Over the last two seasons on multiple occasions, I questioned whether the Kings' losses were part of the natural process. There is an age old question which suggests that a team needs to lose to learn how to win.
As it turns out, I needed to look at that question differently. Losing meaningless games allows an organization an opportunity to see whether their players have NHL talent. Losing games
that matter may be the real test that makes a difference. It is common knowledge that this year’s Kings are one of the youngest teams.
Veteran and more seasoned players will explain that the two points earned for wins in October are worth the same as the two points won in March. This appears to be the first time that the Kings’ kids learn that lesson first hand. Experience matters. It just does.
The Predators showed that despite their budget cuts and wholesale trades of their senior and in theory more talented players, they still make the play-offs on a regular basis. Perhaps that is why they could play a poor first period Monday and still win the game. Sure, the Kings out shot Nashville two to one in the first 20 but they ended the period tied. Los Angeles’ pesky inability to clear the zone and an untimely turnover by Quincey (as if there was ever a good time for a giveaway) resulted in a late back-breaking goal in the last 15 seconds of the first.
Lesson One:
There is more than one unconfirmed rumor running around that Johnson is unhappy with his defensive partner, unhappy about his lack of power play time and the alleged misuse of Johnson due to Johnson’s perceived strengths. Only the player can say for sure one way or the other if there is any truth to this scuttlebutt. I just wish that he would follow the advice Bill Ranford gave Jonathan Bernier. “Focus on how you play when you play and not
where you play”. In other words, control what you can control and the rest will take care of itself …. including Johnson’s new contract.
Yes; it is fair to say that it was Quincey's turnover that cost the Kings the late goal against in the first. It is also a fair observation that Johnson being
near the crease when the Kings give up a goal happens too often. I get he has talent; his NCAA and World Junior career were all that and a bag of chips. Sometimes clichés are clichés for a reason. “Jack, what have you done for the Kings lately?” Sure, you played one of your stronger games against San Jose and were the only King to score in the shoot-out. To be an NHL elite defenseman, you have to play that well
consistently. Taking a penalty in the third period and smiling on your way to the box does not help your cause.
Lesson Two:
The game is 60 minutes. Scoring first is a great beginning. The Kings’ players still missed the lesson in school where no shot is a bad shot. Stop looking for the pretty or fancy play. Just shoot. When in doubt, shoot again. Handzus’ then game tying goal was proof of that. He set up shop in Gretzky’s office, managed to maintain possession despite being pressured by Nashville and threw a puck at the net with Calder screening the net minder. Boom! The game is tied. Boom! The Predators take it up a notch in the last 3 minutes of the third and score the game winning goal.
Playing tight, defensive two-way hockey is only as good as the players doing it consistently. Most importantly, stop playing in a tie game as if you are up a goal. Don’t ice the puck. Expect a more experienced team, not necessarily a more talented team (Arnott and Bonk were not in the line-up), to keep pressuring you as a team. Regardless of the the distractions in Nashville, the Predators just play good, hard, solid yeoman like hockey.
Taking your play up a notch, finding another gear is how a team wins in games that matter. Winning games that matter requires the ability to take one’s game up a notch as the game progresses
too. Monday was an example of the Kings playing about 30 minutes of a 60 minute game. In the play-offs, one bad shift or move is the difference between winning and losing. Kings’ players, take heed, winning requires a complete commitment to the play on the ice. If you have anything left in your proverbial tank at the end of the game, then you did not leave your best game on the ice. Winning demands just that. Period.
Lesson Three:
I remember an old “I Love Lucy” episode when Lucy and Ethel were fighting over a dress in a retail store. Lucy had amazing grip and uttered the comment how the dress was hers because “Possession is nine tenths of the law.” I am an attorney and I still have no idea if there is a law somewhere that says this.
Here is what I do know about Monday’s game. When the Kings are schooling the Predators in the face-off circle, (all centers not named Armstrong that is), then you plain have to capitalize on it. In Period One, the Kings not named Armstrong won 79% of the face-offs. Los Angeles had one goal to show for that possession. In Period Two, the Predators found their game and the Kings had won 55% of their draws. By Period Three, the Predators took their game up another notch and were better than 50% successful in the circle with everyone other than Handzus. If Los Angeles does not find that extra gear trying to get
into the play-offs, then they are surely toast when they get in for the first time. Winning requires that much. Right or wrong, good or bad, it just does.
When in doubt, I think of what Crosby said last year after the Wings won the Cup in six games. He said something to the effect of he thought he played 100% during the play-offs. Once the games were over, upon some reflection, he concluded that he had more to give and more of himself to leave on the ice. It is now time for the Kings to step up and do the same. A life with regrets by definition means something got away that was within one’s control.
Lesson Four:
Murray doles out ice time according to effort more than talent for players not named Kopitar, Doughty and Brown – when he is not exercising his man love for enforcers. Example One: Harrold is not only still playing forward but he played on the second and not the fourth line. Huh? That has everything to do with his level of compete and effort. For those who are screaming for Murray to play him anywhere else but there, or on the power play, take heed.
Even Murray’s favorites get a time out. For reasons that only Murray could explain, Harrold spent a fair amount of the third period benched. He took 15 shifts in the first two period and only five shifts in the third. For a majority of the third, Armstrong took his spot on the second line. I know, I know, that the only person fans find more objectionable than Harrold being there is Armstrong being there.
My best speculative response is that Murray rewards effort more than talent. Play hard; play smart and players will get to play more. Period. Based upon the fact that Harrold was on the ice for the game winning goal, and showed an example of what not to do in the defensive zone, maybe he sits against Boston – or not. Harrold is one player Murray finds ice for – for better and for worse.
On a slightly separate note, Murray and Lombardi continue to play a love/hate game with Frolov. He had six shots on goal through two periods, one shot on goal in the third and was a minus two for the night. He was a man on a mission in Vancouver. I submit he is elevating his game and playing to be the guy who contributes to the Kings winning. He is just one guy.
Carla Muller Carla.hockeygal@att.net 
Getting Schooled 
Dr. Naysay
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