Wednesday skate update; Richardson update

Posted by Rich Hammond on 9 March 2011, 9:30 am

The Kings will make one lineup change tonight, with Brad Richardson replacing Kevin Westgarth as the fourth-line right winger. Jonathan Quick will start in goal. After the skate, Terry Murray said that the Kings would — wait for it — alter their power-play structure (in terms of setup, not personnel) tonight. More on that, and other notes and quotes, to come…

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118 Comments

poe says:

March 9, 2011 at 9:34 am

And the curtain lifts !!! What an admission by Murray. I guess the loggers kniw something about hockey when theyve been harping in a baaaaad PP

[Reply]
Jay says:

March 9, 2011 at 9:34 am

it took them 66 games to figure out their power play sucks?

[Reply]
kevin Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 10:10 am
@Jay,I was going to say the same thing. Look at it this way at least it was only 66 games instead 82 and no playoffs

[Reply]
Jamer Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 10:38 am
@Jay, he’s a quick learner…….

[Reply]
Bill M. Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 10:42 am
@Jay, Actually this could be a strategy. Clearly, Vancouver dissected last years power power play during the playoffs, probably because they had lots of video of it from the whole season, so after the first four games they learned to shut it down, and this year now every team is attacking the same way, so our power play sucks.

So maybe we’ve purposely limped through the first 66 games on defensive strength. Now, with 16 games to go, we bust out the new strategy, and start wailing on teams right on through the playoffs. Waiting to update the PP until the very end has that BIG advantage – It it’s really significantly different, other teams won’t have enough time to scout it thoroughly before the playoffs.

[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 10:48 am
@Bill M., so basically we have the league right where we’ve wanted them?

[Reply]
Dan H. Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 10:53 am
@Bill M.,

I love the optimism but it’s only great if it works Lets hope it does.

[Reply]
PP Anybody? Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 11:33 am
@Bill M., While I welcome the attempted adjustments, I hardly think that TM was in any way, shape, or form purposely trying to fool anyone by us having a poor power play, only to spring a newly awesome PP against our opponents to catch them off guard and sweep through the playoffs.

[Reply]
Jay Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 11:40 am
@Bill M., If it works as you described, TM for President!!

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Helvetica says:

March 9, 2011 at 9:34 am

“Terry Murray said that the Kings would — wait for it — alter their power-play structure (in terms of setup, not personnel) tonight.”

I’m sure a fan probably ran into him in the hallway and said something akin to, “hey, i was thinking…”

[Reply]
Zeley says:

March 9, 2011 at 9:35 am

I’m waiting with baited breath.

[Reply]
Buster Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 10:00 am
@Zeley,

Have you been swimming in Kings Bay?

[Reply]
Buster Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 10:02 am
@Buster, OOPS. Kings Harbor

[Reply]
Dave's a Killer Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 10:49 am
@Zeley, Bated

[Reply]
Zeley Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 12:07 pm
@Dave’s a Killer, Technically, you’re correct. It was a deliberate play of words.

[Reply]
fsd1 says:

March 9, 2011 at 9:36 am

because of the people commenting on the power play problems here, i watched 2 games last night and spent attention to their power plays and the interesting thing i noted is that almost all power plays looks the same, guy in front of the net, 2 up top and a guy on the half boards just like ours. The biggest difference i think is that all the positions were interchangeable, the setup was the same but the players kept moving to different spaces…….should be interesting tonight, assuming we get some power plays.

[Reply]
mrhapa Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 9:40 am
@fsd1, in addition to that, tonight will be a great game to watch how Lidstrom controls the point, whether they’re on the power play or 5 on 5. You’ll notice, he doesn’t wind up for a slap shot every time in trying to get the puck to the net. He’ll just throw a wrist shot on and hope for a tip or a rebound. In going with a quick wrist shot, it prevents the lanes from getting clogged and as a result, reducing the amount of shots that are blocked. If you want Doughty and sometimes Johnson, it’s almost as if they’re trying to score everytime and they don’t need to do that. Get the puck on net and let the traffic create havoc.

