Becoming consistent is the goal

A respite from the tumble or the start of something good?

That may be clearer after the Kings face the San Jose Sharks tonight at Staples Center. One thing is certain, their 6-5 victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday proved they are hardly in sync 16 games into the season.

The Kings built a 5-2 lead against Colorado, then held on during a mad scramble at the end. They scored 14 goals during one 10-game stretch and now have scored 16 in their last four games.

“Unfortunately, with the situation we find ourselves in, nothing is going to be smooth,” Mattias Norstrom said.

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Sean Avery stepped to the forefront again in the Kings’ victory Tuesday. He scored two goals, making up for taking an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in the first period that gave Colorado momentum to take a 2-1 lead.

Later, Kings’ TV announcer Bob Miller said Avery had gone from goat to hero. Avery responded by saying, “that’s typical” of Miller to call him “a goat.”

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Miller will be at Borders in Torrance on Sunday to sign copies of his book, “Tales From the Los Angeles Kings.”

TONIGHT

vs. San Jose, 7:30 FSNW

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- 1150.

Records -- Kings 5-9-3, Sharks 11-5-0.

Record vs. Sharks (2005-06) -- 2-5-1.

Update -- The Sharks have the top-ranked power play in the NHL at 24.5%. The Kings rank 24th at 12.9%. Kings’ defenseman Brent Sopel did not practice to rest a sore ankle.

Tickets -- (888) 546-4752.

chris.foster@latimes.com