It’s customary for Anze Kopitar to lead the Kings’ forwards in ice time. Sometimes the title goes to Dustin Brown. In Tuesday’s game, though, Jarret Stoll led the way with 19 minutes, 29 seconds, of ice time. Stoll, by definition, is the Kings’ third-line center, but he also plays in power-play and penalty-kill situations, and last night had a particularly strong game, with one goal and one assist. Terry Murray talked about the way he has been using Stoll…
MURRAY: “When you have three lines set up the way we have it right now, it’s going to give Stolly that opportunity to play against top lines, and as a result of that you are going to play more. It’s no different than when Handzus was here. That’s the line that we’re going to match up — not every game, but often — and as a result of that I’m putting him over the boards in those situation, and that’s just the way it unfolds. When Stoll now contributes on the power play and the penalty kill, the time can build up pretty quickly. He handled it very well. He ended up scoring a huge goal. A great play by Brownie, but he was in the right place at the right time to score a huge goal. I think he’s enjoying what his role is today.’’
i liked zeus, but stoll is perfect in his spot. i’ll put my 3 guys (kopi, mr, stoll)against anybody elses 3.
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Crown Royal Reply:
October 19th, 2011 at 3:45 pm
The Kings are strong down the middle for sure but when healthy I think the Penguins are better with Crosby, Malking and Staal.
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Crown Royal Reply:
October 19th, 2011 at 3:46 pm
@Crown Royal,
I wish Malking but I meant to say Malking. LOL
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Mesquite Smokie Reply:
October 19th, 2011 at 4:18 pm
@Crown Royal,
having issues with an autocorrect feature? although we all know what you really mean to say is malkin.
BrokeKingsFan Reply:
October 19th, 2011 at 3:49 pm
@Crown Royal, when healthy….I think your right! Question is when will all 3 be healthy? its been a long time know that they have been playing without #1 and #2 to boot.
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Crown Royal Reply:
October 19th, 2011 at 4:05 pm
@BrokeKingsFan,
Yeah, and that’s why it’s nice to have Lokti pretty much ready in Manchester. Look what happened to Kopi last season. Pretty hard to win without depth these days in the NHL.
rumpa#19 Reply:
October 19th, 2011 at 5:08 pm
@BrokeKingsFan, Latang is suspended,they are hurting.
rogiesbackup Reply:
October 19th, 2011 at 11:25 pm
@BrokeKingsFan, To be quiet honest, I think Crosby is not going to be the same player he once was.
tim chaney Reply:
October 19th, 2011 at 4:55 pm
@Crown Royal, makes you wonder when the last time pit had all 3 healthy…
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Stoll showed up big time last night….
He was invisible before…At least quiet..
I think that coming home to their family after
That long road trip did wonders for a few Kings..
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KC23 Reply:
October 19th, 2011 at 4:51 pm
@SLIM, I agree. That was the first game of the season Stoll showed up in my mind, but he did look good last night. I think the reason is that the Blues don’t have much of a first line. Against the good teams with size Stoll is going to be an issue imho. Zues can handle a guy like Thorton or Getzlof, but Stoll is going to be way over matched.
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Kenny44 Reply:
October 19th, 2011 at 6:12 pm
@KC23, Exactly, I’d rather take my chances with Kopi vs both those guys. He’s at least as sound defensively as Stoll, even considering face-offs. Then we get Rick vs Koivu, and Stoll vs whomever. Better match ups down the line.
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If we can shore up and get consistent production from the 3rd and 4th lines then we create more headaches for opposing teams. If you use Chicago and the Pens as your litmus test when they won the cup and we can match the production of their third and fourth lines during their cup runs, we’ll be in real good shape. Fourth line looked pretty good last night. Still a work in progress but we’re moving in the right direction.
