Richardson rounding into form
For those who missed it on Tuesday, Brad Richardson played part of the game without the ``D'' on the back of his jersey. It's probably just a coincidence that Richardson also played his best game of the season, and assisted on the game's only goal. Richardson has been playing on a line with Michal Handzus and Wayne Simmonds, and Terry Murray likes what he has seen in the three games since Richardson returned from his freak leg injury...
MURRAY: ``He's getting better as the games go. His best game, clearly, was the game in Ottawa. His role is to play with Handzus on the line we like to call the checking line, and they ended up scoring the winning goal as a result of being responsible. He brings good quickness and speed on the puck. He's applying good pressure on the forecheck. His game is getting better and I'm hoping he's feeling more comfortable. He's showing what he can do. I really don't know his game very well just yet. In training camp, we used him at center and wing, and then he missed a big chunk of time with the injury. I don't know what he can bring, exactly, and he would probably say the same thing about himself because he didn't really get a consistent opportunity to play in a role with Colorado.''
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J.P. Hoornstra writes about NHL and IHL hockey for the Los Angeles Newspaper Group. He welcomes any and all dialogue on the finer points of hockey.
E-mail J.P. at jp.hoornstra@inlandnewspapers.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
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Vincent Bonsignore is a sports columnist for the Los Angeles Daily News. E-mail Vinny at vincent.bonsignore
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Well, Ter, just keep playing him, then. I'm sure you'll find out soon enough. A gritty, secondary scorer is looking to be the answer to your question about him though.
Thanks Rich!!
I have been watching him for a while. This guy deserves a fair shake. There is a reason Dean gave up one of his precious second-round picks to acquire this guy. He still has upside and was thought to become a second line center/winger in Colorado. Their fans were complaining all year before he was traded that their coach was utilizing him improperly and wasn't giving him the chance he needed. Richardson has a very good skill set and his skating is highly exceptional. He has the ability to turn his game into one of production at the NHL level. Keep playing him Murray.
I don't know if its too late to get the question in, but why was Murray SOOO reluctant to play Richardson before his laceration injury?
AND, why is he cutting back Harrold's minutes? Doughty, whether it was a penalty or not, gave away the game by not "digging in" against Montreal, but the next game Harrold only gets 10 minutes of ice-time and Doughty gets 24. It just doesn't make sense to cut back Harrold after the way he's played this season.
I just don't get it.
Drewiske even played more minutes than Harrold in Ottawa.
ETR - Harrolds minutes we're cut because he was playing as a 4th line forward in Ottawa as opposed to a 5/6 d-man. Dmen always have more minutes than most forwards..
Have him take Calders place.
Eat, What? Higgins gave Doughty the best cloths line WWE has yet to see. I thought McMahon was going to show with a folding chair and join in on the assault on Doughty.
Anthony,
Why do you hate Calder so much? I don't understand why everyone is so down on Calder. No, he is not the greatest offensive player ever to play for the Kings or the best defensive forward but no team has a team filled with superstar players on all lines. Calder is a valuable complementary player in my opinion that shows a willingness to go to the front of the net and battle which is a difficult thing to do because in the NHL when you go in front you know that you are going to be hit and punished. Calder is a solid player and can show an offensive spark. Last year I remember he was injured for a large portion of the season. Regardless, he is not even the worst player on the Kings as I would much rather have a player like Calder than Zeiler or Ivannas.
-GoKings09
Ersberg.
I only saw that play on bad internet replays, but regardless of whether it was a penalty, Murray constantly talks about "digging in."
If Doughty were to have concerned himself with getting the puck into a neutral area instead of trying to beat Higgins to controlling it, we'd not be having the discussion.
At that point in the game it's "safety-first" in my book.
Besides, I didn't really agree that it was a clear cut penalty.
IanMonsta - Didn't get to see the game, but I don't know why Harrold is playing forward. He was arguably our best defensemen over the past 2 months.
Eat, Higgins had it all the way. Doughty couldn't whack at it, because he got throttled. You see it one way, I see it another, and that's ok.
I've seen less called as a penalty, that's my point.
I understand, Ersberg.
I've seen some horrible "interference" calls this season. One remarkably ticky-tack call on Kopitar, and numerous HORRID slash/hook calls, often to the disadvantage of the Kings.
I probably didn't get the look at that play you did, but if Higgins had the puck I don't know how it can be a penalty on him.
This is part of the "policing the game" issue, for me. The officials have enough to deal with without the fighting, hitting from behind, KNEEING, and such.
Players turning violent need to be suspended, not applauded.