Switching up lines in the third period is nothing new, but it was interesting that in the third period Saturday, the Kings shifted all three left wingers on the top lines. Alexander Frolov moved from the first line to the third line, Teddy Purcell moved from the second line to the first line and Brad Richardson moved from the third line to the second line.
The wingers were back in their traditional spots in Sunday’s practice, and afterward, Murray explained why he made the third-period changes.
MURRAY: “Just trying to be better. I felt that a lot of the game that was happening for Dallas was because of us, our puck management, our low coverage was very loose and not as focused as what it needs to be in a game like that. So I’m trying to bring some attention to that, talking about it between periods and then making the change. You’re hoping that something good can start to happen. I liked the way we started to play in the third period, but as you see, I went back to the same lines in the practice here today. I’m not mad at anybody. It’s just a matter of trying to get some attention to details.”
NHL on the Fly just had a segment on our 1st in the conference Kings. it always replays so it will be on a bunch more tonite. interview w/ jim fox then a discussion. feels good people!!
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Rich, did you make the trip?
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Kings are definitely on the spotlight. Who wouldn’t be impressed with what they have done so far? Even league No.1 isn’t a dream anymore. Gee … this is too good to be a reality.
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Rich..can you ask coach if simmy,s injury might have happened off the ice?? Thanks enquiring(sic) minds need to know…
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NO OFFENSE TO ANYBODY..IVE SEEN IT POSTED A FEW TIMES, BUT I REALLY DONT CARE OR WANT ALOT OF MEDIA ATTENTION…THE BOYS NEED TO KEEP AN EVEN KEEL AND NOT STOP N PAT THEMSELVES ON THE BACK. ITS TM’S MANTRA AND HAS BEEN WORKING THUS FAR
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With the Kings in 1st almost 1/2 way into the season, I went back and looked up The Hockey News Preseason predictions. Check it out
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/27434-The-Hockey-News-200910-NHL-regular-season-predictions-No-1.html
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no offense taken tornado, but the talk is exciting for us king fans that have been here since the purple and gold. not sayin you havent been a fan that long, and i do agree w/ you in liking TMs approach in keeping the guys even keel. but i’ll wake up tomorrow morning and watch NHL Live, as i do every morning, waiting for 40 seconds of kings talk (they had better get more than that tomorrow).
CAN’T……………. GET…….. ENOUGH!!!!!!!!!
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Jayhay – too true! It’s one thing to be in first through 3 weeks but to be in first at this point is something to write home about!
GO KINGS GO
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Rich,
Would you be so kind to ask Terry Murray for his thoughts on the play of Raitis Ivanans and what he thinks of his numerous offensive zone minor penalties and his ability to put the team at a disadvantage in such limited ice time?
I understand the need for having a physical and intimidating presence in the lineup, but having Ivanans dressed regularly and having a roster spot occupied by a player with limited abilities and a limited amount of ice time doesn’t seem like it works to the teams’ benefit.
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Ivanans role is an enforcer. Stand up against other team’s big guys and sometimes fire up the team by fighting against em. Like Parros in Ducks and Laperriere in Flyers. Not much of offensive production but that kind of role is necessary. As long as he stays out from unnecessary penalty (especially in offensive zone) I can go with him. He’s making some good hits too.
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Yes, but he isn’t even that good of an enforcer…
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Surprised you guys are talking about the fact that if we win tomorrow in Vancouver … the Kings will not just be first in the Conference,
THE KINGS WILL BE FIRST IN THE LEAGUE !!!
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Thanks for asking the question Rich. The answer was purposefully vague but HEY, you asked!
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Ziggy, thanks for bringing that up. I’ve posted almost the exact same request a couple of times now.
goldielocks, the problem is that he CANNOT keep from committing offensive zone penalties. He’s good for one every other game. Think about it. He is likely never to score, but he will put you a man down. I can’t think of a greater detriment to a team. He literally has a negative value! As far as the enforcer role, how often is that needed? And how many fights has he gotten into? One every 8-9 games? That’s not worth suiting him – at all!
