Let Record Show, Palffy Is Key

Coach Andy Murray has often said of the Kings, “Our game is all about team. It’s not so much about individual stars.”

But believe this: It’s much better with Ziggy Palffy.

In 90 regular-season games since the start of last season, the Kings are 15 games above .500 with Palffy in the lineup, an even .500 without him.

This season, they are 2-0-1 with Palffy, including a victory and a tie against the defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings, and 2-2-1 in the games the high-scoring right wing has sat out because of a strained left groin.

“He makes the whole team look better,” defenseman Jaroslav Modry said of Palffy, who is expected to sit out again tonight when the Kings play the Atlanta Thrashers. “He makes everything easier.”

Although he sat out 14 games last season because of a broken rib and five because of back spasms, Palffy led the Kings with 32 goals, among them a club-high 15 on the power play, and ranked third with 59 points.

*

TONIGHT

At Atlanta, 4:30 PST

Fox Sports Net

Site -- Philips Arena.

Radio -- KSPN (1110).

Records -- Kings 4-2-2, Thrashers 0-7-0-1.

Record vs. Thrashers -- (2001-02) 1-0.

Update -- Erik Rasmussen, who sat out Sunday’s 5-1 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets because of a sore back, is expected to return to the lineup for the Kings. Six of the Thrashers’ eight losses have been by one goal.

*

Jerry Crowe