The Kings are scheduled to practice tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. at the Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo…
—–
Terry Murray’s postgame thoughts…
(on the early shot mentality…)
MURRAY: “I was very happy with that. That’s the right start. You’ve got to get pucks deep. You’ve got to get after them, and I think it brings everybody into the game, with getting your legs going. You get a good feel of playing in the offensive zone, and you get the first goal. It’s just a play, because of pucks getting in deep, a turnover and it goes right back into the net. So, a real good start.’’
(on the disallowed goal…)
MURRAY: “That call should have, in my opinion, gone the other way. It’s called a goal, on the ice, by the official, and the explanation then, to me, is that it was inconclusive on the video replay judge, as to whether it was kicked or a stick, so there’s no goal. But, actually, it is a goal by that explanation, because it has to be very conclusive that it is kicked. So, it should have been a goal.”
(on Trent Hunter’s game…)
MURRAY: “Hunter played well. I thought he just continued with his game that he showed against Chicago. He was strong on the puck. He had an attitude of getting pucks to the net. He made some plays, coming off the boards on our breakouts, which is one of his strengths, So, good. We had a good feel here tonight. There was good energy and emotion in the game and it got a little exciting at the end.”
(on Dustin Brown playing left wing…)
MURRAY: “Well, he has come to me a couple times over the last week or so and reminded me that he can play left wing. You take a look at his game, quite frankly, and when he’s on the attack and he is the right winger, he does end up on that (left) side of the ice often. You go back through his days in the Olympics in Vancouver, you go back to Team USA games in the World Championships, and he plays left wing. He’s comfortable, he liked it, he made a great play on the goal, on the disallowed goal.”
(on the second-period penalty kills…)
MURRAY: “That was a critical point in the game, for sure. That’s the part of the game they wait on, very patiently, is the power play, and they’re very good at it. They’ve got a group of guys that’s been together for 10 years, and they know how to move the puck around. Quick has to be good in those situations. You kill the penalties the best you can with your forwards, but when it comes right down to it, your goaltender, against a power play like that, has to be good, and he was.”
“pwhew…”
- Terry Murray
[Reply]
PP Anybody? Reply:
November 28th, 2011 at 11:32 pm
@colo king fan, …(as Terry Murray pats sweat off forehead with handkerchief).
[Reply]
Mars Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 12:31 am
@PP Anybody?, Especially after the news from the Canes and Caps, More so from the caps being closer to our stats and looks of players.
[Reply]
TheZamboniMechanic2 Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 6:56 am
@Mars, Why cant Kampon just watch the video of the Sharks PP before practice…then have an idea what movement means. Relentless.
HBFan Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 1:35 pm
@TheZamboniMechanic2
Last Season called. It wants it’s complaint back. Our PP has been in the top 10 most of the year
well lets just see whats oging to happen with Penner
[Reply]
Mars Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 12:31 am
@KingsFanFTW, Yeah, lets wait and hopefully see (hopes are low)
[Reply]
Dear Quick,
Thanks again for saving my butt. I really am cosidering handing over my paychecks to you. Im hoping getting 16 shots and a fluke goal will fool people into believing I know what Im talking about when I say stupid things like “shot mentality”. Since you got the shutout I have no idea who will play next game.
Love,
Terry Murray.
[Reply]
King-C Reply:
November 28th, 2011 at 11:43 pm
@Pesus, lol….shot mentality by itself is not enough. It has to be a heavy shot.
[Reply]
jess Reply:
November 28th, 2011 at 11:46 pm
@Pesus, Oops posted mine a bit too late but yess!
[Reply]
Uclaemt Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 1:01 am
@Pesus, fluke goal— maybe. But it goes in because Moreau does what TM asked, shoot from anywhere and everywhere. Maybe the 1st shot doesn’t go in but you create rebounds which create more chances and more goals…just like Detroit and Chicago which I’m sure you would say are better teams than us and have won a few more Stanley Cups than us in recent history doing just that. I think and you and many other fans won’t be happy until you’re seeing 3-4 “pretty” goals a game. If you want pretty goals then go watch the Sedins, Crosby, Stamkos, or Ovechkin that’s their game not ours. Be a supportive fan of the team that was built to make a deep run into playoffs– a tough defensive minded team that scores ugly goals (playoff style goals).
[Reply]
Andrew Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 10:49 am
@Uclaemt, AMEN!
[Reply]
PP Anybody? Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 11:05 am
@Uclaemt, Last time I checked, the Sedins made it to the finals, and the Kings got tossed in the first round.
[Reply]
uclaemt Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 10:15 am
@PP Anybody?, Yes they did make it, but Vancouver plays a different style game from us and there team is built differently…we have the players now & the right coach to make a deep run this year playing our style hockey.
Pesus Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 11:34 am
@Uclaemt,
Would it be bad if we played like the teams you just mentioned?
Your right, I want to see pretty goals. Id be happy with 1. And be supportive? I buy season tickets every year, how much more support should I give?
[Reply]
uclaemt Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 10:21 am
@Pesus, I too am a season ticket holder. I say support TM and let his system work and the players follow it every game before we blame TM or any other player. When I see 5-6 games in a row where we play the way TM wants and we still aren’t scoring and winning games then I’ll be right there with you to say change the system or fire the coach.
To address your question, no it wouldn’t be bad to play like the teams/players I mentioned, but the team isn’t built to play that way and we don’t have the personnel to do it either. I know Kopi is a great player and top 10 in the league probably, but he’s still getting better and so far he doesn’t significantly elevate the games of those around him the way Crosby or the Sedins do or how Gretzky did when he was here. Maybe in a year or two he’ll be that player as he grows, but not just yet.
crashin'da net Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 11:40 am
@Uclaemt, Nowadays, Playoff teams need to be able to score both types of goals inorder tokeet ehopposing team guessing. When all you have are sloppy goals down low, the Dmen will collapse and then try to catch you playing too low. Slop is an important element but cannot be the only element.
[Reply]
uclaemt Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 10:26 am
@crashin’da net, I agree with you mostly. Yes you have to be able to score both types of goals, but if your team doesn’t have the ability to score “slop” first you don’t get the collapse of the d-men and the space to score pretty. I’m sure TM would say the same thing and for all any of us know that’s his ultimate plan, but the players have to make the commitment to the “sloppy” goals first.
nykingfan Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 5:07 am
@Pesus,
Ther ya go
Kill him if we win…kill him if we lose.
the Ducks website is around the other corner. I think you made a wrong turn and ended up here!
[Reply]
Pesus Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 6:59 am
@nykingfan,
Thats right, this style of play wont win a cup, so win or lose he has to go. I for once want to leave staples thinking we are the better team. Was last night a little better? Sure, did TM “shot mentallty” get us a goal? It did. But intill we start scoring 5 on 5 we wont win a playoff series. I want to win a cup, Quick alone wont bring it here.
[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 7:04 am
@Pesus,
Than what do you say about SJ?
geez..they didn’t score a goal.
