alt="LA Kings Insider with Rich Hammond" />Terry Murray’s postgame thoughts…
(on winning with a shorthanded lineup…)
MURRAY: “We have a lot of players out of the lineup right now, so it was really important to come and play the right way, with a good checking mentality and it was nice to score the first goal. That was important for us here tonight.”
(on overcoming some breakdowns…)
MURRAY: “We had some breakdowns. We had a lot of young guys in the lineup, quite a few Manchester players that got exposed with some pretty good players by Edmonton, but the goaltender has been good for us, the last half-dozen games. Quick has been the reason why, I think, in the last four or five games, that we’ve been able to get some points. A very special effort tonight.”
(on having to shift players around so much…)
MURRAY: “Yeah. (laughs) But a lot of guys stepped up here, big time. Guys who haven’t played a lot of minutes so far this year, guys getting called up from the minors, played significant minutes and really did a great job. An excellent job on the penalty killing by a couple of guys. That’s the way it is. That’s what you have to have, whenever there is injuries.”
(on Sean O’Donnell scoring his first goal…)
MURRAY: “He almost caught my record, for not scoring goals. It’s about 200 (games), I think. But that was a big play by Kopi’s line. Willie and Frolov held the puck, made good plays, and Sean got the puck to the net with traffic, with the puck right there. I was happy for him. He has played well for us.”
(on Jack Johnson…)
MURRAY: “He took that one off the ankle, as you saw. They did an X-ray here, but I don’t even know what (the trainer) said. It was a fluroscope x-ray, whatever that is. I don’t know. It sounds like an old way of doing things, and it wasn’t clear. They’re just throwing it out and going to do it tomorrow in Calgary.”
(on Johnson trying to play in the second period…)
MURRAY: “He gave it a try. He tried, then he came back in and said, `I can’t do it anymore.’ He was under a lot of pain.”
(on having Drewiske available to fill in…)
MURRAY: “Drewiske played really good. He was a big body up in the forward position, and I think after playing up front for part of the game, going back he seemed to have a lot more confidence. He was heads-up with the puck, he was handling, skating with it. He seemed to be a much-improved player.”
(on Quick’s play…)
MURRAY: “Quick was really good, really good. The post was good to us one time there, with Souray’s shot, but Quick was very good. It’s the way it has to be, whenever you’re banged up the way we are. Again, the special teams, the penalty kill was very good at the end. A lot of big blocks, and we really dug in.”
Just watched the highlights on nhl.com. Quick was EXCEPTIONAL tonite. Playing with a lot of confidence, aggressive and great athleticism. Stole us two more points!
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All these injuries might be a blessing in disguise as long as they are at the first half of the season and don’t keep anyone out for the second half.
It’s really causing the team to play for one another and understand they don’t have to rely on those elite players on the team. It’s up to them, in their lesser role, to carry this team to the top.
When playoffs come the character of the team will be there and really shine.
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Hey Kevin
My picks for tommorow are
if I can get them at these numbers
DAL -135
ATL +105
OTT Even
PHX +125
VAN -175
What you got for tomorrow?
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I got news for Murray…This kid Davis has done it all year and last year as well. He earned the spot. It was not given to him. He had to beat out a bunch of very hungry high draft choices (By the way are still not ready. He has sat because Murray likes the PHilly guy and has a soft spot for vets. I know TM sat Jones for one period but he also inserted him in over one of our hardest working kids we have ever had in uniform. I am wondering if TM will kill this kids spirit by doing the BS he does. Drewski show us all by moving all around tonight and ending up playing D in the crucial min of the 3rd. Love this kid.
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IJS, is there anything TM does right?
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He’s a good Time Out caller
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I agree with Gary L. Everyone on the Kings is contributing. And hopefully the rash of injuries, is a resh that heals before the playoffs.
Nice game tonight. Lets douse the Flames on Thursay.
Go Kings Go!!
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PP Horible – PK Even worse
These are directly related to the coaches. Yes he may not be involved on a day to day basis but jeez chime in once in a while and tell Kompon he stinks.
