KINGS NOTEBOOK: PLAYOFF RUN NEEDS ASSIST FROM SHARKS.

Byline: Matt McHale Staff Writer

EL SEGUNDO - After facing San Jose four times in 14 days, the Kings now become Sharks fans.

With six games remaining in the regular season, the Kings have one game against Phoenix, which moved ahead of them for the eighth and final playoff spot Wednesday night with a victory in Minnesota.

But the Sharks play the Coyotes twice. After beating the Kings 3-2 in overtime Tuesday, San Jose might have turned the corner after winning just one of its previous 13 games. The Sharks' tying goal by Alexander Korolyuk was their first on the power play in 38 chances.

``And Teemu Selanne looked in that third period like he is back,'' Kings coach Andy Murray said of the former Ducks star, who joined San Jose after undergoing knee surgery. ``Overall, I am very pleased with our showing in the four games with the Sharks. We have six games left. The only team I'm rooting for is the Kings.''

The Kings appeared deflated Tuesday after the Sharks' Mike Ricci scored with less than two minutes to play in the second period. It ended a string of consecutive shutout periods against San Jose by goaltender Felix Potvin at nine. But by coming so late in the period, it seemed to swing the momentum toward San Jose.

Murray thought the team regrouped after the first two minutes of the third period. But he acknowledged that blowing a two-goal lead was a concern. This season, the Kings are plus-20 in the first period, a plus-seven in the second period and minus-13 in the third.

``We came out a little flat in the first two minutes of the third, but we regrouped from there,'' Murray said. ``I was a little disappointed on the penalty that was called at the end of the third. That put us in a tough spot.''

Adam Deadmarsh was whistled for taking down Selanne, but replays show Selanne tripped before contact was made. Less than a minute later, Korolyuk scored the tying goal.

San Jose, which holds the seventh spot in the West, plays in Phoenix on Saturday and hosts the Coyotes a week from Thursday. The Sharks also have two games against the last-place Ducks, but those should be emotional games with the return of Selanne.

After beating Minnesota on Wednesday, Phoenix plays tonight in Nashville.

--Injury update: Rookie center Eric Belanger (bruised right shoulder) has been cleared by doctors to play tonight against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Belanger and Scott Thomas (concussion) were the only Kings who practiced Wednesday. Thomas also will be ready. ... The news on Aaron Miller's sprained left wrist was not as encouraging. Miller, injured March 19 vs. Phoenix in a collision along the boards, probably will not return to action until the playoffs. Miller has not skated with the team or tried to handle a stick since the injury.

--Quick whistles: Final tally for the Kings' March 11 charity function ``Tip-A-King 2001'' was a record $186,483. The event, which drew a thousand guests at Paramount Studios, has raised more than $2 million in 13 years.

KINGS vs. COLUMBUS

Time: 7:30 p.m., at Staples Center 

TV/Radio: Fox Sports Net; 1110-AM

Matchup: The Blue Jackets literally are limping to the end of their first season. Six regulars were sidelined with injuries in Tuesday night's 2-0 loss at Calgary. The Jackets' entire first line is out, including leading scorer Geoff Sanderson (sprained knee), who is on injured reserve, and right winger Robert Kron, who broke an ankle Saturday. Defenseman Jamie Pushor returned to Columbus for an MRI on his left knee after a recent collision with Edmonton's Mike Grier. His season is over. As a result, Columbus played eight rookies against the Flames.

-Matt McHale

CAPTION(S):

box

Box: KINGS vs. COLUMBUS (see text)