There are all sorts of cliches and sayings about shooting the puck. The most famous is probably some variation of Wayne Gretzky’s “You miss 100 percent of the shots you never take.” Then there’s the Kings. In their last two games, they’ve been over the 30-shot mark, but half of those shots came in the third periods of the games with the Kings trying to rally.
Three times in their last six games, the Kings have failed to reach 25 shots, and they have outshot their opponents in only two of their last eight games. This is the direction Terry Murray went in today, when asked about the areas of improvement his team needed to show…
MURRAY: “I think we’ve gotten away from — and the stats back it up — away from the shots, putting pucks to the net. That is a very clear stat that’s popping up in the recent games. I know, whenever we come back to the bench after a shift, we’re talking to the line about the net presence. We seem to be looking to cycle the puck more than getting possession, having the net presence established and getting pucks to the net.
“The other area that’s creeping into our game is, the forwards are not seeing that the defensemen are open, up top, to make that tape-to-tape or indirect-board pass to them, and let them do their thing from the blue line, again, with the net presence. Too often now, as a result of that attitude, we’re in the offensive zone, we cycle, it gets turned over and we’re back to defending and tracking. That’s a difficult game to play. Then, as you get into the third period, and you’re looking for that comeback because you’re down by a goal or two, now your attitude with everything is, `We’ve got to get pucks to the net now, because we need to climb back into this game,’ and you’re hoping that you’re going to get a break with a redirection or a loose puck kicked out and somebody grabs a rebound.”
What I would like to see more often is, when the wingers are carrying the puck with speed to try and cut in towards the slot because it’s always more dangerous (in a good way) then just going around the net. Like last game I think Brownie got the puck along the half boards and had space to drive it right to the net but elected to go behind and then got cut off and had a turnover. I agree with TM when he says drive TO THE NET and it also helps to have a body in front. That’s why I love Ryan Smyth.
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My question to you Terry is very simple…
How can we get away from Shooting-Net Play and all other parts of the game this late in the season and especially in such a very Tight playoff Race?
Leadership? Toughness? What do we need to get back that confidence of we cant lose attitude?
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Anyone else notice that the Panasonic “Tough Hit of the Game” has never really been a tough hit? Like all season.
It’s kinda lame… we get to the middle of the third period and we’re supposed to see “THE hit of the game”.
I’m not sayin anything I’m just sayin.
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I'm Just Saying Reply:
March 26th, 2010 at 4:24 pm
@Matt George, Agreed..I see hard hits in the movie “Up In Smoke”
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@matt George
that isn’t true I’ve seen plenty of big hits at the games go on that video they show
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Matt George Reply:
March 26th, 2010 at 4:34 pm
perhaps I need to drink less beer
that way the board won’t look sho fuushzhyy
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It gets me a little mad when the Kings have an open look and rather pass the puck than shoot it. What’s so hard about shooting it to the net? You’ll get a lot more change shooting than passing. I also agree on what TM said, Kings cycle too much and don’t really shoot. Another thing is that when we are behind the opposing teams net, there is no one in front of the net ready to shoot or tap it in. Smyth is the only one that comes to mind, but we need MORE!
The Kings are constantly being told to shoot and attack the net. Just do it!!!! Don’t think too much.
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Matt George Reply:
March 26th, 2010 at 4:38 pm
@Lepper,
i agree to an extent … i seem to remember being frustrated a few games ago (well probably quite a few) when they were getting like 40plus shots on net but nothing was going in
it was like they just kept lobbing at the net with little effort on the skill side
hope that doesn’t end up being the case here
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USHA#17 Reply:
March 26th, 2010 at 5:58 pm
@Matt George,
The first two years of attending games I mastered three words, the first of which was “SHOOT!”.
The other two I won’t print.
Its more then the look, its fooling/freezing the goalie or stalling for time to allow a forward to move to a screen.
Often a good “look” is a low percentage shot. If you have the cycle going then keep moving the puck till the goalie is out of position.
