Shootout philosophy

Hey Rich/Jill... Are we going to get an open forum anytime soon? I know (Rich) is probably busy... but I thought I'd ask. Also, any chance of getting DL to answer some of our questions?? I'd like to hear what he thinks so far this season.

Thanks for all the hardwork.

Here's a new shootout philosophy. Put in the two players that won games for the Kings in the past. Kopitar and Frolov.

Hi Rich,

Can you ask him how he chooses the shoot out participants? Many of us are surprised by his choses.

Brown & Kopitar are exactly the same on shootouts 8-17

O'Sullivan is 4-7
Frolov is 7-15
Handzus is 2-4
Stoll is 2-7
Calder is 0-2
Moller and Army 0-1

I have no problem with Brown in there or Moller being rewarded.

SUlly is our shootout Ace. He should be shooting 2nd, not 3rd.. just incase the third shooter doesnt get to go... like ummmm last night.

Here's another new philosophy, do not go to shoot in the first place with Labs in goal.

I have no problem with the people picked for the shootout last night. Moller deserves it for the effort and results he's been getting. I may agree with Jonny in putting POS 2nd. But either way it doesn't matter.

I'd have put Anze out there if he was passing to someone for the goal. He's been good this year, but I think he may be squeezing the stick a little hard.

Oh well, that game is over, glad to have the point. On to the Canucks!

I agree Jonny.
Murray is a damn fool.
Its becoming obvious.

O'Sullivan is the best goal scorer on this team one on one,always should go 1st to put pressure on the opposing team.Then comes Anze then Brown.Ride the horse till its dead,don't be nice.

O'Sullivan is the best goal scorer on this team one on one,always should go 1st to put pressure on the opposing team.Then comes Anze then Brown.Ride the horse till its dead,don't be nice.

There's no need to fire the man, but why is the team allowing itself to be outshot in the 3rd period 16-3??? Gauthier's turnover wasn't as calculated as the "prevent defense" of the 3rd period. Didn't Murray learn anything from the Stanley Cup Sweep Detroit put on him years ago?
I also have to agree that if there is any team in the league Ivanans should be sitting against, it's Detroit. Boyle would have benefitted from participating in this game even on the 4th line.
I love the way the team is playing so I don't want to just point out questionable decisions, but Murray has to eventually improve his mental game. When the team plays that well and turns the game over like that, it's coaching. Murray needs to be the difference-maker. It's obvious he expects this team to be in the playoffs, and I applaud that thinking, but some of his methods - a dinosaur would be more relevant.

All that said.. I think Murrays doing a good job. It was his first shootout. Our main problem is that LaBarbera sucks. I like Ersberg but we have no proof that he is that much better then LaBarbera... so for what he's got. Murray is doing a great job. We've been playing for 60 minutes, and the players look like they care about winning and the about the team itself.

Let's just get him to put in the goalscorers? Kopitar,Frolov,O'Sullivan,brown.....

Detroit goes with Zetter,dats,and hossa... Not Cleary,holmstrom and Oh nevermind!!!

Shootouts are a skill, use your skill players?!

You are rarely going to win a shootout if your goaltender is incapable of stopping at least 1 shooter.

Cristobal and Anthony

Have you guys seen the play of the Kings this year as compared to last season?
We are 100% better in every aspect of the game. I can't think of a single area we have not improved in.
How on God's green earth, can you say anything negative about the coach? He's the guy in charge of the players on the team.
Every coach in the NHL makes mistakes during the game..or experiments with line combos or shootout decisions. As a fan, the coach should be evaluated by the product he's putting out on the ice.
I think the Kings are an exciting, young team that's on the upswing. I think Murray and DL deserve all the credit in the world for this.

nykingsfan - don't lump me in with Anthony's comments. I've never said Murray is a fool. Every coach in the league is open for criticism, even Babcock and he just won the Cup.
I have seen Kings teams play this well. I've seen them play better. You've been watching the Kings for a while and I know you don't forget.
Being outshot 16-3 in the 3rd is NOT what leads to wins. I'm only putting the same expectations on the coach as he's putting on himself. I think it's obvious that Murray expects this team to make the playoffs. I agree that it's possible.
I've also seen the Kings play as well as a team can with a lead (see the St. Louis 3rd period). As for the shootout, I don't care. I think if Murray were desperate for the points he shouldn't have had an 18 year old going in the first shootout of the year against Zetterberg and Datsuk, but really shootout tactics don't bother me.
I'm happy with Murray coaching the team. I don't know if he'll be the guy once the team is really strong, but for now I love the way the team is playing, I just think they could have done a few things differently.
I'm no "Yes-Man" but I've never called him a fool.

Cristobal

Hey man..sorry for lumping you that way with Anthony...that wasn't my point. You've never written anything personal against any Kings player or management. We disagree a lot, but you've always been a complete gentleman while doing it. (I was the jerk that time)

I thought that the reason for the huge disparity in shots in the 3rd was more the play of Detroit, than the Kings sitting back. Detroit came with guns blazing and kept the pressure on us constantly. I wasn't surprised that the Kings were dumping the puck. I attributed that more to the Kings trying to take the pressure off. I don't think TM was instructing them to play the "prevent defense". I think that was the reaction to the play of Detroit.

Again buddy, sorry for lumping you that way.

nykingsfan - no problem. I wasn't mad but I don't want anyone to think I say personal things about players or management, like you said.
It's funny, but I didn't realize while watching that the Kings were being outshot so badly. Strangely, the Kings were all over Nashville in shots in the 3rd on Sat. but the Preds turned on net, started shooting, and got 2 more goals.
I'm not trying to be too critical of Murray's coaching because I like the way the team is playing for the most part. I DO think that a coach shouldn't be happy with the shot difference in the 3rd, and that if he is responsible for it by asking players to stop driving the net or looking for the 2 goal lead, he should change his tactics next time. I HATE the prevent defense and believe it only "prevents you from holding on to the lead."
I'd like to see the Kings outshoot the opponent when they've got them on the ropes.

btw - did anyone see Brown throw an irreverent check on Lidstrom? Moller going after guys and them going after him? Kronwall really lined up Moller after he dumped the puck once. Little late to be friendly between Swedes.

The kings held their own and actually out played the stanley cup world champions you tell me if they are not going in the right direction ohh to only have
a rugged stay at home defenseman a pure goal scorer
and a top caliber goaltender here we come stanley !!!