As noted earlier, Andrei Loktionov had the first multi-point game of his career last night. Loktionov certainly seems more comfortable back at his natural position of center, and has been playing on a line with Kyle Clifford and Dustin Brown. Loktionov scored a big goal, but also had an “uh-oh” moment in the first period, when his defensive-zone backhand pass through the middle of the ice got picked off and nearly turned into a goal, and Loktionov recorded only one shot on goal in the game. Terry Murray talked about the positives and negatives of Loktionov’s game…
MURRAY: “He had some moments. He scores a big goal. He carried the puck. He did some good things on that side of it. I’d just like to see a little more from the opportunities that are there. He did have, and the line did have, some very good looks in the offensive zone, to generate a little bit more. I know he’s a kid and he’s going to learn from it. It will come together for him, but we’re in a big race here right now, and we need it right now.”
Couldn’t agree more! Love this lil guy and cant wait till he really starts capitalizing on the awesome chances he keeps getting. Do not move him from Center Mr TM!!! Let’s smash these Rangers tonite GKG
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When is Sturm going to come back into the lineup??
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It’s all part of growing up in the NHL. I’m glad that TM moved him back to center, and is keeping the pressure on him to perform at an NHL-playoff level going forward.
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looks like TM is putting some pressure on the kid…Interesting to see if he can step it up even more so.
He will need to step up his D game, and no more turn overs, if he wants to stay with the team in the playoffs.
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I did not like TM’s last sentence one bit. Subtle implications that he might be sent down.
Don’t do it!
Give him a better right winger and see the twine shake.
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JayGoLAKings Reply:
February 17th, 2011 at 2:05 pm
@Token, I see it
“but we’re in a big race here right now, and we need it right now.”
_______ Pollo?
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EJ Reply:
February 17th, 2011 at 2:33 pm
@Token, I don’t like that sentence either. What the hell is Brown’s excuse? Kopitar? Handzus? Simmonds? Poni? Lokti has as many or more points than all these guys recetnly. Sure, Kopitar and Handzus bring important defensive roles to the team, and Simmonds has had better games lately, but TM, don’t go calling out the kid without calling out those others.
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Quisp Reply:
February 17th, 2011 at 2:59 pm
The Kings are 13-3-2 with Loktionov in the line-up. He has four goals and two of them are game-winners. He has two goals and two assists in the last five games. Kopitar has one goal and three assists; Brown has 1g and 1a; Smyth has 0g and 3a; Stoll has 2 goals and no assists; Handzus 1g/2a; Simmonds has 0g/3a. Only Williams, 2g 4a, has been better than Loktionov in that time and no-one has more goals. And he’s doing it with at least 25% fewer minutes than the others. (Oh, and one of Williams’s two goals came off of Loktionov’s deft little kick-pass last night). And, as far as giveaways go, he has nine on the season, in 18 games. Per game, that’s better than Simmonds, Smyth, Kopitar, Brown, Williams (also better than Doughty, Johnson, Scuderi, Greene and Mitchell, but D get credited with more giveaways by nature, so that doesn’t really count).
Almost forgot: Loktionov leads the entire team in G/60 (goals per 60 minutes of ice time).
By all means, send him down! He has a lot to “learn.”
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USHA#17 Reply:
February 17th, 2011 at 3:04 pm
@Quisp,
And Clifford has clearly played better paired with Loktionov..no goals but better shots and puck possession.
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sstephen17 Reply:
February 17th, 2011 at 3:18 pm
@USHA#17, I take it as a sign of confidence that for one shift in the OT, Murray and both Loktionov and Lewis out there at the same time.
King John Reply:
February 17th, 2011 at 3:39 pm
@Quisp,
I’m with you, Quisp!
Keep Lokti up and later we’ll have Parse too. TM did do well to switch Lokti back to center. He needs to somehow keep him in the games. The stretches when we’ve done well as a team is when we’ve had that extra scoring type forward. I hope Parse can ratchet it up too when he gets back to form. But will there be room for everybody?
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Losing a parent is one of the most difficult things we face in life. Not only is he still grieving in a foreign land, he is thriving at his craft. As a Kings fan, I am honored to have this young man in our organization. I wish him and his family all the best during this most difficult and exciting time. What a great story.
