It’s an old story for Kings

The Kings’ dressing room has begun to resemble a fraternity house during rush week, with lots of 20-somethings seeking membership.

John Zeiler and Lauri Tukonen are the latest to join the party, as the Kings’ season has reached the point there is nothing to lose but another game and youth can be served, though their IDs need to be checked.

The Kings can afford to offer such opportunities, as their Stanley Cup playoff plans have been reduced to a couch, a pizza and a six-pack. Newbie Kings saw some reasons why the postseason hopes have evaporated in a 3-2 loss to the Vancouver Canucks Thursday.

The Kings and the announced 17,737 at Staples Center saw a familiar routine of wasted opportunities. They had eight power plays, but scored only one goal. They controlled much of the third period, out-shooting the Canucks, 14-4, yet they went down to their 15th defeat in 19 games when Kevin Bieksa converted a one-timer to break a 2-2 tie 16 minutes 4 seconds into the third period.

“We seem to have games like this against the best teams in the league,” forward Alexander Frolov said. “We played a good game, especially in the third period, but let it get away in the last five minutes.”

The Kings were left with Tukonen’s baptism and Zeiler’s first NHL goal as post-game keepsakes.

“Everyone is starting to look 19 around here,” said 24-year-old Frolov, who said that there are so many younger players on the team now that “I’m starting think I’m going to have a mid-life crises. I’m think I’m one of the older guys now.”

Tukonen was the latest fresh face to come on the scene, as the 20-year old forward made his NHL debut Thursday.

That gave the Kings four of their last seven top picks in the lineup: Frolov, Tukonen, Dustin Brown and Anze Kopitar. They had six players under the age of 25, all of them forwards.

“Obviously, we have a lot guys here and they’re getting experience,” said Brown, who at 22 is already playing his third NHL season. “They’re getting a chance to learn how to play in the league.”

Zeiler, 24, is a latecomer to the Kings’ plans. He signed with Manchester, the Kings’ American Hockey League franchise in New Hampshire, and played well enough for the Kings to give him a contract last week. He rewarded that faith by banging in a no-look pass by Tom Kostopoulus for his first NHL goal 10 minutes into the game.

“It’s great just to be in the NHL, but to get that first goal is special,” said Zeiler, who was playing in his third NHL game.

Michael Cammalleri created the Kings’ second goal for a 2-2 tie 15 minutes into the second period. Cammalleri had a point-blank try stopped, but managed to dislodge the puck and Lubomir Visnovsky swooped in to chip a shot into an open net.

Those moments have come frequently for Cammalleri, who is 24 and in his third season. He has 11 goals and 29 points in his last 22 games and leads the Kings with 60 points.

Kings defenseman Mattias Norstrom returned to the lineup after missing one game with a sprained knee.

chris.foster@latimes.com