Game 44: Stars 3, Kings 2

A rare early game is such a treat, especially on a rare Saturday where I actually have control of the TV.

Another rarity: the Kings have their youthful blueline back! Jack Johnson AND Drew Doughty, the Kings' Alliteration to Salvation. But to make room for both DD and JJ, the Kings had to send down BB, Brian Boyle.

The Kings couldn't find their groove in the first two periods. They registered only 4 shots in the first and doubled that in the second. But they allowed the Stars to shoot 22 times in the same two periods. Oy.

It wasn't until the third period, when Dustin Brown potted one past Turco in an impressive breakout play where almost every Kings touched the puck.

But then the Stars tied the game when Jere Lehtinen put one past the solid Erik Ersberg, It looked as if the game was going to overtime. But then Mike Ribeiro scored with a little more than a minute left to lift the Stars. And it seemed that how it was destined to end.

Jack Johnson and Steve Ott got into a yelling match after Ribeiro's goal, putting both teams down a man. With time running out, the Kings pulled Ersberg, and Alexander Frolov scored the tying goal to send the game into overtime. There, the Kings were able to hold on for a point, their first in four games.

Even though they lost in the shootout, there's plenty to be excited about. Finally, we caught a glimpse of the Kings' future on defense. Johnson, Quincey and Greene had 12 hits between themselves, and Doughty led all Kings in ice time, after missing one game with a bruised thigh.

So now, what should the Kings focus on? Scoring, plain and simple. They still lead the league with the lowest shots per game, their goals against are in the top third and their penalty kill is vastly improved from last season, from 78% to 83%.

But they are tied with Ottawa for least goals, and are second in the league in shooting percentage. What was their sole bright spot last season has been dulled by coach Murray's defensive gameplan. Don't get me wrong, his system has worked brilliantly, but the club is not deep enough to absorb the lack of scoring punch up front. I'm sure coach Murray wants more from his second-tiered players, but they aren't getting it done, forcing Murray to juggle his lines and make his star players play more mundane roles.

The Kings need a proven goal-scorer fans to either emerge from within or through a trade to take this team to the next level, which would be an extended stay above .500.

• AP:  Ribeiro, Turco lead Stars past Kings 3-2 in SO

• Daily News: Kings get their point across

The good news for the Kings? Defensemen Drew Doughty and Jack Johnson returned to the lineup. And, after two listless losses to Tampa Bay and Detroit, they rebounded with a strong effort Saturday against Dallas.
The bad news? Even with the improved performance, the Kings still couldn't come out with two points against the Stars.

• Canadian Press: Stars extend Kings losing streak

• Yahoo: Team report

After a handful of recent eyebrow-raising efforts, the Kings finally got a good game in goal as Erik Ersberg stopped 32 of 34 shots and held up well against some significant pressure in the second half of the game. Ersberg, a second-year goalie who has been splitting time with rookie Jonathan Quick, was coming off what was arguably his worst start of the season, when he allowed three goals in 26 minutes and got pulled in a loss to Tampa Bay. The Kings face back-to-back games this week against Minnesota and Colorado, and Ersberg and Quick are expected to split the games.

They said it

“We need to look at ourselves and figure it out and how we’re going to step up in the key moment. We’re going to need 20 guys to win games. Not just 15 guys or so, but 20. I think everybody has to bring something to the table, whether you’re playing five minutes or 10. We have to find a way to win. This is a time when teams show what they’re made of. That’s going to be our ultimate test for us.”—Kings center Anze Kopitar.

Looking through purple-hued goggles

• A Queen Among Kings: JMFJ in the shootout?

The best part about this game was the goal scored by Frolov in the last 30 seconds of regulation to take it into overtime. The Stars came out in the third period and stood up to the Kings, tied the game, and then got the go-ahead. They could have easily gotten discouraged and started sinking, but effort and drive got the Kings back on the board. Overtime wasn't too thrilling and Erik Ersberg was being his solid, usual self. The shootout was a bit ...err, wasn't too thrilling either actually, and when Jack picked up the puck at the blueline, I basically wasn't expecting anything. I think of the goal actually went in, I'd be in utter shock.

• Battle for California: Have some more sloppy joes

• Frozen Royalty: Teetering on the edge?

From the other side of the ice, the Dallas view

• Dallas News: Stars' leading men spark 3-2 shootout win over Kings

• Star-Telegram: Mike Ribeiro’s simple approach gives Dallas Stars a valuable win

• Five For Fighting: Keeping it simple

• Defending Big D: Dallas Stars win in shootout 3-2

Steve Ott got into a heated shoving match with Kings defensemen Jack Johnson which led to a 4 on 4 situation for the remainder of regulation. The Kings pulled the goalie and with the ensuing man advantage tied the game up just 17 seconds away from a Stars win. Anze Kopitar swept a pass through the crease and past Turco who was unable to get across in time to block the shot from Alexander Frolov.

• Sportsday: Stars blog

Kings-related news
• AP: D Johnson returns in Kings’ loss


Peeping the dailies