NUMBERS GAME

2 Southern California-born players are on the Kings roster for the first time in franchise history: former DU player Gabe Gauthier, top, (Torrance) and former Colorado College player Noah Clarke (La Verne). Clarke scored the first Kings goal by a native Californian last week.

OILER SPILL

Pity the Oilers, who have gone from Stanley Cup finalists to a team in danger of setting a franchise record for consecutive losses.

It doesn't help that the Oilers are riddled with injuries. Ten players are out and coach Craig MacTavish has had only 19 players - short one defenseman - at his disposal. Ales Hemsky, Ethan Moreau, Petr Nedved, Marty Reasoner, Steve Staios and Jarret Stoll are among the injured.

The Oilers lost their ninth straight game Thursday night - two shy of the team record set in 1993 - with eight of the defeats coming after Ryan Smyth was traded to the Islanders.

"There's a fear (the losing) could continue," MacTavish said. "You'd be naive not to think that's a possibility."

How bad has it been? The Oilers have been outscored 34-7 during the streak and have gone 0-for-27 on the power play.

HE SAID IT

"He's got a million-dollar shot, and he wants to pass."

Jacques Lemaire, Wild coach, on why defenseman Kurtis Foster has been a healthy scratch in recent games