The Kings’ power play has been on an uptick of late — in the last 15 days, they’ve gone from 27th to 15th in the league in power-play efficiency — but that will get put to the test tonight. San Jose has allowed only one power-play goal in its last three games. After this morning’s skate, Terry Murray was asked about his team’s recent play along the boards, and used it as an example of how the Kings have improved on the power play of late…
MURRAY: “Looking at the special teams in particular, the power play was good at recovering pucks. That’s how you have success on a power play. You get a shot mentality, find the loose puck, move your feet, look for second and third options, move it again and get it right back to the net. That was something that we had not been real good at on the special teams, on the power play. We’d been pretty good at it 5-on-5, and it’s going to be important here against San Jose tonight, as it is probably any night.”
the one googd thing about sj size is for self screens on the power play get those big bodies to the center of the slot and fire .
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I see a great deal more movement lately. Forwards–especially Kopitar–are rotating down low and moving the defensemen effectively, opening up lanes and tiring out the D-men.
Good power plays MOVE THE PUCK and take well-timed shots…
Kings are getting there with the PP.
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kevin Reply:
December 27th, 2010 at 3:19 pm
@BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy,there was apoint there in the third where they were moving it like detriot does its was very refreshing to she. The power play is coming along I dont need it to be the # 1 power play in the league it would be nice but any where in the top 10 wouldbe good with me as long as our pk stays where its at.
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BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
December 27th, 2010 at 3:37 pm
@kevin,
Efficiency comes and goes with power plays…
Doing it the correct way tires out the opposition and jacks up the team momentum, even if no goal comes until 5-on-5 hockey.
I agree with you about ranking, PP and PK efficiency, too. PK is most important.
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Dominick Reply:
December 27th, 2010 at 3:41 pm
@BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy,
I agree. The powerplay seems to have been reworked in the last little while. I also noticed Kopi screening and facing the shooter down low a few times and said to myself “that looks different”. Hope to see the Kings keep it fresh the rest of the way.
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CupRun2011 Reply:
December 27th, 2010 at 3:55 pm
@Dominick, There’s also some good chemistry with DD and JJ on the blue line. JJ just needs to throw up a wrist shot once in a while rather than getting his slapshot blocked…DD found the lane last night and throw a wrister up that Hiller left a juicy rebound for Brownie to bury.
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Hitting the net with your shots would also help
Ahem…Stoll
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LomitaKingsFan Reply:
December 27th, 2010 at 3:27 pm
@Dan H., just remember that not all shots wide of the net are wide shots. Sometimes if there is no lane open up a player will intentionally throw it wide so the bounce off the boards can come to one of the guys in the front.
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Dan H. Reply:
December 27th, 2010 at 3:38 pm
@LomitaKingsFan,
That may be true, but when you do that you keep it low. Most of Stoll’s wide shots are waist high.
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Jack Handy Reply:
December 27th, 2010 at 3:57 pm
@Dan H., “Most of Stoll’s wide shots are waist high.”
you’re being kind.
that said i still love stoll’s work ethic and face of mastery.
Jack Handy Reply:
December 27th, 2010 at 3:58 pm
@Dan H., * face-off *
CupRun2011 Reply:
December 27th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
@Dan H., Stoll’s great at winning face-off when they get the PP, but agreed, his shots are so off the net, that they carom to the other team…
Dominick Reply:
December 27th, 2010 at 4:19 pm
@Dan H.,
I wouldn’t mind a little more accuracy, but Stoll is 4rth on the Kings in shots on goal, without 1rst line minutes.
Dominick Reply:
December 27th, 2010 at 4:31 pm
@Dan H., Sorry, I meant 5th. The 4 ahead of him all have played on the first line or rotated between the 1rst and 2nd. Stoll has played primarily on the 2nd.
Dan H. Reply:
December 27th, 2010 at 5:19 pm
@Dan H.,
The second line WAS the first for a large portion of the season. Also Stoll took 80% of the shots on the PP through 20 games in.
Dominick Reply:
December 27th, 2010 at 6:25 pm
@Dan H., Good point about the power play.
I am looking forward to Sturm getting his game legs under him and then working on the PP. He had some impressive moments in last nights game and did not look out of place on the #1 line. Brown and Kopi are clicking for sure, and it seems like Brownie and Williams match each other goal for goal in games! Bernier also looked very in-control and comfortable in net last night. Maybe he is getting used to this back-up thing finally. The team is clicking but there are tough games ahead, so hopefully the “faithful” won’t get “all crazy” if there are a couple of slip-up games.
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NO MORE TOO MANY PUTZ’s ON THE ICE PENALTIES!
Otherwise, carry on. Heavy forecheck, Shoot first, pass second, win.
Just curious, what’s our record when Clifford has a fight?
