A big topic of discussion Tuesday remained the Kings’ successful kill of last night’s five-minute penalty. The entire situation was set up for disaster. The Kings were already down 2-1, on the road, had just lost their team captain to a game-misconduct penalty and had to kill a five-minute power play against a Minnesota team that had the best power-play efficiency rate in the NHL. The Kings killed the penalty, which had to be a huge emotional turning point in the game, particularly after they tied the game 2-2 with a power-play goal late in the second period. Terry Murray was asked today about the keys to success during that penalty kill.
MURRAY: “The team was strong on the bench. There were a lot of guys rallying behind that. Everybody on the bench rallied behind the situation, with a lot of talk, a lot of chatter, a lot of encouragement and great intensity. The penalty-kill part of it, itself, I thought there was real good pressure before the power play got into our zone. Their power play relies heavily on Cullen being the guy to bring the puck up the ice and get things organized, and I thought we did a good job with our first man coming back and putting pressure on him and trying to get the puck out of his hands. Then whenever it did get set up, there was good, organized structure and pressure, and when they did get the one great opportunity, Quick was there to make the save that was required.”
Got to love the way this team is communicating and on the same page. There will no doubt be some breakdowns in the course of the 82 games, but considering where this team was just a few short years ago, it’s night and day!
And btw Rich, thanks so much for the coverage and a great place for Kings fans to share their joys (and frustrations!).
[Reply]
It was two games in a row that the Kings faced potential disaster and fought through it. In the first case, they actually scored on the kill, and in the second case they were perfect on the kill and they cashed in on the 5-on-3, and did so in seconds.
All such potential disasters won’t all turn out so well, but it’s good to have reason to hope any particular situation will. In specific, doing something like killing a major penalty can help turn around an existing bad situation (and bring momentum the team needs), and I think we saw that last night.
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
October 26th, 2010 at 4:43 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, Exactly. And what do the last 2 games also have in common? A freight train named Matt Greene!
[Reply]
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
October 26th, 2010 at 6:26 pm
@puck73, perfect timing.
[Reply]
@RICH
So how’s the Suite Game shaping up? Suite 4 sold out yet?
I am REALLY looking forward to this game!
[Reply]
BTW – What happened to Davis Drewiske this offseason? He’s been great!
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
October 26th, 2010 at 5:36 pm
@greenyellow, Yeah, he looks strong on the boards and even starting to get a little chippy. His play in front of the net has also improved.
Still needs work on his outlet passes though.
[Reply]
Not sure about “potential disaster” scenario. From what I saw, the Kings were skating circles around Minnesota and spent most of the time in the 2nd period, prior to the penalty, in Minnesota’s zone. The penalty did break their momentum for a bit, but they resumed the dominant play right after the kill and after missing on 3 open net chances, finally tied the game. The penalty on Minnesota, right after the Kings killed the major penalty, basically allowed the Kings to resume play in the offensive zone for the remainder of the period.
[Reply]
as Kings fans I know we’re all very pleased and proud of the way the team rallied together after the major to Brownie….
here’s a little stat of interest:
our defensemen, as a whole, have no goals on 43 shots on goal….but, at least, you could say WE’RE DUE!
[Reply]
Kings Win, Ducks Lose Reply:
October 26th, 2010 at 4:23 pm
@Real 7,
No goals, but a big 29+ minutes & two assists from Jack Johnson last night!
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
October 26th, 2010 at 4:46 pm
@Kings Win, Ducks Lose, Its amazing what happens when JJ stops trying to be Doughty and just anchors the blue line, shadows a puck carrier, or selectively picks a smart time to pinch in…he gets accolades from the fans and the press….IMAGINE THAT.
[Reply]
Schoeny Reply:
October 26th, 2010 at 4:28 pm
@Real 7,
Seems like every opponent is actively defending our shots from the point. They knew it was our bread and butter last season. I like JJ’s adapted wrist shots tho – effective, kinda. Plus Whiskey is getting good at that purpose wide shot w/ a bounce off the boards.
[Reply]
DougS Reply:
October 26th, 2010 at 4:42 pm
@Schoeny,
Speaking of which: I noticed that on Stoll’s goal, Johnson faked the shot, then found the open man on the wing. Smart play, good fake.
