Players Handle Adversity

What the Kings have been through this season is beyond compare.

The deaths of scouts Ace Bailey and Mark Bavis in the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11. The severe injuries Coach Andy Murray suffered in an automobile accident on Feb. 15. Those incidents would test any team.

Yet the Kings begin their final 20 games four points behind first-place San Jose in the Pacific Division.

“This is a character team,” King captain Mattias Norstrom said. “Any of those things would have been good excuses not to perform on the ice. That is where character comes into play, that we have been professional in what we do. That showed in December when we turned out season around.”

The Kings are 21-7-5-1 since Dec. 9.

The Kings have also suffered key injuries. They lost defenseman Mathieu Schneider for 23 games, right wing Ziggy Palffy for 19 games and defenseman Aaron Miller for eight games. Center Eric Belanger has been out 16 games and counting.

Murray’s automobile accident added to the adversity. But the Kings have been able to turn difficult times into strengths.

“That’s from Ace and Mark,” center Ian Laperriere said. “We knew they wanted us to keep going. Their goal was for the Kings to be successful. It’s in the back of everyone’s mind, like extra motivation, because those two guys meant so much to the organization.

“Injuries are part of the game. Andy’s accident came out of nowhere. We’ve had obstacles all year and the guys have responded. That shows the character of everyone in this [dressing] room.”

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The Kings are still battling to make the playoffs, but they certainly are looking forward, not backward.

Of the Kings’ final 20 games, 17 are against teams that are either locks for the playoffs or are in the race for a playoff spot.

“This is the fun part of the game, the challenge down the stretch,” interim Coach Dave Tippett said. “It pushes your team to play to its capabilities. We’re very much in contention for a division title here, and that’s what we’re pushing toward.”

The Kings have three games remaining with San Jose and two with Dallas, the first tonight.

The Kings have been chasing San Jose, which has led the Pacific Division since Nov. 1. Dallas, which has won five consecutive division titles, is one point behind the Kings. San Jose has one game left with Dallas.

“All the teams around us are in the same situation, where you control your own fate,” Norstrom said. “That’s where you want to be in this time of the year. If you play well, good things can happen. It’s in our hands.”

TONIGHT

at Dallas, 5:30, Fox Sports Net

Site--American Airlines Center

Radio--ESPN (1110)

Records--Kings 29-21-9-3, Stars 29-21-7-4.

Record vs. Stars--1-2-0-0.

Update--The Kings recalled center Adam Mair from minor league Manchester. Mair has one goal in nine games with the Kings this season. The Stars’ three-game winning streak has been spurred by center Pierre Turgeon. Turgeon has four goals in six games after having only three in his previous 31 games, which included a career-high 22 games without a goal.