Much like a teacher grading papers, Kings coach John Stevens has lately had to reach deep into his desk for the big red pen.
In a span of nine days, the Kings have flunked miserably, against the Vancouver Canucks and Nashville Predators, and they know that final exams are right around the corner. They practiced Friday only a point out of a top-three guaranteed playoff spot in the Pacific Division, but sat 10th in the Western Conference with three teams ahead of them in the wild-card standings.
"We got pushed off the puck in all three zones," Stevens said.