Fiset Better Prepared for Sharks

King goalie Stephane Fiset had a chance to reflect for a day or so, to get in some practice, and acknowledged that he was much better prepared to face the San Jose Sharks in his last game than he had been for any opponent since he suffered a bruised hand Nov. 19.

Since then, he spent time on injured reserve, came into losing causes against the New Jersey Devils, the New York Rangers and the Chicago Blackhawks.

In all three games, he was thrust onto the ice with only a day of practice.

“I was more relaxed,” he said after stopping 19 shots in a 2-1 loss at San Jose.

He also got more help from the King defense, which spent a great deal of practice time getting back to the system that had worked for many of the first 30 games. That involved keeping three men back to cut off odd-man rushes, and making sure offensive players were knocked clear of the net before they could pounce on rebounds.

“I thought we were really together out there,” Fiset said.

But still not together enough to prevent a season-high fourth consecutive loss.

TONIGHT

vs. Phoenix

7:30, Fox Sport Net

* Site--Staples Center.

* Radio--KRLA (1110).

* Records--Kings 16-12-6-1, Coyotes 20-12-3-0.

* Record vs. Coyotes--1-2.

* Update--NHL teams meet more often than congressional caucuses, and often with similar effect, but whatever was discussed by Phoenix in two closed-door sessions Wednesday apparently was a tonic. The Coyotes had lost Tuesday at home to the St. Louis Blues, 6-0, for their fifth defeat in six games; they then beat the Mighty Ducks at the Arrowhead Pond, 8-2, only 24 hours later. Jeremy Roenick had a goal in that game and leads the Coyotes with 17. Goalie Bob Essensa ran his record to 11-3-1 and set an all-time club mark with his 127th victory.