Road Woes Contribute to Slide

NASHVILLE — In their first three seasons under Coach Andy Murray, the Kings posted winning records on the road, a key factor in reaching the playoffs.

But among the Kings’ other problems over the last two months, as they’ve fallen out of the playoff picture, has been an inability to win away from home.

Since winning at Dallas, 3-0, on Dec. 11, they’ve lost 10 of 11 road games, among them their last six. They’re 8-13-3-4 outside Staples Center and will have to win 10 of their last 13 road games, starting tonight against the Nashville Predators, to match the 18 road victories they posted in each of the last three seasons.

Of course, their troubles have not been limited to the road.

As Murray said Monday: “There was a period of time where we couldn’t win at home or on the road.

“As one famous coach said, ‘My only problem was, I couldn’t figure out any other place to play.’ ”

The Kings have suffered from a lack of firepower in their last 11 road games, scoring one goal or fewer eight times.

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Ian Laperriere, who had knee surgery eight days ago, skated Monday. The Kings are “cautiously optimistic” that he will play tonight, Murray said.... Scott Barney was reassigned to the Kings’ American Hockey League team at Manchester, N.H. ... Injured regulars Eric Belanger and Lubomir Visnovsky have resumed skating in El Segundo and are close to returning to the lineup, Murray said.

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TONIGHT

At Nashville, 5 PST

Site -- Gaylord Entertainment Center.

Radio -- KSPN (710).

Records -- Kings 22-25-4-4, Predators 18-23-9-4.

Record vs. Predators -- 2-1.

Update -- If rookie Jared Aulin is unable to play tonight because of a sore elbow, 26-year-old Chris Schmidt is expected to get the call, becoming the 11th rookie to play for the Kings this season, the eighth to make his NHL debut.