Kings Team Report

Yahoo! Sports 12 hours, 59 minutes ago

INSIDE SHOTS

It would appear as though fatigue is starting to set in with the Kings. If so, the next four weeks could feel even longer.

The Kings, who arguably have had the NHL’s most grueling schedule in the first two months, fell apart in the third period of a 5-2 loss to Calgary on Saturday and now face another road trip, with games Wednesday at Edmonton and Thursday at Vancouver.

The Kings have played 24 games, one fewer than San Jose, and already have had two road trips of at least five games and two trips to the East Coast.

The schedule doesn’t get any less imposing. The Kings face 13 games in 23 days starting Wednesday before they get a head-scratching weeklong break after a Dec. 17 game.

After Saturday’s loss, coach Terry Murray did little to downplay the idea that he has a tired team but suggested fatigue shouldn’t be used as an excuse.

“That’s the way it is,” Murray said. “You’ve got to deal with that part of the game, play intelligently and manage the puck properly. The travel, and the number of games you play, really has nothing to do with turning the puck over in the middle of the ice.”

Flames 5, Kings 2:   With Team Canada chief Steve Yzerman looking on, Kings defenseman Drew Doughty(notes) bolstered his chances with a one-goal, one-assist effort, but countryman Jarome Iginla(notes) opened eyes with his ninth career hat trick. The turning point came early in the third period, when the Kings had a power play in a 2-2 game but allowed a shorthanded goal to Daymond Langkow(notes).

NOTES, QUOTES

• It’s hard to be much worse on special teams than the Kings were Saturday. Not only did they allow the Flames to score two power-play goals on seven chances, and not only did they go 0 for 3 on the power play, but they also allowed a shorthanded goal. The Kings had been improved on the power play of late, with four power-plays goals for and only two power-play goals against in their previous three games.

• Kings coach Terry Murray, looking to get more minutes out of his third and fourth lines, flipped wingers Raitis Ivanans(notes) and Teddy Purcell(notes). Ivanans, the Kings’ enforcer, played a season-high 8 minutes, 33 seconds, but his only mark on the score sheet was an offensive-zone interference penalty. The fourth line played roughly 10 minutes, slightly more than usual.

Quote To Note:   “We’ve got to figure this out now. We’ve dropped two in a row now. We’re going to have a couple days of practice now. We’ve got to look ourselves in the mirror and get the job done.”—Kings center Anze Kopitar(notes).

ROSTER REPORT

Goaltenders:   Jonathan Quick, Erik Ersberg(notes).

Defensemen:   Drew Doughty, Davis Drewiske(notes), Jack Johnson(notes), Sean O’Donnell(notes), Randy Jones(notes), Matt Greene(notes).

First Line:   Alexander Frolov(notes), Anze Kopitar, Justin Williams(notes).

Second Line:   Scott Parse(notes), Jarret Stoll(notes), Dustin Brown(notes).

Third Line:   Raitis Ivanans, Michal Handzus(notes), Wayne Simmonds(notes).

Fourth Line:   Teddy Purcell, Brad Richardson(notes), Peter Harrold(notes)

Player Notes:  

• C Anze Kopitar had one assist to push his league-leading point total to 33. Kopitar has 14 goals and 19 assists in 23 games but has not scored a goal in his last six games after totaling six goals in his previous seven games. Kopitar also has a minus-3 rating in his last five games.

• D Drew Doughty scored his sixth goal of the season, matching the total he accumulated in 81 games last season as a rookie. Doughty also picked up his 14th assist of the season, bringing him within seven of last season’s total. Doughty has three goals and two assists in his last four games and is now third on the Kings with 20 points in 24 games.

• D Alec Martinez(notes), who missed 20 games because of a high ankle sprain, was activated from injured reserve Tuesday and assigned to Manchester of the American Hockey League. Martinez played in the Kings’ season opener before injuring his ankle in practice.

Medical Watch:  

• D Rob Scuderi(notes) missed a third consecutive game with an undisclosed lower-body injury and is considered day-to-day.

• LW Ryan Smyth(notes) missed a second consecutive game with an undisclosed upper-body injury and is expected to be out until mid-December.

