A new mask in Kings' goal
By Matt McHale
Staff Writer

PHILADELPHIA -- Cristobal Huet, who made his NHL debut in goal for the Kings on Thursday, is older than Jamie Storr, who has been in the league for parts of nine seasons.

Huet became the ninth goalie to make his debut this season, replacing Storr for the third period of the Kings' 5-0 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers.

But at age 27, he technically is not a rookie. Huet was drafted two years ago after a productive career in Europe.

Since Felix Potvon went down with a sprained right knee three weeks ago, Huet has been shuttling between Los Angeles and Manchester, N.H., alternating with Travis Scott as the Kings' backup to Storr.

In 30 games with the Monarchs, Huet was 16-8-5 with a 2.29 goals-against average and a .922 save percentage.

"I was excited to get my chance tonight," Huet said. "I was a little nervous at the beginning but not too bad."

Huet, born in St. Martin D'Heres, France, played the past two seasons for Lugano in Switzerland. He was selected by the Kings in the seventh round of the 2001 draft.

He joined the team Wednesday in Philadelphia after playing in Manchester.

"We both understand what our role is supposed to be," Huet said of the shuttle system with Scott. "You just have to stay ready and do the job when they give you a chance."

Storr back tonight: Kings coach Andy Murray pulled Storr to start the third period but will start him tonight in Buffalo.

The Kings fell behind at 14:42 of the first period on a goal by Radovan Somik. Brad Chartrand passed to Jaroslav Modry and the puck hopped over Jaroslav Modry's stick. Somik took it from there. Storr stopped him on his first shot, but Somik scored on the rebound.

The Flyers are 19-1-5 when they score first, but Storr said he didn't think that goal changed the game.

"No, it's just one play in the game," he said. "It's 60 minutes out there. ... Tonight, we just seemed a little bit tentative, but at the same time you have to give them credit."

Norton returns: Kings enforcer Brad Norton returned to the lineup after missing five games with a concussion. He played only five minutes because the Kings fell behind but said it was good to get back onto the ice.

"I had some jitters," said Norton, who never was placed on injured reserve. "You don't have the chance to really get into the flow when you play that little, but that is part of the game."

Norton suffered a concussion when he was elbowed in the side of the head by Carolina's Jesse Boulerice on Feb. 7. A week later, Boulerice was knocked out by Dallas tough guy Aaron Downey. He might not return this season.

"No one likes to see that, a guy getting really hurt," Norton said. "He got suckerpunched, which is not good. But I guess what goes around, comes around."

Quick whistles: Marty Murray, who assisted on the first of Eric Chouinard's two goals, is a distant cousin of Kings coach Andy Murray. ... The Flyers entered the game with just 136 goals, the third-worst total in the East, even though they are on pace for 101 points.KINGS vs. BUFFALOTime: 4 p.m., HSBC Center. TV/Radio: Fox Sports Net; 710-AM. Matchup: The Kings haven't defeated the Sabres in Buffalo since March 15, 1993. The Kings haven't lost to the Sabres at home since March 13, 1996. ... Buffalo (17-29-7-5) has the worst record in the NHL but isn't giving up. The Sabres defeated Montreal 2-1 in overtime. Miroslav Satan leads the club with 20 goals and 49 points, but the Sabres have been trying to move him. He is making $3.5 million. -- Matt McHale