KINGS NOTEBOOK: MELTDOWN FALLOUT 4-GOAL LEAD BLOWN CONCERNS THE KINGS.

Byline: Matt McHale Staff Writer

EL SEGUNDO - On Thursday, the Kings decided rest was the best way to prepare for tonight's game with the Boston Bruins and to move past their dismal 4-4 tie against the St. Louis Blues.

Coach Andy Murray clearly is upset the Kings (2-1-1) blew a four-goal lead in the third period and said he will reaffirm themes of accountability and responsibility during this morning's pregame meeting and workout.

But others said it is only the fourth game of the season and far too early to start drawing negative conclusions.

``We need to look at the positives of that game,'' goaltender Jamie Storr said. ``It didn't turn the way we wanted. We did some good things, we just didn't do them for 60 minutes. That will come.''

The Kings took a four-goal lead on four power-play goals. With referees making tighter calls on slashing and high-sticking violations so far, special teams are more important than ever.

Captain Rob Blake and defensemate Mathieu Schneider have two goals apiece this season. The Kings signed Schneider as a free agent to free Blake from having to carry the puck on the power play. So far, the pairing has been successful.

``It's been an easy transition, but I knew it would be,'' Schneider said. ``Rob and I talked about it this summer, even before I signed. It has freed guys up to do more things on the power play.''

Jozef Stumpel, who missed all of training camp in a contract dispute, returned to Los Angeles from his native Slovakia to undergo strength and conditioning tests. He is not signed.

``I feel good about how he checked out, but we haven't seen him in game action yet,'' general manager Dave Taylor said Thursday night. ``I'll feel better when we get him signed. We don't have a deal. We're not there.''

His replacement, Eric Belanger, has not scored since his one-goal, two- assist performance on opening night. Belanger also has not performed well on faceoffs.

But Murray said he is not disappointed with Belanger's work with the first unit, which is getting peak performances from Luc Robitaille (5 goals, 4 assists) and Ziggy Palffy (3 goals, 6 assists).

``He is being aggressive and creating space for the other two guys and that is as important as an assist,'' Murray said. ``If you give those guys an inch, they can score.''

--Notes: Goaltender Stephane Fiset, sidelined since Sept. 22 when he sprained his left knee in an on-ice collision, did some light skating for the first time since the injury. Fiset is expected to miss the first month of the season. . . . Lost in Wednesday's meltdown was second-line center Bryan Smolinski's goal-and-two-assist performance.

KINGS vs. BOSTON

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

--TV/Radio: Fox Sports Net; 1110-AM.

--Matchup: While the Kings were blowing a four-goal lead Wednesday night, the Bruins defeated the Migthy Ducks 3-2 in overtime at the Pond. The victory ran Boston's record to 3-0-1, which is considerably better than last year's 0-5-4 start. The Bruins, who missed the playoffs last year with a 24-39-19 record, are without holdout forward Anson Carter. Joe Thornton and Sergei Samsanov ended their holdouts late in training camp and Thornton had two goals Wednesday, including the game-winner 2:03 into overtime.

- Matt McHale

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Box: KINGS vs. BOSTON (see text)