Lewis called up

Wow. I read that and felt kinda excited and kinda surprised at the same time. For some reason I had it in my head that we wouldn't see Lewis until next season. Anyways, enough yammering, I hope he acclimates quickly and does great. Good luck Trevor Lewis.

It was expected.
Too bad he's gonna have to make his debut with Ivanans & Zeiler.
That's as bad as it gets.

I'm still a bit puzzled why Purcell was benched in the 3rd period.
He was playing a good game.
Two nights ago against San Jose, he had a goal and an assist and was a Plus 2.
He didn't deserve to be benched.
Man this coach loves to play head games with the kids.
Sully, Moller, and now Purcell.

anthony,

Watch last's nights game again, Purcell wasn't strong enough on the puck especially in the 1st period, in the 2nd he was flat out invisible.

Rolex,

You may be right. I'm not disagreeing with you.
But TM needs to be careful. If he keeps punishing young talented players for every mistake, they're gonna become tentative.
Then they'll start to hate their coach.

How do we know he got benched?? Because if he did, I think LaBarbera should be benched for the next two.

I understand that DL is trying to bring Bernier along so he'll fit right in, but.... there is also the chance he won't. I am surprised that no one here has made any mention of the BlueJackets Steve Mason. He was the guy who took over for Bernier in the World Jrs and went on to play the rest of the games for the Gold medal winners and was voted MVP of the series. Mason was drafted in the 3rd round 69th, Bernier 1st round 11th overall. Now is it that Mason is a more mature player then Bernier?? I don't think so, I think he is being given a shot at becoming #1 for the BlueJackets and playing very, very well. Last year Bernier beat the Ducks in his first game and then the team in front of him went to hell in a handbasket, so now we have a team that is limiting the shots, scoring and playing great "D" why not bring him up and play behind a team that could possibly make the playoffs....... IF ........... they have not just an elite goaltender, but one that can come up with that one save that is needed per game. LaBarbra is not that type of goaltender. What else surprised me, was that Columbus called Mason up from Jrs. twice. These are Mason's stats:

Year Team Lea GP W L T Min GA SA SO
2008-09 Columbus NHL 15 9 5 1 912 29 411 2
GAA Save %
1.91 .929

Anthony, just as rolex said, there is more going on than what you see (which isn't much).

Purcell was timid and invisible all night. Murray had no choice but to keep him off the ice.

Mrbrett,

Do you think its a good idea to bench players for every mistake made. Doesn't that make them tantative and indecisive.

And quit your bashing.
I may bash some players and management (because they're in the eye of the public). And others do it too. I.E. Our Goalie.
But I never take shots at any of you guys.
Can we have a truce here.

Purcell like Boyle needs to learn that playing in the NHL, he needs to play a solid though game. TM’s style is all about puck control and positional play. He was man handled out there even against smaller players. This kid has the size to play though game, but the big question is does he have the heart? Look at Simmonds, he doesn’t have the skills that Purcell has, but this kid is all heart. And that’s why he was out there in OT playing some quality minutes.

Roger

Anthony

I think Murray was "shortening the bench."
There's no way he was going to put out Mister Z and Ivan late in the game so he went with Moller on the top line because Moller's been here more this season and he thought it could lead to a goal.
I think maybe Murray should have stuck with Pursle because you never know what's going to happen.
Unfortunately I still think our 4th line is too weak, but many teams have weak 4th lines and shorten the bench when trailing or tied late in games.
If Lewis is followed by Boyle, we've got a solid 4 lines, in my opinion.
Those players can interchange without any loss on offense or defense.

Simmonds had a great game again and was making stuff happen.
I can't wait til this Kid hits 220.
I'd like to see all the Kings top guys bulk up a bit more.
Kopi's been playing awesome.

it's funny that when TM was playing all 4 lines through the 3rd people complained, when he shortens up the bench in the 3rd people complain...at some point i think anyone who watched the game couldn't complain with seeing Brownie & Co. out there as much as possible. Brownie was a one-man wrecking crew.

I think at some point it's okay to appreciate what's going on a bit and just say we lost a game. sometimes you control what happened (getting timely saves) and sometimes you don't (BS penalty shot call)

Shakes - Honestly. Who are you addressing?
People, rightly, complained that the lines were screwed up and MURRAY changed them, making them better.
We pointed out that the 4th line played well against Columbus and St. Louis but that against better teams they were going to be a liability. They are.
We complained that there is a lack of balance if the 4th line isn't getting ice-time and the other lines are getting juggled - they are.
Now, as we thought, Lewis is getting called up and the 4th line will get a reworking - it needs to.
If Brown is a "one man wrecking crew" than it doesn't matter who he's playing with - but it still does.
Calder and Stoll have been great (to the point that I want Calder signed for the future at a more reasonable price) but if we can find Brown the right linemates, we'll win these close games even with Labs in net - I'd like to see Shanahan on the other side of the ice from Brown.

I want to make the playoffs even if it's with Labs and we get swept by San Jose. It's always a great learning experience to be in the post-season - the real season.

Not only that Shakes, but when Moller plays on the 4th line people complain. When he gets an opportunity to play on the top line, people complain. In think people just like to complain.

Congratulations to Trevor! He'll get a cup of coffee and learn how to compete in the NHL. He'll learn how important it is to be defensively responsible first. Since Emerson says his shot needs continual work, I imagine defense is going to be his forte anyhow.

Maybe Trevor will be ready for 4th line duty next year?!

Go Trevor Lewis!

Good luck Trevor! Make your chance count. These guys are playing well; just skate hard, play team defense and make every pass like it may be your last and you'll fit in just fine with this group....

Go Kings!