The Los Angeles Kings picked up right where they left off on October 21 at Phoenix, where sloppy, careless play proved costly in a 4-2 loss to the Coyotes.
Against the Carolina Hurricanes on October 20 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, the Kings were able to get away with the lackadaisical play and poor decisions that gave the ’Canes numerous outnumbered attacks and chances off the rush.
With the Coyotes being a better team than the ’Canes, the Kings were not going to be so lucky in the Valley of the Sun, and their poor effort, especially in the first period, was their downfall.
The lone bright spot for the Kings was right wing Wayne Simmonds, who scored both Kings’ goals.
In other news…
Defenseman Matt Greene, who has been medically cleared to resume all hockey-related activities, has looked good enough in practice for head coach Terry Murray to consider putting him into the lineup for their game at Colorado on October 23.
Goaltender Erik Ersberg, who started the season with the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League (Kings’ primary minor league affiliate) after losing the backup goaltender job to Jonathan Bernier, has apparently decided to go to Russia to play in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).
According to LA Kings Insider Rich Hammond, the Kings have placed Ersberg on waivers. Once he clears in 24 hours, he would be free to head to Russia.
With Ersberg on waivers, the Monarchs have recalled goaltender Martin Jones from the Ontario Reign of the ECHL (Kings’ ECHL affiliate).
Jones was signed by the Kings as an unrestricted free agent on October 2, 2008.
For more, click on: Ersberg Heading Out.
Game Highlights From NHL Video On YouTube
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Thank God we don’t have to wait very long for them to get right back out there. Hopefully they’ve fixed whatever’s broken. I hate to say it, but “lackadaisical” just about sums it up. In fact, you could of just put up that one word, and every Kings fan who watched the game would have known what you were talking about. :)