Jonathan Bernier will get the call in goal tomorrow when the Kings host Edmonton. Terry Murray said the move was pre-planned, and not a response to last night’s game.
Michal Handzus will indeed play a fourth-line center role tomorrow. Murray expressed some displeasure with Handzus’ recent play, and when I talked to him today, Handzus agreed. More notes and quotes to come…
I actually took a step back and looked at these lines:
Smyth-Kopitar-Williams
Sturm-Stoll-Simmonds
Clifford-Richardson-Brown
Lewis/Handzus/Ponikarovsky
And like what I see, This is a line up where you CAN roll 4 lines. Zues will still get his PP & PK time, but I have to agree with TM on moving him to the 4th line. as the 2nd line center he was not pressuring the puck, he was instead leaving the zone early to get back on D. He knows hes a liability out there with much quicker players and that’s what he needed to do to keep our defensive game stable while he was on the ice. We can’t have that on the 2nd line.
The only thing that I’m not to crazy about is Brown on the 3rd line, although he and Richardson on the same line will be fun to watch. I think were going to see pretty equal play time from the 2-4 line. I would actually like to see them give Lewis a shot at the 3rd line (more so the 2nd line) and move Cliffy back, but that would take all speed away from that 4th line.
Thats my $ .02
GO KINGS
[Reply]
KingsNut Reply:
January 14th, 2011 at 1:55 pm
@KingzzFan, How’bout
Smyth-Kopitar-Williams
Sturm-Stoll-Brown
Ponikarovsky-Handzus-Simmonds
Clifford-Lewis-Richardson (sub with Westy in tough games, e.g. Calgary)
These are combos that have worked in the past. We could skate the forth line more, saving minutes from the top 6-9, with a touch of a scoring threat.
I would think this is a good experiment for…I don’t know…at least 5 games (not 20 minutes)
[Reply]
KingzzFan Reply:
January 14th, 2011 at 2:16 pm
@KingsNut,
Thate pretty much where we started the season… And I do beleive we need to put Zues back on the 4th line if nothing more than to see if Richie will take this opportunity and run with it. Let’s face it, I love the guy but Zues needs a break. The 4th line will allow him the pleasure of not having to pressure the puck so much, and dropping back on D early is more acceptable.
I’d like to see them ship Westy back to Manchester and bring up Clune. When he had the two on one oppertunity with Strum against the leafs and he just froze, had no idea what to do with the puck… That was the last straw for me. GET HIM OUT. No one will fight him, he wont instigate, he’s out of position more than he’s in it and he doesn’t have the skill to put up more than 3-4 points a year. Clune at least has some puck moving skills and will create more oppertunitys than Westy, not to mention he can draw penalties and is willing to drop the gloves as well.
[Reply]
westie Reply:
January 14th, 2011 at 3:47 pm
@KingzzFan,
Clune is better off keeping his gloves off. We saw that last year in the playoffs Rypien slapped him around like a little kid on the playground.
westie Reply:
January 14th, 2011 at 3:48 pm
@KingzzFan,
Sorry mean gloves on
Kings take last place maybe first round pick. they don’t care why should we.
[Reply]
When the Kings are home for long periods they have no jump….. must be the laid back LA lifstyle
[Reply]
Fire Murray.
[Reply]
What has Zues done wrong? I recall a few uncharacteristically bad passes in the defensive zone, but noting glaring. Crap! I have him on my fantasy team, and he was finally scoring, I have no centers that actually take faceoffs except for Zues! Richards and Malkin are fantasty death for faceoffs.
[Reply]
Will Hutchison Reply:
January 14th, 2011 at 1:18 pm
@Will Hutchison, I feel bad for typing the C-word…
[Reply]
djpuck Reply:
January 14th, 2011 at 1:23 pm
@Will Hutchison, in my opinion he is not skating hard. completely unlike him.
[Reply]
PK Reply:
January 14th, 2011 at 1:24 pm
@Will Hutchison, Zues on your fantasy team? ouch
[Reply]
Will Hutchison Reply:
January 14th, 2011 at 1:40 pm
@PK, I know. He’s one of my favorites and I thought he’d be great as my 4th center. I’ve also got Backes and Skinner. 12 team league. I overlooked the fact Malkin doesn’t take faceoffs (except in the playoffs, remember that one he scored on?) and Richards is too busy trash talking everyone (I can’t believe he called out Subban for that, Richards never stops talking smack) to take a faceoff.
kevin Reply:
January 14th, 2011 at 1:21 pm
@Will Hutchison, he blew his coverage on the third goal the one steen scored
[Reply]
Bill M. Reply:
January 14th, 2011 at 2:15 pm
@kevin, yeah. He peeled the wrong way. As a slower skater in the NHL, he should know that if you don’t have excellent wheels, when a guy peels away, you should peel and go after him, but turn the opposite way (mirror his movement rather than follow). If you follow him (like Zues did) you give up body position.