[Reply]
mrbrett7 Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 9:45 am
@fsd1, I’ve said it before (and may get banned for this).

Standing around on the PP does nothing. The actual setup means nothing. Shooting and passing lanes do not open unless you move the puck, and move it fast!

[Reply]
fsd1 Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 9:46 am
@mrbrett7, my point exactly, the sucessful ones have constant movemnent of players, so i think we are in agreement on this are we not?

[Reply]
mrbrett7 Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 10:44 am
@fsd1, We are, indeed.

wavesinair Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 9:50 am
@mrbrett7

(and may get banned for this)

This is the equivalent of a guy putting his hands up after a foul, as if he didn’t do anything. Dead give away!

[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 10:10 am
@mrbrett7, but that’s part of the PPs problem. We don’t have skilled passers! Many shifts go bye, PP 5-5 4-3, where nary can be seen two tape-to-tape passes. I don’t expect passing like DET but c’mon, let’s see some crisp tight passes!!!

That’s one thing I have LOVED about DP, he is a nifty little passer!

[Reply]
mrbrett7 Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 10:46 am
@Stuart, Doesn’t take great passer to pass crisply on a PP…takes thinking one step ahead of what your doing.

I do agree that watching this team pass is like watchinga Pee Wee team pass.

Choralone Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 10:41 am
@mrbrett7, And if you move the puck crisply, don’t negate it with yet another fake shot.

[Reply]
mrbrett7 Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 10:45 am
@Choralone, I agree…yet in order to fake a shot, you have to move the puck quickly in the first place.

PP Anybody? Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 11:41 am
@fsd1, It’s still about players rotating out of their assigned positions that draws defenders to move to keep coverage. With movement of players, a defender doesn’t necessarily know if someone will get themselves open, therefore the D-man has to move also, thereby creating lanes. Having players in front, and having players at the points is always essential, but without movement it doesn’t matter how crisp one’s passes are, for D-men can just post up and block the lanes, as has been the problem all season.

[Reply]
Marc Nathan says:

March 9, 2011 at 9:37 am

one continues to wonder why Brad Richardson was replaced in the first place… I didn’t see Krys Barch dressing for Dallas on Monday…

[Reply]
mrbrett7 Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 9:43 am
@Marc Nathan, I agree…

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dropkickfan Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 9:58 am
@Marc Nathan, I hate to say this but… Richardson is a free agent at years end… That’s probably been the reason for scratching him instead of Lewis… I agree about Barch, but I think TM was thinking about the Nucks game where it got real rough. I still would have scratched Poni… I don’t think he is worth a cent of his contract.. But I am a fan and not paid by any of the 30 nhl teams, so what do I really know?

[Reply]
mrbrett7 Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 10:47 am
@dropkickfan, Or it could be that Lewis is better at defense, and when your a 4th line center, that’s really what you should be doing.

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jet Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 10:07 am
@Marc Nathan, but did TM know Ott was going to try to do Lasik on clifford.

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EJ Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 10:23 am
@Marc Nathan, I read somewhere about Richardson being under the weather. Whether that’s true or not . . . ???

[Reply]
Barry's Mullet says:

March 9, 2011 at 9:37 am

Rich,

Please ask Terry if the Kings are planning to shoot the puck or hit the net on the PP? I will wait for TM’s clarification.

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rubo17 says:

March 9, 2011 at 9:39 am

change the PP??… Wonder if something heavy fell on their heads..

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Kings Fan Vancouver, WA says:

March 9, 2011 at 9:40 am

The umbrella set up doesn’t work in this aggressive penalty kill league. It’s about time they change it up. I hope they use Kopi down low more. He needs to be in the slot and between the dots!!!

[Reply]
WTF Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 9:43 am
@Kings Fan Vancouver, WA, Agreed!

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mrbrett7 Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 9:44 am
@Kings Fan Vancouver, WA, Tell that to most of the rest of the league.

