Potvin Prepares for His Debut

Goaltender Felix Potvin, acquired from Vancouver last Thursday, practiced with the Kings for the first time Monday and will debut with his new team tonight.

He hasn’t had time to learn his defensemen’s habits or tell them when he likes to handle the puck, but he believes they can sort things out as they go.

“It’s very hard to do when you haven’t played a game and you could notice the tendencies,” Potvin said. “But I’ve been moved a few times now, so I can figure it out.”

Potvin, who hasn’t played since before the All-Star game, is prepared for the pressure of keeping the struggling Kings in the playoff race. “You look at the situation we’re in, and you have to perform right away,” he said. “You have to do good, anyway, whether there’s pressure or not.”

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Defenseman Rob Blake left the team early Monday and returned to Los Angeles after learning of a family illness. It’s uncertain if he will meet the team in Calgary for Thursday’s game. “This has nothing to do with a trade or any rumors,” Coach Andy Murray said. “It’s a personal family situation.”

TONIGHT

at Edmonton, 5:30

Fox Sports Net

* Site--Skyreach Centre.

* Radio--KSPN (1110).

* Records--Kings 25-25-8-1, Oilers 26-24-9-2.

* Record vs. Oilers--1-1.

* Update--Everybody took a meeting Monday: Edmonton center Doug Weight, angry over the Oilers’ 1-4-1 skid--the lone victory against the Kings Feb. 12--urged teammates to solidify their hold on a playoff spot. King Coach Andy Murray, frustrated by the lack of emotion in a loss at Chicago Sunday, led a group analysis. Murray will replace Blake with Aki Berg and might juggle the line combinations.