Tough Stretch Ends on High Note

Mission accomplished.

When King Coach Andy Murray mapped out an approach to the season, he sized up the schedule and figured that the first 16 games were going to be extremely difficult.

Some of that is because 12 were on the road.

The idea was to “have our heads above water,” said Murray, explaining that meant to be in the top eight on the playoff ladder in the Western Conference when Monday dawned.

It took wins in each of the last three games to do it, but the Kings’ 18 points were good for a tie for fifth place.

But Murray took no time to celebrate.

“I guess I’m more concerned about the next six games,” he said of a homestand that begins tonight against the Phoenix Coyotes and includes games against the Vancouver Canucks, Detroit Red Wings, New York Islanders, Colorado Avalanche and New Jersey Devils before it’s time to leave town again Nov. 24.

“We can’t sit back and relax. I expected that we would be all right after 16 games.”

They became all right when goalie Jamie Storr became all right. Storr has won his last three games and given up only four goals in efforts spread over only four days.

“What’s been good is being on the bench and hearing the guys ooohing and aaahing over some of Jamie’s saves,” Murray said. “You hear them saying how well he’s playing and, ‘Let’s get a win for him.’ ”

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Murray and the rest of the coaches are mulling over a decision concerning wingers Jason Blake, Craig Johnson and Tomas Vlasak.

Who plays and who sits?

Vlasak sat on Sunday, and Blake played on a line with Ziggy Palffy and Jozef Stumpel. Johnson joined one with Bob Corkum and Stu Grimson.

But Bryan Smolinski will be back in the lineup tonight, pushing Ian Laperriere back to wing on Corkum’s line and meaning that at least two wingers will have to sit.

TONIGHT

vs. Phoenix, 7:30

Fox Sports Net

* Site--Staples Center.

* Radio--KRLA (1110).

* Records--Kings 8-6-2, Coyotes 9-1-4.

* Record vs. Coyotes--0-2.

* Update--The Coyotes come to town on a roll, unbeaten in their last 11 games, among them two victories over the Kings. Sean Burke is expected to be in goal for the Coyotes, even though Robert Esche has beaten the Kings twice.

* Tickets--(888) 546-4752.