Terry Murray’s postgame thoughts…
(on whether the missed penalty shot was a turning point…)
MURRAY: “It was a critical time, but I would answer today that it was a small part of it, the missed opportunity there to score. Things turned after they made it 1-1. They scored right away on the power play after we got a short-handed goal. That, I thought, was really going to be a huge momentum boost for us. I don’t know what happened on that. I haven’t watched the replay on it. I just remember Brownie [Dustin Brown], it looked like he almost got tackled there as he was coming out to the point, to the loose puck. But they score right away and started to feed off of some of the turnovers and some of the decisions that we made to get the puck back to them. They’re covering you over the top so well. As a veteran hockey club, they came right after us with a lot of momentum. By the end of the second period, they had the game going the way they wanted and we ended up chasing it.”
(on Richards’ shorthanded goal…)
MURRAY: “He is one of the better penalty killers in the game, I think. He has always got that anticipation. He’s ready for those plays that he might be able to jump on, to put some pressure on the other team. He did it again tonight. Again, that to me was a huge play. Against a team like Detroit, that should be a great opportunity for you to feed off of that kind of momentum. `Let’s kill the rest of this penalty, let’s get back to 5-on-5 and keep going.’ They put a lot of water on the fire right away, and it just seemed like we never got our legs going after that. That was maybe the one thing that disappointed me as much as anything in the game, is that we were not skating anywhere near the way we skated in the last three games. They recognized it and they took advantage of us.”
(on his third-period line-combination changes…)
MURRAY: “You’re just trying to change things up, to get the offense going at that time. We had Loktionov in the middle, Stoll (on the wing) and Brad Richardson goes up, for some speed through the puck, maybe, on the forecheck, to give Kopi and Gags an opportunity to recover some pucks. Williams goes to Loktionov. I’m trying to find some balance for scoring, with that change. It’s not something I’m going to stay with. Lokti will go back to left wing. I think he has played fine on the left side. But at that time, when it is 3-1, you’re trying to find something that’s good.”
(on whether the Kings were “chasing the game”…)
MURRAY: “It’s a good way of describing it. I thought that’s exactly what was going on. We were chasing the game. (The Red Wings) moved it very well. They moved a lot of the time, though, off our turnovers. That was the thing that upset me, in the course of the game, is that we were too far above it. Against a team like Detroit, that play over the top of you, you’ve got to bring everybody back, you’ve got to stay low. You’ve got to make those little handoff support plays. Tonight, it was one pass and we thought we were done. We were resting, when it should have been, `OK, I’ve got to stay involved, I’ve got to get it back and I maybe have to bring it out the other side.’ I thought we brought a lot of the issues on ourselves.”
You’re bound to chase the other team when they play a puck possesion offense because they always have the puck. Mabye you should try that Mr. Murray.
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fsd1 Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 5:38 pm
@CB14, yea its his fault, he reverted back to an old system just for this game. Maybe if our players could have finished a little better this game the outcome would have been different.
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CB14 Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 7:10 pm
@fsd1, 10 and 10 is the Kings record this season, their record doesn’t match their talent.
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Bkrs-Bud Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 8:37 pm
@CB14, You are what your record says you are no denying it or excuses.This team is not a cup contender at this time D.L.still has work to do.
chuckrocks Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 5:49 pm
@CB14, Amen.
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Kenny44 Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 6:04 pm
@CB14, Bingo! When a puck possession team has their game working, a puck management team has very little chance of success unless they get physical.
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chip Reply:
November 20th, 2011 at 2:28 am
@CB14, OK! Let’s try that. What is step one? What is the first thing the players should do for that to happen?
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CB14 Reply:
November 20th, 2011 at 9:10 am
@chip, Coaching change.
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20 games into the season…..we dont have a idenity.We are not fast…not high scoring…not tough….what are we? Our bottom 6 is really bad. Lewis is not needed with Richards killing(and scoring) on the PK.Moreau,Hunter,Cliffy,Richardson are all avg. 4th liners with no real upside.We havnt beat a top contender yet(S.J> Van.> Det>Pitts) At this rate we will not be in the top 4.Also the team playing hard for 60 minutes is still a issue. Even against the Ducks we tried to give it away at the end.Too many games I have gone to this year where it wasnt even fun to watch….
