The Kings and Geese have handed the halfway level of their seasons and the Southland rivals are in rivalry for the playoffs. However will they be among the many 16 groups competing for the Stanley Cup come Could? Neither group has certified for the postseason since 2018.
Within the newest NHL roundtable, Occasions columnist (and Hockey Corridor of Fame honoree) Helene Elliott was joined by Occasions hockey editor Hans Tesselaar and Occasions staffers Jim Barrero (a Kings season-seat holder) and Nick Leyva (a longtime Geese fan) to debate the Kings’ and Geese’ probabilities, in addition to different hot-button points within the league.
The Pacific Division standings present the Geese in second place and the Kings in third, which means they’d meet within the first spherical if the playoffs began immediately. So it’s time to purchase tickets for one more postseason Freeway Faceoff, sure?
Barrero: Wouldn’t that be one thing. As a lot as I’d like to see that occur, my intestine tells me a kind of groups will both bow out of the playoffs or find yourself in a wild-card spot. A significant factor will probably be how Calgary does when it makes up all these postponed video games. I didn’t suppose this earlier, however I’m betting on each SoCal groups making it.
Leyva: As I stated earlier this season, I don’t suppose anybody will catch Vegas at this level. They're a group getting more healthy they usually have but to activate Jack Eichel. Nobody on this division can match their expertise up the center. Having stated that the Geese and Kings should hold tempo, however I don’t see one other group making a critical cost. Maybe Calgary.
Elliott: So troublesome to foretell the standings, with Calgary having SEVEN video games in hand on the Geese and SIX on the Kings getting into Wednesday’s video games, and the Oilers additionally having a bunch of video games in hand due to the postponement of so many video games in Canada. The Flames and Oilers received’t win all of these video games however they may decide up sufficient factors to maneuver issues round. As for our native puck purveyors, I can see one or each sneaking in as a wild card.
Tesselaar: As Kenny Mayne used to say on “SportsCenter” — and I’m paraphrasing right here: “If the playoffs began immediately, that might be bizarre.” On a critical notice, I can see each groups staying within the race, but when I needed to decide one of many two to make it, I’d say the Geese. The Kings’ lack of scoring could also be an excessive amount of to beat. And their particular groups have been, to place it mildly, horrible. You possibly can’t constantly win enjoying that method.
In the course of the broadcast of the Kings-Rangers sport on Monday, Alex Faust identified that in 26 of the Kings’ 42 video games, the groups have been inside a purpose of one another with 5 minutes remaining. (It’s now 27 of 43). What does this inform us?
Elliott: I feel it tells us there are a number of excellent groups within the league, a number of very unhealthy groups, and an enormous group within the center. Video games between these middle-tier groups might go both method virtually any night time. Going again to your prediction, Hans, I feel the Kings have been exhibiting extra balanced scoring currently, particularly with Adrian Kempe again. The Geese’ protection scares me most nights.
Leyva: That’s level, it tells me the Kings received’t win plenty of one-goal video games within the second half. That’s the large enchancment for the Geese, a capability to generate much more pictures and scoring probabilities, in comparison with the previous few seasons anyway.
Barrero: It was Jim Healy who used to say, “Unhealthy groups lose shut video games.” No, I’m not saying the Kings are a nasty group since they’ve received about as typically as they’ve misplaced, but it surely goes again to what Hans stated. The Kings simply lack sufficient scoring to create any actual separation on most nights. That stated, I don’t suppose that is the 12 months to exit and get a scorer. Let it trip and wait until subsequent 12 months.
Tesselaar: Helene, I feel you hit it head on. There are plenty of groups within the center and the query is can the locals discover their solution to the highest of that group.
Elliott: Agree together with your evaluation, Jim Barrero. I feel the potential for an extended playoff run is bigger for the Kings subsequent season, although it by no means hurts to get in and no less than let the younger gamers get a really feel for the stress of playoff hockey.
The Geese went 2-7-1 after Christmas, however are 2-0-1 of their final three, together with a formidable 5-1 victory over Tampa Bay final week. Anaheim has needed to take care of a number of gamers lacking video games whereas in COVID-19 protocols. They look like near full power once more. Ought to we count on the wins to comply with?
Elliott: Coach Dallas Eakins was in protocol, too. ... The Geese’ protection conjures up little confidence.
Tesselaar: It makes an enormous distinction to have Troy Terry, Cam Fowler, Trevor Zegras and the like again within the lineup. Of their final three video games, the Geese have 13 targets. And Terry returned for the sport towards the Boston Bruins and had the game-winning purpose.
Elliott: Additionally, should say watching Zegras and Terry is plenty of enjoyable. Two foundational gamers that the Geese should construct round.
Barrero: I agree with Helene in regards to the protection, however the Geese have confirmed to have the ability to rating, particularly when their younger stars are wholesome. You combine that with a scorching John Gibson in purpose, and maybe that’s sufficient to cowl up among the defensive blemishes — no less than on some nights.
Leyva: I don’t see why they received’t. The Tampa Bay sport was unbelievable, particularly shutting down an offense just like the Lightning have. I stated to myself, nicely, that’s a pleasant win however let’s see how this street journey begins out. Then they beautiful a lot put the clamps on the Bruins. We’ll see how the remainder of the journey goes. How about Gibson mixing it up in Boston? Don’t push him round!
Let’s swap gears and discuss the remainder of the league. The Lightning have a respectable shot at a 3rd straight Stanley Cup championship. Colorado could be one of the best group proper now. Would it not shock anybody in the event that they met within the Closing?
