Power play on the move so far

It’s a bit tough to know exactly what to make of the Kings’ power-play numbers right now. They’re 4-for-16 this season, and that 25-percent success rate puts them sixth in the NHL. Then again, two of those goals have come in the unconventional 4-on-3 variety. (Is it strange that the Kings have so often failed to score 5-on-3 but have seemed to master 4-on-3?) The Kings have nearly scored as many power-play goals (four) as they have regulation goals (five). Terry Murray was asked what he’s seeing on the power play that is diferent.

MURRAY: “Just better movement, better shot mentality. Off the puck is always a key for me, to get players on the move and find something good through using your skilled players. When you get the puck in the hands of Kopitar and Richards, Doughty, Johnson, those guys are pretty good players and they’re able to make plays. Now the shot mentality is kicking in. You take a look at the goals we scored in Philadelphia, and we had a net presence on every one of those. A big net presence on the winning goal in overtime, by Brownie. Ethan Moreau is out there in front of the net. Gags [Simon Gagne] is in front of the net on the other goal. That’s a part of the game that I thought was inconsistent last year. Zeus [Michal Handzus] always did a really good job with it, but there was some in and out in that part of the game, and that has to be in place in order to be successful against these top goaltenders in the NHL.’’

Jack Johnson also expanded on the importance of movement on the power play…

JOHNSON: “Even if you’re outnumbering them, if you just stand still it makes it easier for the penalty killers. The only way you’re going to get them to make mistakes is by moving. So, if things aren’t going well, you just start moving around. I tried to get lost on both goals, and Mike made two great plays.’’