Kings Seek a Robitaille Response

It would be one thing if the Kings were grasping at straws on the eve of Game 3 of their second-round playoff series against the Colorado Avalanche, hoping against hope something magical will happen to enable them to win.

In fact, there is evidence that the Kings can play better and with greater precision than they did in earning a split of the first two games last week in Denver.

Ask winger Luc Robitaille.

“We’ve got to get more pucks at the net,� he said Sunday. “The first two games, we haven’t had enough shots at the net. We have to play more down low.�

Robitaille was speaking of the Kings in general, but he could have been talking about himself. Robitaille has yet to have an impact in the second-round series against the Avalanche after scoring two goals and four points in the six-game victory against the Detroit Red Wings in the opening round.

The truth is that Robitaille must have a favorable impact on the series if the Kings are to defeat a favored opponent for the second consecutive time. The Kings can’t win if he continues to skate in circles without getting anywhere in particular.

“Sometimes it happens,� he said of being blanked by the Avalanche. “The key thing is to keep playing hard. Our line is not playing against one of their top two lines.�

In other words, Robitaille and linemates Eric Belanger and Ian Laperriere aren’t facing a skilled line the way they did against the Red Wings. Instead, they’re matched against muckers and grinders, who aren’t interested in anything but defense.

It makes it more difficult to score, but not impossible.

Robitaille and his linemates must work harder to generate scoring chances, picking up their intensity along the boards to win the battles for loose pucks. They also must shoot the puck. So far, Robitaille has only four shots in the series.

Coach Andy Murray, who has been critical of Robitaille in the past, did his best to dodge questions about the veteran winger’s lackluster play.

“We talk to our players and tell them what we want,� Murray said. “If it continues, then we’ve got to get on them.�

Asked specifically about Robitaille, Murray smirked and said, “I think [defenseman Philippe] Boucher is playing well.�

Asked what areas of his game Robitaille needs to improve to be a steady contributor, Murray finally began to open up.

“I guess the way I’m looking at it is that Luc will be a factor in this series,� Murray said. “He has always come through for us.�

Drawing on a basketball analogy, Murray added, “Luc’s a 50% shooter. He’s like our Magic Johnson. If Magic Johnson missed 20 shots in the first half and someone asked him what he was going to do in the second half, he’d say, ‘I’m going to make 20 for 20.’ �

The bottom line, according to Murray, is that “Luc has scored big goals for us. He’s done it in the past for us. We have to believe he will do it again.�

Indeed, Robitaille is the Kings’ leading playoff goal-scorer with 39, including the two against Detroit. He has played 89 postseason games for the Kings, second-most in franchise history behind Dave Taylor’s 92. He also is second all-time in assists (47), points (86) and penalty minutes (122).

But this playoff season, Robitaille is the Kings’ fifth-leading scorer with four points, tied with Belanger and Glen Murray--neither of whom have the experience or the talent of Robitaille.

Center Jozef Stumpel has been superb in the postseason, leading the team with eight points (three goals, five assists). His crafty fake froze Colorado goalie Patrick Roy, who was to slow to react to Stumpel’s cross-ice pass to defenseman Jaroslav Modry for the overtime winner in Game 1.

Winger Adam Deadmarsh has mixed a gritty style on the boards with a delicate touch with the puck in front of the opposing net. Two of his three goals have been game winners, including the overtime score in the clinching Game 6 victory over the Red Wings.

Winger Ziggy Palffy has been steady, if unspectacular in the postseason, scoring two goals and six points.

Of the Kings’ top forwards, only Robitaille, 35, and in the last season of his current contract, has been a disappointment in the playoffs. Perhaps that’s only because we know he’s capable of much more. Perhaps he’s due for an explosive game that will lead the Kings to a victory tonight at Staples Center.

Robitaille certainly sounded like a team leader Sunday.

“I wouldn’t say we’re angry, but we’re definitely hungry,� he said. “We want to beat these guys. We want to win. We have to play better all-around hockey, but mainly our forecheck has to be better.�

And, Robitaille could have added, he has to be better.