Matthews scores 10th on Penalty shot, Leafs fall in Los Angeles

[Kings 5, Maple Leafs 3]

Auston Matthews now has 10 goals in 14 games to start the year. This dude is the biggest star the NHL has seen in a long time.

I watched this game for a bit loosely while playing NHL 18; and the Kings built an early 3-0 lead. The Maple Leafs struck back with goals from Matthews on the penalty shot, Morgan Rielly (assisted by Matthews), and Connor Brown on a power play. But it wasn't enough, and now the Leafs are 8-6-0 on the season, losing to the very good Kings.

Get to Know Adrian Kempe

My buddy MJ is a huge Los Angeles Kings fan. Adrian Kempe is 21 years old, and the talk of the Los Angeles hockey organization right now. He recorded a hat trick the other night, and got his first career shootout goal the next game. He's going to be the talk of the Kings for a while; because it appears this youngster can really play. 

Here's a scouting report:

Observations:

February 2017 - The 20-year old Kempe finally got into his first NHL action in mid-February, with a call-up to the Kings. Through his first six NHL games, Kempe has scored two assists and has shown some of the reasons that he is highly regarded in the Kings organization. In his first game, Kempe flashed his speed to create an excellent chance on a breakaway. However, much like his season in Ontario, with all of the positives also come some negatives, as he still will need to find more consistency to get to the next level. This is evident in the coaches decision on playing time which in the first six games has fluctuated from a high of 15:18 to a low of 8:30. In his last two games, Kempe has gotten some powerplay time, and he had an assist on the powerplay. If Kempe can build chemistry with Kopitar and find better consistency, he might start producing sooner rather than later. Philip Kamhi

October 2016 - Following a strong training camp, Kempe impressed the Kings enough to earn an extended audition with the NHL club. He got into four preseason games, and although he was scoreless, his speed was effective and he did not look out of place. He was given an opportunity on scoring lines, even playing in place of Kopitar on the top line and playing with Pearson and Toffoli. It is evident that the Kings view him as a top-six player. Having impressed Kings brass with his play in training camp and preseason, he will likely get into his first NHL games soon. Philip Kamhi

September 2016 – Things really slowed down for Kempe in the second half of his season with the Reign, he scored 20 points in his first 32 games (0.63 points per game), but only eight more in the final 23 games (0.35 points per game). You can call it inconsistency, but when he was on his game speed and skill is evident. Make no mistake, this was a young rookie (19-years old), who just came to North America and is still adjusting to the game. He will make adjustments, and is likely to develop more consistency. Look for a strong training camp from Kempe, but it's unlikely that he sees more than a cup of coffee this season (barring significant NHL injuries). Philip Kamhi

January 2016 – The 19-year-old Kempe has had a decent first half of his rookie pro season in North America. Through 32 games with the Reign, he had 20 points. Kempe also represented Sweden in the U20 WJC, where he had eight points in seven games and was awarded the Top 3 Player on Team. After returning to the Reign in January, Kempe has not produced as much as he did earlier, with only four points in 11 games. Kempe will need to dig in, but this is likely part of the learning experience. Philip Kamhi

May 2015 - While Kempe's SHL icetime almost doubled, his production didn't follow suit. His average time on ice jumped from 8:27 (2013-14) to 15:14, but his points per game barely rose (0.24 to 0.34). However, the Swede is only 19 and did enjoy an excellent WJC. The 6-2 right winger already possesses above-average NHL speed, but we'll see where his hands are at this fall in the AHL. Sheng Peng

February 2014 – Kempe has an excellent frame that moves extremely well chasing down loose pucks with an aggressive pursuit often initiating contact and engaging in puck battles with great success. His north-south style of game combines well with his strong skating stride as this power forward puts defenders on their heels with his unrelenting attack. Kempe drives the net hard and shows good puck handling ability, especially in the dirty areas of the rink. Brendan Ross


Fantasy Outlook: B-

The 2014 first-rounder is a pretty sure bet to be an NHLer but may not own high upside.

Keep an eye out for more Kempe reports; and more player profiles of the guys around hockey who catch our eye.

No Goal, Eh?

[Event Summary]

[Cult of Hockey]

A day later, but it doesn't make things any easier. 

