Kings Shaken, but Not Stirred : Hockey: Carson frustrated by lack of quality time after 3-2 loss to Rangers.

Almost every little thing King Coach Barry Melrose did seemed to turn to magic last season. He had an uncanny way of making the right move at the right time.

Well, the magic dust was missing Sunday during a 3-2 loss to the New York Rangers.

The Kings got little help from defensemen Bob Jay and Brent Thompson and forwards Dave Thomlison, Rob Murphy and Marc Potvin--Melrose’s designated replacements for the new residents in a suddenly crowded doghouse, Alexei Zhitnik, Shawn McEachern, Jimmy Carson, Warren Rychel and Mark Hardy.

Afterward, a frustrated Carson indicated he might ask for a trade if the Kings continue to use him only in limited situations. Carson does not want a repeat of last season, when he was benched during the playoffs.

“I want to be put in offensive situations. If that can’t happen I don’t think it does me or the team any good,” Carson said. “He (Melrose) could have sat four or five other guys. I don’t really think it’s fair.”

King General Manager Nick Beverley felt Carson was on the right track during training camp and the team showed a measure of faith in his abilities, signing him to a three-year, $3.3-million contract. Yet Melrose has been reluctant to use Carson, and his ice time--which was already scant--started to decrease even more on this trip. Against Tampa Bay, he played four shifts, none in the third period.

Carson has two goals and five points in nine games and has rarely been on the power play, the source of most of his output. But Beverley said that Carson’s effort has slipped since the preseason.

Still, Carson wonders why the Kings bothered to trade for him last season when they sent Paul Coffey to Detroit in the six-player deal.

“I want to play and I want to be an important part of the team,” Carson said. “If that doesn’t happen--being a third-line center playing six, seven minutes a game--it gets to the point where something has to give. I’d like this to be resolved quickly. If I’m not going to be used properly, I’d just as soon go somewhere else.”

Said Beverley: “We’ll see how it evolves. I’m not adverse to doing anything to keep this team focused on being winners.”

This sort of shake-up was something that might have been expected from the Rangers, who lost back-to-back games to the Mighty Ducks and Tampa Bay. But they ended their three-game losing streak and goaltender Mike Richter won for the first time in 11 regular-season starts, defeating the Kings at Madison Square Garden before a sellout crowd of 18,200.

Left wing Esa Tikkanen scored the game-winner at 5:43 of the third period, victimizing the overmatched Jay on the left side and beating goaltender Kelly Hrudey in the top corner on the glove side. Jay, who was on for two of the Rangers’ three goals, was benched the rest of the game.

But the Kings’ roster moves were the major topic in the aftermath of their second consecutive loss. The Kings (5-3-2) did not make as many changes after one loss during their three-month free fall last season.

“I’m sure a lot of people were thinking that it was a surprise,” defenseman Charlie Huddy said. “There are teams that lost eight, nine or 10 in a row and don’t do anything. Again, it’s his way of coaching. It’s his way of getting us fired up.”

But Beverley backed Melrose’s moves, saying it was important to try to stop the bad habits and lackluster work ethic immediately instead of three months from now. It particularly bothered him to see only a handful of players such as Wayne Gretzky, Pat Conacher, Dave Taylor and Tim Watters putting forth a strong, consistent effort.

“We have to address it now,” he said. “Let’s find the answer. Those guys are busting their butts. What possible excuses can (the others) have for not doing the same?

” . . . All the guys who have sat out have not adhered to the ideals that have been established here. They aren’t the only ones. Nobody is trying to make them into whipping boys. But you have to start somewhere. He (Melrose) has my total support in the whole thing.”

While he was displeased with many players, Beverley has been frustrated by Zhitnik’s play since preseason. “I felt he was way off his game,” Beverley said. “We’ve been patient with him, given him some leeway. But he’s not showing the drive that made him a good player last season.”