`Shot mentality’ not strong enough for Kings

A clear point of emphasis for the Kings, from the start of the season, has been increasing the number of shots on goal. So far, it hasn’t really worked. The Kings rank 21st in the NHL with an average of 29.0 shots on goal per game, and they haven’t been above 21st since the first week of the season. Last night against Dallas, the Kings had only 24 shots, their third consecutive game with 25 or fewer shots. In a game such as last night, the Kings struggled with puck recover and possession, and gave themselves little opportunity to cycle and generate sustained pressure. The Kings also had 15 shots blocked and six miss the net, and Terry Murray was not pleased with the overall number, the total number of shots attempted.

MURRAY: “Especially at an important time in the game, in that second half. There were not enough pucks going to the net, not enough offensive-zone time in order to get wins on the road. We’re putting a number up there, every game, as a goal that we’ve agreed upon. That’s shots at the net. They don’t actually have to be on net, and we’re off that number considerably. It’s a focal point every game. It’s something we have to be much better at, just trusting our game. When you’re playing against a team that is protecting the lead, like last night, the only way you break it down, that defensive structure, is to keep putting pucks to the net. You’re going to get second and third opportunities, because they have to turn around, they have to try to recover. So now you’ve got a 50-50 chance of recovering and putting more pucks to the net. We haven’t figured that out, here in the last few games.”