Los Angeles Kings

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

The Kings, in Wednesday's 3-2 loss to Philadelphia at Staples Center, had nearly the same roster they finished last season with. Consistency is good, but only to an extent -- the Kings finished with the second-worst record in the Western Conference last season.

Injuries to the Kings' two big summer acquisitions, winger Ryan Smyth (upper body) and defenseman Rob Scuderi (lower body) left the Kings with a 20-man roster that included 18 players who were on the roster at the end of last season.

Defenseman Randy Jones, claimed off waivers on Oct. 29, and left wing Scott Parse, called up from the American Hockey League last month, are the only additions.

Since Smyth will be out for approximately one month, the Kings hope that familiarity will breed success, particularly on the first line, where usual checking-line winger Alexander Frolov replaces Smyth.

"Smytty, he's going to certainly be missed for however long he's out, but we've got the ability to pick it up in here and score in his absence," first-line right wing Justin Williams said. "I know Fro is looking to get some goals going. I'm looking to get some goals going. So hopefully we can get some spark and get some secondary scoring, which we need more consistently."

FLYERS 3, KINGS 2: The Kings led 1-0 in the first period, but breakdowns on the power play and on defense ended up costing them. The Kings had a two-minute 5-on-3 power play that started with 1:38 remaining in the first period, but they couldn't score. Then, defensive breakdowns led to two Philadelphia second-period goals. The Flyers are undefeated this season when leading after two periods, and the Kings couldn't crack them despite an inspired final five-minute push.

• The Kings' offense got dealt a major blow Wednesday when it was determined that first-line winger Ryan Smyth will be out for up to the next four weeks. Smyth suffered an undisclosed upper-body injury during the second period of the Kings' victory over Florida on Monday. Smyth, second on the team with 23 points (nine goals, 14 assists), was replaced by Alexander Frolov, who led the Kings in goals last season but now has only four goals in 22 games.

• Philadelphia played Philadelphia West on Wednesday night. The Kings have a few Flyers alumni among their number, including general manager Dean Lombardi (a former Flyers scout), assistant GM Ron Hextall (player personnel), coach Terry Murray (head coach and assistant coach) and players Michal Handzus, Randy Jones and Justin Williams. The Flyers brought back winger Ian Laperriere, a popular former King.

Quote To Note:

"We didn't show up to play, and that's why we lost the game. The first two periods, we weren't too solid. It wasn't like we were playing that bad. We just let them have three easy goals. We can't have that. We talk, and watch video on our D zone all the time, and when we make little mistakes like that, it's tough and we've got to learn from it."

Goaltenders:

Jonathan Quick, Erik Ersberg

Defensemen:

Drew Doughty, Jack Johnson, Randy Jones, Davis Drewiske, Sean O'Donnell, Matt Greene.

First Line:

Alexander Frolov, Anze Kopitar, Justin Williams

Second Line:

Scott Parse, Jarret Stoll, Dustin Brown

Third Line:

Teddy Purcell, Michal Handzus, Wayne Simmonds

Fourth Line:

Raitis Ivanans, Brad Richardson, Peter Harrold

Player Notes:

• C Anze Kopitar, the league's leading scorer, put six shots on goal but did not record a point. Kopitar had recorded at least one point in seven of his previous eight games.

• RW Teddy Purcell continued his in-and-out game. Scratched on Friday, back in the lineup Saturday, scratched Monday and back in the lineup Wednesday, Purcell took the place of LW Alexander Frolov on the Kings' checking line after Frolov moved up to replace injured LW Ryan Smyth. Purcell did not record a point and has not recorded a point for seven consecutive games.

• G Jonathan Quick stopped only 17 of 20 shots on a night when he was hurt by defensive breakdowns in front of the Kings' net. Quick has now allowed at least three goals in five of his last six games, and is 2-4 in those games.

Medical Watch:

• LW Ryan Smyth missed the game with an undisclosed upper-body injury and is expected to be out until mid-December.

• D Rob Scuderi missed a second consecutive game with an undisclosed lower-body injury and is considered questionable for Saturday's game vs. Calgary.

• D Alec Martinez missed a 20th consecutive game because of a high ankle sprain. Martinez was put on injured reserve Thursday and no timetable has been set for his return.