Updated 12 hours, 59 minutes ago
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88 Comments

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  1. Player X
    88. Posted by Player X Sun Nov 22 11:03am EST

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    It really is tough to be a Kings fan. Seems now like we have gone full circle from Opening Night against Phoenix. Last year, we had that 5 game trip playing the East Coast teams where we did so well, then that turned out to be the last good stretch of play all year. Now, we play great for a stretch and beat Pittsburgh, but since then it has been a slow decent into mediocrity.
    I am just going to try to remember that this year is meant to be the first of many, that the plan is working, and that solid improvement has been made from last year. It is a good sign to be disappointed with our current record, over .500 with so many road games played, showing the expectations are justified for better.
    Power Play is weak, slow, simple and mechanically predictable. And Kompon? Let’s just say that Dave Tippett used to have his job, and I do not see Kompon following the same career path.
    Penalty Kill seems to belong at the bottom.
    Frolov is doing everything possible, everything he is asked to do, and doing it well. Still, he is always blamed. I wonder if "Frolov" is actually Russian for "scapegoat", otherwise the jersey guy should change the lettering on his jersey.
    Jack Johnson is still young, very young, but it seems to show more lately.
    The line combinations seemed awkward, but lack of familiarity does not create ineptitude with basic puck handling. Passes bouncing off sticks, passes over-leading guys resulting in giveaways, passes into the linesman and referee, we went from a puck-control team to being the Keystone Kings again.
    Dustin Brown has got to make some serious adjustments in his thinking and his game. He is playing at 110 miles an hour, but the game is "egg-toss". He zooms past the play, he zooms into point shots with no net-front screens, he zooms past the net when others shoot and misses rebounds, he zooms all over the place looking for a play that can't happen because he isn't taking time for it to develop. His post-game quotes make it sound like he is completely baffled as to what is going on, and he just spouts cliches such as "more energy"... The last thing we need is more running around all over the place; he needs to lead the team back into a puck-controlling, play-making, clock-eating winner. To use a football term, we need to work on the ground game and play-action passes, the run-and-gun only works after the fundamental game is established.
    And Quick? I never knew it was going to be short for “quick goals against”. I like the guy, but c’mon kid, get your chit together.
    Purcell is fun to watch. It is so entertaining to see him actually skate near people and lightly brush them in the corners. Maybe he rubs a balloon on the bench and is trying to zap them with a small electric shock, I dunno.
    I actually like this team, and I am trying to believe in them, but this is starting to look like every other year. Hockey is a thinking man’s game, and we need to improve our “vocabulary” of how to win games.
    I ramble becuase I care.
  2. wtfk
    87. Posted by wtfk Thu Nov 19 10:56am EST

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    They'll have to play with more discipline against Calgary. In fact, the most important stretch of the season is coming (beaucoup division matchups) and they're without this year's MVP thus far--Smytty. They need to show us more than they did last night, or they'll be in trouble.
  3. Player X
    86. Posted by Player X Thu Nov 19 9:29am EST

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    This 5 on 3 has to change. Seriously, we cannot stand close together and hope for a horribly telegraphed shot to get through. We need to spread out more, make perimeter passes among 4 people while the 5th guy moves from side to side in front of crease, then do give-and-goes from either half-boards to low circle man or half-boards to point man as he drags the blue line. We were so close together the Flyer didn't even have to move at all and he could block 2 passing lanes at once.
    Dustin Brown needs to slow his game down a little. Burning intensity, shot mentality and emotional commitment do not necessarily mean fire at the goalies logo immediatley on zone entry. Slow down your game just a little, and use dekes and feints and fakes to just buy a little time for the play to develop before shooting, and look for the early give and go while out high before you get too deep into the zone.
  4. Player X
    85. Posted by Player X Sun Nov 15 1:34pm EST

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    Way to go Kings!!
  5. wtfk
    84. Posted by wtfk Sun Nov 15 1:10pm EST

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    Aren't you people glad we burned that tape Friday night? When you do "everything" wrong, you just forget about it and play as you know how.
  6. wtfk
    83. Posted by wtfk Sat Nov 14 11:58am EST

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    Can't even really comment on last game, it was such a mess, except for a couple things. It was a team loss, not a goaltending loss, as some might say. The chances Thrashers got were premium, and it seems like they buried every one--translation: all players at fault, including goaltenders. Also, they played their asses off, and were soundly defeated. We know this is a talented team, so that means they weren't prepared properly by the coaching staff. They either weren't told what they needed to do specifically to win THIS game, or didn't give good feedback and weren't challenged to demonstrate they knew what they'd be doing out there. This is the NHL. All teams need tight communication between all the players and coaches. It obviously didn't happen.

