from Rich Hammond of the OC Register,

''It’s pretty simple,’’ defenseman Drew Doughty said. ''We just need to be a better hockey team. We know the potential we have when we’re on our game, and we haven’t lived up to that potential hardly at all, this entire season. All of us in here, we know what we’ve got to do to be better, individually and as a team.’’

Doughty estimated that the Kings have been satisfied with their effort in only approximately half of their 24 games this season.

''We’re not panicking because we know the experience and heart we have on this team,’’ Doughty said, ''and we know that we’re going to turn it around.’’

Early-game play remains a significant concern for the Kings, who have held a lead after the first period in only one of their last eight games.

read on