When Justin Williams returned from his broken leg this month, Terry Murray immediately reunited the Smyth-Kopitar-Williams line, and it didn’t really work. Now, after a few games apart, the line is back together…
MURRAY: “We’re getting into the last few games of the season, and it’s time to see it come together. They’re two veteran players on the wings, and this is their time of the year. This is why you add veteran players to your lineup, to step up and make a difference in the game. They’ve had, obviously, some great success together this year, and I took them apart a few games ago because of not working hard for each other. I didn’t think the line, in general, was on top of their game. Not enough desperation, and I’m hoping now that the time apart has brought that work ethic out. I think it has, and I’ll give it another run.
“This is what I want, absolutely. This was a premier line in the game at the start of the year, and unfortunate things happened. That’s the way it goes in hockey, and now it’s time to elevate games. Again, the veterans need to really step up with that intensity and that tenacity that is expected at this time of the year. This is the opportunity.”
Rich, It’s been said before, and It’s gonna be said again, but I’ve never afforded the time,
Thanks for all you do. Even if LA isn’t your team, or hockey isn’t your sport, the work you do for us fans is immesurable, and it’s more apparent as the season winds down and the playoffs wind up!
Thanks for a great season of coverage, here’s to a great playoff run of Coverage, and on to next season.
Hats off to Rich!
[Reply]
pautna Reply:
March 27th, 2010 at 12:43 pm
@Tmik, Agreed!
[Reply]
neil Reply:
March 27th, 2010 at 12:58 pm
@Tmik, and i do wish hope for your Cubs…Iam a Giant fan…not much better….
[Reply]
Minnesota Kings Fan Reply:
March 27th, 2010 at 1:40 pm
@neil,
I’m a Giants fan, too! Huge fan. I know exactly what you mean…
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
March 27th, 2010 at 2:12 pm
@Tmik, Amen. Best coverage of the Kings in their history by about 100x. There isn’t a year in the King’s history that remotely comes close.
Thank you for spoiling us.
[Reply]
KingsFanSince75 Reply:
March 27th, 2010 at 2:21 pm
@Tmik, I absolutely agree. Fantastic job, Rich. I’ve been a Kings fan since ’75, and this is by far and without a doubt the *best* coverage of the team that I can recall. Keep up the great work!!! Thanks.
[Reply]
DL has done a great job of upgrading the King’s talent base. Unfortunately bringing Modin and Halpern on board at the deadline have confused TM making him “drunk” on changing line combinations as well as the defensive pairings. He just doesn’t see which players compliment each other or where people should be playing position wise.
I don’t want to post negative comments and being totally sick of TM and the coaching of staff staff (this includes using Stoll on the power play point) it is better that I take a break from making comments on this website.
I have been a die hard King’s fan since the seventies and will continue to hope for the best for the rest of the season but have totally lost confidence in TM and his coaches (except Ranford)
This is my last comment for the season. GO KINGS!
[Reply]
neil Reply:
March 27th, 2010 at 1:02 pm
@CroMown Royal, Modin on the second line and Richie on the 4th????Richie helped us to where we are now while Modin hasnt really done much…
[Reply]
src Reply:
March 27th, 2010 at 2:01 pm
@neil,
True however I think TM is looking for a 4th line he can play 10 min+
And Richie can play with antone
[Reply]
Matt George Reply:
March 27th, 2010 at 1:17 pm
@Crown Royal,
I just bought a bottle of you and made my first Manhattan at home last night.
These drinks are like almost 20 bucks at the game so I’m gearing up to start a bar (ahem- “tailgate party”) in the parking lot.
Toasty before the game equals money in the pocket AFTER the game.
I’ll keep you updated on the progress and maybe we can start an un-official Insider party section in Lot “X” before each game.
Stay Tooned!
[Reply]
Let’s hope that Kopi, Smitty & Willie can rekindle some of that early season magic again heading into the Playoffs.
Has TM tried playing Handzus, Frolov & Modin on the same line? I think they could be a dangerous line, especially come Playoff time.
[Reply]
Skebo Reply:
March 27th, 2010 at 1:21 pm
@Rainman,
Yes, he tried that for a bit soon after Modin’s arrival to the Kings.
I think they were a bit too slow and maybe a bit of a defensive liability.
