KINGS NOTEBOOK: NO POWER IS A GOOD THING.

Byline: Rich Hammond Staff Writer

Luc Robitaille had the slump-breaking goals and Mathieu Garon turned in the shutout, but perhaps the most notable aspect of the Kings' victory Thursday was what didn't happen.

For the first time in 11 games, the Kings did not allow a power-play goal, breaking a lengthy and confounding streak that saw them go from a solid penalty-killing team to one of the league's worst.

Phoenix entered the game in the league's top 10 in power-play efficiency while the Kings ranked 25th in penalty-kill efficiency, but the Coyotes didn't score a goal in 12 minutes, 2 seconds of power-play time.

``And we came out ahead in the power-play, penalty-kill balance, which is always good,'' coach Andy Murray said, in reference to Joe Corvo's first-period power-play goal.

The Kings, traditionally a strong team on the penalty kill, have been without key personnel in that area, particularly Eric Belanger and Aaron Miller, but also have been undone by too many penalties. In four of the 11 games during that streak, Kings' opponents had at least eight power-play opportunities.

``The number of power plays we allow is key,'' said Craig Conroy, one of the Kings' top defensive forwards. ``We've been allowing 10, sometimes 12 power plays, and to be successful we have to limit (the opponents') chances. That's the main thing.''

Phoenix had seven power plays Thursday, but one lasted for only two seconds.

--On the upswing: Things appear to be turning around for Alexander Frolov.

Frolov had only one shot on goal Thursday - although it was a skillful spin move in front of the net that nearly led to a goal - but Murray was effusive with his praise of Frolov after the game.

For most of the game, Frolov was strong on the puck and drove to the net, two areas in which the coaching staff has implored him to improve. Frolov also was on the ice for two of the Kings' goals.

``I thought Fro played his best game in about five or six weeks,'' Murray said.

--In the dark: After Kings goals at home this season, a red spotlight has shined on opposing goalies. A story in Thursday's Arizona Republic said that some Phoenix players took issue with the red-light treatment their goalie, Brian Boucher, received when the Kings beat the Coyotes 4-1 on Dec. 17.

On Thursday, Boucher allowed three first-period goals, but the spotlight stayed off. Boucher was pulled after one period in favor of Curtis Joseph.

Rich Hammond, [phone]

rich.hammond(at)dailynews.com

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- Rich Hammond