Wake-up call: Kings, Ducks, Kobe Bryant, Lawrence Taylor

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First things first: It’s difficult to be anything but hopeful about the Kings after last night’s game against the Ducks. Goaltender Erik Ersberg kept the Ducks at bay in a terrific performance, as our columnist Helene Elliott details today. The Kings lost in OT on a long shot by Chris Pronger. But how many goalies have been burned by Pronger’s long shot? Answer: just about every goalie in the league. As Ersberg told Elliott: ‘I didn’t see it. I heard it.’ Coach Terry Murray said he was impressed by Ersberg. And how could he not be after Jason LaBarbera’s awful performance against Calgary on Saturday*, the most recent of a handful of awful performances? Yet when pressed whether Ersberg will start the next game Thursday night against the Florida Panthers, he says, ‘I’m going to have to think about that one.’ Really. Really?

Add LaBarbera: I couldn’t help but recall the Manchester Monarchs’ humorous promotional video that starred Jason LaBarbera, who was playing great at the time for the Kings’ AHL affiliate in New Hampshire.

Add hockey: The Ducks continued their hot streak and are 7-0-1 in their last eight games. Tonight they host the St. Louis Blues. And, yes, that means ex-Kings Coach Andy Murray (no relation to Terry) is back in town. The Blues plays the Kings on Saturday.

Kobe and Baron: The Lakers and Clippers go at it again tonight, and honestly after their last meeting in which the Clippers were blown away, the only question is will this one at least be closer? Watching Kobe Bryant and Baron Davis on the same floor, though, is always fun. The Times’ Mike Bresnahan says there is no doubt which team is dominant. When Bryant was reminded Tuesday of how he almost became a Clipper when they offered him a free-agent contract, he said: ‘I don’t know, I don’t remember, and you’re not pulling me into that. ... I’m not going for it. I’ll pass on the bait. No te entiendo.’

Add NBA: NBA referee Scott Foster, tied by friendship to disgraced colleague Tim Donaghy, spoke out for the first time to SI’s Chris Mannix this week. Donaghy is serving 15 months in a Florida prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud and transmitting wagering information across state lines. Foster, 41, has been vilified for hundreds of phone calls he exchanged with Donaghy during a period of time when Donaghy has admitted he shared inside information with two known gamblers. But Foster, who has been cleared by the league’s investigation, says it was nothing more than friendship.

Dream team, NFL style: Legendary NFL linebacker Lawrence Taylor this morning gave Dan Patrick his dream linebacking corps. And they are all in the Hall of Fame. At middle linebacker, Dick Butkus. At the other outside linebacker position, Ted Hendricks. Asked which player he would not want to get hit by, LT told Patrick: Deacon Jones.

-- Debbie Goffa

* Corrected the day the game was played, from Sunday to Saturday, at 7:35 p.m.