Depending on how far you want to go back, the Kings’ recent results at home have either been average or ugly. The Kings are 0-2-2 in their last four home games and 5-3-2 in their last 10 road games. That’s 12 points in their last 10 home games, comparable to the last 10-game home stretches for teams such as Dallas, Calgary and Anaheim. One notable distinction, though, is the goals category. The Kings have allowed 11 goals in their last five home games and nine goals in their last five road games. That’s essentially equal. In terms of goals scored, though, the Kings have scored only six goals in their last five home games and have scored 11 goals in their last five road games. In terms of showing improvement at home, that’s the area in which Terry Murray has his finger squarely pointed…
MURRAY: “Bottom line is, we’re not scoring goals enough on the 5-on-5 or power play. We’re just not putting enough up, on the offensive side of the game, to put games away. We keep other teams in the game because of it. Going into the third period, in a one-goal game or a tie game, there’s going to be a lucky bounce or there’s going to be something that could happen that could make the difference. That, to me, is the bottom line, is that we’re not getting enough on the offensive part of it. … We are scoring more on the road. We’ve got a great road record. Just coming off four great wins on the road, those games were hard and playoff-like. But the bottom line, again, is that we’re putting pucks in the net and shutting the game down.”
My first thought was “at home”?
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jonsey Reply:
March 21st, 2011 at 3:47 pm
@Dan H., Ha! No doubt we don’t score much. We score fewer than all but 7 teams. Ironically, NJ, who added Ilya Kovalchuk (who we wanted to add more scoring), have scored the fewest.
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USHA#17 Reply:
March 21st, 2011 at 4:06 pm
@jonsey,
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Been to the last two home games, 6 periods of hockey at the Staples Center, and saw us score 2 goals (1 was disallowed). Yeah, tell me we ain’t lighting the lamp. I have gotten to the point that when I see a red light, it either means the other team scored or we are going to a TV timeout.
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Keeper Reply:
March 21st, 2011 at 3:19 pm
@DesertKing, How embarrassing is that? I’m tired of watching other teams play and light up the lamp constantly.
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Just got on my computer so I’m not sure if this video’s been posted yet, but here it is.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q97IVWfNuhc
Dad, and Kings fan of the Year!
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Rainman Reply:
March 21st, 2011 at 4:13 pm
@CB14, Kings fan of the year? How about least classiest NHL fan of the year. I feel sorry for your young child King Mahan. What a pathetic excuse of a role model. Hopefully Security will escort him out of Staples before they even drop the puck on April 9th.
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CB14 Reply:
March 21st, 2011 at 5:02 pm
@Rainman, Carlysle started it by pointing at the guy and I’m sure saying something to him. Plus the guys kid looks young enough that he doesn’t realize what his dad did. Plus it was against the Quacks, so it’s all good in my book!
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If TM would have read my posts a month ago he would have been working on this a month ago. I’ve been asking for a little breathing room, and a little more stepping on opponents necks during games. I even said this is directly attributed to lack of scoring 5 on 5, and power play inconsistancy. A month ago!
Let me just throw this out here for next month. Backdoor plays, and onetimers from the slot, on the power play. We need them.
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
March 21st, 2011 at 3:42 pm
@Dominick, we need shots on the PP too they just pass and pass and chase
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Dominick Reply:
March 21st, 2011 at 3:59 pm
@KingsFanFTW,
Funny thing is, it’s a shorter distance from the slot to the goal, so the accuracy would improve, instead of forced bombs from the point under pressure, that go high and wide.
When the player with the puck is down low, watch the backdoor, and tell me it’s not wide open. Teams don’t cover it because the Kings never use it.
Now would be a good time to start taking’em by surprise. They’d never see it coming.
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Kingman 369 Reply:
March 21st, 2011 at 4:32 pm
@Dominick, You are exactly right, especially about the back door & one timers. Our shooters stand flat footed & play with the puck way too much. That allows defence to get in the lanes. Got to move change the angle. Also, we need much more screening the goal tender & traffic in front of the net. Plus we need to forcheck a lot more. Not sure if it’s the coaching or lack of desire???