How bad is their system or does our system know how to shut down a good offensive system?
fsd1 Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 8:25 am
@Pesus, San Jose should be looking to fire their coach and trade big joe and marleau, what crappy games they had last night, and their goaltender is too tired, Im going to facebook to start a FIRE SJ COACH page. They suck. They have tuned out their coach.
Pesus Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 11:51 am
@Pesus,
And as for SJ, I dont care about them, I dont know much about that system but what I do know is the only team they can beat in the playoffs is us. Last nights game they hit the post 3 times and created tons of scoring chances. They just ran into Quick who stole the game. It happens.
This team has enough talent to dominate games, if TM can get us to do that than he can stay. I dont care who the coach is just as long as we start playing a style that can beat good teams consistantly.
Cry Baby Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 7:57 am
@nykingfan, Don’t even bother trying to explain…this site has turned into a lynch mob that can’t be satisfied until the Kings win every game by 6 goals. Everything is on the coach’s system. Last night we saw how the players are capable of playing.
In the NHL last night no team scored more than three goals. Most teams are playing a defensive system…I have no problem with the system that got over a hundred points and landed the kings a playoff spot last year.
My take is that this team is taking a little longer than expected to gel. We are starting to see the scoring be spread around a little more. The kings are in a good position in standings and they are not even close to playing their best hockey. This team will do fine and go deep into the playoffs.
[Reply]
fsd1 Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 8:26 am
@Cry Baby, +1
nykingfan Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 8:58 am
@Cry Baby,
THANK YOU!!!!!
Its gotten really bad lately with all of the coach bashing posts.
In the end he is responsible for the play of the team but that’s not going to be good enough for these people. they want him hanged for crimes such as changing line combos when a teams not scoring to bashing him because they won 2-0 instead of 5-2.
I love passionate fans, but they’re vicious not passionate.
Thanks for making sense. It’s much appreciated!
variable Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 9:48 am
@Cry Baby,
agreed…good post…
Michael J. Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 8:08 am
@Pesus,
Your glass is half empty…
[Reply]
Pesus Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 11:26 am
@Michael J.,
I know, I try to be positive but I dont see this teaming doing anything in the playoffs. I hope Im wrong but what has this team done offensively to prove otherwise? Its been the same ol same ol for 3 years and our talent keeps improving. Everybody needs to go look at how the last 8 teams to play for a cup has finished in goals against and GOALS FOR. But your right my glass is half full and Im just plain stupid for buying season tickets every year thinking it will change.
I swore to myself Im going down to a 10 game pack if TM is still around next year.
[Reply]
Loved the intensity tonight. Fourth line had a really good game. Brown produces more playing the left-side, so hopefully he can stay there. And extra credit goes to Quick when we needed him. Great team win.
[Reply]
Mars Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 12:33 am
@Räikkönen, I hope they keep it up, I know they will though.
[Reply]
TM heard the news today…oh boy..they fired two coaches today…and he wasn’t sure if he was gonna be next one or not…id love to say he’s not
[Reply]
Mars Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 12:35 am
@g smith86, I was comparing the Caps to our stats all day, looking at what the players had to say, and see some similarities. We need a good streak, TM owes quick a bundle.
[Reply]
Brownie’s goal would’ve been highlight reel; too bad….
Voynov should know better—maybe now he does.
[Reply]
g smith86 Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 12:04 am
@King John, it was a goal except Toronto still hasn’t forgiven us for Gretzkys’ hat trick in game seven of the conference finals…they were making some coffee and laughing the whole time in the war room, letting Brown sweat it out. Payback, Beechez!
C’mon Toronto…let it go…your in a different conference now
[Reply]
Mars Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 12:36 am
@King John, I was screaming at the TV. I bet I freaked a ton of neighbors out.Good thing my kids were awake watching with me, they woulda freaked out waking up to me screaming like that.
[Reply]
Steve W Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 2:28 am
@Mars, I was at the game. It was a goal. Boy did the fans let the refs know it!
[Reply]
Eric Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 7:29 am
@Steve W, The ref called it a goal as well, AND said the video was inconclusive. Toronto overturned it.
Dominick Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 7:55 am
@ Eric,
That was the problem. Toronto said the kick was inconclusive, which meant the ruling on the ice (which was called a goal to begin with) should stand. They not only ruled the kick inconclusive, but changed the ruling on the ice to no goal.
Gustavo Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 8:32 am
@King John,
It was a damn goal!!! And yes, we did let the refs have it, even though it was not their call. The change of ruling came from Toronto. In all my years of being a season ticket holder, I’ve never seen the crowd so incensed at a bad call. The incompetence and corruption still run rampant in Toronto.
Dustin Brown’s stick was UNDER the skate. The forward motion the Toronto called was caused by the stick as it lifted the skate before it made contact with the puck. Frame by frame replay showed that clearly.
None of the media outlets bothered showing it. They just repeat what caca came out of Toronto.
[Reply]
King John Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 11:17 am
Yeah, I’m sure it was a goal; Brownie’s stick blade heel pushed at the puck. And I also think upon reflection that Voynov did NOT kick at it but Brown’s stick pushed his skate before it pushed the puck.
[Reply]
Bingram Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 12:59 pm
@King John,
Additionally the kicking motion would have directed the puck straight toward the back of the net, the puck crossed the goal line at a sharp angle caused by contact with Brown’s stick.
Toronto, the arbiter of disputes, even voids its own rules (turning over a call on the ice with inconclusive video evidence) in order to rule against the Kings.
Time to move on and get ready for Florida.
Go Kings, go!!
[Reply]
Verry Interesting.. “he [Brown] has come to me a couple times over the last week or so and reminded me that he can play left wing.”
Got to Brown some credit for speaking up.
[Reply]
g smith86 Reply:
November 28th, 2011 at 11:43 pm
@LittleRhody, yea…TM knew that…If anything was learned tonight it was that the Kings players liked the new changes
[Reply]
Kingsfanone Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 6:43 am
@LittleRhody,
True dat!
[Reply]
“Dear JQ, I leave to you my estate of collectable figurines still in their boxes with seals not broken in my mom’s basement…” Terry Murray
[Reply]
g smith86 Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 12:00 am
@jess, ooh big bucks there!
[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 7:59 am
@jess,
“Also my tops rookie card from 1,000,000 BC”……Terry Murray
[Reply]
Will we EVER hear from anyone of authority about the disallowed goal and why, if there wasn’t enough to overturn the call on the ice, it was overturned anyway? This kind of thing is really frustrating about the NHL–silence about it. I hope Bob Miller or Foxy get some sort of explanation from the gang of thieves in Toronto.
[Reply]
g smith86 Reply:
November 28th, 2011 at 11:59 pm
@In the Net, Yea the other day he got a text from someone in the War room giving him an explanation…Where was that text tonight?
