Modry’s Efforts Are Rewarded

Three seasons ago, he played for the Long Beach Ice Dogs.Two seasons ago, injury free, he was scratched from 55 games.

This season, Czech defenseman Jaroslav Modry of the Kings is an NHL all-star for the first time, named Wednesday to play for the World Team against the North America Team Feb. 2 at Staples Center.

He’ll be joined by his more celebrated teammate, Slovak winger Ziggy Palffy, who will be playing in his third All-Star game.

While Palffy might have been selected on name value alone--he has played in little more than half of the Kings’ 46 games because of various injuries--Modry’s selection was a reward for the most productive season of his career. With 36 games still to play, Modry, 30, already has a career-high 26 points, tops among King defensemen.

“It’s nice to get recognized,” said Modry, tied for third among NHL defensemen with 24 assists. “You believe in something and it pays off for you, it’s great.”

Said Coach Andy Murray: “I think it’s a situation where he’s just gotten better with age ... I think he’s been more competitive. He would say it’s because he’s getting more ice time, and I would say he’s getting more ice time because he’s more competitive. He’s just playing harder. He’s playing good hockey.”

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The Kings are expected to allow Palffy and Lubomir Visnovsky to play for Slovakia in an Olympic preliminary-round game against Latvia on Feb. 10 at Salt Lake City. They will not miss any King games.... With Eric Belanger listed as day to day after suffering a wrist injury Tuesday night, the Kings recalled forward Brad Chartrand from their American Hockey League team at Manchester, N.H.

TONIGHT

vs. Buffalo, Fox Sports Net 2

Site--Staples Center.

Radio--KSPN (1110).

Records--Kings 20-17-7-2, Sabres 19-22-4-1.

Record vs. Sabres (2000-01)--1-1.

Update--Tuesday’s victory moved the Kings into a playoff slot but Murray saw no reason to celebrate. “I’m no more excited today to be in eighth place,” he said Wednesday, “than I was yesterday to be in ninth place because I know that things can change so much in the remaining 36 games.”

Jerry Crowe