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Jumblehead Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 6:23 pm
@neil, And still first place in the division. Things should be pretty good when they find their identity.
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Rene Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 8:03 pm
@Jumblehead,
The kings were only in first because they played more games. San Jose will pass us soon with 4 games in hand.
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Pesus Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 8:28 pm
@Jumblehead,
Who cares what place we are in if you only can beat the bottom half of the league, wow we beat the ducks twice.
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KingsFan1971 Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 11:38 pm
@Jumblehead, technically we are 3rd just thought I would add that! san jose has played 18 games and yotes have played 17 we are in third place! And well it could be worse somehow someway the boys need to dig deep and rise up! GO KINGS GO!!!!!!!!
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Scot Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 6:25 pm
@neil,
I’m not even going to add anything. The bottom 2 lines are just awful.
Actually I will add one thing. Terry Murray needs to get Moreau off the Power Play NOW.
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fka PakiFro Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 7:34 pm
@Scot,
seriously wtf is that all about??
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Seano Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 7:38 am
@fka PakiFro, Desperate (or maybe just really bad) move by the coach to help jump start his scoring. The fact Moreau is past that part of his career seems to be besides the point.
rogiesbackup Reply:
November 20th, 2011 at 12:34 am
@Scot, Yes, been wondering about that too!!! Is Moreau been known in the past to be some kind of playmaker/scorer???!!! WTF is he doing on the PP????
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rogiesbackup Reply:
November 20th, 2011 at 12:37 am
@rogiesbackup, I don’t know, but tHunter should be on the line – up on a regular basis. I don’t know why DL brought Moreau here???? Nobody at Manchester or Ontario Reign can do just as good as what eMoreau is doing???!! I think we have some “home-grown” talent in Manchester-give em a chance!!!
joan fondell Reply:
November 20th, 2011 at 2:02 pm
@rogiesbackup, Agree–Moreau should NOT be on the PP. Weird when I saw TM put him out there. MOre importantly than the PP, Moreau shouldn’t even have a full-time roster spot. There are younger, hungrier forwards that should be inserted. Yes, Moreau gives the Kings another veteran; but there is really very little upside. He isn’t a scorer and its not as if he is some incredible PK guy. Lewis is better on the PK, Richardson is good on the PK, Richards and Kopi are good on the PK. There is enough PK talent. So what is his use? Size–that’s it. Get another 6 footer+ from Manchester–they are cheaper..and isn’t that the whole point of developing your youth/farm club?
g smith86 Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 10:06 pm
@neil, I ll give you that…they have not beat anyone besides Dallas with a good record and that was early on. Scratch that, they have but if we are talking about the real contenders then…well nope. They just haven’t shone up yet. I do like the fact that we are still in first, but at this point seeing that we just got are butts kicked by a team who just got thier butts kicked by the Sharks doesn’t make me feel any better. This team has many levels to come up to at this point. Time to step it up
PS you would think the Red wings would have inspired the team to step it up
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USHA#17 Reply:
November 20th, 2011 at 5:49 am
@neil,
Perfect summation. Anyone raving about those two wins over the Ducks is an idiot…including Murray. Subpar wins over a subpar slumping team riddled by injury.
From having a young core team looking ahead we now have core looking behind hoping they won’t be sent down or waived. LA is beyond boring, they are predictable and the better coaches know it and know how to beat it.
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We have to get production out of third line if we are going to be successful
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Brownie has so many chances…..
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Bluecoconuts Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 6:15 pm
@OCKINGin HB,
He has a knack for creating great plays and making great scoring chances, he just has issues finishing, it’s a shame.
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g smith86 Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 10:07 pm
@Bluecoconuts, Yea like Mike Donnelley….Just Kidding
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USHA#17 Reply:
November 20th, 2011 at 5:52 am
@g smith86, Donnelley had great concentration on the boards however
joan fondell Reply:
November 20th, 2011 at 2:08 pm
@g smith86, Haven’t heard Mike Donnelley’s name mentioned in years–you’re an old Kings fan. I like that. What about Pat Conacher, or Donny Kozak–remember him? These guys were similar to Brownie. He isn’t hitting as much, and seems often times to get turned around and doesn’t know where he is. No one comments on it, but often times, he seems to be pointed in the wrong direction–like a turning dervish. He missed several times, mis-deflected the puck. Lokti and him and Richards make for a good line. Stoll’s line needs some better finishing. Cliffy who is a scrappy guy often seems like he is running around, but not an effective use of his energy. He’s taken a step back this year. I like Lewis and Richardson…and wonder how they would be on a line with Stoll. I actually think Stoll, Lewis and Richardson could be very effective–good hands, fast and tenacious at the boards.
lets move Richardson up on the first line since he is a big time scorer…also lets play the 4th line in the third period….that line can score quickly and get us back in the game….
