No need to wait for Mondo, cuz I'm gonna do it.

Brown started off slow the same way last season. He wasn't playing with an edge. If I recall correctly, he was 5th in hits after 10 games.

5th on the team, not the NHL.

I made this comment in another thread, but I noticed a difference in his playing after this hit:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEts7wF4iMg

Of course the slash by Mike Smith also may have affected him:

Mike Smith slash on Dustin Brown. Los Angeles Kings vs Phoenix Coyotes Game 2 5/15/12 NHL Hockey - YouTube

Even if he's not injured today, after seeing videos of him with his kids, I wouldn't be surprised if he wanted to tone down his physicality for his family's sake.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mondo Blando

I am not saying you take the guy out of the lineup, just change his role until he gets going. This team isn't blessed with a lot of pure talent, but it is blessed with depth and players who can fill multiple roles. If the top 6 isn't producing, and you have 8 guys who could fill those spots, you go with who is getting the most out of themselves. No one looked particularly strong against Chicago, but since then Carter, Williams, and Kopitar picked up the pace. Both Gagne and Richards played well last night. Dustin hasn't quite made that transition yet. Clifford has it going, Penner is going to get back in soon, and Dwight King has looked good with Kopitar in the past. So has Richardson.


He's always been streaky, never all that consistent. He'll probably snap out of it soon, but why sandbag a team without much punch when a couple of other guys are more likely to produce at the moment? A small kick in the pants might get him going - it has before.

---

Spot on. And I would add that Stoll was a wrecking ball last night. I've never seen him hit that much.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Birdman

They see the white that is Loluongo and shoot it right into him thinking he's the net.

---

And that is exactly why he and other goalies wear all white gear these days.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mondo Blando

I am not saying you take the guy out of the lineup, just change his role until he gets going. This team isn't blessed with a lot of pure talent, but it is blessed with depth and players who can fill multiple roles. If the top 6 isn't producing, and you have 8 guys who could fill those spots, you go with who is getting the most out of themselves. No one looked particularly strong against Chicago, but since then Carter, Williams, and Kopitar picked up the pace. Both Gagne and Richards played well last night. Dustin hasn't quite made that transition yet. Clifford has it going, Penner is going to get back in soon, and Dwight King has looked good with Kopitar in the past. So has Richardson.

He's always been streaky, never all that consistent. He'll probably snap out of it soon, but why sandbag a team without much punch when a couple of other guys are more likely to produce at the moment? A small kick in the pants might get him going - it has before.

---

Agree with all except in bold. Love Richards, but he did not play well. Sure he did the small stuff that any decent roll player can do away from the puck, but anything revolving the puck was exceptionally poor. He has looked poor all year, and he is going to need to pick it up. He has a bigger role on the PP, and he is going to need to get it going.

Another guy who I think has looked very good thus far is Lewis. He is such a great bottom 6 for this team. Nothing fancy but gets the job done.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rebel

I made this comment in another thread, but I noticed a difference in his playing after this hit:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEts7wF4iMg

Of course the slash by Mike Smith also may have affected him:

Mike Smith slash on Dustin Brown. Los Angeles Kings vs Phoenix Coyotes Game 2 5/15/12 NHL Hockey - YouTube

Even if he's not injured today, after seeing videos of him with his kids, I wouldn't be surprised if he wanted to tone down his physicality for his family's sake.

---

That's exactly what I've thought. All you need to do is look into Browns face and you see that gentle expression. Marriage and having 3 kids have changed him. Some guys, it wouldn't affect but, not in this case.