Looking for a couple reasons — at least statistically — why the Kings are in a 1-4 slide? In their first 15 games, which included 12 wins, the Kings outscored their opponents 18-8 in the third period. In their last five games, they have been outscored 10-2 in the third period. That’s a big problem, as is the Kings’ recent tendency to give up one-goal leads in the second period or beyond, something they were usually solid at least season. Murray was asked about what needs to change in that area…
MURRAY: “You’ve got to execute the right way. You watch the game, behind the bench, and review it again the next day, and you’re just seeing breakdowns in structure and system. That’s where you really have to think the game, put the breaks on in some situations, slow down and stay available to each other. The classic of, `I can make the home-run play’ starts to come into effect all the time. The puck is down low, below your goal line. You have possession and we’re trying to find options on the breakout, and we have some guys standing at the red line, thinking, `If you get the puck to me, I can do a lot of great things here to turn this thing around.’ It’s totally the opposite.
“That’s where you have to come back and stay close together, support each other, come up the ice with five, with speed and make little handoff plays to get an attack going. We’re inconsistent in that area right now, so it’s going to be important, against this hockey club, that we’re doing the right things. They’re a very explosive team. Turnovers are going back at you right away, and we’re going to have to make sure that we’re strong through the middle of the ice.”
So what you’re saying TM is… win?
I hope Bernier seriously locks it down tonight. Mitchell is missed dearly.
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TM if your reading these blogs it doesn’t change even for Bantam Rep teams. Coach Lund does the exact items with his coaching staff after a game and the next day. Actually right up till we drop the puck again for the next game.
TM is so correct, his response is good for any level of this game, its getting players to buy in and ensure they put in the effort to accomplish the little things to win.
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So I guess the conditioning coach is on vacation. Maybe he has been roomates with kampon on the toad and the stink is rubbing off on him?
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Thought the last period of the Ottawa game was the best of that bunch…
The Kings just have to light that lamp four or five times during this game to prove things are better.
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puck73 Reply:
November 24th, 2010 at 3:35 pm
@BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy, Unfortunately our PP coach is not named Dave Tippet.
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It’s why the power play just flat out SUCKS. There’s no zone penetration whatsoever and when they do get it in it’s always a dump and chase play. They really need to start attacking as a unit or they’ll continue to go downhill.
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Actually a first line LW is needed and has been for years now. I still don’t see how King is playing there with Moller, Schenn and Loktionov in Manchester. Terrible.
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AZ King Reply:
November 24th, 2010 at 3:54 pm
@54FIGHTING,
Schenn – Center
Lokti – Center
Moller – Center
DL is sticking to his guns about developing Moller and Lokti as NHL centers. King is a natural LW which is why he is playing LW.
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TM is spot on IMO(hence why he is the coach)! Our break outs have been terrible, guys have not been down low providing support needed and have been parking themselves at the red line hoping for that one guy to get the puck going. By doing this it gives the one guy no option but to dump and chase. Even though we have the personel to be a good dump and chase team we need to get some speed and team work comming through the neutral zone and into the offensive side of the ice. Basicly what TM stated! More support(like I am right here to help you out, not I will be WAITING at the red line IF you can get the puck here.
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Just play 60 mins of solid hockey. Own the 3rd period again Kings. Don’t wait until the final mins of the game to turn it on. Do it for JB, and do it for us!
Go Kings!
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