Dustin Brown hoping Olympics will cure his scoring slump

SOCHI, Russia — Almost lost in Team USA’s 7-1 rout of Slovakia on Thursday in its Olympic tournament opener was that winger Dustin Brown scored for the first time in a month.

Yes, it had been a full month since he last scored a goal.

“Don’t remind me,” the Kings’ captain said Friday, laughing.

Brown has struggled noticeably this season, producing only 10 goals and 16 points in 58 games with the Kings. Before Thursday’s game here, his last goal was on Jan. 13 in a 1-0 victory for the Kings over Vancouver.

It’s too early to say the goal he scored against Slovakia might end his slump, but he’s hoping that playing in the Olympics will get him going and will carry over when he returns to the Kings after the Games.

“I think in a way it’s a fresh start for me here and I’m excited about the opportunity to just get a fresh start,” he said. “You hit the reset button after playing against Columbus and come here and when this is said and done, it’s another reset button.

“If I can gain some confidence and that sort of thing and get my game in order, that’s the best thing going back into the NHL.”

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