Eddie Olczyk

The Kings' team morale is at a season-low after losing for the 11th time in their last 15 games, 6-2, at Buffalo Friday night. "[King Coach Larry Robinson] is frustrated and so is everybody in our locker room," defenseman Rob Blake said. "But, frustration is not going to help us win any games." * The Kings' power play was zero for three, stretching the unit's scoreless streak to 36. . . . After missing four games with the flu, forward Eddie Olczyk returned to the lineup on Friday night. . . .

King enforcer Matt Johnson left Wednesday night's 4-0 loss to the New York Rangers in the first period because of a right shoulder strain. He will be evaluated today and is questionable for Friday's game at Buffalo. With Johnson out, left wing Brent Grieve was forced to work double shifts in his first game back since being called up from Phoenix, the Kings' International Hockey League affiliate.

Sam McMaster may no longer be the general manager for the Kings, but his last trade before being replaced by Dave Taylor is turning out to be a key deal, thanks to the emergence of right wing Glen Murray. Murray, traded from Pittsburgh for Eddie Olczyk on March, 18, 1997, scored his third goal in his last two games in the Kings' 3-2 victory over Phoenix on Saturday. Murray has 24 goals, tying him with Yanic Perreault for the team lead.

In his third game since being recalled from the minors, forward Jeff Shevalier was used on the Kings' top power play unit against Toronto on Thursday night at the Forum. "Shevy is one of our better guys along the boards," King Coach Larry Robinson said. "He has good hands and can get the puck out." The move paid off immediately. Shevalier assisted on Eddie Olczyk's power-play goal in the third period. * Forward Vitali Yachmenev returned to the lineup after sitting out a game because of the flu.

To remain in the playoff hunt, the Kings will need veterans such as Ray Ferraro, Eddie Olczyk, Rob Blake and Kevin Stevens to help lead the way. That is what happened Monday night, when the Kings rallied from a three-goal deficit to tie the Detroit Red Wings, 3-3, at the Forum. Ferraro scored the game-tying goal midway through the third period. Olczyk had brought the Kings within a goal with his goal late in the second.