Also we lead the league in too many men pen. (Directly related to TM tapping players on the shoulders)
Also, Ivanans on the squad..Directly related to Coach Murray….no really I think he is married to one of Terry Murrays 2nd cousins..
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NOW THATS FUNNY!
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Hey Reno,
I was at vegas this weekend. Parlayed 5 team… my bet was 50, pay was 2,175. All teams won, besides my last team Montreal, who lost in OT!!!
Where do you make bets online?
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If I were a reporter I would’ve asked Rich what he thought about Corey Elkins’ play, too bad no1 asked him that
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How anyone can knock Terry Murray this season is ludicrous. Let’s be happy that the Kings are the best team in the west right now. He should be coach of the year. Amazing job, Terry!
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That’s the way the Murphy brothers coach
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IJS is correct, it is very possible Dreweski isn’t allowed to use his shot like Jones is for one reason or another and I will knowingly agree that coaches will play players over others if there is a history. Also Quick has been exceptional ……all season….. breakdowns up front are/were not his fault but they normally lead to being scored on like the other night in Vancouver in the 3rd period. How many games has Johnson, Doughty, or Green sit out this season….. and they don’t make mistakes?????????? As IJS would say….. I’m just sayin.
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Yes I say give him that 10 year extension like we do when a player has a good pre-season game and is injured.
The guy gets paid to stand behind a bench. If that is too hard then send him packing..
I belive he has done much more good than bad, just dont understand some of the moves made but I guess that will come with any coach. Just hoped that we could lock in Tippett thats all
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Agreed Ziggy,
TM is getting it done! Great game by Quick. He stole the show for us!
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We are winning.
Could we improve? Absolutely.
But where are we in the standings again? Oh yeah… top of the west.
Thank you Terry Murray.
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i think “i’m just saying” is actually Anthony UGH!!!
LOVE OUR KINGS!!! is what i am saying!!!
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I’m just saying TM has to be a finalist, if not the finalist for coach of the year. I can’t think of any coach having this much success with so much adversity including the kitchen sink been thrown at him.
…TSN had their NHL rankings and had the Kings in the middle. I have totally lost all respect and no longer have respect for them with their East coast bias
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@AK47
Someday, you should get a chance to go into the locker room after a game and see the way interviews are conducted. Maybe then you’ll give Rich a break.
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“Shot Mentality” = “Feel-Good Mentality”
Keep on feelin’ good ‘cuz it feels so good.
I’m not saying Murray sux – just that the stupid “shot mentality” sux – especially for certain players. Others like double D – ok keep taking shots. Shots for shots sake for all players is just dumb when confronted with good goalies that are not phased by loads of poor shots. Against average goalies – this strategy shines.
It is a coaching failure when so many pucks get passed right through the slot and no one is there to put ‘em home. So what’s left? Point shots with maybe some rebounds and scrums.
How many other coaches have taken bench minors this year?
I’m no Murray hater, but I think he has some things to improve on.
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Have to wonder what any “fan” expects when he is question the coaching of the team that is first in the conference. Almost laughable to me and people like that would never be pleased. I get the feeling with many sports fans these days, they are not really happy unless they can be complaining about something.
Great win for the team. Quick has been outstanding, but I don’t agree that he is the only reason this team is on top. It is a true team effort. That doesn’t take away from him but I believe a quote of Jonathan’s earlier in the year was dead on. I believe he said something to the effect that when things are going great a goalie can get too much credit and when things are bad too much criticism. I would agree with this in Hockey because the goalies are on that island where a little mistake looks huge in the overall scheme of things.
But with that said Quick has been outstanding. Best goalie this team has seen in a long time. He is a huge reason this team is doing so well. Just saying not the only reason.
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“PP Horible – PK Even worse”
PP had one chance, after scoring the game-winning goal. PK was 4 for 4.
