After last night’s game, Terry Murray had a relatively positive outlook on his team’s play against Anaheim. Asked, today, if film review revealed anything different, or brought anything into greater focus, Murray reiterated that the Kings had solid scoring chances but simply didn’t capitalize on them. He also pointed to the power play, which went 0-for-3. The irony is that the Kings are 3-for-16 on the power play in their last four games. Nobody is going to win any medals for that, to be certain, but that’s an 18.8-percent success rate, which also isn’t hideous. Still, the Kings rank 20th in the league in power-play efficiency this season and have four power-play goals in their last eight games.
MURRAY: “We need to get our power play better. That’s been really stale for us, over the last while. I’ve said it many times. Your penalty killing can lose you a game and your power play can win you a game. We need that to happen. The penalty killing has been pretty good, all year long. We need our power play to just come through for us at a critical time. We have those opportunities, and it hasn’t happened for us in the last four or five games.”
you have to give hiller credit…if not for him the kings would have had at least a goal or two from kopitar.
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At least he didn’t say “wet wood”.
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BrokeKingsFan Reply:
November 30th, 2010 at 5:54 pm
@edwood2, yeah, that would be a familiar theme for sure!
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Wait… the PP hasn’t been good?!
Scoring at critical times can win you games?!
Who is this evil genius and what’s he done with Terry Murray?!!
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Garry Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 8:22 am
@xeropoint, Put Schenn at center of the second line and let his offesive star power skill’s shine. Anyone can learn to play defence. He’s playing in Manchester for a few games and lites it up!! Common DL! Are you sending him down to save money or DM can’t teach him defence?
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I wonder what the conversations with Kompon are like with management regarding our PP? when do we get to hear from him about it? he is the power play coach, is he not? I know ultimately its up to the players to produce on the ice but it seems our system is a little flawed to say the least and he is the one teaching it. If we can score 5 on 5 on a regular basis (not including the last 5 games) then we should not be having so many troubles being up a man. Whats the deal Jamie?
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408kingsfan Reply:
November 30th, 2010 at 8:46 pm
@BrokeKingsFan, I wonder if Kompon is actually coaching Kopitar to stay pinned against the boards on the powerplay to ensure he is not a threat
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its this simple okay, our D is turning over pucks at the bluelines and this cannot happen at this level, bottom line
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xeropoint Reply:
November 30th, 2010 at 7:12 pm
@Harty,
Turnovers hurt, yes. It ain’t that simple though. The problems we are having now are the same problems we had when we were winning.
The key players on this team haven’t been the ones carrying it, with the exception of Quick.
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I can end this slump in time for the Florida game….
Step 1)
Kopitar – Williams – Smyth
Stoll – Brown – Lewis
Handzus – Simmonds – Clifford
Schenn (at center) – Richardson – Westgarth
Doughty – Scuds
JJ – DD2
Green – Martinez
Quick
Step 2)
3rd Jersey
Step 3)
Shave off those mustaches
Slump over
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Bill M. Reply:
November 30th, 2010 at 6:07 pm
@LAPD line, I agree with everything but the D pairings. I think TM actually has the right idea – leave them where they are. Except for frustration from DD and the usual goal causing blunder from JJ, the D was not bad. If we had given Quick a goal, even one goal, before the final ten minutes, that game goes to OT and we at least get a point.
But I like your forward lines, Stoll Brown Lewis could be a good combo, and Schenn with Richardson should be a good clock eater with an X factor scoring threat.
Step 2 and 3 should be mandatory at this point.
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rontheking Reply:
November 30th, 2010 at 6:19 pm
@LAPD line,
the biggest issue here is obviously the mustaches.
they have to be dealt with and soon. there is just no getting around the fact that all the problems have grown at the same time as the mustaches. we can only hope that tm and dl will take all necessary means to deal with these and all future mustaches….
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slapshot Reply:
November 30th, 2010 at 6:29 pm
@LAPD line, Next kings win “Brought to you by NORELCO. Center ice crown replaced by top of the line electric razor. Make it happen Luke!
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Kwaz Reply:
November 30th, 2010 at 7:49 pm
@LAPD line,
I think in the end step 3 will prove the most crucial.
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LAPD line Reply:
November 30th, 2010 at 8:52 pm
@Kwaz, Could not agree more. Its not a fluke that our Slump began when the lip hair began sprouting.
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The best news – we still have Mr. Jon Quick. He is still playing fantastic. If we can manage to spot him a couple goals, he should steal a couple for us.
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Rich, any updates on Poni and Mitchell? I know Mitchell is a couple of weeks off, but Poni should be back soon, right? My guess is its hard to tell as he still has the finger support on, but has always been skating with no contact.
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When a team starts losing like the Kings have recently it can definately have an effect on players both on and off the ice. For me, when that starts happening I think about things that matter most like..character, loyalty, friendship, and the ability to stay where you are and work on making things better…respectfully yours, Rob Blake Captain San Jose Sharks Hockey Club..retired.
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Stuart Reply:
November 30th, 2010 at 6:31 pm
@puck73, priceless!!! well done
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It would also help if their passing was more effective. Passing errors contributed to th loss.
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This team needs a top six winger.Even when we won seven in a row it was because of the dfense and QUICK.The organization needs to spend the money to get this team over the hump.
