Norstrom’s Job Is to Stop Forward Progress

Captain Mattias Norstrom does plenty of things for the Kings, but one area he doesn’t help the team much in is scoring.

That’s because Norstrom, who entered Wednesday night’s game against Florida with only one point in 36 games, knows what his main job is, and that’s shutting down top offensive forwards every night.

“In going against the top players, the way I look at it is that you have to be able to skate with the guys first,” Norstrom said. “You have to always be physical with them but with most of the top players, skating is their strength. Look at the Kariyas, the Modanos and Sakics, they are outstanding skaters. Before you can hit them, you have to catch them. That’s my approach. Never to be standing still.”

Last season, Norstrom led the Kings in hits with 246, which was 12th in the league, and had a plus-10 plus/minus rating. This season, however, Norstrom trails teammate Ian Laperriere in hits and had a minus-8 rating before Wednesday’s game.

In order for Norstrom to be effective, he has to be able to play physical hockey, which has been a challenge this season due to several nagging injuries.

“Once you can make any contact, then it really doesn’t matter to me,” Norstrom said. “But the challenge is to stay between them and our net. To make them go through me before they can hit the net.”

With forward Ziggy Palffy and defenseman Mathieu Schneider returning off injured reserve, Coach Andy Murray moved Andreas Lilja from defenseman to right wing on the fourth line.