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bringbackbutchgoring Reply:
October 19th, 2011 at 3:59 pm
@bonvivant1, TM not really running 4 lines this season like I thought he might. I doubt Cliffy is getting more than 5-6 minutes a game. It’s probably hard to get into any kind of groove playing 2 minutes a period.
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Dominick Reply:
October 19th, 2011 at 4:28 pm
@bringbackbutchgoring, Him and Hunter both. Lewis gets more minutes because he can kill penalties well. Clifford was getting more than 8 minutes a game (more than 9 against New York) till the last 2 games. Last night I think they would of got more minutes, but the top lines were on a roll last night, so Terry Murray mainly used them after situations where Richards, and Kopi were on the ice together for extended periods of time. 1 shift he used those 2 to double shift Kopi.
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TradedForAPick Reply:
October 19th, 2011 at 4:14 pm
@bonvivant1,
certainly running a fourth line like a big body line and not one expected to score. seems TM wants a few minutes of physical play outta Cliffy, Hunter, or Westie and keep Lewis out there for his speed and defense to cover in case.
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bonvivant1 Reply:
October 19th, 2011 at 4:40 pm
@TradedForAPick, Hunter and Moreau were obviously added as depth players with the mindset of putting them in third and fourth line rolls. I think the onus is on Clifford, Westie, Richardson and Lewis to compliment and adjust their games to what the veterans are doing. Lewis is a better role player and shows signs of brilliance and he is the more interchangeable of the 4. IMHO.
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Off topic:
I wish people would not boo Drew Doughty.
I was very upset with the way the contract deal went. But we start alienating this guy like Rob Blake (different situation I know) and I guarentee we will regret it. We do not want to lose this guy or his love for the Kings (no matter how superficial it may seem)and believe me this guy will be worth the 7 million and more by the time his contract is up.
He could have handled it differently, he could have been more classy and humble like Dustin Brown. But it is what it is and we will be happy with the 7 mil a year when he is hoisting the Stanley Cup at Staples Center.
Please start making the “Boo’s” into “Dreeew’s” again Kings fans. The introduction last night made me sick.
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AZ King Reply:
October 19th, 2011 at 5:16 pm
@Banez81,
A couple of people that were at the game said that, at least a majority, were saying “Drew”. I wouldn’t worry about it too much.
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aj Reply:
October 19th, 2011 at 7:37 pm
@Banez81, they were “DREWW”. I think we need to re-think some of these low tone name chants. Like Luc, sometimes I think they’re booing him too.
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PRMan Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 6:17 am
@Banez81, If you watch the tape, Drew says, “I think I got some boos” and chuckles. Nobody booed him during play, so I think it’ll be fine.
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Roles…ARGGGGH
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Fun Kings shout-out in the latest Bill Simmons NBA column…
http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/7123705/locked-nhl-arms
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Dominick Reply:
October 19th, 2011 at 5:07 pm
@Simmer, Very cool. Let’s hope for a lifetime die hard. Buying those tickets might just be a life changing experience.
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rumpa#19 Reply:
October 19th, 2011 at 5:35 pm
@Simmer, Worth the long read, and now friends wont ask to see an NBA score during a hockey game!!!
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RoyalPain Reply:
October 19th, 2011 at 6:29 pm
@Simmer, The great thing about the NBA lockout is that the Staples ice should be much better.
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If stoll wants to sign another contract with us he needs to turn into a quicker version of Zues. Win face offs, score in the shootout, play shut down D, and kill penalties.
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Dominick Reply:
October 19th, 2011 at 6:51 pm
@Pesus, That is the plan.
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I really like Stoll. Hoping he does well this year!
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Stoll is in his Prime years now. This is his contract year. He’s been in the league 9 years, and has been to the Stanley Cup finals. He plays a faster game than Zues, and back checks better than Zues did. He is a better scorer than Zues, and has the last 2 years. He has been lights out on face offs for the Kings ever since he got here.
Our 3rd line is in good hands.
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ditto on Stoll. Unlike the economy, I think his best years are ahead..
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