Fiset, Storr Keep Sharing Job

Three weeks ago, Stephane Fiset was rehabilitating eagerly, even after being told that after his recovery from a knee injury, he was coming back as the Kings’ No. 2 goalie.

Now he has recovered and tonight against Dallas, he’s No. 1.

And Saturday at Edmonton, Jamie Storr is No. 2.

And Sunday at Vancouver, Fiset is No. 1.

All of this proves that with the Kings, the more things change, the more they stay the same in net.

“I’m fine with that,” Fiset said after being told the schedule Wednesday. “I think it’s going to be harder for Jamie. He got used to playing 20 in a row, and he has to get used to this again.”

Actually, Storr played 17 games in a row and 23 of 25 games while Fiset was on injured reserve, and along the way had a 6-0-2 run in which his goals-against average was 1.71.

He also has given up 24 goals in his last six games, which is why the two are job-sharing again until one gets hot enough for Coach Andy Murray to ride him.

Fiset, 30, and Storr, 24, talked over the situation Wednesday.

“When we talk sometimes, I don’t know if he realizes how much I respect him,” said Storr. “He’ll ask me sometimes, ‘Are you OK with that? Are you mad at that? Is that OK?’

“He’s asking me as though we’re both 30 years old. I’ll always be younger than Steph. I’ll always be looking up to Steph.”

It doesn’t necessarily mean that he defers to Fiset vocationally. Storr wants the No. 1 job, as does Fiset, and not only on a game-by-game basis. Murray said several criteria would be considered in selecting the goalie who plays, but his way is generally to let the bottom line--wins and losses--determine the choice.

“I hope it lasts all season long,” Murray said. “It will mean both are playing well and the team is playing well with them.”

Heretofore, there has been room for both.

“Whoever gets hot is going to play,” Storr said. “The other is going to be ready to back him up, and that’s all we want.”

*

Murray talked with the Kings on Wednesday about making progress in the Western Conference standings, something that has been difficult for them lately.

The Kings are on a pace for 91 points, but rank ninth in the conference, or one spot out of the playoffs. The competition has been so fierce that the loss that ended an eight-game unbeaten string (6-0-2) pushed them into ninth. And with a 1-3-2 record in their last six games, they remained only two points out of sixth place when Wednesday’s games began.

With 30 points, the Kings would be tied for fifth in the Eastern Conference.

Beginning tonight, they play Dallas, Edmonton and Vancouver, three teams the Kings are competing with for points in the Western Conference. Three victories could vault them into rarefied territory.

“And it would give me about 24 hours of satisfaction,” Murray said. “It’s going to be a battle to the end of the season.”

TONIGHT

vs. Dallas, 6:30, Fox Sports Net

* Site--Staples Center.

* Radio--KSPN (1110).

* Records--Kings 12-9-6-0, Stars 14-7-4-1.

* Record vs. Stars--0-1.

* Update--Dallas is coming off a 2-2 tie Wednesday at San Jose. The Stars were 4-3 winners over the Kings on Oct. 21. Dallas center Mike Modano has three goals and five assists in his last six games, and Brett Hull has three goals in the last three games.

* Tickets--(888) 546-4752.