They’re Weak Against the West

With Monday night’s 7-2 loss to the Dallas Stars, the Kings dropped to 10-15-3 against Western Conference opponents, and 15 of their next 16 games will be against fellow conference opponents.

“But there is no throwing the towel in with this team because we know we’re three wins away from being a playoff team,” King goalie Byron Dafoe said. “Even though we keep giving these games away, we’re still right there. All we have to do is get hot and put a few games together. Then, it’s a whole new story.”

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Left wing Kevin Stevens’ goal 23 seconds into the first period against the Stars was the quickest goal the Kings have scored this season. Ray Ferraro had the previous mark, 46 seconds, against the Boston Bruins on Nov. 4.

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Forward Matt Johnson--the Kings’ best fighter--did not play for the third game since returning from a right shoulder injury on Jan. 7 after a shoulder injury. In Johnson’s last six games, the Kings are 4-1-1. . . . Defenseman Aki Berg was not in uniform for the first time since he was recalled from the minors on Jan. 6. Berg is not injured. Defenseman Jan Vopat (ankle) and forward Ian Laperriere (hip) did not play because of injuries.