Mid-season Update

I can't believe my Kings are out of the playoff picture as of today!
They had a solid start to the season, but went through a losing streak
in mid-November. I figured it was my fault, since I was out on
business travel a lot during that time and couldn't watch the games.
But a current homestand has been horrible and I've had the displeasure
of watching each one of those losses.
It's hard to pinpoint a specific problem. But mostly it's lack of
focus. There are nights where they blow big leads, other nights they
immediately allow a goal after scoring one. Goaltending has been off,
but you could easily say that defense has been as well. Murray has
done a TON of line juggling. I'm all for mixing things up to get the
offense going, but at this point the haphazard line mixes are starting
to look like desperation moves.
Am I panicking? No. I can easily see is it as a rough patch the Kings
are getting though. But I was concerned 3 losses ago. The last thing I
want to do is look back to this point in the season as the losing
streak that was the beginning of the end.
There is a lot of season left, but I'd much rather be in a more
comfortable position. Fortunately, no one in the West, beside maybe
Vancouver can claim to be "comfortable". The playoff race is so tight
that losing a few games can drop you 4 spots in the standings. Win a
few and you are right back in it. But I've been waiting for the Kings
to get back on track for 6 games now....

The Senators are only looking forward to the draft. I don't think
anyone's job or contract is safe. Lots of rumors about player
movement. It wouldn't surprise me if older players are moved, the
coach and GM are fired and the playoffs are a realistic goal in 3 to 4
seasons from now. The only positive side is that maybe the Kings could
somehow get Mike Fisher. His contract is horribly overpriced and the
Kings would not want to give up any prospects for him, but what a
heart and soul player he is. Nothing fancy with Fisher. Think Dustin
Brown's checking combined with a 100+ mph snap shot. Maybe what the
Kings need is a seasoned wrecking ball, with locker room presence like
Fisher. But PLEASE do not confirm the rumors over this last summer and
wind-up with Jason Spezza.