“Also we lead the league in too many men pen. (Directly related to TM tapping players on the shoulders)”
Didn’t happen tonight. The last time it happened it was because a guy played the puck when he shouldn’t have.
Did you see the game?
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No, he didn’t. It wasn’t on.
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@I’m Just Hating…er, Saying… Dude, Murray has taken this team, from beginning of last year to now, literally from worst to first in our conference. What the hell have you done since then but over-emphasize passing mistakes by thinking they are trends? Like Frequency just said, last night the Kings didn’t even get a power play until very late in the third when we were ahead, and our PK was 4 for 4 and has also been the major component in our last ten game streak.
Seems hallucinatory to rag on Murray… Long term view and short term view he has done outstanding work with outstanding results. And by the way, tappinjg a guy on the shoulder tells him he’s next up, Murray is not standing there waiting for someone to come off the ice and tapping a guy on the shoulder to say “go now”, by that time Murray is already two line changes ahead in his own mind. And, the one unmistakable sign of good coaching is when the team wins with new players and missing players, because then it is down to SYSTEM AND DISCIPLINE, both of which used to be weak points and are now perhaps the King’s strongest points. Trying to be respectful but the more I type the more you seem (insert word here) up in the head.
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Boys, boys…this is the same person that said the Kings were going to tank for sure when Ryan Smyth went down. Smyth went down and what happened…the team found ways to win and look where we’re at…1st in the conference. I recall questioning if he’d be willing to admit he was wrong if at the end the Kings played well but i’m not expecting that to come anytime soon. I’ll just continue to enjoy the ride. Good win tonight boys!
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Im sorry, but any idiot who says it is TM’s fault when players make bad passes just doesnt understand sports at all. Im just saying, how can anyone possibly be bitching about TM? Drink coffee in the mornings, dont do shots, then you might just be able to say something intelligent. Not sure you have watched any games this year with the stupid ranting you do. How many times have you seen TM on the ice causing all these mistakes? I say sign him to a 3 year extension now he is the PERFECT coach for this team. Bad passes are the coaches fault…..stupid, just plain blabber
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NO human is perfect not even TM who has gotten super human results out of this team. New and Old guys. Injury after injury and we are still able to get two points in regulation last night.
Until you have have been in his shoes I can not possibly begin to try and second guess a coaches decisions. Bottom line is the team is winning even without 3-4 of our best players. Lets see Stoll (Best Face off Guy), Smyth (best guy in back and front of net play) Simmonds (energy and smarts also drives to the net) Now JJ (Good on defense and a great point shot) 4 guys out – Several guys called up and yet we win.
How can you second guess when he is still getting wins in this situation.
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Folks — The poster of hate has multiple IDs and uses them to bash TM at every oppertunity. If we won 75 games, he would complain about the losses. The guy is miserable and does not realize he needs therepy. He has been posting on Rich’s blog for a long time and has driven many regular folks away. Please do not let this one guy destroy an incredible season for us.
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anybody notice that O`Sullivan was benched in the third I guess players still suck after being traded.
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I’m thinking Anthony stays away because deep down he knew that JWill was going to outscore his beloved POS. Definitely one of the unsung heroes in the team.
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Bashing anyone right now is stupid. Asking some realistice questions about how to improve the PP and what to do 5-3 or choices in shootouts is another thing I don’t have a problem with…but it’s all in how you phrase it to make it a discussion instead of a slam fest.
I’m stoked that the kids are doing much better than anyone thought realstically this season. I hope that it goes all through the season and the boys peak faster than we thought.
Oh and sign Frolov now!
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Despite the overwhelming defensive paranoia of some here, I’ve never posted here under another name. To the horror to some of you, there are more than one TM hater here [even though I'm not a hater]. Don’t let your heads pop – it’s just a hockey game.
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It’s interesting how you (MY) self-identified with “hater.” I think the reference was to the person who signs in as ” I’m just saying.” Now, if you’re saying that’s you, thanks for letting us know.
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What’s the frequency, Kenneth? ->
Better watch out for those black helicopters dude. :-)
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