Slow starts are leading to losses

The late-arriving crowd has become part of the culture for Los Angeles sporting events. The Kings, though, have added to that reputation. They have become a late-arriving team.

The Kings have given up the first goal in eight consecutive games -- a trend that has contributed to their slide in the Western Conference. The Kings are 14th in the conference entering tonight’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

“Our New Year’s resolution should be to score the first goal,” center Craig Conroy said. “Everyone talks about the percentage of teams who win when they score the first goal. It’s overwhelming. We definitely realize how important it is to get that first goal.”

The Kings have needed a wake-up call after the national anthem all season long: They have been outscored in the first period, 51-32, and have a 8-16-2 record when the opponent scores first.

The last time the Kings scored the first goal in a game was in a 4-2 victory over the San Jose Sharks on Dec. 14. In the eight games since, they have been outscored in the first period 15-3.

“It’s a matter of execution from the start,” Coach Marc Crawford said. “Maybe it’s putting together good offensive shifts, or not staying on the ice too long on a shift, or making that one big save or taking one less penalty.”

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Forward Scott Thornton is out at least two weeks because of a broken bone in his left wrist. He suffered the injury against Edmonton on Thursday.

TONIGHT

vs. Columbus, 7:30, FSN West

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- 1150.

Records -- Kings 14-22-5, Blue Jackets 15-20-4.

Record vs. Blue Jackets -- 0-1.

Update -- The Blue Jackets are 10-7-3 since Ken Hitchcock took over as coach, good enough to slip past the Kings in the Western Conference standings. The Kings’ Alexander Frolov has four goals and eight points in the last four games.

Tickets -- (888) 546-4752.

chris.foster@latimes.com