Brad Richardson is with the team in Chicago and will play tonight. He takes the roster spot of John Zeiler, who has been assigned to Manchester of the AHL. Terry Murray said he’s not yet certain exactly where Richardson will play tonight, but said he will likely take the lineup spot of Oscar Moller. Jonathan Quick will be in goal, as expected, and Murray said he wasn’t certain whether he would start the game with the same defensive pairs as last night. Murray said Alec Martinez needed X-rays after the game, after he was struck on the hand by a shot, but that Martinez is OK and will play.
Looking forward, Marco Sturm’s status for Tuesday’s game is cloudy. It’s been fairly clear that Murray would like to see Sturm play in that game, but it doesn’t appear as though Sturm is totally confident about returning just yet. Thursday’s home game against Edmonton might be more likely. Matt Greene, who has been out since Monday after taking a hit to the head in a collision with Detroit’s Nicklas Kronwall, will be out at least a week, Murray said. Greene is back in Los Angeles. More notes and quotes to come in a bit…
reports have here in Chicago KANE is out
[Reply]
Who’s spot is Sturm going to take?
Assuming Moller is already back in the AHL…
[Reply]
kylecliffordfan Reply:
December 19th, 2010 at 10:18 am
@kevin from toronto, My guess is even though Sturm is a left winger, the right side will be affected.
Sturm will play on the Left side, sending Brown back to the right. Lewis will probably be the odd man out and will share time with Westgarth. Westgarth playing when the Kings need a heavy in the lineup and Lewis when the Kings don’t need a Heavy..
Lines will Probably look something like this..
Sturm-Kopi-Brown
Smyth-Stoll-Williams
Clifford-Hanz-Simmer
Poni-Richie-Westgarth/Lewis
Lewis has also proven he can sit awhile and still come into a game and not be affected.
[Reply]
Big mistake taking Oscar out. He’s been putting up numbers and I love Richie but his upside is not better than Moller. Richie is 4th line, 3rd line at best, Moller is top 6 and has been showing that these past few games.
[Reply]
EJ Reply:
December 19th, 2010 at 9:55 am
@Oz, he had a couple of clear defensive gaffs in both the 2nd and 3rd periods that led to Pred scoring opportunities. Not saying that other Kings haven’t made mistakes, cuz there have been a ton lately, but he’s just the odd man out right now.
[Reply]
kylecliffordfan Reply:
December 19th, 2010 at 10:11 am
@Oz, Moller had a horrible first period and he is strong defensively. I agree that Moller should be sent back to Manchester. There just isn’t any room for him. Hopefully other teams only saw his offensive skill and didn’t see the Defense part, so we can use him for trade bait.
[Reply]
kylecliffordfan Reply:
December 19th, 2010 at 10:14 am
@kylecliffordfan, **EDIT** – ISN’T Strong Defensively
[Reply]
Harty Reply:
December 19th, 2010 at 10:14 am
@kylecliffordfan, Moller finds it tough to play consistently at this level, his size is the largest issue, he cannot drive the net with such a small body and the D men in the NHL being so good and so big
[Reply]
kylecliffordfan Reply:
December 19th, 2010 at 10:19 am
@Harty, I agree
Original Crown/Silver & Black & Purple. Reply:
December 19th, 2010 at 10:47 am
@Oz, I like Moller. he he has a nose for the puck and the skill to FINISH. small? yes. but he is feisty and has been productive. that steal behind nashville’s net last night was pretty sweet (as was the goal it led to).
[Reply]
What happens if AM gets hit in the wrist again…. That leaves us 5 on the back side..In Chicago that could be death believe me..Gone thru to many games here,itssomething at a game in Chicago..
[Reply]
I hope Moller is in the line up? A little unclear the way it was stated?
[Reply]
Congrats to Zeiler on a good call up. You did well, keep at it kid and someday your dream will come true.
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
December 19th, 2010 at 10:09 am
@KC23, Agree. Zeiler didnt embarrass the Kings, or himself.
