There were no lineup surprises for the Kings this morning. Jack Johnson and Willie Mitchell, who missed practice yesterday, both skated today and will play tonight (Mitchell said he had suffered a “bruise,” and nothing more). Terry Murray also stuck to his plan of playing Alexei Ponikarovsky, Trevor Lewis and Kevin Westgarth on the fourth line, meaning Andrei Loktionov, Davis Drewiske and Peter Harrold will be healthy scratches and also meaning that Marco Sturm will have gone through the entire six-city road trip without getting into a game. Sturm continues to skate every day, and it’s essentially Murray’s call as to when he returns to the lineup. Here’s what Murray said after today’s skate…
MURRAY: “Loktionov is coming out of the lineup. I went over some of the stuff from the Ranger game again last night, when I got back to my room, just to confirm everything in my own mind, about what I was seeing. I think the view of it is the same, that he got exposed a little bit in some of those important situations. So we’ll just back away, with this game, and give him a little bit of a break.”
Question: MItchell and Johnson are OK to play?
MURRAY: “Mitchell and Johnson are playing. They’re going to be good players. I talked to both of them after the skate. They feel good and ready to go, and not just to play the game. We need them to be good players, and they’re good.”
So we are playing a speedy Islanders team and swapping Lokti for Westie????????
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Nubuc Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 12:01 pm
@LAPD line,
Its a move to swap counter their physical hooliganism. Its not as if the fourth line is going to be playing against Grabner, Moulson, Bailey, and Taveres. He is purely in there for insurance.
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LAPD line Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 12:17 pm
@Nubuc, I’m learning to have faith… you are right, i just hate to see us go from 4 lines down to 3 1/2.
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Lime Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 12:36 pm
@LAPD line, 3 2/3 is what you meant, right? However Westie has been playing fairly well. Much less of a liability than he had been earlier in the season.
Stagger Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 1:42 pm
@LAPD line,
Agreed Lime. Westie has looked more like an actual hockey player lately.
i hope this is just Murray’s way of saying he wants bigger bodies against the Islanders and doesn’t think he needs the extra offense. i understand playing Westgarth tonight with the goons that NYI will dress. but to bench Loktionov for his performance is ridiculous. so i’m going with this being coachspeak for “we don’t need the extra offense tonight so i’m dressing our goon to fight their goons”.
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Kingsfaninsano Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 12:00 pm
@Dave, I’m not sure that’s all their is to it. Although i love lokti and believe he has a great backcheck, he does easily get sealed out along the boards.
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number 6 Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 2:03 pm
@Kingsfaninsano,
You are obviously a guy who understands hockey and sees the little stuff. Well observed.
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wavesinair Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 12:09 pm
@Dave, Reading between the lines, it’s clear. Murray believes Lokti is a little tired. The road trip has taken a toll and he’s sitting him for that reason. In other words, Lokti is the weakest link at his particular moment. Not that I agree, but that’s what he’s saying.
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USHA#17 Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 12:33 pm
@Kingsfaninsano
@wavesinair
I think your comments combined hit it on the head. He’s young and small coming off a long road trip that just featured two 3 in 5 sequences. I question if younger bodies have the type of stamina required for a sequence like this. If I/we are right it reflects on game performance (as Murray and Kingsfan say) and injury risks (as Waves and Westgarth imply0
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Dave Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 12:39 pm
@USHA#17, but what i see is a team lacking scoring punch and TM is sitting an offensive catalyst. let’s not forget that before Loktionov was moved to center this team was struggling to score 1 goal/game.
i agree that i think he is protecting Loktionov to an extent and that he wants big bodies in tonight. i understand that. and i think TM is trying to use this as a teaching time for Loktionov.
in other words, if we were going to play Anaheim tonight instead of the Islanders i would have a lot of problems with this move. but since it’s the Islanders and they aren’t very good defensively i can see it being worth the risk.
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what tape and game is he watching..holy smokes… what about the whole #2 line getting exposed and going -2
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RLane420 Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 12:09 pm
@jason, This coach gives up on rookies too quick. Just ask Purcell, Boyle, Moulsen am I forgetting anyone.
