Murray on the loss
Re: game recap): "To go into the third period up 1-0 and end up down two men so quickly, it was unfortunate. The game was going pretty well. Both teams worked hard, battled hard, some great opportunities at both ends. I think both goaltenders were tremendous tonight. It's unfortunate that it ends the way it did on a 5-on-3. We had our opportunity later and we weren't able to get much generated to get an opportunity to tie the game up."
(Re: special teams) "Going back into the second period we had a 4-on-3 and your power play can win you a game and your penalty killing will loose you a game. We had an opportunity in the second to build on the 1-0 lead but they were good on their penalty kill. Their goaltender was very good in that situation."
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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. E-mail Rich at rich.hammond@dailynews.com.
Jill Painter joined the Daily News in 2000 and during the last eight years she's covered the Dodgers, Cal State Northridge, UCLA, Kings, golf and everything in between. Even though she's from Colorado, she still freezes in the Staples Center press box but always manages to thaw her fingers in time to make deadline. E-mail Jill at jill.painter@dailynews.com.
I don't think LaBarbi played a great game. He should have had a shut out.
And he also gave up a lot rebounds again. He got lucky because the leafs didn't capitalize on those rebounds.
Otherwise, it could have been worse.
Lets face it, he's just not a steady goalie.
Period.
Labs wasn't all that bad tonite. He's played a lot worse in other games.
Penalties and lousy power plays is what did the Kings in.
Calder should not be on the #1 Line and everyone seems to know that except Murray.
Kings need a big time scorer badly.
I disagree Anthony. Any time a goalie has to deal with multiple penalties including a 2 man disadvantage, it isn't fair to assume that he should come away with the shutout. Bottom line, the Kings allowed the leafs to get right back into the game.
The fundamental "issue" this season remains the same: Finishing. The team has to start burying the puck at more opportune times. My 2 cents...
Anze we are not paying you 7 mil to miss wide open nets when were down in the 3rd - is anyone frustrated by his lack of growth this yr or am I being to harsh?? certainly his is a star of the squad - we need more from him and dustin to make the next step - the playoffs are right there for us this yr-
dirt-mover - Strongly disagree. How can you reserve criticism for the highest scoring player on the team? There are 15 other skaters in the game. And, it's a young team.
Can't these Kopi critics understand the nuances of the game? Don't people recognize that our defense is 5/6ths defensive defensemen?
First of all we aren't paying Kopi $7M until next season. Secondly Kopi's line is being put out against the top line from other teams, which they did not have to deal with last year. Next the horrible ice conditions affect Kopi more because he is more of a skilled playmaker. Of coure I also wish that Anze would score more but he wasn't the only skilled forward to miss an open net last night.
Regarding LaBarbera - I think that he played a decent game. Do I think that he did a little too much floundering around for that one goal, yes, but he shouldn't have been put in that position in the first place. He made some very good saves during the rest of the game.
Regarding Brown - I love Brown and the passion that he brings to every game, however I think last night was a bad game for him. Doesn't happen too often and I have every convidence in him that he will be more than capable of rebounding back.
Anonymous - I think you make some great points here, especially about the paycheck. I see great players miss on great scoring opportunities all the time, too. And the Kopi criticism for missing on an opportunity or two forgets the incredible skill he showed in scoring the game-winner in Edmonton. If people are asking questions of Kopi they'd be better served asking themselves if they really know anything about hockey. That miss last night (the pass from Brown) may only have been visible once it passed Calder. It's a split second play. It happens. Those who play will know that.
Anonymous - Why not use a screename? This blog needs people who know what they're talkikng about.
With the big title and payday comes the harsh assessment-- the ice is same for everybody - if it was 1st or 2nd game of season - then he (Kopi) gets a pass on the miss - but not at the qtr mark- His talent and ability need to overcome the top cking lines he will face for the rest of his career- my seats are right there and that is a shot that top players sink- because of our lack of depth the best players cannot have off nights at this time- At edmntn that performance is to be expected every time out - That was the frustration coach Murray had earlier this yr with him (Kopi) consistent performance - again the playoffs are there for us this yr kings always