With Palffy, Schneider Back, L.A. Can Be a Super Power

The Kings may not have anyone ranked among the top 25 goal scorers in the league but they do have a quality power play that is only going to get better with the recent return of Ziggy Palffy and Mathieu Schneider.

In the Kings’ 3-1 victory over Florida on Wednesday, they were one for three with a man-advantage. The King power play ranks third in the league with 36 man-advantage goals this season.

With Palffy back, the Kings have another finisher to complement center Jason Allison and winger Adam Deadmarsh. Schneider gives them another big shot from the blue line.

“Any time you add two of your best players to the lineup, it’s definitely a boost for your team,” King Coach Andy Murray said. “The important thing is to maintain a solid work ethic like we had before when they weren’t in the lineup.”

Even before Palffy and Schneider were taken off injured reserve, the special teams had been getting the job done. The Kings had the league’s top power play on the road and the fourth-best penalty kill overall heading into Wednesday’s game.

“By the end of the season, we’ll have one of the better power plays in the league,” Murray said. “What we’re looking to do is get better five-on-five, because we know that our special teams will be good.”

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Mikko Eloranta and Andreas Lilja, who both suffered knee injuries in the third period against Florida, skated Thursday morning. Both players are listed as day-to-day but will leave today with the team for a five-game trip that opens Saturday against the New York Islanders. The status of forward Ken Belanger, who suffered a broken thumb in a first-period fight with the Panthers’ Lance Ward, is uncertain.