The Kings are 2-for-42 on the power play in their last 12 games. “Awesome’’ is not exactly the adjective most people would use to describe such a unit, but that’s the word that Darryl Sutter dropped on reporters today, when asked about the struggling power play. The Kings have fallen to 25th in the NHL in power-play percentage (14.2), and it remains to be seen whether Sutter’s hands-on work with the first power-play unit yesterday will have a positive impact…
SUTTER: “Our power play is awesome, other than the 5-on-3, in the two games we just played. In Chicago we had six minutes of power play in the first period and we had 12 shots. The next part is you and me tipping one in. Literally, in the first period we had 12 shots, and we called seven of them good opportunities. I know, if I’m watching upstairs or I’m covering, I’m saying, `Oh, the power play,’ because it’s 14 percent or whatever, but you have to give them — especially the young players on the power play — you have to give them the ability to use their ability. My responsibility in that is to give them their two or three options against whoever they’re playing, get them to focus on that and then actually having the puck and making the play that they can.
“Throughout the year, their percentages are down, but for a team that’s a low-scoring team — the lowest-scoring team in the conference — they’ve scored whatever it is (number of goals) on the power play, and that’s about the middle. So, give our team credit. They’re a team that draws penalties. If we only had two or three a game, it would be different, but we’re drawing penalties, so that’s a good thing. Now it’s trying to get a half a goal per game more.’’
The stat Sutter referenced is the actual number of power-play goals the Kings have scored this season — 21 — which puts them in a tie for 19th in the league. If nothing else, Sutter seems to have a different philosophy than Terry Murray, who regularly talked about getting the puck back to the blue line.
SUTTER: “Quite honestly, from all the tape I’ve watched, and being with them, the one thing we’re trying to do more is get guys in the middle of the ice. We were a real perimeter power play, like fadeaway jumpers. They’re highlight films, but not very often are they goals. So we’re just trying to get more to the middle of the ice, that sort of thing.’’
By the way VOTE FOR QUICK!
carry on.
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AZ King Reply:
December 31st, 2011 at 12:49 pm
@Dominick,
Good to have you back Dom. That Diminick guy was a little crazy.
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Dominick Reply:
December 31st, 2011 at 12:52 pm
@AZ King, LOL! I was gonna claim imposter, but I suppose I deserve that one.
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Dom Reply:
December 31st, 2011 at 2:06 pm
@Dominick, Dom? What? Yes?? Happy New Year!
Dominick Reply:
December 31st, 2011 at 5:07 pm
@Dom,
Happy new years to you too buddt.
well, ultimately sutter is right when he says that the players have to get more inside the slot and less on the perimeter…
and even though his “optimistic” assessment of what has transpired on the pp so far is more encouraging than factual, it makes sense for sutter to continue to use positive words when commenting about how they have been playing of late…
we have just witnessed our first instance of “sutter speak”…in this case, because he’s still in the early stages of his days with the kings, it’s more important for him to speak the truth in the locker room than at the microphone…
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JWR Reply:
December 31st, 2011 at 1:54 pm
@variable,
Well I’m sure that DS is trying to keep things on a “positive” note while he works to rebuild the players confidence. Carrot before Stick.
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Wavesinair and fsd1, now what do you guys have to say? Are we all still overreacting to what Sutter said?
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AZ King Reply:
December 31st, 2011 at 12:57 pm
@CB14,
Of course you are. You guys always overreact
Honestly what else is he supposed to say. This team needs to rebuild it’s confidence. Telling them the suck, especially to the media is the wrong move.
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variable Reply:
December 31st, 2011 at 1:06 pm
@AZ King,
my point exactly…
he’s new…the team is playing much better since his arrival…and there’s no reason to stop the momentum he seems to have created thus far…
coaches say contradictory things all the time when speaking to the media – it happens more often around the league than peeps recognize…
i’m not sure that this is the time or the place for us to be over-critical of sutter when he’s trying to be encouraging with ateam that has had significant confidence issues all year long…
however, i’m sure there will be other times where we will be all scratching our heads, wondering what sutter meant when it becomes more relevant/important…
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CB14 Reply:
December 31st, 2011 at 1:13 pm
@AZ King, Overreact was the wrong word. We were assuming that Sutter meant what Rich wrote that he said, which was true. For some reason they thought Rich was pulling our string with that line.
I’ve got no problem with Sutter trying to be positive, but calling the PP “awesome”, come on Sutter, we’re not blind.
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wavesinair Reply:
December 31st, 2011 at 1:33 pm
@CB14,
Of course he was pulling your string, no doubt about it. That was the intended effect.
Interestingly, we still didn’t get the question before the answer. Context is always important and without it, it just floats any which way the wind blows.
“True” implies authentic or complete or sincere and quoting a single word is hardly ever true. The part where he says “other than” is all any reasonable person needs to read to understand that “awesome” -as it’s defined positively- is hardly meant in an absolute sense. PARTS of the PP are awesome. PARTS are not awesome. It’s qualified, therefore it’s not awesome.
