51.   Then the would-be king played one of his infamously near self-destructive games while serving for the match.

52.   They pulled within two points of Phoenix for fifth place in the Western Conference and the Kings have played two fewer games than the Coyotes.

53.   Trouble is, the Kings have been playing well.

54.   Truth is, as well as the Kings have played, the Avalanche has played better.

55.   Tuesday,the Kings play the Predators in Nashville then fly back to Los Angeles, where they play Vancouver on Thursday.

56.   Unlike the past two seasons, which began on the road, the Kings play their first two games at Staples Center.

57.   X-rays were negative, and Blake said Friday he expects to be in uniform Tuesday, when the Kings play the Colorado Avalanche at the Forum.

58.   However, the Kings have played poorly since.

59.   In any case, Gretzky may well be in the lineup Wednesday night when the Kings play at home against Tampa Bay.

60.   McMaster made the comments in an interview Sunday with The Canadian Press from Winnipeg, Manitoba, where the Kings play the Jets tonight.