Kings more than just a one-line team

The Kings knew, coming into their first-round playoff series against Vancouver, that they had a good first line. They also knew that wouldn't mean much if they didn't get production from other lines.

One-line teams don't go far, so the pressure, coming into the series, was on the lines centered by Mike Richards and Jarret Stoll, the Kings' second and third lines, to at least threaten offensively.

Third-line center Trevor Lewis scored a huge goal Friday to give the Kings a three-goal lead, and they held on for a 4-2 victory over Vancouver in Game 2 at Rogers Arena.

In Game 1, two veterans in particular got the job done. Richards had one of his best games as a King and Dustin Penner, who underachieved with a seven-goal regular season, scored the game-winning goal.

Still, Kings coach Darryl Sutter wanted more from Penner, and noted the Kings don't typically thrive in high-scoring games.

"He can be a whole lot better for all three periods," Sutter said. "If it's just about scoring, then I don't think we're going to beat this team 5-4 or 6-5. I highly doubt that. You have to be very good, 200 feet, everywhere on the ice."

The series now moves to Los Angeles, with Game 3 at Staples Center on Wednesday. The Kings, there, will benefit from being the home team and having the last line change, meaning they can get the matchups they prefer. Given that the second and third lines have been mostly strong, Sutter might have good options all around.

NOTES, QUOTES
Game 2 more disciplined than playoff opener
   --The Kings and Vancouver Canucks combined for 12 power plays in Game 1 -- with the Kings having eight power plays -- but neither team expected the penalty-box door to see that much action in Game 2. Both coaches spent the off day speaking publicly about the need for better discipline.
   For the Kings, that meant an increased focus on 5-on-5 play. The Kings scored two power-play goals in Game 1, but weren't counting on having the man advantage that many times again.
   "I think both teams are wanting more 5-on-5 play," coach Darryl Sutter said, "so you've got to take advantage of the opportunities if you do get them."
   It was certainly a different game, as the Kings went 1-for-4 on the power play and scored two shorthanded goals.
   --Kings fourth-line left winger Kyle Clifford missed the game with an upper-body injury, which gave the Kings a stark choice for his replacement -- either smallish Andrei Loktionov or enforcer Kevin Westgarth. Loktionov split this season between the NHL and the American Hockey League, while Westgarth had recently been relegated to healthy-scratch duty under Sutter.
   Sutter chose Loktionov, who had been called up from the AHL three days earlier.
   "He's pretty familiar with everything that he needs to do," Sutter said of Loktionov. "He has played here for us for probably about six weeks after I came on. So he's pretty familiar with the players. He's familiar with them and he's familiar with the system. He gives us a little bit of versatility."
   QUOTE TO NOTE: "I don't even know how to explain it. It's just a totally different game out there. It's more fun to play in. At the same time, it's harder to play in, but that's what makes it more enjoyable." -- Kings D Drew Doughty, on enjoying playing playoff hockey.

ROSTER REPORT
   PLAYER NOTES:
   --LW Dustin Brown scored two shorthanded goals, becoming the first player in Kings history to score two shorthanded goals in a playoff game. The last NHL player to do it was John Madden, with New Jersey, in 2006 against the New York Rangers.
   --C Mike Richards was a big topic of discussion heading into Game 2, as Richards had a one-goal, two-assist effort in Game 1. After Thursday's practice, Vancouver coach Alain Vigneault singled out Richards as a player the Canucks needed to be better against, and the Kings were pleased with Richards' game, which was one of his better efforts of the season. "He's been known, throughout his career, to play big in big games. I think he showed that (in Game 1)," Kings captain Dustin Brown said.
   --LW Kyle Clifford missed Game 2 because of what the Kings are calling an upper-body injury. Clifford left Wednesday's Game 1 in the second period after a big hit from Vancouver C Byron Bitz and did not return. Immediately after the hit, Bitz received a five-minute boarding penalty and a game-misconduct penalty. On Thursday, he was also given a two-game suspension. Clifford did not participate in the Kings' optional practice on Thursday and did not participate in Friday's morning skate. The team has said Clifford's status is considered day-to-day. LW Andrei Loktionov took Clifford's spot in the lineup, alongside C Colin Fraser and RW Jordan Nolan.
   --Despite undergoing an emergency appendectomy on Monday, LW Brad Richardson might not be out of action for much longer. Coach Darryl Sutter said he was told Richardson would have to stay away from activity for four or five days. That could mean Richardson, under perfect circumstances, could start skating again this weekend. Because of an injury to LW Kyle Clifford, Richardson most likely would have played in Game 2, and it's not known when Richardson might return to the lineup. LW Andrei Loktionov was called up to take Richardson's roster spot, and Loktionov played Friday in place of Clifford.
   MEDICAL WATCH:
   --Kyle Clifford (upper-body) missed Friday's game and his status is considered day-to-day.
   --Brad Richardson (appendectomy) underwent emergency surgery on Monday and his status is considered day-to-day.
   --Simon Gagne (concussion) was put on injured reserve on Dec. 28 and is out indefinitely.
   --Scott Parse (hip) was put on injured reserve on Nov. 9 and underwent surgery on Dec. 2. Parse will be out until at least early April and might be out for the season.