Kings can’t measure up to champs

Considering their position in the Eastern Conference playoff race, the Carolina Hurricanes know they can’t let any points get away if they want to defend their Stanley Cup title.

On Tuesday night, that meant avoiding a letdown against the Western Conference’s last-place team.

Scott Walker scored the go-ahead goal in the second period and David Tanabe had two assists to lead the Hurricanes past the Kings, 2-1, giving Carolina a needed win as it enters a key stretch of the schedule.

Ray Whitney also scored for the Hurricanes, who began the night in the eighth and final playoff spot in the conference.

“Right now you can’t worry about who you’re catching or who’s catching you,” said Walker, who scored his 17th goal of the season. “You’ve got to worry about the team you’re playing and get the two points.”

Alexander Frolov scored for the Kings, who have lost 13 of 16.

“We’re learning how to be a good team,” Kings Coach Marc Crawford said. “When you’re a good team, you find a way to scrap, fight and claw away at good teams. Carolina played well. They didn’t make a lot of mistakes. We didn’t play a spirited enough game.”