Taylor Is Looking for Health, Not Help

Losers of six of their last seven games and eight of 10, the Kings have fallen below .500 for the first time in more than a year. Three of their top regulars are sidelined because of injuries, leading goal scorer Adam Deadmarsh indefinitely. Five players are eligible for unrestricted free agency this summer.

General Manager Dave Taylor, however, said he was no busier pursuing trades this week than he would be at any other time of the year.

“Our first choice would be to get everybody healthy,” he said. “We haven’t had a full healthy lineup for a game all year. We’re hoping that the bulk of our injuries were had in the first half of the season [and] we’ll have a healthier second half....

“We’ll see how we’re playing. It’s easier to say we’ll go make a trade than to actually go and do it. It’s difficult to say what type of players might be available by trade [or] what you might have to give up.... We’re always looking for an opportunity to help ourselves, but it has to fit within our structure.”

Taylor also continued to express his faith in Coach Andy Murray.

“We’ve had our problems,” he said of the Kings’ recent struggles, “but I think the coaches have been working their tails off. Unfortunately, we’ve been racked by injuries and I think that’s the biggest factor for the position we’re in and the way we’ve played probably the last 10 games or so.

“I think Andy’s been tremendous for us, and I think he and his staff are working hard to give us a chance to win every night.”

*

Mathieu Schneider and Jason Allison sat out practice Friday, Schneider because of a groin injury and Allison because of a cold.... In case Schneider can’t play tonight, Jason Holland was recalled from the Kings’ American Hockey League team at Manchester, N.H. Steve Kelly was sent down.... Before their last two losses, 7-4 to the Dallas Stars and 5-4 to the Edmonton Oilers, the Kings were 16-0-1-1 when they scored at least three goals.... Fifteen of the Kings’ last 40 games are against teams currently below them in the standings.

*

TONIGHT

vs. St. Louis, 7:30, Fox Sports Net

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- KSPN (710).

Records -- Kings 17-18-4-3, Blues 22-12-5-3.

Record vs. Blues -- 1-1-0-1.

Update -- Over the Kings’ last 10 games, among them a 5-0 loss to the Blues on Dec. 23, Felix Potvin is 2-5 with a 4.04 goals-against average and .850 save percentage, Jamie Storr 0-3 with a 4.00 GAA and .850 save percentage. Potvin, who made 34 saves in a 6-2 victory over the Blues on Dec. 17, will start tonight.

Tickets -- (888) 546-4752.