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puck73 Reply:
November 30th, 2010 at 6:27 pm
@king1jason, You make very valid points. When I owned the team, it was all about instant gratification, give the fans what they want, spend as much money as it takes! (even if it doesnt belong to you)! Sincerely Bruce Mcnall, coin collecter, baseball card trader, ex felon, and an alumnus of Lompoc state prison, California.
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Stuart Reply:
November 30th, 2010 at 6:32 pm
@puck73, LOL I’ll smoke what he’s smokin!!! Who’s next. AEG?
GKG
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king1jason Reply:
November 30th, 2010 at 6:37 pm
@puck73, To the smart guy.It’s not about spending money and getting nothing in return.Winners make money from televisions contracts to sellouts to merchandise.It’s a win win situation for the fans as well as the owners.As a season seat holder for more than 20 years these fans deserve a winner.Especialy after that garbage franchise in Anaheim has won a cup b4 us.
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puck73 Reply:
November 30th, 2010 at 6:46 pm
@king1jason, Hello, my name is Bruce Mcnall and I am submitting this from my probation officers office because they monitor my computer at home. I just wanted to say thanx for the kind words, and your loyal support..it means a lot during the holidays!
jet Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 8:33 am
@puck73, you are on a roll today
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Bill M. Reply:
November 30th, 2010 at 6:31 pm
@king1jason, Are you implying that Quick is not playing as well? because maintaining the elite numbers that he currently has, during a MAJOR SLUMP, is pretty F’in impressive in my book.
The defense, well…ok, it has been suspect at points, but not nearly as suspect as the offense.
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king1jason Reply:
November 30th, 2010 at 6:43 pm
@Bill M., I said reason we won is because of Quick and the dfense.Quick has been the best player on our team all year hands down.This team is a first line winger away from being a serious contender.It is not fair to ask that of DB that is not his game.Let DB return to his game getting garbage goals and punishing the opposition.
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rontheking Reply:
November 30th, 2010 at 7:14 pm
@king1jason,
usually the best time to make a trade is approaching the playoffs, because there will be teams that have given up on making the cut, and then they will be ready to unload some very good players whose contracts are coming up…for prospects.
that will be the best time to get the best deal in a trade for teams like the kings who are stacked with prospects who then shouldn’t have to give up proven roster players IMHO–but i think history bears me out on this.
408kingsfan Reply:
November 30th, 2010 at 8:52 pm
@king1jason, Jason King aka Howdey?
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I understand, I really do, the frustration about the Kings not scoring.
What I don’t understand is the thought that someone skating on the left side who makes a sh*& ton of money is all thats needed to bury some imaginary golden chances currently being whiffed on by who we already got.
I can’t recall thinking to myself that “Hey, if only Kovulchuk was on the ice, that would’ve negated the dumb back to back penalties by Doughty!”
or
“If only Rick Nash were in the lineup, we wouldn’t have got JOBBED by the ref in Ottawa”
The problems are FAR more fundamental than needing a finisher on one line.
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Does someone wanna tell Doughty he is playing for the big contract?? He sure isn’t playing like a $6-7M player? What’s going on with him?? Martinez looks like our best D. Come on Drew play like you want the big contract not like you already have it!!!!!
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jet Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 8:37 am
@Timbo from Canada, That is true. Malibu Drew is turning into Hawthorne Drew. Even with all of the skill, he is still just a kid. As long as he learns from his mistakes, we are moving forward.
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OC KINGS FAN Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 10:46 am
@jet, LOL @ Mailbu Drew. For reals. got the malibu house, his youth, hott car, sounds more like a basketball player
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OC KINGS FAN Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 10:47 am
@OC KINGS FAN, Ooooops i almost forgot the SWEET stash to top it off
1. Tell Drew Doughty, the next time he tries to skate the puck end to end when we’re down by 2 goals and short handed, coughs up the puck, and then doesn’t hussle back for the 2on1 and we get scored on, He’s going back to squirt C. I’m sick of all the trust in him. He needs to stop trying to force it.
2. Where the heck has simmonds been. I dig the way he plays with heart and emotion. But, if those characteristics are equally as destructive to the group when we’re down. Get rid of him. It was a little too early to give him 10,000 bobbleheads.
3. You’re in a slump. Start, getting guys in front of the net, and push for some of those ugly goals. If Detroit, has all that starpower, and still gets a couple goals in a game from muckin it in the corner and feeding it to the crease. Why can’t we.
4. Kopitar, needs support.
5. Jack Johnson, WTF? next time we put a few wins together, and he has a couple good games, trade his ass while he’s still worth a dime. He is a liability. i hope that he proves me wrong. I will gladly take that back.
6. Quick = sick!
7. R. smyth, much love to you man, but, You gotta start getting in front more often.
8. More QUALITY shots= more scoring opportunities. 35 shots in a game don’t mean nothing if they’re bad, poor quality shots. (Jack JOHNSON settle down on the blueline, you learned as a kid not to take a shot right into an opposing players shinpads, C’mon throw it in deep if there’s no shot or outlet pass).
9. Doughty, next time i see you at Senor G’s in Playa, I’m going to grab both sides of your head, and make sure it’s on your shoulders nice and snug. K? cool… Good luck tomorrow.
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