The Kings, once again, will go with a fourth-line look of Trevor Lewis centering Brad Richardson and Kevin Westgarth tonight. Terry Murray said Alexei Ponikarovsky, out with a lower-body injury, is “still a little lame. … He’s not able to cross over, pivot, open up, all those things that hockey players have to do.” Still, Murray said he feels confident in what the fourth line is able to do. Richardson and Westgarth, for the most part, are known quantities, but Lewis seems to be increasingly reliable at both ends, and has earned some penalty-kill time of late. Here’s what Murray had to say about the trio today…
MURRAY: “The fourth line has given me a lot of confidence to play them. They’re doing the right things. They’re playing hard. They’re playing with speed, with grit, attacking, scoring goals. There was a huge goal against San Jose. So they’re giving me everything that I could possibly want from them. To be able to come out of a special-teams situation and put the fourth line out there, and know that they’re going to get matched up against one of the better lines on the opposition, and that they’re checking the right way and playing on the right side of the puck, is a real good thing for the hockey club. It obviously backs off some of your top guys, in a heavy schedule like this. Through it all, you’re going to be fresher and play at a higher tempo because of it.”
It seems Murray gets to the point at the end, but to drive it home, rolling four lines when he has confidence in them takes minutes off the top lines to keep them fresh in back-to-back games, as it did against San Jose. The affect of this will probably be magnified when the Kings reach four games in five nights, five in seven, etc.
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Belexes Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 12:42 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?,
Actually, the reason why the 4th saw so many minutes vs. the Ducks was because of the lopsised score. When your team is up by 3 it’s pretty easy to put the checkers out there. However if that had been a 1 goal game, Kopi and friends would have had their usual amounts of ice time.
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wavesinair Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 1:00 pm
@Belexes, TM’s definitely playing the 4th line more than usual but your point is valid regardless.
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Bill M. Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 1:03 pm
@Belexes, That certainly had some effect, however I believe that Murray ha said before the game that he wanted to lean on the fourth line in order to keep everybody fresh for San Jose.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 1:07 pm
@Belexes, http://lakingsinsider.com/2010/12/28/kings-not-afraid-to-let-it-roll/
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tuan jim Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 3:14 pm
@Belexes,
But it was the fourth line that scored the first — and what turned out to be the winning — goal. TM was playing them while the issue of the game was still very much in doubt.
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KC23 Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 4:39 pm
@tuan jim, Yep, well said.
The 4th line was as good last game, as it has been any game this season.
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I like lewis he is a great two way player and given the chances can put the puck in the back of the net or top shelf where momma keeps the jam.
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DougS Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 1:12 pm
@kevin,
Lewis has really come along quite nicely. I know he had his supporters in training camp, but I am pleasantly surprised that he’s making this kind of an impact. He has looked solid on the PK.
Like Martinez, he barely registered at all last year, but this year, he’s showing that he belongs. Good on the kid, and here’s hoping he becomes the next incarnation of Eric Belanger.
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kevin Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 1:16 pm
@DougS, to be honest I thought at the start of the seaeson we should have kept schen but glad we didnt.
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Steve Jensen Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 1:37 pm
@kevin,
Lewis is developing nicely. He should be in the mix to take over Handzus’ spot on the third line with Simmmers and Cliffy next year. Schenn will be able to compete for Stoll’s spot as second line center. Good things present and on the horizon.
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seenitallsince'67 Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 2:27 pm
@Steve Jensen,
Handzus is a big part of our defensive side of things. He is assigned to negate the impact of the big centers (thornton, getzlaf) and does quite an admirable job. He is also a key to our penalty kill, and one of our better faceoff players. I don’t think that you can hand over his responsibilities to a player with less than a year of experience. We need him for at least 1 more year (if he agrees) before we pass the torch.
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tuan jim Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 3:20 pm
@seenitallsince’67,
Handzus is not the sort of player who’ll ever be “replaced”. Moreover, those skills or advantages associated with youth are not necessarily parts of his game, which benefits from brains, experience, toughness, and a lot of et cetera. He costs a lot, but he’s worth a lot.
Steve Jensen Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 7:03 pm
@seenitallsince’67,
I don’t disagree with your assessment of Zues. (Notwithstanding his poor first period tonight.) However, his contract expires and unless he’s willing to take a one year deal, DL will not give him a multi year contract at his going rate.
seems like we can be sure this is a groin issue for poni, which is less than ideal
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Chaddog13 Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 1:41 pm
@Stop the Puck, Not sure its a groin. They are saying there’s still swelling.. Ever seen a swolen groin? Me neither.
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TJB Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 2:00 pm
@Stop the Puck,
Someone on an earlier post said, “they were at the game, and that he looked to favor his ankle at on point”. Sounds like an ankle injury to me.
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TJB Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 2:00 pm
@TJB, *one point
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Stop the Puck Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 2:36 pm
@TJB,
if its an ankle, and hes only day to day, im sure he would be able to suck it up for a game…sounds more like a muscle where hes inhibited by the injury
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KC23 Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 4:41 pm
@Stop the Puck, I’m thinking its an ankle.
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I’m so used to lines with Harrold and Ivanans…it kind of boggles my mind that this team has the ability to comfortably roll 4 lines for once. It sure makes a world of difference.
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Is it me, or am I the only one that cringes everytime Westgarth is on the ice?
