There aren’t many situations comparable to the Kings’ current situation, in which they lost their top two scorers, Anze Kopitar and Justin Williams, to injuries in the span of three days. But there is one comparable situation, that of the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Penguins have been without Sidney Crosby (concussion) since Jan. 5 and they also lost Evgeni Malkin to a knee injury on Feb. 4. Today, Terry Murray was asked about drawing inspiration from the Penguins, who sit in fourth place in the Eastern Conference despite the injuries. Murray embraced the idea, but he might want to look closer at the numbers. In their first 12 games without both Crosby and Malkin, the Penguins went 3-6-3, and didn’t win any of those games in regulation. On the other hand, the Penguins are 8-2-0 in their last 10 games, but with only seven games remaining, the Kings can’t afford to type of adjustment-period struggles that the Penguins seemed to go through initially…
MURRAY: “Pittsburgh has done an incredible job with Malkin and Crosby out of the lineup. They’re really relying on their structure, their defensive game, their checking game. Their back end, with (Marc-Andre) Fleury, has been outstanding. Fleury has probably been their MVP over the year. He has played tremendous during this stretch without the top guys in there. The other thing that they have on their side is that they have won. That’s an attitude. You know how to dig in and go the extra foot, in those situations. That’s something that we will learn. We’re going to be put in a situation right now where, to me, it’s going to be a great learning curve for a lot of these young guys, to figure this out, play hard every shift, rely on your teammates and all those cliches that you talk about all the time. Most importantly, now, you’ve really got to play hard with what you’ve got. The guys have to understand that, and we’ll get through it.”
Murray is absolutely right. Hopefuly the boys will follow Pits example.
GO KINGS GO!!!
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DesertKing Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 2:56 pm
@mcg,
Pitt’s example for the last 10 games, not the 12 games previous to that.
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mcg Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 3:32 pm
@DesertKing,
Still in the playoff picture, thats what matters
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sid the kid Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 4:00 pm
@mcg, for both teams, yes. but that won’t matter until the playoffs actually start and the kings get their glutes handed to them for lack of scoring.
USHA#17 Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 5:16 pm
@mcg,
I suggest they skip the jinxed 3rd jersey.
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I hope Kings does better than the Pens
Go King GO
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Scranton is a gold mine of AHL players that
were called up to the show..{once by bus cause there were too many}
Well, our Monarchs are supposedly deep as well and making a run for
the playoffs.. Yet we have only really brought up Moller..
Is it to late in the season to try some others out?
To be fair on the comparison, then we should bring up others..
Otherwise this is a moot point..
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 2:54 pm
@Slim, u can bring up any one from the Minors i believe that what mostly any of the NHL team that not making the playoffs do they call them up and see what they can do
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AZ King Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 3:13 pm
@Slim,
Heidi was on NHL on the Fly last night. She was saying that Manch has been hit pretty hard by injuries as well, especially at center. With both Lokti and Cliche being out, she said there really isn’t much to call up from there.
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tornado12 Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 3:24 pm
@AZ King, Elkins would be my choice just looking at the numbers and the brief time he played with Ks, but maybe holly or another MAN buff could give better input. and dont give me the arguement that management doesnt want to weaken MAN roster. They exist to serve the Ks, not the other way around
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We have not scored that much with JW and Kopi. SoLETS CONTINUE PLAYING OUR team GAME,,
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Harry Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 3:10 pm
@LAKINGBOB[chi], So who has scored more then those two?
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PhillyKing Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 3:23 pm
@LAKINGBOB[chi], Meh, only a 130pts combined… not much at all right?
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GkG
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WE are not Pittsburgh. We are a TEAM! We don’t need Crosby! We will do better then PITT!
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the Pens are 19-12-4 since Crosby went out, which means they won 19 and lost 16… it’s good, but it’s not lights out. Without Crosby they are a competitive (read: good) team … I’m not buying the “look at how great the Pens have done” nonsense.
