Murray undecided on changes

Terry Murray said he hadn’t decided whether to make any lineup changes for Friday’s game. On Wednesday, Randy Jones replaced Sean O’Donnell on defense and Peter Harrold replaced Raitis Ivanans on the wing.

If I had to guess, I’d say that Jones stays in and Ivanans returns. Just a hunch, based on the fact that it would be almost impossible for Murray to take Jones out of the lineup, and Jones proved that he doesn’t need the “insurance policy” of Harrold. It doesn’t hurt to give O’Donnell another night of rest, because I’m not sure who else would come out. Here’s what Murray said about making lineup changes.

MURRAY: “I’m going to think about it, take the day here and think about it. Watch (the Thrashers’) game here tonight, see what they have in the lineup, what they have going, and make a decision.”

The Thrashers have a tough one, with a game in New York tonight and then a flight home before tomorrow’s game against the Kings. Interestingly, the Edmonton Oilers, who don’t play the Thrashers until Sunday, are already in town.

Also, here’s what Murray said today about Jones’ debut with the Kings…

MURRAY: “First star of the game. I thought Jones played real well, and I knew he would. I know him pretty well. I know his limitations and his capabilities. It’s always certainly a little nervous for him, going in with a new team, first game, but he was calm and relaxed, he made good plays and good reads. He’s got an excellent stick. If you take a look at the length of his stick, he’s got as long a stick as anyone on this team, and he uses it very well.

“He has that other skill, that is jumping up on breakouts and being part of the attack, and he ends up scoring the goal on the power-play because of his read on the back door. Overall, I think he played a real confident game.”

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