The Kings got another first line today, at least the seventh of the season that I can recall. Now, it’s Anze Kopitar centering Brad Richardson and Dustin Brown, sort of a hybrid of the last two games. In Monday’s loss to Anaheim, Ryan Smyth and Brown replaced Richardson and Wayne Simmonds as Kopitar’s wingers, after Richardson and Simmonds had a surprisingly long and successful run on the top line.
Here’s what Terry Murray said today about the lineup change, when asked whether — since the injury to Justin Williams — he finds himself often searching for the correct combination…
MURRAY: “When Simmonds and Richardson were there, through that stretch, they were good. They really worked hard, they scored. We were very successful through our long road trip, and that was a huge reason why, in my opinion. I thought Kopitar really started to take his game back up to where it was, in fact even a little bit beyond that, in my opinion. I took a look at the two wingers, and I thought they were getting away from their game. The reason why I put them there was hard work, a skill level and really being alert to pucks, really anticipating plays and reacting very quickly to it. I think we just dropped off a bit on that, with Simmer and with Richie, but I don’t want to get too far away from that, simply because I liked what was going on. So I put Richie back there today. I just want to take a look at that. Maybe it will only last for a period, but I definitely want to take a look at it tomorrow again.”
As a follow-up, Murray was asked whether too much attention was paid — by media, fans, etc. — to the frequent line changes? Is it simply a part of the game?
MURRAY: “I don’t know if there’s too much emphasis put on it. I certainly put a lot of emphasis on it. I think chemistry is big. I think flow and intensity and workmanlike (effort) every shift is important. I really believe that there has to be instinctive play to a line, and when we get to a game against Anaheim, we were reacting to plays instead of instinctively going after things. We were waiting. We were almost chasing the game at times, trying to find the puck or get it back on our stick. So when I see that kind of reaction to play in the game, I feel there needs to be more. And the `more’ right now is going back to Richie on the left side, because of what was happening, just going back a week or two ago.
“So you’re not reading too much into it. If I find something good, I’ll leave it together for a long time. I’m not going to tamper with it, if it’s good for one or two games and go away from it. Like Smytty and Willy at the beginning of the year. They had magic. Every game, good things were happening. Scoring chances. Maybe not putting the numbers up, but scoring chances and confidence with the puck. So whenever that’s starting to show, I’ll stay with it, even though the results on paper might not be there.”
Correct me if I’m wrong, but weren’t Richi and Simmonds working on the top line pretty good together, so why the change when he says:
“When Simmonds and Richardson were there, through that stretch, they were good….If I find something good, I’ll leave it together for a long time. I’m not going to tamper with it, if it’s good for one or two games and go away from it.”
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Why sit down Harrold when we haven’t lost with him playing defense?
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It’s great that so many guys are playing well that Murray has the luxury of moving them around and trying different combos and they still keep winning. I see that as a positive because in the event of injury different players will be thrown together by necessity; this way they have a chance to gain knowledge as to what their various comrades will do in different situations, and…you might just find three guys who really click together….
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EA & Cristobal,
I echo those comments. If Simmonds and Richardson stray from the game plan their young they need coaching thats what TM is paid for. I agree that the D when I say that is not refering to just the Dmen has to play more responsible. The area between the faceoff circles must be protected. Thru most of the season we had layers of players defending that vital patch of ice, the last few games that area has been available to opposing players. Coach the players the system, maybe this is the result of players getting fatigued, but 2 days off I am hoping for the game of the 9-0 run Kings on Thursday.
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we haven’t lost when Harry’s on defense….
excellent appraisal….thinking about what’s been happening with the D lately, I think #5 is the 3rd most reliable man, behind DD & Scuds….
Peter always seems to make the right play, is calm,
in the right position, and plays stronger than you’d think…
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and I hope they don’t trade Frolov, who has been improving consistently of late….a strong +- over the last little while…good things are happening with him on the ice….
as far as Montreal rumors, what else do they have to do in winter but make up fantasy stories, trades, dream stuff to try and improve their miserable club….
yeah, they WISH they had Frolov…
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My major issue with TM is he has little or no ability for putting the correct players together on lines or in the defensive pairings. This is absolutely his weakness as a coach. He is solid in other areas but this is something that probably is not correctable. I hope it ultimately doesn’t cost us a shot at the cup.
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–STREAK Off-Topic Alert–
There once was a MTL 5-2 lead, to start the third period…
…And the Capitals have TIED THE GAME with 0:18.4 seconds left, 5-5!
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Holding my breath for 14 hours for Segal
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Does anyone care to visit that JR blog?
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canadiens end caps streak, 6-5 ot…
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–THE STREAK IS OVER!–
MTL 6-5 wsh, in OT
Plekanec with the last second tip-in…
…And now the NHL can breathe again/The Kings can start over tomorrow!
