Kings start a tough stretch

VS. VANCOUVER

Time: 7:30.

On the air: TV: FS West; Radio: 1150.

Where: Staples Center.

Records: Kings 28-28-9, Canucks 34-22-8.

Record vs. Canucks: 0-1.

Update: The Kings are five points out of the final playoff spot and have to pass five teams to reach the postseason. But that’s a molehill compared with the mountain on their schedule over the next two weeks. It begins tonight against the Canucks, who are 12-2-1 since the beginning of February, and includes a return trip to Vancouver, visits to San Jose, tied with Detroit for the lead in the Western Conference; Boston, which has the most points in the league; and Pittsburgh, which has won six straight. Canucks goalie Robert Luongo is 4-0 with a 1.25 goals-against average at Staples Center.

--

-- Billy Witz