KINGS NOTEBOOK: FISET PLAYING FOR JOB SECURITY KINGS GOALTENDER FACES HIS FIRST TEST IN EXHIBITION GAME.

Stephane Fiset is in the best shape of his life.

He had posted the best numbers on preseason strength tests in his 11- year NHL career. He has made two rehab appearances in the minors and impressed everyone. He was the Kings' best goaltender in the first few days of training camp.

Tonight, however, will be the most important game Fiset has played since last December, when he suffered a second serious injury to his left knee during the 2000-01 season.

It will be his first.

``I don't look at it that way,'' said Fiset, who will start tonight in an exhibition game at San Jose. ``I've worked very hard to get back to where I am. You don't want to put that kind of weight on any one game.''

The impact, though, is hard to ignore. In addition to Fiset's health, the Kings have to make a decision on their backup goaltender by Sept. 25, the final day trades can be made before the waiver draft four days later.

Although the Kings insist the competition for the starting job remains open between Fiset, Felix Potvin and Jamie Storr, it was Potvin who led the Kings to within a game of the Western Conference finals after he was acquired in mid-March.

Fiset and Potvin are playing for second place. The question is whether it is better being traded or sitting behind a guy who could start 60 games this season. Storr, at 25, is more attractive than Fiset, 31, from an age standpoint. Fiset, however, has more playoff experience. He backed up Patrick Roy in 1996 when Colorado won the Stanley Cup.

``What is best for the team is that this has not become a distraction,'' Kings coach Andy Murray said. ``Everyone is very professional. They are going about their jobs and that makes us a better team.''

Several times last season, Fiset expressed dismay at not getting back his starting job after recovering from his first injury, which occurred Sept. 24 against the Mighty Ducks.

Fiset came back three months later and played seven games before Minnesota's Wes Walz struck the knee with his head. Despite the adversity, Fiset now says he wants to stay with the Kings and will take his chances with the role he is given.

``When I came back, I was wearing a brace and I felt fine,'' Fiset said. ``But then bad luck hit me again. It was so frustrating the rest of the season. Right now, I'm just trying to play well. I want to stay here. I told them that last summer and I told them that earlier when we had a meeting.''

--Quick whistles: After tonight's game, the Kings fly to Las Vegas for a game on Saturday with the Sharks at the MGM Grand. Adam Deadmarsh, who has been kept from contact, might see action. ... The Kings made four more roster moves, sending wingers Kip Brennan and Brendan Brooks, and defensemen Joe Corvo and Michael Pudlick, to the club's minor-league affiliate at Manchester, N.H. The Kings have 17 moves to make before the Oct. 2 season-opening deadline.

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STEPHANE FISET

The goalie will make his first start of the exhibition season tonight against San Jose.