Wednesday (non-)practice update

Posted by Rich Hammond on 2 February 2011, 12:17 pm

Jonathan Quick, a couple skaters and the coaching staff went to the rink this morning for some work, and the rest of the team stayed at the hotel for meetings and off-ice work. After all that, Terry Murray said he hadn’t yet decided whether he would make any line/lineup changes against Edmonton tonight. Murray did say that Kevin Westgarth would go into the warmups tonight, and Murray indicated that he would think about playing Westgarth if Edmonton had enforcer Steve MacIntyre in the lineup. Murray did confirm that the Kings would go with the same power-play look they used in their second power play last night, with Drew Doughty and Jack Johnson on the points and Anze Kopitar, Ryan Smyth and Michal Handzus up front. More notes and quotes to come…

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48 Comments

happylappy says:

February 2, 2011 at 12:20 pm

wow what a pp line! Hope no one has to get back to the defensive zone in a hurry.

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kevin Reply:
February 2nd, 2011 at 12:32 pm
@happylappy, I dont like this line you need to make the PK unit move and over rotate with quick accurate passing not zues or symths strong suit so I dont see this working out well dd and jj I agree with put a good passer with kopi and symth like simmonds not a crazy good passer but can dig loose pucks out also need to attack the o zone with speed enough dump and chase.

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bbb7 Reply:
February 2nd, 2011 at 1:20 pm
@happylappy, Yes, is having our two slowest players on the PP #1 line some kind of handicap the Kings give themselves? I DO NOT see the value of Zus on any PP unit, except in taking draws. He has almost zero offensive skills now. It assures the only way youre going to score is a tip-in or a garbage rebound; there’s no way Zus or Smythe will score a nice one-timer goal on a cross-ice pass, which is how ALL the better PPs get their best chances. Our glaring weakness is lack of speed combined with skill up front and this combo just magnifies that to the extreme. Makes ZERO sense.

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BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy says:

February 2, 2011 at 12:21 pm

Recap of Rich on another thread, on SiriusXM:

http://lakingsinsider.com/2011/02/02/postgame-notes-feb-1/#comment-335168

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Dominick Reply:
February 2nd, 2011 at 1:04 pm
@BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy, Your in the wrong feild of work. Maybe its too late in life, but you should try to be a Stenographer.

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DlParker says:

February 2, 2011 at 12:22 pm

Does anybody know what the Kings wins and Losses are when Westgarth is in

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Sebastian Reply:
February 2nd, 2011 at 12:27 pm
@DlParker, more losses than wins i would guess. haha.

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lafan13 Reply:
February 2nd, 2011 at 12:48 pm
@DlParker, someone posted this on 1/27/10 on HFboards….

Kings are 16-19-1 with Westgarth in the lineup.

Kings are 11-3-0 when Westgarth is scratched

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THEROCKNROLL80S Reply:
February 2nd, 2011 at 1:02 pm
@lafan13, thank you for posting those stats. No matter what I said, the stats do not lie and the Kings need wins!

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Dominick Reply:
February 2nd, 2011 at 1:27 pm
@lafan13, The main stat that concerns me is
Westgarth 36 games played 0 goals 3 assists -5 +/- rating 5:35 TOI/G
Drewiske 36 games played 0 goals 5 assists -1 +/- rating.14:26 TOI/G
Harrold 18 games played 1 goal 3 assists +3 +/- rating.12:39 TOI/G

Whiskey and Harrold are more valuable in how much time they can contribute to a game, but continue to ride the pine.

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kevin Reply:
February 2nd, 2011 at 1:30 pm
@Dominick, where are you going to play them Drewiske is over rated and not going to replace anyone on our D right now or really ever in my opion with what we have in the farm. Harrold same as above and wehave to many fowards he will not be the guy either so I say again where are you going to play them. trade them get something for them thats all I would use them for at this point. There are to many prospects that I would use over either guy.