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Harty Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 5:44 pm
@neil, your right Neil some moves don’t make sense unless he was sending a message, my comment would be to who about what though……
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Seriously TM just put these guys together and we will be fine……..
Moreau, Kopi, Williams
Gagne, Richards, Brown
Stoll, Lotkionov, Hunter
Clifford, Lewis, Richardson
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CB14 Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 5:48 pm
@Harty, It’s time to put Gagne and Richards together.
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Kasey9 Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 6:26 pm
@CB14, replace Moreau with Hunter
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Kasey9 Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 6:26 pm
@Kasey9, sorry i meant that for the line combos lol
Scuderi screwed up on the 3-1 goal by trying to jump a puck on the boards in the offensive zone with only 3 seconds left on the PP to Dtroit. A simple pass along the boards to the player jumping out of the box gave him a an uncontested beeline to Quick. Detroit 3-1.
Earlier on the PK, Doughty got caught dancing with and challenging a Detroit player on the right corner even though the puck had moved all the way to the left side of the boards. When Mitchell went out to challenge, it left the middle wide open because Mr. 7 million dollar man was too busy to elsewhere.
The pass went again uncontested. Apparently jawing to and shoving around an opponent in the corner opposite to the play is more important than covering the middle when your defensive partner goes out to challenge….What a moronic display of immaturity and luck of focus!! When the pass whistled to the middle for the 2-1 goal DD was at least 10′ from the play.
VOYNOV VOYNOV VOYNOV!!!!!!
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CB14 Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 5:51 pm
@Gustavo, I saw the same thing on the Scuderi mistake. It was inexcusable. There had just been a whistle and Scuderi was put out with Mitchell, he’s got to know how much time is left on the PP. That’s a mistake I would expect a young d-man to make, not a vet like Scuderi.
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Bluecoconuts Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 6:18 pm
@Gustavo, I would have to go back, but didn’t Voynov make a mistake on that last goal? He seemed to be diving back into position when the goal was scored if I recall.
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Gustavo Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 6:50 pm
@Bluecoconuts,
If he did, I missed it. Overall, I saw Voynoy play with more aplomb, discipline and focus than the veterans on the blue line. The turnovers by DD and JJ were glaring, overly abundant and made them looked lazy.
I thought the shorty by Richards in the first period would carry the team. But we were flat footed the rest of the game. Not sure if the early game time has anything to do with it, but the entire team seemed to play hungover or jet lagged. Nobody was hitting anyone and no puck possession to speak of.
Puck some serious bedtime curfews on these boys, lol!!!!
All of us fans at Staples, had to eat crow today for making fun of the OC quacks because we had a loud Kings crowd at the Ponda Thursday, lol. The Detroit fan base is something else, uh? Call them whatever you want, but they’re always there.
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USHA#17 Reply:
November 20th, 2011 at 5:57 am
@Bluecoconuts, Not just one, but two. He also set up the give away that allowed Detroit to turn back and set up for that goal
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Kenny44 Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 6:19 pm
@Gustavo, Scuds has had a tough couple of weeks. He’s like a good offensive lineman – you only notice if he does sometihing wrong. He’s had a number of noticeable games this year.
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Gustavo Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 6:52 pm
@Kenny44,
i agree. Today was one of those games.
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g smith86 Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 10:11 pm
@Gustavo, Voynov is playing a very simple game and they are not asking much of him right now…I thought he looked a little out of place today at times…maybe intimadated a little…at least he wasn’t alone
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joan fondell Reply:
November 20th, 2011 at 2:15 pm
@Gustavo, You’re exactly right–Scuds totally misplayed that. Voynov is great and if they send him back to Manchester the management is CRAZY and Stupid. But Voynov did make an error on the 4th goal (I think it was the 4th)…when he could not get the puck out of his zone, lost the puck…and before 10 seconds elapsed, they scored. Had V gotten the puck out, we might have been down only 3-1. Turning point for the game was Kopi’s penalty shot. Had that gone in…the Kings would have been up 2-1…and no way to know what would have been.