[Reply]
Two things that upset me: Scuderi gets called on interference after sliding a stick out his way into the path of a Shark forward and the other was the dissallowed goal ofcourse. the refs failed to call a penalty on the d man who broke his stick and continued to carry it as he was the only one back on a two on one. He then drops his stick right in front of Brown and trips up our two on one right between the Redline and blue line at center ice…How do you not call that one! Don’t tell me they didn’t see it or didn’t know heis stick was broken or whatever…B S!
as for the goal…it was called a good goal on the ice…there was never any conclusive proof that it was kicked in…how does Toronto take that away from Brown and the Kings…B S!
I will say though…the delay was crucial in slowing down the Sharks…definitely broke some momentum there…and the Kings seemed to get mad and channel some of that anger the right way…they played hard after that..determined…and they got the W despite horse crap calls and non calls and Toronto
[Reply]
Kings win, Ducks lose Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 12:12 am
@g smith86, Good post!
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 12:13 am
@g smith86, For once I agree with all your takes.
Especially that BS no goal. I am 100% totally convenced Toronto has it out for the Kings. We NEVER EVER get the benefit of the doubt. That is 3 straight obviously incorrect calls against us Vs none in our favor from Toronto.
[Reply]
Gustavo Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 8:41 am
@g smith86,
CORE CORRUPTION + ABJECT INCOMPETENCE = TORONTO WAR ROOM
The Kings will NEVER get a fair call from that snake pit until the league does some serious house cleaning to improve its reputation as an east coast boy club.
[Reply]
Kinda interesting Patrick O’Neal reads the blog.
He’s definitely a Kings fan, wavesinair provided us with that knowledge last season.
[Reply]
LittleRhody Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 2:16 am
@Kingsfanone, I think more ‘people’ read this than we think.
[Reply]
Kingsfanone Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 6:40 am
@LittleRhody,
Kinda interesting how that works out.
[Reply]
Good win ,on to the next one.
[Reply]
Dont get me wrong, I’m as frustrated as the rest of you by this teams year-in-year-out lack of production. I’m sure the problem starts at the top and works its way down. This whole “fire Murray” movement is a little like fixing the headache by cutting off the head. I’m less interested in how much you dont want Murray and more interested in who you think is the solution. Before you all go after Murrays head…who do you want to replace him. Its who we hire, not who we fire thats the most important part. So who is going to come in and maintain our defensive dominance while adding a goal a game to our offense. Give us some names people, have a plan. Bruce Boudreau..sure he’s funny, and fun to listen to but do you really think he’s the difference. Do you really want to take that gamble on a just fired coach. Let hear some more names…..c’mon….I’m waiting…
[Reply]
g smith86 Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 12:36 am
@Phillip, tonight was the first time all year I saw a real hard effort from the WHOLE team defensively. Be careful when you say things like dominance and defense in the same sentence. The Kings were good last year and the year before at holding the opponents shot totals down…but this year they have had a big spike in that area…and JQ has been left the only man standing on far too many occasions
[Reply]
crashin'da net Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 11:50 am
@g smith86, Green and the other Dman from VAN (brain fart) are playing great.
[Reply]
Cry Baby Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 8:00 am
@Phillip, I am not part of the fire murray lynch mob but if it were to happen I would love to see Teddy Nolan get another shot!
[Reply]
Pesus Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 12:01 pm
@Cry Baby,
Come on dude, you cant bash my post about TM then have a new coach lined up. Thats a little unfair.
Thats like telling your wife if things dont work out I want to bang your sister.
[Reply]
HockeyOnlyAwaitingModeration Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 8:40 am
@Phillip, I think there’s an Irishman in Toronto that could use some work, Cry Baby, I agree with you, Teddy Nolan would probably be a great fit for this team. For sure Doughty would watch a couple of games from topside.
[Reply]
Not usually into tooting my own horn, but….
How many points did Trent Hunter have tonight?
And what did Terry Murray say about Hunter’s play tonight?
“He made some plays, coming off the boards on our breakouts, which is one of his strengths, So, good.”.
ROTFL! Like shootin’ fish in a barrel.
If you don’t know what I’m referring to, see my post here before the game: http://lakingsinsider.com/2011/11/28/scouting-the-sharks-14/#comment-904862 (See my reply to variable just below my initial thread).
Still a good game to watch and Quick was unreal. Damn skippy you go with him Thursday. He has 3 more consecutive shutouts to collect to pass and redeem himself from being pulled from the last 3 in a row he had and screwing up his mojo.
I think anyone could have played on the right side on the first line with the same result. Dustin Penner just may end up anyone. Is he just as bad on the Right as he is on the Left? ‘cuz Brownie I think needs to stay on the left, at least for a little while.
[Reply]
AZ King Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 12:37 am
@Cynic,
Brown – Kopi – Williams
Penner – Richards – Gagne
Moreau – Lokti – Stoll
Clifford -Fraser – Westgarth
Scratch Hunter
That would be my pick.
On a side note, you’ve got to love how fast Fraser has become a regular on this team. From zero to hero.
[Reply]
Cynic Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 12:39 am
@AZ King, I had no idea I would like Fraser so much, but he really does add a sense of stability and purpose to that 4th line. Something we’ve really needed. Plus he’s funny.
[Reply]
AZ King Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 7:02 am
@Cynic,
Yeah it’s nice having a 4th line center who is actually a 4th line center, and not someone who is being forced to fit into that role (Lokti, Lewis, Richardson).
Uclaemt Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 1:06 am
@AZ King, Penner can’t be in your lineup without sending someone back to Manchester…who would you send? I say it’s loktionov…only available forward that doesn’t have to clear waivers
[Reply]
AZ King Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 6:56 am
@Uclaemt,
Yeah, good catch. I didn’t even think of that. It makes sense to send Lokti back. I also think Voynov is going back when Marines is t
ready.
RussD Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 8:38 am
@AZ King, I love your first three lines. Perfect balance–playmaker, sniper and grinder. I have no particular preference for the fourth line except I would rather see Westgarth sitting. I think it is unlikely he’ll score another goal for a hundred games or more. I prefer seeing someone with more offensive pontential rather than a fighter.
[Reply]
wavesinair Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 9:13 am
@Cynic,
Wow. He had 17:22 TOI so not 22 but more than V predicted. Great call.
[Reply]
Cynic Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 10:50 am
@wavesinair, V was closer on the TOI, so he wins that one. Really, the point is TM is becoming predictable.
The bigger issue is, if TM is predictable on the PR side of things, how predictable do the other coaches in the league see him regarding his systems. (/conspiracy)
You can;t help but have fun with this stuff.
[Reply]
variable Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 9:56 am
@Cynic,
hehe…
you almost got tm’s quote verbatim…(!)
great call…
i was surprised to see him play 17+ minutes…i mean, it’s not much over the 15/16 i thought he would get, but he did play well…and did do all the things you said he would, CYNIC…lol…
so we shall toot yr horn for you…(easy, guys…easy…(!))….
[Reply]
Cynic Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 10:55 am
@variable, I’m sorry, but the position for ‘Cynic’s Horn Tooter’ is not available. We thank you for your application and wish you the very best in your job search.
