Team Sees an Opportunity

The Kings would like to think they are on an upswing heading into today’s game against San Jose because they were undefeated during the final three games of a recent four-game trip.

But they know better. The Kings understand they don’t have enough talent to turn things around by simply showing up. Not after this season’s poor start.

“We have to start making up some ground by putting together a little streak,” forward Randy Robitaille said. “Everyone has to play a little harder and with a little more desperation. We have to play with a sense of urgency.”

The Kings feel they took a few baby steps toward respectability by getting tough points on the road with ties at Minnesota, Calgary and a victory at Edmonton.

For Coach Andy Murray and his team, it’s a matter of better late than never.

Although the Kings have only six victories nearly two months into the season, they are still within striking distance of most of the teams in the Western Conference other than Detroit.

“I think we’ve been kind of dragged down by the fear of failure,” Murray said. “We should have been at the point [of desperation] three weeks ago.”

If the Kings are to be taken seriously, they need to take advantage of opportunities such as today’s when they play the Pacific Division-leading Sharks, who hold an eight-point edge over the Kings.

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Murray was not sure Friday which goaltender will start today. Jamie Storr started and finished Thursday’s victory over the Oilers and No. 1 goalie Felix Potvin has not played since being pulled in the second period of Tuesday’s tie with the Flames.

“We’ll play the guy who can get the job done the best,” Murray said. “If that is happening with one guy, I think we would go with the hot guy.”

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Defenseman Jason Holland, who played three games for the Kings, was assigned to the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League on Friday.

TODAY

vs. San Jose, 1 p.m.

Fox Sports Net 2

Site--Staples Center.

Radio--KSPN (1110).

Records--Kings 6-11-3-2, San Jose 9-6-4-3.

Record vs. San Jose (2000-01)--2-1-1-1.

Update--San Jose is still without defenseman Mike Rathje, who met with General Manager Dean Lombardi early in the week but is still without a contract. The Sharks have lost three in a row.

Tickets--(888) 546-4752.