Lots of Questions, No Real Answers

The Kings’ final day of practice at Iceoplex in North Hills was a strange one.

Quiet reigned, and it had nothing to do with nostalgia. After 8 1/2 years of practicing in the San Fernando Valley, most of the Kings delight in seeing Iceoplex in their rear-view mirrors. They’re pleased about the move to the El Segundo practice facility.

On Friday, the only voice was that of Coach Andy Murray, barking out drill instructions. The only sound beyond that was the swish and scrape of skates, up and back and moving in figure eights, with few pucks in use. Oh, and players gasping for air.

“I was mad at them,” Murray said. “We talked before practice. . . . We didn’t have a lot we wanted to say to them [after that].”

The drills smacked of punishment, as though Murray was saying, “You didn’t work on Thursday night, so you’ll work now.”

The Kings played miserably in a 5-2 loss to Dallas that ran their record in the last 16 games to 4-11-1-1 and their drought against the Stars to 21 games (0-15-6-1). There was little enthusiasm, few opportunities cashed in, no consistent effort.

Each player was asked Friday whether he was satisfied with his performance, and each was asked why he played the way he did. The questions weren’t rhetorical, but there were no satisfactory answers.

“It’s taking medicine,” center Bryan Smolinski said. “You take it and go from there, trying to find a different way to do things.

“Hopefully we got the message. You’re going to see it Sunday [against Colorado]. Some guys got the message, maybe some won’t. I hope 20 guys got it.”

*

After watching Jamie Storr in goal for the last three games, Stephane Fiset probably will step back in Sunday against Colorado at Staples Center.

Look for some shuffling among the forwards, particularly if center Jozef Stumpel is able to return to the lineup after sitting out seven games because of a bruised knee. Among the changes anticipated is reuniting wingers Luc Robitaille and Ziggy Palffy with Stumpel on one line.

There also is a slim chance that winger Glen Murray can return after sitting out three games because of a bruised chest.

*

Smolinski has 12 goals and 40 points and is on pace for the best season of his NHL career.

Yet, he has Murray scratching his head.

“I would say that Glen Murray and Bryan Smolinski have been our two best forwards this year,” the coach said. “But there’s no middle game with Bryan. He’s either there or he disappears.”

Playing on a line Thursday with Robitaille and Palffy, Smolinski had no shots, though he did have five hits and won eight of 14 faceoffs.