KINGS LOSE: The Montreal Canadiens, in a...

KINGS LOSE: The Montreal Canadiens, in a thrilling match, beat the Kings 4-3 in overtime (C1). . . .Columnist Scott Harris, who insists he’s rooting for the Kings (like Marty McSorley, who’s having troubles with Ed Ronan above) wonders if sun-worshiping Southern California is getting a bit carried away with this oddity imported to L.A. from the frozen north (B1).

KIND ELECTORATE: Rain didn’t dampen the spirits of Richard Alarcon, Laura Chick, Lyle Hall and Joy Picus--City Council candidates all--as they walked precincts in search of votes on the last weekend before Tuesday’s election (B1). . . . One man gave Chick the next best thing to a vote on a soggy day: his umbrella.

JAILHOUSE BLUES: Sheriff’s Department officials say budget cuts would force them to release up to 9,000 jail inmates (B5). But who would be set free?. . . Officials will use a formula considering the crime committed, length of sentence served and whether the inmate would be dangerous to the public. They say some inmates could end up serving less than half their sentences.

HOPES DOUSED: Area high school athletes saw their title dreams washed away when the State Track and Field Championships were canceled because of rain at Cerritos College (C12). The weather cleared up later.. . . It was the first time the championships were canceled since World War II. Officials cited safety concerns. Athletes and coaches were disappointed and angry. “I can’t believe the stupidity of this decision,” Reseda Coach Steve Caminiti said.

GET YOUR KICKS: Antelope Valley residents will see a familiar site when NBC’s revival of “Route 66” premieres Tuesday at 8 p.m. on KNBC-TV Channel 4. The Angeles National Forest substitutes for Arizona in several scenes.