    What to do about it? BURN the tape and spend the time available to prepare properly for Tampa.
  7. Player X
    82. Posted by Player X Sat Nov 14 10:04am EST

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    I am a Kings fan. I am loyal. It is not easy today. We could say that if we had scored during many of the second period flurries and goal-mouth scrambles that Atlanta somehow stopped while letting two forwards cherry-pick at the blue line, that we would have been ahead 3-1 at the end of the second period, but that is not what happened. So, forget the what-ifs, or any other excuses. 7-0 is a humiliation. Show me sonething against Tampa guys, I want to believe.

    What we need:

    Continue the excellent cycling down low, but please please please develop the ability to one-time from the blue line when we pass from low to high. Force opponents into the defensive shell by cycling, and when you get them all rounded up in the "inside position" throw the puck to our defensemen, create havoc by sending the puck to the blue line for the quick strike on goal. Rebounds will happen, and by the way after you make the pass out high get your azz to the high slot on the weak side of the ice for the rebound.

    Hit somebody; I would love to see the body count after the Atlanta game. Did we have ANY hits through the second period? It is one thing to play strong from boards to dots, it's another to actually play a physical game. We got sucked into the Atlanta style of run and gun, we need to use puck control and offensive zone time PLUS early physicality on the forecheck; hit and seal, stick and pin, control the tempo.

    Create movement on the power play: Especially the 5 on 3, but also the 5 on 4. Note Niedermayer with the "rover", Blake moving from D to crease, etc. Let's face it, we are not that good at one-timer's. I mean, we just do not use it and can't get an effective shot off quickly. Did you see Kovalchuk's (spelling?) release? Okay, he is one of the best, but we need to learn to pass it harder and faster for the one-timer, we need to learn where to pass it into our guy's "wheelhouse", we need to be able to move to the pass, and we need to expect that pass. To set up the one-timer, hoever, we need deception or else it gets blocked. Movement creates that deception and opens lanes. Guys moving in and out form the high slot, rotating from boards to corner to crease WITHOUT the puck, moving toward the net for potential shot while men away from puck MOVE TO CREATE A PASSING LANE. Even with 5 on 3, all we do is remain static and try to set up a one-timer. Make it a 4 on 3 with our 5th guy roving, doing the globetrotter weave with 2 other guys AWAY FROM THE PUCK, skating diagonally through the opponent's triangle, and then having the guy you are skating at begin his own ramble toward another guy. Use the extra men to confuse, use the extra men to skate by in front of the crease for a moving screen, use the extra men to overload one area of the ice, use the extra men to spread out with greater spacing so the lanes are wider for the opponent to cover. Instead, we stand still, we stand still close together, and then we make slow passes to an obvious slap shot.

    Maintain gap control- If they are gonna have two forwards out high at their blue line while we are pressing offensively, we especially need to use greater spacing on the cycle, looking for a defenseman coming down weak side for the backdoor play. That means our cycle guys have to work to cover the strong side defenseman as he rotates to cover the weak side area vacated by the back door play.

    We got a good game in us, we can score and we can control the puck. Minor tweaks in what offensive tactics we use will also slow down the other team's offensive regroup and rushes.

    Tampa likes run and gun: do we play the same or do we improve? Is it going to be King's hockey or Lightning hockey?
  8. Player X
    81. Posted by Player X Fri Nov 13 2:59pm EST

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    I agree Duuude, especially the road trip in January...Detroit 23rd, Toronto 26th, Columbus 28th, Boston 30th and then New Jersey 31st. Hoping for 3 and 2 or better, or some combo of ovetimes to give 6 of 10 points. As a matter of fact, January is brutal...San Jose a total of 3 times, Washington, Detroit a total of two times, Boston twice, St. Louis, Buffalo and Anaheim plus the above on the road games. Make or break time probably, but a good month and we are for real.
  9. DUUUDE
    80. Posted by DUUUDE Fri Nov 13 11:51am EST

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    Kings traditionally do well in the beginning of the season. They also normally tank in December and January and then play .500 hockey until the end of the season, barely missing the playoffs. Watch how December goes and you'll know if the spell is broken.
  10. wtfk
    79. Posted by wtfk Thu Nov 12 11:14am EST

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    They're ahead of almost everyone's expectations--refreshing, since last season, they seemed behind expectations. At this point, I'll be very disappointed if they miss the playoffs or even fail to compete in the first round. I suspect they can get a high enough spot to have a legitimate opportunity to win the first round (like somewhere from 3rd-to-6th seed.) It IS, however, a long season, but according to the way things are going, they should be a better team then, which justifies that expectation (and that expectation is actually straight inline with what they're doing now.)
  11. Player X
    78. Posted by Player X Thu Nov 12 10:46am EST

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    Wow, this is getting good. Kings are playing really well, are superyoung and can be expected to be inconsistent, but when they are "on" they are really a good team. And although you hear all over the place that it is still "early in the season", we are at 19 games, and on this road trip will complete the first quarter of the regular season. So, it isn't all that early, and I am exteremely pleased so far. SO FAR. Check these numbers out...
    Standings-2nd in Division behind San Jose, whom we have beaten once and lost in shootout the other game. 3 of 4 points against division rival and division leader. Plus, we are 4th in Western Conference with more points than division leader Colorado, and are TIED FOR 4TH OVERALL IN POINTS WITH PENGUINS AND DEVILS.

