Dustin Brown's game plan vs Nasville, plus LA ticket contest

Nashville's Pekka Rinne (photo by: Ikiri)

Last week, the Kings traveled to Nashville, outshot the Predators 31-28 and still came away with a 2-1 loss. Revenge isn't the top priority for LA captain Dustin Brown at the moment though.

"Considering the situation, at this point in the year, you're not looking at the opponent as a team we just played a week ago," he said. "It's just another game we have to find a way to win."

Actually, 'two-points per night' has sort of turned into the unofficial rallying cry for the next four games. "There are some teams on this road trip that are really playing really good hockey and we have to be prepared to grind games out," Brown declared.

Tonight in Nashville, it certainly won't be as an easy one, as the Predators have earned at least one point in 12 straight games at home.

"I thought we played a good game last time though," said the Kings leading goal scorer. "We went in there and did a lot of good things last time. Now, we have to have the same effort and find ways to score more goals."

Which means, in part, finding a way to beat Nashville's Pekka Rinne. The Preds' stellar netminder leads the league with 36 wins and sports a .927 save percentage.

So how do they beat him?

One-on-one with LA captain Dustin Brown, talking trade rumors

Dustin Brown has averaged 27 goals per season over the last four years, he's always near the top of the league in hits (currently second) and has a very favorable contract, including a cap hit of $3.175 million per season.

Who wouldn't want that guy on their team? So, of course, teams are interested in him.

But, when Bob McKenzie - the gold standard for NHL Insiders - mentions the Kings are looking to deal him, people stand up and take notice. That's the 'other' news in LA at the moment.

During last night's conference call with GM Dean Lombardi, he said "Right now, I have absolutely nothing," when asked about the possibility of additional trades following the acquisition of Jeff Carter.

Still, after practice today, I spoke with Brown about the latest hysteria. Yes, there was a throng of media on hand today to speak with the players, including Brown. However, I waited until the herd of cameras, microphones and others were gone. Alone in his stall, we had the following conversation...

MM: What do you make of all the rumors that are out there?

DB: I can't say I don't think about them. There's no sense in dwelling over it though. It's one of those things, it's part of the business. There are a lot rumors out there that are true, there's a lot of rumors out there that aren't true. There's a lot of stuff that goes on behind the scenes that a lot of people don't see. As a player, I just try to concern myself with being a better player, especially considering the huge game we have prior to the deadline. We need two points. As one of the leaders on this team, it's my responsibility to be ready to play.

MM: Guys react to being part of the rumor mill differently. Some guys get angry, some get hurt. What's your reaction to the things being said in the last twenty four hours about you possibly being on the move?

Kings captain Dustin Brown may have found the 'I' in team

Dustin Brown at practice (photo: D. Sheehan)

We've all heard there's no 'I' in team. Or is there?

Earlier today, Kings coach Darryl Sutter called out two of his star players - Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown - actually saying they 'talk too much about the team' and 'should talk more about themselves, what they bring to the table.'

Perhaps his public words were something he privately shared with each player beforehand because when speaking to Brown right before that, he was taking as much about taking personal responsibility as he was the entire team.

"I have to score more goals," stated Brown. "We have guys in here who are used to scoring more goals and they need to step up and score some goals. That's probably our biggest problem right now. I think the last time I scored a goal was against Calgary at home."

Yes, that game with the Flames was back on January 19th. So, with an 11-game drought since then, it was time for a chance.  For tomorrow night's game in Phoenix, Sutter is moving Brown from the top-line left wing position back to his more natural right side - but, dropping him down a line to play with Mike Richards. Does he think that will help?

Sutter, Brown and just about everybody at a loss for words

For the second straight game the Kings lost 1-0. With Jonathan Quick in net, it's almost like rinse and repeat. He's playing stellar in net and the team in front of him just can't seem to find a way to bang a few pucks in down at the other end of the ice.

After dropping a crucial game to Calgary, that saw the Kings fall to ninth in the Western Conference standings, LA's coach and captain didn't have much to say or any new answers...

Coach Darryl Sutter:

On losing back-to-back 1-0 games at home - "I don’t think I’ve ever done that, maybe in a playoff series, but not regular season."

