When Going Gets Tough, Try Curling

With the struggling Kings having lost 10 of 13 games, Coach Andy Murray offered a diversion Friday, taking them curling.

“You need to do these things every so often just to bring things into perspective and make you realize that you need to smile and laugh sometimes,” he said. “Our game is so intense, so demanding at all times that I think doing this will help our team as much as a practice. You try to offer some balance.”

Nine Western Conference teams have better records than the Kings’. Although the Kings won’t make the playoffs unless they finish among the top eight, Murray said his players should not concern themselves with the chase.

“We’re not trying to catch Edmonton, we’re not trying to catch Minnesota, we’re not trying to catch Colorado,” he said, naming three teams ahead of the Kings. “We know how many points we have to get to get into the playoffs.

“If you start thinking about the teams you’ve got to catch, you’re not going to get the job done on a nightly basis.”

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An MRI test in Los Angeles showed no serious damage in Kip Brennan’s left knee, which was injured Thursday night. His status was listed as week to week.... Ian Laperriere, receiving treatment for a back injury, sat out the curling tournament. His status for tonight’s game will be determined this morning.... Eric Belanger was put on injured reserve because of a back strain, and rookie Michael Cammalleri was recalled from the Kings’ American Hockey League team at Manchester, N.H.

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TONIGHT

at Calgary, 7 PST

Fox Sports Net

Site -- Pengrowth Saddledome.

Radio -- KSPN (710).

Records -- Kings 18-20-4-3, Flames 14-22-7-3.

Record vs. Flames (2001-02) -- 0-3-1.

Update -- The Flames, who were 4-0-1 in their first five games under new Coach Darryl Sutter, are 0-4-1 since.