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KINGOFHOCKEY Reply:
February 17th, 2011 at 2:10 pm
@wavesinair,
cOULDN’T OF SAID IT BETTER MYSELF! EVERY ONE NEEDS TO STOP AND BREATHE FOR A MOMENT AND REALIZE WHAT THIS “KID” IS GOING THROUGH. SO EXCITING TO BE A KINGS FAN THESE DAYS AND EVEN MORE EXCITING FOR THE FUTURE. THINK ABOUT IT… WE ARE DOING THIS GREAT AND THATS WITHOUT A TOP SNIPER, AND WE HAVE SCHENN, HICKEY, MUZZIN, TEUBERT, VOYNOV IN THE MINORS, THE LIST GOES ON. GO KINGS GO!!!
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kingsxstevenxkings Reply:
February 17th, 2011 at 2:27 pm
@KINGOFHOCKEY,
Don’t forget Zatkoff and Jones..two VERY talented goalies
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
February 17th, 2011 at 2:49 pm
@kingsxstevenxkings, i havent see them play at all wish i knew how they play
USHA#17 Reply:
February 17th, 2011 at 3:05 pm
@wavesinair,
Sniffle, sniffle, sniffle
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Player-X Reply:
February 17th, 2011 at 3:39 pm
@USHA#17, I find this reply kind of snotty.
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Daryl Evans was just on home ice talking about Loktionov. Says Loki is bringing a skill set the Kings don’t have otherwise and the Kings might be patient with him on the defensive side if he keeps producing. Something like that. I think that’s the obvious take.
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…..and as for “uh oh” moments, anybody else catch JJ try to make a fancy pass through his legs to clear the zone in OT last night? Nothing bad happened, but it was close.
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nykingfan Reply:
February 17th, 2011 at 2:10 pm
@Jason4Kings,
We had too many Uh Oh moments lst night.
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Michael J. Reply:
February 17th, 2011 at 2:28 pm
@Jason4Kings,
Yup, thought it was going to cost the game too…
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Jason4Kings Reply:
February 17th, 2011 at 2:31 pm
@Michael J., I love JJ. But, moments like that are gonna kill me. Especially after the Staal OT goal. Seems like Murray would be all over him for that.
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Michael J. Reply:
February 17th, 2011 at 2:34 pm
@Jason4Kings,
That goal cannot be blamed solely on JJ. I think all five guys on the ice could have prevented it. Plus, Stall is good at hockey, he should get some credit for making the play.
Jason4Kings Reply:
February 17th, 2011 at 2:45 pm
@Michael J.,
Yeah, JJ can’t take all the blame for the Staal goal. But he can take some. Someone should have tripped him. I can’t completely remember the play right now though to be honest. But, the play last night should have been a bit more conservative at our blue line.
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Michael J. Reply:
February 17th, 2011 at 2:54 pm
@Jason4Kings,
Please… everybody… lets not blame…
Kings: Win as a team, lose as a team.
Mickey Keenan Reply:
February 17th, 2011 at 3:30 pm
@Jason4Kings, JJ was double teamed.. Stall in front on our blue line, and another Penguin on the other side… The bad camera angle did not help, but it looked like JJ played the puck off of one penguin and it bounced over his stick to Stall. The problem was the other D was in no position to help. Doughty started the play off the center slot, and had to come all the way to cut off the angle. leaving Stall plenty of time to shoot, and it was a nice shot.
goldielocks Reply:
February 17th, 2011 at 3:52 pm
@Jason4Kings, It was Stoll who turned the puck over at the opposit blue line. JJ was trying to join the attack with Stoll and Smyth and leaving Staal behond to create outnumbered attack. Good attempt but as the puck was turnedover JJ was cought between penguins. TM mentioned Stoll’s careless play at the neutral zone in his comment.
Jason4Kings Reply:
February 17th, 2011 at 3:02 pm
@Michael J.,
Oh, I’m just chatting with you man. I fully understand they lose as a team. This is the place we chatter and blame, keeps the furniture safe.
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TM”s right…the kids has special skills, but this is no time for rookie mistakes or mistakes by anyone really. Every single night is do or die this time of year. Mistakes like the one he made last night could be the difference between making the playoffs or not. Perhaps that’s a bit of an over-reaction but this race is ridiuclous how close it is in the west. Every shift matters!
