Robinson Begins to See Improved Work Ethic

No punishment Sunday. Just a lot more work at practice.

“That was a great effort,” said Coach Larry Robinson after the Kings had fallen, 5-3, to Carolina on Saturday night at the Great Western Forum. “How do you get mad at guys who give everything they’ve got?”

After criticizing the Kings earlier in the season because of the lack of effort, Robinson had begun to praise them, though the bottom line is the same. They are scoring now--they weren’t then--but still not winning. The losing streak is at three games, and they are 1-5-2 at home, 0-5-2 since the home-opening overtime win over Boston.

“Our work ethic dropped before all this started happening, and then we started to struggle,” he said. “Now we’ve brought our work ethic back, and yet we’re still struggling.”

And making mistakes. And paying for them.

“The game is a game of mistakes,” said Robinson, “and every little mistake that we make seems to be going into the net, which is what happens . . . when you’re struggling a little bit.”

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Vladimir Tsyplakov, whose four-game scoring streak, longest of his career, ended Saturday night, is expected to be cleared to play tonight at Anaheim.

Tsyplakov suffered a slight concussion in Saturday’s loss and was examined by doctors Sunday. Another examination is expected today.

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Defenseman Garry Galley suffered a twisted elbow when involved in a tangle with Sandy Moger at practice Sunday. Galley’s status for tonight’s game will be evaluated this afternoon.

If he is unable to play, Jan Nemecek’s sojourn to Long Beach might be short. Nemecek was called up from the Ice Dogs on Nov. 7 and played in four games before being scratched Saturday night in favor of recently recovered Mark Visheau.

To make room for Nemecek’s return to Long Beach, the Kings reassigned Jason Morgan from the Ice Dogs to Springfield of the American Hockey League. Morgan had four goals and 10 points for Long Beach.

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It has been 281 minutes 34 seconds since the Kings scored a power-play goal. . . . Yes, the Kings have been injury-laden, but things in Washington are worse. At one time the Capitals had 10 players out because of injuries.