Games 12-13: Kings @ Columbus Blue Jackets 0:2, Kings @ Dallas Stars 2:3

Kings dominate but have little to show for it

Garon stopped what he could, but not Halpern's game winner
(photo courtesy of www. yahoo.com)

Los Angeles @ Columbus 0:2

LA goals from: none
CBJ goals from: Zherdev, Modin

The pros: The Kings made a hero for a day out of Pascal Laclaire, bombing his goal for 38 shots to no avail. Another good game from Rob Blake. First signs of visibility for Dustin Brown, clogging the crease, sending bodychecks and shooting on goal (six attempts).

The cons: Would anyone consider the Kings could actually fall flat on their faces like that in Ohio? Regardless of lack of luck, some scoring chances just must be converted. Period. Having said that, I still don't know how I feel about the "Kevin Dallman at center" experiment? Why not just put O'Sully in the middle - at least he's got some experience there to take him out of the early season funk...


Los Angeles @ Dallas 2:3

LA goals from: Rob Blake, Tom Kostopoulos
DAL goals from: Boucher, Barnes, Halpern

The pros: Very good first and third periods by the Kings, to a point where they almost made the comeback from the 2-3 deficit at the end of the game. Lucky PP goal by Blake to an otherwise unispiring 1-for-8 power play performance. Two won fights, one by Kostopolous (vs Ott) and Jeff Cowan (vs Barnaby). Solid performance by Mathieu Garon.

The cons: Another game, same net result. Scoring 1 or 2 goals per game is not gonna make it in the new NHL. Kings need a scorer to rise from within - the team needs to look for suitable candidates, but the bulk of the additional scoring should come from veterans. Says Cowan:

"We keep getting good effort. This is tough. But if we keep playing hard this will eventually turn around."

I hope the Kings don't get discouraged by the lack of effect of their puck pressure before the results come. For one thing, Brent Sopel should be back for Monday game against the New York Rangers. He took a puck to the ankle in Minnesota.