The Kings played back-to-back games, Sunday at home against Anaheim and Monday at San Jose. That’s worth noting because, for the most part, it didn’t show on the ice. On Monday, having played less than 24 hours earlier, and facing a San Jose team with three days of rest under its belt, the Kings came out strong from the opening faceoff and dominated most of the first period. An emotional letdown might have been expected later in the game, particularly when the Kings hadn’t scored on 30 shots through two periods, but the Kings were outstanding in the third period and finished the game strong.
Terry Murray pointed to balanced minutes as a difference-making. In Sunday’s game, Murray opted to go with a fourth line of Brad Richardson, Trevor Lewis and Alexei Ponikarovsky — and scratch enforcer Kevin Westgarth — because he wanted to give the fourth line more ice time than Westgarth would normally get. It worked as planned. Against the Ducks, the fourth line contributed approximately 14 minutes — much more than usual — and Murray was able to cut back on minutes for players such as Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown, keeping them fresher for Monday’s game. The same situation is on the horizon, as the Kings face a game tomorrow against Phoenix, followed by a home game the next night against Philadelphia.
MURRAY: “I think playing the four lines the night before was really important. You take a look at the minutes played on the score sheet at the end of the night, after the game at home, and you’re seeing guys — Kopi as an example — usually at 20-plus minutes, normally, back to 16 minutes. That makes a difference. You’re fresh, you’re energized, you’re getting a full tank right away and you’re coming out and showing it. Last night, playing with four lines in the early part of the game, the fourth line gave us a lot of good stuff, a physical presence and then obviously with the scoring of the first goal. They were very involved and contributed big-time to our game.
“I think the big thing last night, with back-to-back games, is the start of the game, the first period. That was really important, and it was very good, to come out energy, play with tempo and set the pace of the game the way we did. The first three or four shifts, we were looking at 25-, 30-second shifts. The guys were really on page, doing the right things with their length of shifts, their tempo, and the execution, I thought, was really good. The shot mentality, just putting pucks to the net, and the recovered pucks generated other opportunities because of it. The start was really something that was what you wanted, and we got it.”
Murray said he would look for the same type of look tomorrow night against the Coyotes. The only question is whether Ponikarovsky, who missed Monday’s game with a lower-body injury, or Westgarth will fill the fourth-line right-wing spot.
MURRAY: “I feel very good about playing four lines right now. Is that one player going to be Poni or Westie? I don’t know yet. We’ll have to see how he comes out of this treatment, and where he’s at in the skate tomorrow, but I sure like the way that line has played the last several games. We’ve got some veteran players there, so they’re very capable of matching up against almost anybody and give us good energy, puck management and do the right stuff in execution. Westie jumping into the lineup last night, I thought his presence was very effective.”
Look at quick’s stats he is in top of every catergory. Koptiar is closing in on top 10 in points and brown is climbing up too. This is the year lets take it all the way home guys!
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The lines looked real good last night. I thought it was the best display of chemistry so far this year. Offence and Defence. The lack of penalties helped too
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Stuart Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 7:29 am
@rumpa#19, good menetion of penalties, or the lack thereof. I thought the refs called a really good game in letting the boys play. I thought for sure Westy was going to get called on the Lewis goal, but the ref just looked and than pointed in the net! Good game refs, can’t say that very often, but I’m not afraid to.
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Lewis has picked up his game considerably and shows good chemistry with Richardson.
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Dominick Reply:
December 28th, 2010 at 7:11 pm
@KC23, TM had commented in the past about looking at pairs instead of lines. Certain pairs do seem to work. Kopi-Brown, Smyth-Willy, Zues-Simmers, and now Lewis-Richie. That’s 4 good pairings. Poni seems the best match for the 4rth line. Clifford is settling into that 3rd pairing. Stoll has all but locked up that 2nd pair. Sturm seems to be the big peice (and question mark) on the top pairing. I can see why TM has stressed rolling 4 lines lately. He has very finely tuned each pairing with a player that will compliment their play. Very systematic approach.
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UUSHA#17 Reply:
December 28th, 2010 at 9:54 pm
@Dominick, Not having a 4th line was a much discussed topic last season and was often cited as a problem in the playoffs. Looks like this is solved…and no less then with a man to spare.
Add 12 or so regular season goals from Sturm and come playoff time we’re looking at a whole new ballgame
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Wasn’t westgarth in last nights game? He was looking for someone to punch when richie got leveled then passed to Lewis for the 1st goal.
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ryan oliver Reply:
December 28th, 2010 at 7:20 pm
@Kings x, I know. Thankfully the refs didnt call a penalty there. They easily could have.
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KC23 Reply:
December 28th, 2010 at 8:21 pm
@Kings x, Westgarth was actually instrumental in the goal as he kept the two down low Sharks busy thinking about him while Richardson, got up with the puck still in his skates and threaded a beauty to Lewis in the slot.
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ForumtoStaplesFan Reply:
December 28th, 2010 at 9:47 pm
@KC23, I thought the exact same thing watching last night. For all the crap he gets on this board, Richardson’s amazing move doesn’t happen if Westie isn’t tying up those goons.