    Power Play- 7th in the league overall, best in the entire league at home.
    Goals For- 2nd only to Capitals in total number and 4th in per game average.
    Goals against-Tied for 24th worst in overall goal numbers, but the per game average places us at 16th. We need to do better, but the next two stats show it isn't that bad, really...
    Goals differential. Two teams have 13 more goals scored than allowed (Washington and Colorado), one team has 10 more scored than allowed (San Jose), and the Kings are tied with two other teams for 9 more scored than allowed. We score alot of goals...
    Save Percentage- We are 26th now, but if you take away 7 goals in 9 penalties from the first few games you get a more accurate depiction of the actual quality of the Kings' play this year over the long view. The adjusted number show that number as 91.1%, ties for 11th.
    Penalty Kill- Even though we are 29th overall, it really isn't that bad. Again, we started the year giving up 7 goals out of 9 times shorthanded. Since then we are 11 given up of 61 chances for 82%, 13th in league.
    Times Shorthanded-12th most, middle of the pack and not great. We should take fewer penalties...I am probably biased, but it seems we get called more than other teams for stick checks into the hands, while other teams do it to us without penalty. Also, other teams seem to get away with "free hand" obstruction while we get called for it. I must be biased...
    Shots on Goal-Only 13th, but we are getting quality shots because...
    Shooting Percentage-We are 4th in the league, we get good chances and we got snipahhhhs...
    Faceoffs-Only real disappointment, we are 25th. Last year we were a top ten team in this category, so I am looking for steady improvement as the year goes on.
    Anze- Yeah baby, uh huh, uh huh. Plus, Ryan Smith is tied for 3rd, Dustin Brown is tied for 7th, Justin Williams, Frolov, Doughty and Stoll are all tied for 9th. We have 7 of top 50 scorers, closest team to that is the Capitals with 5. We score tons of goals, and not just one line, either, we have points spread out all over the place, the most balanced scoring in the league.

    Add to all that some huge "character" moments. We scored 4 goals in one period against the 3rd best defensive team in the league (Penguins) to come from behind in the 3rd period and win. Before that we scored 3 goals in one period against the (at that time) number one best defensive team in the league (Phoenix) to come from behind in the third period and win. When the Kings are "on", we can beat anybody.

    Congratulations Kings, keep it going!!!
  12. wtfk
    77. Posted by wtfk Thu Nov 12 4:46am EST

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    BTW, Player44, you can congratulate me for being right. I predicted they'd play him and it happened. Fortunately, he didn't have the game to matter.
  13. wtfk
    76. Posted by wtfk Thu Nov 12 4:44am EST

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    No, Player44, I was not referring to Legace sharing any "inside information." I was referring to exactly what the other folks who read my comment thought--that the Canes would hope for some spark from him, having played for the Kings and wanting to "show them" what they're missing. Unlike when he played for the Wings, he showed them nothing. Unfortunately, Ersberg did look a bit rusty, which I suppose is understandable. Hope he gets some more chances to knock the rust off, and if he can't hack it, we'll have a chance to see a different backup (Zatkoff) or competition from Bernier.

    I was thinking before that they should send Ersberg down for work, but someone pointed out that you really can't get away with that any more (especially as reminded by the Quincy and Jones waiver acquisitions.) In fact, I believe that played into the goaltending troubles a couple years ago, because they didn't dare bring up LaBarbera at the time (and now, we're not sure what kind of a loss that actually was!)
  14. evar
    75. Posted by evar Wed Nov 11 8:20pm EST

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    It is good to see Ersberg get some ice time. Perfect team to knock a little rust off with, struggling Canes offense. I will laugh if he gets a shutout!
  15. evar
    74. Posted by evar Wed Nov 11 8:17pm EST

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    I highly doubt that wtfk meant Legace would have any inside info, just a spark for a really slumping team. The Kings do seem to make all 12 or so ex-King goalies in the league look like Patrick Roy on occasion.

