Before Monday’s game, Terry Murray talked about the importance of the Kings increasing their shot total and, within that, getting more a “net presence.” Well, the Kings generated four goals, but their shot total actually dipped from the previous game, from 26 to 23. The good news for the Kings is that three of the goals came from close range
MURRAY: “It’s starting to come a little bit more consistently now, with the net presence and shot mentality. Our shot count is off, from the Olympic break, and it has to get better from this point on, still. I know it does get harder. The checking part of it becomes more of a half-court game, and creating is more difficult, but putting pucks to the net is something we still have to force.”
Murray also talked, in general, about improvements he saw in the Kings’ game last night compared to the previous game…
MURRAY: “There were quite a few things, I think, that we built on from the Islander game. Just the overall game, with the composure, with making plays, with the right attitude as far as desperation and heavy and hard play along the boards. I know there were some situations last night where they pulled pucks off the boards and made some plays in our D zone, but in the big picture, that was better. I loved our attitude late in the game. About five minutes or less in the third period, we had offensive-zone time, we were cycling the puck and holding onto the puck. Just doing the right kind of stuff in that kind of scenario, to stay in the offensive zone. Even after they had tied the game, we continued to attack and try to make plays. There was a great confidence factor, and I was real happy to see that part of the mentality and the attitude, to continue to go after it and try to get that goal back.”
It has not really been mentioned…. but the Monarchs are in SERIOUS danger of missing the playoffs…
All this talk about giving bernier playoff time and winning a Calder Cup etc etc… but the team is nearly out …
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TM, didn’t you love how your scapegoat Frolic came on in the 3rd period after you dissed him the last 3 and provided you with some help getting possession in the offensive zone?
Didn’t you poop yourself when your boy Jones gave up multiple outnumbered attacks in a crucial 3rd period and helped the Avs earn a valuable point?
I’m starting to dislike TM again.
Basic stuff and he thinks he reinvented the wheel.
Maybe you shouldn’t have moved Stoll to the wing and then to the 4th line, ya think?
I know even Pat Quinn would be doing better with this group of players. To think that DL didn’t even interview Quenville makes me nuts.
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VanKingsFan Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 2:06 pm
@Cristobal,
I would hate to talk to you after a loss… or a time when our team was actually bad… you do realize what our record is don’t you?
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threepwood Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 2:09 pm
@Cristobal,
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
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Minnesota Kings Fan Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 2:38 pm
@Cristobal,
Right there with Van and threepwood, buddy. What the heck are you talking about. Please go and drink from your half-empty glass of water…
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nykingfan Reply:
March 24th, 2010 at 6:34 am
@Cristobal,
No sense in arguing your points because their place in the standings speaks volumes, but the point about Frolov.
When did the Kings stop paying him? I assume that because you make it seem like Fro did something out of the ordinary by coming off the bench and playing in the 3rd period…as if the Kings owe him for that!
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Frolic = Frolov
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dtownmbrown Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 3:04 pm
Cristobal = Anthony(y)
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tantrum4 Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 3:36 pm
@dtownmbrown,
LOL!
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USHA#17 Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 3:57 pm
@tantrum4,
Still don’t get the Anthony thing…eventually it will click
Technically, the Kings generated 5 goals last night…..
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@van
It’s a watered down and young league and we have 2 of the best players in the league.
We should be making the playoffs.
Have expectations dropped so low that just making the playoffs is good enough?
I agree that I’m harsh, but the persistence with Jones, the poor lineups (dropping Stoll to the 4th line last week), and the exile of Frolov for no good reason really bother me.
Also, the Avs drafted second last year, the Isles first. So we should be toying with these two teams at this point.
I almost forgot TM’s words after we lost to San Jose: “they’re a better team than us”.
I wonder if that’s what Tippett is telling his Yotes?
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tantrum4 Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 3:38 pm
@Cristobal,
blah, blah, blah. Please interview for the coach’s job when Murray steps down. I would LOVE to see you run the show like you think you know how to do from behind a computer screen…
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I'm Just Saying" Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 4:00 pm
@Cristobal, Well freaking said…
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jet Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 8:03 pm
@I’m Just Saying”, cristobal, I love when you pat yourself on the back.
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David Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 4:19 pm
@Cristobal,
Look at SJ roster… They are the better team. But the better team doesnt always win.
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threepwood Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 7:15 pm
@Cristobal,
BRILLIANT!!!!!!
