niedziela, 10 grudnia 2006

Not made to rest

Since the start of this season, there have been a handful of games that the Kings played coming off more than two days of rest in a row. A quick look at the schedule give the following results:

10-Oct (3 days off) vs NYI - result: 4-2 W
22-Oct (3 days off) vs ANA - result: 2-3 OL

4-Nov (3 days off) @ PHO - result: 4-6 L
7-Nov (3 days off)) @COL - result: 6-5 W

16-Nov (3 days off)) vs PHI - result 3-4 L
22-Nov (4 days off) @ SJS - result 3-6 L

30-Nov (3 days off) @ PHO - result 4-7 L

7-Dec (4 days off) vs NSH - result 1-4 L

See a pattern here?


The Kings lost six out of eight such games, giving up a flurry of goals (including a six-pack and a seven-pack at lowly Phoenix). It does not matter too much who they play against, from the cellar-dwellers Coyotes and Flyers to the creamtop of Anaheim and San Jose). It does not matter whether they play at home or away - they apparently tend to lose focus on off-days and come out inexistent as in the recent game against the Predators.


While no team can alter their schedules, the Kings should at least take a lesson out of their off-day mishaps that have happened so far. Perhaps a change in mental preparations to games on game days should be made? Putting more stress on having game-time attitude during on-ice practisesessions on off days?


There will still be a chance to redeem this tendency by the end of the year. LA faces the Sharks this coming Tuesday with a three day rest, and sees the trend continue for the games against the Flames at home on the 19-Dec and the Coyotes again at Staples on the 26-Dec.

There is room for improvement but readiness starts in your head.
This year's edition of the Kings simply playes better when they are regularly on the run, perhaps every second day. They can't change the schedule - but they sure can try to sustain the mental makeup on off days. These Kings are just not made to rest.