So far, so good. But for the Kings, who began their Christmas break after they lost 2-0 to the Sharks on Saturday at SAP Center, good is no longer good enough.
Putting behind them last season’s scoring woes and the sour memories of failing to make the playoffs, the Kings were at or near the top of the Pacific Division for most of their first 36 games. A victory over San Jose would have allowed them to enjoy the break as the No. 1 team in the West, a topic they discussed in their Saturday morning meeting.