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mcsorleyfan Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 3:19 am
@ForumtoStaplesFan, @KC23 Thanks; I thought I was the only one noticing! Actually, KC hasn’t left me alone in supporting Westie.
Show some love for Martinez ladies and gentlemen. Kids playing freakin awesome, no hesitation what so ever, I love the kid what a gem, hes only gonna get better. Oh and off topic what a game Schenn had today in the WJC. Wow does he have vision, its great for his development, love the kid also cant wait till he joins the KINGDOM!!
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Marco Sturm will have 15 goals by the end of the season…you bet….just a great addition to this team…I really like what Lombardi has done…My bet is Sharks would’ve had 2 cups by now had they not let him go in ’03….our gain…HA!
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Stuart Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 7:31 am
@tellmeY, I’m not sure MS is/was the key to Stanley Cup runs for the Sharks, but I’ll take him in the purple…
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the Kings were a force to be reckoned with during the last six periods….it’s something we are not used to as fans of this franchise…couldn’t b happier about it though
outstanding contribution from top to bottom….you can say from DL and then the coaching staff OR our first line then the complete rotation of available players on the roster, whomever that is.
Very proud to be a fan today.
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Still impressed that the Kings dominated our two biggest rivals on consecutive nights. I feel confident in all four lines. Let’s keep it going cause Dallas won again.
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Dominick Reply:
December 28th, 2010 at 8:05 pm
@Hockeysureshot, What happened to the anonymous option for posting on your site?
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Schenn looks like a star in the making in the WJC. Forbort on the the other hand looked dreadful. He doesn’t use his size well can’t skate or shoot. He could be the worst player on the USA roster
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RLane420 Reply:
December 28th, 2010 at 8:46 pm
@Bob, Where you expecting 5 points from him too. USA d only alowwed 1 goal that doesnt sound so dreadful to me. He isnt a Drew or JJ type d man so dont look for that type of dynamic play. How many games have you seen him play?
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DougS Reply:
December 28th, 2010 at 8:58 pm
@Bob,
Forbort is raw, but that doesn’t mean he won’t improve. His rawness is acknowledged by all. He’s just starting as a freshman at one of the best programs in college hockey. The fact that he made the US Juniors team at all and the fact that University of North Dakota let him on the team both speak well of him at this stage of his development.
Patience with young players is important. If I make another post about Martinez’s development demonstrates that point, I’m probably gonna violate Rich’s rule about not making the same point ad nauseum…..
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Kyle Reply:
December 28th, 2010 at 9:43 pm
@Bob, Relax. Give the kid a break. He’s not Doughty yet. Big deal. He’s a bloody freshman playing in one of the highest level tournaments short of the pros. He is not going to shine every night and his “worst” is better than most juniors’ best.
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KC23 Reply:
December 28th, 2010 at 10:37 pm
@Bob, Defenseman develop very very slowly. I can’t believe Martinez is the same guy who played last year. He sucked bad last year, this year he looks like he belongs in the NHL.
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The plays of Richie to Lewis and Kopi to Brown was IMO the top two plays of the year.. All in one game!!
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Off topic: Comment by Pierre McGuire during intermission of the ‘nucks/Flyers game about Braydon Schenn: “L.A. Kings gift to Team Cananda is working out well . . .”
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RLane420 Reply:
December 28th, 2010 at 8:48 pm
@KDinUT, Really Pierre 7 points in 2 games, you think. I cant wait for this kid to be ready to replace Stoll. He is going to be dynomite.
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Looking for some west coast coverage on NHL.com is still a joke. Should rename it Sid.com
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Has anybody been watching this HBO 24.7 Winter Classic Series? What an incredible TV series! It blows away my TV show “Poorman’s Bikini Beach” hahhah. If you haven’t seen it, you’ve got to watch it. It shows the Caps going through an 8 game losing streak. The raw reality is the best documentary special I’ve ever seen on hockey. It’s must see TV with 1 more episode coming tomorrow night I believe.
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KC23 Reply:
December 28th, 2010 at 10:38 pm
@Poorman, It it excellent, but I am getting a bit fed up with the Cap/Pens hype. Enough is enough.
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dMan Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 12:29 am
@KC23, I haven’t watched the show, but from an objective point of view, the series outlines two of the more dynamic players in the league today. HBO committed to the show and the NHL has to deliver a dynamic product. As Kings fans, it may not necessarily be to our liking, but it is good for the sport overall and if it can gain many more fans then it’s a good thing.
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Poorman Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 12:51 am
@dMan, That’s the point KC23! This series is great for the sport, and I haven’t ever seen such an inside look at the players, coaches, and management. This series will definitely help hockey’s popularity. If Kopitar keeps making plays like he did with Brown, he’ll be mentioned in the same breath as Ovechkin and Crosby. The most interesting things to me were the coach of the Caps dealing with his foul mouth and losing streak without having a meltdown and Ovechkin kind of acting like a baby when it came to his sore hamstring and hurt hand from his 1 fight.
Kings in a 4 goals per game average in their last 5 games so happy we can finally score and hope it doesn’t go anywhere!!
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