Palffy, Schneider Rounding Into Form

Ziggy Palffy and Mathieu Schneider have only one point between them, but the Kings are 3-0 since the usually high-scoring duo’s return to the lineup after long absences because of injuries.

Both say they are still operating at less than full power.

“I got a problem with the timing,” said Palffy, who came away empty-handed from Monday night’s 3-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils, although he had several good scoring opportunities. “That’s the problem.

“I’m getting there. It’s a good thing for me that I have the chances. I just have to keep going. Hopefully, it’s going to come as soon as possible.”

Schneider said that he too is a little off, though fine physically.

“It’s coming together,” he said. “I’m that close. Still, I’m missing that first pass coming out of our end a couple times out of 10. But everything else felt good. My legs felt good. I had a lot of jump.

“It’s just getting better each game. I’m very encouraged.”

Coach Andy Murray expected them to struggle for a while.

“You have to know that it’s going to be a work in progress,” he said. “I mentioned when they came back that we couldn’t expect immediate things from them and that it would take some time, and it does.”

*

Though the Kings have lost more games than they’ve won, two of them in overtime, they say they are one game over .500 at 17-16-7-2 because each overtime loss is worth a point, same as a tie.

The Devils, however, say they are an even .500 at 18-16-5-2. Only in the NHL.

TONIGHT

at New York Rangers, 5 PST, ESPN

Site--Madison Square Garden.

Radio--KSPN (1110).

Records--Kings 17-16-7-2, Rangers 22-17-3-3.

Record vs. Rangers--0-1.

Update--The Rangers have lost four consecutive since defeating the Kings on Dec. 29 at Staples Center, 5-4. But Eric Lindros is back in the lineup and the Rangers haven’t lost to the Kings in Madison Square Garden since March 12, 1990, going 9-0-1 during that stretch while outscoring the Kings, 51-24.