Improved Defense Is the Difference

It was a wake-up call, a slap in the face that the King defense needed. When you score six goals in a game and lose, it’s not hard to see the problem.

The Kings will have to play better defense tonight against the New York Rangers than they did in a 7-6 loss at New York only 16 days ago.

They could hardly play worse.

“No two games are alike,” defenseman Rob Blake said Wednesday. “Look at us against Vancouver. They’re the top-scoring team in the league, and we’re the third-highest, and we played them 2-1. That’s the way we’ll need to play against the Rangers.”

Added Ziggy Palffy, who had three goals in the loss at New York: “We have to be better defensively. We have to play like we have been playing lately.”

The Kings have won three games in a row and four of the five games they played since losing to New York, and they have done so by playing strong defense. Goalie Stephane Fiset has played three of the five games--winning all--and will start tonight. He has given up only five goals in those three games and on Sunday night at Vancouver faced only 18 shots.

Then again, the Rangers scored their seven goals in only 25 shots against goalies Jamie Storr and Travis Scott.

*

Storr sat out Wednesday’s practice after reporting with flu-like symptoms. . . . Jere Karalahti practiced, though he was limping slightly from the bruise above his foot, suffered when he was hit by a shot launched by the Rangers’ Theo Fleury. Karalahti will not play tonight.

TONIGHT

vs. N.Y. Rangers, 7

Fox Sports Net, ESPN2

* Site--Staples Center.

* Radio--KSPN (1110).

* Records--Kings 15-9-6-0, Rangers 15-16-0.

* Record vs. Rangers--0-1.

* Update--New York will be without suspended center Petr Nedved. The Rangers have lost their last five road games.

* Tickets--(888) 546-4752.