Fiset Gets Nod Over Storr

Stephane Fiset will start in goal in the Kings’ opener Saturday night in Nashville, and don’t be surprised if he continues to play the majority of the time.

Though Coach Andy Murray believes he has two No. 1 goalies, Fiset appears to have won the starting job based on his performance in exhibition play.

Fiset was 3-1 with a 1.50 goals-against average to Jamie Storr’s 1-2-1, 2.38.

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One marked change in the Kings from last season has been the stability of the first three lines. Since training camp began, there has been only one change in their makeup--the move of Bryan Smolinski from the second to the fourth line and back--and the structure has drawn plaudits.

“It’s good for the guys to get used to each other,” said center Jozef Stumpel, who is flanked by Luc Robitaille and Ziggy Palffy on the first line.

“You get an idea of what they like to do and what you can expect from them. Last year, sometimes you didn’t know who you were skating with until you got to practice.”

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Defenseman Dion Darling, who was with the Kings for a tryout, has been returned to Long Beach of the IHL.