Battle for the Pacific begins

Almost two weeks into the season, it’s finally time for the Kings to play a team from their own time zone. After games against the New York Rangers, Buffalo, New Jersey, Philadelphia and St. Louis, the Kings play their first Pacific Division game tonight when they take on Phoenix. Another game against Phoenix, and two against Dallas, are also on the horizon, and it could be a bloody battle in the division this season. Already, Pacific teams hold four of the top eight spots in the Western Conference, and that doesn’t even include slow-starting San Jose, which won’t be down for long. Dallas is off to a 5-1-0 start and Anaheim is 4-1-0. Here’s what Terry Murray said about starting a stretch against Pacific teams…

MURRAY: “Four of the next five are division games, and they are critical games on the schedule. You have to recognize that as a team and bring a big focus to it. There’s no question, as I’ve said many times, these points at the start are as meaningful as later on. We need to approach it with a real workman-like, professional attitude and respond the right way.’’