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The Redwings win because they have a great coach and a great system, The Kings, not so much. Time for a change behind the bench. This is not the system for a team loaded with talent like the Kings have, this is not the system that brings the cup to LA. GO KINGS!
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Scot Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 6:24 pm
@chuckrocks,
I think DL is also taking notice that we are not stacking up against the good teams. Sure, our roster stacks up with them on paper (minus the bottom 6 forwards) but we are not just getting outplayed, we’re getting dominated by the top teams.
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Rich,
I’m not wanting to come off as a total ass but, I do wish you and the other reporters who are asking questions of players, please watch Daryl Evans. When he asks a question, he asks it into his mic before pointing it to the playaer for an answer. So many of those interviews come across with only being able to hear the answer and not the question.
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neil Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 5:58 pm
@taz42, its called Jeopardy!!!!!
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Bring back Westy!!! Iam not a fan of Westy but I think that he brings more to the team then Hunter,Fraser,Moreau…..Then you can double shift somone in the later part of the game. Our 4th line needs more energy and attitude and maybe Westy can bring that.Westy actually has improved his game and deserves more ice time.At least if our 4th line(and third line for that)isnt going to score it would bring some nastiness to the team….
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g smith86 Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 10:14 pm
@neil, I agree…this team is not nasty enough…They are not a team other teams loathe playing…I have set it before and Bla Bla bla…wheres the grit?
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I saw that the last Kings player before Rick who had shorthanded goals in back to back games was Ziggy Palfy. That’s exactly what Richards reminds me of. Not quite as nifty a skater, but such an opportunistic player. When he is on the ice the other team better have their heads on a swivel.
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Seems every loss there are calls for TM to go. I wish to introduce a different perspective. Do I like DL as our GM? I do.
However, when you consider after a quarter of the season, the evidence, that you are unlikely to get a goal from, Cliffy, Stoll, Richardson, Lewis, Hunter, Moreau…. who else? I mean, that is a very very big problem to have.
So essentially, if you don’t get one from Kopi, Gagne or Richie, or one of the d, you’re in trouble.
That’s like a pitcher going out and thinking he can give up one run or probably won’t win the game.
There are also Williams and Brownie, but they haven’t exactly been filling the net either.
Is that DL’s responsibility? I don’t have an answer for that. I do however state the evidence. If any doubt, just look at the stats.
This might be enough to get you into the playoffs, but it’s certainly not enough to challenge for a cup it would seem to me.
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Kenny44 Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 6:48 pm
@number 6, Well, you should be able to pencil in 20 from Stoll. We really need Williams to get to going. With his penalties he’s actually seemed to be a negative lately. Brown can be super streaky, so just need to be patient and convince him to do more of that pass to Rick and less of the “Dustin Brown Against the World” routine on offense.
I don’t think Lokti fits with that line. Put him with Stoll, let Stoll take the draws, and let Lokti carry the mail and distribute the puck on offense.
One thing I will say about the difference between DET and us. We keep bringing in placeholders for the bottom six. Alot of bloggers here think Lokti would be wasted on the 4th line. But look at how DET develops their young players. Cleary, Abdelcader, etc. Typically start with bottom six roles, learn to play NHL hockey responsibly, then grow into bigger roles if they can. I’d rather see some of that here, instead of the Poni, Hunter, Moreau experiments every year. Or maybe we just don’t have the organizational depth we think we do.
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Bkrs-Bud Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 8:44 pm
@Kenny44, We have little forward depth right now.
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number 6 Reply:
November 20th, 2011 at 6:32 am
@Kenny44,
Sir, I couldn’t agree more. What you say is exactly as it is. I have to take DL to task on that one. There has in fact as I’ve stated (this is just my opinion) been a very large focus on d (and goal). Nothing wrong w that in principle if it isn’t to the exclusion of other necessities. Clearly a lack of depth of forwards and the ones who are shining like Lokti don’t have a spot other than wing. So, you’re not getting the most out of him, and I personally like some others have now very big doubts about this philosophy of experimenting w guys to fill in the gaps. The only one who worked was Zues, but that was when we needed to fill slots, and DL grabbed him after the injury/operation.
