I caught up with Dean Lombardi at practice today, to get his thoughts on what happened to the Kings last night in Detroit…
Question: Was there a lack of killer instinct last night? It seemed like, going into the second period, you could have put them away, but it went completely the other way…
LOMBARDI: “Near the end of the first period, we started losing territory. We stopped making plays, stopped moving our feet. Then at the beginning of the second period, I think we went 10 minutes without a shot. Then they score two goals, and all of a sudden we get (mad) and get four quality chances. But that’s the point. When you talk about the mental side of building a team, it’s the same old story. You have to respect your opponent, but you can’t fear them. Yeah, they’re still the Red Wings, and they’re a hell of a team, but we’ve got to get over that mental block and start believing in ourselves. I thought we looked up and it’s 1-0 and, `Holy smoke, we’re playing with them,’ and then – like last year – there was a little bit of waiting for something bad to happen. And it did.’’
Question: Whose responsibility is it to change that?
LOMBARDI: “It’s collectively. I’ve seen it with young players, like Toews in Chicago. I’ve seen some of the young ones start to learn it. Kopi was trying, Jack (Johnson) was trying to win. I saw some things there from the young players. Then obviously, that’s where guys like Ryan (Smyth) and (Justin) Williams, who have been to the Finals, certainly are a part of it, but it’s a collective psyche to me. Once it gets going, it’s contagious.’’
Question: And a guy like Stoll also?
LOMBARDI: “He’s another one. He’s been a captain of a team that went to the Finals. He should recognize the psyche of a team and say, ‘OK, let’s calm down, boys, and keep playing our game and start believing in ourselves.’ But again, that’s the whole thing that I’ve always said about building a team. There’s a talent side and a mental side, and it’s about getting to that stage where you know you’re going to win, versus hoping and thinking you’re going to win. That’s a process too. It’s frustrating sometimes, but you’ve got to stick with it. The one thing is, I really do believe in this group. I think they’ve got what it takes to get over that hurdle.’’
I hope they can overcome this hurdle this season because the team still needs to indoctrinate Hickey, Schenn, Teubert, Voinov, Loktionov, etc. and if these pups come in looking for guidance from a group that “hopes” they can win… yikes.
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indoctrinate is a good word…
I still think Smyth was a big reason why we did not have a chance in the latter part of last night’s game.
Two bad penalties, the 1st one in offensive zone behind Osgood, and the 2nd one on a PP that if he hadn’t taken it would have led to a 2 man advantage.
Have to give Smyth a pass though as he has had a good start to the season and was playing 3 G in 4 nights.
But the Kings got some bad breaks too. It was obvious that Cleary dragged the leg to trip Kopitar in the 2nd, which was not called, followed immediately by the too many men penalty which Detroit capitalized on. Detroit does not get that PP if the play is blown dead after the Kopitar incident.
Then in the 3rd, the call on Stoll was ridiculous as the opposing Detroit player clearly had a grab of his stick. That penalty resulted in the face off in the Kings zone which was won back to Lidstrom who made a heads up shot pass for the Zetterberg deflection to go 3-1.
Quick’s bad goal to begin the 2nd as well.
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I agree it’s attitude, and I was glad to see them get mad… but on the other hand it sucks the confidence out of the team to get bogus calls, and a lot of blatant non-calling on Detroit. I haven’t seen so much ignored interference since the Ducks made the cup finals… if they’re going to let the game go wide-open, then let both teams play. This kind of officiating is unacceptable in the regular season.
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your access is awesome and this site is GOLDEN. Thanks Rich…Hope the kids can get over that hurdle quickly…
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Although I usually give the refs pretty wide latitude with calls/non-calls, I agree with Pucktime (^^) about Detroit running all kinds of interference last night. That was the kind of junk that was eliminated after the work stoppage.
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Hey Deano, why don’t you put your money where your mouth is and bring some gritt to this team. I’m tired of watching them get out-muscled, out-hit, and out-played:
Smyth-Kopi-Frolov
Williams-Stoll-Brown
Clune-Handzus-Simmonds
Ivanans-Lewis-Westgarth
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I agree with DL about the collective mental aspect of the game.
We can talk about fatigue, both physical and mental that affect the outcome of a game, but there are aspects of the game that players have to overcome as a group; penalties, particularily the so-called ‘bad’ calls though frustrating should not demoralize a team. This is an aspect that the Kings players I would say have or are very close to overcoming mentally and it does stem with leadership roles from various players. And while the physical and mental fatigue typically leads to penalties, the good teams ‘buck-up’ and re-energize themselves from them.
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Khanon, that lineup looks pretty evil, I must confess that I like it…. but I don’t think the KINGS will gain a lot with a 4th line like that.