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OldKingsFan Reply:
March 21st, 2011 at 4:55 pm
@Kingman 369, “Not sure if it’s coaching or lack of desire???” Either way it comes down to coaching. Player have to play a system to be effective. I am a STH and have been to most games (out right now knee surgery) and we have a very poor power play set up. It comes down to dump and chase. They place 3 in the neutral zone and we flounder to get the puck in deep. How many time have we seen passes intercepted and sent down the ice? That is a system problem. I hope we see diffeent result tonight.
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xeropoint Reply:
March 21st, 2011 at 4:52 pm
@Dominick, They’ve added centering passes into this so-called “slot” area I’ve heard about. Usually nobody is there to collect.
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Dominick Reply:
March 21st, 2011 at 5:34 pm
@xeropoint, I agree. Another problem is that when there is a person there, he just taps it back to the passesr.
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mcsorleyfan Reply:
March 21st, 2011 at 6:10 pm
@Dominick, so true, and watching someone camped properly in that back door position skate away from it is maddening, especially when you watch the puck show up there a moment later! My poor wife has had to hear me yelling at the TV a lot lately.
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what i dont get whats the differences between away or home they both skate both and they both have fans
So y is it sooo difference when we play away they play really good and when they play home they dont really play good
There nothing difference between home or away the only difference u get fans cheering thats all other than that just the same o same
If they can do great away then i know they can do great at home but they are not showing it
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Guss Reply:
March 21st, 2011 at 3:32 pm
Maybe disttractions, we are in LA with a very young team, because i truly see them waaaaay more focused on the road.
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Since '67 Reply:
March 21st, 2011 at 3:40 pm
@Guss, Then make them stay at hotel when they are at home until they prove they can win here.
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
March 21st, 2011 at 3:40 pm
@Guss, yea that might be that
But not to be mean ignore the Fans and just play Hockey dont care if its plain i dont think the Fans care how they score just score a goal and win thats all it matters dont need to have tricks or anything in the mix cause that will fail all the time
Young team still got things to get fix if they want to win a Stanley Cup…Cant Focus on ur Fans because ur Fans will always be there no matter what happens Just play ur hardest and alot of effort and good things will come to them and u give the Kings Fan what they want their Team being very successful
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1) score goals.
2) hold opposition to fewer goals.
3) celebrate victory with a nice cold brewskie.
GKG!
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Dominick Reply:
March 21st, 2011 at 3:32 pm
@M.T. Net,
And a steak! (Should be a fat lady singing in there some where).
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@MURRAY: “Bottom line is, we’re not scoring goals enough on the 5-on-5 or power play
You can add short handed in there as well TM, while your at it!
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Jim Fox said on xm radio that the Kings keep talking about how the teams they’re playing are playing with desperation because of where they’re situated relative to the playoffs, and that it might in fact behove the Kings to themselves start playing with that desperation.
I can’t remember the last home game where they played like that. Maybe the game vs. the Bruins and the SO win vs. SJ? That was end of January.
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
March 21st, 2011 at 3:45 pm
@number 6, yea the problem with the Kings since they were in 5th they believe they are in it no matter what
If they don’t play their hardest they be out less than 2 days
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number 6 Reply:
March 21st, 2011 at 4:11 pm
@KingsFanFTW,
It’s a problem I’ve noticed with the team and commented on earlier. I truly believe that in games that they’ve won (for example in Detroit on both occasions) they don’t win those games w/o an amazing JQ. But some of the young guys probably look at the fact that they’ve beaten Wash, Detroit and Boston and start thinking they are a better team than what they really are. That’s why TM has talked often about humility.
I’m not surprised.
Well guess what. If they end up in eighth place and go out quickly to Vancouver, or miss the playoffs altogether they’ll be learning a difficult lesson the hard way.
Sometimes in life maybe that’s the only way.
