Alexander Frolov and Anze Kopitar appear set to be reunited. According to Rich Hammond’s interview with Anze Kopitar the two have not skated together on the same line since Anze first came to Los Angeles over 2 years ago. I’m hoping that these two possession players can form some chemistry, but I’d prefer to see them paired alongside a player like Dustin Brown with an impetus for him to shoot. The Kings are stuck in the goal-scoring dulldroms and are 5th from bottom of the league in Goals For-Average with a 2.42:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/stats/byteam?cat=oppteamstats&sort=443
They lead only Minnesota, Nashville, Tampa, and the Isles, in descending order.
I think the Kings have an opportunity to win every game but its frustrating to watch a team that NEVER seems to be able to manufacture a goal when it needs one. I can understand struggling at 5 on 5, but the Kings have spurned many late-game power-plays and even some fairly long 5 on 3’s.
I’m praying that if the scoring continues to go missing that players like Frolov and Kopitar won’t be ejected from L.A. to go score goals elsewhere – just as I’m hoping that Murray’s misuse of Brian Boyle won’t lead him out of L.A. before he gets the chance to succeed. Lauri Tukonen never got that chance and was dealt for Clune, who I have yet to see play, but was not the most sought after asset in hockey.
We’ll see what happens but it would be a shame to waste the strong play in net by both Jon Quick and Eric “bergie” Ersberg. Both netminders have played their part in keeping the puck out of L.A.’s net, but haven’t seen many pucks going the other way and into the ol’ onion bag across the ice.
I dare say the Kings are impotent.
