Murray Sizes Up Playoff Chances

The Kings open the last 20 games of their playoff drive today, and Coach Andy Murray estimates his team needs at least 27 of a possible 40 points to crash the top eight in the Western Conference.

“I don’t think you’re going to get in unless you get 90 or over, and that might not be enough,” Murray said Monday at HealthSouth training center. “We’ve got to do some major winning, and we know that.

“The way you’ve got to look at it--and that’s where we’ve fallen down this year--is, you’d like to be .500 on the road and win all your home games, whatever that adds up to. We have 12 home games left and eight on the road. You’re looking at winning 15 or 16 of those, and that’s idealistically speaking.”

Murray analyzed the schedules of the Kings’ rivals and figures Edmonton has the toughest test. The Oilers play nine at home and nine away and face the defending Stanley Cup champion New Jersey Devils, the Philadelphia Flyers, St. Louis Blues, Toronto Maple Leafs and league-leading Colorado Avalanche twice.

“Ultimately, it’s what we do that matters,” Murray said.

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Goaltender Stephane Fiset, who sprained his left knee Dec. 22, was to travel today to Lowell, Mass., for a rehabilitation assignment with the Kings’ American Hockey League affiliate. He will play this weekend.

“I’m feeling pretty good. I’m anxious to be back,” said Fiset, who is 3-0-1 with a 3.58 goals-against average and .853 save percentage in seven games.

While he was injured, the Kings acquired goaltender Felix Potvin, who will make his fourth consecutive start today.

“I know him pretty well. I was happy,” Fiset said of the trade. “I guess we needed a change and we needed to do everything we can to win some games and make the playoffs. He’s perfect for the team.”

TONIGHT

at Nashville, 5 PST

Fox Sports Net

* Radio--KSPN (1110).

* Records--Kings 27-26-8-1, Predators 26-28-8-2.

* Record vs. Predators--0-1-1.

* Update--King defenseman Mathieu Schneider (groin strain) didn’t make the trip, which ends Thursday at Chicago. Right wing Adam Deadmarsh and defenseman Aaron Miller, who went back to Colorado to see their families after last Wednesday’s trade, rejoined the Kings in Nashville. Through their three-season existence, the Predators have given the Kings problems and hold a 5-4-1 series edge. The Predators, who trail the Kings by a point but have played two more games, are small but fast and tenacious.