As you rightly point out, Det and other orgs develop their young guys and let them work their way up.
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joan fondell Reply:
November 20th, 2011 at 2:27 pm
@Kenny44, I think your comments are right on. The Kings are not good at developing their 3rd and 4th lines–they end up being “the drek lines” with a couple of older non-prime players or young players that are a year or two from Manchester and the minors. DET is great about developing the Kris Drapers, and others like Darren McCarthy, who burn you every once in awhile and especially in the finals. They are typically gritty guys, hard-nosed, good on the faceoff and play PK and bang the opponents around so that by the 3rd period, they are too wasted to dig out the puck. But our 3rd and 4th line are skinny, shorter players who skate well, check decently but just carve grooves in the ice, but don’t accomplish much. I think Stoll has an important function, and Lokti if given the right line-mates and time will be much better. Cliffy is a disappointment this year. Moreau, Hunter, even Westy, are fillers at best. I think the Kings can do better–these are not big cap space guys; but the Kings have the wrong component parts for success. Lewis is good, Richardson has a scoring touch. Stoll, Richardson and Lokti make for a good 3rd line. 4th line could have Lewis, +2 new people. Time to test a Manchester forward or two. Penner should be sent down after IR. He’s another player not carrying his weight.
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Flex Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 7:46 pm
@number 6, DL has his share of faulf …#1 Team is loaded with too many centers and not enough wingers(BIG PROBLEM) #2 We really miss Smith and Zeus in front of net.That’s why Tm so called shot mentality is worthless…who needs 30 open shots,but only a few quality scoring chunsces.It is not about 20 games.This team got very serious scoring problem for 3 long years.We patiently waited for building prosess but/and today this is unaccetable..Stop blaming Scudery for this and Moreu for that…and please Stop calling DD (ironicly) 7m player(we are fortunet enough to have him) This is all Tm (Long and ongoing problem).Look at Balsma and Tippet…Star players are out ,but the team is scoring.I said before,and will continue to “remind” ..Tm have to live!!! SOONER -Better.It is coming ,because I just do not see any improvments ..His system is good for 1-0 wins only
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g smith86 Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 10:18 pm
@number 6, Thats why I think eventually this team is going to go on an epic run…Once they start to get production from the guys struggling right now…they are going to be unstoppable…If not, …nevermind…somebody else can comment on that
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Poorman Reply:
November 20th, 2011 at 1:04 am
@g smith86, I’ll comment on that. After watching the home and home series against, Anaheim, I really though the Kings had cleared a big. But unfortunately in this game, they reverted back to the
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chip Reply:
November 20th, 2011 at 2:41 am
@Poorman, You are leaving us with a cliffhanger? Really?
USHA#17 Reply:
November 20th, 2011 at 6:06 am
@Poorman, Your kidding, right? If by big hurdle you mean 6″ then sure. The Ducks were one of the poorest rated teams entering the season and have underperformed since. Have their team was out with injury in the first game and the second wasn’t much better.
Just wait until the Kings make the Blue Jackets look like contenders.
PP Anybody? Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 11:07 pm
@number 6, Just look at a team like Florida. Somehow, they are 9th place in total offense, and 9th in goals against(only 2 spots below the Kings who are considered such a good defensive team at 7th). This, all with a hodgepodge team of other team’s castoff third liners. Their leading scorers are Kris Versteeg and Tomas Fleischman, both perennial 3rd liners.
This screams coaching to me. Somehow, someway, their coach is getting it done with what he has, which isn’t even close to matching what the Kings have on their roster. This shouldn’t be happening, yet it is.
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And I’ll add one more point to the above post. I can’t ever remember a Kings team having such a dearth of scoring from the bottom six.
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CB14 Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 6:18 pm
@number 6, Last year’s team was pretty bad in terms of bottom 6 scoring. Those guys don’t have the skill to score goals on their own, they need to manufacture goals thru running the system, and since our system sucks, it isn’t happening.
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Kman Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 6:44 pm
@number 6,
Pretty well said. It’s not like we need to panic after 23 points thru the first 20, but there is obviously a consensus of frustration building here.