[Reply]
YoBro Reply:
January 14th, 2011 at 6:46 pm
@kevin, Yeah, after Doughty coughed it up yet again.
[Reply]
Rich or anyone (waves?),
whats the mood like at practice today? yelling, emotion, all work and business?
[Reply]
Cristobal Reply:
January 14th, 2011 at 1:50 pm
@tornado12,
I, too, am dying to know about this.
I’d also love to know what is being said on the bench during the games.
Alas, that’s highly guarded information.
I was shocked that HBO was granted access to all that verbal stuff in the 24/7 series.
[Reply]
Awesome. Our best player at standing in front of the net and tipping pucks into the goal is relegated to less ice time.
[Reply]
tornado12 Reply:
January 14th, 2011 at 1:20 pm
@deelo, That would be Smyth, but I get your point. And why brown on the third? Is he a shut down player now?
[Reply]
txkingsfan Reply:
January 14th, 2011 at 1:23 pm
@deelo, you mean Smyth has been demoted? Last time I checked Smyth has 17G 12A compared to Zeues’ 7G 11A. Yes, Zeus is effective but “our best player”? really?
[Reply]
AK47 Reply:
January 14th, 2011 at 1:23 pm
@deelo,
Handzus seems to have taken a step back, he seems slow and not like himself. Remember, the guy is pretty old, I think the Kings should start looking into giving him days off
[Reply]
bring the kids up to play. We have let this season slip away and nobody on this team seems to care.
[Reply]
Displeasure with Handzus’ play? How about management getting upset about the displeasure of the play on this God awful homestand. What are you going to do Dean? Bring someone up from Manchester? Make a coaching change? Sit a couple vets healthy scratches? Make a trade? Season is slipping away.
[Reply]
Sebastian Reply:
January 14th, 2011 at 1:22 pm
@LAKingsFan26, you do understand that unless a King player gets injured, traded or waived, nobody can be called up from Manchester, as the Kings have a full 23 man active roster?
[Reply]
Ducksuck Reply:
January 14th, 2011 at 1:42 pm
@Sebastian, Thought Lewis, Martinez, and Clifford all had two way contracts?
[Reply]
Gary Reply:
January 14th, 2011 at 1:54 pm
@Sebastian, Yes you can always send players down, too. Though I wouldn’t send any of those guys down.
[Reply]
gene Reply:
January 14th, 2011 at 2:25 pm
@LAKingsFan26, Agree 100%. DL what have you been waiting for??????????????? YOur team sucks, y our head coach sucks and you dont do a dam thing. IS the season over for you yet????????? This team is a joke right now from players all the way up to management.
[Reply]
Here’s to hoping that last yrs bernier finaly shows up and is here to stay!!! Go kings!
[Reply]
Sancho Reply:
January 14th, 2011 at 2:06 pm
@PurpleNGold, Another loss…count on it.
[Reply]
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
January 14th, 2011 at 2:43 pm
@PurpleNGold, Not that it has a lot to do with the Kings failing to score more than one goal, in addition to playing crappy defense.
[Reply]
What about Doughty?? Or does Murray’s accountability system not apply to him . . .
[Reply]
Joe 35 Reply:
January 14th, 2011 at 1:33 pm
@Cutty Sarkn3ss,
I agree, I say we scratch Doughty for a few games until he decides he wants to actually start skating.
[Reply]
Gary Reply:
January 14th, 2011 at 1:55 pm
@Cutty Sarkn3ss, don’t you know? He only calls out players whose contract ends this year.
[Reply]
Bill M. Reply:
January 14th, 2011 at 2:16 pm
@Gary, Nonsense. Doughty’s contract ends this year.
[Reply]
Nyck Reply:
January 14th, 2011 at 1:58 pm
@Cutty Sarkn3ss, 100% on the mark. Unfortunately the youngest guys, with the most potential, are let play the WORST hockey.
[Reply]
krash324 Reply:
January 14th, 2011 at 2:24 pm
@Cutty Sarkn3ss, This is a team slump, not Doughty. 22 points and a plus 12 rating; no one on the Kings has better numbers than these. Like I said before, we need our goalie to steal us a game and if Bernier wins Saturday they should play him right waway again.
[Reply]
There’s definitely one hell of a weird air surrounding this team right now. It feels like somethings about to explode.
