For a third consecutive game, the Kings are expected to go without Kevin Westgarth in the lineup tonight. Given that the Ducks have dressed enforcer George Parros in all but one game this season, it’s likely that the Kings won’t be matching “heavies.” The Kings are expected to go with a fourth line of Trevor Lewis centering Brad Richardson and Alexei Ponikarovsky, and Terry Murray said that with the Kings starting a stretch of four games in five nights, he wants to maintain balance with his forwards in terms of minutes played…
MURRAY: “I’m a little concerned about the physical grit and all that, but what overrides that, in my opinion, is that I need to roll the four lines more consistently, with the heavy schedule.”
Question: The fact that you have a guy like Clifford, who hasn’t been shy about getting involved in physical stuff, does that influence you as well?
MURRAY: “Absolutely it does. Cliffy and Simmer [Wayne Simmonds], both of those guys can play a pretty heavy game, gritty game. And that does enter into the decision as well, as well as the overriding factor, which is the scheduling and the importance of having four line playing pretty regularly.”
Makes sense keeping everyone as fresh as possible. Just hope we don’t take any injuries with the Ducks feeling that can take runs at whoever they feel like tonight.
[Reply]
kylecliffordfan Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 11:48 am
@KC23, That has to be the weakest 4th line ever. What are they going to do when the Ducks 4th line steam rolls Bernier? Nothing! They will skate back to the bench with their heads down.
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 11:57 am
@kylecliffordfan, Weak at fighting … agreed. Weak at putting the puck in the net and keeping it out of ours … disagree, far better than if Westgarth is end there.
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 12:01 pm
@KC23, edit: in* there
quisp Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 2:04 pm
@kylecliffordfan,
That’s because it’s not a fourth line. It’s a second third line.
[Reply]
quisp Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 2:06 pm
@kylecliffordfan,
Also, it’s not really a deterrent if Corey Perry runs Bernier and the payback is Westgarth fights Parros. The payback is, Clifford and Simmonds beat the crap out of Perry.
Kingsfanone Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 2:42 pm
@quisp,
This is exactly the response to anyone who wants Westy dressed instead. Clifford and Simmaonds can handle the rough stuff, but the Kings should not go into the game just to get ready for a heavyweight fight. They should be getting ready to beat the Quack on the scoreboard, a much more important issur.
mcsorleyfan Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 2:43 pm
@quisp, and when Parros hands Cliffy his jaw in a plastic bag? What do we answer with?
wavesinair Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 2:49 pm
@mcsorleyfan
What makes you believe Clifford will fight Parros? Remember which team has the last change…
captainCrunch Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 9:45 pm
@quisp, I guess Mcsorleyfan underestimated Clifford’s fighting ability. It looked like Clifford more than held his own. With the instigator penalty such as it is, Heavy weight enforcers who cannot play decent hockey will soon be a relic. Detroit’s lack of a heavy enforcer doesn’t seem to be hurting them any.
I want us to smash the crap out of the Ducks
its duck haunting season guys so get ready for the haunt this time dont make us be the one that get haunted by the quakers
[Reply]
puckbob Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 1:05 pm
@KingsFanFTW, I don’t want to be “haunted by Quakers”
[Reply]
Dumb move by TM. Hopefully Clifford doesn’t get hurt…
[Reply]
mcsorleyfan Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 2:44 pm
@kylecliffordfan, I’m with you there. I think this was a porrly thought out move; I’ll be at the game tonight to see for myself.
[Reply]
mcsorleyfan Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 3:42 pm
@kylecliffordfan, you going to the game tonight?
[Reply]
Great move by TM. We are seeing a huge shift in the direction of the Kings. We are becoming a truly multi-dimensional club.
[Reply]
EASportsMgt Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 12:20 pm
@wavesinair, I agree here as well. Although Westbarth is a good enforcer, I believe that Clifford and Simmer have enough to prevent runs on our skilled guys. And if you think Greene or scuds or even Doughty will let someone roll over Bernier, you’re clearly mistaken. Don’t underestimate what this D is willing to do for their netminder.
[Reply]
LB Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 1:43 pm
@wavesinair,
Yup, we finally have a real 4th line on this team! Enough of the Ivanans, Westgarth, Zeiler and etc. types who can only be trusted for 5 minutes a game. This current 4th line has legit NHL talent for once!
