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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« Cammy OK | Main | Ivanans update »

Getting left behind?

It was just 11 days ago when I talked to Michael Cammalleri about this stretch of games, and he talked about the importance of winning because he believed one or two teams in the Pacific Division would start to pull away. ``We want to be one of those teams,'' Cammalleri said. Well, since then the Kings have lost three of four games and, sure enough, the Ducks and Sharks have shown signs of pulling away.

``It was obvious to a lot of people. I was no prophet in saying that; you knew it and I knew it,'' Cammalleri said of his prediction. ``The trend is happening and we're catching ourselves on the wrong end of that trend. We've got to change that in a hurry. If you win a few, you're right back where you want to be.''

I asked Cammalleri if, given how the Kings seem to be in a funk at home, this might be a good time to hit the road.

``It's not bad,'' Cammalleri said. ``For me, personally, I don't like staying at home for too long. You get kind of stale at home. I like getting on the road. I think a lot of guys in here, from just talking, we're really looking forward to getting on the plane and getting out of here and doing the job on the road.''

Of course, the road trip starts with a game at Dallas, against a Stars team that will be motivated after their recent third-period collapse at Staples Center.

``They'll be ready,'' Cammalleri said. ``A lot of us have played a lot of games against the Dallas Stars. We don't have any questions about what they bring, and the challenge they've always brought us. I don't think that's even a question. We need our best against that team, every time we play them. We've never beat them without playing real well, except maybe the last time.''

4 Comments

anthony said:

Excited to see Camy's injury is not serious. The team would not be the same without him.

Hitting the road sounds like a good idea.
It May take away some pressure off the players who are trying to look too perfect in front of their fans.

Any chance of Crawford leaving behind Blake & Armstrong. To help the team's chanes of winning.

LA Kings 2010-2011 Stanley Cup Champions!! said:

"Any chance of Crawford leaving behind Blake & Armstrong. To help the team's chanes of winning."

And himself?

Tito Jackson said:

Getting stale at home? YOu mean where your fans are? Gee thanks. Its getting kinda stale to pay for tickets at home games. I wish they would hurry up and go on the road.

??????

Ryan said:

Cammy should be given the "C". No question.

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