I’ll bet if Hunter actually did score a point of some sort he would have got 22, but you played it safe and smart. Why does this prediction stuff only work on inane things like Terry Murray’s comments and not in Vegas where it matters? LOL!
[Reply]
variable Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 11:30 am
@Cynic,
no kidding…if only…(!)…
we need to find a “rain man”…
wavesinair Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 11:34 am
@variable,
Not much over 15/16 IF he’s playing GREAT, which of course he didn’t. But still, you were damn close!
[Reply]
variable Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 12:00 pm
@wavesinair,
horseshoes and hand grenades…
Good win, but should be fun guessing what the lines will be like with Penner back.
What I think will happen
Brown Kopitar Hunter
Gagne Richards Williams
Penner Stoll Moreau
Clifford Fraser Westgarth
Loktionov to Manchester
[Reply]
goldielocks Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 12:32 am
@KC23,
Hunter isn’t a 1st line material. TM loves him cause he is coach’s good boy.
[Reply]
Mars Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 12:40 am
@goldielocks,
Tm has his little pet projects I think its going to be more like
Brown Kopitar Hunter(Moreau)
Gagne Richards Williams(penner)
Penner(Williams) Stoll Moreau(Hunter)
Clifford Fraser Westgarth
My nose started to bleed and I have a headache trying to think like him.
[Reply]
goldielocks Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 12:51 am
@Mars,
TM kind of boy – big body, grinder, shoot from impossible angle and distance, defensive minded.
Not his kind of boy – small, quick, nifty, creative, talented, offensive minded.
Cynic Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 12:38 am
@KC23, I hate to agree because I want Lokti to succeed, but he looked pretty bad out there tonight. No confidence at all.
I’d like to see Hunter sit and Richardson replace him. Hunter was OK the first 10 minutes. After that he was practically invisible. I don’t like seeing one of our best forecheckers riding pine when he could be doing more than Hunter.
[Reply]
crashin'da net Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 11:54 am
@Cynic, agreed.
[Reply]
Is it me or has Westgarth improved A LOT. Not gonna break any records, but he doesn’t look at of place to me at all. I rarely see him make a bad read and he has gotten a bit more physical.
[Reply]
KingInASeaOfGreen Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 12:41 am
@KC23, Ya I noticed that, too. I think he realized that Cliffy can do everything he can do + score goals, so that put a fire underneath him to work on offense. I like that he isn’t getting into a fight on his first shift while we’re going on the attack anymore. That always frustrated me.
[Reply]
Andrew: The second coming Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 12:53 am
@KingInASeaOfGreen, I like the fact he isn’t fighting at all unless it is needed.. Not picking a fight just to fight.
[Reply]
crashin'da net Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 11:55 am
@KC23, Westy’s got some smarts and skates pretty darn well. I’ve never had a problem with him playing 4th.
[Reply]
I really questioned the line changes prior to a Divisional match-up going into tonight’s game. Glad Murray had it figured out better than I did.
Really liked how we employed a different breakout (an older Kings breakout). Also loved the compete level of the team which was up from the Chicago game.
I also like how it seemed as if the Kings had prepared for the Sharks.
Good job all around Kings!
[Reply]
I said it before…I think the Team spoke for themselves out there tonight…I think TM knows what his lines should be now
[Reply]
Mars Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 12:44 am
@g smith86, Lets hope so, I mean last time everyone was healthy and doing good (quicks three game streak) he changed it all up and changed all the lines.
I pray you are right, I have faith in 90% of our team, and little in TM anymore.
I loved tonights game, made my week! I needed it badly! GKG!
[Reply]
Why do they even have the review room in TORONTO, CANADA. It should be in a non hockey state or province. Move it to Cheyenne, Wyoming or Boise, Idaho!
[Reply]
goldielocks Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 1:10 am
@NealyBoy,
Those guys in Tronto are completely stupid or know nothing about physics. With the momentam of Voynov’s skate, there is no way the puck had that kind of velocity into the net.
[Reply]
Cortex949 Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 1:50 am
@goldielocks, It unfortunate that a video review in the NHL isn’t a relief where I’m saying “oh good they will get this call right” but rather a tense moment where I’m thinking “omg please make the correct and obvious call”. It’s like a coin toss in there. I don’t think they even have tvs. Just a few guys who chat with the officials for a min then say “oh wait the call involves the kings? No goal! Goodbye”
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 7:59 am
@goldielocks, I thought it was fairly obvious that Brownie TRIPPED Voynov in knocking the goal in, meaning Voynov’s skate just happened to be there. That should be enough.
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From TM’s description, Toronto got the call right. They said it was inconclusive, which means it was not enough to overturn the goal. The refs blew this call, obviously they were under the impression that it was originally not a goal therefore the call stood. Blown call on the refs part
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KC23 Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 3:07 am
@KH, I 100% disagree. The refs got it right, Toronto just decided to write another chapter in their shameful biased against the Kings. That is 3 in a row that they were CLEARLY dead wrong. They are so smug they don’t give a crap if it is obvious or not, it’s basical F-U DL, we’re gonna make a mockery of the Oilers screwing you and keep on calling every Toronto close call against.
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KH Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 4:38 am
@KC23, If the replay official in toronto deemed it inconclusive to see if he kicked it or not then how did he blow the call?
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KC23 Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 9:02 am
@KH, Because the call on the ice was a goal, therefore if it was inconclusive the call on the ice should stand.
Stuart Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 9:15 am
@KH, it was blown because there has to be CONCLUSIVE video evidence that overturns the call on the ice. So then, the call on the ice was a goal. Video replay judge said there was inconclusive evidence of whether or not the puck went off the stick or the skate. Right there, INCONCLUSIVE means that there isn’t enough evidence for TOR to do anything, period. In that case, the call on the ice (whether correct or otherwise) is upheld. Since the call on the ice was a good goal, it should’ve stodd as such.
I think you’re not understanding the term “inconclusive” which means a firm, solid determination was not available to make a call one way or the other. Mitchell used the incorrect term in the post-game interview, but TM was correct in his post-game. The refs were pretty clear about the call they made on the ice. War room overrode them and told them the call to make.
In conclusion, what should happen is that DB should be credited with a goal, the game log should be modified to read 3-0 Kings win, since that goal would not change anything other than Niemi’s GAA/S%.
The fact that TM was told this garbage and he didn’t throw sticks on the ice is a testament to his professionalism, because if I were given the explanation that he says he was given, which blatantly flies in the face of the rulebook, I would’ve lost my mind in a fit of rage. I would’ve ripped Van Masenhoven’s (I think he was ref’ing) mustache right off his head!
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 7:58 am
@KC23, Either way, I’d say Toronto owes the Kings (and particularly Brownie–that was an incredible drive that set up the goal) an apology.
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2 points!
say whatever you want about Hunter, the line changes, TM’s inability to coach…
In the end we got 2 points against a division rival.
and now back to our regularly scheduled insider pasttime..already in progress
BASH THE COACH!!!!
