Terry Murray often talks about balance, and the ability to roll four lines, but not often this season has he been able to find that balance. Actually, most coaches talk about it, and it’s relatively hard to find around the league. But over the past few games, the Kings’ fourth line has arguably been as effective as it has been this season, with veteran Michal Handzus centering Brad Richardson and Alexei Ponikarovsky. In the game before the break, for instance, each player contributed. Ponikarovsky scored the game-tying goal in the third period, Richardson had five of the Kings’ 20 shots on goal and Handzus played a good two-way game (including special teams) and was 9-for-10 in the faceoff circle. Murray talked about what each player has brought to the line in recent games…
MURRAY: “The first thing that jumps out to me is that Handzus is really starting to bounce back. He looked very energized. He looked strong. He’s to where he needs to be, in my view. So that’s the most positive thing that I’m seeing out of the last couple games, from that line. I like what Poni is doing right now. He’s showing the kind of work ethic that I saw in his game before the injury. He’s getting on top of pucks. He’s using his body and trying to get some hits to stir up some loose pucks. Then he ends up scoring the big goal. I hope that part of it really gives him some confidence to keep it going in the second half. Richie has had a pretty decent year. All season long, he has moved into different lines, different positions, and he’s using his speed and getting pucks to the net to hopefully get some goals. It’s surprising to me that he’s got only the few that he has, quite honestly, because he does have a quick release and does get the pucks to the net. So maybe things are coming for him on the offensive part of the game.”
Having a solid fourth line is definitely desirable, especially this month with all the road games and the back to back games. All of that notwithstanding, if Zeus is really getting his game back, and I agree with TM that he is, then he needs to be our 3rd line center. We need him to have the additional ice time that a 3rd line center gets over a 4th line center, especially in the 3rd period when coaches have a tendency to shorten the bench. This is especially true if a team is behind going into the 3rd period.
And the same thing is true of Poni. If he too is rounding back into top form (that one I am not sure of at this point) then he and the team need the additional ice time he would get playing on the 3rd line. In other words, if Zeus and Poni are back I’d like to seem them reunited with Simmer on the 3rd line. That is a VERY strong line when all the parts are meshing properly.
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Paul G Reply:
February 1st, 2011 at 2:20 pm
@Forum67, Those 2 players r combined for over $7.mil and r both UFAs after this season….too much money for the 4th line
As for the 3rd line….Schenn will be centering that next season (Clifford is already on it) so say goodbye to Handzus and Poni this summer
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kevin from toronto Reply:
February 1st, 2011 at 2:48 pm
@Paul G, I’ll drink to that
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Cry Baby Reply:
February 1st, 2011 at 3:32 pm
@kevin from toronto, Lewis has played strong on the 3rd so I disagree that a change is needed. To me there is not a huge difference between the 3rd and 4th. Like Forum said…this will prove important in back to backs and more importantly in the playoffs.
Keep it rollin!
Terry, games are won offensively. Show me some 5on5 goals and 33% on the PPP by teaching the guys how to pass to an open net. We’re shooting form the outside and the Dmen are collaping. Let’s fix the problem. GKG!
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Bill M. Reply:
February 1st, 2011 at 2:33 pm
@crashin’ da net, Passing into the net is not the problem. passing into the net is not something you need to teach guys who are at this level. Sure, you see it happening with success on the best PPs, and people therefore assume that is what is missing, but it’s not.
Those plays are a product of a gritty powerplay, establishing puck possession, taking whatever shot is available, and attacking the net for rebounds. That puts pressure on the PK, and pressure leads to mistakes. It’s those mistakes that allow the pretty seam pass for an unsavable shot. You have to EARN those seams with hard work. TM has actually criticized the guys for doing exactly what you said – “pass to an open net”. And I agree with him. The problem isn’t that they aren’t trying seam passes, it’s that they are attempting them without EARNING them first.
Even worse, those failed passes tend to result in turnovers, which means that puck clears the zone, breaks the PP momentum, and kills a ton of critical time.
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kevin Reply:
February 1st, 2011 at 2:44 pm
@Bill M., thats true they need to move the puck and when away from the puck move to open ice this will in turn cause the pkers to have to move more getting them to over rotate causing one of these open cross ice passes to open up move the puck quickly around and shoot when open.
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Cry Baby Reply:
February 1st, 2011 at 3:43 pm
@Bill M., Like button pressed!
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crashin' da net Reply:
February 1st, 2011 at 5:11 pm
@Bill M., Bill, Bill, Bill, of course you cannot stand still and expect to pass your way to an open net goal. Read my previous 1500 posts and you’ll read that my biggest criticism has been their standing around and perimeter passing their way to blocked shots and worse – breakaways. You are preaching to the choir my friend. Sorry I should have restated the parochial. We are on the same page. GKG!
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I’ve really liked this line from the day it was assembled. If they fail to register a point, hopefully Murray keeps them together for once…
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Im not an expert on the sport by any means, but I know one thing. Without heavy traffic and someone to pass to in front of the net, we’re going to continue to take lame shots from the outside. I’ve noticed they have a hard time getting in close and creating traffic. I’m surprised TM hasn’t placed more emphasis on crashing the net, instead of “shots on goal.”
I hope they’re able to pick up where they left off from the last game. It seemed like they were able to penetrate down low a lot better.
Traffic and bodies in front of the net, equals good scoring chances and GOALS!!!
GO KINGS GO!!!
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We need to continue with these lines and leave Westie out, Terry please leave Westie out. We don’t need that component right now, we need speed, balance and drive to the net. Leave the fists to Cliffy, Simmer and Greener.
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puck73 Reply:
February 1st, 2011 at 3:27 pm
@Harty, Leave Westgarth out? why? Just because we are winning games without him, that is no reason to uh, er, uh, ohh nevermind.
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mcsorleyfan Reply:
February 1st, 2011 at 4:24 pm
@puck73, nah… leave him out for now. Unless Greener gets some lessons, leave him out of the pugilistics; he’s terrible. But maybe Westie develops for next year; he certainly hasn’t made it in time to be effective this year. Oh, may I have some gravy with that crow??
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Cry Baby Reply:
February 1st, 2011 at 3:44 pm
@Harty, Green should’t fight…he reminds me of buchberger (spelling?) the human punching bag.
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Nice Picture,
I didnt’t think it would be posible to get a picture of a King in possession of the puck in that Philly game.
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It’s a wonder that Zues is playing better. Maybe it was a case of Zues being overplayed in the first place. Since the Toronto game Zues has had his minutes shaved to a more manageable 15+ minutes, and he has slowly become more effective. With regards to Poni, I think it’s just a matter of a player just getting his legs back. Poni just came back from injury and was bounced around constantly before being benched (what happened to “no player loses his job due to injury”?). Glad to see these guys playing better, we really need that to put a spark in the Kings play. Sturm and Parse aren’t too far away, so things could get interesting if everyone gets healthy and refreshed.
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Leaving westgarth out takes you from 5 minutes to 10-12 minutes on your 4th line almost automatically.
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