Air Scare Gives Them Pause

The Kings’ most important trip of the season got off to an ominous start Friday when a warning light on their chartered airplane signaled trouble only minutes after take-off.

The plane had been delayed 15 minutes because of mechanical difficulty and about 15 minutes into the flight to Calgary, the pilot reported a fire alarm on an engine. He turned back to LAX, where the plane landed without incident, but with much fanfare because fire trucks and other emergency vehicles were standing by.

The Kings remained aboard, killing time by watching videos and demolishing the lunch-cart fare, for more than two hours before another plane could be obtained and the trip resumed.

They landed safety in Calgary, where tonight’s game against the Flames will begin a six-game, 13-day trip.

*

In the going and coming department, the Kings lost winger Vladimir Tsyplakov and regained winger Glen Murray.

Tsyplakov went off the ice at 3:49 of the third period Thursday night when he was checked hard by Edmonton’s Georges Laraque. Tsyplakov sprained his left knee and is listed as week to week.

He has eight goals and 19 points, but only two points--both on assists--in his last 22 games.

Murray, the Kings’ second-leading scorer with 15 goals and 28 points, has missed 19 games because of a torn knee ligament but could play tonight.

Tonight

at Calgary, 6 PST

Fox Sports West

* Site--Canadian Airlines Saddledome.

* Radio--KRLA (1110).

* Records--Kings 21-31-4, Flames 20-28-8.

* Record vs. Flames--1-1.

* Update--Theoren Fleury had two goals and an assist in a 6-3 victory over the Ducks Friday night to set a Calgary team record for points with 824. Fleury has refused a long-term deal offered by the Kings and remains in Calgary.