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Osaka Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 5:30 am
@nykingfan, We didn’t beat the division rival, we shut them out.
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kingarella Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 5:53 am
@Osaka, with an amazing offense that produced numerous goals (2)
nice win, but we didn’t play better. I would prefer a 4:1 win over a 2:0 win any day.
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nykingfan Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 6:39 am
@kingarella,
I really hope you’re just joking! cuz if you’re not, you seriously need to re-evaluate yourself as a fan!
I guess if the Kings won a game 7 Stanley Cup final 2-0 you’d be complaining that it wasn’t 4-1…. or that it took them 7 games to do it…when they should have done it in 6
me personally? I’ll take a win…any how/any way!
nykingfan Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 6:40 am
@Osaka,
I’m not sure how much better it could get..
but then you read Kingarella’s post and you shake your head wondering why????????
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Osaka Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 5:40 am
@nykingfan, You know the Kings are 6-1-2 in division games. Isn’t that the idea? It used to be a bigger deal I think, Teams would build their teams to beat the division rivals. All I cared about was beating Edmonton and Calgary in the Smythe Division.
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Shakes Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 6:24 am
@Osaka,
..and of course EVERYBODY beat Winnipeg back then. also don’t forget to throw in how much i hated that stupid Canucks line of Courtnall-Ronning-Bure
they were scary.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 7:56 am
@nykingfan, I jump right out and give TM props for last night. What he did obviously worked. I don’t think it was so much the “shot mentality” thing, though, as totally jumbling the lines, which I blasted him for. Because they were out of their comfort zone on offense, I thought, they really kept their feet moving, and I felt that made all the difference, even though they still only scored two goals. In doing so, they also kept San Jose in their own zone for half the game. Fortunately, Quicker stood on his head for the rest, and they didn’t spend the whole rest of the game in a defensive shell (maybe six-or-eight minutes.) If they can’t cut it playing like they did last night, I won’t know what to say. Frankly, I think the Sharks played well, which is why it wasn’t a beat-down.
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nykingfan Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 9:01 am
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?,
I put it all on the players.
No matter what Murray says or system he puts in, if the players don’t do their job, we’re not going to win.
I don’t think he needs to be praised for the win..I think the players deserve all of the credit…same as they deserve all of the blame when we lose.
Focus on the blog is too much on the coach and not enough on the players IMO..
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KC23 Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 9:04 am
@nykingfan, Amen. Couldn’t of said it better.
variable Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 10:19 am
@nykingfan,
the tm bashing is not only out of control, but often is not applicable…i get so tired about hearing peeps complain about an organizational system…
why are they watching this team if they are so unsatisfied with the organizational system we play…?…are they waiting out dl’s reign as gm to exhale…?…are they really under the assumption that if the coach gets fired, the new one will completely overhaul all of our teams and usurp the authority of management/ownership by implementing a completely different system…?
there’s always gonna be opportunities for the lowest common denominator fans to show up and blog like they’re a drunk in attendance at their own video game….
criticism towards tm is not unjustified…however, i just wish more peeps would take the time to state sensible point of views rather than say “fire tm!” or something negative about him every chance they get…offer us solutions…offer us alternatives…be a part of a discussion, not a stone-throwing pogrom…
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 11:30 am
@variable, Where’s the bashing? Are we still talking about what happened some other day?
@nykingfan, I think when TM makes a point of doing something completely different, it’s a matter of discussion, and it has bearing on him more than the players. I also think when he doesn’t over a long stretch of games when something is obviously not right, he, as the coach, deserves to be called out. It’s understandable when the players individually get called out for going 20 or 30 games without doing anything notable, or for doing something dumb that basically cost them the game. That’s just the way I see it.
The Kings are 1 point behind Dallas who leads the division and has played the same number of games. The Kings are 3 points behind Minnesota and Chicago who lead the Western Conference and have played the same number of games. The Kings are 4 points behind Pittsburgh who lead the NHL and have played the same number of games.
Is it time to fire Terry?
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Kingsfanone Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 6:28 am
@Osaka,
“Obviously!”
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nykingfan Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 7:06 am
@Osaka,
Of course!
I mean howe can you justify keeping him when he only beat SJ 2-0 and we’re not #1 overall yet?
It’s obvious the man can’t coach!
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DesertKing Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 7:36 am
@Osaka,
You are right, fire me since we keep losing games that I attend in person. Fortunatley I don’t go back to Staples until New Year’s Eve.
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KC23 Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 9:06 am
@Osaka, I love to see perspective in my fellow bloggers. You and nykingfan are making my day.
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variable Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 10:21 am
@Osaka,
thanks for putting things in perspective and recognizing the bigger picture…
i always enjoy reading yr posts, OSAKA…(!)
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Good win saved by JQ! Offense is still our issue. EM was very strong tonight. We DID play with determination tonight and that is about the players stepping up. We need that effort every night. I will get off the TM firing bandwagon for a few days to see if the boys can continue that effort all week at home. Anyone else hear the rumor of Mike Cammerelli coming back to LA? I don’t know yet how I feel about that rumor. Did hear that Mont GM was in attendance last night. Any thoughts?
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BringbackBuchGoring Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 6:57 am
@Kings Fan South, Would like to see Cammerelli back but of course all depends on what we have to give up. Cam is a beast on the pp and would certainly add to our pp but otherwise not really a prototype Murray player.
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BringbackButchGoring Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 7:00 am
@Kings Fan South, Would like to see Cammerelli back but of course all depends on what we have to give up. Cam is a beast on the pp and would certainly add to our pp but otherwise not really a prototype Murray player.
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Michael J. Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 8:21 am
@Kings Fan South,
Interesting… Source?
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The first period and a half were good – I still don’t like the system but they played the system the best they could. Then they got in penalty trouble in the 2nd and JQ won the game. The third was the same as the last few third periods where the Kings didn’t create any offense at all and hoped JQ would bail them out and he did.
That’s the problem with this system – if you can’t create 5 on 5 offense and the other team decides to attack with lots of forecheckers you get these kinds of third periods. And when a team like Detroit comes that plays that way all the time, the Kings have no chance.
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BringbackButchGoring Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 7:20 am
@Dave, Well we did score three 5 vs 5 goals against a premier NHL team but I do see a tendency of the Kings to just hole up when we have a lead. That seems to conflict with our record of 67-0-1 after leading after two periods but whatever works, works I guess.
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fsd1 Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 8:37 am
@BringbackButchGoring, That isnt good enough for some here, if anyone doesnt think san jose isnt a good defensive team, and the fact that we really scored 3 goals against them, i just dont understand the unhappiness, of course, that is how this blog has turned out recently, no matter what the results people want perfection and it aint gonna happen.
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KC23 Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 9:12 am
@BringbackButchGoring, “That seems to conflict with our record of 67-0-1 after leading after two periods but whatever works, works I guess.”