[Reply]
headed out shortly for Staples….GO KINGS!!
does anybody know….how much is the parking?
leaving from Carpinteria, and will be dining in Glendale/Eagle Rock area,
then get ready for the REAL action…
[Reply]
wavesinair Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 12:11 pm
@Real 7, Parking can range from $3-$25 depending where you go. I recommend going a block east of Staples somewhere around Hope and 11th.
[Reply]
Real 7 Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 12:19 pm
@wavesinair,
Thanx much!
[Reply]
Michael_DD8 Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 12:23 pm
@Real 7,
I love the usual $8 parking like half a mile at most from staples on Figueroa. At times the parking may go up, im not sure if it will today, but usually its 8 bucks!
Real 7 Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 12:33 pm
@Real 7,
Thanx Michael_DD8
Howe9 Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 12:42 pm
@Real 7,
Park near the Metro stop on the east side of Staples. Parking there is at most $7.00 & a block further is $3.00. I also park on the street for free if you are there early enough. There will be many people walking in & leaving at the same time so youe safety will not be a concern.
[Reply]
mcsorleyfan Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 2:46 pm
@Real 7, I always park in the West Hall parking for the convention center; close, covered, but 20 bucks… but if you have gimpy hips and knees it can be worth it.
[Reply]
sec. 102, row 6 — great seats!
Bernier in goal, as I expected….hope he can do his Quick impersonation
[Reply]
Everyone’s debating Westy being in the line up, but the nastiest players, as far as causing trouble are Gets and Perry. Their the guys who are always looking for a fight (especially after the whistle), so those are the 2 that I’m wondering about. Cliffy and Getz, Simmers and Perry. #rd line will have their work cut out for them tonight.
[Reply]
wavesinair Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 12:40 pm
@Dominick, It will almost certainly be a dog fight. I’m just glad it will be an honest, organic conflict and not the obligatory glove-drop by the heavyweights. I doubt Parros will have any impact on the game other than some lame cheap shot where he gets a game misconduct we score on the PP to win.
[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 12:54 pm
@wavesinair, I’ve watched Perros play, and he’s a very underrated forchecker. If you try to over look him, he can out muscle you down low. He’s definately a better forchecker than Westgarth, so taking out Westy is a smart move. If you put Westy in simply to counter Perro’s fighting ability you run the risk of Perros taking over, or at least making a statement at a crucial time in the game.
Westy will go out and wait for a fight to come to him. Perros will go out and run the goalie, or some other player till someone jumps in.
[Reply]
wavesinair Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 1:06 pm
@Dominick, Can’t wait to see Parros try to forecheck any of our line combos! He’ll be playing catch up all night.
Parros: “Wait, what? I’m suppose to catch Lewis? Richardson? Poni? Put me on the bench coach.”
Dominick Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 1:09 pm
@wavesinair,
Agreed. The speed on that line will nullify any agression that Perros can throw at them. Poni can handle himself physically, down low, so Perros is actually a moot point. Should be interesting.
[Reply]
wavesinair Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 1:15 pm
@Dominick, If the Kings play smart and tough like we know they can do, they will steam roll the Ducks. I’d just really like to see Kopi NOT disappear as soon as Getslaugh starts barking. Kopi not backing down = Kings win.
Dominick Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 1:33 pm
@wavesinair,
For whatever reason the Ducks always come ready to play. They can be the worst team in the league when they play us, and come out like a team ready to win the cup. Prime example is our 2-0 loss to them last time we played them. I’m not worried about Kopi, as much as the team responding in general.
[Reply]
wavesinair Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 1:40 pm
@Dominick, No doubt they always play us tough. I’d have to do a stat check, but I wonder if there is a strong correlation between Kopi scoring and the Kings beating the Ducks.
things will e infe, skate them into the ice is what I say, forget thier goons play hockey and win on ths scoresheet would you rather………
A) a win by the Kings on the scoresheet with balanced 4 lines
or
B) a tie or loss or and of course we win the fights??
…..some of you fans are unbelievable, let them play hockey
[Reply]
Big Joe Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 12:55 pm
@Harty, Agreed, hockey 1st, fight if need be…let’s play our game.
[Reply]
kylecliffordfan Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 1:08 pm
@Harty, Last time I checked, we have won many games with Westgarth in the lineup and I can’t think of one where he was direct cause of us losing.
