KINGS TONIGHT

vs. Phoenix, 7:30, FSNW

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- 1150.

Records -- Kings 12-20-5, Coyotes 13-20-1.

Record vs. Coyotes -- 2-2.

Update -- First the Chicago Blackhawks left the Kings behind, then the Columbus Blue Jackets slipped by them in the standings. Now here come the Coyotes, who could drop the Kings into 14th place in the Western Conference with a victory tonight. And the St. Louis Blues are lurking only three points behind. The Kings have given up 21 goals during their current four-game losing streak and have given up at least four goals in 18 of 37 games. Goaltender Dan Cloutier, given a two-year, $6.2-million contract extension before the season, has started in net in 13 of those games. Coach Marc Crawford has had a two-day Christmas break to exhale and ponder whether to continue to start Cloutier, who was sent to the dressing room by referees Saturday after an on-ice meltdown in a 7-0 loss to the Nashville Predators.

The bright side for the Kings? At their current pace, they will fall well short of the team record for most goals given up in a season, 389 in 1985-86. The team record for losses, 52 in 1969-70, also seems out of reach.

Tickets -- (888) 546-4752.

-- Chris Foster