Mitchell making a left turn on defense

The Kings will go with the same six-man personnel on defense tonight, but the players will get moved around a bit, as the Kings go back to a look closer to the one they started this season with. Drew Doughty pairs with Willie Mitchell, while Jack Johnson pairs with Rob Scuderi and Alec Martinez pairs with Matt Greene. The change, according to Terry Murray, was motivated by a desire to get Mitchell back to the left side, his natural spot on the ice. Mitchell had moved to the right side two weeks ago, when he returned from his injury and paired with Johnson.

MURRAY: “He has played on the left side for pretty much his whole career. He’s been great, to make the adjustment to the right side. We just feel that getting back to his position, that he’s had real good success at as a pro, would be good, so he’s going to end up with Doughty tonight.”

38 Comments

  1. KingsFanFTL says:

    omg if they comfortable on the Left side why in the hell would u screw it up by moving him right side soemtimes i wonder if TM can think straight :/ TM a good coach but if its not broken DONT FIX IT that be all

    [Reply]

    fsd1 Reply:

    @KingsFanFTL, dude, do you remember some injuries to defensemen at all this year? Pairing change just like lines do.

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    Bfarm Reply:

    @fsd1,

    YEA, and who the f cares about this junk. just win a friggin game already.. i dont see how this is gonna help us win.

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  2. Zeus Fan says:

    I think they need to start wearing their retro jerseys more often. Maybe that will fire them up!

    [Reply]

    BrokeKingsFan Reply:

    @Zeus Fan, were undefeated in those jersey so far!

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    What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:

    @BrokeKingsFan, The were beaten by Calgary in those jerseys (the blue on gold, retros.)

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  3. OCKingsFan says:

    After how many game he finally decides to put the pairs that had success together again.

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    fsd1 Reply:

    @OCKingsFan, and does that make you angry too? TM just can’t win can he?

    [Reply]

    BrokeKingsFan Reply:

    @fsd1, i think you read that comment completly wrong. If anything he is saying TM finally made a good decision it just took him to long to do it. and NO, as of right now he cant win until our team starts to!

    [Reply]

    Bfarm Reply:

    @BrokeKingsFan,

    ya know, i think it works like this…

    if the coach cant get wins then no, he cant win over the attitude of the fans.

    so, i guess, poor old tm cant win.

    to say the least. i am angry

  4. vplaza says:

    Let’s see if this helps. I think that the DD/JJ pairing is simply not going to work consistently 5-on-5. They each need a solid stay-at-home partner to offset their offensive tendencies and defensive deficiencies, IMHO.

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  5. OC Hip Check says:

    i have a good feeling about tonite.
    I think we might take it to these yotes and get a W
    Lets go KINGS
    we all know your better than this

    [Reply]

    OC Hip Check Reply:

    @OC Hip Check, eww did anyone else see this?

    http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/37807-VIDEO-THN-Puck-Panel-Why-the-Anaheim-Ducks-are-the-best-team-in-California.html

    [Reply]

    number 6 Reply:

    @OC Hip Check,
    Very interesting. Yes I do agree with a lot of it. Clearly DD was reading his press clippings. I felt reading the pre draft interviews that there was a certain ‘lack of maturity’ that I sensed. The first two years made me think I was wrong about that. Now I’m not so certain. Hopefully with experience he will mature cause it’s not an easy lesson that any of them are getting at the moment.

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  6. KC23 says:

    wtf was TM thinking putting him on the right side ffs.

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  7. Space_Shot says:

    I like this move a lot. The defensive pairings have been my main frustration with TM over the past few weeks. I cant believe it took him this long to get Mitchell/Doughty back together, along with JJ/Scuds. Mitchell has not looked good at all on the right side. Time to get back to looking like the team that started 12-3. Even though I’m not a big fan of them, they need to start wearing their 3rd “home plate” jerseys more at home, too, along with the retros. The crown just doesn’t have the mojo right now. Hockey players are so superstitious that even those little mental things can be the difference between winning and losing.