Dominick Reply:
February 2nd, 2011 at 2:54 pm
@kevin,
Both those guys have played wing for us (Harrold more so). Would you rather have Westgarth who can only contribute 5 minutes a game, or someone who can contribute better play at 10 minutes a game. If their going to get paid, we might as well use them. It’s a better option than putting a guy who doesn’t know how to force a fight (which is why Westgarth is in the line up in the first place).
Sebastian says:

February 2, 2011 at 12:28 pm

that was actually a pretty good looking PP with those 5 guys last night. the first power play they had made me throw up.

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sstephen17 Reply:
February 2nd, 2011 at 1:17 pm
@Sebastian, Anyone else catch how upset Bob Miller was with the first unit. Something along the lines of they are doing nothing, lol.

I like the look of that new line-up but I would swap Loktionov for either Handzus or Smyth. One guy camping in front is enough, especially if you surround him with four guys who can move the puck.

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deelo says:

February 2, 2011 at 12:36 pm

Why do we adjust our line-up to the opposition? They should be adjusting to us. Let them play Mcintyre…our 4th line will skate circles around him.

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happylappy Reply:
February 2nd, 2011 at 12:57 pm
@deelo, I agree, we haven’t got the luxury of throwing a below average skater/scorer on any lines. Did TM not notice the ZERO goals last night. Good thinking, let’s get less offense out there tonight. Fights? When was the last one?

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Capt Jam Reply:
February 2nd, 2011 at 1:02 pm
@deelo,

You’re absolutely right.

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EternalOptimist Reply:
February 2nd, 2011 at 1:21 pm
@deelo,

Totally agree… if the Oilers want to goon it up, then let them. This will give us more chances not to score on the PP… couldn’t resist LOL

Should be an entertaining game tonight on the fast edmonton ice!

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What's the frequency, Kenneth? says:

February 2, 2011 at 12:40 pm

For those of you who were unpleasantly surprised that you were unable to watch last night’s game…I think you’ll find good news if you do a google search for news stories about the topic. If I’m any more specific, I’ll violate the terms of this site, so I’ll leave it at that.

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lafan13 Reply:
February 2nd, 2011 at 12:55 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?,

.me likey ….. (subliminal messages are FTW)

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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
February 2nd, 2011 at 12:58 pm
@lafan13,

.me thinks no one will get it.

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QuicksDaMan Reply:
February 2nd, 2011 at 2:03 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, Me thinks you’re right. I don’t get it! How bout pushing the envelop and provide a less cryptic message.

What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
February 2nd, 2011 at 7:02 pm
@QuicksDaMan,

Can’t do that. Don’t want to bring down the Hammer.
THEROCKNROLL80S says:

February 2, 2011 at 1:00 pm

I actually agree with Murray. If the other team has an enforcer in the lineup, you should have one too. However, the instigator penalty (which needs to be repealed) does not allow Westgarth to do his job the right way. Having said that, Clifford is seems to be taking care of the care of the fighting. I think given the time, Westgarth can be an effective player.

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happylappy Reply:
February 2nd, 2011 at 1:08 pm
@THEROCKNROLL80S, I just can’t see Westgarth being on the ice for just that purpose, don’t need him. Clifford can handle that chore and actually skate too.

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Harty Reply:
February 2nd, 2011 at 1:29 pm
@happylappy, I cannot believe you folks benchmark Clifford and Westgarth, although Clifford can throw his fists around he should not be compared to a goon.

He is viable player with much upside and this type of labelling of him is unfair and not close to his talents. You ought to see him as a regular player in the lineup like Simmonds, he can fight as well however would the comparison be made to him, NO…..

Sometimes our bloggers have absolute tunnel vision.

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mcsorleyfan Reply:
February 2nd, 2011 at 2:18 pm
@Harty, AGREE whole Hartedly!

kevin Reply:
February 2nd, 2011 at 1:11 pm
@THEROCKNROLL80S, He could fight his way out of a wet paper bag let alone do anything to another teams enforcer you want another kelly buchberger the only diffrence is at least kelly would get in a fight. Westgarth is a waste and a joke of an enforcer sorry guys I am just telling the truth and it hurts sometimes.

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bbb7 Reply:
February 2nd, 2011 at 1:26 pm
@kevin, and he seems to have even less offensive skills than Ivanans did, which is saying a lot.

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Capt Jam says:

February 2, 2011 at 1:03 pm

Let’s not forget that tonight’s game is on Channel 13.