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
March 21st, 2011 at 4:39 pm
@number 6, true i understand what u saying Kings got to learn the hard way that how most of the young teams learn
I wonder if we cheered wildly for everything, even the mistakes, would they notice it? Just idle silly thoughts, but if we were like a mom watching her special needs son strike out on later pitches in the count and cheered like every dump-in was about to set up a goal, would that energize the team? What can we do here? I live around the corner from where they practice. Should I bring them cookies? Give them hugs?
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
March 21st, 2011 at 3:51 pm
@MindGeyser, no lets make the Kings feel away cheer for the other team LOL jk jk
But i dont know maybe it will work if u cheer for the Kings alot more
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When we stand up to teams at the blue line in transition we have a much better chance of exposing them and taking an odd man rush into their zone. We’ve seen old Smytty do it a couple of times as well as Penner and Williams. The boys just need to play with confidence and aggression and they’ll force the puck into the net.
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Scot Reply:
March 21st, 2011 at 4:00 pm
@TheRussianKing,
I always love your posts.
Breaking up plays in the neutral zone and catching the other team in an odd man rush is such an effective way to get pucks to the net. You are correct about Penner as well, I’ve seen him lift a guys stick in the neutral zone and, all in one motion, spin around and put the puck on Williams’ or Kopitar’s stick and turn it into a 3 on 2, or 2 on 1. Stand teams up at the blue line.
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jess Reply:
March 21st, 2011 at 4:34 pm
@Scot,
Agreed,
Penner is such a solid playmaker and his pick pocket skills are sik –his style is so laid back that oposing players don’t expect it. He could be Kopi’s Jari Kurri. Other thing I hope they work on is after setting up in the offensive zone snapping quick wristers and one-timers instead of these huge telegraphing wind-up shots.
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Scot Reply:
March 21st, 2011 at 4:47 pm
@jess,
Haha, you tired of the old “roof ticklers?” [In the words of Edzo (Olczyk), when a player winds up as far as he can.] I agree jess. Let’s get some quick snap shots on net, LOW, to create some rebounds.
PP Anybody? Reply:
March 21st, 2011 at 4:29 pm
@TheRussianKing, You are right, except that’s not part of our system. Our defensive structure is set up to take away pucks, then regroup in our zone behind the net, for a set breakout. Watch, we have no transition mindset. That is why we have no short handed goals to speak of, and little to no odd man rush opportunities of any significance. It is deliberately structured to gain full possession from our zone. We do not play a neutral zone trap in order to force turnovers at the red line. We draw the opposition into our zone, push them to the boards, in hopes of maybe stripping the puck in a safe area, then rag back behind the net. every time. Safe defensively, but not much of a way to generate offense or catch teams on their heals for an easier time to score a goal.
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xeropoint Reply:
March 21st, 2011 at 4:57 pm
@TheRussianKing, While I would love to see them exploit this more, the Kings are probably one of the worst transition teams in the league.
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Not lighting the lamp at home
It’s time to hit the switch and put teams away.
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i wonder what happen to the First line they use to be scoring each game now they are a ghost
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Scot Reply:
March 21st, 2011 at 4:01 pm
@KingsFanFTW,
I’d still say they’re out best line on a nightly basis. They do generate some pretty good opportunities, and, at the very least, wear down the opposition on the cycle. I’m hoping to see some good Penner-Regehr battles in front of the net tonight.
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No more fooling around Kings, stop teasing those Duck fans. It’s time to win some games!!!
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Terry Murray = Captain Obvious
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jess Reply:
March 21st, 2011 at 4:10 pm
@kingswings,
Just like our plays in the ofensive zone –all telegraphed. No wonder the defense on just about every team is blocking such a high percentage of our shots..
Anyone know who is starting in net?
