Streak Never a Concern

The Kings ended their longest winless streak in 22 seasons and did something strange.

Nothing.

They calmly skated over to goaltender Roman Cechmanek, patted him on the head and headed off single file to the locker room. Once there, players and coaches alike claimed to care little about the slide that lasted 33 days and 14 games, the third-longest winless streak in franchise history.

“We don’t come in the room and go, ‘The streak, the streak,’ ” forward Ian Laperriere said after Sunday’s 2-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. “We read more about it in the paper than we talk about it in the room. We knew we were going to come out of it one day or another.”

The Kings had a fairly profitable four-game trip, securing five of a possible eight points.

A few truths were discovered along the way.

Captain Mattias Norstrom seems to have regained his balance after a recent stretch of marginal play and Cechmanek can steal a game.

Second-year left wing Alexander Frolov could be the team’s next great offensive threat, based on his undressing of Chicago defenseman Johnathan Aitken en route to Sunday’s go-ahead goal.

At the very least, the Kings no longer have to talk about their failure to win a game since Dec. 16.

“I think the biggest thing is we ... got points in every game on the trip,” Coach Andy Murray said. “I don’t even think about the other part [of ending the streak].”

TONIGHT

vs. Calgary, 7:30, Fox Sports Net

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- KSPN (710).

Records -- Kings 17-14-10-5, Flames 23-15-4-3.

Record vs. Flames (2002-03) -- 1-1-0-2.

Update -- The Flames’ offense is below average and their special teams are in the lower half of the league. But their defense has allowed the fewest goals in the Western Conference and has thrust the Flames into playoff contention.