Kings’ Defense Does What Has to Be Done

After giving up eight consecutive goals in a loss to Edmonton on Thursday, the Kings were more aggressive on defense Saturday night and ended a three-game losing streak with a scoreless tie against the Calgary Flames in front of 12,787 at the Forum.

In a goaltender duel between the Kings’ Stephane Fiset and Calgary’s Trevor Kidd, the Kings played a complete game at least on the defensive end, which is something that has been stressed by Coach Larry Robinson.

“I wasn’t so much concerned with the score as much as I was with how we played,” Robinson said. “Our work ethic came back. We really didn’t get going until the third period. The guys were real tentative, which is natural after a big loss.”

Fiset, who gave up four second-period goals before being replaced by Byron Dafoe against Edmonton, stopped 35 shots and recorded his second shutout of the season and the eighth of his career. He won the Kings’ first game of the season when he blanked the New York Islanders, 1-0.

“This was good for the team to bounce back like this before going on a big road trip,” Fiset said. “We’ll take a tie like this.”

In overtime, the Kings had two solid chances, but Kidd, who stopped 26 shots, blocked Dimitri Khristich’s effort from the slot and Mattias Norstrom shot wide left from inside the left circle.

Calgary’s best scoring opportunity in the extra period was thwarted by Fiset, who denied a shot by Dave Gagner at 1:30.

Fiset had to take command early against the Flames because Khristich was given a four-minute double-minor penalty for high-sticking 4:07 into the first period.

Calgary, which entered the game with the third-best power-play unit in the league, had several chances, but Fiset stopped all 13 first-period shots, including a key glove save during Khristich’s penalty.

The Kings caught a break when a goal by Calgary’s Jomas Hoglund was disallowed at the 15:38 mark because Gagner was called for goaltender interference.

After getting only four shots on goal in the first period, the Kings had another power-play chance 32 seconds into the second when Calgary defenseman Steve Chiasson, who needed stitches above his right eye in the first period, was given a two-minute penalty for hooking. But the Kings did not manage a shot during the power play.

Defensively, Fiset continued to dominate as the Kings stopped another power play after captain Rob Blake was called for holding.

Calgary threatened at the end of the second period when defenseman Steven Finn was given a two-minute penalty for holding at the 17:44 mark, but Fiset stopped three shots.

The Kings outshot Calgary, 14-8, in the third period.

“We were having problems adjusting to their speed,” Robinson said. “We did a better job in the third period.”

Calgary right wing Theoren Fleury was shut out after scoring five goals in his last three games.

“As long as they weren’t scoring goals, we were OK,” Robinson said. “We did get some shots but we just missed them.”

The last time the Kings played a scoreless tie was Feb. 23, 1994 against Dallas and it is the team’s ninth in franchise history. It was the Flames’ first scoreless tie since the team moved to Calgary from Atlanta.