The lasting image of the Kings’ loss to Philadelphia on Wednesday might be of the Kings passing the puck around on their 5-on-3 power play, and not shooting (or scoring). Beyond not generating goals, play like that drives coaches (and fans, no doubt) crazy.
It goes back to the “shot mentality” that Terry Murray so often talks about, and after today’s practice, Murray talked more about the emphasis he has put on it, particularly on the power play.
MURRAY: “We post, in the players’ change room, a board where, every day it’s updated, and it’s the number of shots that each individual on our team takes, as compared to the top players in the league. We just go with the top 10. It’s awareness to it, that you have to shoot the puck. You see where Ovechkin is leading the league all the time. Last year, it was huge, 500-plus, but he’s the top goal scorer also. There’s a comparable there. That’s a mindset.
“We talk on the power play, and we were just practicing it out there again. The guys on the back end, with Jack and Dewey [Drew Doughty], shoot the puck. Jack’s got a great shot, wrist shot and slap shot. Shoot the puck. Kyle Quincey stepped in here last year, and I thought he gave our power play a big boost. Why? He shot the puck. Just got it to the net. That’s all it was. He would take a wrist shot, shooting for sticks, looking for something. He wasn’t trying to score. He just wanted to get pucks there, for loose pucks and rebounds. We have young guys. We’ll stay on it.”
On the other hand, there’s this today from Anze Kopitar, in which it isn’t quite clear if he’s 100 percent into the “any shot is a good shot” mentality on the power play…
KOPITAR: “Yeah, we’ve got to shoot more, but first and foremost we’ve got to create good shots, not just shoot to shoot and have shots. There’s some set plays that we have. You have to execute. That’s the thing. You’ve got to pass the puck on the tape, or right in the wheelhouse where the guy can shoot it and gets the one-timer off. It’s just recognizing the moment, what the killers are giving you. I thought (the Flyers) killed off really well. We should have done something different, but that’s behind us and there’s a new game tomorrow. I’m sure, if we get a chance, we’ll be ready.”
at least the Kings dont have any MIDDLE body injuries…..
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It’s also moving your feet without the puck so there’s more chance to create a good shot.
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Thats why Kyle Quincey was 2nd in Assist for the Kings in 2008-2009…. with 34 assists.
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Sounds like me yelling at the TV during that 2 min 5 on 3 … “SHOOOOOOOOOOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
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On the 5 on 3 in question, they weren’t even trying to create anything. They were just passing it around between the three high players and no one was moving anywhere. There was no attempt at any sort of creativity. When you’re playing like that, SHOOT THE PUCK! You’re never going to create anything with everyone standing still. In that scenario, shooting the puck is the only thing to do and hope for a tip or a rebound.
Do I really have to say it…”You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”
Ok, I said it…
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Shots, shots, shots… After watching that 5 on 3, I know I was pouring some for myself. That was, without a doubt, the changing point in that game. The funny thing is they poured on the shots in the 3rd, but it didn’t really help them much.
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Kopitars thinking is exactly what leads to a crap powerplay. Passing around, not getting a shot, looking for the perfect shot and then losing control and having to regroup. For sure there will be blocked shots if you shoot but you have a higher chance of scoring when you shoot (>0%) then if you don’t shoot (=0%).
I agree 100% with TMs shoot and get the puck to the net attitude. Both king goals against Philadelphia and even the third almost goal came from far away/bad angle throws towrard the net…
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You have to sell a move and know where you’re going with the pass and keep moving. They did none of that with the 5 on 3 PP. That is simple practice. If you can’t get the defender moving, he’ll be able to keep his stick on the ice in your passing lane. I wanted to throw the control at the TV I was so mad.
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I get Anze’s point …I don’t like it.
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