Defenders Also Scoring

Game-winning goals by Lubomir Visnovsky on Thursday night against the St. Louis Blues and Philippe Boucher on Monday night against the Chicago Blackhawks continued a two-year trend for King defensemen.

After leading the NHL in points by defensemen last season, the Kings are second this season to the Detroit Red Wings, even though All-Star Rob Blake was traded 13 months ago and Mathieu Schneider, their top-scoring defenseman last season, has sat out 26 games.

“That’s been a big plus, the offensive production of our defensemen,” Coach Andy Murray said Friday. “Our system is based on our defensemen getting up with the attack and being involved. But I guess we are somewhat surprised that we’ve gotten as much as we’ve gotten. If you looked at our defensemen, to say that we’re second in the league, people might say, ‘Wow.’”

Led by Jaroslav Modry, who has racked up a career-high 38 points, King defensemen have contributed 23 goals and 108 assists.

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Based on opponents’ records, the Kings’ remaining schedule is the toughest among the Western Conference playoff contenders.... The Kings are 4-3-2 in their last nine home games, even though they have not scored more than two goals in any of those games.... Since losing 10 of their first 12 one-goal games, the Kings have won 10 of their last 16.... Although he sat out the first three weeks of the season before his trade from the Boston Bruins, King center Jason Allison was tied for fourth in the league in assists and was second in power-play points before Friday’s games. He was tied for the league lead in power-play assists.

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TODAY

vs. Pittsburgh, noon

Site--Staples Center.

Radio--KSPN (1110).

Records--Kings 32-22-9-4, Penguins 26-31-6-4.

Record vs. Penguins--1-0.

Update--The Kings, 5-4 winners over the Penguins on Feb. 27 in Mario Lemieux’s season, possibly career, finale, play their last game against an Eastern Conference foe, and last against a sub.-500 opponent until their season finale against the Ducks. They are 10-8-1-2 against the East .

Tickets--(888) 546-4752.

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Jerry Crowe