Storr Inspired by Newborn

King goalie Jamie Storr made it a fine family outing Sunday.

Storr had played only 37 minutes 34 seconds in relief since surviving a 5-4 victory over Pittsburgh on Feb. 27. But he stepped up and made 23 saves in a 1-0 victory over the Ducks Sunday at Staples Center.

“I was really excited because it was my son’s first game,” Storr said.

Tyson Storr was born last month and Storr’s wife, Niki, brought him to a hockey game for the first time.

“He can’t recognize anything yet, but just the fact he was here was important,” Storr said. “When he gets older, I will be able to show him the game puck. He’ll be able to hear all about this game.”

There will be a lot to tell. Storr has played in only 19 games this season, as Felix Potvin set a King record by playing in 72 games. But he saved one of his best performances for Sunday.

The Ducks didn’t overwork him, but Storr did turn away several quality scoring opportunities for his second shutout of the season. He also blanked the New York Rangers on Jan. 9.

“They only got 23 shots because the guys played awesome in front of me,” Storr said. “Whenever I had to make a save, I had guys there clearing the rebounds.”

Both Mathieu Schneider and Jaroslav Modry were too sick to play, leaving the Kings with only five defensemen.

“We told Schneider last night to stay home,” King Coach Andy Murray said. “Then I got the call about Modry this morning. I called Schneider and said, ‘You feeling any better?’ He tried, but it was better that we sent him home.”

That provided extra time for Andreas Lilja, who had sat out the last seven games. Lilja played 32 shifts and 22:53.

“Boy, our defensemen played as well today as they have played all year,” Murray said.

Storr picked up a penalty for roughing in the first period. Lilja and Duck enforcer Kevin Sawyer crashed into Storr and, with a pileup by the net, Storr landed a few punches to Sawyer’s head.

“That was a mistake,” Storr said. “Someone hit me and I found out later it was Andreas.”

The Ducks were scoreless on five power-play tries. They closed out the season with only four goals in their last 65 power plays.

“That is absolutely the story of the year [for us],” Duck Coach Bryan Murray said. “We played hard, we played determined, we didn’t give up many scoring chances, we didn’t give up many shots and we don’t score any goals. It’s decided on the power play.

“We had power-play chances and didn’t finish. How many times did I say that this year?”

The Ducks’ Paul Kariya finished with 32 goals, one less than last season. He nearly got No. 33 in the second period, but ringed a slap shot off the crossbar.