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BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
March 26th, 2010 at 4:50 pm
@Lepper,
Agree.
Most people get mad when I compare hockey to basketball, but here it is: the offense has to move the defense around to get good looks. Doesn’t matter the sport, the principle is the same. Nothing fatigues a hockey or basketball defenseman than lateral movement.
The Kings are most effective when they go to the net and shoot, drawing the defense with them. The problem is that all three forwards have got to be ready to go to the net too. One on five will not score a goal very often, but a quick move to the net with someone on your side to create a short 2 on 1 is VERY EFFECTIVE.
The Detroit Red Wings are the best team I’ve ever seen doing this. They spread the ice, forwards on the walls ready to cut to the net. There are battles, usually one on one on the boards that are won or lost. But if someone gets a step off the boards on their D-man and goes to the net, there is a breakaway. If a D-man rotates over to cover, then someone is open, just like in basketball. Spread the floor, cut to the basket, weave, weaken the defense, wait for the open shot–that’s basketball, and it’s hockey too.
It requires top-notch athletes to do it–remember the one on one battles along the boards have to be WON, occasionally setting up an open opportunity to be FINISHED.
I’ve seen the Kings do it. It requires energy, dedication and certainty… Hesitate, and you are lost. Right now, the Kings are hesitating and they are lost, offensively.
But all it will take is one effective game to get that certainty back. Get it back as the playoffs begin, and the Kings are going to pop some team’s bubble.
Just watch!
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Deke'r Reply:
March 26th, 2010 at 5:58 pm
@BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy, Or football… if recievers run straight downfield it doesn’t take much for a DB to cover em.
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luc20rules Reply:
March 26th, 2010 at 6:07 pm
@BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy,
I thought that happened verse Columbus, but it just didn’t carry over. I just saying it takes consistency we showed it in the 9-0 run. We need it to start the playoffs, as well as Quick reviewing some film to get his positioning and technic back to form.
This team has talent, it would be like USA beating Canada for the Kings to win the Cup, but look how close that came to happening.
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Okay, but the elephant in the room is Quick–it’s a quick elephant and that’s why it’s hard to see. He hasn’t been the same for…well, since the new quick arrived from heaven’s minor leagues. Now I’ve concluded–one my own since no one else has really addressed this–that it’s too late to send the baby back….
Conversely, it’s not too late to bring Bernier back up to spell Quick, give him a rest before the playoffs and a chance to get back on top of his game…a chance to get his concentration back–and if he’s being forced to change diapers it’s all over! We’re going out in the first round! (Sorry)
In any case, if there’s one thing I’ve learned–okay there’s two things: the first is that trying to ride one goalie through one entire season and through the playoffs has never worked for the kings because no matter how studly they are they wear down and are not able to shift into a higher gear in the playoffs when you really need them to; and the second is that the difference in close games that are lost (for all intents and purposes) is that one bad goal that sneaks in that the goaltender should have been able to stop–that’s where we are now.
And why I say, Bring Bernier back up now! Or I’m going to cry and wet myself!
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Nitrohockey Reply:
March 26th, 2010 at 4:48 pm
@rontheking, I respectfully disagree. It is indeed too late to bring up Bernier. Now is the time for JB to cut his playoff teeth in Manchester, just as DL had planned at the start of the season. Quick should stay here and cut his playoff teeth with the Kings. If he’s rattled a bit now, put Ersberg in until he settles. We need to know whether Quick is going to be a true #1 goalie in the regular season and playoffs, or if he tends to sputter out in the post season. To call up another goalie without Quick being injured won’t allow a true gauge of where our goalies are, and how far they still need to develop.
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David Reply:
March 26th, 2010 at 4:54 pm
@Nitrohockey,
deja vu..
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
March 26th, 2010 at 5:10 pm
I’m so glad that’s the topic…oh, wait…it’s not.
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Nitrohockey Reply:
March 26th, 2010 at 6:08 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, you are correct sir, I yield. Back on topic.