On how the Kings can improve - "Keep it simple, get shots and traffic...I think we really have to bear down on the opportunities that we get. You don’t get a lot of opportunities. We don’t give a lot, so you have to bear down on the ones you get."

On any possible trades the Kings may make - "First off, I wouldn’t do that, and secondly, that wouldn’t be something to talk about in the media."

Dustin Brown:

Quotes from the Flames locker room after 1-0 win in LA

In a 1-0 game, it wasn't that surprising when the goaltenders were selected as the top two stars, with Calgary's Mikka Kiprusoff receiving number one and LA's Jonathan Quick getting second. The third star went to Mike Cammalleri, who scored the lone goal of the game. It was his fifth goal in 14 games since returning to the Flames in a trade with Montreal.

After the game, here's what was being said back in the Flames locker room...

Captain Jarome Iginla:

On his goalie's performance - "He’s played as good as I’ve seen him play in his career and that’s counting the Vezina year. All year he’s been outstanding, it’s amazing. He’s having the best year that I can remember. He’s enjoying it too, though."

On moving into eighth place in the Western Conference - "It’s a big step for us. We look at it as ‘if it didn’t go our way tonight, we could be four points out again by two teams and had kind of been getting close and getting close.’ To finally get there is a big step for us. We believe that we are going in the right direction. We’ve played some tough games and tough teams, different style games, road games, and we’ve been chipping away and stuff. It feels good. It’s been a long time; I don’t think we’ve been in a playoff spot all year."

Forward Tom Kostopoulos:

Captain Dustin Brown on LA's effort - 'That’s what it’s going to take'

We already posted postgame comments from LA coach Darryl Sutter and defenseman Rob Scuderi following the Kings 4-3 win over the visiting Phoenix Coyotes.

Now, we turn to team captain Dustin Brown, who recorded his fifth game-winning goal of the season in tonight's victory. He now has five points in the last six games (four goals, one assist). Also, his four shots on goal, four hits and plus-3 rating tied him for the team lead in all three categories tonight. Here's what he had to say after the game...

On the overall play - "For our team to be successful it’s about work. We didn’t have our best second [period]. We came out and rebounded with a really good third [period], the work ethic was there and we found the back of the net twice. At the end of the day, that team was two points ahead of us and it was a huge two points for us to get at home."

On the Kings offensive outburst tonight - "That’s what it’s going to take. We are going to have to have scoring from the back end. Tonight we had a lot of shots. We had some grade-A scoring chances that didn’t go in the net. I know we probably hit three or four posts. We’ve been getting more shots on goal and keep saying 'keep shooting the puck, it will eventually go in' and tonight they started going in. I think if we can continue that mentality, you are going to see us score more goals. Last week we had three 40 shot games and two goals—I don’t think that is going to happen if we can consistently put up 30-35 shots."

More up in the morning.

The Mayor
www.twitter.com/MayorNHL
www.facebook.com/MayorsManor 

RELATED ARTICLES:

Postgame comments from coach Darryl Sutter and defenseman Rob Scuderi

LA Kings Dustin Brown on off-ice value of Mike Richards

A few weeks after the blockbuster trade that brought Flyers captain Mike Richards to the Kings, coach Terry Murray made one thing perfectly clear - Dustin Brown is his captain.

Then, when Richards was introduced to the media soon thereafter, he let it be known - he didn't have any grandiose plans about taking on a letter in LA.

Still, one of the many questions Murray and GM Dean Lombardi were asked at the team's Hockey Fest on Sunday was 'Is there a change coming to the Kings captaincy?'

Of course, the answer was no.

And the questions aren't bothering Brown either. When I had a chance to talk with him later in the afternoon, he explained how Richards can help...

"I've known Richie since we were about 15 years old and we played against each other in the OHL. I think we kind of have that mutual respect for each other. Not to make a snap judgement on what he's done in Philly, but I think he's had to deal with a lot more - b.s., I guess - than I have as a captain. So, he's kind of been through that, having to dealing with stuff that isn't really hockey related. Thankfully, we don't have a lot of those issues here."