I don’t think you need to mess with the top six and Stoll IS our 3rd line center for now. It seems Fraser may be a viable 4th line center. And then what ? Alot of talent in the “potatos” but no potato salad being made.
(Cliffy, Richie, Moreau, Hunter, Lewis.) What to do with Westy. Penner, Parse… hmmm.
Can’t help but think the trigger still gets pulled to help trim this mess down, but I also think this current crop is one that ALOT of coaches would like to have. It’s not like we are losing or missing the playoffs with TM. At this point, however, LA should be hitting a “Cup Stride” and if it does’nt happen this year it will be on TM.
DL brought in the “potatos” and I don’t believe he’s done yet this season, but a coaching change just might be the only thing needed.
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chip Reply:
November 20th, 2011 at 2:44 am
@number 6, I don’t have any opinion on this subject at all, but I must congratulate you on your use of the word “dearth.”
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Terry Murray’s postgame thoughts…
(on whether the missed penalty shot was a turning point…)
I think giving up the PP goal on the same penalty that Richards got his shorty was the turning point
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Lars H Reply:
November 20th, 2011 at 8:30 am
@petemagoop, So does Murray.
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Cant blame Penner for this one. Dambit!
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Harty Reply:
November 20th, 2011 at 4:43 am
@RLane420, just leave him out, he wouldn’t help out there, send him packing
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I wish TM had other ways to change thing up. Switch players around and see what happens, is not changing things up. That is called grasping at straws.
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Disappointing game. But it sure was nice sitting back in the suite with all the other Insiders! “Hammond! Hammond! Hammond!”
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Doughty sucks. No less than 4 d zone turn overs in the first alone. Beat to the front of the net by Kronwall for a goal against. He stood around watching most of the game. Lazy performance. Fat bum!
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Haha anyone at the game see Kopi and who ever else was on the ice give Doughty the stare down on that PP goal they allowed because he was so far outta position and not at the net where he should while Mitchell was at the boards
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tacomakingsfan Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 6:33 pm
@Kasey9,
Was that the 7 million dollar stare??
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Kasey9 Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 6:42 pm
@tacomakingsfan, lol every screw like that he does should be docked from that paycheck. it was the first time I’ve actually seen his own teammates seem like there wondering what the heck was he doing cause Kopi especially was just like glaring at him lol
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Gustavo Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 7:01 pm
@Kasey9,
He was jawing and showing on the opposite side of the play. when he finally took his ego back to the center, he wasn’t even skating to get there.
chip Reply:
November 20th, 2011 at 2:48 am
@tacomakingsfan, 6.8 on 7?
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Let’s think about mechanics of turnover. How many passes were actually connected while we were cycling down low? Not more than 3. In fact, there weren’t many cycling because dumping in wasn’t effective against Wings. What can players do if they are unable to cycle down low? D-man pinchss in to try to keep the cycle or fowards make play through the neutral zone without dumping in. That’s where the system gets breached, and turnover happens. Mike Babcock knew turnover was gonna happen as long as they break the dumping in and took advantage of it.
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You know I figured out why so many fans are so angry when the Kings lose. They bought the contender BS. The people who didnt are like damb we lost a game in which the team didnt play well. The people who bought the BS are like fire TM, fire Kompon, trade Penner, Doghtys fat and lazy, the system sucks etc. etc. etc.
Anyone who saw that TM was still behind the bench and thought we were going to be a contender musta been high. It doesnt matter how good your defense is if your offense is close to last at 5 on 5 scoring. You arent going to contend for squat.
Everyone was so pleased that the team was able to win back to back against the Ducks. A team that had won 2 games in the past 12 and we are pleased to barely beat them. They are one of the only teams lower than us at scoring 5 on 5, and we were patting ouselves on the backs for barely beating them.
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Hadley Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 10:07 pm
@RLane420, we lost a game today in which the team did not play well. That does not mean the Kings are or are not “a contender.” We will find out in April. If they make the playoffs, by definition they will be a contender. Quite frankly, the regular season is not all that meaningful — in 1992-1993 the Kings were not very good until April. Then a hot goalie and a lot of luck (for a while) took the Kings to the Final.
