Eastern Exposure to Lessen Next Season

The Kings have mixed feelings about a change in the NHL schedule starting next season that will result in one more game against each of their division rivals and four fewer outside their conference.

In the Kings’ case, they’ll play six games each against the Ducks, Dallas Stars, San Jose Sharks and Phoenix Coyotes, four each against the other 10 teams in the Western Conference and 18 total against Eastern Conference foes. They’ll play each team in the East at least once, only three home and away.

“I can argue both sides of it,” General Manager Dave Taylor said. “We’ve polled our fans in the past and they like to see Philadelphia come into our building. They like to see the Rangers come in, Montreal, Toronto.

“We don’t want to move completely away [from inter-conference play]. We understand that rivalries are important and they help teams attendance-wise, but we’re maybe not as focused on pure divisional play as some other teams.”

TONIGHT

at Buffalo, 4 PST

Fox Sports Net

Site -- HSBC Arena.

Radio -- KSPN (710).

Records -- Kings 25-27-4-4, Sabres 17-29-7-5.Record vs. Sabres (2001-02) -- 1-0.

Update -- The Sabres’ record is the NHL’s worst, but the Kings are 0-6-1 at Buffalo since March 15, 1993.