COURTNALL EXPECTED TO BE BACK TONIGHT.Byline: Roger Phillips When the Kings played the Pittsburgh Penguins The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL). on Saturday, they were without three of their fastest skaters: wingers Glen Murray Glen Murray may refer to:
Tonight when the Kings play host to the Colorado Avalanche The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL). The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1996 and 2001. , some of that speed is expected to be restored to the lineup with the return of Courtnall, who has been sidelined for two months with a broken ankle. ``Our team couldn't skate with that team,'' coach Larry Robinson For U.S. basketball player, see Larry Robinson (basketball). Larry Clark Robinson (born June 2 1951, in Winchester, Ontario, Canada) was a star player and a coach in the National Hockey League. He is currently an assistant coach of the New Jersey Devils. said, referring to the Penguins. ``You get frustrated chasing those guys all over the ice, and then you get impatient. (The Penguins) had speed on every line. Speed today is what this game is all about.'' Courtnall said he feels close to 100 percent, and that he has been assured that any lingering pain in his ankle is from scar tissue scar tissue n. Dense, fibrous connective tissue that forms over a healed wound or cut. , not because his ankle hasn't fully healed. He said the Kings have swift players even with him, Murray and Johnson out of the lineup. But Courtnall said speed is an element of which a team can't have an overabundance o·ver·a·bun·dance n. A going or being beyond what is needed, desired, or appropriate; an excess: teenagers with an overabundance of energy. . ``Speed makes the other team have less time and makes them move the puck quicker, maybe to an area they don't want,'' said Courtnall, expected to skate on a line with Olli Jokinen and Luc Robitaille. ``And with at least one quick guy on each line, it helps with forechecking and makes for a balanced attack.'' Stephane Fiset is expected to start in goal tonight and defenseman Steve Duchesne is expected to play after missing one game with back spasms. KINGS vs. COLORADO Time: 7:35 p.m. at the Forum. TV: Fox Sports West, KRLA-AM (1110). Tickets: 3,000 remaining (1-888-KINGS-LA). Matchups: Colorado is 0-5-1 in its last six visits to the Forum, including a 4-2 loss earlier this month. Avalanche coach Bob Hartley said he's at a loss to understand his team's struggles at the Forum. ``In every league I've coached, there are buildings that are not friendly to you,'' Hartley said Monday. ``But in L.A. we can't say that the crowd is very intimidating. There's more yellow seats than fans.'' Goalie Patrick Roy returned to action for Colorado last week after being sidelined with back spasms. The Avalanche has won its last three games. - Roger Phillips CAPTION(S): Box Box: KINGS vs. COLORADO (See text) |
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