NUMBERS GAME

4 30-goal scorers for the Sabres: Daniel Briere, Chris Drury, Jason Pominville and Thomas Vanek. Twelve NHL teams don't have one player with 30 goals.

LIKE OLD TIMES

The teams have changed, but not the routine.

Rob Blake and Mattias Norstrom, who maintain homes in Manhattan Beach, Calif., made a habit of driving to the Staples Center for Kings games when they were teammates, stopping for a cup of coffee along the way.

Blake has had to go it alone since Norstrom, a former Kings captain, was traded to the Stars last month, but they were able to car pool again Wednesday when Dallas visited Los Angeles for the first time since the deal.

"Coffee with Matty. It's like that book, Tuesdays with Morrie," Blake said.

The players went their separate ways once they arrived at the arena, but the Kings made Norstrom feel at home with a video presentation of his highlights.

Yet one more habit continued: The Stars beat the Kings for the eighth time in a row.

HE SAID IT

"When you feel like you're 100 percent, you're missing something. When you've got a boo-boo somewhere, that battle scar makes you a better competitor."

Jim Playfair, Flames coach, on the injuries that affect every team at this stage of the season.