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HockeyNerd Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 3:48 pm
@Marc Nathan, Agree 100%. It’s a *little better* then one would have *thought* w/o Malkin & Crosby. That’s all. It’s not “irrefutable proof” they have so much more depth then we do. As a lot of people here have been claiming. (And before we’ve even played as much as a full game w/o Kopi yet!!!!)
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The issue I have with drawing this comparison is that Pitt had those injuries BEFORE the trade deadline and were able to retool their team knowing those top players would be out. The Ks have no such luxury. However, they did have to pull through with what they have and relied on structure and a team game which are great parallels for the Ks to follow.
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Dominick Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 3:08 pm
@tornado12,
Very valid point about having more time to make adjustments. I think the Kings right now are deeper than Pittsburg was overall though. Pittsburg would have been in cap trouble trying to fill out their roster, and were only afforded that luxury after losing 2 incredibly high priced individuals.
The Kings started out already a little more balannced in their line up and hopefully there’s enough overall depth in the line up to compensate for the loss of Kopi. Pittsburg didn’t get near what they lost, but they are a shining example of a team pulling together and finding a way.
Fortunately we’re close enough to the end of the season, and far enough ahead of teams that if we have to take a hit trying to find our game, we’ll still be in good shape.
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Bib Games tonight; Chicago Boston,,Van Couver Nashville,,, Dallas Phoenix.. Lokks like we all want Boston,Van Couver ans Dallas right??
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Stuart Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 3:02 pm
@LaKingBob[chi], Those would be my picks, which means all the other teams will win…
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tornado12 Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 3:05 pm
@Stuart, that Chi/BOS game should be fun. BOS is struggling and CHI needs the win big time!
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Slim Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 3:09 pm
@tornado12, What an exciting time for hockey!
I’m gonna watch {split screen} as many as I can
Until the Kings play that is..
I will have my computer in front of me all night..
tornado12 Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 3:26 pm
@slim- I need to get home ASAP so I can veg in front of the TV and have a “me” night. just me, my remote control, center ice and Guinness. who could ask for anything more?
Capt Jam Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 4:46 pm
@LaKingBob[chi],
A VAN win tonight would set up the Kings perfectly for a potential trap game win on Thursday in VAN – but this time they wouldn’t be the trapped team.
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Could Pitt’s ability also be a result of a weak eastern conference and the fact that for the last couple of weeks, the teams have all pretty much been playing opponents within their own conference and the east hasn’t been playing the stronger teams in the west?
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jess Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 4:58 pm
@DesertKing, sounds like a valid point to me –or one of them =/
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If we tighten up our already tight defense we will be fine. we win a ton of games in which Kopi and Williams record 0 points. We must replace the Defense Kopi brought to the table…Not an easy task.
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puck73 Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 3:40 pm
@VegasKingsFan, I agree with you. I think you might also agree that had Poni and Mitchell stayed healthy and played all 82 games, this team probably would have wrapped up a playoff position a while back when you consider the teams record when they are in the lineup.
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Vegaskingsfan Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 5:36 pm
@puck73, Very true! I expect the team to pull together and lock the season down.
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We also have 6 20+ goal scores on the roster, (4 now that AK and JW are out). Our game is DEFENSE first, then we have multiple contributors for the big O. We don’t have a pure scorer which makes the entire team play as A TEAM.
We will succeed without them, but I wish them a speedy recovery.
If anything, Moller has easily replaced the speedy presence of JW and Zues will provide the proper 2 way play AK provided. The big question mark is TL’s progression to the 2nd line. This is what TM will be watching closely and could make or break us in the final stretch. Is TL physically prepared for 20+ mins a game, can he compete on the 2nd line against other teams consistently, and can he produce the points we need from a 2nd liner?
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OT…
Their “Bob Miller” …. Rod Phillips is announcing his last game tonight…
We would want to win it for Bob.. Just more fuel for the fire…
I actually remember Danny Gallivan and Dick Irvin.. wow
GKG..
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I live in Chicago and today I got the okay to get out from minor surgery. I am goin to the bar for about an hour and get relaxed and get back home in time for the Kings puck drop…
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jess Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 4:59 pm
@LaKingBob[chi], Nice!!
