alt="LA Kings Insider with Rich Hammond" />Postgame quotes from Terry Murray…
(on the success of the first line…)
MURRAY: “I’m sure they feel good about it. They worked hard at it throughout the training camp and through the practices, to figure out where each other is going to be and how to play with each other. As they get through the games here, it’s nice to get some results. They’re spending more time together and trying to get to the next level.’’
(on the team’s rebound after the first-game loss…)
MURRAY: “There’s a few things we have addressed. It’s not necessarily because of losing opening night. You’re always working at your play without the puck. You want to improve on the checking part of the game. The special teams, in this care in particular the PK, has gotten much better since that first game. But with a group of young players, and new players that come into the organization, the biggest thing is just spending time together, practicing and getting some chemistry developed.’’
(on Doughty’s play, two days after his injury…)
MURRAY: “It’s amazing how that goes in sports. You see the guy make the big play in baseball to end the inning, he’s the next guy that comes up to bat. Doughty, to me, is a real hockey player. There was no way he was going to miss any time. He’s always, `I’m fine, I’m good, I’m ready to go,’ with that attitude all the time, and he ends up playing a good game and scoring what ends up being the game-winning goal. Just a great effort by a young guy.’’
(on the third-period poise the Kings showed…)
MURRAY: “I saw some really good penalty killing here tonight. That’s a special team that’s come a long way in a short period of time. I’m seeing guys really sacrifice themselves to block shots. A lot of that here in the third period tonight. The other part that’s really getting much better than last year is the communication that’s going on on the bench, to keep everybody ready and sharp, keep identifying parts of the game and situations that pop up in critical situations like that. It’s just great awareness that’s being brought to the next shift by people that, last year, maybe are not saying as much.’’
They played another solid game today. The Islanders don’t look like a good team at all, but credit the Kings for controlling the play.
Doughty makes some of the headiest moves you’ll see. He’s so smart and see’s the ice extremely well. The fact that the kid’s in his 2nd year and only 19…It’s scary how high his ceiling is. He’s a joy to watch in person.
Islander fans were booing Smythe every time he touched the puck. They’re pissed he didn’t sign there after the trade. That place is the blackhole of the league right now.
He’s making Kopi a lot better player than he ever was. Kopitar is playing like a #1 center..a lot has to do with Smythe.
Outstanding job of coaching by TM. He has them prepared and they’re executing his game plan almost to perfection. Get the puck in deep, puck possession,forecheck and crash the net.
Since the 1st game, they’ve limited the opponents chances to next to nothing. Quick has had to make some big saves, but he hasn’t been peppered with numerous quality chances against. Credit the defensive philosophy that he brought to them last year.
Right now they have no weakness in their game. Let’s hope it continues. Rangers will be a tough game. Their D has gotten a lot younger and a lot more mobile with guys like Del Zotto and Gilroy. Lundquist’s no slouch either.
Go Kings!
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Kings are playing good. nice to see them winning BUT and i hate to be the bad apple here its only the first line racking in all the points. 2nd and 3rd line are not doing much which is not a very good thing. I think Frolov should be back on the 2nd line. he would jump start that line and jump start Brownies scoring aswell. plus i feel Drewiskie is the weak link of the team but im thinking he will only be around till Hickey is ready?
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The Zeus line may not have scored today, but they were the best line going all game.
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People need to remember that it’s not all about scoring goals. Our third line contributes so much to the team that any goals scored is just an added bonus.
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Johnny.. if Drewiskie is the “weak link” then the Kings are in great shape! Do I need to mention the stiffs we have had on D the past few years? They make Whiskey look like the second-coming of Doug Harvey.
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The 2nd and 3rd lines don’t necessarily have to score to be successful, although that’s always helpful. The Frolov-Handzus-Simmonds line is effective just grinding out a shift and wearing down the opposing defenders. It seems all the lines that were put out there by TM seems to have one or more of the desired effects of either wearing down opponents, controlling the puck or creating scoring opportunities. And that’s a nice balance for a team to have to be successful…IMO..
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By the way, who leads the team in +/-?
Drewiskie with a +4.
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Drewiskie screwed up when he iced the puck in the last minute. force a face off in your own zone especially when the isls got their 6th man on the ice.good thing they didnt tie it up. only the 1st line has been pushing points. you need the 2nd line producing points aswell cuz what happens if a player on that first line gets injured? then what? anyways GO KINGS GO!!!!!!!
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Drewiskie is a solid young defenseman who a lot of teams would love to have as their “weak link”. He is impressive in his ability to take a hit or cheap shot and not retailate taking a penalty. Probably the most impressive part of his game is that as a young defenseman, he does not panic with the puck. He maintains composure and makes the safe play. This kid is a very valuable asset to this team.
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Johnny, Drewiskie didn’t ice the puck, it was Ryan Smyth.
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I think the team is pulling things together in a way that they haven’t in a long time. All lines are working hard. Kopi’s tied for 2nd in points in the league with the likes of Thornton, Backstrom, and Heatley. Once Fro gets his rhythm going, and we get our PK % up it’s gonna be awesome. Smyth has been a godsend. P.S. boys – hate to be spelling patrol, but it’s DREWISKE. Lol. Go Kings!!
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