Murray Gives Reeling Kings a Silver Lining

The Kings may be down 2-0 in their playoff series with the St. Louis Blues, but right wing Glen Murray’s stock continues to rise.

Although the Kings have been outscored, 10-4, in the series, Murray has scored two of his team’s goals and has a remarkable +2 rating while playing 39 minutes 48 seconds in 51 shifts. Only defenseman Rob Blake has spent more time on the ice.

“The one thing about this guy is that he is really working his butt off,” said center Ian Laperriere about Murray. “Normally, skill players like him don’t work that hard. But not Murray. Every shift he’s out there, he’s working hard. A couple of guys on the team call Mule because of his [work ethic].

“This year has been his year. He’s had a great year and he’s doing good in the playoffs. . . . It’s good to see.”

Murray’s competitiveness and effort has been a bright spot for the Kings, who will try and avoid falling behind, 3-0, to the Blues when the best-of-seven Western Conference playoff series resumes tonight at the Great Western Forum.

Not only does Murray lead the team in postseason goals after establishing a career high with 29 during the regular season, but he’s also a key penalty killer and has been one of the unsung leaders of the team.

It’s a role that Murray takes seriously after being labeled an underachiever over his first five NHL seasons.

Drafted 18th overall in 1991 by Boston, Murray played 148 games but scored only 29 goals with the Bruins before he was traded to Pittsburgh in 1995. He played less than two seasons with the Penguins before being dealt to the Kings for Eddie Olczyk on March 18, 1997.

“When I was in the playoffs before [with Boston and Pittsburgh] I was one of the younger guys. My job was to go out there on the third or fourth line and try to wear down the other team for our big guys to do their thing,” said Murray, 25, who had played in 48 postseason games before this season. “Playing with guys like Mario [Lemieux] and Jags [Jaromir Jagr] was different because they had won [Stanley] Cups before. We’re a lot younger here. We don’t have a lot of experience in the playoffs, it’s new to a lot of guys. So it’s kind of weird for me because I’m [sixth] on the team in playoff [experience].”

That’s why Murray has played every shift like it’s his last. Even when St. Louis led by seven goals early in the third period of Game 1, Murray played as if the Kings were only one score away from sending the game into overtime.

He flew around the ice, attacking any opposing player within his sights and his goal followed by Luc Robitaille’s score later in the period not only made an 8-3 loss a little more tolerable but also helped set the stage for the Kings’ strong effort in Game 2.

“We were down and out but we had to keep working to get ready for the next game,” said Murray, who has 12 goals and 25 points in 50 playoff games. “We knew that we weren’t going to win the game but we had to keep working. . . . I think [the Kings’ third period in Game 1] did help a little bit.”

With Murray leading the Kings’ attack with six shots on goal, the Blues had all they could handle before winning, 2-1, on former Mighty Duck Jim Campbell’s third-period goal Saturday night.

“Mugs played really strong and that’s what I like,” King Coach Larry Robinson said about Murray’s play in Game 2. “I think everybody had a little bit more jump. If anything, I hope it gives the guys a little bit more confidence in what they can do if they apply themselves in a certain way. We can put pressure on them but we have to be smart about it.”

For the Kings to have a chance to win tonight, their power play will have to produce goals. Although they have had plenty of chances against St. Louis goaltender Grant Fuhr in the series, the Kings are 0 for 16 when they’ve had a man advantage over the first two games.

“This is the playoffs we need to score on our power play,” Murray said. “Tonight’s our biggest game of the year. We have to play like we did last game. Play hard, force them all over the ice and not take any stupid penalties. We also have to score on our opportunities.”

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

NHL PLAYOFFS: KINGS vs. ST. LOUIS

Blues lead series, 2-0

TONIGHT’S GAME

Time: 7:30

Site: Forum

TV: Fox Sports West

Radio: XTRA (690)

SERIES GLANCE

Game 1: St. Louis 8, Kings 3

Game 2: St. Louis 2, Kings 1

Game 3: Tonight, 7:30

Game 4: Wednesday, 7:30

Game 5: Friday at St. Louis, 4:30*

Game 6: May 3 at Forum, Noon*

Game 7: May 5 at St. Louis, 4:30 p.m.*

* if necessary