It’s also important to note that this coach uses the word ‘awesome’ like I use it, which is to say like a guy who grew up surfing Malibu. Lots of things are awesome that aren’t and that, strangely enough, is how Sutter uses that particular vernacular even though he’s very much Canadian.
Pretty awesome, eh?
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CB14 Reply:
December 31st, 2011 at 2:22 pm
@wavesinair, Awesome!
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jess Reply:
December 31st, 2011 at 4:56 pm
@wavesinair,
NICE, Waves.
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I’m not sure what to think just yet. Half a goal? Is that like 2.5 kids? Regardless, I’m enjoying seeing things change and seemingly get better under Sutter’s watch.
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DEH Reply:
December 31st, 2011 at 12:56 pm
@lowegirl, baby steps, average .5 pp goals a game. Then 1 pp goal a game and so on. Remember Sutter still does not fully know all the players. Until he does the coaching staff stays the same.
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Wait….there’ a middle of the ice? I’ve never heard of such a thing. Do you think this could work?
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puck73 Reply:
December 31st, 2011 at 1:18 pm
@AZ King, No, it wont work. You need to cycle the puck, and be heavy on your stick along the half wall.
Respectfully Yours, Terry Murray (Unemployed)
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AZ King Reply:
December 31st, 2011 at 1:26 pm
@puck73,
LOL, I suddenly had a flashback of DD faking a shot, then passing over to JJ who walks the line, does a head/shoulder fake, then passes to Kopi on the half wall. Kopi takes a half step to the net the net a pulls up short, remembering that he’s not allowed to leave the wall. He the gets double teamed and the puck gets cleared down the ice, past a sprawling DD.
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Dominick Reply:
December 31st, 2011 at 3:01 pm
@AZ King, Or DD gets a piece of it, but not enough. The other team goes down the ice and scores, and the blog blows up with 7 million dollar man jokes for 2 days. lol
Gee…and I was just about to complimentary sitter on his coaching. Obviously though, anybody who would say that is a moron so its just a matter of time before we fall apart..probably starting tonight. If we don’t score on the next 20 power plays I guess hell say its the best power play he’s ever seen!
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linny Reply:
December 31st, 2011 at 12:57 pm
@linny, sorry for the typos folks
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One thing I did not expect from Sutter. I thought he was going to be more of a ‘veteran’ coach like Crawford. But time and again he talks about getting the young guys going, particularly on defense. It surprises me sometimes. I think of this as being an experienced team. But the Kings are still one of the youngest, if not the youngest, team in the league. They only have 3 players over 30.
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OMG, this is exactly what I want to be done on the PP. Free to use their abilities and getting guys in the middle are something we haven’t seen for a long time. Way to go, coach! Can’t wait to see our improved high power play tonight!
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Yea, and getting the puck to the blue line > getting the shot through > getting juicy rebound and score the goal method is to old school with getting so many blocking shots.
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Dominick Reply:
December 31st, 2011 at 1:11 pm
@goldielocks, Agreed.
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Could start by getting Stoll off the point and into the slot. I’ve said it a million times before, but closer to the net, good on face offs, extremely hard shot, and the 4 man box will collapse to the middle if he rips a few from there, opening up the low to high. Lets get the puck off the outside, and between the dots.
Also, get the puck out front, from behind the net. The goalie can’t see behind him as well, and nobody walks out, and makes plays from there or tries cross crease.
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goldielocks Reply:
December 31st, 2011 at 1:19 pm
@Dominick,
Yup. Stoll isn’t the point guy but he can shoot the puck between hash marks. And Richards can make a killer pass from behind the net.
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puck73 Reply:
December 31st, 2011 at 1:19 pm
@Dominick, Welcome back….”Dominick”
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wavesinair Reply:
December 31st, 2011 at 1:38 pm
@Diminick,
“The one thing we’re trying to do more is get guys in the middle of the ice.”
Exactly what we were talking about yesterday. I’ve been wanting this for a long time and I’m very glad to see that Sutter sees it too. It’ will be great to have guys get off the boards more and clog up the middle.
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Dominick Reply:
December 31st, 2011 at 1:41 pm
@wavesinair, I know huh? I’ve spent 3 years complaining to Terry Murray, and never did I feel he was listening. Sutter seems to have figured it out on his own in less than a month. lol
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crashin' da net Reply:
December 31st, 2011 at 4:16 pm
@Dominick, the comments here have been elevated to Sutter thru many differeret channels – Rich, media, etc… I ‘ve read, heard, and seen it as “the Kings think….”, “the Kings fans say….”, etc…. it’s rather academic.
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In a 5-on-3, you have success when you fling/toss/chip a puck toward the net, and everyone crashes in. By shear numbers, you simply have more players fishing for a loose puck. I’m happy with the Kings better overall play, but please stop looking for the pretty one-timer on the PP! It rarely works that way.
