FIZZ OR FIZZLE

If Stephane Fiset gave voice to his memories of the last time he started the opening game of a playoff series, he might revive the nightmare of that 8-3 loss to St. Louis two years ago, and he cannot afford to give life to the smallest spark of doubt.

Not that Fiset has forgotten the disappointment of giving up five goals in less than 34 minutes, prompting coach Larry Robinson to replace him with Jamie Storr. “One thing for sure, you learn from that,” Fiset said, with a small smile.

He learned that such chances don’t come often. Not until the fourth game of that series was he called upon again, and then only because Storr suffered a concussion in a collision with Blues’ forward Geoff Courtnall in Game 3. Fiset stopped 32 of 34 shots but the Kings were swept out of the playoffs, not to return until this season.

So much has transpired since then, Fiset considers the debacle against the Blues ancient history. The Kings have a new coach, Andy Murray. They have more depth up front, more muscle on defense. And in Fiset, they have a wiser goalie who regards his start against the Detroit Red Wings tonight at Joe Louis Arena as a precious gift because he knows it is all too rare.

Almost as rare as playoff victories for the Kings, who are 0-8 since they won Game 1 of the 1993 Stanley Cup finals.

“What happened two years ago is a different thing,” Fiset said Wednesday. “We have different players and a different coach. We’re more prepared right now and we’re playing with more confidence.”

He and the Kings were anything but confident two years ago. The team was 5-8 in its last 13 games and Fiset was 3-7 with a 3.62 goals-against average in his last 10 starts. Storr was 6-3-1 with a 1.98 goals-against average, and Robinson said he wouldn’t hesitate to use Storr if Fiset faltered.

That became a self-fulfilling prophecy when Fiset gave up five goals on 27 shots. Storr played well the next two games but was run over by Courtnall and Fiset was left to close out the Kings’ cameo playoff appearance.

“We had a lengthy discussion after Game 1 in St. Louis. I think that gave him a better understanding of what the playoffs are all about,” said Don Edwards, the Kings’ goaltending consultant. “He realized he had to think about it one game at a time, instead of putting a tremendous burden on himself. It was a good talk.

“I have a lot of admiration and respect for Stephane and how he handled the situation. He came back in Game 4 and played a great game.”

Since then, Fiset has traveled a difficult path. Groin pulls limited him to 42 games in 1998-99 and the Kings missed the playoffs; hampered this season by a hand injury and recurring groin problems, he played 47 games. Boosted by a season-ending 4-0-2 streak, Fiset compiled a 2.75 goals-against average and .901 save percentage. Storr’s numbers were superior--2.53 and .908--but Fiset will start today because he was 2-0-1 against Detroit with a 1.95 goals-against average and .941 save percentage.

Of equal importance to Murray was Fiset’s attitude about that playoff nightmare two years ago.

“I think he’s taken it on as a personal challenge,” Murray said. “I had an individual interview with him, and he indicated it’s time for individuals to step up, and he plans to do that.”

His teammates agree. “I’ve never been in net, but knowing you have to be out there for 60 minutes, I know the mental part is important and I see how high the confidence level is in Fizz,” defenseman Mattias Norstrom said. “That’s not just on the ice, but in the locker room too. He’s more comfortable, and that’s the best feeling you can have. It gives you peace of mind.”

Fiset has always been considered a good goalie but not an elite one, partly because he has played only eight playoff games and two in the past three seasons. Good goalies play well under pressure but great ones thrive: Dominik Hasek seemed to grow larger with every save he made for the Czech Republic at the 1998 Olympics and with the Eastern Conference champion Buffalo Sabres last season, just as Patrick Roy proved himself a great money goalie in winning the Cup with Montreal and Colorado. The playoffs are where reputations are forged, and Fiset will try to forge his against a formidable team that had the NHL’s second-highest point total.

“It’s a good chance for me to go out there and have success and prove to everybody I can play in the playoffs,” he said. “It’s not going to be easy, but I just have to go out there and keep it simple. . . . They know how to play in the playoffs and they know how to win. It’s going to be hard, but we still have a chance to win.”

How good a chance depends, to a large extent, on Fiset. “I think he’s playing the best hockey he’s played all year,” teammate Rob Blake said. “When he’s on, he’s one of the top goalies in the league. We know he’s going to give us that.”

And, perhaps, give himself something to remember.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

The Kings’ Network

Comparing the King goalies this season:

STORR FISET

42 Games 47

18 Wins 20

15 Losses 15

2.53 Goals-against 2.75

1 Shutouts 1

.908 Save pct. .901

KINGS vs. DETROIT RED WINGS

Best-of-seven series

TONIGHT

Game 1: at Detroit

4:30, Fox Sports Net

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ALSO

ZIGGY’S

WITH IT

Ziggy Palffy has never played in a playoff game, and he hasn’t played in any game since March 15. Page 7