Demitra Puts In Time, Gets Kings Past Florida

This qualified as a booster shot.

Pavol Demitra struggles and gets his minutes slashed? The Florida Panthers come to town and Demitra scores two goals in a 3-1 victory by the Kings.

The Kings’ power play becomes a two-minute respite for opponents? The Panthers provide healing opportunities and even aid and abet on a goal.

Goaltender Mathieu Garon wobbles a little in a loss to Carolina? The Panthers provide a brisk workout, but cash in only one opportunity.

Basically, the Kings’ victory in Staples Center on Saturday afternoon was a chance to walk before they run. And that’s what they did, walk all over the Panthers.

“We’re tired of playing mediocre hockey,” defenseman Aaron Miller said.

So the Kings got help from a mediocre opponent to work through some issues. Demitra scored goals, Garon stopped pucks -- he had 35 saves -- and the Panthers, who seemed stuck in denial, demonstrated why they have lost 12 consecutive road games.

“To me, that L.A. team is nothing fancy,” said Joe Nieuwendyk, whose goal ruined Garon’s shutout 8 minutes 48 seconds into the third period. “That’s a team we should beat.”

The Panthers were the type of team the Kings needed to play -- desperately -- after losing six of their previous eight games. A similar team arrives Wednesday, when the Washington Capitals come to Staples Center. Florida is 13th and Washington is 14th in the Eastern Conference.

After that, the Kings play nine games against Western Conference teams, seven on the road. They play five games against Pacific Division teams in that stretch.

“We’re playing teams that are below .500, we had to get this win today and we have to get the one on Wednesday,” Miller said.

Saturday was a good starting point.

Demitra was benched for part of the Kings’ 3-2 loss to Carolina on Thursday. He didn’t take that well, judging by his performance Saturday.

With the Kings on the power play, Demitra fired a shot that went off the skate of Florida’s Jay Bouwmeester and into the net for a 1-0 Kings’ lead 18:25 into the game. The Kings were three for 54 on the power play in their previous eight games.

“I thought his pursuit of the puck was better today,” Coach Andy Murray said.

Demitra added an exclamation point to his performance, taking a clearing pass from Craig Conroy and toying with goaltender Roberto Luongo. Demitra alternately showed and hid the puck before slipping in a backhander for a short-handed goal, giving the Kings a 2-0 lead 14:58 into the second period.

“I was thinking, ‘He’s going right, no left, no right.’ That was nice to watch,” Conroy said. “Pavs was a little upset with losing minutes the last game. That makes him dangerous.”

Demitra, who leads the Kings with 16 goals and 38 points, snorted a laugh when asked about his loss of playing time.

“I got a lot of ice time today and felt good out there,” Demitra said. “That’s what I hope for every game.”

More important, he said, was the victory.

“We had a strong first 20 games,” Demitra said. “We have to get back to that level.”

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King forward Jeff Cowan left Saturday’s game in the second period because of a groin injury.