Murray wants grittier offense

We need more shots in the net, not on net! We've had more shots on goal than the opposing team in most games. But I guess when you aren't talented enough to get good quality chances(other than the a couple players), then I do agree, you gotta put the shots on the net anytime you have a chance and hope for a rebound or deflection or a bad goalie.

MasterAL99

Master -

It's not a matter of being more talented or less talented. Every successful team is successful because they put the puck on net, get traffic, crash, rebounds, deflections, screens. It's not just "shoot more." It's "shoot more with extreme net-crashing chaos-inducing traffic."

Then why doesn't every team just do this? Because it f***in' hurts, for one thing. If it's not slapshots off your ankles, it's the punishment meted out by the other team's d. It takes hard work and courage, as well as skill (hand-eye, etc.). I'm not saying that forwards who aren't up to it are cowards, not at all; but it takes a certain kind of twisted psychology (or warrior-like determination, mental preparation, etc.) to be able to stand there, knowing that you are in fact going to get hurt, by three or four guys who are paid to hurt you, while your own players shoot pucks at your ankles (or your head) while you're not looking, and do it all game. Some players can do it for a shift, and count themselves lucky not to get nailed. Who can do it for 20 shifts? Holmstrom. Esposito. I actually think you have to have the mindset of enjoying the punishment. I mean, really, imagine going out for that fifth shift, having been pummeled the previous four.

(p.s. when Boyle can do THAT, he'll be in the big leagues to stay)

Quisp - Boyle could stand in front of net all day but with Zeiler and Ivanans as his linemates he's never going to get those ankles smarting. That's part of my crusade to make Kings fans demand his return. Only with adequate support can he make the impact we need.
Plus, maybe the cross-checking and slashing from the defenders will piss him off enough to start abusing theo opposing team.
Really, come on now. If this guy were on any other team they'd be starting him on the top 2 lines. He's way too talented not to be in the lineup.
Also, Brendan Shanahan is still UFA. When will we think about really going after him?

Sorry for bringing it up again, but I must.

Good Day, Sir.

Replacing Calder With Sully will result in instance offense.

I'm not real sure I like the way TM is emphasizing his offense. Seems to me TM is more concerned with luck, meaning a lucky bounce or reflection than any type of skill. Just saying shoot at the net doesn't do much, does it? All the Kings have been doing is rushing up the sides and taking a bad angle shots. At least wait for one of your teammates to get around the net for the rebound. And how are you going to get a reflection off a stick or skate when there's nobody in front of the net, because there parallel with you on the rush. The last couple games, Browns line finally started to get a little creative instead of just rushing to the net. When you're having a hard time finding open space for skilled players, rushing the net is the worst thing. You need something called SPACING. You need to criss-cross, make drop passes, create room so you can cross ice pass and get open looks for the skilled guys. When you do this then all of a sudden you have open lanes with people in front of the net for reflections and rebounds. You just can't rush the net all the time and hope for a lucky bounce. I'm beginning to think TM offensive style might be interfering with the creativity of our skilled players. And for goodness sake guys when you have a open shot put it on net instead of the glass. I've seen a lot of that this year.

Kings score 5 goals tonight.

Zieller will not shy away from Lappy. This is an even match. Lappy is a worn down warrior. He's nowhere close to where he use to be. So for all who think Zieller's in trouble, I say he's just fine.

Regardless of who is playing with Brownie, if they go to the net hard the chances are greater they will have an opportunity at the rebound. Calder will stand in front while Kopi and Sully stay off to the sides so why don't you Calder bashers get off the guy's back. The other night Brownie had 11 shots on goal and there were plenty of rebounds to be had and noone there to get to them. The other forwards or even one of the D men should be crashing the net. Also, let's get off the Murray sucks as a coach crap for goodness sake. This guy knows more about this game than you (Anthony) think. He's working with a team full of young kids (12 the age of 25 and under).

Duckhunter.... I couldn't have put it in better words. Amen brotha. When we doing a gamewatch at Cronies again?

MasterAL99

Duckhunter --

Agreed, re creativity, spacing, lanes, movement, criss-crossing. I would just say that, as far as "waiting for a lucky bounce," remember the adage "luck favors the prepared." Or as my peewee coach used to tell us, "as long as you're going to skate by the front of the net, wouldn't it be nice if you stopped there?" It's not about waiting for some good luck; it's about owning the front of the net. What you're talking about is just as important, puck possession, controlling the zones, and you're right of course, that you can't just CRASH THE NET LIKE MANIACS.

You could be right about TM stifling the creativity of his most skilled players. I think we'll have a better sense of that by the All-Star break. If we're still in the hunt then, I think people will be more forgiving than if it's, you know, business as usual.

Maybe that's why Murray liked Moulson on that line. He is a master of camping in front of the net and scoring the sloppy s@*t.