A trap game?

Saturday’s game against New Jersey could be a big challenge for the Kings, based on the schedule. The first home game after a lengthy road trip is often referred to as a trap game, because the home squad is relaxed and happy to have the comforts of home, while the visiting team can often play with an edge.

Under coach Terry Murray, the Kings have been average in those games. Six times in the past two seasons, the Kings returned from a road trip of at least five games. They had a 3-3 record in the first game back after those road trips. Last season’s record in such situations was 2-1. The Kings had one six-game trip and returned with a 5-4 shootout win over Dallas. They had two five-game trips, followed, respectively, by a loss to Philadelphia and a win over the New York Rangers. Here’s what Murray said about tomorrow’s game…

MURRAY: “This is a very hard game for us. We’re going to have to really make sure that we’re getting ourselves ready throughout the day. It’s not just a matter of coming to the game and having a presume warmup and then your meetings, and think that you’re going to be able to get it done that way. It’s going to require a lot more. Every player is going to have to spend some time getting themselves emotionally ready for a big challenge.”

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