It’s not the setup…it’s the lack of movement in general. Standing around on the PP waiting for someone to do something doesn’t exactly help you.

[Reply]
Dorian Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 9:45 am
@Kings Fan Vancouver, WA, YES!!!!! Kopi is not effective on the half-wall…he needs to be down low by the goal line, that’ll definitely open up the point more and it’ll be easier to throw a pass towards the net in hope’s for a tap-in or rebound!

[Reply]
Scot Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 9:47 am
@Kings Fan Vancouver, WA,

Kings should watch the Flyers’ power play. I don’t know their success percentage, but I watch them a lot on center ice and their PP is dangerous all the time! Obviously they have MUCH higher skilled players on that team, but watch the way they move, lots of fake-shot-passes to get the D-men to go down to the ice and LOTS of movement away from the puck to create passing lanes. I don’t understand why that’s so hard for the Kings to do.

[Reply]
jmsalsa Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 9:54 am
@Scot,
“Obviously they have MUCH higher skilled players on that team,”

do they? or do they just have a better system that makes them look better?

[Reply]
Scot Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 9:59 am
@jmsalsa,

Both. You’re right, they do. But not many teams can match that skill, either.

mrbrett7 Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 10:48 am
@jmsalsa, Same exact system…just move the puck faster. Creates shooting and passing lanes.

KingsFan78 Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 10:01 am
@Scot, The Flyers are actually worse on the PP than the Kings. 16.8% for the Kings. 16.4% for the Flyers.

To me, a big problem the Kings have on the PP is that they’re not connecting on passes. From their own zone, right through to when they have it set up in the offensive zone. The passes are too slow, too weak, too cute, too fancy. They get outworked for puck battles. They even get outnumbered far too much with a man advantage.

[Reply]
jason Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 10:34 am
@Kings Fan Vancouver, WA, i noticed lokti was playing high slot.. he was probably not listening to murray but i think kopi there and smyth or penner in front.. actually smyth in front, penner can be a floater.. too much structure hasnt worked for us on offense

[Reply]
lex says:

March 9, 2011 at 9:43 am

Revenge is a meal best served cold. Come on boys lets get em tonight and snag these 2 points

[Reply]
rich Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 11:14 am
@lex, cold wings anyone?

[Reply]
Scot says:

March 9, 2011 at 9:44 am

Well, now we know Terry Murray reads this blog and sees all the comments regarding Westgarth..

[Reply]
wavesinair says:

March 9, 2011 at 9:44 am

Watch…no power play tonight.

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Kings Fan Vancouver, WA Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 9:47 am
@wavesinair, LMAO!!!

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kinginsaltlake Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 9:51 am
@wavesinair, I hope not

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gggbd says:

March 9, 2011 at 9:45 am

TM finally reads this site, and a light bulb turned on !!!!!!!

[Reply]
jason Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 10:32 am
@gggbd, if he read this site he would need 3 sessions of counseling a day and meds haha

[Reply]
GregDM says:

March 9, 2011 at 9:47 am

I’m convinced there’s a correlation between Rich’s snarkiness and the town he’s visiting.

[Reply]
Sam says:

March 9, 2011 at 9:48 am

Makes nothing but sense since the team just added a new top-6 forward they should base some of the system around his abilities.

[Reply]
fernando says:

March 9, 2011 at 9:55 am

Fire compound that will slove the problem.

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MMF says:

March 9, 2011 at 9:57 am

More fake shot/pass from point for tip in!! Smyth, Penner, Handzus are all very capable of a this type of redirection. Smyth has been attempting this a few times recently but the pass/shot has been a little off.

All of these games are so important…

[Reply]
Scot says:

March 9, 2011 at 9:57 am

Does that mean Jamie Kompon is a healthy scratch tonight?

[Reply]
Scarletcat Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 10:41 am
@Scot,
We can only hope it is for more than just tonight!

[Reply]
WTF says:

March 9, 2011 at 9:57 am

How about he teaches the PP unit to not shoot into the sticks and pads of other players as well.

