Suddenly, Sights Set on Fifth Place in West

Intriguing thought of the day, if not the season, for the Kings: If they win tonight in regulation, they will be in fifth place in the Western Conference.

With a healthy Jason Allison, Adam Deadmarsh and Ziggy Palffy, it was thought to be a possibility. Without them, it was thought to be See Ya Next Season, if there is such a thing after the collective bargaining agreement expires in September.

But the Kings have pressed onward, upward and into playoff contention with 20 games left in the regular season.

Each victory seems to unveil a new player or a fresh twist, Ian Laperriere the latest King to step to the forefront. Known more for his checking-line aggressiveness, Laperriere has four goals in the last two games, including two goals Monday in a 3-0 victory over the Nashville Predators. Michael Cammalleri also scored Monday in his second game back from a seven-week exile to the minor leagues.

And now, with tonight’s game against the Dallas Stars, the chance to move from ninth in the West -- where they were before Monday’s game -- to fifth, over the course of two games.

Poor penalty killing plagued the Kings in a 4-3 loss to Dallas last Wednesday, but they get a quick chance for redemption tonight in the last of six games involving the teams.

“They’re right ahead of us in the standings,” said center Eric Belanger, who had four assists in the last two games. “We’re going to go after them. We want to get our points back.”

Meanwhile, forwards Martin Straka and Dustin Brown continue to improve and could practice with the team at the end of the week.

Straka has sat out 20 games since undergoing surgery to remove cartilage from both knees. Brown has been sidelined 10 games since aggravating a severely sprained left ankle.

“[For Straka], I would say it depends on how he does over the next couple days,” King General Manager Dave Taylor said. “He’s been skating on his own and pushing it pretty good.”

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After tonight, the Kings have games Saturday and Sunday against the Mighty Ducks before beginning a stretch of eight of their next 10 games at Staples Center.

“I think our schedule is not bad,” Taylor said. “But we’ve been as effective on the road as we have been at home. Certainly we like playing at home in front of our fans, but we believe we can play anywhere.”

The Kings are 12-9-8-1 at home and 12-8-6-6 on the road. Their eight road losses in regulation are the second fewest in the West.

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The Kings signed assistant general manager Kevin Gilmore to a multiyear contract extension. Gilmore, 39, is in his fifth season. His contract was set to expire in July.

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TONIGHT

at Dallas, 5:30 PST

Site -- American Airlines Center.

Radio -- KSPN (710).

Records -- Kings 24-17-14-7, Stars 30-22-10-0.

Record vs. Stars -- 2-2-1-0.

Update -- The Stars are on an 11-3-2 surge that has put them in the thick of the West playoff race. Mike Modano had two goals and the Stars scored twice on the power play in a 4-3 victory over the Kings last Wednesday at Staples Center. Cristobal Huet stopped 21 shots Monday in the Kings’ 3-0 victory over Nashville.