What Jeff Carter’s Injury Really Means
By James Jewett
Los Angeles Kings center Jeff Carter (77) stick handles around New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist to score a goal. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Jeff Carter has been placed on injured reserve with a lower body injury. That narrows it down to the lower fifty-percent of Jeff Carter so what could it be? ESPN has Jeff, “wearing a walking boot Friday at practice.”
When Carter was brought onto this team he was a part of the string of additions that were meant to give the Kings some offensive firepower. His cannon was offered and well utilized. Amongst his shot are a variety of others that Daryl Sutter is calling upon for goals this season. Williams, Kopi, Brown, King, Greene, Doughty, Richards, Stoll, Nolan, Voynov, Frattin, Clifford have touched twine this season. That’s a lot of names – which is a good thing. The Kings have a balanced offense and most resemble the tortoise in the timeless children’s story ‘The tortoise and the hare.’
Slow and Steady Boys ! – This may as well be Sutter’s catch phrase for the 2013-2014 season so far.
When Matt Greene is trailing Anze Kopitar by one goal you know there is a problem. Dwight King is having himself a series of games and now has four goals himself, tied for second most on the team. However, I’m skeptical that Big Dwight can maintain this kind of offensive production. Now onto the real question – what will happen to the King’s mildly flavored 18th ranked offense without Jeff?
To the Stats !
Jeff Carter is taking twelve percent of the King’s shots on goal and with the way he shoots I wouldn’t be surprised if he accounts for at least eighteen to twenty percent of every shot taken. Not only are the Kings losing his shot they are losing the threat he creates. Without the threat of a Jeff-Carter-ripper coming from anywhere at anytime goalies will have an easier time tracking the puck and where the shot will be taken from.
Jeff Carter is tied for first in goal scoring on the team with Williams. They both have tallied five. This isn’t as pressing as the above but still will leave a void for someone to fill. Who will fill that void? Our team is made up a long list of crafty assist men and big bodies. Jarret Stoll we are looking at you – snipe away buddy. Dusty B., you and your ‘C’ have some work to do.
Tyler Toffoli is coming up to help keep the King’s moderate goal scoring where it is. Its in the middle of the NHL at 17th (2.6 Goals per game) Toffoli gives up a couple of pounds and three inches to Jeff Carter so the down low – puck possession – cycling – game we all know and love in LA shouldn’t suffer too much.
Carter is a big name to be out of the lineup but will the Kings be able to maintain until his return or will his absence be felt like leaving your house without your cell phone ?
It’s still yet to be seen as the Kings next couple of games will be against the Sabres who average 1.56 goals a game and give up 3.06. No problem there.
After them it will be the Vancouver CaShmucks who are putting in 2.8 goals a game and letting up 2.5. The Canucks are higher ranked in scoring and lower in goals against average.