Inability to Score Major Deficiency
One reason why the Kings will miss the playoffs for a fourth consecutive season is their lack of scoring. Only Washington, Tampa Bay and San Jose have scored fewer goals than the Kings, who have 205.
Two of the Kings’ goal scorers against the Stars on Saturday were Vladimir Tsyplakov and Kai Nurminen, who were expected to produce more offense this season. Tsyplakov’s goal was his 16th of the season and first since Feb. 27; Nurminen’s was his 15th and first since Feb. 22.
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Despite having three unbeaten streaks of at least five games this season, the Kings still need three points to match last season’s total of 66 with three games remaining.
“What makes this year different is that last year we still had a lot of veterans,” King Coach Larry Robinson said. “We never really wanted to admit that we were rebuilding then.”
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On Thursday, Robinson will be honored at the sixth Great Sports Legends Awards Dinner at the Beverly Hills Hotel at 7 p.m. Former King goaltender Rogie Vachon, now the team’s director of hockey operations, also will be honored for his volunteer work with Paralysis Project of America.
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