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Tonight’s game is a pretest for the remainder of the season. If we fail tonight, I’ll be worried (Note: fail doesn’t just mean lose, we can lose but still battle and still show strength as a team… likewise, we can win but only just). If we win, great, but it still doesn’t prove how we’ll fare against the big boys. Thursday’s the big test.
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I don’t know why anyone is worried? We have a sniper playing right wing on the 4th line? Hat trick for westie tonight!
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HockeyNerd Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 3:38 pm
@KH, 3 fights?
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Newf Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 3:45 pm
@HockeyNerd, and 3 concussions.
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TM reminds me of Dick Vermeil after the Rams lost Trent Green (minus the tears); “we are the Kings and we will play good Hockey”.
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I’ve talked about Zues’ extra time. Now I want to know what kind of breakout changes will be made. Kopi comes down below the puck and carries it pretty much into the zone by himself and sets up shop. Zues is more of a dump it in and go get it guy. Mostly it’s carried in by his wingers with Zues following up the play in a support position. Will Zues carry the puck more? or will he play the support role and Moller carry it in.
I see a little more attention on Moller once teams figure out where the speed is, so I’m more worried about Moller than Zues. Would hate to see Moller start losing the puck every time he comes up the ice. Look for teams to try and trap him to oneside in the nuetral zone, and force Zues and Penner to carry it in, or dump it.
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Stuart Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 3:43 pm
@Dominick, interesting… hadnt thought too much about it, but you’re right. How are we going to set it up? I see TM going strictly dump-n-chase 4 lines all night.
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I hope we make the playoffs. Winning a round of the playoffs is doubtful unless Quick has gaa below1.0. The last two games of the season will be pivotal against the Ducks who have been tough without Jonas Hiller. I hope we can do the same but am very worried about defensive zone play without Kopitar in the lineup and lack of scoring. Penner needs to produce and it is
time for Moller to show what he can do. He will never have a better chance to make the Kings team.
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Too late to tank the season for a top 3 pick? j/k… I live and die with my Kings!
Go Kings Go!!!!!!!!!!
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When i get into the ring knowing my opponent can easily destroy me- i relax, and really focus on my every move.. visualizing every punch that im gonna throw. it really pumps me up. listen to some slayer and try to remember where i started from and where i am now.. hopefully TM can say something meaningful and spark a napalm fire under some butts. dont let the mounting issues get you down. i have faith in our boys. still a force to be reckoned with!
lets go kings!!!!!
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Capt Jam Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 4:20 pm
@Mikey,
Just once I’d love to see the Kings take the ice to the intro to Slayer’s “Criminally Insane”. Brutal build-up. But please make that cheesy King Arthur/Dungeons and Dragons music and video intro that’s currently used burn in a bonfire of at least 5000 degrees.
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If you’ve been a KINGS fan for more than a couple seasons, you know that this situation is nothing new. I don’t believe for a second that ANYBODY in that locker room believes that their season is over so why should we. HEY,…move DEWEY up to the wing, he likes to be up there anyway.
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Once, after the Quacks game, Selanne said that the goalie must be the best player of the game in order to win. I totally agree with him, and I hope Quick can do it every game from now on, and I am ready to buy the playoff tickets!
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the comparison is nice…but not really applicable given the differences in the conference. Pitts still has a shot at first in the East. that’s not even possible for us (given that the overrated canucks play in the softest division in the league).
4 teams have spots locked up in the East, and only Van does in the west…and DET has 98 points! Ridiculous.
All the Kings need to do is dig in, cycle, play hard, stay strong on the boards, and not get fancy (hear me DD and JJ?), and we’ll come out on top in most of the games we have left.
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tornado12 Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 4:11 pm
@Newf, i dont think the Nucks are overratted. they have beaten the best teams in the league! I hate their fans, but you gotta respect them.
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PIT initially struggled because Bylsma essentially reinvented the team and drove them into a team defense/team first mindset away from the Crosby- and Malkin-centric gameplan. The Kings don’t have to make anywhere near the amount of adjustments PIT had to conquer.
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