RED WINGS VS. KINGS / NOTES

The Kings were scoreless in five chances with the man-advantage in Game 3 of their opening-round playoff series Sunday against the Detroit Red Wings, running their power-play drought to 45 consecutive chances in their last three postseasons.

Winger Adam Deadmarsh credited the Red Wings’ aggressive penalty-killing unit for blanking the Kings in the first three games of the series.

“They work really well as a unit,” Deadmarsh said. “[But] we need to score on the power play. It’s going to be very important to score some power-play goals.”

Luc Robitaille clanked a point-blank shot off the right goal post in the first period Sunday, coming the closest to ending the power-play slump.

“We worked harder [in Sunday’s 2-1 victory], but we’ve got to put the puck on the net more,” Robitaille said. “We’re not getting enough shots. We’re moving the puck better, but we don’t shoot enough.”

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After three games, the subject of refereeing has finally reared its ugly head.

Neither King Coach Andy Murray nor Detroit Coach Scotty Bowman was happy with the work of Dave Jackson and Paul Stewart in Game 3.

In hindsight, what irked Murray more than anything was his perception that Jackson and Stewart were willing to listen to Bowman’s complaints while brushing off his.

“Scotty’s over at the gate yelling at them and they tell me to be quiet and I didn’t say anything,” Murray said. “I’m concerned. There has to be equal treatment. Both benches have to have the same treatment.”

The NHL has instructed its referees to crack down on yapping from the benches, which includes complaints from coaches.

Murray said he has reminded his players to ease up on the zebras, treating them respectfully and avoiding a needless unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that could alter the course of the series.