Because the Kings drafted 4 and 2 slots above NYI and COL (Avs didn’t draft 2nd btw) last year, we should be ‘toying with them’…
By that logic, teams like Anaheim (15), Edmonton (10), St. Louis (17), Detroit (29) should be kicking the living crap out of the Kings, who drafted #5.
Keep typing away buddy — can’t wait for the next golden nugget of wisdom that comes from your fingertips!
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Thought the team is starting on an upswing. As good as their record is it looks like the AVs and Blues may be just what the Doctor ordered (if he is ordering playoff tickets)
Really liked the way TM moved the lines and doubled shifted.
Am really beginning to feel that some of the defensive comments/opinions like Senor (or Senorita) Cristobl’s may be justified.
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Peole get on me for being negative after an overtime win yet TM benched Frolov during a shutout of the Isles.
And, I didn’t see Williams or Halpern criticized for backhanded passes across the middle of the defensive zone last week (which were picked off, by the way).
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lil Gary Shuchuk Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 2:58 pm
@Cristobal,
Why do you hate??
Are you saying you want TM out….do you think he should be fired?
He has done so much for this organization. Name ONE coach that has been better is the last decade.
Go ahead try it.
You should focus on the fact that we are a good team. How about the “new” first line. Bad choice too?
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tantrum4 Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 3:39 pm
@Cristobal,
Newsflash! The Kings WON the game against the Islanders, so obviously any decisions Murray made during the game were the right ones, including benching Frolov.
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@lil Gary
No. I do think TM has done some good things with a young team.
I just have issues with the things I’ve stated.
The past decade??? Not much more than AM to compare him to.
Both had/have strengths and weaknesses. I wonder, however, where Quenville or Tippett would have us. Or Quinn.
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tantrum4 Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 3:46 pm
@Cristobal,
And I wonder where Ovechkin and Crosby would have us, but really, who cares. It didn’t happen and we are where we are. Murray has done an OUTSTANDING job with this team. It’s ridiculous when people say, “oh any coach could have us in the playoffs because we have tons of talent”. Why isn’t Calgary in the playoffs? The Rangers? Tampa Bay? They ALL have more talent than us player wise, but it’s what the guy coaching them does with that talent. I don’t care what you say, NO ONE has done a better job than Murray with the limited talent he has to work with. And Tippett isn’t doing that much better, 4 more wins in two more games played is splitting hairs, and Quinville has only 3 more wins and “with all that talent he has to work with, any coach would have that team in first place”…ha ha
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mrbrett7 Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 3:49 pm
@Cristobal, Look no further than Edmonton for your answer with Quinn.
You always make some decent points Cristo, what you DON’T do is understand your very own points.
Regarding Frolov, FOR INSTANCE. His benching has nothing to do with one play. It has everything to do with a series of moments in which he doesn’t give two craps about winning or losing, and therein lies his problem he has had since he has been in LA, with every head coach and assistant coach he has ever worked with. TM’s problem with a player is NEVER the turnover, it’s how you REACT to that turnover. Do you bust your ass trying to win the puck back, or do you loaf after the play, escorting the player to the net?
You are correct, Williams, Halpern, Richardson, hell, the entire team has bad giveaways the entire game, EVERY GAME. The difference between them and a guy like Frolov is they act like they give a crap, and actually bust their ass to try to win the puck back. Meanwhile Frolov is off at center ice somewhere picking daisies.
Andy had this problem with him. Tochetti, Terry…every coach he has played for in LA has. When Frolov wants to play, he is one of the best players in the NHL. His level of consistency is that of a 12 year old.
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dtownmbrown Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 6:17 pm
@mrbrett7,
Great point. Every player on the team makes mistakes, they’re not perfect. It’s how they handle themselves after the mistake (which is really just reflective of how a player handles himself on the ice at all times) that makes the difference. I really don’t have a better example or “for instance” than the Frolov situation, so I won’t rehash but yea I agree totally.
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USHA#17 Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 3:54 pm
@Cristobal,
We had Quinn for a while, remember? Didn’t work out too well.
PS
Your observations are not wrong, the players are doing what you say they are doing…at least at times.
There is more to this then “shoot!”.
This is a young team with a “training” coach. He got more out of this bunch them we ever could have imagined. Enjoy.
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Tippet should get coach of the year. He deserves it
after taking the Yotes to the emperian heights that he has
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