Tapped Out by the Ties

The Kings are creating their own version of Morse code, their last three games ending in neither win nor loss, but tie-tie-tie.

They lost three-goal leads in two of the games, although the quality of competition made the effort partly acceptable, particularly with 12 players out Monday against the Vancouver Canucks.

Still, tie-tie-tie doesn’t beat win-win-win.

How important is the Kings’ next game, Friday in San Jose?

“If you back up the ties with a win, it’s going to look great,” right wing Trent Klatt said. “If the next game is a loss, it’s going to stink bad.”

The game is intriguing for other reasons besides the smell test. It is a surprising matchup involving the top two teams in the Pacific Division.

The Kings are two points ahead of the Sharks and have exceeded expectations partly because of an offense that has scored the third-most goals in the Western Conference. The Sharks have recovered from a 3-8-8 start with help from a five-game winning streak at the end of November.

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Goaltender Cristobal Huet will continue to start because Roman Cechmanek’s condition has not improved after he aggravated his injured left hip last Saturday against the Colorado Avalanche.

“We’re questioning right now whether to put him on injured reserve,” King Coach Andy Murray said. “He’s not responding well [to treatment].”

Huet is 4-4-3 this season with a 2.22 goals-against average. He had a career-best 40 saves in Monday’s 4-4 tie against the Canucks.

“It’s time for me to help the team while Roman is hurt and try to win more games before he comes back,” Huet said.

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Goaltender Milan Hnilicka and forward John Tripp were sent to minor league affiliate Manchester (N.H.) but they probably will be recalled before Friday’s game. Both players have family members in Manchester.