Defense Becoming Name of Their Game

The Kings don’t have a reputation as one of the NHL’s top defensive teams, but maybe they should.

Before Thursday night’s game against St. Louis, they had surrendered 153 goals. Only four teams in the league--Colorado, St. Louis, Detroit and Philadelphia--had given up fewer.

“We’ve had most of our success this year when we’ve played a solid defensive game,” King left wing Craig Johnson said. “So, when you look at our team, you would have to look at defense as the No. 1 priority for us. You know the old saying, ‘Defense creates offense,’ that is true with us.”

King Coach Andy Murray credits his team’s defensive surge to the improvement of goaltenders Felix Potvin and Jamie Storr.

Potvin, who has started 37 of the Kings’ last 43 games, has a .918 save percentage, and Storr would have the second best goals-against average in the league if he started more games.

That’s one reason why the Kings are confident for the stretch run.

“We had a successful run in our last 17 games last year and we’re looking to do the same this season,” Johnson said. “We’re in [fifth] place [in the Western Conference] right now, but with a couple of losses, we’d be right out of the playoff picture.

“Each and every game is so important now. It’s going to keep getting more and more important right to the end of the season.”

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Ian Laperriere’s wife, Magali, and Storr’s wife, Niki, are due to give birth any day.