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PP Anybody? Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 11:20 pm
@Hadley, The 92-93 team had Wayne Gretzky, luc Robitaille, Jari Kurri, Paul Coffee, Rob Blake, Tomas Sandstrom, Tony Greanato, Marty Mcsorely, and Charlie Huddy. Not a very good team? Hardly. The only thing bad about that season was the fact that Gretzky had back problems that year and only played 45 games. Not much in the way of luck. That was a great team, and only lost to arguably one of the greatest goalies of all time in the Finals.
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chip Reply:
November 20th, 2011 at 2:53 am
@PP Anybody?, You have all the facts, yes, but how does that translate to a bashing of TM or Penner?
PP Anybody? Reply:
November 20th, 2011 at 3:36 am
@chip, I haven’t bashed Penner like the rest of everyone on here, and I was just pointing out that Hadley’s statement about the 92-93 team was not true and irrelevant. As for TM, well he would’ve put Gretzky, Kurri, and Luc on the 4th line for trying too many drop passes.
Hadley Reply:
November 20th, 2011 at 4:37 am
@PP Anybody?, The 92-93 team had a regular season record of 39 – 34 – 10 – 1. This is hardly a “great” regular season.
Hadley Reply:
November 20th, 2011 at 10:52 am
@PP Anybody?, in fact, the 92-93 regular season Kings are not even in the top ten on the team’s all-time list. Last year’s regular season was much better (46 – 30 – 6), so was the year before (46 – 27 – 9). Kings’ teams with better regular season records than 92-93 also include 74-75 (42 wins), 80-81 (43 wins), 88-89 (42 wins), 90-91 (46 wins), 99-00 (39 wins), 00-01 (38 wins, 89 points), 01-02 (40 wins) and 05-06 (42 wins). So, which part of the statement about the 92-93 regular season Kings not being very good until April is not true? The context of the post was that anybody who makes the playoffs can become a contender — and that the 92-93 Kings are a primary example of this.
PP Anybody? Reply:
November 20th, 2011 at 12:56 pm
@Hadley, I don’t know if you were a fan back then, but you are missing my point. The point is that WAYNE GRETZKY only played HALF of the season that year. If we played half of the season without Kopi, this team would be devastated. That 92-93 team was a great team REGARDLESS of their record on paper that year. It was stacked.
It’s like saying “oh, Gretzky had a bad year that year, he was 5th in scoring on the team and only had 65 points”. Well, he had 65 points in 45 games! Unreal numbers for this day in age. Fact is, he missed HALF of the season, so they were still a GREAT team once he was back and healthy. Vision gets skewed when looking back at just numbers.
PP Anybody? Reply:
November 20th, 2011 at 1:02 pm
@PP Anybody?, Also, my point was that using the example of the 92-93 team to show that any average team can get to the finals after having an AVERAGE season is not comparable. Most average teams don’t have the GREATEST player that’s ever played the game on them.
For once I agree with TM. The 1-1 goal was a huge momentum change. If we hold on and kill that penalty we are looking at a completely different game.
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So what you and TM are saying (or excusing) is that we lost the game because Detroit scored on us during their PP right after we scored a shorty on them early in the first period??????
Are these players psyche THAT fragile that they cannot be regrouped in the second or third period to perform better?
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And what’s with the $25 parking fee, FFS?!?!?!?!
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Well, if we can just hang on long enough t0 spend the rest of that cap money……I think a million bucks and Penner might get us …. a million bucks (less the agent fee of course).
No break out speed like in the last Ducks game. DD stunk it up on D. Hit a post but that ain’t nearly good enough. Lokti looked useless. Our guys need to learn to how to not give up a reciprocal goal so soon after we score. We very very very much need to learn entry strategies. So many times we got owned when the opposing entry man got a give-and-go after dropping it to the man standing at the point.
We were toyed with like a cat with a 3 legged mounse. In key situations, we simply choke.
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This was not the same team I saw at the Honda Center two days ago. None of the energy was there. After the PP goal by the Wings right after our SH goal the Kings seemed to loose their momentum.
Even the crowd at Staples semed out of it by the second period.
To me the play that summed up the whole game was that wasted 5 on 3 power play where the Kings showed no sense of urgency or shot selection.
Time to put the game behind us and look ahead to next week. I hope to see the team I saw on Thursday back on the ice on Tuesday!
