Ohlund hit `dangerous’

It was a scary moment for the Kings, nine minutes in the first period last night, when Tampa Bay’s Mattias Ohlund came in and smashed Dustin Brown in the back, sending him face-first into the end boards. Brown stayed down, apparently motionless, for a few moments but got up and was able to continue playing. After the game, Brown didn’t mince words about Ohlund and his hit, saying he was “still confused how he stays in the game.” Kings coach Terry Murray, who is typically hesitant to make too much out of on-ice hits, said the five-minute boarding major given to Ohlund was justified.

MURRAY: “I think it’s the right call. Those kind of plays — and we can talk about the other stuff, crossing the line — but there’s a lot of open-ice stuff, a lot of things going on around the net. But the plays like that are dangerous, when you start hitting guys from behind. When you see the numbers and see the nameplate and the player is facing the glass, you’ve got to let up, guys. You’ve got to show some respect for your opponent in those situations. You’re so vulnerable, and I think they made the right call. It’s a message that needs to get out there on a consistent basis.”