Defensemen Have Been Bright Spot This Season

With the Kings’ playoff chances all but gone, it’s difficult to find a bright spot for their disappointing season. One positive, however, has been scoring by defensemen.

Jaroslav Modry’s goal in the Kings’ 4-1 loss to Calgary on Tuesday gave King defensemen 41 goals, the most in the NHL as of Wednesday. Colorado is second with 38.

The goal was Modry’s 11th, which is four more than fellow defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky. Joe Corvo leads NHL rookie defensemen with five goals. Mathieu Schneider scored 14 goals before being traded to Detroit.

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Although winger Ziggy Palffy has cooled down some, with only one goal and four points in his last six games, he still has a chance to reach a rare milestone with 300 goals in his first 600 NHL games. Palffy, who leads the Kings with 31 goals and 74 points, has 296 goals and will play in his 599th game tonight against Tampa Bay.

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TONIGHT

vs. Tampa Bay, 7:30, Fox Sports Net

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- KSPN (1110).

Records -- Kings 30-34-5-4, Lightning 33-23-12-5.

Record vs. Lightning -- 0-1-0.

Update -- Tampa Bay leads the Southeast Division and is 8-1-1 against the Kings in Los Angeles. The last time the Kings defeated the Lightning at home was Nov. 6, 1997. Goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin made 26 saves to lead the Lightning to a 4-2 victory over the Kings last week at Tampa.

Tickets -- (888) 546-4752.