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RLane420 Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 12:10 pm
@RLane420, I mean Moulson
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USHA#17 Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 1:00 pm
@RLane420,
Purcell? Gave up too quick? You have to be joking. What was it, 4 goals in 40 games one season and then after spending 41 games on the 1st line he amassed 3, yes 3 whole goals.
Now he has 12 goals and is a minus -5 in a weak division (through 3 are against Philly).
Boyle, was just one of those things that happen with player all the time, they find success in a different system.
Moulson is having a good offensive year (21 goals) on a team that does not play defense (-14). Make him backcheck and his output drops.
Again, a player excelling in a different system.
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Cristobal Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 3:04 pm
@jason,
TM benched this line (2nd) for most of the 3rd and, I believe, all of the OT.
Pretty much just rotated 2 lines:
Ritchie – Kopi – Simmonds
Poni – Zus – Brown.
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Westy has nothing to do with Lokti being out. Lokti shouldn’t play the left, and wouldn’t be any good on the 4rth playing against thugs. If your going to argue him sitting, don’t justify your arguement by comparing him to Westy, because that’s not who Westy is replacing. If anything Zues is replacing Lokti, and Richie is replacing Zues.
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jason Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 12:11 pm
@Dominick, well said… i still wonder why past halfway point of the season Murray is still messing with the lines every 4 seconds
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RLane420 Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 12:12 pm
@Dominick, And how many points do Zues and Richie have in the last 9 games?
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jason Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 12:15 pm
@RLane420, zues has been putting up points on the #1 line.. #1 line scored every game with simmons and handzus
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Dominick Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 12:21 pm
@jason, Zues can handle the play, but not the extra minutes.
wavesinair Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 12:24 pm
@jason, Wrongo. They didn’t score against the Flyers or the Jackets, hence the change in the next game. Nice try though. I want what you’re smoking.
Dominick Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 12:19 pm
@RLane420, As long as Westy isn’t playing hat left side I’m good. Zues shouldn’t have been there at all. Richie probably won’t make much ofa difference, but won’t hurt us either. Tm is finally figuring out that playing a rookie who has never played that side before isn’t the answer. So for now it’s Richie.
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jason Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 12:22 pm
@Dominick, lokti has been playing center and was just 2nd star of the game lol
xeropoint Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 12:24 pm
@Dominick, I’m looking for good things from them. Last year, those three were pretty good together. Sure, Richardson is likely never gonna light it up but you have to admit, with him, they seem to spend a lot more time in the offensive zone.
Dominick Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 12:40 pm
@xeropoint,
I agree. I think the Kings should have tried that earlier and brought up a 3rd, or 4rth liner from Manchester, who could play the right side. Than to bring a 1rst liner who has never played as a left winger before than scramble all of the lines to find some chemistry.
jason Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 12:56 pm
@Dominick, I just realized lokti was 2nd star of the game because he had a 2 point game against jackets… next game he doesnt do as well… now hes benched jeeez!
jason Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 12:29 pm
@RLane420, against flyers or jackets lol… Simmons and kopi assisted doughtys goal… handzus and kopi had assists the next game.. with handzus and simmons on the #1 line they put up points every game.. go check the stats
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Dominick Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 12:31 pm
@jason, Lokti wouldn’t be playing center if he played tonight though.
wavesinair Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 12:41 pm
@jason, I know this is for me…yes indeed you are correct. I just thought you meant goals…my bad. And for the record, I liked Zus up there too…
…And some of you are still trying to figure out TM ? ..Hell ! TM cant figure TM out so how are we gonna do it ! lol
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Jason4Kings Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 12:24 pm
@puck73,
He wants to beat ‘em up, shut ‘em out, and hopefully knock in a goal along the way. Hey, i’m in, it’s game day and i’m ready to cheer.
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Al Montoya in net for the Islanders. He was just traded to them from PHX(farm team). They should light this guy up i hope.
