Moving on up?

One of the great success stories of this season has been the play of Brad Richardson, who went from being a borderline NHL player last season to being one of the Kings’ most consistent and versatile players this season. Richardson hasn’t always been in a high-profile role, but he showed his value on Tuesday night, when he centered a fourth line — with Raitis Ivanans and Rich Clune — that Terry Murray credited for keeping the Kings in the game…

MURRAY: “Richie’s line was the reason why he came back and established the offensive game we did, in my estimation. Because of their play, every shift that they had in the first period, it was in the offensive zone, strong, recovering pucks, using your D, getting to the net. It was really good stuff, where we, as coaches on the bench, are saying, `OK, let’s follow that up guys. This is what we need. Follow it up. Follow it up.’ It’s hard to take that away from the team when you’re looking at some guys that are playing and doing the right things.”

The natural follow-up, then, was about the possibility of moving Richardson “up” in the lineup. Richardson has spent time this season on each of the four lines, and even had a successful run as the top-line left winger in the middle part of the season. Murray, though, seems inclined to keep Richardson where he is…

MURRAY: “After a power-play look, I put Richie out there with Willy and either Raitis or Cluner, so he’s getting a skilled player, per se, and different looks throughout the game. But I don’t have any place, or any other line to put him into right now. That’s just the way it is. He has done a tremendous job all year long. He’s been the center on the fourth line, left wing, he’s moved around, he’s had a very important role with our hockey club this year. That’s the kind of look good teams have to have. You can’t just give everybody that role in your top two lines. It just doesn’t work that way. I think he’s fine. I think he’s energized and giving us what we need.”