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g smith86 Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 10:25 pm
@Maurice, Yea it’s hard for Kings fans to get into the game when there are all those Redwings fans drowning them out…whats with that…Any Season ticket holder who sells their tickets to a wings fan is a ^&ck!
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Only saw some of the 2nd and all of the 3rd, but the Wings did the same thing to us last year – even when we won 5-0 it was Quick standing on his head – saving 50 shots, and the boys getting 5 pretty lucky goals – but at least in that game we battled along the boards – Simmonds for one was an animal on the boards.
It is 75% coaching and 25% Lombardo. Giving DD 7 million is probably something Detroit’s GM would never have done. Win or loose, Detroit plays like a well oiled machine.
If the kings could get a good coach, who stops coddling these guys, and stops being happy with simply good work ethic and moving ones feet, but actually expects them to play with creativity and BRAINS, we might get somewhere.
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All I have to say is, look at TM’s tenure. He hasn’t won, and he cannot win.
http://www.theroyalhalf.com/2011-articles/november/trh-gameday-17-minnesota-wild.html
Scroll down a bit and you’ll see…..
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What’s crazy is that even when had “rebuilding teams”, the guys still found a way to score goals.
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After watching the home and home series against, Anaheim, I really though the Kings had cleared a big hurdle. But unfortunately in this game, they reverted back to being “the Kings”. The team stunk it up, and now amazingly, in the blink of an eye have taken a step back. Number 6 says: “Seems every loss there are calls for TM to go. I wish to introduce a different perspective. Do I like DL as our GM? I do. However, when you consider after a quarter of the season, the evidence, that you are unlikely to get a goal from, Cliffy, Stoll, Richardson, Lewis, Hunter, Moreau…. who else? I mean, that is a very very big problem to have.” I don’t like DL as a GM, and I hold him as responsible as TM. I really believe the leadershio of both of them are holding the Kings back. I’ve very consistently said that if they don’t win at least one round in the playoffs this year, DL and TM should both be let go. The right GM and Coach would turn this around immediately. Until then, I hope that they’ll succeed. But I’m highly skeptical.
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Looks like LA traded away a couple of good team players for a few very good individual players and is now paying the price.
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Colo King 8 Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 12:46 am
@USHA#17, if you are refering to richards or gagne, I would have to disagree, it seems to me they are always looking to make a pass, gagne sometimes too much
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Rich,
I would really be interested to see if at any time as your status as insider has any player specifically alluded to an in game strategy change that was given as the main reason the team won a game. Has a player ever said “We Changed our strategy between periods to a more aggresive forecheck and started sending in 2 men and that made the difference” or something along those lines.
I quote gary shuchuk from his interview with the mayor…
You were coached by Dave Tippett when you were in Houston (AHL) in ’97. He’s getting a lot of attention for coach of the year this season in the NHL. Looking back on your time with him, are you surprised by his success at all?
Absolutely not. I tell people this all the time…I admire Barry Melrose tremendously – yet, I learned so much from Dave Tippett and use many of those things now when I’m coaching. He was so smart. He would analyze the game as it was going on and he could change the system so quickly. He would say ‘OK guys, you look tired today. Let’s go back out there and trap a bit.’ And this was before the trap was even big in hockey. He was unbelievable that way. His demeanor was different too. When Dave started talking very quietly and slow you knew he was mad. When Barry was mad everybody knew. You didn’t want to be in the same room when Barry was mad. The thing I learned most from Dave is the way he would make adjustments throughout the game. He is unbelievable.
And looking at the standings we have as many points as Phoenix with 2 more games played and a far superior roster as the Yotes. I don’t think its outrageous to suggest our system does not work to our players strengths and magnified by our coach does not make in game adjustments and rarely utilizes the tools that most coaches in the NHL routinely use to change and/or keep momentum.
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FdoFmFull Reply:
November 20th, 2011 at 11:17 pm
@hipcheck, Hope Rich replies.
Wish we had Tippett behind the bench, or someone willing to instill a balanced system appropriate for today’s game. Accountability even for the “sacred cows” would be something else I’d look for on a new coach. The ability to inspire and a penchant for going that extra mile, especially against tough opponents would also be welcome.
I think 90% of the roster is in place, now just need the proper “conductor”.
Cheers!
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