Playoff Hopes Hinge on Trip

There is no way to overrate the importance of the Kings’ three-game trip into Western Canada, which begins tonight against the Vancouver Canucks.

The Kings have tumbled out of a Western Conference playoff spot, sitting in 10th place, a point behind Vancouver and the San Jose Sharks, and three behind the Edmonton Oilers. The Kings play the Calgary Flames on Wednesday, then face the Oilers the next night.

“We have to win at least two of three, and the two we have to win are Vancouver and Edmonton,” assistant captain Craig Conroy said. “Those are four-point games. This trip we’ll let us know where we stand.”

There is good news and bad news for the Kings heading into the trip.

Their power play, ranked 27th in the NHL, produced three goals in the second period of a 6-4 victory over Nashville on Saturday, one more than it had scored in the previous six games.

However, Aaron Miller and Tim Gleason, often used as a tandem against the opponent’s best scoring line, have struggled with season-long injuries. Miller has battled back problems and Gleason has a knee injury. The injuries are reflected in their plus-minus of late. In the Kings’ 11 games in March, Miller and Gleason are both minus-11.

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Jeremy Roenick’s difficult and unlucky season could be over, pending tests on his right ankle today.

Roenick suffered a chip fracture when blocking a shot during the victory over Nashville Saturday. He will undergo an MRI exam and CT scan today to determine its severity.

“That’s how my season has gone,” Roenick said. “If I didn’t have bad luck, I’d have no luck at all.”

The injury could bring an end to Roenick’s time with the Kings.

“I would like to be back, but there’s not a chance they want me back next year,” Roenick said.

Roenick’s season has been filled with injuries and unfulfilled expectations. Acquired in a trade from Philadelphia, he arrived at training camp out of shape, then suffered a concussion in an exhibition game. He broke a finger during the season and has struggled to adapt to the faster pace of NHL games.

More turmoil came from revelations that Roenick participated as a bettor in an alleged gambling ring run by Phoenix Coyote assistant coach Rick Tocchet and a New Jersey state trooper.

Tim Leiweke, the Kings’ chief executive officer, singled out Roenick as a disappointment last week. Roenick, who is in the last year of a contract that pays him $4.94 million this season, has career lows in goals (eight) and points (18).