Kings' Patrick O'Sullivan back on top line

The Kings have been shut out four times in 17 games -- only two fewer than the entire 2007-008 season -- and have scored only 17 goals in their last nine games.

You don’t need a degree in Hockey 101 to know what that means: new lines.

After Sunday’s 2-0 loss to the Ducks, Kings’ Coach Terry Murray moved Patrick O’Sullivan onto the Kings’ top line with Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown. The three played together much of last season, with all finishing with career highs in goals and points. But the trio spent only part of one game together this season.

"We’re looking for some offense," Murray said. "When we broke training camp I felt we would have some scoring on a pretty consistent basis. I came out of that game thinking we had some good opportunities and came up short.

"I’m going to try to get Sully going individually and, hopefully, add something to that line to get them results."

The Kings average only 2.41 goals per game for 25th in the league.

-- Chris Foster

Photo: Patrick O'Sullivan, center, celebrates his goal with Dustin Brown, left, and Jarret Stoll in a game last month against the Ducks. Credit: Chris Carlson / Associated Press

Comments

[gloria]

Let's see, the Kings' offense has been sputtering since Day 1 yet it has taken Coach Murray almost 1/4 of the season to commit to play Sully with Brownie and Kopi after each player had career highs in goals and points playing on a line together last season? Can't imagine why this guy was available when we needed a new coach....

[Denny]

C'mon O'Sullivan, score a goal so you keep your place on the top line. This is why you held out during training camp for more money, right? Show us what you can do. And for the love of puck, keep Jason LaBarbera as far away from the ice as possible.

[Jim Watson]

The Kings will beat Washington tomorrow night, 4-1, and each player on their new top line will score a goal. But then again I said the Kings would make the playoffs last year, so what the heck do I know?