Eight Would Be Great

Coach Andy Murray has it doped out on a yellow legal pad. The Kings need to win eight of their last 16 games to make certain they can keep playing after the regular season ends April 9.

The same numbers are being added up all over the NHL, or at least in cities where the playoffs are a possibility.

The rest of the schedule will be played with those numbers in mind.

“I asked the guys if they noticed any difference in the way the last five or six games had been played,” Murray said Wednesday. “And Bob Corkum said, ‘It’s really become playoff hockey. It’s tight-checking. There’s not as much room on the ice. Each team is really banging the other team’s skill players.’ ”

Corkum should know. He has been in the playoffs in seven of his 10 NHL seasons.

“And I threw in, ‘I think the referees are calling it different too. They don’t want to be a factor in a game anymore,’ ” Murray said.

TONIGHT

vs. New York Rangers, 7:30

Fox Sports Net

* Site--Staples Center.

* Radio--KRLA (1110).

* Records--Kings 31-27-8-3, Rangers 28-30-10-3.

* Record vs. Rangers--0-1.

* Update--After a lackluster performance in a 14-shot, 2-1 loss at San Jose on Monday, Coach John Muckler hammered the Rangers in a Tuesday meeting for their effort. Going into Wednesday night’s game at the Arrowhead Pond, New York was eighth in the Eastern Conference, but only a point ahead of Montreal and two ahead of Carolina. The Rangers will be missing winger John MacLean, who was struck in the right eye with a puck Monday.

* Tickets--(888) 546-4752.