Kings' Robyn Regehr Plays in Game No. 1,000 Saturday

Los Angeles Kings defenseman Robyn Regehr played in his 1,000th career regular-season game Saturday as the fading Kings lost 2-0 to the Philadelphia Flyers. Regehr was honored for the accomplishment with a pregame ceremony, and he ended up skating for more than 20 minutes for the first time since Dec. 30.

The Kings outshot the Flyers 35 to 13, yet Los Angeles still managed to lose for the eight time in nine games, putting a damper on Regehr's milestone. With seven of those eight losses coming in regulation, the Kings have just three points over a nine-game stretch, and they're no longer a lock to make the playoffs.

Los Angeles currently holds third place in the Pacific Division, but the Vancouver Canucks are just three points behind with a game in hand, while the Phoenix Coyotes are four points back with a pair of games in hand. Given how strong the Central Division looks, the Kings can't count on grabbing a wild-card spot if they don't finish among the top three teams in the Pacific.

Regehr's steady work on defense should help Los Angeles right the ship, although the bigger issue is that the Kings can't score goals. They lead the league in goals allowed per game (2.1) and rank 29th in goals scored (2.2), with zero multi-goal games since Jan. 21. Regehr isn't of much use when it comes to scoring as he has just 31 goals and 149 assists in his 1,000 career games. What he does offer is a steady presence along the blue line and durability, having missed seven games or more just once in the last 12 seasons.

Regehr is still only 33 years old, so a run at the 1,500-game club isn't out of the question. Only 14 players have played in 1,500 regular-season games, and 41-year-old Dallas Stars winger Jaromir Jagr is on track to hit the milestone next season, assuming he doesn't retire.