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Media attention shouldn’t hurt a pro sports team. I worry about it more with a college team to be honest and if these guys let it go to their heads then it will be a quick and good lesson at this point in the season.
To me the media attention with them being on top of the conference is great. Where it will hopefully factor in is in our off-seasons now. Other players take note and it make not take the Kings offering more money to get them to come to LA to get FA’s here. Players will want to come as they see it as a place to win.
Glad the owners have let DL build this team his way because no one should be complaining about the team he has built. I would also argue you shouldn’t be able to complain about the coaching either. Many of us expected to be good. We knew the team had talent, but they have changed the culture of this team. This team plays with heart. Good/great teams win a lot of games when they aren’t at their best and we are seeing that with this team.
Considering the young players in the system as well, this is a great time to be a Kings fan. It has been a long time in coming too.
Losing Smyth was tough and losing Wayne is just as tough if not more considering how consistent he has been. But that just brings you back to the team winning anyway. Such a fun time to be a fan of this team. The scary thing is we all know the team can get much better too. They know it as well.
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Raitis has been in 7 fights this year. 2 of his fights have been rated in the top 25 fights of the year by fans of the physical game on another site devoted soley to fighting. In other words, he is doing his job very well, and is an asset to his teamates. His -4 plus/minus rating is hardly the achilles heal of this club.
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Excellent point B26.
When I think back to the Hossa situation, I thought it was very classy in the way that DL was willing to give up a draft pick just to talk to him. If I recall correctly, Hossa wanted a guarantee that we would be a 100 pt. team which was basically saying thanks but no thanks. Obviously DL couldn’t guarantee that but it makes me wonder what that conversation might have been like if it happened after this season?
I think you have great foresight and have made some great points.
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the line combo changes in saturday nights third period was just stupid. putting purcell on the first line was pretty much having Kopi and Williams play short handed. Purcell looked terrible all night, he is so weak on the puck and was pushed around very easy. he made a few very bad passes and when he had a chance to shoot he dribbled a peewee strenght shot to the net. i think TM should put hard working players up on the first line that deserve a reward if he is going to do thing like this. Purcell has not earned a reward period!
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Bruin — I think the culture changed this summer when Scuds agreed to sign with the Kings. He thought the Kings are where Pitts was a few years ago. Symth waiving his no-trade clause also helped. The kids saw savvy vets wanting to play here and that began the process of change. Incredible reading of the team’s inflection point by DL and then having the guts to pull the trigger. The kids now know they are part of something special.
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So what do the lines look like now with Simmer out??
Here is my squad
Frolov-Kopitar-Williams
Richardson – Stoll – Brown
Parse – Handzeus – Moller
Ivanans – Harrold – Purcell
I think with this line up you can make mid game changes, such as flipping Richie and Purcell, or Moller and Purcell, or Moller and Richie.
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Vankings – those lines look good. I mean if no one is called up.
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thanks Goldie. I dont think anyone will get called up, simply because Manch is struck by tons of injuries at the moment and we cant keep stealing all of their depth away.
If anyone is called up I would love for it to be Marc Andre Cliche.
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I like those lines too Van.
It would be a great thing if Zeus could rub off on Parse the way he did with Simmonds.
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Did anyone notice the passing inconsistency’s during the game? I caught myself a few times thinking a few more break out passing drills would benefit the guys. Not complaining about the play of the team overall I just saw a lot of passes intercepted or behind the player leading the rush into the O zone.
I have a question in regards to that same thought process… Does the system the Kings are playing open them up to turn over issues with passes on the breakout or is it just the “new NHL” and the speed of play now?
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They’re going to get the full compliment of drills over the Christmas break (minus the two days they’re not allowed to practice.) Murray already committed to that.
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Thanks WTFK… Makes sense due to the tempo of the season that they would refine over the break.
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