***R1 GAME 3 Colorado Avalanche vs. Los Angeles Kings GDT 4/23/26 7:00pm on TNT,

[toma_13]

What is the urgency these days to pull a goaltender with 230 left when it used to be pull them with 130 left

I was thinking the EXACT same thing. And always do when these desperate "modern day" coaches pull goalies with 2:30 - 3:00 minutes left. Mind boggling stupid. Used to be 1:30 or under. Way safer.

 

[Halfwall]

There are some things Holland can definitely point to and his trades have generally worked out well. The Ceci and Dumoulin signings are inexcusable giving the dollars and terms and will adversely impact us for years.

Actually they are excusable. Who was he supposed to sign?

 

[Dr. Tran]

This loss absolutely sucked. There’s no shame in losing to the Avs. Unless you give the game away. The Kings really stepped on their dicks in this one. 3 of 4 goals given up by dumb mistakes. And maybe you can overlook a shanked shot or the puck going off of Forsberg. But that goalie pull was inexcusable. Why the f**k are they pulling the goalie when the puck is in the neutral zone? That’s just utterly stupid. We still have a chance as long as the series isn’t over but it’s a long shot. But if we do lose the series, I’d be disappointed if DJ Smith remains HC.

 

[Dr. Tran]

Actually they are excusable. Who was he supposed to sign?

My favorite defensemen. Not Ceci & Not Dumoulin.

 

[DryKing]

My favorite defensemen. Not Ceci & Not Dumoulin.

Holland seemed pretty confident he would be able to resign Gav. When that didn't work out, there weren't too many options left. We'll see what tweaks he cane make in the offseason.

 

[Nyssa42]

you'd think Kopi could have mustered up a bit more energy for his 2nd to last game ever. My gosh, that was the slowest I've ever seen him skate. Also should have waited until Sunday to use Kuzy because he didn't really seem ready to go.

Please, Coach Smith, I am BEGGING you to use QB with Kempe & Panarin on Sunday. Just one shift? Please?? Anyone faster than Kopi. Heck, put Wright out there with them. Kempe had several times when he needed to pass and no one was there because Kopi was still back at our blue line!!!

 

[Dr. Tran]

So nobody in the media asked DJ why he pulled the goalie right then? Not even a what happened?

 

[Dr. Tran]

you'd think Kopi could have mustered up a bit more energy for his 2nd to last game ever. My gosh, that was the slowest I've ever seen him skate. Also should have waited until Sunday to use Kuzy because he didn't really seem ready to go.

Please, Coach Smith, I am BEGGING you to use QB with Kempe & Panarin on Sunday. Just one shift? Please?? Anyone faster than Kopi. Heck, put Wright out there with them. Kempe had several times when he needed to pass and no one was there because Kopi was still back at our blue line!!!

Maybe Kopi got it right when he chose this season to retire. Maybe it’s not in him anymore to do more than he did. But yes try Byfield with 9 & 10. Or maybe bump Kopi off of PP1 in favor of Clarke. Then we don’t have a forward defending a 2 on 1.

 

[waynet]

A really good Avs team. Kopi is leaving at the right time. Against a fast, skilled team he looks like he's towing a trailer, basically neutralizing the Kings main offensive threats. Forsberg has kept the scores respectable. Doughty needs to hang em up also.

 

[jammer06]

For those interested we won our game 6-2, I was on radio for most of the first but we had beers in the locker room for the third. Game 2 next thursday, hopefully the Kings still playing then.

 

[Pevsfreedom]

Did anyone actually expect a different outcome?

Not at all.

 

[ICE24]

I don't have a problem with Ceci or Dumo. They are what they are. This is all on the GM. Both of those players signed deals that Holland offered them. We all would.

 

[kIngsX]

Meh, this series is progressing as I expected it would, so I can’t even say I’m disappointed. Questions need to be addressed this offseason, starting with what is this team’s identity moving forward. They were a defense- minded team during the cup run, and we had players in their prime who excelled at that style. It looks like they’re sticking with this approach, presumably because it was successful in the past. The problem is they don’t have the players to deliver that success anymore. 4 goals in 3 games just won’t cut it

 

[ICE24]

I believe this comeback will be even greater than the one against the Sharks in 14.

 

[hokiecat]

This team has zero killer instinct when it matters. We don't have one player like Williams, Martinez, Quick, Brown, young Kopi, Doughty, and many others from 2012-14 when it comes to playoff intensity. Kempe and Panarin are bound to get some goals but it's just running the motions. Remember Doughty skating up ice singe handedly blasting one in? That's kinda what I'm talking about - it just doesn't exist on this team. The roster isn't good but we've been this way for 5 years at least - I blame leadership (sorry Kopi and Kempe) and coaching/management and the "we were right there" mentality that has also become our slogan. This team's identity is Byfield whiffing on a clear and allowing a goal. Fire Luc and start the rebuild! Making the playoffs this year was a fluke accident that shouldn't have happened and it will hurt us for a long time. I don't think we had any chance of winning this series but it's just what this team is and that's why I didn't watch much this year. Worst of all - it's boring and there's no signs it'll get better.

Helene's writeup this morning echoes a lot of the same thoughts.

Zero playoff series wins since 2014. Time to change the senior leadership and clear out the old boys club.

 

[Bollocks]

Meh, this series is progressing as I expected it would, so I can’t even say I’m disappointed. Questions need to be addressed this offseason, starting with what is this team’s identity moving forward. They were a defense- minded team during the cup run, and we had players in their prime who excelled at that style. It looks like they’re sticking with this approach, presumably because it was successful in the past. The problem is they don’t have the players to deliver that success anymore. 4 goals in 3 games just won’t cut it

On the contrary...defense and grind is the only way this team can w barring a proper rebuild. There's just not enought talent here to win with offensive minded system.

Not just the current build of the team...the farm system is also heavily skewed towards the defense. No standout offensive players on either end of the ice.

 

[symbology]

On the contrary...defense and grind is the only way this team can w barring a proper rebuild. There's just not enought talent here to win with offensive minded system.

Not just the current build of the team...the farm system is also heavily skewed towards the defense. No standout offensive players on either end of the ice.

You call this winning?

 

[symbology]

you'd think Kopi could have mustered up a bit more energy for his 2nd to last game ever. My gosh, that was the slowest I've ever seen him skate. Also should have waited until Sunday to use Kuzy because he didn't really seem ready to go.

Please, Coach Smith, I am BEGGING you to use QB with Kempe & Panarin on Sunday. Just one shift? Please?? Anyone faster than Kopi. Heck, put Wright out there with them. Kempe had several times when he needed to pass and no one was there because Kopi was still back at our blue line!!!

I think Kopi gave what he had just to make it to the playoffs. Then, trying to keep up with this Avs team..... he is gassed.

 

[Moog]

Did anyone actually expect a different outcome?

With this front office.....for the past decade plus?.....NOPE!

Kings management is like groundhog day every season.

 

[Statue4Deano]

Kings are down 0-3 so nobody wants to talk about what they’re doing well against the Avs but scoring a PP goal in all three games against the best PK team in the league should at least get a mention.

Yes the Avs have completely eliminated the threat of Kempe and Panarin 5v5 but what have the duo of MacKinnon and Necas done 5v5? Almost nothing. 2 assists total. Yes these are moral victories but these are not small feats against an elite team.