[hat-tip Jack Handy]
Kings: Mitchell and Johnson have opposing views following latest loss – Los Angeles Los Angeles Hockey Blog – ESPN Los Angeles
[…] Willie Mitchell thought the Kings took a step forward, out-shooting the Coyotes, 35-16, and performing as if their playoff hopes hinged on a victory. “We played with some desperation out there,” Mitchell said. “We ran into a goaltender who played really well. … If we continue to play like that, like we did in St. Louis with that desperation, we’re going to get rewarded.”
That would be the Terry Murray line. What he’s saying is true. As far as that goes. Back to the article:
Jack Johnson thought otherwise. […] From his view on the back end, Johnson said the offense needs to generate more speed through the neutral zone, put the defense on its heels and make plays off the rush. “Too many times we’re just standing still, chipping pucks in and there’s no speed generated from that,” he said. Johnson said the team has the personnel to play that type of style.
So…they can do it, but they aren’t being allowed to do it.
Kings coach Terry Murray has been persistent in sticking with his dump-and-chase philosophy, a blue-collar offensive strategy that starts with the puck getting sent deep into the offensive zone and kept in possesion through stiff forechecks and puck cycling until a scoring chance arises. It appears that opposing defenses have come up with ways to counter the Kings’ style.
🙁
“If something’s not working, we have to find a way to find something that does work,” Johnson said.
Shorter JJ: the system doesn’t work and we need a change. I think our little mystery from a few posts ago is solved.
Oh, and apropos of our last couple of posts, I found this quote mildly delusional:
“You go through stretches like this in a season and you have to find ways to get out of them,” said forward Anze Kopitar, who has one goal in his last 13 games. “We found a way to get out of one earlier and we’re going to find a way to get out of this one.”
Define “stretches like this.”
Jack Johnson has a seven year contract. The only way Murray can win this battle is if Lombardi backs him (which he apparently has; but see John Maclean), and the team agrees to do it Murray’s way, and it works, and the Kings make the playoffs. Otherwise, how is Murray not fired?