However, along with the changes to the roster this summer, expectations have risen. Thus, the pressure may be increasing as well. Again, Brown isn't too concerned - thinking he'll adjust through the growing pains, partly by draw upon Richards' experience.

"You're always learning as a leader. I could be having this conversation with you in 10 years and I'd still be learning. Having a guy like him come in really helps with - just the whole feel of the room. We have a lot of good leaders in there, including guys who have been captain, like Ethan Moreau. He's another good one. He's really good for the morale of the room and I think Richie brings a lot of that and more."

GM Dean Lombardi made some bold moves this summer to improve his club. At least based upon what the players were saying Sunday, he should be applauded for bringing in exactly what many think the Kings needed.

The Mayor
www.twitter.com/MayorNHL
www.facebook.com/MayorsManor

RELATED ARTICLES:


Mike Richards ready for first game as a King - talks 'hatred' for Rangers

Mike Richards on leadership and wearing a letter in LA

Flyers Ian Laperriere explains what the Kings acquirred in Mike Richards

Richards already has ideas to help the Kings power play

Mike Richards on Corey Perry and not doing stupid things

\\  

LA Kings Dustin Brown - 'This year is a different feeling'

As the captain of the Kings, Dustin Brown has seen things slowly evolve in Los Angeles - moving from a team full of prospects and role players into a legitimate Stanley Cup contender.

With the acquisitions of Mike Richards, Simon Gagne and Ethan Moreau, he says this year is "entirely different" than any other year up to this point.

"We've been making steps and progress every year," explained Brown earlier today. "I remember three or four years ago though, everyone might have been saying 'I'm excited for the season' - but in their mind they knew there was no chance we were going to do anything here. This year, it's a different feeling. That's exciting and, in a sense, a lot more serious.  For this team, in talking to some of the other players, we're excited but we have to be focused because this is our time."

More later from Brown - including detailed thoughts about why the Kings had to add a guy like Moreau to their bottom-6 this season.  Plus, comments from several other players who attended Hockey Fest today.

[UPDATE:  Brown talks about the off-ice value of Richards here]

The Mayor
www.twitter.com/MayorNHL
www.facebook.com/MayorsManor  

  

order here --> MayorsManor Store

View the store to see full line of shirts for men and women, dozen of styles and colors

Mike Richards talks leadership and wearing a letter in LA

Earlier today we posted comments from Kings coach Terry Murray regarding the leadership styles of Dustin Brown, Mike Richards and Simon Gagne.

Now, Richards is back to weigh in with some thoughts on the whole subject...

While other guys may have the letters on their jersey, how long will it take you to establish a leadership role in the locker room?

"Leadership is not just one person," Richards explained. "There's one guy with the 'C' on his jersey and (others) with the 'A's, but I've always felt that it was a team effort. You can't have enough experience in a dressing room. Everybody's been in that position at some point. You don't make it to the NHL without being some sort of leader. It might be somebody one night, Brownie the next night (or) Kopitar. It's not always the same person voicing their opinion. If something needs to be said, I'm sure they'll say it."

And the role he'll play in that process? "I just want to come in and focus on hockey. If something needs to be said or if somebody asks me a question, I'll definitely I'll answer," said Richards.

For those who like to look for something that isn't there, Richards made one thing perfectly clear - he doesn't have any expectations of wearing the 'C' in Los Angeles...this season or anytime in the near future.

"Dustin's done a great job of captaining this team for a couple of years now," Richards said with great enthusiasm and conviction. "I've talked with a lot of players and I know how hard how he plays - I played against him for (two) years in Kitchener, when he was in Guelph (OHL). I've played against him a bunch of times during the regular season and at the Olympics last year. So, I know what type of leader he is and how hard he plays the game. I have no plan on doing anything other than coming in here and playing hockey."

With or without a letter, does he feel pressure coming to Los Angeles with such a huge spotlight on him being shown on him this summer?

LA Kings coach on leadership of Brown, Richards, Gagne

Simon Gagne (photo: LAKings.com)

The Kings may be one of the youngest teams in the league, yet leadership shouldn't be an issue in Los Angeles.

For the past three seasons, Dustin Brown has been the captain, with Matt Greene and Anze Kopitar serving as alternates over the same time period.

