KINGS NOTEBOOK: KINGS PLAY KEY ROLE IN LEAGUE'S TV GROWTH.

Byline: Matt McHale Staff Writer

The NHL is expanding on television and the Kings are a big part of the package.

ESPN is broadcasting 13 Kings games this season, including Thursday night's game with the Pittsburgh Penguins at Staples Center on ESPN2. That figure is up from five games last season.

There are several reasons for the jump. As part of the league's new five-year, $600 million contract with ABC/ESPN, 26 games in Western time zones have been added to the schedule as the second half of NHL doubleheaders.

The added exposure also will help in merchandising, which is a big revenue generator in most cities. It is not as important here because of the five-year commitment on the Kings' luxury suites.

The league also is excited about televising games at the new arena after years of logistical problems at the Forum. The press box there was too low and provided poor camera angles. But Brian Engblom, the former Kings player who did color commentary on radio for the club from 1990-94 and worked Thursday's game for ESPN2, said it helps the team is better.

``Now this is just my opinion, but in the past the Kings were in the lower echelon of teams and didn't draw a lot of interest,'' he said. ``When the season starts, TV always shows games in the East because that's where the ratings are. L.A. is a big market and I know they wanted them in the mix. They are much improved this year and I'm sure that is part of the reason for the rise.''

Frequent flyers: There has been much chance for sightseeing on the Penguins' four-day, three-game trip to California. They had a five-hour flight from Pittsburgh to LAX on Tuesday, then bused to Anaheim for Wednesday's game with the Mighty Ducks, which ended with an overtime loss. After the game, they bused back to Los Angeles for Thursday's game with the Kings. This morning, they fly to San Jose for Saturday's game with the Sharks. They will return to Pittsburgh immediately after the game.

Quick whistles: The Penguins got a scare late in the first period when goaltender Jean-Sebastien Aubin was forced to leave the game with a strained left groin. He was injured making a save on a shot by Glen Murray.

Aubin, who stopped 35 of 37 shots Wednesday night against the Mighty Ducks threw out his left leg to stop Murray's shot and did a painful split. He remained in the game but had to leave after several saves on the Kings' next trip down the ice.