Once Again, They Shoot for the Stars

OK, it’s 22 games now and, yes, still counting. The Kings are 0-16-6 against Dallas since 1995, and here the Stars come again, tonight at Staples Center.

“We respect the way they play the game,” King Coach Andy Murray said Thursday of the defending Stanley Cup champions. “You have to match them in that area [to beat the Stars]. You have to be strong in one-on-one battles with them.”

The Kings have been strong enough to take Dallas to overtime before losing in their first game this season, and to a one-goal game in their last meeting, distorted by Brett Hull’s empty-net goal that made the score 3-1. But they have not been strong enough to win.

“We really respect Dallas because Dallas makes winning a habit, rather than relief,” Murray said. “To us at times it’s kind of ‘Whew!’ With them, it’s something that’s expected. We’re trying to develop that.”

*

Finally, Jamie Storr could sleep Thursday night.

The King goalie defeated Phoenix, 5-2, Wednesday after shutting out the Mighty Ducks in the third period Tuesday, relieving Stephane Fiset.

It was the first time Storr has played since Jan. 26, and the idea was to get him some time to knock the rust off in a lost cause Tuesday before he started against the Coyotes.

That part worked, but the process also threw his sleep awry.

“I try to sleep 10 hours before a game,” Storr explained, “but after I play, I can’t shut my mind off. I’m still focusing on the game.”

So he focused on the Ducks during the third period Tuesday, found his mind racing afterward and the result was a distorted sleep pattern in Phoenix.

TONIGHT

vs. Dallas

6:30, Fox Sports Net

* Site--Staples Center.

* Radio--KRLA (1110).

* Records--Kings 24-22-7-3, Stars 30-19-5-2.

* Record vs. Stars--0-4-0-1.

* Update--The Stars added defensemen Sylvain Cote and Dave Manson in a trade with Chicago on Tuesday, and Manson scored in a 5-3 victory over the Mighty Ducks on Wednesday. Brett Hull will be out tonight after his nose was broken on an accidental slash by the Ducks’ Jeff Nielsen.

* Tickets--(888) 546-4752.