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rontheking Reply:
March 26th, 2010 at 6:44 pm
@WTF, Kenneth? It’s as good a topic as any…besides, I just looked at the most recent blog entry, and it IS the topic.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
March 27th, 2010 at 1:48 pm
@rontheking, FAIL! The topic is how many shots on goal the Kings are (or aren’t) getting.
Its too bad they started calling interference on the goal keeper. That seems to be sucking away our intensity battling in front of the net.
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BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
March 26th, 2010 at 4:57 pm
@Masked Man,
Just watch Holmstrom of the Red Wings or Hornqvist of the Predators–both Kings Killers! They are usually the guy who goes to the net just as the shot goes off, and get the rebound goal.
Smyth does that for the Kings.
I’ve got this sneaking suspicion he’s saving his bruises for the playoffs. Bet he jacks things up the last four games, with a week to go…
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LomitaKingsFan Reply:
March 26th, 2010 at 5:56 pm
@BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy, Net presence is huge in scoring goals. It sets up the screen, it gets the rebounds, it makes the other team have to look over their shoulder more.
Smyth is as good as they come in this area. Hope he gets into a groove where he can play that role more often.
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im not one to scream shoot unless the damn shot is there, and trust me its been there. On the PP they keep looking for the perfect opening. We need to get back to basics in all aspects on the Offense i say. Throw the puck at the net bang the rebound.
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I think by nature we, the fans, are shot-oriented. We aren’t usually looking for the great pass–we’re staring at the net to see if a shot is open. We can also see it from a great angle, and the game is slower from our seat. Put that all together, and I’m sure they don’t see nearly as many open shots (and pass them up.)
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luc20rules Reply:
March 26th, 2010 at 6:17 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?,
This is LA, not sure how many of us have actually played hockey. I’ve really only played roller hockey its not like basketball where you can shoot over opponents. I hear fans yelling shoot it when a guy is directly in front of the shooting angle. That being said, I would like to see more players try to work a fake to get off a wrist shot toward the net, when a player is in front of the net to screen or clean up the garbage.
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Masked Man Reply:
March 26th, 2010 at 6:24 pm
@luc20rules, No harm in yelling “Shoot the Puck!” anytime unless your guys aren’t even in the zone. Its not like they listen anyway.
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IceGuy Reply:
March 27th, 2010 at 7:17 am
@Masked Man,
The Three basic rules of Hockey:
1. Never look down.
2. Always skate TO the puck.
3. Nothing bad ever happens when you shoot the puck at their goalie.
‘Nuff said.
What happened to when Zeus would park himself in front and sit there tipping in all those shots. i can’t recall seeing much of that lately. But they’ll get there, they are toooooo close to being good all the time to mess it up. Well at last they’ll look good against Dallas.
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USHA#17 Reply:
March 26th, 2010 at 5:30 pm
@Duffy,
I agree there has been a lack of offensive net time. Surprising considering the addition of Modin.
I disagree Dallas. That team is due against the Kings. And, the Kings are a tight team. What they need is a good blowout against the Stars or Wild.
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this was very obvious during the first power play last night. we had a chance to pounce on them early and all they did was pass it back and forth on the outside…no one wanted to shoot. sometimes you can wait for a pretty play to open up, but early in the game we need momentum and we get it by putting the puck on net as much as possible. when we failed on that pp and the 2-man advantage i had a feeling we were in trouble and we didn’t do much until the third.
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Micky Redmond, the color guy from Detroit, quoted Gordie Howe in agame earlier this season, and it was seriously profound. I can only paraphrase it, but he was talking about the idea that the puck sees about a 3 or 4 foot different angle than his eyes do, because the puck is at the end of his stick while his eyes are centered on his body. Howe said, “You have to think about what the puck sees when you decide where to shoot.”
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Masked Man Reply:
March 27th, 2010 at 11:53 am
@Player-X, +1
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when they didn’t shoot on the 1st pp, didn’t crash the net, didn’t look aggressive….I figured they’d lose…
unfortunately I was right..
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