Important Stretch of Schedule Begins

The Kings’ 2-2 tie with Washington on Saturday may have ended a four-game losing streak, but the team’s winless streak is now at five.

The next three weeks will be an important stretch for the Kings because they will play 11 Western Conference opponents in a row. With a 12-13-6 record, the Kings will need to break out of their slump if they’re going to rise above .500 by the All-Star game break Jan. 17-18.

“We needed a boost right now just to gain our confidence, to get the atmosphere much more positive, to get it back up to where it was before,” Coach Larry Robinson said. “A lot of our struggling has to do with us taking the easy route.”

After 31 games last season, the Kings were 12-15-4 and in the midst of a seven-game winless streak.

*

Rookie forward Donald MacLean has played well with his added ice time the last two games. MacLean, a healthy scratch in nine games this season, played several different roles, from the checking line to the Kings’ power play. During one stretch against the Capitals on Saturday, MacLean skated with center Jozef Stumpel and left wing Luc Robitaille.

*

The NHL is expected to review right wing Sandy Moger’s hit on Washington’s Joe Juneau Saturday night. Juneau had to leave the game because of a knee injury after a collision with Moger, who received a major for clipping and a game misconduct.

TONIGHT’S GAME Los Angeles at Vancouver

* 7

* Fox Sports

West

Site--GM Place, Vancouver.

Radio--XTRA 690.

Records--Kings 12-13-6, Canucks 9-19-4.

Record vs. Canucks--1-0.

Update--Goaltender Stephane Fiset has a 6-2-1 record against Vancouver, including an 8-2 victory over the Canucks last month at the Forum. After a 5-1-1 start under Coach Mike Keenan, who replaced Tom Renney last month, Vancouver has lost five consecutive games. Goaltender Kirk McLean was replaced by Arturs Irbe after the first period in a 5-2 loss to Colorado on Saturday. Irbe is expected to start tonight.