***St. Louis Blues vs. LA Kings GDT 3/4/23 7:30pm on BSW***

[Sevenhole]

This team has an identity now, they don’t give up. Earlier in the season they got blown out occasionally and didn’t show much character. Since January they have shown they can be in every game. They are friking third in the conference right now! Time to be a King not a doubter.

 

[Pevsfreedom]

I thought it was a very rough game by Lizotte and Durzi and a lot of others. New guys look good. Vilardi is blowing me away. Hope Fiala gets kickin again. Can tell he's getting frustrated. Hope Byfield's ok. Good 2 pts.

 

[Pevsfreedom]

I think he is looking really good. I think the Kings are set at net and have their Number 1 goaltender.

Somehow there's so much doubt around Copley nevermind the fact he is 19-4-2. I don't get it. Guy saved our season. But whatever. New guy looked good. Copley usually looks good. Healthy competition for #1 spot - yet again, but I wouldn't write him off quite yet.

 

[Kurisu]

This team has an identity now, they don’t give up. Earlier in the season they got blown out occasionally and didn’t show much character. Since January they have shown they can be in every game. They are friking third in the conference right now! Time to be a King not a doubter.

This. And with a more solid and balanced defense and legit #1 net minder, hopefully we won't need to be playing from behind so much anymore.

As emotional as that Quick trade was, there is no doubt we are a better hockey team right now for it. Only been two games, but really liking what we've seen from the new guys.

Now if we can just get Durzi's head screwed back on straight after switching to his natural side.

 

[Nyssa42]

Arvy needs to adjust his skate blade sharpness.

no kidding!!! He has fallen down like 15 times in the past 2 games.

Good lordy, could that 2nd period have been any more boring? I almost fell asleep until the Kempe goal (well, he also had a good chance shortly before it). Thought sure we were gonna manage to lose to a terrible Blues team - they have literally NO structure...unless that is their game plan - skate aimlessly around like a bunch of beer leaguers and hope to confuse the opponent into a mistake.

Glad for a win - and a solid 80 points now. On to Monday!

 

[Statue4Deano]

Vilardi is turning into our own version of Patric Hornqvist. A true wizard in that hardest part of the ice. He's just so greasy in that crease area. You can see him slide between defensemen to screen the goalie on PP or spin out of a cross check and use his big frame to wedge himself into a goalie's eyeline. And if he gets a foot or two of daylight he knows exactly what to do with the puck. Really great young player.

I'd love to see Blake lock him up for 5+ years if possible.

 

[Dr. Tran]

This 100%! Vilardi has skills that can’t get tought, so glad we didn’t give up on him!

I’m glad Vilardi didn’t give up on himself. When the team gave him that 1 year contract he had to know this was his last shot. And I didn’t know that he could make it. But he came ready to go right from training camp to today. He’s one of the best players on this team. So good on him.

 

[jammer06]

Congratulations to the following posters who correctly guessed the Kings goalie would make 24 saves on the evening:

twistedwrister
empire

Now that the trade deadline has been digested a tad it was good to see this team beat St Louis who while sellers are clearly getting that playing for their jobs feel. One more tuneup with a middling Washington team before a real test in Colorado. Korpisalo looked good. I didnt hate Gav and Roy. Grundy getting the goal was nice, still not sure he's going to keep a spot ahead of JAD but thats a good problem. Lizotte and Durzi get a mulligan.

 

[KingJ]

Vilardi has some tremendous hands. Hopefully they keep using him in that Knuble type role of always sniffing the net down low especially on PP.

Also this:

https://twitter.com/nhlrussell/status/1632267166950248448?s=46&t=LZLzjVPmosqPbICOlCZLnQ

Korpisalo looked real good imo. First 2 periods he made some really tough saves that could have swung the game for STL.

 

[Statue4Deano]

It’s fun to go back and check the pre-draft scouting reports for some of these players just to see which skills have translated from juniors to the NHL. Here’s one on Vilardi:
https://www.thedraftanalyst.com/201...files/2017-nhl-draft-profile-cw-gabe-vilardi/

Scouting Report
Cerebral playmaker and student of the game blessed with exceptional puck skills and the size to enhance them. Vilardi has played wing most of his pre-draft season, but he’s a natural center who kills penalties and is used in all critical game situations. He owns an deadly shot in both accuracy and velocity, and his long reach doesn’t precent him from finishing within close proximity of the goal. You can make a strong argument for Vilardi being this draft’s best stickhandler, and he maintains control of the puck regardless of whether his zone entries are calm or violent. He is a gangly skater with average foot speed from a mobility standpoint, but his long reach when combined with his phenomenal IQ makes him difficult to contain off the rush. Vilardi plays with bite and doesn’t back down from a challenge, He will stand up for his teammates and displays leadership qualities despite being one of the younger players on a veteran team. There aren’t many players in this draft with legitimate top line upside, but Vilardi is certainly one of them.

 

[Pevsfreedom]

Vilardi has some tremendous hands. Hopefully they keep using him in that Knuble type role of always sniffing the net down low especially on PP.

Also this:

https://twitter.com/nhlrussell/status/1632267166950248448?s=46&t=LZLzjVPmosqPbICOlCZLnQ

Korpisalo looked real good imo. First 2 periods he made some really tough saves that could have swung the game for STL.

(the twitter link): It's a weird day and age where people are calling for "lock em up" contracts after someone plays 1-2 games, lmao.

 

[AngelEyes]

While Gavrikov's footspeed isn't terrible, he is a bit slow to reach optimum level. That is going to be an issue come playoff time. I do like his other skills though.

 

[MBX5]

While Gavrikov's footspeed isn't terrible, he is a bit slow to reach optimum level. That is going to be an issue come playoff time. I do like his other skills though.

I actually had a bit of a different impression seeing him live. Someone else said it first in another thread, but I definitely saw shades of Willie Mitchell.

His foot speed may not be at the top of the scale, but his reach and range on the ice looked to be at or close to the top. On at least two rushes by St. Louis where they were coming down their right wing with speed, he was able to ride the player into the boards and off of the puck, with Roy or another King then retrieving the puck and starting an exit from the D-zone. I thought he looked excellent overall and he and Roy look to be a very good pairing.

 

[AngelEyes]

I actually had a bit of a different impression seeing him live. Someone else said it first in another thread, but I definitely saw shades of Willie Mitchell.

His foot speed may not be at the top of the scale, but his reach and range on the ice looked to be at or close to the top. On at least two rushes by St. Louis where they were coming down their right wing with speed, he was able to ride the player into the boards and off of the puck, with Roy or another King then retrieving the puck and starting an exit from the D-zone. I thought he looked excellent overall and he and Roy look to be a very good pairing.

My observation has only to do with his acceleration, which IMO, is a bit sluggish. Once he reaches optimum speed, he's okay. And other parts of his game are impressive so far.

 

[jgs]

I really like this trade. Gavrikov is fitting in pretty good and will get more effective as he get more comfortable with the 1-3-1 that TM runs and Korpisalo is big. quick and agile in net and has playoff experince. Blake addressed two needs with this trade and made the Kings much better.