Taylor Is Honored by Kings : Hockey: Season-ending 2-2 tie with Oilers marks farewell appearance for wing after 17 seasons in Los Angeles.

The perfect and proper ending for Dave Taylor should have been one final trip around the Forum ice, hoisting the Stanley Cup high above his head.

But even though the Cup barely eluded Taylor’s grasp, the conclusion of his 17-season career with the Kings was greeted Thursday with warmth and admiration befitting a Los Angeles sporting icon in a ceremony before the Kings’ 2-2 tie with the Edmonton Oilers in the season finale.

Taylor, who officially announced his retirement on Tuesday, was honored in pregame festivities and received a lengthy standing ovation from the sellout crowd of 16,005. Among those present for the on-ice ceremony were Taylor’s wife, Beth, and daughters, Jamie and Katie, and his parents, Andy and Margaret.

“It was real nice; I sort of got choked up out there,” Taylor said. “It meant a lot to me to go out there and thank the fans. It’s something I’ll always remember.”

He has delivered many memorable moments in his 17 seasons in Los Angeles. Taylor was the final member of the Kings’ vaunted Triple Crown line to retire, and he leaves with 1,069 points and 431 goals. The 38-year-old’s retirement was hastened by a series of concussions, the last occurring on Jan. 4 after a collision with teammate Warren Rychel.

But Taylor was able to make one final appearance. He took the opening faceoff against Oiler center Jason Arnott, a 19-year-old. Taylor won it and the game was stopped. The puck was retrieved by teammate Luc Robitaille and Taylor shook hands with his teammates. The Oilers on the ice congratulated him too. For no apparent reason, the Forum public address system played Billy Idol’s “White Wedding.”

Taylor said he was nervous because he had to speak to the crowd and thoughts of his Triple Crown linemates--Marcel Dionne and Charlie Simmer--were running through his head. He didn’t skate in the pregame warmup and left his knee brace in the dressing room. “I can officially say my career is complete, someone cut the laces of my skates before the game,” he said, smiling. “That’s never happened.”

Unfortunately, the Kings (27-45-12) were unable to send Taylor off with a victory. But their season has been one long string of disappointments. They finished 22nd overall in the NHL and became the first team in 24 seasons to not make the playoffs after reaching the Stanley Cup finals the previous season.

It is the eighth time in 27 seasons that the Kings have missed the playoffs. The last time they failed to reach the postseason was in 1985-86, which was a 54-point season. For the Kings, this was their 16th season with a record under .500.

King Notes

At least five King players will be taking part in the World Championships, April 25-May 8, in Italy. Defensemen Rob Blake and Darryl Sydor and left wing Luc Robitaille will represent Canada. Defenseman Alexei Zhitnik is playing for Russia and forward Jari Kurri for Finland. Kurri, however, has been hampered by a broken toe since the middle of March. Left wing Mike Donnelly was invited to play for the United States and is considering the option. The United States squad wanted to invite King right wing Tony Granato, but he has sat out the final eight games of the season because of an injured back. . . . Wayne Gretzky, who sat out the final three games because of an injured knee, said the knee is improving with treatment. . . . With the Kings missing the playoffs, attendance slightly at the Forum. There were 32 sellouts in 41 home dates. Average attendance was 15,655, down an average of 179 per game from last season. . . . King defenseman Mary McSorley was scheduled to have abdominal surgery earlier this week in Vancouver, but instead will be operated on Friday, the team said. . . . Defenseman Doug Houda had surgery on his injured right shoulder Thursday by team doctor Ron Kvitne.