Penalty-Killing Team Has Made a Timely About-Face

When the Kings’ seven-game home stand began Feb. 29, assistant coach Mark Hardy met with the penalty killers.

“He told us to forget about the statistics,” said Dan Bylsma, lately among the most adept of the Kings when opponents have the man advantage. “He said the penalty-kill needed to step up now more than ever.”

It has. The Kings are only 20th in the NHL at killing penalties, 27th when only home games are considered, but in six games on this home stand they have killed 26 of 30 penalties.

“The feeling is that our percentage hasn’t been that good, 20th in the league, and that it’s pretty late to do much about the numbers, but that we can make a difference,” Bylsma said.

The Kings did that Saturday night, killing off a 3:50 span that included successive penalties to Marko Tuomainen and Garry Galley in the third period and preserving a 3-1 victory over Calgary.

The penalty-killing success is particularly timely because it comes when the King power play has lost its power.

The Kings are two for their last 35 power-play opportunities, spanning the home stand, but are 3-2-1 in the six games.

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Goalie Stephane Fiset, sidelined since March 5 because of a groin strain, is skating again and the Kings hope he can return to the ice today.

They are noncommittal regarding when he can play, although there is hope it will be by the end of this week.

Jamie Storr has picked up the goaltending chores in the last three games and given up only a goal each to the New York Rangers and Calgary in victories.

Tonight vs. Vancouver, 7:30

Fox Sports Net

* Site--Staples Center.

* Radio--KRLA (1110).

* Records--Kings 33-27-8-3, Canucks 23-32-14-7.

* Record vs. Canucks--1-0-1.

* Update--Vancouver has lost only twice in its last 13 games, but one of those was against the Kings, 5-2, and the other was Saturday night at Phoenix, 5-0. Vancouver’s resurgence has been led by Alexander Mogilny, who has 20 goals and 37 points in only 47 games in an injury-marred season; and Markus Naslund, who has 21 goals and 49 points.

* Tickets--(888) 546-4752.