Two Wins Give Team a Lift

In a matter of two days, this trip is looking a lot better to the Kings.

Back-to-back victories over the Mighty Ducks and Phoenix Coyotes will give the Kings a bounce, or so they hope, going into a three-game set at Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton this week.

“These are the tough games. Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton are all playing well, so to have a good feeling going in helps,” Coach Andy Murray said.

The Kings had lost seven of 10 games before rallying to beat the Ducks in a shootout Friday. They followed that with a 4-1 victory over Phoenix on Saturday.

“I talked to players about the standard they set [Friday night] and they want to adhere to that,” Murray said. “The bottom line is they enjoyed playing that game and enjoyed the gratifying feeling afterwards. Why would you want to have it any other way?”

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Forward Jeff Cowan did not make the trip after aggravating a hamstring injury during a workout Sunday. Cowan has missed the last three games. Murray said that Cowan may join the Kings later on the trip.

Forward George Parros, sidelined 14 games with a high ankle sprain, made the trip and could play this week.

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TONIGHT

at Vancouver, 7, FSN West

Site -- General Motors Place.

Radio -- 710.

Records -- Kings 20-13-1, Canucks 20-9-3.

Record vs. Canucks -- 1-0-0.

Update -- Mathieu Garon will start in goal for the Kings, who plan to use the same lineup as the last two games. Vancouver’s Anson Carter has three goals in his last two games. He has 10 goals and 18 points. Carter did not score a goal for the Kings in 15 games after being acquired in a trade during the 2003-04 season. Vancouver’s Henrik Sedin has a seven-game point streak, with two goals and 11 points.