Straka Makes Progress

Then there’s the injured King forward who is ahead of schedule: Martin Straka is expected back before the initial end-of-March estimate, perhaps two weeks earlier than anticipated.

Straka underwent surgery Jan. 22 to remove cartilage in both knees, but he resumed skating, without contact, this week. Acquired Nov. 30 from the Pittsburgh Penguins, Straka had six goals and five assists in 18 games with the Kings before a knee-to-knee collision Jan. 10 with Columbus defenseman Anders Eriksson.

“It’s coming around a little quicker than anticipated,” Coach Andy Murray said. “He’s just skating lightly right now, but he is feeling pretty good. The end of March is what everybody said and if he comes back before that, I think it’s a bonus.”

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Goaltender Roman Cechmanek has been parts brilliant and bumbling the last few games, nothing short of a five-month microcosm for him since the season began.

At his worst, Cechmanek surrendered a 65-foot goal Feb. 3 against the Calgary Flames and, two games later, had the puck stolen by Columbus Blue Jacket winger David Vyborny for a game-winning goal 1:58 into overtime Wednesday night.

“It’s disappointing,” Murray said. “We’re disappointed we didn’t get to use the last three minutes to go for the win.”

Cechmanek, however, was stellar in a 3-1 victory Tuesday over the Minnesota Wild.

TONIGHT

at Buffalo, 5, PST

Site -- HSBC Arena.

Radio -- KSPN (710).

Records -- Kings 22-15-13-6, Sabres 24-26-5-1.

Record vs. Sabres -- 0-1-0-0.

Update -- One of the Kings’ most uninspiring efforts this season was a 5-1 home loss Oct. 23 to the Sabres.