Kings Coach Terry Murray shakes up first line

After losing three of four on the road and dropping out of first place in the Pacific Division, the Kings know they have to generate more offense, particularly with the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks up next.

To shake things up, Coach Terry Murray changed his top line at practice Friday in El Segundo, moving Wayne Simmonds up from the the third line to play right wing and switching Dustin Brown to left wing. Anze Kopitar will continue to center that line. Rookie Dwight King moves back to the fourth line.

“I’ve been battling with the thought of putting Brownie back on left wing and I had a meeting with him to discuss putting our top guys together,” Murray said. “He has no problem with it, he says he’s fine being on the left side and that gives us two veteran players with Kopitar. I can’t say it’s permanent, no, but if there’s a great chemistry there that’s something I’ll have to consider long-term.”

Quick to start

Wednesday’s 4-1 loss to Montreal was the fifth in seven starts for goaltender Jonathan Bernier, but Murray has no plans to give more games to Jonathan Quick. Murray said his biggest concerns are clearing loose pucks around the net and regaining momentum.

“Quick will be in net tomorrow and we’ll see how it plays out,” said Murray, whose team has given up 25 goals over the last six games. “Obviously, a lot will depend on whether we’re winning. We want to get out of this rut. In the Montreal game, our puck management was poor and we’ve got to play harder at both nets, but we’re not off page by much. “

Martinez’s goal

A bright spot against Montreal was the solid play of defenseman Alec Martinez. Called up from Manchester of the American Hockey League on Tuesday, he scored his first NHL goal on the power play.

“When I saw the pass go across to Justin [Williams] I knew there would be a shot and I just went to the net,” said Martinez, who played alongside Drew Doughty. “The rebound came to me, I was able to cradle it with my backhand and get off a pretty good shot. Any time you score your first goal in the NHL you’re pretty pumped, but I’d much rather have gotten a win.”

Said Doughty: “Alec played a good game and didn’t make any mistakes. He has good offensive skills and with our power play struggling I think it helps having someone like him who is not afraid to be aggressive”

Slap shots

The Kings have not given up a power-play goal on home ice this season, going 35 for 35 on the penalty kill. … Defenseman Willie Mitchell (broken wrist) has been on the ice and the optimistic target date for his return is Dec. 4 or 9.

steve.galluzzo@latimes.com