Year-In-Review – 12 – Tom Preissing & Kevin Dallman

I think I spent more than enough time during the season bagging on these two guys. I'll try not to go back to those ways for this review. I put these two in one post because (1) they were paired together by the end of the season, and (2) I don't really have enough to say about them to warrant their own posts.


Tom Preissing played in 77 games last season getting 8 goals, 16 assists (for 24 points), ended at a respectable -6, and only had 16 PIM. At the beginning of the season he was paired with Brad Stuart. In my post on B-Stu I explained why I thought this pairing could have had more potential than it actually ended up having (which was nil). I don't really have too much to say about Preissing because I just didn't notice him on the ice during the middle of the season. Yes, he was there, but did he do much? Negative. For awhile I called Preissing and Stuart "Invisible Pair." They did nothing for me. But by the end of the season, Preissing was getting more minutes since the blueline had thinned down and was being consistently paired with Kevin Dallman. Preissing was also getting time on the power play, which I wasn't really angry about since, by that time of the season, I was just over it.

Brownie looks like a giant next to Dallman!

In looking at Kevin Dallman, he played 34 games, had 3 goals, 4 assists (for 7 points), was one of the FEW Kings players who ended the season in the plus at a +4, and had just 4 PIM. I think my biggest problem with Dallman was his size. He lacked the size we really needed, but I just accepted him by the end of the season because, really, he was better than bringing up a rookie from Manchester to put on the blueline. It's funny with players who only have a few goals in a season beause you tend to remember more of those than someone who was racking up the goals (i.e. Dustin Brown). I totally remember what his first goal looked like and remember the feeling of shock that I had when he scored. And I'm pretty sure his second goal was scored in the exactly same fashion.

That's totally David Boreanaz with the O-Face

By the end of the season, I didn't mind these two on the ice. Dallman was throwing up hits left and right against guys that were bigger than he was, so that was cool. Preissing was... competent and responsible. This season he made $2.75 million, which is what he will make for three (3) more years. I have no idea who he'll be paired with next season since B-Stu is gone and I'm pretty sure Dallman will be gone too. For Dallman, I guess I was glad that he was able to play in a bunch of games (out of necessity) since he was a fringe player at the start of the season. He made $490,000 this season and will become a UFA this summer. I don't think I have any more to say on these guys...

So, see you next season, Tommy, and see you later, Dallman.

Read more...

Kings 2, Stars 7

To: My beloved Kings

So I thought we decided that you were going to stop sucking. The season has been winding down and the games up until now have been good! Decent! We all see what kind of team you can actually be when there's goaltending! It's been promising! But when you decide not to show up, no amount of goaltending can save you.

You came out in the first period and it appeared that it was going to be another good game. The series against the Stars has been a good one. A ton of goals in only a couple of minutes is always cause for good cheer. This game provided no cheer after the first period. The Stars appeared to actually want to make the playoffs, so they showed up in the second while you did not. They were jumping on loose pucks, winning the battles in the corners, and getting shots off. You were just the opposite. How can you expect to score when you only get a measly 3 shots on in the second period? I thought that Nashville game was the last time we were gonna see an "effort" like this.

(Noah Graham/Getty Images)

Even the replacement goalie needed some comfort.

The only good thing I take from this game was that Dallman (3) scored. You couldn't protect my goalie and left him out to dry. Shame on you.

(AP Photo/Gus Ruelas)

Story of the season

With that in mind, I still love you guys, so I'm going to blame this loss on the fact that Staples Center now has Ice Girls.

WHAT THE FUCK

Sincerely,
the girl with a broken heart

Read more...

Kings 4, Predators 1

The Kings are keeping other teams stressed out by preventing them from picking up points. But perhaps the Predators realized that they should put Dan Ellis in net instead of Chris Mason because the Kings don't suck that much, right?...

Well, Kings get the W and 2 points while the Predators remain stagnant with 78 points and in 9th place in the Western Conference.

Kudos:

• Alexander Frolov with 2 goals (22, 23)
  
• Kevin Dallman with his second goal of the season (2)

Update: After the end of the game, this goal was given to Brownie (30) on a deflection, but Dallman gets credited with an assist.

• Matt Ellis for his first goal for the LA Kings (3)
  
• Erik Ersberg gets his second win with 37 saves (2-2-2)

(AP Photo/Frederick Breedon)

Where's the puck? Oh yeah, it's sliding over the goal line. Sweet.

Read more...

A Night Of Firsts!!!!

The Kings played the Calgary Flames and came out the victors 6-3. I was hoping that they'd bring the momentum from the great 8-game roadtrip to Staples, and they did not disappoint. They came out fast and caught Kiprusoff with his hands down his pants.

Yeah Giuliano!!! He needs more love.

So this was definitely a night of firsts:

1) Brian Boyle makes his Staples Center debut and does not disappoint by getting a goal!!

2) KEVIN DALLMAN nets his first goal of the year!! Whoda thunk?!?! (He also got almost 17 minutes of ice time!!!)

(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Love their faces.

3) Teddy Purcell gets his first NHL goal!!!

4) Jeff Giuliano was awarded a penalty shot. Has he ever had one before??

5) First time seeing the Flames #3 since signing his new 6-year, 6.5 million dollar contract. I would DEFINITELY NOT pay him $6.5 mil per year, but that's just me.

6) Kings take the last game of this series against the Flames with an in-your-face type of win.

Have we EVER had more shots on net??

Read more...