    It looks like they have this game under control, sitting at 2-0 in the 2nd period, knock on wood, I hope i didn't just put the kabosh on the guys!
  16. Player X
    73. Posted by Player X Wed Nov 11 10:20am EST

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    at player44-
    If you have a point, make it. If you want to trade insults, find an 8th grader.
    wtfk- I just hope the Kings play as if they have something to prove very night. Such a young team, we can't seriously expect them to have all the answers yet so I know there will be frustrating games like Chicago and Nashvile, but this is an important road trip and we need the points. Go Kings!
  17. player44
    72. Posted by player44 Tue Nov 10 2:58pm EST

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    Yeah, Legace will provide some real insights into how the Kings played in 98-99. That'll really help the canes out. Good thing Legace just left the Kings recently and is well aware of their play style. FANTASTIC analysis wtfk! You are a really special hockey mind. I think the Atlanta flames are looking for a GM...might wanna submit your application.
  18. wtfk
    71. Posted by wtfk Tue Nov 10 1:47pm EST

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    Don't be surprised to see Manny Legace in goal. The slumping Canes are bound to be looking for any kind of edge, and they just might go with the ex-King in net, with Cam Ward out.
  19. Player X
    70. Posted by Player X Tue Nov 10 9:42am EST

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    LOL ducks low res Evar...
    Chicago game...Dammit!
    C'mon boys, from Windy City into a Hurricane, we gotta beat them blowhards!
  20. evar
    69. Posted by evar Mon Nov 9 1:10pm EST

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    The Ducks are actually playing in low resolution this year... its not KDOC...LOL!
  21. Player X
    68. Posted by Player X Mon Nov 9 11:56am EST

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    How would you like to be a Ducks fan this year, watching on KDOC in what, 420 res? Lovin' the HD...

    Probably Ersberg will get a start on this roadie, which could be his "make or break". Alot of pressure, for sure, Murray must know that, so I guess he is trying to push the right buttons on Ersberg. Last year I really liked Ersberg, but he is relatively small for goaltenders nowadays so he has to rely on early position and a great glove. Seems tough to be sharp with that style after sitting out so much.
    I am gonna trust Murray on this one, the guy is fantastic at "big picture" strategy.

    Last year, he made Kopi play against all the other teams best lines, even when he was at home. That can happen during playoffs alot, you have to be able to survive no matter what the matchup. And this has made Kopi into the great two-way player he is, adding to his game. Now, the system depends on centers being available down low, coming from the corners and half-boards, starting in a checking position to be accessible for the outlet pass. Now that is big picture, the system is different this year from last because the players are all able to perform it. As a result, Kopi is lighting the lamp AND stopping the other team from having long possession time down low (usually). So, I am gonna trust Murray on how he handles Ersberg. Another factor is that weird contract deal where bringing up too many goalies for some number of too many games forces one of them to go through waivers. I don't understand it, but last year there was that whole question about it, and it affected Bernier coming up.
  22. evar
    67. Posted by evar Fri Nov 6 5:32pm EST

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    @wtfk, take it easy big boy no need to drop the F-bombs on me, just having a discussion here. And if you havn't noticed I have lightened up on Quick, just doing point, counterpoint you know.

    @ PlayerX, i would do the whole dishnetwork thing but I like the NFL package, and i don't think they offer it. Plus the whole swapping dish and all that crap, call me lazy but i can't deal...

    I'm just glad that Fox sports finally stepped up and started broadcasting more than 6 Kings game in HD, and got rid of that awful "rink side view" they had last season, I can't count how many emails i sent them!
  23. wtfk
    66. Posted by wtfk Fri Nov 6 1:50pm EST

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    WRT "VS Network," it's bullsh|t that a channel can "buy the rights" to a broadcast, and the only way I can pay their extortion is to buy a sh|tload of satellite gear and buy a satellite subscription when I already have one.

    What's more, Toronto, NY, it's an embarrassment to the NHL.
  24. wtfk
    65. Posted by wtfk Fri Nov 6 1:47pm EST

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    @ Player X - I wish they'd send Ersberg down for some action. He needs to work on his game, and Murray refuses to do anything about except not play him (which isn't a solution.)
  25. wtfk
    64. Posted by wtfk Fri Nov 6 1:44pm EST

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    Fk you evar. No, I'm not a moderator. I'm still telling you to lighten up. Quick is, as I've pointed out, doing just fine. He's even picking up the swagger from last season now.
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