WhaaWhoo … its raining perspective this morning! Yeah, we choke in the 3rd period under TM all that time don’t cha know
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I am against firing Terry Murray on general principle. “Offense wins games, defense wins championships”. The Kings wouldn’t be a point out of first in the division, and 3 from the Conference if they didn’t play defense. I don’t go to the Kings practice so maybe someone can answer this, but what kind of tip in drills are done during practice?
No one from the Kings / fans perspective liked how the how the Ryan Smith trade went down, but look at what Ryan did while in LA. While in front of the net, how many goals were scored as tip ins? When Smith was in front of the crease, he would try and tip-in many of the shots that came near him, right, left or at him. If Smith was off the either side of the net, he might try for a tip in. One thing I saw last year during warm ups, Smith doing tip in practice from the side of the net as other plays shot at the net. This year, I don’t see much in the way of tip ins.
If practiced, plays can be run a play with confidence during a game. It seems like both the person driving to the net and a point shooter do not have a tip-in mentality. It can still be the “get the puck to the net” mentality, but also how you get the puck to the net. Do you do this every time, no. With it as an option, this will cause the goalie and defenders to defend against other options. A tip in attempt doesn’t even have to succeed, just the attempt may through off the goalie.
This is not a slam against the defense minded Terry Murray and his system. This is just one thought on a missing aspect of the offense that had existed before this year. Maybe it isn’t a practice thing but I sure don’t see it in execution during games.
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KC23 Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 9:18 am
@Eric, Smyth is one of the best of all time in that particular skill. Very few have the nerve to do what Smyth does as much as Smyth does it (every chance he gets). Richards actually is pretty good and consistant at the same skill. Brown does it, but not very well. If Penner was half as quick at getting to the dirty areas than he is at leaving them he’d probably score 10 more goals every season.
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PP Anybody? Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 11:39 am
@Eric, It’s actually possible to have both offense AND defense, without sacrificing one for the other. That’s actually how championships are won.
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Eric Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 2:28 pm
@PP Anybody?, That was actually my point, adding offense. In addition to what is being done Id like to see those tip-in goals. Take the defense in place, and add one more dimension. We have seen Richards doing it. I was thinking about the JJ GWG in OT that all started with Richards fake shot. From a shooters perspective, Richards has that tip-in option. He had probably practiced both a shot and the fake shot that results in the tip-in. I’ve seen the flyers do that. Brownie has done it in the past, but not recently nor anyone else.
Most recently, Monday night, Brownie was driving to the left side of the net and had beat his defender by a half step. Mitchell had the puck and the right point, and shot it right at Niemi. A fake shot/ pass would have been goal 3 (4?). Granted that was Mitchell who doesn’t take that many shots, but I certainly wished he passed to Brownie at that instance. The main point is it seems to be a dimension missing that Smith excelled, and not many (Richards and Gagne had seemed to attempt it before as the shooter) which led to my question about tip-in drills during practice. It was just a quantifiable item of results are lacking this year. Of course, if the Kings practice tip in shots and drills every day/week, my post is pretty meaningless. I had considered posting just the question, but it looked silly on its own.
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Good effort by the team last night. Not to rain on the parade, but once again, we only get two goals (one of them a “lucky bounce” type) and we had to rely on Quick (man is that guy good!) to keep us in the game. Gagne and Richards definitely look very good together. JW looked a little more relaxed and DB was on a mission. As compared to a post I made earlier reference our team “hoping” it would score, I didn’t get that sense last night as they actually seemed to have a plan and were formulating plays on the ice.
The most interesting fact of the night was our in-division record. That is basically the only thing that has kept us in the race up until now, basically taking 4 point switches with our division rivals and the 1 point we lost in Dallas has already shown its impact. If we can continue the trend of in-division wins and string together some non-conference, non-division wins then we should be okay at the end. GKG!!!
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 7:51 am
@DesertKing, Mike Richards’ goal didn’t look like a lucky bounce to me. The one they didn’t get credit for was no lucky bounce. If you’re going to say they need more, I’ll agree.
That said, the “shot mentality” stuff is going to create “hope” goals. MOVING THEIR FEET, as they also did last night, is going to create good chances.
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Eggplant Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 8:29 am
@DesertKing, The outcome of the game boiled down to goaltenders, in my opinion. Niemi let in a goal that should never happen on this level. Not only that, but he looked really shaky throughout the game while Quick in the other end was rock solid. The Kings’ second goal was just pure brilliance by Gagne and Richards after Mitchell humiliated Brent Burns. That goal definitely went to my Top-5 Kings moments of the season.
If TM is done with his crush on Hunter, I hope he puts Williams back on a top-6 role where he belongs. I’d like to see the “Philly line” in action, although Stoll did look OK with Richards and the little detail of switching centers on face-offs is intriguing to say the least. Maybe back with Kopi? Brown-Kopi-Williams looks like scoring to me.
The division record is very interesting, indeed. The only time we’ve really been outplayed by a division opponent was the first game against the Sharks and I think we returned the favor this game. Hopefully our success in the Pacific continues. Would also like to see a win streak right about now. My lines when Penner returns:
Brown-Kopitar-Williams
Gagne-Richards-Stoll
Penner-Loktionov-Richardson/Lewis
Clifford-Fraser-Westgarth/Moreau
I’m sure that makes no sense on multiple levels and someone would have to clear waivers and stuff… But I’d gladly trade someone from our bottom-6.
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How can the kings improve their offense, when their best forward plays 23 minutes (2:44 min on PK included) and is actually the third defenseman?? That is the reason, why Kopi is in small slump and can’t put up the points!
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King-C Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 7:36 am
@kinginprague, Agree. Kopi was playing defense most of last night especially in the third. We need to let forwards be forward. Not gonna happen with TM though.
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ziggyfan Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 8:05 am
@King-C, no kidding. TM can’t never let forwards be forwards. His system is defense first and defense last. The most boring hockey can ever be. TM still needs to go – not because defense first and last but because we have no offense. There has got to be a balance between the two.
We shall see if this line up change will hold up. Hunter on the first line???? Poor Kopi.
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fsd1 Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 8:38 am
@ziggyfan, I hope they sign TM to a 2 year extension soon.
variable Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 10:31 am
@kinginprague,
you bring up a very good point…but i’m not so sure i agree with the way/reason you bring it up…maybe i’m not completely clear on what yr implying…
the fact is that around the league, most every coach plays their best centers in pk situations…tm is doing exactly what he should in playing kopi and richards on the pk…however, if yr best players are forced to kill penalties for half a period, they are obviously less likely to have offensive opportunities…
the key to avoiding this issue is for the kings to stay out of the box…
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kinginprague Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 4:07 pm
@variable, the last sentence I have to totally agree with, but I’m not sure that most every coach plays their best centers in PK (look on Stamkos, Malkin, Getzlaf, Kane and many others). My point was that if you free him at least a bit from his defensive duties and let him play more offense, he can be much more valuable for the team. Just my opinion.
