The Kings and St. Louis Blues share near-identical records (10-7-3 and 10-7-2, respectively) and a similar problem: depth scoring. The Kings’ forwards have totaled 36 goals this season, and 19 of them have come from the top-line trio of Anze Kopitar, Simon Gagne and Justin Williams. The Blues’ forwards have totaled 39 goals this season, and 20 of them have come from the top-line trio of Alexander Steen, T.J. Oshie and David Backes. The Kings, in particular, need a breakthrough from their third line. Kyle Clifford and Jarret Stoll each have one goal and Trent Hunter has yet to score. This has been a point of emphasis for coach Terry Murray.
MURRAY: “It’s not a big concern. It’s a concern, though. That’s the part that needs to be better. With the way that teams are starting to get built here today, you’re looking at the third line as more of a contributor than maybe in the past. They used to be labeled as just the checking line. Today, you need to look for scoring from those guys, as well as from the back end. That has to be a better part of our game, I think.
“In the post-lockout time here, we’re seeing more teams evolving to a similar kind of philosophy. I see Buffalo, for example, and they’ve got three lines that are capable of puck possession and attacking with offensive-zone play, all scoring. As we go through the early part of the schedule here, more and more teams are being shaped that way now. Your fourth line is still a line that can check and play a lot.’’
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