Third Line’s A Charm 1/31/18
They are the pick up truck. Not the tiny four cylinder model, and not the giant, lifted, chromed out show toy that some duchebag ducks fan from Newport Beach drives, but they are the full sized, V8 down and dirty, throw anything in the back work truck that just keeps getting the job done. The last two months have been plagued by several disheartening losing streaks. In the midst of this, some of the best shifts on the ice came from the unsung third line, who, for guys that are typically overlooked, sure seem to be in the right places an awful lot.
During these recent slumps, there were a few bright spots. Some, need little or no mention because they were so obvious, Quicky. Others are less shiny. Others, sit beneath the glitz and the glamour of the All Stars, and the top scorers. On many nights I watched the first two lines chase other teams around the defensive zone, a step slow physically and mentally. Then the third line would get on the ice and do all the little things right. For starters, they would clear the zone one way or another, something much of the team has struggled with. Often, they make simple, smart passes; moving the puck up ice. In the neutral zone, they provided pressure on the other team, pressure to defend, and pressure to play through their checking and presence in the passing lanes. Once in the other end, the fore-check was on. All three skating hard as a unit, reading, not only each other’s play, but the play of the other team. They punish, hassel, and frustrate other teams. They chip away, cause mistakes, and then jump on those opportunities. The Kings third line is demonstrating that they can get the job done.
In this conversation, one must start by mentioning Trevor Lewis. Lewis has been a lifelong grinder and role player, scoring a career high twelve goals last year, a mark that he has already reached this year, and should eclipse. Lewis is smart, even cagey. He skates hard and is deceptively fast. He puts himself in the right places, makes good decisions, and is demonstrating a much improved scoring ability this year. He isn’t flashy, but somehow whenever he is on the ice it seems as if he is always around the puck and making a play. He is the catalyst for this line, and sometimes for this team, but he doesn’t do it alone.
The big dog is back. The fact is that this team needs Cyle Clifford. Losing him earlier this year was likely a big reason for the team deciding to keep Macdermid despite the fact that LaDue is a much better skater who had shown real signs of becoming comfortable at the NHL level. Brown can’t be the only physical presence on this team, and Clifford brings that presence along with a legitimate ability to play the game. He makes other teams pay a price. He challenges the commitment of other players, and best of all, while he is doing all of this, while their minds are on him, they make mistakes. Their passes aren’t as good, which either slows their progress forward and gets their teammates out of position, or he causes a turnover. When he does, his linemates are right there to nab the puck. Clifford is back, and a vital part of this team’s success.
Lastly, Torrey Mitchell, a journeyman, a relative newcomer that has much in common with his linemates. One could look at his career as if he were always a bridesmaid, and never a bride, but that would be ridiculous. He has made a fine career in the NHL contributing to now his fifth team. His experience, and collected demeanor at high speeds makes the most of his talent. He meshes with his linemates, never needing to stand out, always willing to play his role and do his part.
One of the recurring themes in books (yes, some people still read books about hockey) by Gretzky and Orr about the great teams that they played on and against is that it takes an entire team coming together. Four lines, all the defensemen, two goalies, the coaches, trainers, equipment managers and so on, all performing at the highest level to win a cup. Whether you have seen it or not, despite not lighting the lamp as often as they’d like, Lewis and co. will play a key role in any success this team is going to have. Let’s hope the guys on the bridge can steer us toward a cup.
During these recent slumps, there were a few bright spots. Some, need little or no mention because they were so obvious, Quicky. Others are less shiny. Others, sit beneath the glitz and the glamour of the All Stars, and the top scorers. On many nights I watched the first two lines chase other teams around the defensive zone, a step slow physically and mentally. Then the third line would get on the ice and do all the little things right. For starters, they would clear the zone one way or another, something much of the team has struggled with. Often, they make simple, smart passes; moving the puck up ice. In the neutral zone, they provided pressure on the other team, pressure to defend, and pressure to play through their checking and presence in the passing lanes. Once in the other end, the fore-check was on. All three skating hard as a unit, reading, not only each other’s play, but the play of the other team. They punish, hassel, and frustrate other teams. They chip away, cause mistakes, and then jump on those opportunities. The Kings third line is demonstrating that they can get the job done.
In this conversation, one must start by mentioning Trevor Lewis. Lewis has been a lifelong grinder and role player, scoring a career high twelve goals last year, a mark that he has already reached this year, and should eclipse. Lewis is smart, even cagey. He skates hard and is deceptively fast. He puts himself in the right places, makes good decisions, and is demonstrating a much improved scoring ability this year. He isn’t flashy, but somehow whenever he is on the ice it seems as if he is always around the puck and making a play. He is the catalyst for this line, and sometimes for this team, but he doesn’t do it alone.
The big dog is back. The fact is that this team needs Cyle Clifford. Losing him earlier this year was likely a big reason for the team deciding to keep Macdermid despite the fact that LaDue is a much better skater who had shown real signs of becoming comfortable at the NHL level. Brown can’t be the only physical presence on this team, and Clifford brings that presence along with a legitimate ability to play the game. He makes other teams pay a price. He challenges the commitment of other players, and best of all, while he is doing all of this, while their minds are on him, they make mistakes. Their passes aren’t as good, which either slows their progress forward and gets their teammates out of position, or he causes a turnover. When he does, his linemates are right there to nab the puck. Clifford is back, and a vital part of this team’s success.
Lastly, Torrey Mitchell, a journeyman, a relative newcomer that has much in common with his linemates. One could look at his career as if he were always a bridesmaid, and never a bride, but that would be ridiculous. He has made a fine career in the NHL contributing to now his fifth team. His experience, and collected demeanor at high speeds makes the most of his talent. He meshes with his linemates, never needing to stand out, always willing to play his role and do his part.
One of the recurring themes in books (yes, some people still read books about hockey) by Gretzky and Orr about the great teams that they played on and against is that it takes an entire team coming together. Four lines, all the defensemen, two goalies, the coaches, trainers, equipment managers and so on, all performing at the highest level to win a cup. Whether you have seen it or not, despite not lighting the lamp as often as they’d like, Lewis and co. will play a key role in any success this team is going to have. Let’s hope the guys on the bridge can steer us toward a cup.
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