4 things I learned as a pee wee playing D:

1) Skating backwards to match the forwards pace and then step up halfway between the blue line and the net to take the body or do a poke check – Kings fail at this all the time giving forwards too much space.
2) Play the body not the puck. If you get close enough and have the right angle to hit a guy or impede him and not get out of position, no fancy stick work in the world will let him get by you. – Kings fail at this as well, no one hits and if they do, the hits are ineffectual because they do not really impede the other player. If you can’t deck a guy, get low and pin him to the boards or put the hip out.
3) Never shoot or pass from the point if you do not have a clear lane. No clear lane and you will have a clear breakaway against. – We all know the Kings are horrible at that.
4) This is for all positions, always move your feet. If you stand still, you will not get in the play, get around a guy and will end up a traffic cone for someone else to go around.

I am still rooting for the Kings, but how can a coach not be pushing things I have done since I was 7? I have also done enough pushups in practice to not miss the net that often and I love scoring so I shoot a lot, such basic things….

[Reply]
jet Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 10:11 am
@WTF, This is great, if only all of the Kings opponents were 7 year olds.

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WTF Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 10:34 am
@jet, Really? This is hockey 101 that ever coach should be able to coach around, but yet TM can’t get this from his players on a consistant basis. So more to say the Kings are playing worse then 7 year olds at times.

I have not been a TM basher, but he needs to pull a miricle out of his ass and motivate these guys maybe by taking away the C from Brown for back passing the puck to no one all the time or I do not want him here next year.

[Reply]
Kwvin says:

March 9, 2011 at 10:00 am

6 players, goalie included, on the half wall.

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Kings Fan Vancouver, WA says:

March 9, 2011 at 10:01 am

WHAT IT TAKES TO HAVE A GOOD POWER PLAY

A team should implement a power play that utilizes the strengths of the players and is flexible enough to adapt to the opponents penalty killing. To put it simply; “the coach must THINK what is possible – the main idea is to pass the puck to an open man and get a shot on net.”

The power play must be flexible and switch from one formation to the other according to the play situation and the offensive strengths and defensive weaknesses. Read where the penalty killers are giving an out number advantage or else giving up shots from the middle lane and exploit this weakness.

The players on the power play should learn to read what the defenders are doing and adjust accordingly. Are they using a contain or a pressure system and where are they giving up the two on one.

[Reply]
chuckrocks says:

March 9, 2011 at 10:02 am

wow, there is a God.

[Reply]
goldielocks says:

March 9, 2011 at 10:03 am

Totally off topic, but did you guys see Zdeno Chara’s hit last night? Did you notice how similar it was to JJ’s hit on Smyth a few years ago?

[Reply]
Scot Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 10:08 am
@goldielocks,

I also thought of JJ’s on Smyth right when I saw Chara’s. I remember seeing the way Smyth’s head whip-lashed. But something about last night’s hit was just awful. I don’t know if you know the history this season between Chara and Pacioretty, but it goes back a few games. Pacioretty had it coming. He took a shot at Chara after a goal a few games ago, and then Chara was going after him all game the next game. So, in my opinion, this was Chara trying to lay down the line. And every time I see that hit from last night, I think Chara should be suspended even longer. It wouldn’t happen, but I would suspend him for the rest of the year. I know it happened fast, but if you watch closely, Chara knew EXACTLY what he was doing. He shoved him right into that turnbuckle.

[Reply]
jet Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 10:23 am
@Scot, sorry I meant to reply to Scot – I think this was worse because Max thought he was through. He took 4 strides after contact with the puck. A broken neck is no fun, let’s hope he can play again.

[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 10:24 am
@Scot, IMO he knew what he was doing… there was a little push right before contact with the padding. The puck had already gone by, ZC could have pinned him into the boards along the bench or even deposited him into the bench, but instead he rode him knowing the stantion (sp) was coming up and then BAM a little arm extension and nighty-nighty Paci!

