Games 40-41: Kings @ Calgary Flames 4:6, Kings @ Detroit Red Wings 2:6

Sloppy games on the road continue

Lubo Visnovsky puts some hope on the tough year-end on the Kings
(photo courtesy of www.yahoo.com)

LA goals from: Lubo Visnovsky (2), Craig Conroy, Alexander Frolov
CGY goals from: Huselius (2), Iginla, Phaneuf, Langkow, Tanguay

Pros: The main pro was the fighting and biting back (it seemed). The third period from the Kings epitomized that kind of effort the management and fans had in mind when the "Play hard!" motto was first created in the beginning of the season. Visnovsky seems to hold the NHL record for point-per-dollar. It will raise some eyebrows how much this guy gets in the open market when he becomes UFA this summer...

Cons: Losing a goal in the first six minutes of the game. Again. Losing what little was left of the momentum from the EDM and PHO games very quickly. Derek Armstrong and Sean Avery given only about 13 mins of TOI each? What the?


Kings close out lackluster year with a 12th loss in a row in Motown

Zetterberg moves through swiftly the Kings defensive zone. Unfortunately...

(photo courtesy of ww.yahoo.com)

LA goals from: Alex Frolov (2)
DET goals from: Holstrom, Flippula, Datsyuk, Draper, Samuelsson, Williams

Pros: Recognizing his hot streak (and likely Kings Star*** nomination) and moving Armstrong to man the first line center between Frolov and Cammy proves to pay off (two assists to Army on Frolov goals).

Cons: Twelve in a row against Detroit. Twelve losses that is? Why would the Hockeytown guys have our number of all teams? Losing goals in bunches (especially on the road) is what kills the Kings. This time round it was the secong period (goals 01:50 mins apart) and third period (01:01 mins apart). Which team would have survived that? None. That's why coach Marc Crawford and our defenders have to do a better job of preventing them.

On a separate note - is this me or have the Kings stopped to hustle to outshoot the opposition as of late? They used to get some 15% more shots per game (on average) on most nights in the beginning of the season. Fatigue? Disillusionment? Both?