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Token says:

February 2, 2011 at 1:07 pm

TM’s secret plan: Skate Westy and have him pick a fight with Big Mac! Westy goes on IR and Sturm returns to the lineup!

Much better than hoping Westy takes a tumble down the stairs when leaving the airplane.

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kevin Reply:
February 2nd, 2011 at 1:13 pm
@Token, I would put him on waivers no one needs or wants him in the NHL and if he gets picked up, Oh know what would the kings do. Nothing cuase he isnt worth a water bottle and a used puck bag.

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THEROCKNROLL80S says:

February 2, 2011 at 1:07 pm

I do want to say one more thing. If the enforcer or even the forth line for that matter gets below ten minutes of ice time, who cares.

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kevin Reply:
February 2nd, 2011 at 1:16 pm
@THEROCKNROLL80S, its a waste I rather give someone those minutes who at least has a chance to do something. Any how look at teams that have a good run every year one common theme the ability to use 4 lines all of which has enough skill to be dangerous if given the chance. Westgarth does nothing at all for the team I mean that nothing. I would feel any safer with him in the line up let alone be any more scared if on the other team he is no even close to being worth the money he is payed even if its peanuts.

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Goring 19 says:

February 2, 2011 at 1:18 pm

yawn

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TinaBeana says:

February 2, 2011 at 1:27 pm

how about no Westgarth? Murray, get a clue. Putting Westgarth in is unnecessary!

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Tony Reply:
February 2nd, 2011 at 1:33 pm
@TinaBeana,Totally agree. Our response to not scoring last night is let’s put our goon in? I have an idea-in response to not scoring let’s bring up Oscar Moeller….wouldn’t that be a novel idea?

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fsd1 Reply:
February 2nd, 2011 at 1:36 pm
@Tony, why? so he can get pushed out of the way often like loki?

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Tony Reply:
February 2nd, 2011 at 1:43 pm
@fsd1, no, so he can put the puck in the net….which last time I checked was still the object of the game…
kinginsaltlake says:

February 2, 2011 at 2:05 pm

We need to practice, Nooooooooo Your talkin practice.

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crashin' da net says:

February 2, 2011 at 2:22 pm

The classic TM “big bodies in front and shots from the points (hoping we don’t get caught down low)” vs “movement to create passing lanes to create open net shots”. Well, we see what the earlier strategy yielded us (PPP) so why not just stay the course??!! Like the Chinese used to say “a stick in the eye everyday is better than a stick in each eye every day”. LOL

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mcsorleyfan says:

February 2, 2011 at 2:36 pm

Regarding Westgarth in the lineup tonight, it may in fact be best to provide Steve McIntyre with no dance partner. Raitis Ivanans tried dancing with McIntyre in the preseason. He suffered a concussion and hasn’t played since. The problem is, I don’t want to see Clifford squaring off with him. Can Clifford be convinced to let this one go?

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westie Reply:
February 2nd, 2011 at 2:46 pm
@mcsorleyfan,

Ivanans got knocked out the first game of the season not in preseason.

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mcsorleyfan Reply:
February 2nd, 2011 at 3:02 pm
I stand corrected. It happened Thursday, Oct. 7, 2010- Calgary’s first regular season game, 2 minutes and 20 seconds into the 3rd period. So Ivanans hasn’t missed the entire season thus far, as he actually had a couple of shifts in one game.

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Harty Reply:
February 2nd, 2011 at 3:08 pm
@mcsorleyfan, at this level if necessary there is no letting go, its called survival, I would rather Cliffy doesn’t go with him however if I know Kyle he will let it loose, and stand back and look out as he will attempt to hit first, hit often and hit last

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Shotongoal says:

February 2, 2011 at 2:56 pm

I’m sorry but complaining about Westgarth being in the lineup tonight is like complaining there aren’t enough towels on the Titanic……

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Casper Reply:
February 2nd, 2011 at 3:32 pm
@Shotongoal,

That is the only complaint some people post on here, every single day. It gets old.

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Harty says:

February 2, 2011 at 3:09 pm

send westgarth packing, way packing…….

when does our big D guys fight, ever or never??

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