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wavesinair Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 12:11 pm
@Michael_DD8, (see last thread)
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jason Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 12:14 pm
@Michael_DD8, not really…i saw him relieve against boston…. he was standing on his head… hes very good… i hate to say but i could see kings getting shut out this game… with murray messing with lines
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Dave's a Killer Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 12:47 pm
@Michael_DD8, The Kings have a history of getting snookered by new back-up goalies. They seem to relax because, since the goalie is “new”, they don’t have to work as hard. Let’s hope they have a new attitude and just shoot the damn puck!
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“It’s essentially Murray’s call as to when he returns to the lineup.”
Really? I didn’t read this before. I’d love to know, if anyone remembers, how this is “essentially” TM’s decision…
Our roster is maxed out at 23 players plus 2 on injured reserve. So as soon as TM decides to play Sturm, he tells DL to move one player out?
I would like to know a bit more about how this is going to work and what the plan is between TM and DL in this particular situation.
If it’s been reported, someone please remind me. Thanks.
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Rich Hammond Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 12:21 pm
No, he doesn’t “tell” Lombardi to do anything. When a coach determines an injured player is ready to return to the lineup, then the roster is discussed. The first part of that has not taken place.
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wavesinair Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 12:31 pm
@Rich Hammond,
Thank you. That’s the nuance I was looking for. I read it as if the move had already been discussed and TM just gives the word to DL. So it’s not really TM’s call when Sturm *returns* to the lineup, it’s his call when he’s *ready* to return to the lineup. That make sense.
Of course, I have to believe they’ve discussed it to some degree already, but perhaps you are not privy yet to those conversations…
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USHA#17 Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 1:03 pm
@wavesinair,
Heavens! You don’t think they are sandbagging Strum until the roster expansion period begins…oh, forgot, you suggested that yesterday, about three topics ago!
Quisp Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 4:00 pm
@Rich Hammond,
Aren’t the doctors the ones who clear Sturm to play, necessitating the roster move? It’s a CBA violation to keep a healthy player on LTIR. Or is it just a technicality, as in, “Sturm is not ‘healthy’ until Murray says he’s game-ready”?
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jason Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 12:24 pm
@wavesinair, the coaches have to realize what is ailing sturm.. Its a condition that will keep happening over and over again… its not going to go away and i think now DL is realizing sturm was a bad pickup…
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launch Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 12:35 pm
@jason, I have to say I think that the organization knows exactly what is “ailing Strum”…I feel like I do.
He’s coming off majory need surgery and experiencing tendonitis after “testing” the knee at full NHL speed. I also disagree that it “will keep happening over and over again”…history doesn’t back that.
what makes you think that DL thinks Sturm was a bad pickup?…we esentially added a veteran LW for nothing.
the jury is still out on what will come of Marco Sturm…patience is the key right now.
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wavesinair Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 12:44 pm
@jason, It’s was a no-risk pickup because we gave up nothing, so it can’t be bad by definition. DL, like everyone else, knew there was little chance he’d make a difference. There are very (and I mean like 1 or 2) examples of a guy making a meaningful impact that soon after the surgery he had.
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jason Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 12:50 pm
@jason, i mean from a medical standpoint (which is my background
Sturm will probably experience problems consistently throughout the rest of his career.. any overuse or strenuous games can take him out for a few weeks 
Yea they didnt give anything up but now they have to send someone down 
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xeropoint Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 12:30 pm
@wavesinair, If I remember correctly, someone very smart here (sorry don’t remember who)mentioned the Kings could be waiting to activate Sturm until after the roster limit is lifted. Either it’s that or Murray REALLY doesn’t think Sturm is game ready yet.
With the saviness of DL and his front office, finding a loophole for Schenn to play in Manchester for a stretch earlier this season, it seems like a logical thought they would be planning the former, no?
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wavesinair Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 12:33 pm
@xeropoint, I agree, my guess is they are waiting until March 1st. Either that or they’ll just send Lokti down real soon.
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wavesinair Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 12:35 pm
And by March 1st, I mean (in case some of you don’t know) that the roster has no player limit (only a cap limit).
Loskingpride Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 1:12 pm
@xeropoint, Someone remembered something I said! I feel so honored.
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xeropoint Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 1:16 pm
@Loskingpride, That was you, huh? Good call on that.
USHA#17 Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 1:07 pm
@wavesinair,
I just can’t see him coming up to late season game speed with the time he has missed and the nature of his surgery.