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Sheesh!
A few seasons back, Dustin Brown played the left with Kopi in the middle, and Cammalleri on the riht. Dustin had a sort of coming out party that season offensively. The next season he went back to the right because he didn’t like playing left. I complained about it obsessively, until I finally gave up last season when it was apparent that it was never going to happen, and that all Kopi, and Brown needed was a left winger who could add to their paring.
Imagine my shagrin to find out that he’s been a left winger this whole time, and someone forgot to inform me.
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puck73 Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 7:53 am
@Dominick, You dont miss a thing do you Dommer?
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Dominick Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 8:22 am
@puck73,
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Jordan Staal Stoll, Penner, Hickey?
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California Royalty Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 7:50 am
@California Royalty, Apparently the posts aren’t showing characters.
Jordan Stall for Stoll, Penner, Hickey?
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puck73 Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 8:02 am
@California Royalty, If Ray Shero makes that deal he should be fired on the spot. If the Kings were able to obtain Jordan Staal for that little, we would be rolling out 3 dominant centers every game. To say we would be tough to play against would be an understatement !
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California Royalty Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 8:08 am
@puck73, hahahahaha
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Last night they looked like a team that intended to score. It wasn’t just “shot mentality.” They were moving their feet, keeping the Sharks defense working. If they play like that, they’ll keep getting better.
Quick is a monster!
Brownie needs to continue playing left wing. He did have a little trouble on the boards, but he was unstoppable with the puck. That WAS a goal. The way I see it, his stick hit it last, on the follow through, and Voynov’s leg just happened to be there, which is why he got tripped by the shot. It was a classic Toronto screw-job–especially given what TM noted, that the call on the ice a goal, and the evidence was supposedly not conclusive (maybe it was an on-ice screw job and not Toronto then.) Too bad, because that drive to the net was highlight reel stuff.
Richards is the real deal, and he and Gagne need to continue playing together, at least until this is the top scoring team in the league, or something like that.
Dewey needs to NOT take penalties with five minutes remaining.
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I am so happy the kings won this game!
However, we still need to be concerned about how they won. I don’t think there is much improvement in their game, if any. Quick is a frickin animal! He was stopping everything, and for the most part, the team played good defense in front of him. The goal scoring is still a MAJOR concern to me. The goal that was disallowed was actually a nice play, and should have counted, but the Kings won, so I won’t gripe too much about it. The goal Moreau scored was a fluke. I guess putting the puck to the net occasionally pays off, no matter how lucky it might have been, but we cannot rely on that type of goal to win consistently. And finally, Richards’ goal was 4 on 4.
Bottom line, our 5 on 5 scoring STILL is not anywhere near it should be. It’s easy to get distracted by the win, (and it is a huge win), but I want to see the “elite” team I know the Kings can be. This buys Murray a little more time, but I still don’t think this team is performing like they can be.
GO KINGS GO!
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number 6 Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 7:59 am
@Brownkingsfan,
It reminded me a bit of one of last years playoff games, though not as extreme as the 50 save performance or whatever that was.
Agree wholeheartedly: there are issues papered over by Quick in net. Two goals, but as pointed out, one of them a one in a hundred type of a shot. And what concerned me as much if not more than the scoring problem is that when they have a two goal lead late in the 2nd they give one of the best pp’s in the league four consecutive mins on the pp. And as if that wasn’t enough, Doughty’s undisciplined and unnecessary penalty with about 7 mins to go in the game.
It seems to be endemic on this team and I don’t know why that is. I understand penalties when a player is beat clean, but interference, hooking, tripping at important junctures of a game when you have the momentum I don’t understand. I Can understand the odd penalty. But Three in the space of about 16 mins of playing time (that’s six mins of pp time) when you have the game under control. Sorry, I don’t understand that.
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RussD Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 8:50 am
@number 6, You and me both. Stupid penalties have been a major detriment to us this year. I think it goes back to Murray. You have to show you are a disciplinarian, which he has not. To me, Doughty should be ashamed of himself. It has been said that he is set back for missing training camp and then getting injured. Has anyone suggested to him that maybe he should forego his increased paychecks until he is ready to play at his full potential? After all, it was he who decided not to attend camp. Doughty needs to grow up. You don’t need to be in top physical shape to make smart decisions.
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Dominick Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 8:51 am
@number 6,
Penalties happen. Like you said “It seems to be endemic on this team”. DD had a lot of good things happen to help us win, and luckily the PK is a bright spot this season. My main concern is that we’re not pushing back when teams open the game up to try and tie it late in games. Seems as though when they push, and take chances offensively, we should be able to catch them taking chances, and instead were being taken over.
I’m extremely relieved we got the win, but this is a time in the game where we shouldn’t be counting our lucky stars that our goalie saved our bacon.
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number 6 Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 10:03 am
@Dominick,
Dom, thats exactly it. I mean, what do we want? I believe we want to win a Stanley Cup if I’m not mistaken. I do remember the year the Ducks won it that were on ‘high alert PK’ as they couldn’t stay out of the box. But that was their character. Also, they happened to have great penalty killers upfront plus Pronger and Niedermeyer and Giguerre. And they barely got away w it.
This isn’t the same thing. I could not agree more with you that once the opposition starts going at them they seem to retreat and there isn’t much if any push back. That is for sure an issue.
puck73 Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 8:06 am
@Brownkingsfan, Did it ever occur to you that San Jose is still one of the elte teams in this league, and that they showed it the last 30 minutes? Also, go read Cam Gore who covers the Sharks for Hockey Buzz and see what he feels about Johnathon Quick. Sometimes it good to read what others are saying about our team instead of some of the biased opinions on this site.
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number 6 Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 10:08 am
@puck73,
Well, me for one, I’m Not saying they didn’t play well…. I’m also not saying they didn’t deserve the win. What I’m saying is that there are very real issues that need to be dealt with. If you’re gonna score two goals every game and thru the playoffs and expect to win, you aren’t being very realistic.
If you’re going to give great teams like the Sharks one ‘unnecessary’ PP after another you’re also asking for trouble. You can get away with it sometimes.
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They did sorta sit on the lead for about six or eight minutes in the third, but other than that, it looked like a complete game.
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It wasnt the line changes that was the difference….it was the energy…intensity…effort…..If the Kings brought that every game(or almost every game)they would be a contender.DL has said that he likes character guys….so why is it that hard for these players to bring it…..Any notice that Fraser is being used on PK…..and doing a good job.Only team that has 4th line players on the PP and PK..!!!!!
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fsd1 Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 10:16 am
@neil, Give credit where it is due please, the line changes created the energy, intensity and effort. Thank TM for it.
