KINGS NOTES...
By Gann Matsuda
2.10.99 Indulge me for a bit... After writing up my monthly statistical overview for January, a couple of things have become apparent. One is that the Kings have improved a little offensively from earlier in the season. Although they're not lighting up the league by any means and are still ranked 20th out of twenty-seven, the Kings aren't the weakest offensive team in the NHL. What makes them a better offensive team is that their power play has improved considerably. Despite being ranked 23rd in the league with a 12.6% power play rating as of January 31, the Kings scored ten power play goals on fifty power plays in January. That's a 20.0% rating, a rating that would give them one of the top power plays in the league if they had been able to maintain that pace all season. Clearly, Luc Robitaille's hot hand, Ray Ferraro's resurgence, having a healthy Rob Blake back on the point and an almost 100% Jozef Stumpel making plays have all contributed to the improvement. But from what I've seen, the acquisition of Donald Audette has made the most impact on the power play. He adds speed to the power play unit, something that even Glen Murray didn't do (he mostly got in front of the net or shot the puck from the point). Audette also moves the puck quickly and can handle the puck well. And he's not afraid to go to the net, despite his small stature. If the Kings can maintain their current pace on the power play, or at least come close, that could be enough to win them enough games to qualify for the post-season. With the improved power play, why were the Kings still ten games under .500 on January 31? Why did they start January off with a bang, only to wind up with a 5-6-1 record for the month? The other thing that hits you from the numbers is that the Kings didn't perform better in January because even though they have improved their power play, they have also slipped defensively. The Kings dropped from being ranked 14th on defense at the end of December to 19th on January 31. They had allowed a team goals-against average of 2.70. But for the month of January, the Kings allowed thirty-five goals in twelve games. That works out to a 2.89 team GAA...not real good in today's low-scoring, defensive-minded NHL. Goaltenders Stephane Fiset and Jamie Storr played well for the most part in January, but both had a few key lapses early in games...they allowed soft goals or couldn't come up with a timely save. In short, the Kings' goaltending overall wasn't bad in January, but it wasn't exactly stellar, either. But the biggest defensive problem for the Kings in January was that their penalty-killing took a real nose dive in January. After being ranked third overall with an 87.2% rating after December, the Kings dropped to tenth with a 85.1% rating. That doesn't sound bad at all, right? But wait until you hear this...in January, the Kings earned a lowly 79.6% rating, one that would rank them near the bottom of the league if it were their full-season rating. In the final analysis, what the Kings need to do to get into the playoffs looks pretty clear to me...the Kings need more consistent play from their goalies and their defense, especially their penalty-killing, which needs to be stepped up a couple of notches, while they continue to produce offensively. Of course, with Murray expected back sooner than originally thought, the Kings may get a big boost that might just put them over the hump. But let's not get too optimistic here... Comments?? Let's hear'em!2.9.99 Roger Phillips, beat writer covering the Los Angeles Kings for the LONG BEACH PRESS-TELEGRAM had a good story about the Staples Center in Tuesday's edition entitled, "Kings Say No Ransom Will Be Required For Visiting Their New Castle." The key points in the article are: 1) The Kings are very aware of the fact that they can't afford to price people, especially season ticket holders, out of the new arena 2) Construction of the new arena is on schedule 3) They have sold 124 out of the 160 luxury suites and revenue from the luxury suites will be what helps keep ticket prices down 4) They recognize the diversity of the Los Angeles area and that some groups have been underserved, so they will have a variety of programs that would appeal to diverse ethnic groups 5) They recognize that a winning team, not just a new building, is what's required to fill any arena consistently Phillips also has an article, "New Home To Provide Easy Ice," dealing with how they plan to control and improve the quality of the ice at the Staples Center. Both articles can be found on the web at: http://www.ptconnect.com/sports I haven't seen it elsewhere, but Jim Hodges reported in Tuesday's LOS ANGELES TIMES that San Jose Sharks winger Brantt Myhres was suspended by the NHL pending a hearing on Wednesday for his involvement in the francas in front of the Los Angeles Kings' bench during the first period of Saturday's game at the Great Western Forum. If the NHL determines that Myhres came off the bench to get into the altercation, he could face an automatic ten-game suspension. He could also face an even longer suspension for butt-ending Kings' defenseman Mattias Norstrom above his right eye. Comments Myhres made to the SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS on Monday were somewhat incriminating. "I was waiting for [Sharks' winger Igor Korolyuk] to get off the ice," Myhres said. "He was skating pretty fast to the bench and I was waving him for a change. When I thought he got close enough, I went on. But unfortunately, Korky didn't change. Looking at the tape now, I don't think Korky ever got off." Kings' defenseman Rob Blake, who was given a fighting major and a game misconduct for being the third man in an altercation, will not receive addtional punishmente, according to Hodges. Injury Update... Goalie Jamie Storr will get the start on Wednesday at Phoenix. Goalie Stephane Fiset continues to suffer soreness in his groin but is hopeful for Thursday's game against Philadelphia. 
2.8.98 On Monday, the Los Angeles Kings announced that defenseman Mark Visheau is suffering from a congenital urinary tract obstruction and is out indefinitely. Although the Kings have not announced it officially, it would appear that left wing Vladimir Tsyplakov has an infected elbow. Time to clean out the "stuff I forgot to report on file..." On January 29, the Kings announced changes in their television broadcast schedule that were made necessary when the NBA announced its abbreviated 1999 schedule. Due to coverage of Los Angeles Lakers games, the following Kings' games have been taken off the Fox Sports West broadcast schedule: Monday, 4/5/99 - at Colorado, 6:00 PM PDT One other game that has already been played was also not broadcast. To replace those games, Fox Sports West has picked up the following games for broadcast: Thursday, 2/18/99 - Edmonton, 7:30 PM PST Wednesday, 3/31/99 - at Detroit, 4:30 PM PST
