The standoff that the Kings were engaged in against the Dallas Stars practically cried out for that kind of announcement over the public-address system. For more than 50 minutes the teams struggled to form scoring chances, let alone scores. It was the type of tug-of-war display that needed a finisher like Carter, who practiced with the Kings earlier Thursday and is not yet available in his recovery from a leg injury.
The Kings instead succumbed to the methodical, tight checking of Dallas in a 2-0 loss at Staples Center. They lost a game in which Jonathan Quick allowed one goal, on Tyler Seguin's deflection in the third period.