Tonight’s game will be the second of six meetings this season between the Kings and Ducks. This morning, the Ducks called up rookie forward Matt Beleskey from Syracuse of the AHL. Last time these teams met, the Ducks sent the Kings to their lowest point of the season. Anaheim’s 2-0 home victory on Nov. 29 marked the only time the Kings have been shut out this season, and it sent the Kings to their seventh defeat in their previous eight games. The Kings have gone 7-2-1 since then, but tonight’s game is big given that the Ducks are just one point behind the Kings in the standings. Here’s what Terry Murray said today about how the Kings can improve from the teams’ previous meeting…
MURRAY: “We played pretty good in that game. The thing that really stands out, that I remember, was the number of blocked shots they had. They were stepping up in front of our shots, and there were a lot of pucks that never found the net. We just have to be better with that. There are several ways of being better. Shooting the puck faster, getting it through, missing the first guy. That’s the responsibility of the defensemen up top, but the forwards also need to be better at releasing down low, to give that option as a pass down to the goal-line area, instead of a shot where they have five guys at home play. We can pass off and attack from the side or attack from underneath. That has to be more consistent from our forwards. That’s a read that you make in the pressure of the game, in the heavy going of the game, but we’ve got to find that more often.”
The Ducks were credited with 16 blocked shots in that game, while the Kings got 27 shots on goal. Murray was also asked, in general, what he wanted to see from his team in the first few minutes of the game, following the two-day holiday break…
MURRAY: “I want a nice, quick tempo, short shifts, changing at the right time. I want to see good puck movement, making the puck do the work for us, and decisions through the middle of the ice. I’ve been talking about that since the day I got here, and that has to be more firm. We’ve got to make harder plays, meaning that when you do decide to get the puck in behind, on a chip because there’s no other option, it has to get deep. So many times, we’re looking for that easy, soft chip, just to get in behind the defenseman who is standing at the blue line. It’s got to get to the goal line. Those pucks get knocked down 85 percent of the time and come right back at you. So, hard plays. Make them go back 200 feet, and then we play the game from there.”
A more effective 4th line will go a long way towards achieving this goal…
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Cmon boys need a big win here tonight! Looking forward to having Matt Greene back and seeing what Sturm brings to that first line!
Go Kings Go!
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off topic : Maxim Kitsyn skates and plays kinda like a Kovalchuk. Pretty interesting.
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Stop the Puck Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 1:18 pm
@Michael_DD8,
greaT screen on the first goal
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Ravens Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 1:51 pm
@Stop the Puck, I hope Schene doesn’t make a habbit of missing cross Ice passes with a wide open net,,,Kitsyn is a beast
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leo of pico Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 1:56 pm
@Michael_DD8, he does skate and is noticeable on the ice as for the kid from Canada he was very quite on the ice i was expecting alittle more now i can see why he did not stick with the Kings this year but it is just the beginning of wjc
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wavesinair Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 2:09 pm
@Michael_DD8, Scoring change: Kitsyn is credited with the first goal…
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Michael_DD8 Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 2:26 pm
@wavesinair,
Schenn has never impressed me..Sorry i think he is good, i know he is good. I know he could very well be our future 2nd line Center..
But for some reason, he has never impressed me..
Ill give it to him once, and that was with the kings, i cant recall the game, but he had a couple good shifts. I watch him all the time, and i want to see these skilllllls..
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Ravens Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 2:46 pm
@Michael_DD8, Kitsyn on ice for all three russian goals,,,wow he’s going to be GOOD
The Ducks have also had the last 4 days off before practice today.
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One point behind the Kings, but with 2 fewer wins and in 5 more games played.
The Ducks do not worry me tonight, nor as a divisional opponent for the season.
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wavesinair Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 1:34 pm
@Surly Jacob (JDM), Hear, hear! The games in hand tells all…and they’re still behind us. Sweet.
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First time posting but a lurker since the Daily News days. Let’s rock Staples tonight. Go Kings Go!!!
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I know it`s hard not to get Green back in the line up,but i love Harolds speed,his first pass out of are zone,and the the way he pinches in on defense.To me he`s been one of the most responsible and consistent defensement we`ve had this year.Again just my observation.
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Dominick Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 1:50 pm
@old man,
This was my argument last year, when he spent so much time as a winger, and a healthy scratch.
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Marc Nathan Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 2:03 pm
@old man, Greene is back in, Harrold is out.
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KC23 Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 2:04 pm
@old man, I share your concern. Greene has shown nothing so far this year.
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YoBro Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 5:26 pm
@old man, Agree completely, Harrold has played very well,though sparingly. I hope Greene is ready to bring the Physical play tonight cause that’s what he’s got.
Go Kings
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just a minor correction, Rich. Matt Beleskey is not a rookie. He had 11 goals in 60 games with the Ducks last season.
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Just make sure your boys are less that 5 FEET FROM THE BENCH BEFORE THEY CHANGE! I don’t want to see any more ‘Too Many Jackwagons’ calls. We’ve had enough to last us a full season.
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Kingsfanone Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 2:57 pm
@Cynic,
And the refs will continue to watch the kings because they are guilty of doing it a lot. Stop making it easier for them to make the call and they’ll stop having to make the call.
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