Modry Makes Point in Unusual Fashion

In the midst of piling up 18 points in the Kings’ last 19 games, defenseman Jaroslav Modry at one point was the top scorer in the NHL without a goal. He lost that dubious distinction Thursday night when he scored a second-period power-play goal in the Kings’ 4-2 victory over the Senators at Ottawa.

His goal was all but forgotten a few minutes later, however, when a brawl ensued, resulting in 174 minutes in penalties and the ejections of Modry and five other players, among them the starting goaltenders.

Still, it meant a lot to Modry, who has taken advantage of increased playing time on the power play in the absence of the injured Mathieu Schneider to put together his most productive season. He has matched a career high with 21 points, accumulating all but three since Schneider was sidelined last month.

“Obviously, when you’re logging so many minutes and getting in on the power plays, they’re looking for you to put the puck in,” said Modry, whose 20 assists also are a career high. “It feels pretty good to score. I like that feeling.”

Modry, 30, also would have liked a spot on the Czech Republic Olympic team, which took home the gold medal from Nagano, Japan, in 1998, but he was not selected.

“I guess we’re too far on the West Coast,” he said, shrugging. “It would be nice recognition, but it’s one of those things you can’t control. You just control what you can--play hockey as hard as you can and if you get a chance to represent your country, it’s a privilege.”