Sure, you know Jeff Carter leads the Kings in goals. And you’d probably guess Anze Kopitar if we asked who leads the team in points. Fine.
But, who’s third in team scoring right now?
Kopitar 20 points, Carter 18 points…and…Mike Richards with six goals and 11 assists for 17 points – third most on the Kings after 22 games played.
“I guess I’m just flying under the radar, I don’t know,” said Richards after practice today. “I wouldn’t say I’m surprised by any means, but I’m just trying to contribute each night. Trying to be a plus every night. Some nights you’re getting dinged with a couple minuses that are probably…A little disheartening sometimes. But you’ve got to go back and look at the plays. As long as you’re playing the game well, the points will come. But you just gotta keep going. Not that I’m surprised or anything, but it’s something that obviously you want to have.”
During the first few weeks of the season it was pointed out several times that Richards wasn’t providing the game the Kings needed him to be playing. He was even moved around the line-up in an effort to get him going. In hindsight, does he feel that coming out of the lockout maybe he wasn’t ready to start the season?
“It’s not that I wasn’t ready,” he said. “I probably didn’t skate as much as I probably needed to. I didn’t have anybody in the area to skate with at the level that you need to be. I think it took maybe a week of games to get back in it. Maybe three or four. And then you start getting the legs back. I had a conversation with Foxy (Jim Fox) right at the beginning of the season – it’s the five foot passes, through people, and over sticks, and under sticks, stuff like that, that I just didn’t feel like I was making. Which turned the offensive chances the other way, because you’re so used to just having those passes come naturally. And when you’re not making them, they turn into turnovers and they’re going the other way. I think that’s when some of the minuses kind of crept in there. Is when you try to do too much with it. At the time I wasn’t used to making. So now, it’s starting to come. Like you said, the points are starting to come. I feel like I’m playing a lot better. My legs definitely feel a lot better here than they were. I feel like I’m pushing off people, protecting the puck better, and you know, I’m starting to feel really good on the ice.”
In the last 11 games Richards has recorded 11 points, five goals and six assists.
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Math is fun.
Whoa, way to go Richie. He’s certainly stepped up his game lately, that much is obvious. I’m happy for him.
There is not a more important piece the Kings have ever added than Mike Richards. He was probably my favorite player in the league other than Kings at the time he was traded.
6+11=17 mayor!
your welcome budddy
I love Mike Richards and what he brings to this team!