What’s Next? A Long Practice

After losing, 5-2, at Calgary on Saturday, the Kings can expect a long skate-dominated practice today if Coach Larry Robinson stays true to form. Whenever the team has struggled--as it has now in losing five of eight--Robinson has gained the Kings’ attention with a “puckless” practice.

“We started this in Florida, on our second road trip of the year, and I see the same signs now,” said Robinson, who had been taking it easy on his team during the slump because of their busy schedule of games.

“It would be easy to say that they are tired, but the mistakes they’re making are not because they are tired. The effort is just not there.”

Over the last four weeks, injuries have forced the Kings to use several players who have spent most of the season playing in the minors, which also has played a role in the team’s recent slump.

“They are not supposed to come up and make a huge impact,” Robinson said about Jason Morgan, Vitali Yachmenev and Roman Vopat--three players in the lineup on Saturday. “Roman was out there trying to hit and create something. He had a couple of good chances but they came on one shift. Jason didn’t have a very good [game].”