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Belexes Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 12:58 pm
@Dave,
It’s not just you. It’s also the other team.
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Michael J. Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 1:24 pm
@Belexes,
Ha! Pretty funny. Not real accurate, but humourous nonetheless.
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rozzy Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 1:00 pm
@Dave,
Only you Westy plays a solid game. Might not be the most skilled but is making better plays with the puck and off the puck so give the guy a chance its his first year in the NHL
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wavesinair Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 1:03 pm
@Dave, I don’t cringe like I did with Ivan, but I don’t look forward to it either. I actually enjoy seeing the Richie/Louis/Poni line. They are a legit threat.
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Abo Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 1:09 pm
@wavesinair, I must agree with you on that! Skil, size, & speed!
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Chaddog13 Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 1:12 pm
@Dave, I agree with Rozzy, I think Westy has been playing fairly well. He’s had a couple scoring chances and has been making good decisions exiting the defensive zone…
He’s our heavy weight and should be dressed almost every game!
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kevin Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 1:18 pm
@Chaddog13, I disagree I like having a 4th line thats more skilled base most nights sometimes you need a HW but most nights now days not so much
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Dan H. Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 1:31 pm
@Dave,
He’s been ok lately but I was waiting for the penalty before the Richardson to Lewis pass the other day. he was scrapping with one of the guys that put Richardson down and thought a penalty was coming up but he let go just in time I think.
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devilmachine Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 3:24 pm
@Dan H., Yeah, thought for sure they were going to call the high cross check at the neck area!
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Kevco Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 1:31 pm
@Dave, He’s pretty far behind the play most of the time. Really not needed too much with the others we have that can fight.
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RoyalPain Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 1:36 pm
@Dave,
When you have a big, (reasonably) tough team like the Kings, there is less need for a heavyweight like Westy, but he has his uses and should be used accordingly. I don’t want Clifford and Simmonds going up against the heavies all the time.
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devilmachine Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 3:31 pm
@RoyalPain, TOUGH? What team are you wathing? Kopi got run a game or two back and nothing, he gets slashed and nothing, when Dustin got run a few weeks back, nothing. Doughty gets speared and Quick steps up? Someone better crush Calgary next time we play them! Westy is a bit of a liability, but you need that big guy in the building just so the other team knows it. I agree with you about the middle weights (Simmonds/Clifford) But I’ll take Clifford who will go with anyone, it seems. Remember Simmonds last year? He’d jack up anyone, he’s getting back to that but the rest of the team needs to step up in this area, too!
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mcsorleyfan Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 3:33 pm
@Dave, I like Westy’s game; I’d like to see him get to that 25 points a season mark he had in Manchester; that will develop with more game time. I don’t agree with dressing a punching bag that can’t play hockey; it’s senseless and renders 2 other players useless. However- there are those games where that faster look is desired, and I like having that available as well. I don’t believe Westy should be dressed for every game, but I do think he needs enough game time to develop and be ready to contribute in the playoffs, should we need him there. It’s about time for Kevin to expand his repertoire however. I’d like to see him telling Shane Doan that if Paul Biznasty gets within a stick length of Kopi, Doan will get the bad end of it. THAT is using your size to your advantage.
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Where is Scott Parse?
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 1:09 pm
@snapperhead, Manchester?
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DougS Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 1:10 pm
@snapperhead,
Still injured.
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Bill M. Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 1:10 pm
@snapperhead, Done for the season. Maybe we’ll see him in the playoffs but he won’t be himself with that much time out
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kevin Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 1:12 pm
@snapperhead, Who cares he isnt the guy everyone thinks he is I leave the team the way it is let him play in manchester
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Chaddog13 Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 1:14 pm
@kevin, I totally agree!
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simonsez Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 1:25 pm
@kevin,
He may have potential but hasn’t shown much at the NHL level. Murray was being really optimistic to think he’d be a top 6 guy this season.
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wavesinair Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 1:26 pm
Pretty harsh for a guy who has proven he can play and exceed in this league. Not sure why you’re so down on him. He caught a bad break with his hip. I hope it doesn’t ruin his career. He has a lot to offer a team. I hope it’s with the Kings.
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kevin Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 1:44 pm
@wavesinair, What I am saying is he is a third line forward at best and we seem pretty set at that postition no need for him he would be at the bottom of players I would use for that spot i.e. Schen, Lokti, Clifford, Simmers, Lewis, Richardson and plus I see us picknig one more player up before the trade deadline pushing someone else futher down the line.( I hope its Jerome, or Simon ) or maybe a loaner like Kaberle might be nice or a guy like Semin.
mcsorleyfan Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 3:34 pm
@wavesinair, wholeheartedly agree!
KC23 Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 4:43 pm
@wavesinair, I agree. The only thing Parse did wrong was get injured. He is a plus player last year and this year.
wavesinair Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 1:13 pm
He had hip surgery and is expected to be back in March or April. They repaired the labrum in his hip.
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Tylervonallen Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 1:13 pm
@snapperhead,
http://lakingsinsider.com/2010/11/16/parses-unfortunate-break
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if you look at this 4th line tonight one thing comes to mind…..2/3 of this line has been in a top six role for more than just an “experiment”
it’s a beautiful thing to have confidence in your 4th line and even expect some production
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ya he didn’t empress me either, cried when i found out the game isn’t on fsw
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Quick ——bad game
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