[Reply]
Kings' Fan 88 Reply:
January 14th, 2011 at 8:31 am
@Tylervonallen,
And that’s when the Captain needs to step-up and earn his ‘C’
[Reply]
I have lost my faith and it feels horrible.
[Reply]
Sancho Reply:
January 14th, 2011 at 2:07 pm
@kevin, I’ve lost my faith and I feel like I am back to normal.
[Reply]
I vote for sitting TM…..for a long time. Bring back Melrose. He will light a fire under the kids. That’s for sure!
[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
January 14th, 2011 at 1:31 pm
@Carolina Kings Fan, OOOOOOOWWWWWW! Big mistake. Melrose would only last 16 games and destroy everyones confidence before blaming it all on the players lack of heart.
[Reply]
kings need to be playing .600 hockey or better to make the playoffs from here on out.
39 games left, minimum of 46 points required.
something has to be done to make that happen.
[Reply]
slovenian fan Reply:
January 14th, 2011 at 7:09 am
@newf,
keep in mind taht there will be more and more 3 point games also.
[Reply]
newf Reply:
January 14th, 2011 at 1:34 pm
@newf, oh yeah, and that’s not even taking into account if other teams start to do well, or if the ones ahead of us keep pace. so it’s even worse.
man this sucks.
[Reply]
I realize that Sebastian. But why not give a couple young guys a chance. 1-6 on our homestand. Are you kidding me? A St Louis team that has massive injuries and all we could manage was 1 flipping goal. Pathetic. Someone said Melrose. I have also heard our former pal Andy Murray’s name mentioned. I find it hard to believe that Dean will just sit by and let these losses pile up. It is his @ss on the line too if they fail.
[Reply]
I think the team has stockholm syndrome.
[Reply]
Bill M. Reply:
January 14th, 2011 at 2:18 pm
@pr0cess, The are enamored with their captors? Or is that the one where they fall in love out of sympathy for someone who needs help?
[Reply]
pr0cess Reply:
January 14th, 2011 at 2:36 pm
@Bill M., ya
[Reply]
Ken Hitchcock is out there too. He’d light a fire under some asses but would castrate the offense even further. And put Hometown Buffet out of business locally.
[Reply]
Cristobal Reply:
January 14th, 2011 at 1:42 pm
@BluLine77,
I just threw up in my mouth.
The only word I want preceding, or following, his name is “NO!”
[Reply]
BluLine77 Reply:
January 14th, 2011 at 1:53 pm
@Cristobal,
Exactly my point. some people should be careful what they wish for. I know everyone wants a fire lit but Melrose? Surprised no one has brought Keenan yet up as well. We already had that kind of screamer in Crawford and we all know how well that turned out. I’d just like to see someone brought in with some more modern approach to the game. Realistically, if anything happens, it would be Stevens or Morris as “interim” coach for the rest of the year.
[Reply]
Damn i hope Bernie can steal a game for us because as of right now it seems thats the only way we get a win. Bernier………I hope you practiced your break dancing because you will need your head spin’s to be 100% otherwise its going to be a long night for you.
[Reply]
VanKingsFan Reply:
January 14th, 2011 at 1:45 pm
@BrokeKingsFan, Wouldn’t it be cool if Bernier caught on FIRE and turned the season around? I think so… not likely to happen… but it would be cool
[Reply]
BrokeKingsFan Reply:
January 14th, 2011 at 1:49 pm
@VanKingsFan, very cool!!!!
[Reply]
BluLine77 Reply:
January 14th, 2011 at 1:57 pm
@VanKingsFan,
The only turning around Bernier has proven he’s up to this year is when he’s digging the puck out of the back of his net.
[Reply]
VanKingsFan Reply:
January 14th, 2011 at 2:00 pm
@BluLine77, Ohhhhh SNAP!
But still… with the ON and then OFF, and then ON, and now OFF Kings team… I have a good feeling that we can turn it ON! and keep it on with some minor adjustments.
Dave's a Killer Reply:
January 15th, 2011 at 8:34 am
@BluLine77, Outstanding
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
January 14th, 2011 at 2:46 pm
@BrokeKingsFan, As much as I’d like that, I see that leading to a goaltending controversy. Both goaltenders have played below par over their last 10 games or so, but it’s really not the issue.
[Reply]
locdog1 Reply:
January 15th, 2011 at 12:09 pm
@BrokeKingsFan,
i hope the d blocks for Bernier…
[Reply]
I will be there Saturday as usual, I will have my Jersey reversed (Castle in distress dont ya know) and I will look forward to getting my Rogie rally towel. A pleasant surprise if the Kings show up and play.
[Reply]
TM is begging to be fired.