But was more impressive about the game (and I only saw the hightlights on ONTHEFLY) was that kid who brawled (White I think). I haven’t seen Westy stand up for one of our guys like that at all this season, maybe I missed the one time that he did, but I seem to see only the staged-after-the-drop fights… Props for that kid for doing the right thing.

[Reply]
goldielocks Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 10:49 am
@Scot, Honestly, I was glad to see that hit on Smyth. I hated Smyth so much because he hurt the Kings everytime he was on ice and the insident before with Jason LaBarbera (JL injured his rib with Smyth’s stick). Of course, I was also glad when Smyth joined the Kings cause I knew how good he was.

But this Chara’s hit … it was something else. Like you said, Chara clearly shoved his hand against Pacioretty’ head. I don’t know his intention but I can tell it wasn’t a follow-through. Chara should be suspended.

[Reply]
goldielocks Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 10:11 am
@goldielocks,

Chara’s hit

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mx2AxYxgqRA

JJ’s hit

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPphB84zMCM

[Reply]
jet Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 10:21 am
@goldielocks, I think this was worse because Max thought he was through. He took 4 strides after contact with the puck. A broken neck is no fun, let’s hope he can play again.

[Reply]
Sebastian says:

March 9, 2011 at 10:04 am

time to send Detroit a message right back! 8-0 would be nice…with 5 power play goals. haha. it could happen. GO Kings GO!

[Reply]
insider#2 says:

March 9, 2011 at 10:06 am

New PP line:

Westy Lewis Bailey
Green Scuds

[Reply]
jason Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 10:28 am
@insider#2, and heidi takes kompons place

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EncinoMan says:

March 9, 2011 at 10:08 am

Hopefully “altering the powerplay setup” includes just getting the puck into the offensive zone.

[Reply]
wavesinair Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 10:28 am
@EncinoMan,

Excellent point.

[Reply]
puddle Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 1:02 pm
@EncinoMan, Seriously. I watched the Kings practice the other day, and as much time as they spent working on the PP sets, they didn’t spend ANY time working on getting the puck into the offensive zone on a PP.

[Reply]
Carl Sagan says:

March 9, 2011 at 10:09 am

I am sure as s coach and a defensive minded coach that TM has seen all types of PPs and the ones that are the hardest to defend.
It is not the coaching as much as it is players doing what they are suppose to do.

[Reply]
Seabass says:

March 9, 2011 at 10:12 am

But we’re in the top 20 in PP%, if it aint broke, don’t fix it.

[Reply]
D B COOPER says:

March 9, 2011 at 10:13 am

Our HAPLESS PP continues to make me turn the sound off and sometimes switch the channel. Kings Fan in Van., has got the concept right. this MINDLESS NO RISKS TAKEN passing along the perimeter from 1 end to the opposite side, I’m guessing Now, a mindless defenseman will get Dizzy and fall down, so we can get our mandatory 1 shot Unblocked Net ADJACENT. my dear departed grandmother, in a wheelchair, dead at the moment, would have more movement, making a challenge to the defense who are SOOOOO comfortable just fronting our inmoveable robots, than what i have been tormented to view for a full season.

so, i raise the question again: HOW MANY GAMES THIS YEAR has our HAPLESS PP cost us in games and points? 7-8 games, 14-16 points?

my continuing rant on this sad story, please forgive me.

[Reply]
408kingsfan says:

March 9, 2011 at 10:17 am

Thanks Rich,

I bet you were pleased to deliver that piece of info in regards to the powerplay to this group

[Reply]
Adam Michel says:

March 9, 2011 at 10:18 am

here is the lines for 1st and 4th line change for the kings is
1st Kopitar Ponikarovsky Penner
2nd Stoll Smyth Lewis
3rd Handzus Clifford Brown
4th Richardson Simmonds Brown
Defense
Johnson Scuderi
Doughty Greene
Harold Martinez what do you think about that

[Reply]
jason Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 10:25 am
@Adam Michel, i think you need to learn positions hehe… why would you replace Mitchell lol.. poni and penner are lw, stoll and lewis are centers.. brown may get tired playing on 2 consecutive lines

wheres the age limit on forums

[Reply]
Lanny McDonald's 'Stache Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 10:31 am
@Adam Michel,

I think Brown may end up being fatigued by that

[Reply]
mrbrett7 Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 10:52 am
@Adam Michel, Where is the emoticon for slapping oneself upside the head?

