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HEAD COACH
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Larry Robinson
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ROSTER
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C - Jozef Stumpel, Olli Jokinen, Ian Laperriere, Ray
Ferraro, Yanic Perreault, Sean Pronger, Nathan Lafayette. LW -
Eric Lacroix, Vladimir Tsyplakov, Luc Robitaille, Craig Johnson.
RW - Russ Courtnall, Glen Murray, Sandy Moger, Daniel Audette. D
- Garry Galley, Rob Blake, Sean O'Donnell, Doug Bodger, Mattias
Norstrom, Steve Duchesne, Philippe Boucher. G - Stephane Fiset,
Jamie Storr.
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INJURIES
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Mark Visheau, d (urinary tract obstruction, who cares?);
Sean Pronger, c (knee, 2-4 weeks).
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TRANSACTIONS
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Put Steve Duchesne, d, on waivers.
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GAME RESULTS
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3/09 Detroit W 4-2
3/13 Vancouver W 3-1
3/15 Ottawa W 4-0
3/18 Anaheim L 4-2
3/20 Florida W 4-3
3/21 at Phoenix L 4-1
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STANDINGS
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Pacific Division GP W L T PTS GF GA
Dallas 69 43 14 12 98 200 138
Phoenix 70 34 24 12 80 175 167
Anaheim 70 31 28 11 73 184 172
San Jose 70 26 28 16 68 157 161
Los Angeles 70 27 38 5 59 163 186
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TEAM NEWS
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by Matt Moore, Los Angeles Correspondent
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Twelve games left to go in the season and the Kings are six points
out of a playoff spot, with Edmonton between them and the Flames.
So, barring a minor miracle, the Kings season is over.
Of course I think I've been saying that for quite some time now.
The Kings went on a nice three-game winning streak, beating the Red
Wings and the Senators in impressive fashion. And they did beat
the playoff-hunting Panthers, although that game showed why the
Kings are where they are. For once the Kings got out to an early
lead, but only by the grace of God and Stephane Fiset did they get
out of there with a win. The Kings scored their four goals in the
first period and allowed none by Florida, despite several defensive
lapses that led to breakaways and outnumbered attacks by the
Panthers. From the start of the second period on, the Kings played
back on their heels and made what should have been a momentum
building win become a hanging on for dear life victory.
What with all the talk the "emergence" of Rob Blake as a leader,
this just shows how effective he really is. Yes, he's the best
defenseman on the team and plays well most every night, but
leadership isn't apparently one of his strong suites. Where has
his "leadership" been during the rest of the season? I don't want
to disparage Blake too much for finally trying to step up and lead,
but what good is his effort now after they have wasted the season
away and are struggling to stay ahead of an expansion team in the
standings? Why sit on his hands until now? And why is it such a
big deal that Larry Robinson is now benching players who don't play
hard? Shouldn't he have been doing this the entire time? Maybe
I'm just out of it or something but the coach being in charge and
the team captain showing leadership shouldn't be the exception, but
should rather be the norm.
And with the trade deadline coming up on Tuesday, the Kings most
talked about going bye-bye are Doug Bodger and Russ Courtnall.
Bodger is rumored to be heading to either Pittsburgh or Detroit.
Courtnall is mentioned with Detroit. My guess is Bodger will be
gone, but Courtnall won't be going anywhere. Now if only they
could get someone to take Yanic Perreault off their hands.
The biggest player move of the past two weeks has been the giving up
on Steve Duchesne. He was placed on waivers and should clear them
without anyone being foolish enough to pick his big ol' salary. The
Kings will then be able to trade him, send him to the IHL, or just
cut him. Look for a trade to be made since to cut him would require
the Kings to eat a good deal of his salary. But don't expect much
from the trade since the Kings have pretty much burned their bridges
with Duchesne and will be wanting to just get rid of his albatross
around their neck.
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