Before Friday’s game, Terry Murray had some relatively sharp, public criticism of Wayne Simmonds’ recent games. Did the public motivation work? Simmonds played 11:12, was credited with one shot on goal and three hits, got into a fight with Andrew Alberts and nearly gave the Kings a three-goal lead in the third period when his sharp wrist shot rang off the post. What did Murray think?
MURRAY: “I was real happy for him. He kept the game the right way, as far as skating, getting on the puck, keeping a `north’ attitude, getting physical — he got involved with Alberts early in the game — and that’s what Simmonds has to do. He ends up having a couple great opportunities to score goals. The line had a big goal at the end, when Brownie scores it, but a lot of good things happened on that line with puck possession, holding onto it and using their size and strength to their advantage.”
huh, i thought he stunk it up again, besides the fight he was a ghost. and i couldnt help but think, if he would have scored off that post the knucks wouldnt of rushed right down and scored. i blame him for quick not getting a shutout. no big deal.
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Lexigirl Reply:
October 16th, 2010 at 3:53 pm
@dan, you blame him for Quick not getting a shut out? I blame my mom for me not being a size 2 , but hell, we can’t have everything now can we. But a some point reality sinks in.
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8ball Reply:
October 17th, 2010 at 1:33 am
@Lexigirl, that line of thinking enters my head
a lot. be thankful for what you’ve got.
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USHA#17 Reply:
October 16th, 2010 at 6:45 pm
@dan,
In respect to the shutout I think you have to question the other two forwards both being behind the goal line at the same time with Simmonds heading to the crease.
Several times when the Kings were lackluster he was the only player pushing energy to spark the Club. He was not able to get a lot done offensively but contributed to the win every bit as much as Poni, Schenn and Richardson.
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ringo Reply:
October 17th, 2010 at 7:54 am
@dan, youre killing me, we are 3-1 not 0-4…geeeze relax. how many times has a team hit a goal post or a goalie makes a great save and the other teams comes right down and scores…simmonds had nothing to do with the shut out being lost..they reacted to the puck quickley, hell it carromed almost to center ice, we got trapped in the o-zone and they had a out numbered attack…sigh…some of you make me very tired!!
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I agree he played better. More urgency to his game last night.
In TM talking about that line it is helpful that both Poni and Simmonds are good skaters. Handzus’s lack of speed is sometimes a libility. On the goal that Sedin scored last night he beat Handzus to the net. Handzus, though usually effective, can’t handle the high tempo of some of the better skating teams. Chicago skated circles around him last year. He was chasing the play in every zone against them.
That line played well last night and if they can gain the offensive zone should control the play if they keep working hard together.
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YoBro Reply:
October 16th, 2010 at 2:38 pm
@Crown Royal, Gotta disagree with your Zeus assessment. Ginger woulda beat 90% of the league to the post on that play.Effective is an understatement for how Zeus’ line has shut down the opposition- and most all are top lines.Zeus’ smarts MORE than make up for the half step he MAY have lost.Our shutdown line is playing awesome.(And isn’t that their job?)
Go Kings.
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UKKING Reply:
October 16th, 2010 at 3:11 pm
@Crown Royal, I disagree, I think Zues is a major asset to the Kings, what he may lack in speed, he makes it up with smarts and tenacity.
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Crown Royal Reply:
October 16th, 2010 at 4:00 pm
@UKKING,
Not suggesting for a second that Handzus is not an assest to the Kings. That does not alter the fact that his lack of speed tends to cancel out his effectiveness against some of the league’s better skating teams.
When the playoffs roll around his lack of mobility will be a target that is a potential problem for the team. He’s a smart player, a good team guy, and usually reliable in the faceoff circle. I’m glad he’s part of the team but he’s one of the slowest players in the league.
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USHA#17 Reply:
October 16th, 2010 at 6:54 pm
@Crown Royal,
I happen to agree with you.
