[thefoss1957]

Got to watch the game this morning...

I can't recall seeing, as often, a game or series absolutely defined by faceoffs...the 'Hawks dominate in the dot, early, and dominate the game, the Kings take the upper hand, and roar back...it has been that way most of this series.

The Kings have dominated play, also, when their superior strength manifests in the areas immediately behind and immediately in front of the 'Hawk net. The unphysical 'Hawk D-Men simply can't move the King Forwards. The 'Hawks got lucky a couple times, especially in the OTs, when, instead of "bodying up", the 'Hawk D went fishing for the puck in goal mouth scrambles. (Gaborik should have gotten the GWG in the 1st OT).

The Kings had been collapsing on Quick aggressively, in prior games, and recovering into the shooting lanes, keeping the 'Hawks well on the perimeter. Last night, the 'Hawks were better at moving the puck quickly, to catch the Kings in the recoveries, or getting a snap shot to Quick in a position that a rebound would be generated (Oduya, Saad, and Smith goals).

Kane got through some tight checking last night, and He, Saad and Shaw were excellent.

The Kings need to do better job on the most dangerous guys on the 'Hawk rushes...the trailer...and it is not predictable who that trailer will be...even Rozival, the #6 D-Man (or Brookbank, when dressed), jump in, constantly. Leaving, slow as frozen molasses, Zus, cost them that game, last night.

Speaking of Handzus, a lot of crow is being eaten on the 'Hawk forums today, as Handzus (and Bollig) are usual whipping boys for the amount of Ice Time that Q gives them (for a lot of 'Hawk fans...1 shift for Bollig a game seems too much)...Myself, I feel that Zus is showing his age, and his lack of speed has hurt Kane's ability to produce as they were linemates much of the year, and Bollig has been fine as a 4th line grinder...Kane needs more quick players, like he had in Saad and Shaw, last night, to really shine...I think that Q spotting Zus as a Draw/PK specialist, is about right for his current skill set, and using him as a 2nd option at center on D-Zone draws is smart too.

I would expect Versteeg to be a scratch for Regin on Friday...Versteeg has been far too careless with the puck at the Blue Lines.

I also expect the Scrambled D-Pairs to remain scrambled.

We will have to see how well Sutter does in matching up, as he has the last change on Friday...Q's compulsion to line match has hurt the 'Hawks with some AWFUL 2nd period line changes at inconvenient times, during this whole series, thus far.