With Justin Schultz and Griffin Reinhart shelved with injuries, Darnell Nurse has been called up to make his debut with the Edmonton Oilers. 

Last night wasn't without it's usual fireworks - Connor McDavid logged yet another point. He just keeps scoring, as noted around the blogosphere. 

It was due to McDavid's explosive speed:

Those @cmcdavid97 wheels... 🚀 #LAKvsEDM pic.twitter.com/pJkZLGoNc9

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) October 26, 2015

In nine games, he has five goals and four assists. Absolutely incredible start to his career. And of course later in the game he was robbed of a dramatic goal; what could have been my most dramatic moment as an Oilers fan.

The Oilers head to Minnesota tomorrow night to take on the Wild.

Man, the Oilers got FUCKED tonight in Edmonton

Well, this is horrible. Went from what could have been my greatest Oilers memory ever (McDavid tying the game with a goal with 3.6 seconds to go), to this:

Looks in... https://t.co/X9zQf9Rr6t

— Jason Gold (@JayGold85) October 26, 2015

The NHL has a "Situation Room" blog:



I am disgusted right now. Could the NHL use some logic here? The puck was in the glove. The glove was in the net. Are you kidding me?

Oilers fall to 3-6. Brutal.

Hall's Overtime Wrister beats Kings 2-1

[Event Summary]

[Cult of Hockey]

I didn't have the chance to watch the Oilers last night other than periodic glances at the box score throughout the game. Right as I was going to bed, Taylor Hall hit the winning shot in overtime, his 15th goal of the season to finally snap the Oilers losing streak. Great passes by Hemsky and Horcoff set up the winning wrist shot by Hall from 18 feet out. 

Here's what Cult of Hockey had to say about Hall's game, and he scored another great game on their 'game score' scale.

Taylor Hall, 8 – He and linemates Gagner and Hemsky brought it all night, and were finally rewarded when Hall struck for the game winner on an overtime powerplay. The personal rivalry between Hall and Drew Doughty (both pictured) is already exceptional, and promises to go to another level at such time as realignment gets approved.



Tomorrow night my friend and I are going to be attending the Oilers game here in Columbus, sitting on the glass. It's the first time I've ever gotten to see a hockey game up that close, so I'm pretty excited.

Went to the Jackets/Kings game last night

I apologize for the seedy pics, they're from my iPhone. But a co-worker and I headed to Nationwide after work last night to see the Jackets lost 4-3 to the Los Angeles Kings. Drew Doughty had a big goal on a really nice shot from the blue line, as did Rick Nash.

I wasn't a fan of either team obviously, but I love just being at the arena and watching the game live. Puck Rakers has the full recap.

Would you believe that my co-worker was tired so I got up and left about a minute before Kris Russell tied the game. We heard the goal horn as we were walking out the entrance. So we actually missed overtime and what would have been my first NHL shootout that I've witnessed. I'm confident that I'll see more.







Last time I saw a Jackets loss live? Opening night, 2006-2007. Last night was my first look at Wayne Simmonds.





The Oil play the Canadiens tonight at Rexall. My favorite NHL blog Cult of Hockey has a recap the other night from when they beat the snot out of Dallas. Today's post has a nice view of a game scouting top-prospect Ryan Nugent Hopkins. Now you see why it's my favorite hockey blog.


- Posted from my iPhone

Blackhawks 4 Kings 1 in Toews' return

[Box Score]

Let the record show that in Jonathan Toews' return to the Blackhawks lineup, they scored a couple of power play goals en route to a 4-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings.

The lone Kings goal was scored by Anze Kopitar, who is a legit superstar in the making. Toews also scored his 2nd goal of the season in his return to the ice, a very good sign for the Hawks.

[Sun Times]

[Puck Daddy]

Jonathan Toews to return Monday night

Jonathan Toews says he is ready to return tomorrow night against the Los Angeles Kings after missing six games with a concussion.

"I got my jump and my energy back," Toews said after practice. "When I'm moving my feet everything feels good and you handle the puck and shoot well too.
That's kind of the deal right now."

This couldn't come at a better time for the Blackhawks who have dropped the past two games without their 21 year old captain. That included an OT loss to the Avalanche out west that was lost in 8 shootout rounds.