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TSN is reporting Forsberg is flying to Vancouver for the Games. I know he’s already said he’s not playing in the NHL this season but he’s the NHL equivalent of Favre and the Kings do need a high scoring LW…
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I’ll take a shot at pairings…everyone else has…
Kopitar Smyth Simmonds
Stoll Brown Richardson
Handzus Frolov Parse
Moller Ivanans Segal/Clune
Doughty Scuderi
Harrold Johnson
Greene O’Donnell
Drewiske
Jones might even be tried at a forward position…
he can shoot, but is pretty lame on defense…
Drewiske may be ready soon to take a top 6 position…
at his best, he’s probably better than OD or Greene,
but needs consistency…
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Watching the Ducks game and apparently Ahlers is suiting up for the Washington Generals. No surprise there.
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Real7:
Are you crazy?? No way is Drewiske close to as good as Greene.
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Lappy-
Just say no. Forsberg is a shell of what he was when he was with the Avs. He’s also more injury prone than Willie.
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Lappy, I think Forsberg is signed to a team in Sweden. I also personally wouldn’t want a 36 year old no matter how in shape. (I think that’s how old he is)
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Steve,to answer your question about JR.It makes me sick every time i see his face.I can`t believe he`s on the Kings site.One year of him was enough.
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Off Topic-
Columbus shut out SJ 3-0!
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My point exactly. I would never click on that JR link just to keep the number of hits low, hoping the Kings organization will delete it. I honestly have no interest in anything he has to say.
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Forsberg isn’t a LW anyways. Hes a center.
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I watch the the JR and enjoy him apologize
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Forgot to mention. No doubt JR is a well known NHL’r and maybe kings brought him in to get the kings some well needed recognition that all of us scream for.
Btw Jack Daniels green label = pretty good
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Ducks have given up two shorthanded goals now it’s 2-1 oilers.
I can’t believe how bad both these teams look right now. If we play at 50 percent we’ll dominate the oilers if they play like this.
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Dayman, you don`t have to apologize.It was just my opinion, for ever thats worth.Go Kings.
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I liked the Kopi Richardson Simmonds line. I thought it was working pretty well. Brown is finally playing like he can but I think he’s better off with Stoll and Smyth because he’s got that bulldog mentality and he just automatically goes to the net. That’s perfect for a guy like Smyth because he likes to pass the puck and make plays. Kopi is a bulldog too but he’s got more finesse. Richardson just hustles his ass off and is showing some great skill. Simmonds is just a really fast skater with toughness and stickhandling ability. So when you got all three of them working together they’re tough to beat. And I thought the chemistry was working well together. If it were up to me I wouldn’t break that up unless that line really starts falling apart. You can see it in practice if it is. I guess we’ll find out tomorrow. I think coach has to start making the lines more of a regular thing as we progress to the playoffs. We need as much momentum going in and switching the lines up almost every game imo will disrupt the chemistry and flow of things. JR is a trip why did the Kings put him back in here. The guy was a complete disaster and let down while we had him. It didn’t look like he wanted to play!
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I’m not going to question TM with all the success we’ve had this year. Like many others here though, Brown and Kopi are like oil and vinegar. They just don’t mix. I also wonder about Harold getting benched when he seemed to be playing well.
Looking like our trade is happening tomorrow so that may clear things up a bit.
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Mr Murray continues to baffle me. Says lines were working well, but decides to change them before 10th game. Tend to think he out thinks himself. About due to try to force #54 onto 1st line and PP. Keeps trying to put square pegs in round holes.
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Big fan of Simmer and Ritchie, but as TM said: “thought Kopitar really started to take his game back up to where it was, in fact even a little bit beyond that, in my opinion. I took a look at the two wingers, and I thought they were getting away from their game. The reason why I put them there was hard work, a skill level and really being alert to pucks, really anticipating plays and reacting very quickly to it. I think we just dropped off a bit on that, with Simmer and with Richie”
I think it is pretty clear that TM saw a drop in the play of Simmer and Ritchie, from what he expected and what they originally brought. Thus the change. It doesn’t mean they won’t be back there at some point and it doesn’t mean that TM does not have confidence in them. But the lesson from the teacher to the young players is to keep up the level of play that got you were you want to be. Sure makes sense to me.
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Brown had over 30 goals with Kopi at Center 2 seasons ago…
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This year the Kopi-Brown thing has not worked. It just hasn’t. I think it has more to do with Dustin Brown than Kopi, but they do not “click”, yet.
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Yeah, either go back to:
Richardson—Kopitar—Simmonds
or make it:
Smyth—Kopitar—Simmonds
Richardson—Stoll—Brown
Smyth has played well with Kopitar, and Richardson has played well with Brown. Simmonds would be like Justin Williams on the 1st line and that looks more like a first line.
Keep Frolov—Handzus—Parse together as they are doing well. I think TM sees this as long as Parse is consistent. He really provides a spark to the line and makes it more of a scoring threat.
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It might just work Kopi and Brown playing together, why not. They have done it in the past. But I still think the best option for first line at the moment is Smyth-kopi-Simmonds…
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