Kings hold off arch rival Stars 1-0 in tight game with playoffs approaching (4/01/06)

While the Kings held on to a 1-0 victory (this time over the division rivals, the Dallas
Stars), their playoff hopes remained in limbo. Mathieu Garon was sharp again in Goal and the
Kings played tough hockey with Jeremy Roenick scoring one his rare goals this season. 
Roenick has been a bust coming into camp out of shape and fighting off injuries all season
and has a career low 9 goals and 10 assists this year.  The Kings are still 3 points behind
the 8th and final playoff spot even though they held a 4 point lead over the Stars on Jan.
2nd.
     The Stars were missing allstar Mike Modano and steady defenseman Sergei Zubov.  It was
a close game throughout after
Roenick’s first period goal.  The Kings ended up taking 6 of the 8 games in the season
series this year.  Too bad they can’t play them more often.  Unless they turn it around
quickly, they will miss the playoffs again.
     Good news is that Pavol Demitra is set to return next game after getting hit in the
face by a puck during the winter Olympics.
     It is going to be a tough road ahead many of the Kings mentioned after the game. 
They said they have to take it one game at a time and try to play like they did earlier this
season.   Next up are the Vancouver Canucks before ending the season with 2 each vs. the
Ducks and Sharks and one each against Phoenix and Calgary.
     More info/schedule and tickets, go to  www.lakings.com