Elliott: Florida might need one thing to say within the East. I picked them to beat Tampa Bay final season (forgetting that Nikita Kucherov had been hidden away on injured reserve and miraculously healed in time to return when the wage cap was not in impact). So I needs to be cautious there, however the Panthers have been enjoying very nicely. I'm wondering how far the New York Rangers can go. I’d guess a spherical or two, after which actually make a Cup run subsequent season.
Barrero: I’d be simply superb with that matchup (something meaning Vegas isn’t in there ... kidding ... sort of). Although it irritated me as a child, I just like the notion of dynasties, so it will be sort of cool to see the Lightning win it for a 3rd straight time. That stated, Colorado appears to be the group on the verge the previous few years, and the Avs can be deserving after having finished the requisite dues paying. Seems like an incredible sequence.
Leyva: I'd say both Tampa Bay or Carolina. The Hurricanes play a really disciplined fashion of hockey which makes them powerful, plus Frederik Andersen has been nice. Within the West, I don’t see a group beating Colorado 4 occasions in a seven-game sequence. That offense simply comes at you in waves and they're relentless. Darcy Kuemper is stable however keep watch over Pavel Francouz, one of many league’s higher backups.
Tesselaar: It might be a shock if solely as a result of the Stanley Cup Closing not often delivers a matchup of top-seeded groups in every convention. Having stated that, somebody I’m certain will e mail me to say I don’t know what I’m speaking about.
Helene talked about the Rangers and whereas a majority of L.A. followers would by no means need to see any New York group succeed, there's something magical to playoff hockey at Madison Sq. Backyard. Simply take a look at how engaged the followers have been for the Kings sport on Monday. Do you suppose the league is secretly hoping the Rangers make a long term?
Elliott: I feel the league would salivate over a Rangers run as a result of it will interact the New York TV market and assist enhance scores. Something that occurs in New York is, by geography, magnified to a larger diploma than wherever else. Besides, within the NHL’s case, Toronto.
Leyva: Undoubtedly, each commissioner in each league is hoping for an L.A.-New York matchup in any championship sequence. Extra eyes glued to the tv. Right here’s the place I point out Chris Kreider’s unbelievable season for the Rangers, and never simply because I drafted him for my fantasy group!
Barrero: I'd guess something “New York” would make the league blissful, however ... I think about myself among the many “majority” on this city who don’t must see that. I do agree with my colleagues that I'm at all times for extra eyeballs on hockey, so I'll grudgingly admit that might be a profit. Excuse me, whereas I'm going rinse the unhealthy style from my mouth after having stated that. (Smiling emoji)
Tesselaar: Oh certain, Nick, it’s all about you, isn’t it?
Okay, we’ve mentioned the nice. Now the unhealthy.What within the title of Bobby Clarke is happening in Philadelphia? The Flyers have misplaced 13 in a row and are winless in 2022. Their subsequent sport, by the way in which, is Saturday towards the Kings in Philly.
Elliott: How within the title of Bernie Father or mother have they not been capable of finding constantly good goaltending for the reason that Ron Hextall period?
Barrero: Admittedly, I don’t comply with the East groups as carefully, so I used to be shocked after I noticed the Flyers’ dropping streak had reached these epic proportions. As for the Kings having an opportunity to increase that doubtful run of play, wouldn’t it identical to them to play to the extent of competitors? A ten a.m. Pacific begin has potential for some Kings sleepwalking too.
Leyva: I feel that would be the free spot on the bingo card for the Kings. The Flyers’ offense just isn't there in any respect, I assumed their goaltending would no less than steal one, however Carter Hart has struggled too. Then they exit and attempt to rebuild the blue line with Ryan Ellis and Rasmus Ristolainen and that has been a catastrophe as nicely. Lot of dough and years tied up there.
Tesselaar: I’m certain the Flyers’ trustworthy are dealing with this season nicely. The Kings have ended lengthy profitable streaks of a number of groups this season. Simply sayin’.
If every little thing had labored out as deliberate, NHL gamers can be on their solution to China proper now for the Olympics. However that’s not occurring due to COVID. How disenchanted are you that the world’s greatest gamers received’t be competing for gold?
Elliott: Having coated the 5 males’s Olympic hockey tournaments during which NHL gamers have participated — after which protecting 2018 with out NHL gamers — I've to say the standard of competitors suffers lots with out them. And it’s not as if nations are sending groups of younger youngsters, which might create a chance for one more “miracle on ice.” The groups are going to have some children however plenty of retreads, too. And Slava Voynov will once more be allowed to play. Ugh.
Leyva: I feel it’s very disappointing, but it surely was additionally a really sensible transfer. It might have been ridiculous to ship the league’s greatest gamers to a spot the place the Omicron (or no matter variant they've in Beijing now) is raging like wildfire. I’ll nonetheless watch the hockey however not with nice curiosity, that’s for certain.
Barrero: Undoubtedly disenchanted. It’s simply so significantly better on this sport when you realize the names of the opponents. That stated, it’s the Olympics, the place unknowns come out of nowhere to turn out to be family names (although I’d argue that occurs extra in particular person sports activities; the 1980 males’s hockey group being an exception). Nonetheless, I’ll be excited to see what Kings prospect Brock Faber can do for the U.S. group on protection, and I’ll have my eye on Brendan Brisson, a Manhattan Seaside native, on offense.
Elliott: And Geese prospect Mason McTavish (no relation to Craig MacTavish).
Barrero: And even former King Nick Shore!
Leyva: Geese followers will probably be watching Mason McTavish! We bought a bit of style, however we would like extra!
Tesselaar: I’m nonetheless ready for the U.S. to get one other shot at Canada for the gold after the basic 2010 last that was determined by Sidney Crosby’s extra time purpose. Perhaps in 4 years.
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