Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

Sutter has Richards practicing on fourth line

Los Angeles Kings v Calgary Flames

CALGARY, AB - MARCH 10: Mike Richards #10 of the Los Angeles Kings in action against the Calgary Flames during an NHL game at Scotiabank Saddledome on March 10, 2014 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images)

Derek Leung

Mike Richards hasn’t recorded a point in his last six games, which might not be noteworthy under normal circumstances, but taken in the context of his 2013-14 campaign and it has to be discouraging for Kings’ fans.

Richards has just nine goals and 39 points in 70 contests this season and has gotten to the point where he was skating alongside Kyle Clifford and Trevor Lewis on the fourth line during Friday’s practice.

Afterwards, Darryl Sutter compared Richards to Dustin Brown, whose playing time has dropped substantially this season as he fails to live up to expectations.

“Hopefully they’re getting their games together at the right time,” Sutter said, per the Los Angeles Times. He added, “These guys are experienced, veteran players on our team. They have to get their game in order if we’re going to be a playoff team.”

Richards didn’t exactly shine during the 2011-12 regular season either with his 44 points in 74 games, but he stepped up during the team’s playoff run to help them win the Stanley Cup. Sutter just has to hope history repeats itself as the postseason approaches.

Follow @RyanDadoun