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No changes for Kings’ lineup, but season-ticket prices to change -- and climb

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The Kings resumed practice Tuesday after taking a day off to decompress and savor their back-to-back wins at Washington on Saturday and at Philadelphia on Sunday. Those victories extended their unbeaten streak to 7-0-2, including 4-0-2 in their 10 consecutive games on the road.

Coach Terry Murray said he will use the same lineup Wednesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets as he has the past few games, with Jonathan Quick again starting in goal.

Quick is 6-0-1 in his last seven games with a 1.52 goals-against average and .950 save percentage in that span. Through Monday’s games he ranked second overall in the NHL with a 2.08 goals-against average, seventh in wins with 25, seventh in save percentage at .924 and fourth in shutouts with six.

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“I can’t change the lineup, based on what we’ve seen in the last couple of games,” Murray said. “The team’s played very hard — really a great spirit on the bench and in the locker room. And coming away with four points in buildings like that is a real good team effort, so I’m not going to mess with the chemistry on that one.”

Despite their surge, the Kings were 10th in the West through Monday’s games, a point behind eighth-place Calgary. However, the Kings have three games in hand on the Flames.

It’s pure chance that the team’s recent success coincides with club officials sending out season-ticket renewal notices to fans -- and those notices contained unpleasant news. There will be increases of $1 to $6, depending on the location, for those who renew by March 21 and of $1 to $9 for those who renew after March 21 or are new buyers. A Kings spokesman said the average increase is $3.80 for those who renew by March 21 and $6.87 for those who renew after that date or become first-time buyers after that date.

Season-ticket holders will get keepsake photos that feature their name on the back of a jersey hanging in the Kings’ locker room, and some will get souvenir blankets. All would prefer a playoff appearance and some postseason success.

More later on that, and on players discussing the keys to the team’s reversal after a 2-10 slump.

-- Helene Elliott, in Columbus, Ohio

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