Storr Blows His Chance to Shine

A losing effort in relief of Felix Potvin on Wednesday night against the Mighty Ducks was the latest example of Jamie Storr squandering a chance to take over as the Kings’ No. 1 goaltender.

Storr has been unable to fill the breach while Potvin, eligible for unrestricted free agency this summer, has struggled to regain the form he showed last season in compiling a career-best 2.31 goals-against average.

Before Thursday’s games, the Kings had given up fewer shots on goal than any other team in the Western Conference, but Potvin and Storr had combined for an .888 save percentage, which ranks 29th in a 30-team league.

Against the Ducks, Storr relieved Potvin at the start of the second period with the Kings trailing, 3-0. The Kings rallied to score five unanswered goals before Storr gave up three in the last 8:41 of a 6-5 loss.

After going 9-4-3 with a 1.90 GAA and .922 save percentage last season, Storr was positioned to move up if Potvin faltered. But while Potvin began Thursday night’s game with a 16-17-3 record, 2.65 GAA and .893 save percentage, Storr was 2-8-1 with a 3.07 GAA and .888 save percentage.

“He hasn’t seized the No. 1 job,” Coach Andy Murray said of Storr, who has not finished a season with a record below .500 since he was 1-3-1 as a 20-year-old in the 1994-95 season and has never finished a season with a save percentage of lower than .899. “Was it up there for grabs? Our goaltending hasn’t been good, so ... “

He didn’t finish the thought, but the implication was clear.