KINGS NOTEBOOK: KINGS TRYING TO INSTILL IMPORTANCE OF DEFENSE.

Byline: Rich Hammond  Staff Writer

SAN JOSE - Kings coach Andy Murray won't concede his team is weaker offensively without Jason Allison in the lineup, but Murray recognizes it's important for his team to play the type of defense-first game that will limit the pressure on the offense the next few weeks.

That's why Murray has been concerned about the Kings' defense in the past few days heading into Tuesday night's game against the San Jose Sharks. The Kings allowed five goals to Minnesota on Monday (although two went into empty nets) and five against Nashville on Saturday.

The expected Friday return of Aaron Miller, who has not played a game this season because of a hernia, should bolster what is thought to be a solid group of defensemen, but there's cause for concern.

``We think we've got a real solid group of defensemen and (the Nashville game) was as weak as our defense has played all year,'' Murray said.

The Kings had allowed an average of 2.75 goals a game, putting them in a three-way tie for 15th place in that statistical category. Ironically, one of their worst defensemen last season, Lubomir Visnovsky, has been one of their best this season.

``It's changed in the last four games, but I think our best defenseman from day one of the season until now has been Visnovsky,'' Murray said. ``You hate to say that, because one of the guys I would say was playing very, very well up until three or four games ago has gone the other direction on us.''

Visnovsky struggled for much of last season, and not just at the rink. Murray said part of the problem could have been Visnovsky's frustration in helping his fiancee acquire an American visa. Whatever the reason, Murray sees the difference on the ice.

``It's more that he's using his legs,'' Murray said. ``If he gets pinned in the corner, because of his size (5-foot-10, 180 pounds) he can't be effective. When he's skating, he's effective, and that's the biggest difference right now. I think he's just getting to the puck quicker.''

In 2000-01, his rookie season, Visnovsky had seven goals and a plus-16 rating, but those numbers dropped to four goals, 17 assists and a minus-5 rating last season. In 12 games entering Tuesday, though, Visnovsky had three goals, four assists and was plus-4.

--See you later: The Kings fly to Ottawa this morning in preparation for Friday's game, the second in an eight-game, 17-day trip. However, television broadcasters Bob Miller and Jim Fox returned to Los Angeles since none of the Kings' next three games will be televised by Fox Sports Net.

CAPTION(S):

photo

Photo:

LUBOMIR VISNOVSKY

Kings defenseman surprisingly has been the team's best defender this season.