[Reply]
Marc Nathan Reply:
December 19th, 2010 at 10:43 am
@puck73, personally I was embarrassed that the Kings actually recalled him to begin with. Agreed he played his role just fine when he got in the lineup, but here’s hoping we don’t slide that far down the depth chart again this season
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
December 19th, 2010 at 2:25 pm
@Marc Nathan, Surprized me too he got the call, but DL has a very macroscopic view. He likes to see all his pieces. King’s management has really done a great job getting a ton of talent from Manchester to LA to get a feel for what we have. By doing so DL has improved the value of the Manchester prospects for future possible deal for that sniper winger we’ve been looking for.
another defender hurt
and why get rid of moller? he’s been producing a lot, if anything just make him a healthy scratch and see how richie compares.
[Reply]
KingsFan78 Reply:
December 19th, 2010 at 10:19 am
@michelle, I think that is what the Kings are doing. Moller hasn’t been sent to Manchester yet, although when Sturm is ready to go, I’m sure he will be.
[Reply]
cjms Reply:
December 19th, 2010 at 11:55 am
@michelle, Because with so many D hurt, we’d probably rather have a strong 2 way guy like Richie than a 1 way guy like Moller.
[Reply]
I remember the exact shot. Pretty sure it was either Porter or Weber Blast. Alec stuck his hand out to block it, shaking it immediadetly. Good block shot, but maybe dont try to catch it! haha Glad hes okay.
Should be a good game tonight. Hossa and Kane are gametime decisions im sure.
[Reply]
LA KING BOB chi Reply:
December 19th, 2010 at 10:03 am
@Michael_DD8, NO,they are both out..
[Reply]
Well folks, I am going on vacation for 10 days to San Francisco with the girlfriend. Even better news, we wil be attending the Kings vs Sharks game on the 27th in San Jose. We will be taking the train from downtown San Francisco and it lets you right off at the San Jose arena. Cant wait ta see all those “Beat L.A” chanting choke artists in person ! So long, and talk to ya on the 30th..Merry Xmas, and Happy Holiday’s !
[Reply]
kinginsaltlake Reply:
December 19th, 2010 at 10:40 am
@puck73, merry X-mas to you—— have fun in SJ
[Reply]
Kingsfanone Reply:
December 19th, 2010 at 11:01 am
@puck73,
Merry Xmas & give the Sharks HELL!
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
December 19th, 2010 at 2:27 pm
@puck73, God speed and wear our colors proudly. Have fun!!!
[Reply]
@Dan H.,
I tend to agree with you about Moller. While he may not be the best defensively he has been adequate and his defensive play has improved greatly. He was getting into the right spots. He has been rotating to be the high man in the offensive zone when the center goes in deep, and he’s improved his angle play to get into passing lanes. He still needs to work on his play in his own zone but he is getting better. And on top of that he’s been putting up points which is what Murray and Lombardi asked of him. I think it’s a mistake to take him out.
My guess is Richardson will go to the 4th line and Ponikarovsky moves to the first or second line after a really strong bounce back game in Nashville.
[Reply]
I think it’s time for Martinez to get sent down. His play the last few games has become sloppy particularly his positional play in the defensive end. I don’t know if he’s getting tired or overwhelmed or just too comfortable. But he’s become a liability and I think he’d benefit from a break. Additionally with Greene and Mitchell both out the Kings are missing some meat on the blueline and I’d like to see them call up Muzzin or another defenseman with some muscle. I like Martinez and I think he can play in this league but he hasn’t shown in the last few games.
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
December 19th, 2010 at 2:28 pm
@Bickleton Wigglesworth III, You do realize we are down 2 defenseman?
[Reply]
Bickleton Wigglesworth III Reply:
December 19th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
@KC23,
Yeah, I know but there are other options.
[Reply]
Muzzin is hurt, so Alec is all we got…
[Reply]
Bickleton Wigglesworth III Reply:
December 19th, 2010 at 4:12 pm
@PRMan,
Ok maybe there aren’t other options.
Let’s go, Martinez!
[Reply]