KINGS GET LITTLE RELIEF.

Byline: Matt McHale Staff Writer

The lowly New York Islanders might seem the perfect team to play after the Kings' heartbreaking loss Saturday night in Toronto. But after seven consecutive losses, the Islanders have swept the first two games of their three-game California swing that continues tonight against the Kings at the Staples Center.

``You never count out a team like that,'' Kings coach Andy Murray said. ``Their guys are playing hard, looking to keep jobs for next year. There is plenty of motivation in their dressing room.''

And what about the Kings, who gave up three third-period goals to the Leafs, including the game-winner with 18.9 seconds left?

They arrived back in Los Angeles at 3:30 a.m. Sunday and participated in a light workout in the afternoon.

``The most important thing we can do is let the (Toronto) game go and move on with the season,'' defenseman Garry Galley said. ``You can't let something like that fester. We have to come out (tonight) like we beat the Maple Leafs and want more.''

Tonight marks the only time the Kings and Islanders meet this season. It also is the first time the clubs have played since last summer's major trade that sent Ziggy Palffy, Bryan Smolinski, goaltender Marcel Cousineau and a fourth-round draft choice (Daniel Johansson) to the Kings in exchange for Olli Jokinen, Josh Green and Martin Biron.

A strange statistic that seems to be going around the league this season is losing the first game at home after a trip of three games or more.

Stanley Cup champion Dallas was 0-5 before beating the Kings 3-1 last Wednesday. The Kings are 0-2-1.

``It seems like a trend this year, but it's hard to explain,'' Murray said. ``I don't anticipate us being flat. I never do. We know what happened on the trip. Against Dallas we didn't take advantage of scoring chances. Against Toronto we let in late goals. We talked about those things today. But our effort is still strong.''

Second-line winger Donald Audette, who hoped to return for the Toronto game after missing a month with a sprained left ankle, will miss tonight's action but hopes to be back Thursday against Detroit.

KINGS vs. NEW YORK ISLANDERS

Time: 7:30 p.m., Staples Center

TV/Radio: Fox Sports Net, KRLA-AM (1110)

Matchup: After perhaps their toughest loss of the season, 3-2 to Toronto on Saturday, the Kings now face the Islanders, who have won the first two on a three-game California trip. Saturday night, New York defeated San Jose 3-2 on an overtime goal by defenseman Martin Biron, the Kings' top draft choice last season who was part of the trade that brought Ziggy Palffy and Bryan Smolinski to L.A. The big name the Kings gave up in the deal, Ollie Jokinen, has been solid as a two-way center for the Islanders but not been much of a scorer (3 goals, 8 points. Despite the mini-winning streak, the Islanders (13-30-6) are deep in last place in the Atlantic Division. They also are 7-14-3 on the road and their penalty killing is rated 28th in the league.

- Matt McHale

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Box: Kings vs. N.Y. Islanders (see text)