When the team-defense is the problem, go with familiarity.
Sturm-Kopi-Brown
Smyth-Stoll-Williams
Clifford-Zus-Simmonds
Poni-Richie-Lewis
Start Quick.
Only, bring in Harrold for Greene or Doughty.
Power Play lines should stay the same as the regular lines, just as they should have last night. Familiarity will help create more offense and stabalize the defending.
Keep Stoll off the point on the PP and let the regular defensive pairings do their thing. Johnson, Doughty, Martinez, Greene (Harrold would be even better on the PP).
Has DL thrown in the towel?
This doesn’t help.
His system is sound, but the confusion of changing so much is a large factor in these breakdowns.
[Reply]
YoBro Reply:
January 14th, 2011 at 6:51 pm
@Cristobal, Heck, I say bring in Harry for BOTH Greene and Doughty
[Reply]
Any word on whether Loktionov is back from Russia yet?
[Reply]
VanKingsFan Reply:
January 14th, 2011 at 1:53 pm
@Will Hutchison, Yes, he played last night.
[Reply]
yes, that makes sense. send the only guy who put the puck in the net to the 4th line. match him up with Westgarth. perfect.
[Reply]
Resedakingsfan Reply:
January 14th, 2011 at 4:43 pm
@Dave, I had that same thought. TM is displeased with the play of the only guy who scored last night, and yet Westgarth, who hasn’t done much of anything all season, plays on. I don’t get it.
[Reply]
Ya wanna know why the Kings will lose this next game? It’s the only game that I get to go to this season. Bet on it. Put up a big L for the Kings. I live out of state and I am flying in to attend this game. Mark my words- King lose.
[Reply]
VanKingsFan Reply:
January 14th, 2011 at 2:12 pm
@Sancho, Good vibes my friend… send good energy toward the game and the team and they WILL win.
You have to know that they have the potential for greatness and that they will show it. I think all the negative energy in the building right now (booing, frustrated fans) is only hurting us right now.
[Reply]
lvkingaholic Reply:
January 14th, 2011 at 3:08 pm
@Sancho, we need more fans like you for sure……….
[Reply]
MK Ultra Reply:
January 14th, 2011 at 4:51 pm
@Sancho,
Ahhh, the reverse jinx.
[Reply]
Terry seems to be unhappy with everyones play these days…thats it put your best defensive center on the 4th line and he’ll have Westie to finish. Terry you have no answers for this tailspin which is very obvious..line changes aren’t working, no attempt to change the defense and now you are putting in Bernier as to stop the puck guy….maybe bench a few of the players that really need benching like Doughty and yourself…Maybe you should sit a game or 2 and see if one of your assistants can get a handle on whats happening…you are preparing for Edmonton and they are a really bad team…what will the answer be when you give those 2 points away?
[Reply]
Murray is displeased with alot of players, maybe because it’s vise versa?
[Reply]
ATTENTION LA FANS
Lets give this line up a life, a vote of confidence. I personally think this is the best lineup I’ve seen suggested in two months on this team.
I’m sure many agree, lets give plenty of positive vibs to the players as they head to Edmonton. They can get this turned around they also need to know everyone is supporting them not tearing their heads off in either cuts or trades.
Like any buisness support and training is critical and we need to get behind these guys, not that any player would ever read a blog but more for the fact bringing some pride back to our aged franchise.
[Reply]
Harty Reply:
January 14th, 2011 at 2:18 pm
@Harty, ops, I’m ahead of things however you will like what you see in Edmonton.
[Reply]
VanKingsFan Reply:
January 14th, 2011 at 2:25 pm
@Harty, I thought the game was in LA….
BUT, i highly agree (my post above to Sancho)
They need positive energy to succeed.
[Reply]
Kings' Fan 88 Reply:
January 14th, 2011 at 8:38 am
@VanKingsFan,
That’s the problem; the REAL Kings don’t know where the games are being played…lol
[Reply]
Harty Reply:
January 14th, 2011 at 3:55 pm
@Kings’ Fan 88, it is in LA I’m definitely wrong, sorry lets get pumped up folks not kicking everyone right now.
Your can always tell your real friends and fans when they are on your team when times are tough.
Good luck, Bernie. Hope the Blue Line Escort Service takes a night off and a real defense shows up in front of you.
[Reply]
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
January 14th, 2011 at 3:16 pm
@vplaza, Props on the escort service reference. I haven’t heard that since the 90′s, when Kelly Hrudey ate something like 50 shots worth of rubber.
[Reply]
vplaza Reply:
January 14th, 2011 at 4:22 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?,
I was really hoping we wouldn’t need to pull that one out of the hat.
[Reply]