In tomorrow night’s game against Anaheim, will scoring the first goal be of paramount importance? The Ducks have an 0-8-1 record this season when they allow the first goal of a game, and an 0-6-1 record when trailing after the first period. Now, in reality, scoring the first goal is a big advantage for almost every team — 23 of 30 teams have a winning percentage higher than .500 this season when they score the first goal — but Terry Murray was asked whether scoring the first goal against the Ducks would take on extra importance.
MURRAY: “That’s very critical in this game, to have a good start to the game, a good first period. Everything is so close today, checking, structure, defensively, it’s incredible around the league, so you never want to get yourself into a situation like we had against Vancouver. You get down by three goals and now you’re trying to turn the tables and climb back into it. It’s very hard to do. It’s hard to do against any team in the league. We played against Minnesota the other night, and they were the top defensive team in the National Hockey League, so the start was critical. It’s the same against every team.”
Scoring the first several goals would be nice too. Did you know the team who scores the most goals wins 100% of the games?
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neil Reply:
November 15th, 2011 at 5:44 pm
@LA_1968, like my stat…The Kings have NEVER lost when leading after 3 periods……
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Bluecoconuts Reply:
November 15th, 2011 at 5:47 pm
@LA_1968,
Usually the team with the most points wins the game
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LA_1968 Reply:
November 15th, 2011 at 6:27 pm
@Bluecoconuts, At least 99% of the time hehe
PS I was at game three when we had a four nothing lead and it didn’t help. Your stat is better.
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KingsGuy Reply:
November 16th, 2011 at 8:36 am
@LA_1968, I was there… I told my buddy “boom shakalaka!” Oh man, I’ll never say that again.
16,005 Reply:
November 16th, 2011 at 8:49 am
@LA_1968,
Don’t forget the playoff stat… the team that wins a multi-overtime game 7 goes on to win the series 100% of the time.
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I think we scored the first 5 goals the other night and we won. I think this is a good strategy
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The Kings have a 100% of winning games this year in which they score 3 goals. I think that’s compelling.
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Yeah, not shown yet to be a comeback team so good idea.
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Ducks are in trouble against the Kings. They are having trouble putting the puck in the net and the King’s are not a good team to go against if you need to see some scoring. The problem the King’s have always had is matching the first two lines forwards. Not such a problem this year. The Kings are going out with a first line that looks like an all star line up.
Gagne Kopitar Williams
Doughty Johnson
Quick
That is scarey.
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Ebb and flow, baby. Gots to score first.
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lets go kings, get this thing done…..
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Obviously!!
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Go get em boys.. Can we take them down two nights in a row? Ill be very happy and pleased if we do.
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Well lets get a win these two days for we can have two ducks for dinner come on Kings its time for it again Duck hunt season!!
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For me, scoring the first goal is not as importsnt as scoring the last goal.
Duck hunting season starts Wednesday.
G K G!
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Jared Reply:
November 15th, 2011 at 8:08 pm
@KiNGS 4 LiFE, yeah but if your losing 2-0 and you score the last goal of the game its really not gunna do much… Just a thought
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KiNGS 4 LiFE Reply:
November 15th, 2011 at 8:31 pm
@Jared,I ment game winnning goal
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I think scoring first and then winning is a pretty good stradegy. Thats my opinion on this topic.
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Yea, Losing SUCKS! Like the DUCKS!!!! LOL
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Another lineup change for tomorrow. Get ready for “Ice Dudes” to clean the ice tomorrow.
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The ducks have called up two losers from their AHL team
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Mabye.
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Sharks coach is right when he says these games are a race to 3.
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FWIW, Avery just put in and he already has two goals. Just sayin….
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Those stats certainly indicate that it’s of great importance, Rich. Is this a theoretical question?
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Scoring first always seems to have made a big difference in the post-lockout NHL. I’m thinking this is especially the case with lower scoring, overall.
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So, instead of a shot mentality and net presence, they should have a goal mentality
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Zeley Reply:
November 16th, 2011 at 9:09 am
@16,005,
I like that thought. On the surface it seems like a subtle difference, but when you think about it, it makes all of the difference in the world. Like Yoda said: “Try not. Only do.”
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Chewy Reply:
November 16th, 2011 at 10:21 am
@16,005, LOL…..has anyone looked at the Flyers goals for…..the lead the entire leauge. They gave up alot of offensive tallent to get a goaltender and are still scoring. Kings get alot of offensive talent and still can’t score……that screams system and coaching.
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