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Jason4Kings Reply:
February 17th, 2011 at 2:20 pm
@nykingfan,
On the other hand….Loki is hardly the only King who throws out a bad pass now and then. We need him up in my opinion.
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
February 17th, 2011 at 2:53 pm
@Jason4Kings, yea u see that too
like Doughty likes to pass right in front of the net look like the puck was going straight in our own net
JJ passing way to hard and over passing too many turnovers last game
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USHA#17 Reply:
February 17th, 2011 at 3:11 pm
@nykingfan, E”Every shift matters!”
Sure does. And it just as important to have one game winning shift then 12 non-game breaking shifts by a player who is not in game shape, is not a game breaker and who is coming off IR.
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Mr. Nuff Reply:
February 17th, 2011 at 3:19 pm
@nykingfan, They’re no more costly and probably less frequent than Dustin Brown’s mistakes, and Loktionov has more to offer offensively lately.
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RICH, Dustin Brown must still be learning the ropes in the NHL too, because he has UH-OH…OH NOOOOOOEEES moments every night. He had a careless give away in his own end in the 3rd last night when we were trying to hold the lead and he had an EASY clear and put it on the tape of a Blue Jacket. Why is it these plays are always ignored by TM, Jim Fox, Bob Miller and yourself? He’s our Captain. Shouldn’t he of all people be accountable?
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
February 17th, 2011 at 2:55 pm
@Mr. Nuff, i like Brown but A Captian of the team should not be in the penalty box too many times bad passing and still learning NHL
Either he needs to wake up or get the C off his jersey i dont see him leading this team to Victory
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USHA#17 Reply:
February 17th, 2011 at 3:14 pm
@KingsFanFTW,
Hold it, that’s part the nature of his game. Plus, last night at least, one of his penalties was “smart” one to take.
The dumb penalty was Lewis…he had to get to puck first. He only needed to chop the guy’s leg out of the way, first! And I might add, Lewis played a great game last night.
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Mr. Nuff Reply:
February 17th, 2011 at 3:27 pm
@USHA#17, Brown had 2 or 3 CONSECUTIVE tripping penalties against Philly in the 3rd when we are trying to hold a lead. Lazy penalties taken by the Captain…a real fine example to set for the young ones. I don’t want to get into a “Brown-bashing session. I just really want to know why his shortcomings are constantly glossed over by coaches, Fox, Miller, and Rich Hammond himself. Lokti’s bad turnover was mentioned. Why not Brown’s? Why is HE not held to the same standard.
Don’t worry, this question will not be answered. It has been asked several times in this forum by me and never replied to. Publicly or privately.
I like that TM is putting pressure on him. It seems the management has seen his potential now and is fully focused on breaking him out of his shell. Some players have the potential to be top guys but never get pushed the right way. I think putting responsibility on AL and basically telling him to make or break himself is a great idea. With everything he’s gone/going through sometimes you just need focus and I think the management has handled this one perfect. Focusing himself on his game and staying here will help him both mentally and physically in becoming a professional and getting over these hard times.
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Lotki has the same frame as moeller. But I guess skill makes up for some shortcomings
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kingsxstevenxkings Reply:
February 17th, 2011 at 2:35 pm
@Kings x,
Derek Roy 5’9″ 180
Steve Sullivan 5’8″ 165
Marc Savard 5’10″ 190
Saku Koivu 5’10″ 180
Danny Briere 5’10″ 180
Patrick Kane 5’10″ 180
Loktionov is 5’11″ 177
He gains 5-10lbs of muscle and he’ll be a great player with the skill he has
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USHA#17 Reply:
February 17th, 2011 at 3:15 pm
@kingsxstevenxkings,
Theo Fluerry
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puck73 Reply:
February 17th, 2011 at 3:38 pm
@USHA#17, He was only 5 ft 4 but tough as nails, would go into the corners, and to the front of the net, and oh yah..he could score 50 as well !
Player-X Reply:
February 17th, 2011 at 3:42 pm
@kingsxstevenxkings, almost every one of those guys has had significant time lost to injury. I get so tired of this stupid argument. A small guy can play, WE GET IT. But, the point is his DURABILITY. Can a guy of that size play a full career, a full season, a full playoff run?
