Flinn Review Urged

In an effort to get the infraction expunged from his record, the Kings have asked the NHL to review the instigator penalty called against rookie Ryan Flinn in the first period of Monday night’s 3-1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers.

Flinn, a 6-foot-4, 235-pound left wing, traded punches with Todd Fedoruk after the 6-2, 245-pound Flyer left wing checked King defenseman Jaroslav Modry along the boards with 6:55 left in the period.

Flinn and Fedoruk were given five-minute fighting majors, with Flinn also getting hit with the instigator penalty, his first, and a 10-minute misconduct.

Three instigator penalties bring an automatic two-game suspension.

“It was a mutual thing,” King Coach Andy Murray said of Monday’s fight, Flinn’s fourth in five NHL games. “Their guy was ready. Flinn didn’t skate a long way to go after him. He didn’t go out of position to get involved.”

Flinn, though, has not been shy about dropping his gloves.

Signed by the Kings last month and called up from the minors Jan. 21, he has spent more than twice as much time in the penalty box as on the ice, accumulating 36 minutes in penalties while playing 14 minutes 43 seconds.

“He’s playing that role the way it’s supposed to be played,” Murray said of the 21-year-old from Halifax, Canada. “That he would be this successful this early in his career, it’s a pleasant surprise.”

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Though their 11-11-3-1 record at Staples Center is the worst home record among the 16 teams currently in playoff positions, the Kings don’t seem concerned about it.

“It’s not really that we’re struggling at home,” captain Mattias Norstrom said. “ ... We’re .500 at home. Sure, we want to be better. We’re aware of the situation, but I don’t think there’s a panic about it.”

The Kings play 15 of their last 28 games at Staples Center. Their 14-9-4-1 record on the road is the best in the Western Conference.

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Jerry Crowe