Trevor Lewis had, arguably, his strongest game of the season for the Kings last night, and got rewarded for it (on the score sheet) with two assists, his first two points of the season. Lewis made a particularly good move in the first minute of the game. Lewis got the puck in the neutral zone, held it with poise until the proper moment presented itself, then found a streaking Brad Richardson, who skated in and scored the first goal of the game. A frequent healthy scratch early in the season, Lewis, of late, has solidified the fourth-line center role and earned good praise from coach Terry Murray for his play against the Bruins…
MURRAY: “Trevor Lewis had a really good game. He’s a very good skater. He’s got speed. He can keep up with their fast forwards. He’s very good on the penalty kill as a result of that, but overall, I thought his game was very intense and hard. Again, he’s just doing the right stuff, night in and night out.”
Is anybody going to dispute this? Lewis has looked stronger every game for the last several, and he appeared almost dominate last night. He finally looks comfortable in his NHL shoes. Congrats.
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LV is the way Reply:
November 21st, 2010 at 3:31 pm
@Bill M., I think he should get a shot with Kopi and Brown on the so called top line.
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Crown Royal Reply:
November 21st, 2010 at 5:47 pm
@LV is the way,
Lewis is third or fourth line player. He lacks elite skill and doesn’t seem to be much of a finisher. He played very well last night and has added intensity and good hockey sense to his play recently. He has always been a good skater.
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Forum67 Reply:
November 22nd, 2010 at 12:47 pm
@Crown Royal,
You MAY be right about Lewis. However, I think you would agree that at a minimum he is at least as good as Dwight King. So moving him to the first line doesn’t make a bad situation worse and it might even improve the first line.
Forum67 Reply:
November 22nd, 2010 at 12:44 pm
@LV is the way,
I agree. I said the same thing in another post before I read your comment.
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Crown Royal Reply:
November 21st, 2010 at 6:24 pm
@Bill M.,
I saw Lewis before he was drafted and he projected as pretty much the kind of player he’s turned out to be so far. Good skater, intelligent and pretty hard working although he wasn’t particularly physical then. He is playing a more physical game lately which can make the difference for him being an effective NHL player. Yes, he has been getting better. Hope he continues on that path.
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cjms Reply:
November 21st, 2010 at 8:40 pm
@Crown Royal, A little undersized, but a guy in the Richardson mold. Won’t score much but plays a solid two-way game. A good guy to have on your bottom two lines.
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Crown Royal Reply:
November 22nd, 2010 at 4:52 am
@cjms,
There is a little bit of similarity with Richardson. Lewis isn’t small…more of a medium sized player. He needs to continue working on his faceoffs. If he can improve there and build on what he’s been doing lately then there is a definite place for him in the NHL.
So how about Lewis on Kopitar’s line. We could use some speed up there.
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King John Reply:
November 21st, 2010 at 2:52 pm
@Mike,
Yeah, we need to try something different, someone to open up some space for Kopi and Brown, like Parse did.
I was excited to watch the top two lines work to score when Parse was playing, seeing his progress and rooting for him to do well. Now it can be a drag watching the 1st line without a legit LW w/Kopi.
Parse probably won’t be up to speed or have a chance this season, so either we promote a scorer or eventually trade for one.
I’m wondering if they’re prepping Schenn to try out on the 1st line, or maybe Schenn for 4th line center and then Lewis to the 1st line…
Lewis—Kopitar—Brown
Smyth—Stoll—Williams
Clifford—Handzus—Simmonds
Richardson—Schenn—Westgarth
…until Poni gets back.
We haven’t had to talk about lines much this season because the top three lines had been set except for #1-LW.
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Cry Baby Reply:
November 21st, 2010 at 3:12 pm
@King John, I am loving a little depth. I hope everyone gets their feet wet in various positions and situations because rolling 4 lines in the playoffs (assuming the Kings are in there) will be essential.
I am happy that Lewis seems to be finding his way at the NHL level.
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cjms Reply:
November 21st, 2010 at 8:49 pm
@King John, Please, no. That will be the 7th guy to play on the first line, if we count the two different stints Richardson has had. Kopitar is probably wondering if TM is insane.
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DougS Reply:
November 21st, 2010 at 3:24 pm
@Mike,
Lewis is a center. You’re going to play him out of position just when he’s starting to settle in at the NHL level? That’s probably asking a little much of the kid.
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puck73 Reply:
November 22nd, 2010 at 7:45 am
@DougS, Thank you for some common sense. Tired of trying to play natural centers as wings on our team…use players to their strengths !
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Forum67 Reply:
November 22nd, 2010 at 12:54 pm
@puck73,
Hmmm. I wonder how much Lewis would like this common sense approach? I am betting that he would LOVE the additional ice time that a stint on the top line would provide for him. And we are not dealing with a goalie here. It’s not as if his confidence would be shattered if things didn’t work out on the top line for him. And isn’t there at least a possibility that it MIGHT work out just fine until we can get a “real” left winger for that line?
But all of the above notwithstanding, I think Mr. King is more of an anchor on the 1st line than he is a help. And for his size he isn’t even that strong on the puck along the boards.
I think it’s time we start including Lewis in the conversation with Schenn, Clifford, Loktionov, Hickey, et al when gushing about the Kings’ strong future.
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Simarosa Reply:
November 21st, 2010 at 5:07 pm
@Gerard,
Unfortunately I wouldn’t do much gushing about Hickey at this point, his play so far this season he’s been just terrible. He is not the Tom Hickey that we saw in Manchester during the playoffs last season.
