lawler

FACEOFF: 7pm Central

TV/RADIO: NBC for Yanks, CBC for hosers, 87.7 FM

WALKING IN L.A.: The Royal Half, Jewels From the Crown

So for the first time this postseason, the Hawks find themselves even after just two games, having lost for the first time at Fort Kickass on Madison. To regain the lead, the Hawks will have to do something they haven’t done since in San Jose in 2010. That’s win their first game on the road in a series. That’s right, it’s been that long.

Everything Else

Take Me To Your Backwoods: Game 2-3

By 1502 0

Going back over something I may have left out in the aftermath of Game 2 and heading into Game 3.

-The score kind of blights it, but the Kings and Hawks at even-strength had the same amount of Corsi events, Fenwick, and shots on goal. That might lead some to conclude that we had a return of “CRAW-STINK IS TERRIBLE” but really only Carter’s goal would I have a problem with (Muzzin’s was pretty perfectly placed). Just one of those things where their power play scored one more goal than the Hawks (and the Hawks really can’t lose the special teams battle because this makes it clear just how even they are at equal strength) with the Kings punching back on the counter.

Really I think it just illustrates how even these two teams are, and how all of us might have gotten carried away a little by Game 1 and the first 38 minutes of Game 2.

Everything Else

Gonna Kick Tomorrow: Kings 6 – Hawks 2 (Series Tied 1-1)

By 1604 0

Box Score

Event Summary

 Extra Skater

Well that was a weird one. I’m trying to think of another playoff game that the Hawks had in their pocket so clearly and then just let it slip out in such fashion. Game 3 and 4 against Detroit last year, especially Game 4, weren’t as bad as they looked. But they don’t measure up. Game 2 against Boston last year where the Hawks absolutely horsed the Bruins in the 1st period but only emerged with a one-goal lead came to mind. But the Hawks watched that one get turned over on them from the start of the 2nd on. Can’t really come up with one.

Still, as good as the Hawks were for the first 38 minutes–and it may be as good as they’ve been this entire spring–two goals is still in that bloop-and-a-blast range. Well, the Kings got two bloops and two blasts, and the Hawks find themselves tied in a series they really should have by the balls. Part of the reason they don’t is the stubborn and insipid decisions their coach keeps on making.

Everything Else

This Ain't No Picnic – Kings vs Hawks Game 2 Preview, Pregame Thread, Junior Prom

By 1333 0

216px-Los_Angeles_Kings_Crown_Logo.svg vs oldschool

Game Time: 7:00PM Central
TV/Radio: NBCSN, TSN (Anglo), RDS (Franco), WGN-AM 720
Murray’s Revenge: The Royal Half, Jewels From The Crown, Battle of California

While the common perception was that the Hawks were outplayed on Sunday afternoon despite having a far longer layoff than the put-upon Kings coming fresh off their exhausting 6-2 carpet bombing of the Ducks in Game 7 of the previous series, it doesn’t change the fact that the Hawks have a 1-0 series lead. Though given that this iteration of the Kings has already erased 3-2 and 3-0 series deficits this post-season alone, it remains up for debate just how much that will matter in the grand scheme of things.

Everything Else

This Ain’t No Picnic – Kings vs Hawks Game 2 Preview, Pregame Thread, Junior Prom

By 1129 0

216px-Los_Angeles_Kings_Crown_Logo.svg vs oldschool

Game Time: 7:00PM Central
TV/Radio: NBCSN, TSN (Anglo), RDS (Franco), WGN-AM 720
Murray’s Revenge: The Royal Half, Jewels From The Crown, Battle of California

While the common perception was that the Hawks were outplayed on Sunday afternoon despite having a far longer layoff than the put-upon Kings coming fresh off their exhausting 6-2 carpet bombing of the Ducks in Game 7 of the previous series, it doesn’t change the fact that the Hawks have a 1-0 series lead. Though given that this iteration of the Kings has already erased 3-2 and 3-0 series deficits this post-season alone, it remains up for debate just how much that will matter in the grand scheme of things.