RICH HAMMOND

Rich Hammond has covered the Kings, on a full-time or part-time basis, since the 2000-01 season. He was the beat writer for the entire John Torchetti era and has witnessed Bob Miller singing country music in a Nashville honky-tonk bar. A native of Los Angeles, Rich has worked at the Daily News since 1999 and also serves as the paper's deputy sports editor.
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Sticking with LaBarbera?

From all indications, the No. 1 goalie job belongs to Jason LaBarbera, until either the schedule or his play dictate otherwise. I asked Marc Crawford if, since LaBarbera had turned in three consecutive solid performances, he was inclined to let LaBarbera play it out for a while.

``It's not `play it out,''' Crawford said. ``All reports on Jason -- when he got on his streak two years ago and last year playing as much as he played in Manchester -- everybody seems to believe that he thrives on work. So we can give him a fair amount of work here right now. We don't have a taxing schedule. We play every second day for the next few days. It's not like we've got a lot of back-to-backs like we had in the previous two weeks. So we can continue to give him lots of work.''

The only schedule crunch is when the Kings play three games in four nights, starting Oct. 31, but then they also have six consecutive days off following the Nov. 3 game against San Jose.

9 Comments

LA Kings 2010-2011 Stanley Cup Champions said:

This makes me sad, but yet at the same time I knew that this was coming so I guess I will just have to live with it!

All I can say about Labarbera at this time is that if he appears to have a good game it's because the defense had a great game or we played a very bad team (e.g. last night). Don't get me wrong, I want him to turn his game around, but right now I just don't see it happening any time soon, if ever!

David said:

Keep up the strong play Jason! You're giving the team confidence back there and that makes a huge difference. Try and keep us in every game, and even "steal" a couple while you're at it!

anthony said:

Of Course you have to go with Babs. Look at our other options. Aubin or Cloutier (if recalled).
Marc baby, don't think to much and complicate things. It's not healthy for you or the team. I would hate to see you get any grayer. Stick with your hotter goalie.

Eric K said:

yep. did we not think he was going to be the starter before the season? labarbera will be fairly consistent, and our offense can do the rest.

matt said:

Babs? Is Barbara Streisand playing goal for us? I thought "Labs" was the accepted nick name for him.

J.Truant said:

I'm more inclined towards Labamba.

Moondoggie said:

LaBamba....excellent!!! Seriously tho, keep going Jason, excellent play of late. Don't stop!

Dan H. said:

This was a no brainer. If you play that well (no matter who the opponent is), you don't change the lineup for the next game. Ride it until it bucks you.

Pierroth said:

Rich, please stop aggravating the coach with cynicism and doomsaying. He already has enough to deal with in Modry. Thanks.

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