As posted earlier, there aren’t expected to be any lineup changes for the Kings tonight, which means Marco Sturm’s second Kings game will be like the first, with him skating on the fourth line with Trevor Lewis and Alexei Ponikarovsky. Murray said that, soon, he will start easing Sturm into other situations, such as special teams, but that he doesn’t expect Sturm’s role tonight to vary much from Tuesday, when Sturm played 11 minutes, 42 seconds.
MURRAY: “I want to get him into that 10- to 12-minute range. When you have four lines that you can role, that’s probably pretty normal ice time for that group. I won’t monitor it too closely. I think it will just be rolling the four lines, give good energy and, at the end of the day, that’s probably where those guys would fall (minute-wise) if I’m doing that.”
Im loving the Rolling 4 lines!!!!!! I was really happy last game when TM did it and Im just as excited about it tonight. IMO opinion, keep Poni on the fourth line with Lewis and when he is ready swap Sturm with Richie and we have a Lineup that could compete with the best in the league.
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nickdoh Reply:
December 23rd, 2010 at 5:05 pm
@BrokeKingsFan, and the softest. “rolling four lines” didnt win the avs game. the top lines did. strum’s knee is praying murray doesnt put it out there against mac tonight.
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xeropoint Reply:
December 23rd, 2010 at 5:27 pm
@nickdoh,
Ponikarovski is soft? Lewis is soft? Don’t agree with that. Just because they don’t rack up hits on the stat sheet doesn’t mean they don’t go into the corners hard or battle in front of the net.
A 4th line doesn’t need to win you any games. They exist to produce a few quality minutes, hopefully chip in here and there and spell the top 9 players. They were more than effective.
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EASportsMgt Reply:
December 23rd, 2010 at 5:40 pm
@nickdoh, I disagree with your softest. An enforcer’s job is to deter and stand up for your skilled guys. If someone takes a run at one of our skilled guys I’m sure Clifford or Simmer or even brown will be ready and willing. You don’t always need a heavyweight so I agree with TM here.
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mcsorleyfan Reply:
December 23rd, 2010 at 7:32 pm
@EASportsMgt, No, but I sure like having him on standby!
KC23 Reply:
December 23rd, 2010 at 6:08 pm
@nickdoh, Soft? Nah, you’re way off base on that. Neither Poni or Lewis are soft, although Sturm probably is. The 4th line exist to keep reasonable minutes for the other lines, while not hurting the team. That is exactly what they accomplished in the Avs game. You win as a team and you lose as a team.
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Kostamojen Reply:
December 23rd, 2010 at 5:08 pm
@BrokeKingsFan, I agree. The lines are starting to look pretty good all around. I think with the eventual swap of Richardson and Sturm, it’s a really good look. Four strong lines with a lot of chemistry.
Sturm-Kopitar-Brown
Smyth-Stoll-Williams
Clifford-Handzus-Simmonds
Ponikarovsky-Richardson-Lewis
Man, I like all those lines…
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Anyone pumped up to see Westgarth vs. MacIntyre.. or should I sat Clifford vs. MacIntyre..
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xeropoint Reply:
December 23rd, 2010 at 5:29 pm
@Who Knows?,
Not after that NASTY K.O. on Ivanans. I don’t want Clifford to mix it up with him, at least. Westgarth’s nose should be mostly healed by now.
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mcsorleyfan Reply:
December 23rd, 2010 at 7:35 pm
@xeropoint, well said; Im glad I’m not the only one who knows Cliffy can’t run with the biggest dogs.
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von_swine Reply:
December 23rd, 2010 at 5:51 pm
@Who Knows?, Id love to see these two throwdown,..but it looks as if TM has Westy sitting again, which kinda sucks. Kings played good in Colo and Westy wasnt really needed, but if they dont have him dressed tonight big Mac and Stortini can run wild. Only 1st meeting w/these dudes so we’ll see.
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KC23 Reply:
December 23rd, 2010 at 6:09 pm
@Who Knows?, Both Westgarth and Mac are scrathed.
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Today game going to be a very fast game young vs young team should be very good game.Kings can catch up to this team but i say we need to start learning how to check more to break up their plays then letting them set up
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KC23 Reply:
December 23rd, 2010 at 6:10 pm
@KingsFanFTW, Oilers are like a weak Avs team. We should match up extremely well against them.
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he doesn’t expect Sturm’s role tonight to vary much from Tuesday, when Sturm played 11 minutes, 42 seconds.
yeah, that lasted about 40 minutes… LOL…
by the end of the game, the fourth line was making about 8M.
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Kings need to sign a soild player this year and be healthy. I remember when kings had really good offense but no Defence and even not a good goalie. Now that they have good D and a good goalie. All they need is one player that can put up 40 to 50 goals and paly D. I just think that Flames Jarone Inglia fits the role. He can fight and play D. I think he can play well in LA because look but he has done with no suport. If in the cup year they had just one good goalie they would have the cup. I think its about that the fans get on Dean for that kind of player in here this year. Dont suport the kings until they do that. Its not about having a good team. Its about the cup. La is not even close without making some nice moves this year. We have worked hard to get this so not must do whats important to win the cup. Dont waste time Dean. Its been long wait. Thank YOU.
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