Now, I can think of many games where we didn’t forecheck like we were suppose to and didn’t have that physical play to ride us to a victory. I can also think of serval games where we were just ran over…
I just hope no one gets hurt tonight…
[Reply]
wavesinair Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 1:32 pm
YOU said: “I hope the ducks run all over us just to prove a point.”
Your credibility is shot.
[Reply]
kylecliffordfan Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 1:48 pm
@wavesinair, Yeah I do!! This is pathetic. I hope no one gets hurt tonight..
kylecliffordfan Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 1:49 pm
@wavesinair, Because I stated a fact about winning games with Westgarth. Were are you Facts?
Harty Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 3:37 pm
@kylecliffordfan, I don’t understand your comment regarding “no one gets hurt”, a punch in the nose of Clifford isn’t going to hurt him, hell it may light a bigger fire then Perros can distinguish…….
Look out boys the Clifford train is coming to the Staples Station
[Reply]
Belexes Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 3:50 pm
@Harty,
This statement is a bit ignorant.
The team that is leading the league in fighting majors is the Pittsburgh Penguins. Are you suggesting a tough team cannot win games? because if you are read my post again…
[Reply]
Harty Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 4:51 pm
@Belexes, I did not say that nor indicate that teams who fight cannot win, its only one component though of many that takes to win games.
Lets allow the players to determine the outcome, all good here though with your comments.
[Reply]
Let the Ducks worry about else instead of the other way…
[Reply]
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! i say BOO!
[Reply]
what? no westy hope we dont need him tonight.GO KINGS !KILL EM ALL
[Reply]
KingsFanFTW Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 3:06 pm
@old hockey puck, well we dont want to kill them we want to destroy them
[Reply]
Is it just me, or is Kyle Clifford smiling in that fight picture? LOL! Can’t get enough of Clifford.
As long as our D_ plays a tight checking game against the Ducks top 6, I think we’ll do really well. COntain the top 6 and we can very handily counterattack with our heavy forecheck and their swiss cheese D- corps. Carlyle is so aggressive that we should have plenty of odd man rushes if the D- plays tight.
FULL 60 MINUTES PLEASE!!!!!!
BTW, played Kings v Ducks on NHL2K9 last night on Wii (MY 1st time playing). Kings won 5-1. Kyle Calder and Brad Richardson each had 2 goals. If Calder can score two when the Ducks team I played had Neidermayer, Pronger, Odonnell, & Beauchemain….there is NO reason why Our top 6 can’t DESTROY this Ducks D- corps! Now if that warped logic doesn’t get you fired up, have another beer and enjoy the game!
[Reply]
Having a tough guy in the lineup is not needed. See the Redwing’s they never carry a tough guy only 4 lines of forwards that can play and that’s where the kings need to be. Good job TM
[Reply]
I think this is an ill advised move; I hope it works out as Waves suggests. I don’t like the idea that, while we have a few other guys that will go (or in Greene’s case try to go), the 2 best candidates (Clifford and Simmonds) are both off the same line. While we have all seen Simmer hand Getslaughs his pride, the idea of losing that line for 1/2 a period is unpalatable. If we are able to disassemble them as completely as many folks seem to think we can, I will be the first to concede greater hockey wisdom to those who thought sitting Westy was a good idea. But by now, the quacks know we’re coming in light. They will be planning a rough game. I hope I don’t see the IR fill up tonight.
[Reply]
KingsFanFTW Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 3:11 pm
@mcsorleyfan, well Westy is are tough guy but i really dont see him fight at all its always Clifford that does it everytime Westy wants to fight he usely gets stop before it happen when Clifford already drop the gloves and ready to fight but i dont think the Ducks going to have it way they want it if we have a good D and checking going they going to find out we dont need heavy force to beat their heavy weights
[Reply]
mcsorleyfan Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 3:38 pm
@KingsFanFTW, At this point, there are teams whose top 6 are better than our top 6… but very few teams can claim as much talent from one end of the line-up to the other. TM seems to want to exploit this fact, and I agree in principle. We should always play to our strengths. Historically, the Kings and Ducks generally try to kill each other durning match-ups. I hate going into any tilt undergunned. In this case, the war is decided on the scoreboard in a short-term respect. However, the consequences can be long lasting; I really don’t wish to see any more players out injured, especially one 19 yr old whose skill is rapidly developing, and whom I’ve grown fond of watching play. But ‘NUFF SAID. I’m off to the game.
[Reply]