Additionally, numerous other players in the locker room have worn a letter prior, either in the NHL, internationally, or while developing as top prospects.

Plus, this summer, the team added two major components - Mike Richards, the former Philadelphia captain, and Simon Gagne - who, according to coach Terry Murray, was 'almost' the Flyers captain.

So, just how does Murray expect Richards to fit into the Kings' leadership group?

"In Philadelphia, he had those instinctive leadership skills that some players have and some players don't," Murray began by explaining. "He steps up - a big part of his leadership is doing it on the ice. He's a guy who wants to take over whenever it's needed. He sees and watches the game very closely. He jumps in, he'll fight, he battles, he's gritty. He can make plays, he can crank it up to the next level whenever necessary. We saw it in the Olympics last year with Team Canada. At the end of the day, when Canada needed to get their game going, it ended up being (Jonathan) Toews and Richards, and they moved a few guys around on the other wing. But, to me, those were the guys who stepped it up and showed the way for the rest of the team."

Late last season, Murray said Brown was perhaps the team's most impressive player when Kopitar went down with an injury (link here).

Does he see the two as having a complimentary leadership style?

Flyers Ian Laperriere on Mike Richards vs. Chris Pronger

Certain things in hockey are just the way they are.

For example, if Bob McKenzie says it's true, it pretty much is.

If Marcel Dionne shares what a player needs to do to become a more prolific scorer - and Marcel will tell you more than that! - it must be fact.

And if Ian Laperriere gives you a thumbs up or thumbs down on a guy he's played with, you can take it to the bank.

Laperriere, the former Kings forward and fan favorite everywhere he's played, has made several visits to MayorsManor - never offering up cliches and generic answers. What you see with Lappy is what you get. He wears his heart on his sleeve - regardless if he's wearing a jersey or a t-shirt.

So, when the Kings traded for Flyers' captain Mike Richards last week I thought he'd be the perfect guy to reach out to. Who is Mike Richards? Is he the uber talented center who helped take the Flyers to the Stanley Cup Finals and won a gold medal with Team Canada? Or is he the temperamental, immature star-to-be the Philadelphia media made him out to be?

Here's what Lappy had to say...

MM: What type of player did the LA Kings just acquire?

IL: He's a character guy. He's a leadership kind of guy. The bigger the game is, the bigger his game is. He's a great guy too. I got along really well with him. I just spent a day with him about a week ago. He's just one of those kids who will do everything for the team. He's not the biggest talker in the room or anything like that - but when the puck drops, he's there and he'll give you 100%. He's a winner too. He's won the gold medal and he was a big part of that Team Canada group at last year's Olympics. I think the Kings are going to be really happy about having him on their team.

MM: When you win something so big, like a gold medal or a Stanley Cup, you come out of it a much different player. Did you notice anything different about him - either on or off the ice - after the Olympics?

Coach Terry Murray on His Most Impressive Player of Late

When Anze Kopitar and Justin Williams went down with injuries a few weeks ago, readers of MayorsManor voted Dustin Brown as the player 'most likely' to step up and seize the opportunity.

In the days that followed coach the latest reconfiguring of the line combinations, this time necessitated by the absence of two of the Kings top players, the remaining forwards and coach Terry Murray kept talking about everybody on the team needing to step up.

With seven games in the books now as the 'new' Kings, who has Murray been most impressed with so far?

"Whenever stuff like this happens, with good players going out, you're always looking to your leadership group," he said.  "You're always looking to your captains first, to lead the way in all of the areas - whether it's in the locker room, the things you talk about, the message that's brought from the coach's office into the locker room - to be those carriers of what needs to be said.

"I think Brownie's done a wonderful job there, with how he's playing - with the effort, with the intensity, the compete, he's getting results, he's scoring goals, he's involved in scrums. He's just really bringing an all-around game right now and setting the example to lead the way for the rest of the guys. So, I feel I have to look at him as the guy that's really taken on more. And he's able to deal with it. He's such a powerful individual, physically, that he can carry that workload and do it at a high tempo."

More high praise for the LA Kings captain, who earlier this week was talked up quite a bit by 20-year NHL veteran Jeremy Roenick (article here).