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Dominick Reply:
December 31st, 2011 at 1:39 pm
@Tony in Denver, The one timer works if they get it on net. The other team has 3 players, and no one blocking you, and you miss? No one’s moving their feet, no passes through the triangle. The better 5 on 3′s work (or are at least more dangerous), because those teams fire it rapidly and in succession. They don’t give the PK time to re-adjust, and force the goalie to be perfect.
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crashin' da net Reply:
December 31st, 2011 at 4:18 pm
@Dominick, you bet. quick passing creates and open net or “holey goalie”.
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In Daryl We Trust
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40YearKingsFan Reply:
December 31st, 2011 at 1:40 pm
@Choralone, I do. He’s been on point about everything so far so why doubt him? When he talked about giving guys the freedom to execute one of the 2 or 3 options they have in a given situation, it seems that’s a lot more freedom than they’ve had all season. Players respond to being challenged yet at the same time trusted. I think that’s what Sutter is up to and I think we’ll see improvement soon.
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The “awesome” DS may be refering to could be the potential; the players involved; or the attitude he sees working with the unit for the 1st time since he has taken over as coach.
I agree with those who said that with DS being a new coach, he can’t come right in and start ripping players and their performances – at least not to the media. So, it may be DS’s way of pumping up his players and seeing how they respond to that.
On a side note that many may have overlooked – DS is personally working on the Kings’ PP which may mean no Kompon sullying it anymore. And, THAT, is a good thing!
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Our PP is awesome?
Gotta love Sutter. The guy just continues to crack me up.
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You have to like the approach DS is taking. Publicly praising them for their efforts. Smart coaching. It really comes down to confidence and slight adjustments. This guy is really coaching. I like the hands on approach
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Obviously Darryl’s definition of “awesome” and that of the fans is different. And not having seen the games live, I can’t comment on it directly, however I understand what he means. Fans interpret success by the results in terms of goals. Where for Sutter as a new coach, he’s looking at it in terms of what’s happening on the ice. Although the goals aren’t coming in, which let’s be honest and he also points out, are not coming 5 on 5 either. But the shots are there, the opportunities are there and its only a matter of time and luck before those picks go in.
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wavesinair Reply:
December 31st, 2011 at 1:50 pm
@EASportsMgt,
So true. Same thing with Murray too. This was how he was talking right before he got canned…focusing on the positive. Not that it makes what you said any less true. The difference is we’re winning where with TM we weren’t. And that’s all the difference in the world.
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The power play is going to be AWESOME tonight, just watch & see. Sutter is going to get this goup thinking and performing like winners!
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i’m no expert breaking hockey down to it’s fine points but I think there are way too many shots coming from the sides rather than the point or top. I know you have to change the point of attack for the best chance to score but I’ve been seeing so much misdirection only to see the shot come from Kopitar from the side. NHL goalies are way too good these days to get scored on that way, save the rare lucky bounce.
The positive spin on it is that the only way to go is up if you’re 25th in PP scoring…
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wavesinair Reply:
December 31st, 2011 at 1:58 pm
@SavebyCechmanek,
“shots coming from the sides rather than the point or top”
Quite frankly, these are the same thing. Point shots were TM’s mantra. It was very much his focus so…and that is the perimeter play that Sutter is talking about. Whether it’s from the sides (half-boards) or the point, it’s all perimeter. We need to get in the middle and get those dirty rebounds. Either that or have the PK so out of position that when the puck does make it to the point, it comes in with little or no resistance…which leads to yet another possible dirty rebound. But none of this happens with guys dancing near the glass.
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The kings do draw an awful lot of penalties. If you just look at the 21 PPG, you could say that if the Kings were to score just 5 more, they would be in the top top 10, but at the rate their scoring, they would have to draw more penalties per game to get those extra 5 goals.
Lets stick to percentage and make the ones we get count, because I don’t see teams taking more penalties just so we could catch up to the rest of the league in PPG’s scored.
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I think eventionlly Sutter will get PP-Zombies scocring on the PP! I just hope it’s tonight when I’m at the game!!!!
Go Kingssssss….
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Anybody that thinks that sutter is right is I n denial. Aside from doughty and pick another one, blasting from the point, they kings still do not have a pure scorer who can bury the Puck on the power play. This is what happens when a GM prefers strong Puck control players with heart ( as he puts it) over speed and skill. When are you people going to get a clue?
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Yes, awesome! He’s right! What else can you do that shooting the puck as many times as you can? NOTHING!!!
WE might score more goals in the future… Keep shooting guys!!!
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I see Sutter hasn’t lost his ability to BS the reporters.
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Can I please have some of whatever he’s smokin’? I like most of what he said but I’m just not capable of drinkin’ that “awesome” koolaid… yet. I wish him the best of luck though. If a team draws a lot of penalties they have to be able to score/finish to make the other team pay or the other team will just keep taking liberties.
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ADRIAN!!!!!!!!!!
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