[Reply]
USHA#17 Reply:
October 26th, 2010 at 4:32 pm
@Real 7,
The opponents watched the tapes and were clogging the lanes.
Now that the Kings have successfully shifted the PP attack down low we should see the shooting lanes start to open.
[Reply]
Moondoggie Reply:
October 26th, 2010 at 4:36 pm
@Real 7, That’s going to change, particularly when Dewey gets back….
[Reply]
What impresses me is that it seems like the entire team is “buying off” on the system and the structure. I thought with Harpo gone and John Stevens in, it might take awhile for the PK to gel, but it seems they’re off to a better start than last year.
(Except for the “Miracle” games) In year’s past, with a last night’s 2-0 deficit, the team didn’t have enough to make it a game, and they’d be down 4-0…but now they seem to have the confidence now to make it a game most nights!
[Reply]
For anyone who didn’t watch the game on Versus last night, Eddie Olczyk said repeatedly that we are one second line center away from contending for the cup.
The reason I bring this up is because we don’t need a $100M winger to play with Kopi, we need another top center to play behind Kopi and take the pressure off that line.
Having said that, Stoll has really impressed me this year…I’m just not sure he can do this all year, lets hope. As long as that line can remain healthy and play like their playing all year, we are in great shape and the main reason why we are winning games. They didn’t score 5 on 5 last night, but they were dangerous almost every shift.
Secondary scoring will take us far into the playoffs and DL has lots of AMMO if the right player becomes available.
[Reply]
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
October 26th, 2010 at 4:29 pm
@Barry’s Mullet, Stoll and Zeus. I get the feeling that the talent around them is making them even better players. Edzo might be right, and I suppose it wouldn’t hurt if it’s the right guy, but I’m thinking they’re slightly closer than he implies. Also, if they dominate in other areas (and they’re only going to get better) I think they can cover for some of that “missing” offense (partly by providing it from defensemen.)
[Reply]
DougS Reply:
October 26th, 2010 at 4:50 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?,
Plus, a suitable #2 C might emerge in-house by the end of the season. During the pre-season, I thought that Schenn would be given a good, long look on the 4th line, and if he really lit it up, he would be promoted and Stoll traded. That doesn’t seem likely right now, but Loktionov has also emerged as a candidate, I’d say.
So we’ll see.
But I agree with Barry’s Mullet. I’m guessing DL has a hook dangling in the water for possible trades, but the fishies just aren’t hungry enough to bite yet. It’s the old thing he talks about, how there are a hundred trades that get discussed (with varying degrees of seriousness) but only a few actually get done.
[Reply]
USHA#17 Reply:
October 26th, 2010 at 9:04 pm
@DougS,
Think your right, the entire league knows DL is out fishing. Problem is that there just aren’t many fish in the pond this year and, it looks that way next year, too.
(Its unlikely Dallas would allow Richards to remain in the Pacific…)
This makes me think that Dominick’s comment below looks to be pretty much on the money…for the time being, at least…
Dominick Reply:
October 26th, 2010 at 5:26 pm
Guys,
Zues is only signed till the end of this season. Stoll is signed till the end of next season. All of the analysts believe that Stoll would be a great 3rd line center. Which leads me to believe that, even though alot of fans want to get rid of Stoll before the season ends, I just don’t see it.
We’re not ready to lose Stoll, and Zues in the same season. Especially since we’re going to have a busy time next summer, signing some of our younger players. DL has these guys contracts offset for a reason. To fade in another center like Schenn.
Getting rid of Stoll, and then letting Zues go UFA, might still happen, if we could get another center to replace him, but I see Zues going UFA before Kings trade Stoll.
[Reply]
Bill M. Reply:
October 26th, 2010 at 5:50 pm
@Dominick, I would say that you are right, in that we have two very good 3rd line centers (Stoll and Zeus) with different strengths, and we are waiting for a prospect to show they are ready for that 2nd line center role. At that time, depending timing, and on the strengths and weaknesses in the rest of the team, either Zeus or Stoll will be out of a job.
[Reply]
It’s extremely encouraging knowing that whatever 1st period hole they get into, they’re going to claw their way back out of it. They’re so resilient compared to years’ past, though they’ll have that intermittent game like Phx where they just blow it.
