Bylsma Relishing His Playing Time

Tuesday night’s game was the 10th in a row for Dan Bylsma, and he’s counting them. And on mornings before games he’s still checking to make certain he’s still in the lineup.

“I learned a long time ago that as long as I’m in the NHL, I’m going to be on the bubble,” said Bylsma, who is centering the fourth line in place of Jason Blake to give the Kings more of a physical presence.

Bylsma’s mission was just to make the club, and once that was accomplished, to get some ice time. He didn’t during the Kings’ first seven games, but remained upbeat.

“He’s the kind of player that everybody wants to play,” said King Coach Andy Murray, acknowledging Bylsma’s popularity in the locker room, where his enthusiasm is often contagious.

“But if he couldn’t play, he wouldn’t be in the lineup.”

At 29, Bylsma is a bit old to be a kid, but he couldn’t contain his enthusiasm a week ago at Detroit, where he found himself facing off with Steve Yzerman of the Red Wings. And beating Yzerman on two of three draws.

“I grew up in Michigan and he was my hero,” Bylsma said. “I went back to the bench and told Steve McKenna, ‘Hey, we beat Yzerman.’ ” And helped the Kings in a 1-1 tie.

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King goalie Stephane Fiset was struck by a puck on the hand under his blocker during the pregame warmup Tuesday night and was scratched.

Jamie Storr played in goal, with Fiset as the backup.

X-rays of Fiset’s injury were negative, and the diagnosis was a bruise. Fiset was not expected to miss additional time.

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Jason Blake has taken off the knee brace he has worn since training camp and says that losing the contraption is helping his speed and mobility.

“That’s not an excuse for the way I played [against Philadelphia on Saturday night],” Blake said. “I don’t make excuses for that. I just didn’t play well.”

Blake was thrust into the role of centering the No. 1 line when Jozef Stumpel was declared out before the game. Stumpel has since had surgery for a sports hernia, but the Kings have recalled Len Barrie from Long Beach to take his place.

Blake was scratched for Tuesday night’s game against Edmonton.