It may take as long as a full season for him to return to even something close to game speed and even at that he may never fully recover his prior form.
Those start, stops are pretty heavy on the knees. Perhaps they picked him up to evaluate for next rather then this season while his asking price was cheap.
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poni is a scorer and has been playing awesome lately.. i dont understand why richardson gets moved up..poni should be the guy.. hes a natural lw and when healthy hes known to score
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wavesinair Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 12:34 pm
@jason, He’s also a numbskull.
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launch Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 12:40 pm
@jason,
let me shead some light on why Poni doesn’t get the call over Richie on LW1….plain and simple…….speed.
Kopi and especially Simmer have above average speed and don’t need to be slowed down by Poni…its just not a good mix. Poni is better suited logging minutes in a defensive shut down roll on the 4th or even third line…and of course the PK
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CB14 Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 2:54 pm
@launch, I agree with you about Richie over Poni but, how do you explain TM putting Handzus on that line then? Poni is faster than Zues, so what gives?
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launch Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 3:58 pm
@CB14, I explain it this way….Zues and Simmer got there when TM made changes to all four lines….removing Brownie and Loki from the first line us different than giving a chance to Richie
launch Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 4:15 pm
@CB14, I explain it this way….Zues and Simmer got there when TM made changes to all four lines….removing Brownie and Loki from the first line is different than giving a chance to Richie after a strong performance….the idea is to get a quick grinder type to complement Kopi and Simmer.
changing only one player is adding to TM original switch from last game. An adjustment if you will…
Lime Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 12:45 pm
@jason, Can you say…. 4 minute highsticking?
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Player-X Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 2:07 pm
@Lime, bingo
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number 6 Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 2:06 pm
@jason,
He’s been What?!! He has what, 4 goals on the year? That in and of itself does not cut it. Hey, but no problem, he takes an absolutely incomprehensible penalty at the end of the game. That in my book at least would not qualify as ‘awesome’.
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under further review….The coach is still making mistakes…..
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Off topic but St. Louis just trade Johnson… wow.
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friarking Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 12:38 pm
@PK, I just saw that. I was pretty suprised when they traded their captain Brewer, now Johnson wow.
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Token Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 12:40 pm
@PK, Dude! That was sooooo last night.
You must have a life.
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Lime Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 12:45 pm
@Token, Hahahaha….*sigh*
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xeropoint Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 12:42 pm
@PK, That was a HUGE shake-up by both teams. Just to clarify for those who don’t know yet, it was Erik Johnson and Jay McClement for Chris Stewart and Kevin Shattenkirk (almost as an unfortunate name as Clitsome).
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Scot Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 12:47 pm
@PK,
I think the Blues have high hopes for Alex Pietrangelo. Seems like he has shown them enough for them to feel he will emerge as a solid d-man for them.
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Player-X Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 2:08 pm
@Scot, I Shattenkirk then flushed my Clutterbuck.
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Whatever, his coach has no clue whatsoever!
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THEROCKNROLL80S Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 12:37 pm
@THEROCKNROLL80S, Whatever, this coach (Murray) has no clue. Lombardi is almost at Murrays’ level.
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launch Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 12:43 pm
@THEROCKNROLL80S, you do realize that we are currently in 6th position in the West right?
not to mention only two wins from first in the Pacific and 3rd overall (west conf).
“no clue whatsoever” should not be associated with either TM or DL
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xeropoint Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 12:47 pm
@launch, I think technically we are in 7th place still, beacuse of the tie breaker being regulation wins. Not that it matters yet, though!
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Scot Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 12:52 pm
@xeropoint,
My hope is not only to get into the playoffs, but hopefully avoid 7th or 8th so we don’t have to face Detroit or Vancouver, with their well-rested defense heading into the playoffs. My hope is that we win the division, which is nowhere near out of the question. The Kings have to make sure they show up to all their games, but especially the games against division opponents.
Dave's a Killer Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 12:53 pm
@xeropoint, Boy, that tie breaker is going to be a huge issue. With everything so close I’m betting there will be more than 2 teams tied in points so someone will be axed by the SO win rule.
