Kings’ Play Is Powerless in Loss to the Hurricanes

Whatever spark the Kings had when they entered last month’s Olympic break as the NHL’s hottest team, they have suddenly lost.

Their off-and-on power play was nonexistent Thursday night and it cost the Kings dearly in a 2-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes before an announced crowd of 10,541 at the Great Western Forum.

Carolina goaltender Trevor Kidd was able to shut down the Kings in making 28 saves, and the Hurricanes got goals from Keith Primeau and Gary Roberts to hand the Kings their second loss in their last three games.

“I’m very very disappointed in our power play, our veterans made some poor decisions with the puck . . . my son could pass the puck better than them [tonight],” Coach Larry Robinson said about the Kings’ 0-for-6 power play.

“This is one that I hope I’m not right, but it could come back to haunt us. We had the game but we just made a bonehead play. That short-handed goal just took every bit of life we had out of us.”

After going into the 17-day Olympic break with a 9-1-1 streak, the Kings are 1-2-2 since the league resumed play on Feb. 25.

Jamie Storr played well in making 26 saves and Yanic Perreault scored the Kings’ lone goal.

“The thing we are really missing is a quarterback on the power play,” Robinson said. “Somebody that is going to control the puck and make that good first pass. I’m looking down the bench and wondering who else I could put out there.”

When asked if the Kings will be on the market to help their power play before the March 25 trading deadline, Robinson answered: “Quite possibly.”

Perreault’s goal came while he centered a line with Vladimir Tsyplakov and Glen Murray--his linemates for much of the early season when he scored 15 goals in 20 games. He started the game skating with wingers Craig Johnson and Sandy Moger but was moved at the start of the second period when Jozef Stumpel remained in the dressing room after being shaken up by a first-period hit by Primeau.

Perreault, who had been criticized recently by Robinson for being too soft at times, scored his third goal in his last six games at 6:10 of the second period. He used a rushing teammate as a decoy before beating Kidd with a shot from the right circle for his team-high 23rd goal.

The Kings had a chance to extend their lead late in the period when Carolina’s Paul Ranheim was called for interference with 1:13 remaining. But the Kings’ power play came up short again. Worse yet, this time they gave up a short-handed goal for the second consecutive game. Vancouver’s Mark Messier scored a short-hander against the Kings on Monday.

Primeau was able to tie the game when he skated down a loose puck in the neutral zone after it had eluded the Kings’ Rob Blake along the boards. Primeau’s first breakaway shot was blocked by Storr, but he was able to knock in his own rebound to tie the score with 46.7 seconds left in the period.

Because Primeau’s skate was in the crease before he scored the rebound goal, referee Richard Trottier had the play reviewed but Bryan Lewis, supervisor of officials, allowed the score to stand because it was a continuing play.

Carolina scored its winning goal when defenseman Sean Hill fired a shot from the blue line that was blocked by Storr. The rebound bounced untouched into the slot, however, and Roberts got to the puck first and his shot slid between Storr’s legs at 10:18 of the third period.