Enjoy a free replay of “The Mayor” John Hoven on TSN radio, where he discussed the L.A. Kings playoff scenarios with former NHL player Jason Strudwick. They also talked about the play of Alec Martinez, what to do with Mike Richards, the surging Winnipeg Jets, and the Pacific Division winning Anaheim Ducks, among numerous other topics.
You can give today’s segment a listen using the player below or download any of our audio files for free on the MayorsManor iTunes page located here.
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John,
At his point DD shouldn’t be on the Kings 1st PP unit. Both Muzzin and Martinez are more effective in that role. Part of the problem with Muzzin defensively has been having to play with DD who skates the puck in deep and is running all over the ice with the puck with little to show for his efforts. Yes, opponents need to account for his showy activities with the puck and clog the shooting lanes wherever he happens to be on the ice, but he is not really all that effective offensively. Muzzin does not process quickly in his reads and DD can’t be blamed for that but that’s a different subject all together. DD is the Kings best D-man but he would be better off toning down his act offensively.
I believe Davis Drewiske could have been a much better player if he had not been forced to play with Jack Johnson and DD as much so early in his career. Playing with those guys, at that time, destroyed him. As great as Nick Lidstrom and Chris Chelios were as players, they could not play together when paired in Detroit. Lidstrom drove Chelios crazy because he was moving around the ice so much. Lidstrom was seldom caught out of position but his tendencies toward frequent re-positioning distracted Chelios and threw him off his game.
Both DB and JW having to play so much with Stoll this season has held them both back offensively. DB is much more effective on Kopi’s line and should be playing there on a regular basis. The Kings have won two cups with DB playing, first on Kopi’s left wing in 2012 and on Kopi’s right side in 2014.
The main reason the Kings can win in the playoffs without home ice is JQ. It doesn’t matter to him whether he beats you in his barn or yours.
I only hope Sutter’s monkeying around with the lines so ineffectively for much of the season doesn’t keep the Kings out of the playoffs. He’s already cost the Kings points that way.