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number 6 Reply:
March 21st, 2011 at 4:12 pm
@jess,
UickQ
those are the letters
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jess Reply:
March 21st, 2011 at 4:18 pm
@number 6,
Wow really…
I love Quick so not saying anything one way or another, just starting to feel a little bit like this time last year…
Pesus Reply:
March 21st, 2011 at 5:12 pm
@kingswings,
TM=retard. He wants to play a hard defensive gave and make every player acountable in the defensive zone then cries when we dont score. This guy has to go. He truely is too old school for todays NHL. Maybe his system would work 10 years ago, like the NJ teams that won cups. Score 2 goals and win doesnt happen any more TM. Wake up! Chi won a cup last year with average D and a ok netminder. (he did stand on his head aganist the sharks). Why? Cuz they scored 5 goals a game.
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PP: 2 guys in front of the net, 1 guy in Gretzky’s Office, and two guys on the boards by the blue line
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If we score more goals than our opponents we put ourselves in the best position to win games.
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jonsey Reply:
March 21st, 2011 at 4:22 pm
@Shakes, Yeah he will not be able to see with that blindfold, Cotton.
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kingswings Reply:
March 21st, 2011 at 4:25 pm
@Shakes, I long for the day one of the Kings players finally get fed up with Heidi Androl and/or Patrick O’Neal asking them what the “key” to the game is, and responds with “scoring more goals than our opponent.”
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jess Reply:
March 21st, 2011 at 4:55 pm
@kingswings,
haha “how do you put your pants on stollie?” “just like you heidi, one leg at a time” “ok thanks! –now back to you bob!”
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What cracks me up is that alot of people think this team will be in the playoffs for sure. Fact is, we havent won anything yet, and other teams keep winning and hanging around. I also think that alot of us, me included didnt believe Dean Lombardi when he said many times this season that it is never easy for a young team to play with expectations…I am beginning to believe we should have really taken that alot more serious !
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KC23 Reply:
March 21st, 2011 at 6:00 pm
@puck73, DL knows the business. He is far away the best GM we’ve ever had. I have faith that the Kings will get in. Tonight is so big though. Hope we can get this one in regulation.
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mcsorleyfan Reply:
March 21st, 2011 at 6:13 pm
@KC23, Roger that! @puck73, the new date for surgery is April 1&2. If we have the next suite night anytime before that or after April 9, I will make it.
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Score more goals than your opponents = win? I hope other teams aren’t quick to pick up this new winning strategy.
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Dominick Reply:
March 21st, 2011 at 4:30 pm
@Helvetica,
Judging from how alot of Kingsfans judge our goaltending, just Keep it under 1 = win.
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Whats really ironic is, every time the Kings give a contract extension to one of their players, he starts to falter. One example is Justin Williams. He was on fire before he got his contract extension.
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KC23 Reply:
March 21st, 2011 at 6:01 pm
@Jim Martin, Not true. He was still on fire well after the contract once he got on Kopitar’s line.
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Bottom line: To score more, you need more skill. Determination and net presence are critical yes, but you need someone who can just fire a laser in from nothing.
Compare supposed skilled players on depth-charts: LA: Kopitar, Brown, Penner, Smyth, Stoll,
Quacks: Getzlaf, Perry, Ryan, Selaane, Koivu
The skill level difference is very easy to see here. Kings players are great, but the skill level/speed I think needs an upgrade. DL, How about drafting some scoring forwards for a change? We seem to be overloaded with D-man prospects.
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Bottom line is this: If the Kings don’t start showing some pride in playing before their beloved fans at Staples Center, they aren’t going to the playlets this year.
Stop blaming the fans for their actions and have some pride in playing at home. Figure it out.
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DBking Reply:
March 21st, 2011 at 5:26 pm
@DBking, Playoffs… Damn iPad
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It starts with coaching. This team only plays when they feel like it. last season it was the same old story, we needed road wins to get into playoffs and ended up with the seventh seed. I just don’t feel there is any urgency on this team to win home games and guarantee yourself a fourth or fifth place in the conference. Bottom line is we need a new coach who keeps the players honest and accountable for the performance game in and game out. T Murray is too soft and has no respect from the players he coaches.
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I no this is a team game but where has smyth been lately???he has vanished and kopi please try no to trip all over place giving up odd man rushes in ot that kills us.
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