[Reply]
Bkrs-Bud Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 1:56 pm
@Adam Michel, Looks like a losing line up,nice try though.

[Reply]
Splinter says:

March 9, 2011 at 10:22 am

Too many shots on our power plays are coming from the point. They are either getting blocked or go wide (johnson and stoll). We need more shots from the slot area and get the goalie to move more laterally instead of facing point shots. The umbrella we are running now is not able to open up seams in the defense to make the dangerous cross ice passes. Im excited to see the new look pp.

[Reply]
jason says:

March 9, 2011 at 10:22 am

thank goodness for change… As much as he changes the line you would think they would have changed the PP by now

[Reply]
Duffy says:

March 9, 2011 at 10:27 am

Are you serious – Why Now? – like 2 months too late.

[Reply]
wavesinair Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 10:31 am
@Duffy,

Very good question actually. What prompted this? I’m hoping it was feedback from some of the players. Like Kopi who stands in the same spit everytime and does nothing.

[Reply]
jason Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 10:37 am
@Duffy, i think it would be hilarious if detroit played a penalty free game lol

[Reply]
jason says:

March 9, 2011 at 10:28 am

the new powerplay structure is to work the boards.. keep the puck inside the blue line and as close to the boards as possible… if you feel like shooting dont.. If you think you may lose the puck or accidently shoot on net, just fall on the puck and get a whistle

[Reply]
Kostamojen Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 10:43 am
@jason, Correction: If you feel like shooting, make sure you do it from a bad angle, or wait until your lane is blocked so the other team has a good chance to stop it before it gets to the goaltender. Also, whatever you do, stay out of the slot. High percentage shooting zones should be avoided most of the time, and especially during the PP.

[Reply]
bbb7 Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 10:46 am
@jason, Yah, at least that way our PP wont be a minus :p

[Reply]
crashin' da net Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 10:48 am
@jason, Just as effective. Let’s see wha tthe players’ creative minds can produce.

[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 10:52 am
@jason, new PP = playing heavy and playing the PP for 60 minutes

[Reply]
jkking says:

March 9, 2011 at 10:34 am

pass, pass, pass give it to johnson and drew, shoot wide. or pass, pass, pass give them again and lose the puck and the other team scores on a short handed.

[Reply]
Scarletcat Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 10:51 am
@jkking, You left out the 20-30 seconds of tapping the puck around the stick while standing in the same spot. That’s usually followed by a soft (read: slow) pass into the pattern you outlined all while your fans are going berserk yelling for some, any kind of movement.

[Reply]
Joe says:

March 9, 2011 at 10:35 am

Probably anything but an Umbrella Formation. Go Kings!!!.

[Reply]
KFII says:

March 9, 2011 at 10:48 am

Good news; Richardson in. I love the energy he brings.
Great news; Something changing with the PP structure. Better late than never. Make it work Kings.

[Reply]
Dan Sandonkey says:

March 9, 2011 at 10:49 am

So does this mean they are going to take a shot on goal during the PP?

[Reply]
Joe Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 10:52 am
@Dan Sandonkey,

Yes…, lol

[Reply]
crashin' da net says:

March 9, 2011 at 10:51 am

Would like to see Willie, Lewis, Stoll (not on the point) (not necessarily on the same line)on the PP. We need “squirreliness”.

[Reply]
mrbrett7 Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 10:53 am
@crashin’ da net, Kinda agree with you…one thing that really makes PP’s successful is the ability to recover a puck. Right now, they are getting beat to almost every lose puck.

