They Don’t Want to Duck the Issue

No more than 15 minutes after they wrapped up Saturday’s 4-1 victory over the Atlanta Thrashers, the Kings already were talking about Tuesday night’s game against the Mighty Ducks at Staples Center, and not only because it’s their next game.

“Trust me, they don’t want us to get those points,� forward Ian Laperriere said of the Ducks, who lead the Kings by eight points in the playoff race. “They don’t want us to be in the playoffs, and they want to solidify their own playoff position.

“We don’t want them in, either. We want their spot. It’s no big secret. It’s nothing personal. If we have to choose between them or us, I’ll choose us.�

Said Bryan Smolinski: “They’re right where we want to be.�

The Kings lead the season series, 2-1-1, and were 4-0-1 against their Orange Country rivals last season, but the Ducks ended a nine-game winless streak against the Kings with a 6-5 victory Jan. 22 at the Arrowhead Pond.

After squandering a 3-0 lead, the Ducks overcame a 5-3 third-period deficit to defeat the Kings for the first time since March 4, 2001.

“We’re excited for that game; it’s always a good game between the two of us,� King defenseman Aaron Miller said. “It was a sour loss last time we played them and we need these two points bad. We’re going to be ready.�

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King Coach Andy Murray, on his heavy use of Ziggy Palffy, who played more than 26 minutes against the Thrashers after playing nearly 29 two nights earlier against the Columbus Blue Jackets: “He wants to be out there. He’s like a young kid right now. Every time I go to make a line change, he’s kind of turned around looking at me like a panting dog, wanting to get on the ice. It’s great to see.