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    Bfarm Reply:

    @Space_Shot,

    i agree, its weird. when i suit up for hockey i always have to put the sock with the tag on it on my left leg.. always the same routine.

    and the kings should wear the retros more too. they seem to play good in em

    [Reply]

  8. tornado12 says:

    Our lineup is looking more and more like the one that was winning all those games early on! I wont be surprised if they start winning again!

    [Reply]

    vplaza Reply:

    @tornado12,

    I certainly hope so.

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  9. nofreight says:

    This place is great! So many passionate Kings fans unleashing the fury in whatever direction we want! I don’t believe aeg really gives a crap about the Kings… I would like to know what the fans on here think

    [Reply]

    BrokeKingsFan Reply:

    @nofreight, as long as they continue to produce a profit AEG could care less about what the Kings do or dont do for that matter. There is no pride factor here in LA at least for the hockey team and AEG and Lewieke or whatever his name is could care less, obviously! There more worried about a washed up english football/Soccer player that gets paid 250millon sitting in the bench so they can make money off his image rights.

    [Reply]

    vplaza Reply:

    @BrokeKingsFan,

    Add to that the fact that AEG is pursuing mightily a new football stadium and NFL team for LA. I be that pushed the Kings down a notch on their priority list.

    [Reply]

    BrokeKingsFan Reply:

    @vplaza, right! forgot about that one

  10. gene says:

    TM needs to sit himself donw and maybe they will win then. He is a pure joke as a coach.

    [Reply]

    jet Reply:

    @gene, we heard you the past 341 threads.

    [Reply]

  11. Dave says:

    Good. He hasn’t been playing up to par lately, hopefully this fixes things.

    [Reply]

  12. poe says:

    For all of you bloggers (including me) who were hoping for a coaching change, forget it according to an article in the LATimes headlined: Kings’Dean Lombardi says he’s not considering coaching change.
    Sub-headline) The team General Manager says, “We’re all in this together”, with the team in a2-9 slump
    It really makes you feel warm and wonderful, doesn’t? Gasp

    [Reply]

    BrokeKingsFan Reply:

    @poe, i came to grips with that about 5 games ago but i will still continue to slam TM if he doesnt change his strategy (not lines) at least a little.

    [Reply]

  13. king Doughnuts says:

    Yes! We’re going back to how the Kings were at the beginning of the season… winnings ways where we come! Thanks TM we have been waiting for the winning ways to return.

    [Reply]

  14. puck73 says:

    Hey it only took TM 2 weeks to figure out that Mitchell was better on the left side. TM just wants everybody to be able to play every position in case of an emergency ! I fully expect Harrold to make his debut in goal on Saturday in Phoenix..lol What a joke already..what are you waiting for Dean ?

    [Reply]

    BrokeKingsFan Reply:

    @puck73, If i have learned anything about DL its that he is afrtaid to pull the trigger! TM is here to stay and at this point im gonna say unfortunatly.

    [Reply]

    GreyPaws Reply:

    @puck73,

    he is waiting for your resume, whats the hold up?

    [Reply]

    puck73 Reply:

    @GreyPaws, Well well well, if it isnt Mr. Status quo…everythings just great, nothing to see here, and noo I dont want the job and I am guessing you probably dont either.

    [Reply]

  15. neil says:

    Isnt Loki a center???

    [Reply]

    puck73 Reply:

    @neil, Yes, but before the night is over he will either be a winger or a defensemen !

    [Reply]

    CB14 Reply:

    @puck73, LOL, but probably true knowing Terry Murray

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  16. Goring 19 says:

    I don’t care, I just want a win tonight!

    [Reply]

  17. What's the frequency, Kenneth? says:

    I have to agree, this is the first thing he’s explained he did with good sense in a while.

    [Reply]

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