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puck73 Reply:
November 22nd, 2010 at 7:50 am
@Simarosa, He is a plus 5 currently and is starting to play better. That being said, I would have to believe that if cuys like Hickey and Martinez were ready they would either be here now, or we may see them some time later this season. No matter what happens, I trust DL, Hexy, and Mark Morris. I think they know more then us.
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When the veterans are gone:
Kopi-lokti-Schenn-Lewis as our centers? I can live with that!
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Lewie really impressed me last night. Even without the puck (and his assists) he is making smart choices out there and skating really well. Keep up the great work. Liked seeing him on the PK too….especially when some of the Kings that are typically on the PK are in the penalty box. Great effort. It makes it harder for Schenn to return to the NHL this year, but maybe another year for Schenn to improve in Manchester might be the answer.
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tornado12 Reply:
November 21st, 2010 at 10:43 pm
@LA HOCKEY Girl, Schenn cant play in manchester for more than the 2 week “conditioning assignment”. if he doesnt play in NHL, he goes back to juniors
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Lewis had a great game last night. He was skating well and seemed to make all the right decisions. I like Him and Richardson playing together. I even think Westgarth played a solid game last night.
I also thought Clifford had a solid game on the 3rd line with a checking role. He played solid against Bostons top line.. I know he took that penalty at the end, but he had. But the the 19 year old made some sound defensive plays you can’t teach vets last night.
Now if only we could fix our PP and our d-man problems we will be set!
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Harty Reply:
November 21st, 2010 at 5:57 pm
@kylecliffordfan, I agree with all you said, and once again I would like to congratulate Westgarth, really good game sir..
I know I have rode him hard all season, well last night he definitely showed some positive signs……
Leave Quick alone now for Ottawa and Montreal
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anyone mention the PP yet???
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Shakes Reply:
November 21st, 2010 at 3:53 pm
@neil,
PP!
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Dazed N Confused Reply:
November 21st, 2010 at 7:08 pm
@neil, What PP???? Do we even have a PP goal?? I know we do but it does not look like we have scored one yet.
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clifford and king looked good .keep going guys.kings will be allright.go kings
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Lewis has been a pleasant surprise. He’s been working hard since the Chicago game.
One DL threw away??? Brian Boyle with 8 goals, 1assist, a +\- of zero, and 51 hits. Perhaps he’s coming into his own after getting some regular NHL minutes.
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LW Anybody? Reply:
November 21st, 2010 at 7:45 pm
@Cristobal, I always liked Boyle. Reminds me of John Leclair. Just a big guy, but with nice hands and a hard accurate shot. Never understood why TM kept trying to make him into some kind of defensive goon type. Just plant him in front of the net, and he will eventually score you 25-30 goals in this league.
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jet Reply:
November 22nd, 2010 at 9:25 am
@Cristobal, That is okay, because DL has stolen 8 or 9 quality players. I like that ratio. Keep up the good work DL.
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He was completely ignored by the Boston media. They gave two Boston players with a point each 2nd and 3rd star, and gave Zeus first star (of course, they snubbed Quick too, because he showed up their hotshot head-to-head.)
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rontheking Reply:
November 21st, 2010 at 4:25 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?,
what’s the frequency indeed? those boston bastahds!
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KC23 Reply:
November 21st, 2010 at 7:44 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, I think there is some dirty pool afoot with regard to keeping Quick out of the running for the Vezina trophy running.
How could Quick not be one of the first 3 stars in that game and check out this quote on the preview to tomorrows Sens game:
“Following Saturday’s inconsistent performance by goalie Jonathan Quick, head coach Terry Murray was asked whether he would rethink his plan in which he had Quick penciled in as the regular starter and backup Jonathan Bernier filling in for about one start a week.
“It’s getting close to (having to reconsider),” Murray said. “I might wait for that decision (until) after we get back from this road trip.”
As I understood it he was re-thinking because of Bernier’s inconsistant play not Quicks.
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In the last few games Lewis has looked better than Schenn ever has. TM picked the right guy to keep on the team. Keeping the team winning and getting a feel for your debth while dealing with 2 junior type contracts is a tricky business. One of which I think the King’s have done an outstanding job in.
I think us fans need to step back a second and think about our situation. What was our weakest aspect of the team going into this season?
The answer … Left wing. What has happened this season regarding LW? We’ve lost two starters to injury. With our line up the one spot we could least afford injury is EXACTLY what we’ve had to deal with X2.
I’d say we are managing pretty well considering.
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puck73 Reply:
November 22nd, 2010 at 8:04 am
@KC23, I think at age 26 Parse was ready and had 4 pts in games until the injury. Looking back, I think Scott came back too early, then he overcompensated by using his hip which in turn caused another injury and now he will need surgery and we wont see him til later this season possibly. Anyway, from what I have seen, including his back checking, I think Scott Parse is already a good player and will add a lot to this team when he heals.
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lewis looks really solid–i think he was the best player on the ice last night…he really shone. i really hope he can keep it up. nice to see a guy realize his potential….
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puck73 Reply:
November 22nd, 2010 at 8:11 am
@rontheking, That would be something wouldnt it ? I know for the last couple of training camps and exhibition games over the kast couple of seasons it seemed like this guy was totally invisible and a complete bust. Fast forward to the last couple of games and I gotta admit I was watching the games yelling at the tv saying…’I cant believe this is the same Trevor Lewis who was invisible!” I guess we have to give credit to Mark Morris and the coaches down in Manchester for working with this guy because lately he is skating and playing like he means business!
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