Avery Has a Target on His Back

Kings forward Sean Avery skated behind the net and appeared to be tripped by a New York Islander on Tuesday. Play continued. In the same game, the Islanders’ Brendan Witt leveled Avery after the whistle. Referees missed it.

This is life with a bull’s-eye, the Kings say.

“It’s a difficult job for anyone to go out there with a big target on their back,” forward Scott Thornton said.

Avery earned such hands-on, and elbows-on, attention last season with conduct and comments that oozed controversy.

But as of yet, he does not lead the NHL in penalty minutes, and the Kings have avoided the need to write a blanket apology.

Sure, it has been only three games, but it took him only four last season to earn the most-hated-man-in-the-NHL title.

Still, there have been moments, as when Avery made a big show of pointing out to referees that he was being held during Friday’s season opener with the Ducks. And he already has two penalties for unsportsmanlike conduct this season. Avery led the NHL in penalty minutes the last two seasons.

“We know that he plays with a rambunctious style, an aggressive style, and we don’t want him to lose that part of his game, but we’ve talked with him about not taking so many penalties,” Coach Marc Crawford said.

“We want him to give the referees respect. He has a reputation, and a well-deserved one, and it’s going to take time to lose it.... I think Sean has realized that if he is in the penalty box all the time, he’s not getting as much ice time.”

Penalties may be unavoidable as opposing players seek Avery out. The Ducks’ Samuel Pahlsson buried him into the boards behind the net early in Friday’s game. Pahlsson clobbered Avery again at the final horn.

Witt zeroed in on Avery on Tuesday night. After that post-whistle hit, Avery responded by spearing Witt, who then knocked Avery to the ice. Avery got two minutes for slashing; Witt got two for roughing and two for cross-checking. Asked whether it was difficult having players trying to push his buttons, Avery responded with his usual bravado, “I’m trying to push theirs. I goaded [Witt] into a penalty.”

Avery has worked on his rehabilitation, mostly by trying to limit his time with the media. He no longer lingers in the dressing room, injecting commentary.

“He’s matured maybe,” center Derek Armstrong said. “I think he’s realized as he’s gotten older that not everybody is against him. He can be an unbelievably effective player.”

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TONIGHT

vs. Dallas, 7:30, FSNW

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- 1150.

Records -- Kings 2-1-0, Stars 2-0-0.

Record vs. Stars (2005-06) -- 6-2-0.

Update -- Kings center Alyn McCauley, who underwent arthroscopic surgery on his knee Monday, said he hoped to start riding the stationary bicycle in the next few days. Eric Lindros, a player the Kings pursued as a free agent during the off-season, has a goal and an assist for the Stars in two games.

Tickets -- (888) 546-4752.

chris.foster@latimes.com