Power Play Hurting Without Stumpel

The answer is Jozef Stumpel.

The question is how can the Kings get better on the power play?

With Stumpel out because of a bruised knee, the Kings were two for 22 in power-play opportunities in their last seven games entering Tuesday night’s contest against Buffalo. Worse, they had been outscored on their power plays, 3-2.

They did show some life with a man advantage against the Sabres, scoring twice in a 5-3 victory.

Compounding L.A.’s troubles, they have given up nine short-handed goals, most in the NHL.

“We don’t want to make excuses,” said Dave Tippett, a King assistant in charge of the power play. “Some of our better players are out [because of injuries]. But it’s a great opportunity for some others who don’t ordinarily get power-play time to get it.”

Stumpel is not expected back for a couple more weeks.

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Winger Donald Audette, out since spraining his left ankle against Florida on Jan. 6, skated Tuesday morning but said that he had difficulty pushing off with his left foot.

Audette was particularly disappointed in not being able to play against the Sabres, the team that traded him to the Kings a year ago.

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The NHL has declined to mete out additional punishment to San Jose’s Tony Granato, who was assessed a major penalty and a game misconduct for his cross-check of the Kings’ Mattias Norstrom on Saturday night.

Norstrom had a cut from the hit that required 30 stitches, and the Kings sent the league video of the play.

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Buffalo wing Vaclav Varada was taken to an area hospital after the game for observation after being hit in the head with a puck during a third-period Sabre power play.