[Reply]
crashin' da net says:

March 9, 2011 at 10:53 am

Rich, if not a temporary glitch, thanks. ;?)

[Reply]
MacSwede says:

March 9, 2011 at 10:55 am

Hopefully the Kings now will have a Power Play that is LEGEN-wait for it………….DARY!!!

[Reply]
goldielocks says:

March 9, 2011 at 11:07 am

Not expecting a big change. TM is too stubborn to change his positioning first philosophy. He should listen to what Sharks players said about their PP. ‘We do it with rush. Try to create a confusion among defenders’ It works.

[Reply]
matt343 says:

March 9, 2011 at 11:08 am

hoorah new powerplay! maybe this will work out. first pp unit should be kopi,brown,penner,dd,jj second line smyth williams,zeus,stoll,martinez in my opinion. hope quicker shows up and is not in his head. huge game tonight everynight is huge but if we dont win we are falling in the standings

[Reply]
Bkrs-Bud Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 2:03 pm
@matt343, Change out Williams for Brown and that should work.

[Reply]
BigMikeonD says:

March 9, 2011 at 11:15 am

No way TM reads this. He could care less. The PP is stale. He needs to add something. DD needs to not get sloppy with the puck. Detroit will exploit it if he does. I agree with what someone said earlier, get the puck to the net. the 95mph slapshots look cool but it’s a drive for show put for dough analogy. Wrist it through and have Smitty bang in the rebound.

[Reply]
concussionman02 says:

March 9, 2011 at 11:18 am

Strange that a guy who changes lines every game has such a hard time changing a power play that never works.

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Hat trick Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 2:47 pm
@concussionman02, I think its called insanity.

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Lilly says:

March 9, 2011 at 11:29 am

At this point, I’d be happy if we just stopped giving up so many quality scoring chances to the other team on our power plays. Scoring would be a bonus.

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Bickleton Wigglesworth III says:

March 9, 2011 at 11:31 am

Only “personnel” change the Kings’ power play need to make is behind the bench.

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BrokeKingsFan says:

March 9, 2011 at 11:34 am

It was never the setup that was lacking with our PP it was that everyone remained stationary and didnt swap or change positions IMO. they can keep the same setup just rotate. Other teams wouldnt know what to do if Kopi didnt stay stationary along the half board and was seen on the point, on the half board, behind the net, in front of the net, Ect. Everyone else should be doing the same. You will see other teams doing this all the time. There is no one person pigeon holed to one position on the power play, they alternate! Also it would be nice to see the guy below or to the side of the net take it in front every now and then for a stuff play goal or wrap around, that would make the PK’s show respect to this guy when he has the puck openeing up the point for shots that would have a better chance of getting through since we wont have a guy glued to our point men which is currently our situation. My 0.02

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justlu says:

March 9, 2011 at 12:05 pm

I’m glad to hear the news but wonder why TM would even make the annoucement. There is no need for a coach to relate this information to the fans unless the question was asked by Rich. Is TM reading the insider ?

I’m really glad to see Richardson re-inserted he brings a ton of energy and has turned into Brown Jr. with him taking the body lately. I really would like to see Richardson/Lewis/Brown as an energy line. Brown/Smyth/Stoll has been ineffective.

Benching Westgarth should make real sense to TM because right now all teams are playing playoff hockey and in the playoffs there is rare occasion to have an enforcer on the ice. Also the Kings and TM’s philosophy has been if it is a clean hockey hit there should not be any retalition and eventhough games have gotten chippy after the whistle there has been no reason to have an enforcer.

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Tom says:

March 9, 2011 at 3:44 pm

Dont see how there should even be a question wether Richardson is in the lineup or not. TM REFUSES to give this kid any credit or rewards … I just dont get it.

Surprise!!!! …. another puzzling move by TM!

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therocknroll80s says:

March 9, 2011 at 4:50 pm

That’s the right move.

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