[Reply]
Reunited…. but for how long???
[Reply]
neil Reply:
March 27th, 2010 at 1:02 pm
@Luke Schenn’s Brother, Sing along…Reunited and it feels so good……..
[Reply]
Down go the Flames, 5-0. Rich, am I right that the magic number is now 5 for the Kings to clinch at least the 8th seed?
[Reply]
I don’t think I can remember Terry every speaking so directly in terms of a particular lines expectations.
I like it, and he’s right.
Game on.
[Reply]
Good grief, we’re doomed going back to this version of the first line. I can’t believe anyone is even remotely pleased that we’ll be lucky to hold on to 8th place by default when this team was contending for 4th a few weeks ago.
[Reply]
Matt George Reply:
March 27th, 2010 at 1:36 pm
@Capt Jam,
I totally understand, 4th would have given us a more solid footing no doubt.
However, the prospect of us meeting the Sharks in the first round has me extremely excited.
oh.. wait.. i meant to say (cough!) (cchoke!!) (gasp!!) (wheeze!!) Charks.
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
March 27th, 2010 at 2:18 pm
@Capt Jam, No way any team could of kept up with the Yots finish. So we really haven’t had a realistic shot at 4th. The rest of the seeds is a crap shoot. Everything is so close there is no way to play to end up trying to end up with a particular match up. It is what it is, as long as you get in.
Chances of us going deep into the playoffs are low this year no matter how you slice it. The only affect ending up low in the seeding does is get you a better draft choice in reality.
[Reply]
I will be in attendance at tonights game, and I’m looking forward to seeing the KINGS fire on all cylinders. GO KINGS GO!
[Reply]
poe Reply:
March 27th, 2010 at 2:46 pm
@TJB, Me too.
[Reply]
Bingram Reply:
March 27th, 2010 at 3:42 pm
@TJB, Count me in. Go Kings go.
[Reply]
Do anything to keep us matched up against the Coyotes in the first round of the playoffs. I hope that’s what TM is thinking. Do we really want to play Bettman’s team?
[Reply]
The key, IMHO, to this like doing damage again focuses on Williams. Smyth is going to plant his butt in front and control behind the net. Kopi is going to command attention and pull coverages because he’s Kopi.
Williams needs to do the nasty work Simmonds was doing when he was playing with Kopi. F1 on the forecheck, dig pucks out for Kopi and Smyth. Hug the half-boards as much as possible to keep cycles going. Move to the slot for shots whenever Kopi gets that ‘Extra’ attention and wait for passes to get shots to the net for Smyth to finish if they don’t go in. The little things, right?
That’s in the O-Zone.
Williams ALSO needs to make tape to tape passes, North/South and keep his stick on the ice when in the neutral zone while waiting for them. I notice Willie seems to worry more about the coverage on him than receiving the puck first and getting it down ice. He’s gotta lose that and just play loose. This line looked it’s best when they simply went North/South with the sole mindset of getting the puck deep in the O-Zone and not worrying about any hits they might take. That mentality needs to return.
I hope TM puts a shutdown D-pair with them as well. This is not the fastest line on the backcheck. Kopi can get back quick enough, but Willie & Smyth tend to get beat. Scuds and anyone would be a good choice here. Doughty is paired according to Rich’s lineup, but TM likes to change up. I’d put O’D with Scuds if the goal is to let Kopi’s line be ultra-agressive. Any slip-ups and those 2 will angle guys to the half-wall before any truly dangerous plays develop, simply because of their Defensive-minded positioning.
Guess we’ll see. Looking forward to a win tonight.
[Reply]
Cynic Reply:
March 27th, 2010 at 2:04 pm
@Cynic,
The key, IMHO, to this L-I-N-E doing damage. Sorry, I type too fast.
[Reply]
If you happy and you know it clap your hands (CLAP CLAP) If the Kings are gonna kill the Stars, clap your hands (CLAP CLAP) …..
Got to be alittle goofy b4 the game tonight!!
GO KINGS GO
[Reply]
just got home from a 10 hour OT shift. that should pay for some first round tickets and beer!!! woo hoo
like the line up tonight. except i think stoll and zues should switch lines. fro+zues+simmer= great play i hope that first line plays like we all know they can.
go kings go!!
[Reply]