The Kings are doing a lot of things well these days, but if there’s one thing that they’re consistently having to overcome, it’s slow starts. The Kings are plus-11 in the second period, in terms of goals for and against, as opposed to plus-1 in the first period, but it’s not so much about the goals. In the first period Monday night, the Kings scored first, and were tied 1-1 at the end of the first period, but they had clearly been outplayed and allowed the Ducks to establish momentum, something that came back to haunt the Kings in the second period, when the Ducks took a 3-1 lead.
At this point, it’s been discussed, discussed and discussed. Today, I asked Dustin Brown whether — other than simply bringing continued attention to the issue — there was anything that players or coaches could do. Anything in preparation? Strategy?
BROWN: “Bringing attention to it is obviously the key. I think it’s the responsibility of the players, even for the first 10 minutes of the game, just buying in. Maybe we’re over-compensating if there’s such a thing. If there’s a play to be made, sometimes just chipping it in and grinding it out, and getting in that mindset early on. Obviously you want to make plays when they’re there, but maybe in the first 10 minutes, to get us that good start and make it tough on them, everything has to get deep. That’s something that’s put on the forwards. From the forwards’ standpoint, it’s a matter of making smart, hard decisions through the middle of the ice.”
I’d like to see more of what the Kings had against NY Rangers on Feb 2 it seemed like the Kings spent the first 10 min of the game in the offensive zone! Nothing wrong with dump and chase, I know its ugly and boring, but it gets the job done.
Go Kings Go!
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Dump and chase, dump and chase. Grind down low. Cycle, cycle, cycle. CRASH THE NET, WITH ILL WILL!
Take advantage of a tired, demoralized, Edmonton Oilers team. (the worst in the league, except for the Quacks!)
Go Kings!
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Obviously
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I would like to see the Kings end the habit they’ve gotten into in the past 3 games of giving up 3 goals in 1 period. Somehow they got 2 wins in those 3 games, but to me, that’s the most alarming trend that needs to be addressed and put to bed tomorrow night.
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Perhaps they are trying to accommodate those fans that show up late to the games.
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I think the blame for this loss rests squarely on TM’s shoulders. He set the poor play in motion in last weeks loss to the Ducks by sending out a horrible line of
Ivan – Moller – Harrold
Jones – Johnson
It exposed a weak spot and set the ball rolling against us. We need Harrold playing defense and Moller is a defensive liability at center unless he’s got elite players around him.
Drewiske coming back in a rivalry game with the Ducks desperate for points was also a horrible idea, not to mention, it took Harrild out of the D.
Harrold isn’t a banger, but he is quick, mobile, smart, and can find the right breakout pass.
Finally, why not return to
Richie – Kopi – Simmonds
Smyth – Stoll – Brown
Fro -Zus – Segal
Parse – Moller – Purcell
after those lines were so effective for so many games???
Did Detroit defeat us mentally? It seemed like Monday night we let the Ducks play our game and we too often didn’t get the puck in deep.
TM continues to be an enigma. You’d think he’d reward Harrold with continued starts on defense, but he seems to always bench him for Jones or Drewiske. Playing Harrild on the wing makes Harry look horrible.
And, Segal has done everything right and now isn’t staying in the lineup???
He’s got the team playing well, so, if it ain’t broke – don’t fix it.
Just please stop pairing up the 5 weakest players in a perfect storm of inneptitude.
Last thought – Richie is more capable of holding his own on the 4th line as center, so why not try switching him and Moller up. Moller has been horribly exposed as a weak link centering the 4th line, especially last 2 games vs. the Ducks – and that Fillipula goal a couple weeks back.
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I would have to agree Moller gets thrown around like a rag doll out there. At least if he were at wing the defensive responsiblity is not as critical. I do like his upside though, but like Harold size will always be his weak point.
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TM been mixing lines the whole season. No one ever says anything when we win, but one loss in 10 and it’s all TMs fault. (rolls eyes)
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there’s a real shocker…,”RESPONSIBILITY”
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