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USHA#17 Reply:
February 18th, 2011 at 11:03 am
@Player-X,
Valid point but one thing has changed, this is an era of more space on the ice and more cautious hitting. I think teams can reasonably dress one or two “smaller” players with success.
Based on Lokti’s performance, I say keep him in there. Hr appears to be very confident and he definitely knows where to be on the ice.I think his speed gives us a dimension that other teams don’t expect of us. I haven’t seen him getting pushed around too much and teaming him with Brown may have been the best thing. Let Brown play the wing, take the pass and shoot or set-up in front of the net.Lokti seems to be a better puck handler and this should help Brown. I am glad that TM took the chance on playing Lokti at his natural position of center. We need those 2 points tonight so GKG!
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rick Reply:
February 17th, 2011 at 2:33 pm
@DesertKing, Agreed, but let’s be realistic. He has a long way to go, and is not yet any kind of a real presence on the ice – at least not consistently. I like him on the team and want to see him develop, but right now I don’t think we can count on him for a huge contribution to the team.
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kingsxstevenxkings Reply:
February 17th, 2011 at 2:37 pm
@rick,
I don’t think he’s the impact player we’ve been praying before (ignoring he’s not a LW), but he is a solid secondary scorer who could become an impact scorer in the future. Right now, if he can keep his +/- up and contribute a few points every couple games and we’ll be in a great spot. Stars win games, but so do secondary scorers and right now we could use all the point getters we can find
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I want to set up a suite for St. Pattys Day. I have tried to email Rich and have not got a reply anyone know a better way??? I will be out from Texas for 4 games and would love to meet yall….
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“It will come together for him, but we’re in a big race here right now, and we need it right now.” This statement tells me that TM wants Loki to step up his game to that level the Kings will need to get into the playoff and have any kind of success. If Loki can’t then TM wants someone how can. I know this is still a long shot but if Brad Richards somehow becomes available, Loki could be the roster player in that deal that could help make a trade with Dallas happen. Loki is good tradable asset with Kopi, Schenn coming up, and especially if Richards signs with LA in the summer. Loki’s trade value is high and would probably be an attractive & affordable player to a team with an uncertain ownership issue.
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Might it have been the plan all along to move Lokti to center after getting his feet wet at the NHL level on the wing? Even if it wasn’t, it seems like it has worked out very well.
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kingsxstevenxkings Reply:
February 17th, 2011 at 2:39 pm
@Michael J.,
Agreed. Center is a more responsible role (see Ovi and his terrible D end play), so getting him used to the speed and talent of the NHL in a less responsible role before putting him in Center wasn’t a bad idea. Planned or not…
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Dominick Reply:
February 17th, 2011 at 2:48 pm
@kingsxstevenxkings, I don’t think putting him on the wing on the 1rst line at a position he’s never played before could be considered a chance to get him up to speed before moving him to where he could be more effective.
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kingsxstevenxkings Reply:
February 17th, 2011 at 2:50 pm
@Dominick,
True..I think that was probably more of a desperate shot in hoping he was our needed LW. That’s why I said “planned or not..” Leaning much more towards not planned.
Remember what T.M. said pat on the back when guys are struggling, motivate the guys to play better when they are playing well with constructive criticism. Lets see how lokti response the next few games.
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Man Lokti is a good player cant wait for next season to see more new guys up i think we be a hard team to beat the way Quick and Beriner plays add more Offense and a very very good Defense be stronger than ever
Just hope we cna score goals next season
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Lokti shows great potential. Keep him in the line-up. He is a like Cammallari and Dionne. small, quick and has a great shot. Agree that Clifford is better with him. Time for Westie to find some talent in that big body of his. Let’s keep talent IN and sloppy penalty taking/fighting for the right times. Clifford and Simmonds seem “enforcer” enough. How many guys on the team do we need to have that role? At least Clifford and Simmonds have some upside.
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Everyone needs to ease up on Brownie! He is our captain and for good reason. He leads by example on and off the ice. So what he is in a slump, the guy is a total character person and does more charity work than anyone in the league. Every team needs a guy like him on their team who leaves everything he has on the ice, hence 3rd most hits in the NHL. Brown has been with the Kings the longest, we have had him since he was drafted and I want to see him retire a King. Who knows, if he manages to get us a cup then we could see his name in the rafters at Staples Center…
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