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The Kings being able to roll 4 lines is huge…it wasn’t long ago we couldn’t even roll two decent lines. With the addition of Clifford, the Kings have three solid NHL lines. Stoll is a weak 2nd line center but his face off percent and his line mates make up for his lack of scoring. AND Clifford…my goodness this 19 year old continues to impress with his skill and grit. Lots of maturity and no fear, all those who talk about exchanging Westy and Clifford in and out of the lineup are not watching this kid play HOCKEY! Sorry Poni…don’t expect a call this off season from DL…Clifford took your job
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Dan H. Reply:
December 27th, 2010 at 4:15 pm
@Barry’s Mullet,
Agreed. I love when they can roll four and not overwork the top two lines.
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Shotongoal Reply:
December 27th, 2010 at 4:16 pm
@Barry’s Mullet, Yep looks like Clifford might just be a “keeper” eh!! How bout that move for his goal in Chicago? He reminds me of ol’ #27 Danny Maloney, I know thats going waaaay back to the early-mid 70′s but he has those hockey skills and can still drop the gloves when need be. Maloney was probably the most underrated fighter during that time but Clifford is still learning….and he sure ain’t afraid of anyone!!
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cant wait to see this game. Hopefully sturm will get a goal tonight. I’m feelin it. Hope he is too. Also cant wait to watch florida and boston. hopefully lucic will get his but kicked.
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off topic i would like to thank whoever is responsible for turning around JJ. In November…nevermind… aint it great not to feel terrified of his defense. keep up the good work Jack
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kingsman Reply:
December 27th, 2010 at 4:26 pm
@nofreight, I agree. he always gets ripped on in the forums but goodness, he is like 4th or 5th on the team in scoring. Cut the guy some slack.
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YuriM Reply:
December 27th, 2010 at 6:32 pm
@nofreight, yea I was mad with jj so much so that I dropped him from one of my fantasy teams. Now I wish I could have him back on that team, he’s worth so many points just from ppp ohhhh well live and learn.
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Rich,
what was the final verdict on the Hash tag battle? the link on the KIngs homepage doesnt seem to be working at the moment.
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Brent Reply:
December 27th, 2010 at 5:08 pm
@BrokeKingsFan, I think I saw Kings 33,000+ to Ducks 12,000+ at some point last night. It wasn’t close.
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maybe j.j is growing up…………. looks so much better this year. still does boneheads once in a while.
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Does this mean kampon is not getting fired?
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DesertKing Reply:
December 27th, 2010 at 5:09 pm
@Kings x,
Or possibly, he was directed to change the system he implemented and go to one that has more “shot menatality” to it.
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Dominick Reply:
December 27th, 2010 at 5:17 pm
@Kings x, Jamie was pardoned, with a stay of execution by the governer. LOL
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Dan H. Reply:
December 27th, 2010 at 5:44 pm
@Dominick,
I don’t think he was ever in imminent danger. I never get the idea they’re going to make moves like that.
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Dominick Reply:
December 27th, 2010 at 6:24 pm
@Dan H., Just kidding. I didn’t really feel that way either.
imo the key to the improve PP is the scoring…..
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All La king fans note If the Kings dont win today. It will show where we need to improve our hockey club because this game is like game seven as you see the standings. I think I already know whats going to happen. We will only win this hockey game if we hold the sharks to 2 or fewer goals because I dont see the Kings score 4 goals in this kind of game which means something. I have been posting over and over saying that we need a 40 to 50 goal wing on the top line which would make other teams hard to match up with first and all other lines because I think by adding that good player would make kings very good four line team which means more goals. The only reason by kings have won somes games it because of the defence. When playoffs come this problem will occur more often. The playoff teams are good at defence and offense keep that in mind. So once again I want all king fans to demand a goal scorer from Dean since we have the MONEY. Please Dean all the good moves you have made will only look good if we win the cup. By the way picking up Marco for nothing will we the best move of the season because it didnt cost a thing. Willy signing the best move so far only thing when playoffs come hope he is healthy. We might not even make the playoffs if it wasnt for Marco and Willy signings. One other is Quick. It only makes sense to have Ryan,Justin and Kopi be together on the same line. Must remeber the best line in hockey when they were together. Please try that again Terry. LOVE THE KINGS and the fans who havent won the cup ever. Now its the chance do the right thing Dean.
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sid the kid Reply:
December 27th, 2010 at 9:33 pm
@jesse shergill, i just can’t wait for the fourth goal in this game to prove you wrong on this one. niemmi is just like any other goalie–very beatable. the kings have weapons to make it happen. i would love to see a 40-50 goal wing on the top line, but WHERE would we find such a guy? throw out a few names of 40-50 scorers out there and we can see if any of them are even a viable option or are even available
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