It’s a Better Team, Bigger Challenge

One factor overlooked regarding the Kings’ four-game losing streak is that for the first time in years, opponents regard them as difficult to match up against.

“Teams are really getting prepared for a tough hockey game [when they play the Kings],” forward Russ Courtnall said. “They know now that [the Kings] are a better team than they have been the last couple of years.

“We have to be ready for a hard-fought battle too. We have some guys who have had career starts and are scoring goals and teams are scared of that. They’re now prepared [to face the Kings].”

Coach Larry Robinson agreed: “We’re going to have to face it. When you’re playing well and you’re a good team, you are not going to sneak into buildings. We can’t expect to walk into games without a good fight.”

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The King power play continues to lack punch with only one goal in the last 33 man-advantage opportunities. Luc Robitaille’s score against the New Jersey Devils on Nov. 29 is the only power-play goal by the Kings in their last nine games.

“Our power play has to improve. It’s nice to say that we’ve moved [the puck] around and had some good chances in games, but we have to start producing,” said Garry Galley, whose second-period goal on Nov. 15 against Dallas was the last on the power play before Robitaille’s. “Our power play has to start chipping in a goal here and there. . . . Specialty teams are a big part of every team and we have to start getting some goals.”