The Mayor
www.twitter.com/MayorNHL
www.facebook.com/MayorsManor

Dustin Brown Remembers When Kings Were Spoilers

Saturday afternoon the Kings passed their latest 'trap game' test with flying colors, beating the Colorado Avalanche 4-1.

However, the season ending injury to Anze Kopitar will have a ripple effect throughout the team, as nearly every player will be asked to step up and take on more responsibility - maybe none more than rookie Trevor Lewis, who has been bumped up to the second line with Dustin Brown and Ryan Smyth.

After practice today, the captain spoke about his new center and the possible danger waiting for the team in Edmonton:

MM: Thoughts on playing Edmonton tomorrow night, a team at the bottom of the Western Conference...

DB: They're there, but they're kind of going through that transition of rebuilding and they have a lot of good, young, skilled players. I remember it wasn't too long ago, maybe, that we were that team and tried to be spoilers. They definitely have the one-on-one skill and high-end skill that, if we're not ready to play, they can beat us.

MM: As the captain and a veteran on the team, what type of advice are you giving Trevor Lewis (who sits next to him in the locker room) about his expanded role with Anze Kopitar out?

Dustin Brown Undisputed Video - Extended Version

Throughout this season Kings Vision has been producing behind-the-scenes bio pieces on several of the players - including Wayne Simmonds, Matt Greene and Jack Johnson.

The newest segment is posted below, featuring Dustin Brown. A small portion of this will be shown during the next Kings telecast. Here, you get the full, extended version...

The Mayor
www.twitter.com/MayorNHL
www.facebook.com/MayorsManor

Kings - Sharks Preview w/ SJ Captain Joe Thornton

Whenever the Kings and Sharks meet the game is usually filled with multiple subplots to the two points at stake.

Tonight finds the season series tied at one game each, with both teams looking dominant in their victory. There's the battle for the Pacific Division, something the Sharks have owned the last few years and the Kings are trying to wrestle away this season. Of course, there's also the Dean Lombardi angle - with the Sharks being his former team.

However, let's not forget Marco Sturm vs. Joe Thornton. On the surface it may not seem like a fair fight right now, considering Sturm's recent knee injuries. Yet, when two players are traded for each other a sort of natural rivalry builds as each wants to prove he was the more valuable piece in the deal.

Although Thornton has posted big numbers the last few years, the Kings have been able to contain him just about better than any other team in the Pacific Division. He has more penalty minutes against LA, his lowest plus minus (still a plus-8, but it is his lowest) and his second worst point totals.

Even better, the Kings have kept him off the scoreboard the last two seasons at Staples Center (zero goals, five assists in six games).

His Sharks will possibly arrive in downtown tonight a little road weary too. They played back-to-back games in Minnesota and Chicago (losing to the Wild and beating the Blackhawks by identical scores of 5-3), then arrived in LA past 2am on Friday morning.

Here's how Jumbo Joe sizes up tonight's match-up...

Buffalo's Lindy Ruff the original Rob Blake?

Relax, this isn't an article designed to bash Rob Blake.

Nor is it a story about the Kings 4-2 loss in Buffalo last night.

It is about the Sabres though. More specifically, their coach and his parallel to Blake.

Let's begin with a preamble...

Rob Blake was a great player for the Kings for more than a decade during his first stint in Los Angeles. He was part of the NHL All-Rookie Team, won the Norris Trophy and put up numbers that make him one of the best defenseman in the history of the franchise. He went on to win a Stanley Cup and is without a doubt a first ballot hall of famer.

Now, that said, there was one move that will forever cause some controversy in LA. Prior to the Kings first pre-season game in September 2000, mired in a contract dispute, Blake resigned the captaincy after receiving what he believed to be a take it or leave it offer from the organization.

After giving up the 'C' Blake told the LA Times "I take a lot of pride and responsibility in being the captain, and when you are told you might not be around for the whole season, it's extremely difficult to do the job. Rather than it being a distraction later on in the season, it's best that someone take it on now."

That's not exactly how I'd put it. And that's not what I expect from a captain. But, maybe that's just me. Different conversation for a different day.

With that quick back story in place, here's the connection...