@UKKing and YoBo: A player need not be the fastest to be a asset. Handzus is a big part of this team.
On that goal two forward were behind the goal line wen the puck bounced off the post to center ice. A hard bounce to catch up to.
I guess they forgot Fox’s infamous “attack triangle” and didn’t rotate a man up.
I thought Simmer had his best game so far, but he’s still not up to 100% of what he was last year. I think last year he buries that goal. I think last year he controls Alberts better in that fight in spite of the 30 pounds he gives up. He was better on the forecheck, but he’s still not completely there yet.
Maybe he’s just a slow starter? He wasn’t last year. I hope he gets his groove back soon. Love Simmer.
Poni has picked it up for sure though. He’s looked GREAT in the last 2. When this line is on all cylinders, it’ll be fun to watch.
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USHA#17 Reply:
October 16th, 2010 at 7:04 pm
@Cynic, I think your right. Last season the club seemed to develope it character in the first game.
With the new faces/rookies and realignments there seems to be a longer “feeling out” period this year.
I sensed in game 4 a lot of players started to recapture their game from last season.
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I’m not worried about Simmer yet. We are 4 games into the season and imo there are a bunch of guys not”ripping it up” yet! But, we are winning!
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In addition to Simmonds stepping up, Davis Drewiske played probably his best game of the season.
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What is everyones thoughts on kopi brown and loki? I am starting to like how browns game is being brough up more. I think kope needs to start wrisiting a few and not be so egar to pass and i don’t think loki belongs on the line :/
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Bossy22 Reply:
October 17th, 2010 at 11:46 am
@Subby,
For a center, Kopitar has sniper ability, Lokti is smart enough to play wing, but it will take time. Kopi needs to start passing to Lokti, and let him set things up. I see reluctance in Kopi wanting to do that. Schenn would not fit at the LW spot, Parse is out. Things will start to click once Kopi allows it.
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no offense but i thought idaho schools were bad.
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WTF!?? No way. Is Lou insane??
Oh, I see.
Praise for Simmonds. I thought it said Parise for Simmonds.
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Tylervonallen Reply:
October 16th, 2010 at 4:07 pm
@Quisp, I was just about to post that… My heart skipped a beat when I signed on..
Sometimes I thinks Rich chooses certain words and puts them in a particular order, just to Eff with us. lol
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USHA#17 Reply:
October 16th, 2010 at 7:24 pm
@Quisp,
Oh, you a punny, punny boy!
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8ball Reply:
October 17th, 2010 at 1:58 am
@Quisp, it was clever.
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I don’t think that Murray was telling Simmonds anything that he didn’t already know. Simmer is a highly motivated player, and he recognized what was wrong with his game and began fixing it last night with improved play. Simmonds played a much better game last night and will continue to improve as the season goes along.
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I cant figure out TM to save my life. How does he give kids with no experince PP time and a guy like Simmons after scoring some goals last year all at even strength cant get pp time???? And I dont get how you put loti with your best player? Get kopi somebody that can create and finish not guys with 3 nhl shifts under thier belts. Kopi is good but not good enough to carry rookies and brown.
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KC23 Reply:
October 16th, 2010 at 5:22 pm
@Pesus, Perhaps, but its hard to argue with the results.
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USHA#17 Reply:
October 16th, 2010 at 7:12 pm
@Pesus,
Its a fairly mystical process.
Like pickup softball, somehow everyone just knows who will be playing right field.
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Dan H. Reply:
October 18th, 2010 at 1:23 pm
@Pesus,
Simmonds has stone hands. He’s good for standing in front of the net but that’s it and we have some guys that do that with hands.
Lokti is a playmaker and that will only be a bonus when he gets his feet under him and he’s not out of place now.
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What results? 1 goal (all kopi)
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Huh…I really like Simmons, becuase of his effort…but that kis is all over the ice…and he can’t keep his body under his skates.
Pretty much like last season.
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