By Chris Foster

When defenseman Oleg Tverdovsky plays, the Kings score power-play goals.

Connecting the dots might not involve a straight line, but there is value in the argument that having an experienced defenseman, adept at moving the puck, is going to help a power play. Tverdovsky has played in three games and the Kings are seven for 34 on the power play in those games, including four for 12 in a 4-0 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes on Thursday.

"There are things you can work on in practice, but there are some things you can only work on in games," Tverdovsky said. "You see something that might work and you have the opportunity to try it. You build confidence that way.

"It's something that is tough to do if you don't play that often. That's the situation I'm in right now and I'm going to do the best I can in it."

Tverdovsky, acquired late in training camp from the Carolina Hurricanes, played with stay-at-home defenseman Aaron Miller against Phoenix, a pairing that Coach Marc Crawford says is better for him.

"Oleg can energize young guys out there," Crawford said. "I think playing with a solid citizen like Miller helps him. Oleg seems more comfortable playing with a defensive-orientated defenseman. It allows him to jump into the play."