Simmer and JW were beasts last night. They were dominant on the boards. Smyth is looking great though not sure why he’s out on PKs and OT (tho he was close to winning it). Greene didnt lose a step. He completely creamed a few people off the puck.
Kopi is starting to wake up, and not just the goals. He needs a mobile linemate like Simmer to dish to.
How amazing is that 2nd line? Stoll is the other pleasant surprise, along w/ JW.
Seems like our goaltending plays a stellar 50 mins a game. Just need that last 10 mins.
Whiskey and Harold make me nervous. Lotki is alternately brilliant and lost. Clifford appears less and less apt for NHL duty and Westgarth is ok just so long as he only gets 4 min a night. We should carry and extra F and give Westy every other shift on the 4th. Zues is my fav but he’s been less than stellar in open ice.
Let’s build on games like last night and not lose focus, fellas. And stop passing on every 2-on-1!
[Reply]
USHA#17 Reply:
October 26th, 2010 at 4:40 pm
@Schoeny,
Yeah, exciting game last night.
Williams is showing this team what focus, intensity and body position is about.
He is a man leading by example. Right now every night looks like a playoff night for Williams
Westgarth and Clifford tend to get out of position in their own end. Rookie stuff. At least once in each game they played…dangerous.
Drewiske looks better but still loses focus and its shot from in close.
[Reply]
Real 7 Reply:
October 26th, 2010 at 4:45 pm
@Schoeny,
Westy is the guy who makes me nervous….I think because HE’S nervous, not confident, whenever the puck comes his way….it’s like: please don’t give me a breakaway….yeah, I’ll remember that lowlight
[Reply]
DougS Reply:
October 26th, 2010 at 5:29 pm
@Real 7,
I think it was… the Phoenix game… where he had the puck on the wing and some space, and he kind of bobbled the puck and he… just… couldn’t… pull the trigger. It was hard to watch, because I felt really bad for him. He was, as you say, nervous. And he blew his best offensive chance of the season so far.
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
October 26th, 2010 at 4:53 pm
@Schoeny, Harold makes you nervous? Totally disagree, Drewiske,Muzzin,and JJ (depending on which JJ shows up) make me way more nervous then Harrold. Peter Harrold isnt spectacular, but he almost never makes a mistake. Its not that he is physically imposing, he just makes good reads and his tecnique and skating are solid. Believe me, if he was stinking up the joint you would have more people complaining about him on this blog including me.
[Reply]
Badger57 Reply:
October 26th, 2010 at 6:01 pm
@puck73,
Drewiske seems to do better when he gets to play with the same partner for a couple games in a row, be it Muzzin, Greene, or Harold. I remember a couple years ago at the end of the season, DD and DD2 were tearing it up.
[Reply]
Tre West Reply:
October 26th, 2010 at 6:11 pm
@puck73, I agree with you on Harrold. He’s the poor man’s Rob Scuderi.
[Reply]
YoBro Reply:
October 26th, 2010 at 8:25 pm
@puck73, Couldn’t agree more, Harry has been very reliable in his limited time so far this year. He also seems a good bit stronger as well, in that he hasn’t gotten pushed around out there like in the past. Now Whiskey, while better, still makes me nervous when he’s pressured even a little.
Go Kings
[Reply]
Barry's Mullet Reply:
October 26th, 2010 at 4:54 pm
@Schoeny, They should be nervous…less than 8 games of NHL experience when they dreamed about this their entire life. These kids will only get better over time.
I think when Parse comes back, Clifford probably goes back to junior. But I would not be shocked if Westy sits a few games and Clifford gets his full 10 game tryout…he’s more aggressive and doesn’t take bad penalties like Westy has.
[Reply]
Hockey, the ultimate team sport!
[Reply]
Besides the Brown call, the only issue I had last night was with the Versus announcers. They make Brian Hayward look fair and balanced. Two teams folks. TWO TEAMS.
[Reply]
Buster Reply:
October 26th, 2010 at 11:03 pm
@Marty’s Knuckles,
I did not know that. Of course I had the volume muted on the TV and the Kings radio feed on this computer.
[Reply]
The funny thing was that I thought one of the keys of that game was to stay out of the penalty box so they wouldn’t score on us. Guess I was wrong on that one BIG TIME.
[Reply]