I am missing an additional solid point producer in the first line. Keep Frolov in the 1st if you like, though I really like his play in the third (not his scoring, he needs to produce more). But I think we’re missing a top-scorer to make it in the long run……. too bad don’t have any money left… oh wait, we do.
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Rich
Why do you have “mad” as (mad)? What did Dean actually say?
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Zad…he basically said “PO’d.”
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Khanon, what that 4th line gonna do, intimidate the other team every shift. Richardson is proving why we traded for him, and belongs on the 4th.
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28 KINGS,
What has Richardson proven so far, seriously?? Does he score? Does he take the body? Does he drop the gloves?? Is he above average in the faceoff circle? Does he skate exceptionally well? Does he crash the net? Does he get under opposing players’ skin? What the hell does he do that warranted a 2nd round pick, let alone a spot on this roster??
Please tell me what he’s good at, maybe I’m just not seeing it…
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And by the way, the same goes to Lewis as well…
With Harrold, I can understand why TM likes to play him. Do I like seeing in the line-up? Not really, but I do understand why he’s there, since he’s a versatile player and whatnot.
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Not yet, but has a MUCH better chance than Westgarth.
Yes, he takes the body.
Yes, he’s fought before, but it’s not his job to fight.
He can win draws,he a center/winger and that comes with the job.Can Westgarth?(No need to answer that one)
Yes, he’s an above average skater.
It’s not his job to crash the net, his job is to get in on the forecheck and grind it out, which he has done quite well.
That second round pick might be (and probably is) the most OVER VALUED pick in the history of the Kings. It’s was PICK 61…which is the LAST PICK OF THE SECOND ROUND, NOT pick 32. Big difference. If Peter Delmas (who was taken with that pick) becomes the next great goalie in 5 or 6 years, you’ll have a point.
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“Yes, he takes the body.”
I never see him take the body. Throwing a Kopitar style check doesn’t count buddy.
“his job is to get in on the forecheck and grind it out, which he has done quite well.”
Come on, give me a break, the guy wouldn’t get a chance on any other team in the league. I guarantee if DL puts him on waivers, nobody would pick him up. Lets be real here…
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Richie is OK as a 4th line centre if he fits the role you want your 4th line to play.
If you want a line of knuckle draggers then waive him (personally I don’t ….and I have never seen a team have really sustained success with such a line over a long period or deep into the play offs). TM does not seem to favour this and wants to be able to roll 4 lines (at least some of the time)
If you want a 4th line that buzzes, agitates a little, keeps the puck up ice and chip in the odd goal (especially if a top line player is double shifting down there) then Richie fits, and he’s cheap and is probably better in that role than burning a year of eligibility on Schenn, Loki or the like who just won’t develop and get the minutes in that role. Plus Richie can help out SH, which relieves some of our scoring threats
If Richie plays 8-10 mins a game, ends year with 5-10 goals and 12-15 assists probably ON AVERAGE worth 61st pick. Yes you can get a real top six forward with that pick if you’re lucky but you can also get complete busts (we can all name those) so in reality someone who has a clear role on the team and does it is good down there
I really want to see Clune, Richie and Harrold play together.
That line has possibilites. If we’re leading in 3rd Harrold can move up and play some shifts on a scoring line to solidify things……If we’re down then Harrold or Clune sits and you double shift a Brownie, Frolov or Smyth to add some scoring punch. Only have Ivanans in the line up if the opposition dresses an ogre…let Clune handle the Averys of this world
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Richardson has been playing some damn good hockey, and is getting better every game.
Not only does Richardson hustle, he is strong on his stick, fights hard along the boards and is positionally nearly perfect. He seems to have some offensive upside, but even if he never actuates it, he is a valuable hockey player.
If you don’t see that, you need to pay attention to more than just highlight worthy plays.
Enter: Little Big Man – A series I’m doing after every game, highlighting a player who made a strong, under the radar play that helped the team/game. I also post videos of the play.
Richardson got the first honor: http://lakingsnews.com/2009/10/11/little-big-man-brad-richardson/
Try to appreciate the little things. They often win hockey games.
Totally agree with 28 Kings, I’ve seen far too many lament the loss of that 2nd round pick.
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Talking about Richardson and the 2nd round pick. Correct me if I’m wrong but that deal was made before Stoll came in the deal with Edmonton. It was before Loktinovand before Schenn. It was around the time Moller was getting drafted and possibly before Handzus was signed. The point being the KIngs were VERY thin at center when DL made this deal. Today he would not make the same deal but he was dealing from a position of need then.
Currently the fourth line seems to be a slight problem but we now have three pretty solid lines and as the depth in the organization continues to grow, as it has been, the fourth line situation will work itself out. Remember in the off season people were worrying about the third line. We’re getting there… slowly.
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