THEROCKNROLL80S Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 2:07 pm
@launch, yes I do.
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i’m in thailand and posting on this blog at 4am haha… what a dedicated kings fan right? The tough part is going to be waking up in 3 hours to watch the game
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puck73 Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 1:03 pm
@jason, Vacation, business, or family ?
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wavesinair Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 1:06 pm
@jason, 4am in Thailand…and you’re blogging? You’re nuts. Maybe I don’t want what you’re smoking after all…
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Player-X Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 2:11 pm
@wavesinair, ummm, if I was in Thailand I would defnitely be “Sticking” around. Or, to put it another way, Thai Sticks is not a child’s game and not a way to eat food with wooden utensils. I miss those days…
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wavesinair Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 2:32 pm
@Player-X, When in Thailand… or British Columbia… or LA!
Dominick Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 1:16 pm
@jason, Amazing that you can get games out there. Are you watching via live stream?
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wavesinair Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 1:18 pm
@jason, What’s it sound like when they translate Bob Miller into Thai?
Bob talk Thai. Bob talk Thai real good.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 1:37 pm
@wavesinair, Bob give good play-by-play! Bob give play-by-play long time! Best you get!
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wavesinair Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 2:20 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, this made me laugh out loud. too funny man.
wavesinair Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 2:30 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, No boom-boom with soul brotha. Too boo-coo.
Dave's a Killer Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 3:17 pm
@jason, Hey, my kid’s in Thailand and he’s a big Kings fan (No choice…grew up with 4 brothers – all who played hockey) Anyway he’s a corpsman on the USS Essex
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Well the Rangers are a good team. He should play against a team like the Islanders to get some confidence
Westgarth continues to be a thorn in my side…
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This better be a one game thing. I am so sick of our coach/organization’s complete lack of appreciation for skill. we can’t have 12 grinders playing forward just like we can’t have 12 skill players with no grit. we need a combination of both. loktionov playing with brown and clifford is a perfect combination. and it was working? i have no idea what TM saw in the game film? Maybe he should watch a replay of our $6.7 million man (Kopi) turning the puck over and then getting beat. that seems to have made his highlight reel????
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fsd1 Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 2:01 pm
@Tony, Hung over?
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THEROCKNROLL80S Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 2:07 pm
@fsd1, Loki is a true #2 center.
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fsd1 Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 2:14 pm
@THEROCKNROLL80S, Dont have a problem with that, just the angry, pissed off, hate everything, non hockey understanding spewing of garbage that goes on.
*Totally disagree with anyone talking about us having to worry about the Isle’s goons and suiting up Westgarth for two reasons
1) the Kings are a bit tired and played sloppy the last two games. IMO they need to be able to roll 4 solid lines tonight and Lokti has been playing well according to management and most of us who comment on this site
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Totally disagree with anyone talking about us having to worry about the Isle’s goons and suiting up Westgarth for two reasons
1) the Kings are a bit tired and played sloppy the last two games. IMO they need to be able to roll 4 solid lines tonight and Lokti has been playing well according to management and most of us who comment on this site.
2) the Isle’s are under the microscope right now and the situation against the Pen’s was about payback. Not that they won’t be playing hard, but I don’t think there is a specific rivalry issue
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linny Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 2:36 pm
@linny, sorry folks…don;t know how I double posted. GKG
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Player-X Reply:
February 19th, 2011 at 2:45 pm
@linny, interesting points. liked #2 most
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I like the fact he is addressing the physical style of Islanders by putting Westy in there. The only problem I have is coming up with an un granted reason to put Loti out. Why not just say, I wanna go physical tonight and that’s why I am stitting Lotionav out? Rather then keep looking deep into tapes to find something wrong with Loti? If he goes and looks at the tapes that deeply for anyone, he can find reasons to bench almost anyone on the line up, including our star players. Tell it like it is and no one will blame u coach.
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That’s just plain wrong regarding Loktionov. Undressing the guy in front of the media. That can’t be good for the kid’s confidence. Now when he plays again he’ll be “thinking” instead of responding instictively.
Loktionov had what, 4 goals in the last couple of weeks. Who else has had 4 goals in that period of time?
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