Time for Smolinski, Heinze to Fill the Void

Center Bryan Smolinski has not scored a goal in his last 26 games, right wing Steve Heinze in his last 25.

Their lack of production hasn’t crippled the Kings, who are 13-7-3-2 since Heinze scored his 15th goal Jan. 15 against Nashville, 12-7-3-2 since Smolinski scored his 12th Jan. 17 against Buffalo.

But Coach Andy Murray fears it might catch up with the Kings.

“We actually haven’t needed them to score,” Murray said.

“Whether it’s 25 or 26 games without a goal, whatever it is, it didn’t matter because we didn’t need the goals. But we’re going to need them now.... We think in this next short segment of [eight] games they’re going to be necessary.”

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Cliff Ronning, Nashville’s leading scorer before he was traded two weeks ago, is scoreless in six games with the Kings.

“Cliff’s been getting two or three good chances a game,” Murray said, “so we have to think those are the same goalies he was scoring against when he was with Nashville, so he’ll get his [points].”

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TONIGHT

at Calgary, 6 PST

Site--Pengrowth Saddledome.

Radio--KSPN (1110).

Records--Kings 36-24-10-4, Flames 28-31-12-3.

Record vs. Flames--0-2-1.

Update--The Kings and Flames have gone in opposite directions since their last game, a 2-0 Calgary victory Dec. 3 at L.A. in which tJarome Iginla scored his fifth goal in three games against L.A. The Kings are 28-11-7-2 since then, the Flames 14-25-7-1.

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Jerry Crowe