Can a Red Wing Inspire Kings?

The Kings, or at least their coach, turned to the words of Detroit Red Wing center Steve Yzerman to try to make things right before the situation worsened.

Coach Andy Murray read a lengthy quote by Yzerman -- and provided copies -- during a team meeting Thursday, the gist of which was “accepting roles.”

The Kings have lost seven of their last 10 games, and Murray’s decision to alter the roles of veterans has left some less than thrilled.

Luc Robitaille played only 5 minutes 10 seconds in a 3-2 loss to Washington on Wednesday. Jeremy Roenick, meanwhile, has been relegated to being a $4.9-million checker.

“When we talked about the dynamics of our team earlier this season, that we’ve got more skill than before, certain players maybe did not like their roles,” Murray said. “Now we’re going in a different direction, guys may think, ‘I need to do this or that.’ You then lose overall team efficiency.

“It’s like any situation, when the individual component isn’t where we need it to be, the collective suffer.”

Whether Yzerman’s words, by proxy, soothe the situation is to be seen. The team unrest comes with the Kings facing a stretch of games that could make or break their season. They are sixth in the Western Conference and play their next 13 games against Western Conference teams, nine of which are on the road, starting tonight against the Mighty Ducks at the Arrowhead Pond.

The Ducks, meanwhile, have a 6-2-1 record in their last nine games and are only four points behind the Kings. They play 10 consecutive games against Western Conference teams.

“It’s a huge stretch,” Duck forward Joffrey Lupul said. “We keep an eye on the standings, definitely.... We play [the Kings] eight times this year. You win five or six of those and you’re much closer” to the top of the division.

The Ducks, who are 10th in the conference, go into this game without the team problems that seem to be plaguing the Kings, which required a team meeting.

“The underlying message was, ‘Be Happy With Your Role,’ ” King defenseman Aaron Miller said.

That might require some on-ice success.

“Everyone has a role on this team,” King forward Pavol Demitra said.

“Our line’s role is we have to score more goals. We’re not playing our best right now; maybe we’re all trying too hard.”

The Kings are averaging only two goals in their last eight games.

TONIGHT

Mighty Ducks vs. Kings, 7:30, FSNW2

Site -- Arrowhead Pond.

Radio -- 1090, 710.

Records -- Kings 18-13-1, Ducks 14-13-5.

Series record -- Kings lead, 1-0.

Update -- Mathieu Garon, who sat out Wednesday’s game against Washington with flu, will be in goal for the Kings. Forward Dustin Brown sat out Thursday’s practice with flu. Defenseman Tim Gleason also sat out after being struck by a puck during Wednesday’s game. Both are expected to play tonight. The Mighty Ducks sent forward Dustin Penner to minor league Portland. Duck center Andy McDonald, who has three goals and 12 points in the last 12 games, may sit out tonight’s game because of a sprained ankle, which he suffered during Wednesday’s victory over Tampa Bay.

Tickets -- (877) 945-3946.