How big a deal is Oilers having last change at home?

[KingzLA]

• Let Foegele and Moore pressure PK shifts, minimize zone time by clearing hard.

---

I wouldn't have thought to feed stats into GPT. That's interesting.

Although I did find this (in the quote) a bit funny :

• ... minimize zone time by clearing hard.
  

Easier said than done.

 

[DoubleMinor]

The fourth line is the issue. Any combination of Melott/Helenius/Turcotte/Lewis out against McDrai is a recipe for disaster. So, how do the Kings avoid that situation? Adopt a "One Line" strategy. Not like EDM's literal one line and then nothing else, but rather spread your fourth liners among the second and third lines. To wit:
AK-AK-AK
Foegele-Danult-Helenius
Fiala-Byfield-Melott
Laferierre-Lewis-Moore

Make EDM defend AK AK line, shelter the Lewis line, spread the minutes out. STAY OUT OF THE BOX!

I understand your logic with this.
But the Kings have finally found three really good lines and are up 2-0 in the series.
Would it be wise to change the things that are working?

Again, I get the logic. These games are on the road and it presents different dynamics. And that fourth line could really be exposed in these road games. So it’s obviously a concern, which your post addresses.

If it were me is go with what has been working and adjust if it becomes necessary.

 

[Rusty]

Would it be wise to change the things that are working?

Begs the question "What is working?"
Special Teams are winning this series, but this thread is about matchups.
The AK AK line is working.
Lines 2 and 3 pairs (Danault-Foegele, Byfield-Fiala) are working.
I proposed no changes there.

I have significantly more confidence in a fourth line of Moore/Lewis/Laffy than I do in Malott/Helenius/Lewis or Turcs if pinned by McDrai for a D-zone draw. Plus, having some muscle on lines 2 and 3 may cut down on EDM's douchebaggery behavior.

 

[DoubleMinor]

Begs the question "What is working?"
Special Teams are winning this series, but this thread is about matchups.
The AK AK line is working.
Lines 2 and 3 pairs (Danault-Foegele, Byfield-Fiala) are working.
I proposed no changes there.

I have significantly more confidence in a fourth line of Moore/Lewis/Laffy than I do in Malott/Helenius/Lewis or Turcs if pinned by McDrai for a D-zone draw. Plus, having some muscle on lines 2 and 3 may cut down on EDM's douchebaggery behavior.

No, I understand your point and not arguing it. I think I feel the Kings so far are going really well. I just don’t know that I would change anything going into this game.

 

[Statue4Deano]

Turns out it was a big deal.

 

[Ice Rhino]

Downward spiral. As dirty as the Oilers are they’d have no problem going dirtier. I’d prefer our guys stay healthy. They’re drawing penalties so far, and scoring at will on the powerplay that should be a deterrent to the Oil getting too violent.

This is not to say don’t hit McDavid. Hit him every chance they can get. But head-hunting would not end well. Also it’s just not what this team does. It’s fan fiction to think Hiller would ever allow that. Which…why did I even respond to this post?

This, and in addition: the way to beat the Oilers is not putting them on the power play at home.