I-5 War / Kings vs Ducks

While some of the hockey world is debating why LA is hosting an outdoor hockey game, I’m breaking down a Kings –Ducks matchup not for the Outdoor series but if they would meet in a playoff series, making it the I-5 War. The winner of the I-5 War the Carpool Cup has a great chance to win the Stanley Cup. The Ducks have some truly outstanding players, and arguably the NHL’s greatest Dynamic Duo     (Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry) but the Kings are bigger, have more depth and are only two years removed from winning the Cup. The Kings even lost the NHL’s best goaltender and started playing better. The Kings haven’t given up a first period goal in six weeks. Even more impressive than that is the Ducks have got at least a point in every home game. The Ducks can easily win the Outdoor game, or any one game against the Kings, they’re one of the top six teams in the NHL this but column is about who would win a seven game playoff series and I pick the Kings.

 The Kings and the Ducks each have a ton of talent up front and roll four legitimate NHL lines. The Kings are bigger but the Ducks are not small by any means and the Ducks are a little faster. The Ducks have more  high end scoring with the Dynamic Duo but the Kings have a more scoring throughout their top twelve forwards. The tight checking playoffs could turn the Ducks into a one line. The Kings lines are set up so each line has a passer, a scorer and a corner guy .The example being the potent line of Anze Kopitar, Jeff Carter and Dwight King. This gives Coach Sutter flexibility .Both teams are relying on young guys but most of the Kings young guys already have their names on the Cup. Both teams also have a ton of leadership. Kings Captain Dustin Brown is a throwback could play in any era.   The Ducks have Captain Getzlaf and Hall of Famer Teemu Salanne to lead the way. The Kings forwards play a grittier dump and chase game while the Ducks are more a puck possession team. It’s harder to play a puck possession game in the playoffs, which means the Kings are more equipped for the playoffs because they play a playoff style of hockey all season long. One King’s player who is set to become an even bigger star is Anze Kopitar. He is a the West Coast Evgeni Malkin and would be a superstar if he played on the I-95 and not the  I-5.

On defense the Ducks are led by veteran Francois Beachemin who is have a resurgence in his second stint in Anaheim. Beachemin and his D partner  Cam Fowler are playing outstanding hockey The remaining Ducks blue liners are solid if non descript . The Kings D men are a more versatile bunch of physical puck movers who always . The Kings miss two time Stanley Cup winner  Rob Scuderi but Drew Doughty is a Norris trophy waiting to happen

The Ducks have to great goaltenders and you’d think that would be enough to beat the Kings in the goaltending category but the Kings appear to have three great net minders. Conn Smythe /Stanley Cup Winner Jonathan Quick maybe the best goalie in the NHL but he’s injured and may take awhile to get back in flow, no problem Ben Scrivens has filled in nicely and his back up Martin Jones  pitches shutouts like Cy Young Dodger pitcher Clayton Kershaw. The Ducks man between the pipes Jonas Hiller is playoff tested but maybe traded because his backup Viktor Fasth is playing like a number one.

The Ducks do win the special teams battle. The Duck’s are lethal on the power play and the Kings are underachieving with the man advantage. It’s actually puzzling how bad the Kings are. The Kings have a slightly better penalty kill because of better defenseman and they’re a Sutter coached team.

Coaching is where the biggest discrepancy is between the teams. The Kings are coach by Darryl Sutter. He’s a Sutter brother and he won a Cup. The Ducks are coach by Bruce Boudreu and I’m writing about the playoffs.

While the Ducks are having an outstanding regular season, Coach Boudreu usually does, and could have home ice advantage in a playoff series against the Kings , which would be huge because the Ducks are awesome at home, I believe the Kings would wear down the Ducks in a seven game series with their size and depth. The Ducks are a faster team but remember the Stanley Cup playoffs are not a sprint but a war of attrition that’s why I think the Kings would win the I -5 War.

Happy Holidays !!!!!!!!!

NHL at the Quater Pole

We are ¼ threw the NHL season so I compiled a list of 6 things I have loved about this season so far

Sid and Geno- Finally, knock on wood, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are healthy at the same time. It’s been awhile. At this writing they’re one and two in the league in scoring and putting on a clinic most nights. It is so much fun to watch. I bet for non Penguin fans too, except those in Philly. The spring maybe another story but for now let’s all enjoy greatness

The Blackhawks- The have not succumbed to the Stanley Cup hangover and look like a team on a mission to go back to back. Sure they may take a night of, who doesn’t but they haven’t taken the fall off like most Cup winner do.

Patrick Roy- He has invigorated the Avalanche. He has got their young stars (Duchene, Stastny, Landeskog, MacKinnon) to play at a high level and gotten the best out of his goaltenders.  Edmonton should have hired him.

Jagr and Selanne –Watching these Hall of Famers makes me feel young, because I was young when they entered the league. Jagr is passing immortals ( Mario, Stevie Y, Mess) and leading the Devils in scoring. Teemu is still playing with elegance and fire he had 2 decades ago.

Smaller nets- The smaller nets have made for more goals by giving gifted playmakers more space in Gretzky’s office.

Totorella in Vancouver- Having Torts in Vancouver means we don’t hear his asinine thoughts on a daily basis and it lets the NY Rangers be the fun, exciting team their roster should be.

And now things I have hated

Stamkos Injury- Steve Stamkos injury was horrific to see happen to anyone but when it happens to a superstar, in his prime it’s sad. Tampa was a playoff team when it happened now they are struggling

The Islanders- The Isles are at the bottom of a mediocre to put it nicely conference. I had hope for the Isles this year, They have a young superstar ( Tavares) a good coach and they play with speed and grit but the Vanek trade was stupid , their defense has been bad and their goaltending worse.

Attendance in Florida- They should just move already. Bettman has to suck it up. Those empty seats are an eyesore. If people in south Florida want to see live hockey they should do it when they’re visiting their relatives up north.

No touch icing- There’s too many icing calls. No touch has made the game safer so I’ll accept that aspect but go back to the “the pass almost connected”” wave off the icing .Icings slow the game down.

Headshots- I hate them all. Suspensions should start at 10 games