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I’m trying to keep this in perspective. In order for us to be a playoff team with the potential to go deep into the playoffs (the acknowledged goal before the season), a team must be consistent. Yes, we played a solid game last night and beat a strong team. But what does that tell us about the inconsistency and absence of scoring that has been our problem to this point? Not a lot. A step in the right direction? Could be. But we already know that we are a solid team defensively. And Quick had a great night. Obviously the line changes motivated the players to play harder. We’ve needed these types of motivational decisions from up top all year but all we seem to have gotten to this point is a stoic, “patient” approach. The question is: will the line changes have a lasting effect after the initial impact of the shakeup wears off. I still have my doubts. What really concerns me is Murray’s low key, almost stoic approach to coaching from the bench no matter how dramatically positive or negative the circumstances. He does not appear to have the temperament to light a fire under his players when they are losing their energy or focus. One basic truth about coaching in all sports is that you can divide it into two aspects: practice coaching where you instill a system, and bench coaching where you must make decisions during the pressure of games and motivate your team during the ebb and flow. Murray seems woefully weak in the latter. I have seen here that others are critical of his offensive system as stifling our ability to score. I am not a system expert, but, correct me if I’m wrong, we played the same system last year when we averaged 2.9 goals a game. This year it is down to 2.4–a 20% drop. So it would seem it’s not the system but rather Murray’s inability to get his players to execute it. This goes back to game action–bench coaching. This weakness of Murray’s has been apparent for some time but overlooked because the Kings have shown improvement from the 3 miserable years Lombardi treated us to with his own ineptness. A perfect example of Murray’s lack of game vision was during shootouts last year. Yes, we had an amazing record during shootouts. But that was largely due to Quick. It took Murray over half a season to recognize that Stoll and Handzus were his most effective shootout shooters. He kept using Kopitar, Johnson and Brown as his first three over and over only to have Stoll or Handzus bail him out after Quick snuffed the other teams shooters. Murray just doesn’t have good game sense. And without that I don’t see a coach directing his team deep into the playoffs. After last year, just making the playoffs is not enough for me.
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Here is a simple sentence… We Won. Nothing else matters. The NHL has great, great parity and the competition level of EVERY team is remarkable. Look how close teams are in the standings. This is what is going to get the NHL back where it was before the lockout of yesteryear. This season there just isn’t one dominate team. Last season the Canucks took off and did not look back. It’s going to be close all season long. No more “Nights Offs.” For us to remain in this race to the playoffs, 2 things simply must improve. 5-5 scoring, 3/4 line scoring. There has been some rays of hope. Someof our secondary guys have gotten their first goals, hopefully we can keep it going.
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Michael J. Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 8:40 am
@kinginsaltlake,
I don’t think people realize just how close the teams are talent-wise. Most games are relatively low scoring, with the winners winning by one goal.
Last night was a great win.
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variable Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 10:43 am
@kinginsaltlake,
parity is huge right now in the nhl…
yr absolutely right…
there is a large population of bloggers out there that don’t recognize that there’s very little differentiating each team…there are a few exceptions…but more often than not, the difference between winning and losing is very minute…
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Personally, I thought for the first period and a half it was the best the Kings have played all season and then they got into penalty trouble and gave the Sharks some breathing space and they turned it way up. The Kings came out with jump and did anyone hear Miller saying numerous times ” He shoots, wide of the net, over the net, it hit the side of the net, if you did, you could probably have counted the times on one hand, the boys can shoot the puck and hit the net, I liked the lines and don’t think he should change them up. But I’m just a fan of hockey so what do I know. I think TM had a good plan and the guys did also and executed it. Defense to me was great and Quicker was even greater ……… again.
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Holy crap people! You all need to take a step back and breathe. The first goal was a fluke? Throwing the puck to the net “sometimes” works? There are two reasons teams like Detroit and Chicago shoot from everywhere: 1) Create rebounds so someone else can knock the puck in. 2) Catch the goalie cheating and get a “bad” goal. And who said they didn’t like how the Kings only won by getting 2 goals? Seriously?? Whether is 1-0 or 10-9, you only need one more than your opponent to win a game. Someone pass me the Advil.
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Kings got to bring the same intensity next game. Florida looks to be a strong team.
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KC23 Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 9:52 am
@Mikey J., I’ve watched a couple of their games recently. They are one of the best in the east this year. This is comparable to playing Buffalo, Caps or the Rangers imho.
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Hammond, is there any point of contact to complain about that disallowed goal. there is no other explanation for overturning a goal with inconclusive evidence. They must come out and say they made a mistake or else it just looks like Mike Murphy still is holding a grudge against the kings
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KC23 Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 9:55 am
@Rudedogg, Don’t get me started. Stating Toronto is a little biased against the Kings is like saying Crosby is okay on the PP.
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As I have said before, points are for seeding only, they aren’t a factor in playoffs. Notice that the 16 teams that go to the big show are usually within 4-5 “wims” of each other. My point? Once you are there any one of the 16 are in a position to win it all. Those that bring there “A” game and with a little luck usually skates the cup.
(Also if you’re a King don’t do anything to give Toronto a chance to overturn not only the play but also the rule).
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Old Codger Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 9:28 am
@Old Codger, I don’t think “wims” is a word….
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KC23 Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 9:56 am
@Old Codger, I don’t think this blog has an edit feature.
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A great effort put forth after they were challenged by Murray to show they have something for the rest of this league. I thought all 12 forwards played well, and everyone looked comfortable in their new spots. Lets just hope Murray doesn’t change things for thursday since the “savior” Penner it’s due to come back.
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KC23 Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 9:58 am
@tylock07, So you think we should waive either Penner, Lewis or Richardson? That is the only way possible “Murray doesn’t change things for Thursday”.
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tylock07 Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 10:03 am
@KC23, Why not waive Penner? I highly doubt anyone would be willing to take him off our hands but he has shown time and time again that he doesn’t belong in a top 6 position (not that I’m saying Hunter does either). But hey, a win is a win so lets roll with it.
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What a waste of a first line talent last night….Is anyone surprised no point and very few shots came out of that line?
Kopi has to play defense most of the time to cover up DD’s eff ups and San Jose’s relentless attacks Hunter is and old arthritic mule trying to compete for the Triple Crown.
Kopi and Brown, as captains, should demand that Hunter be placed where he belongs….WAIVERS!!!
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fsd1 Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 10:19 am
@Gustavo, uh, that line had many chances and even scored a goal, and would you really rather kopi stops playing defense? Actually, with Hunter that line looked more dangerous than they have for quite awhile.
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Gustavo Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 10:44 am
@fsd1,
I much rather see Kopi be flanked by wingers that can keep up the pace for more than 10 minutes. Hunter cannot do it.
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fsd1 Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 11:05 am
@Gustavo, He did last night, go figure……
HockeyOnlyAwaitingModeration Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 12:32 pm
@Gustavo, Well it seems then that the Kings have no one to go on the first line except Kopi. He better play both ways and if you think Kopi is fast, I want to know where you been drinking at so I don’t ever go there. Also, you can’t always put all the eggs in one basket. I was happy to see that TM didn’t play Westgarth when it got really hairy out there. At least Hunter can backcheck in the same direction everyone else is going in rather then meeting them coming back at him.