Nothing Goes Right for Kings : Hockey: Rangers score 4-1 victory at the Forum to end L.A.’s unbeaten streak at six.

From unbeaten to uninspired.

It was one of those nights for the Kings, 4-1 losers to the New York Rangers Thursday night before a sellout crowd of 16,005 at the Forum.

It was a night when their goalie couldn’t stop a 65-foot slap shot.

It was a night when Wayne Gretzky raised his arms in celebration of a goal, only to discover that his shot had been smothered by New York goalie John Vanbiesbrouck.

It was a night when the Rangers scored an empty-net goal off the stick of a King.

It was a night of missed opportunities for the Kings, a night when they had trouble shooting the puck, holding onto it or even getting to it.

As a result, the Kings’ unbeaten streak ended at 2-0-4, their record dropping below .500 at 19-20-11.

But even had they played at a higher level, the Kings would have found themselves in a struggle the Rangers. The Patrick Division leaders, unbeaten in their last six (5-0-1), improved to 33-17-2. With two more points Thursday, the Rangers have 68, breaking a tie with the Montreal Canadiens for the best mark in the league.

“I can understand why that hockey club’s in first place overall,” King Coach Tom Webster said. “They protected their lead extremely well. They played the type of game they had to play and we didn’t have the second effort.”

The final two Ranger goals, both in the third period, best illustrate what kind of a night it was for the Kings.

With Mike Gartner coming out of the penalty box, Charlie Huddy was attempting a pass. Gartner streaked in and tipped the puck away. Without breaking stride, he skated in front of defenseman Larry Robinson, beat Robinson to the puck and smashed it through the pads of goalie Kelly Hrudey for his second goal of the night and team-high 29th of the season.

“I wasn’t even expecting it,” Robinson said of Huddy’s pass. “I’d pick about 499 other guys in the league to be in a race with before Gartner.”

Jan Erixon’s fifth goal closed out the scoring. With Hrudey pulled and less than two minutes to play, Erixon shoved the puck in the direction of the net. The Kings’ Tony Granato got his stick on it, but inadvertently helped the puck into the net.

Only Granato’s team-high 24th goal in the third period averted a shutout for the Kings, who have scored in 130 consecutive games.

Mike Richter started in goal for New York and turned back eight shots in the first period. Bothered by a thigh bruise, Richter gave way to Vanbiesbrouck for the final two periods.

The Kings lost a man of their own. With 39 seconds remaining in the first period, wing Luc Robitaille was called for spearing New York’s Kris King, drawing both a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct.

The Rangers failed to take advantage, getting only three errant shots over the five-minute span.

New York finally broke through on a defensive breakdown by Hrudey. Gartner’s 65-foot slap shot flew past Hrudey’s pads at 7:48 of the second period.

Paul Broten got his ninth goal later in the period.

“It’s been frustrating all year,” Granato said. “We’re running out of time to get things going.”

King Notes

The fourth annual Tip-A-King will be held Sunday evening at Hollywood Park. The entire team will be in attendance at the event, which is already sold out. There will be auctions and autograph and photo sessions with all proceeds going to the Children’s Bureau of Los Angeles, an organization that provides services for abused and neglected youngsters. In order to keep lines moving, those attending will be allowed only one autograph per player no matter how many items they bring. Sticks may not be brought. . . . Skate L.A., run by the nonprofit Creative Coalition, began Thursday at the Forum. The five-week program will teach hockey to inner-city kids, aged six to 11.