Frolov Benched, Kings Beat Dallas

Newsmakers in the NHL: During the regular season it's our Weekday look at the previous night's action and some of the storylines taking place around the league. Have a tip or something you want linked? Send it in to nhlfanhouse@gmail.com.

Kings 4, Stars 1: Alexander Frolov is in Terry Murray's doghouse, as the Russian winger found himself out of the lineup on Monday night after a public tongue-lashing from his head coach earlier in the day. Following the morning skate, Murray told Rich Hammond of Kings Insider: "I haven't been happy with Fro's game for several games. The game the other night is the straw that broke the camel's back, in my opinion. The turnovers, the careless play... It has to be better, and you have to come out with that high level of intensity, with smart work, hard work, and you've got to love the game. You've got to love the game in order to be a player. The talent is there, but it always is the work that brings out talent. And I need more."

Also: Lucic out following finger surgery, video of the day, and more

Without Frolov, the Kings snapped a three-game losing streak with a 4-1 win in Dallas, receiving goals from Ryan Smyth, Anze Kopitar, Justin Williams and Wayne Simmonds. Goaltender Jonathan Quick stopped 29 of 30 shots, including all 15 he faced in the third period.

The Rest Of Monday's Games

San Jose snaps the Rangers' seven-game winning streak with a blowout. [Box Score, Botta's Recap]

Sam Gagner scored the game-winning goal at the 10:33 mark of the third period to lead Edmonton past Vancouver. [Box Score, Recap]

Loose Pucks

-- Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic will miss the next four-to-six weeks after having surgery on his broken right index finger. He has three assists on the season and recently signed a contract extension with the club. [Boston Bruins]

-- Have you heard the latest Nathan Horton trade rumors? If you have, there's absolutely no truth to them according to Panthers general manager Randy Sexton. [Sun-Sentinel]

-- This past Sunday marked the second time this season there were no NHL games scheduled on a Sunday. Is the NHL afraid of competing against the NFL and MLB ? Puck Daddy's Greg Wyshynski asks the NHL. [Puck Daddy]

Video Of The Day

We've had some fun at Nikolai Khabibulin's expense this season, so it's only fair to give him credit when it's deserved. He stopped 39 shots in Edmonton's 2-1 win on Monday, including this save on a Kyle Wellwood one-timer.

Tuesday's Key Games

Penguins vs. Blues: Good game in Pittsburgh (a game I'll be at for FanHouse) as the Penguins host a Blues team that's coming off a 5-0 win against Anaheim on Saturday. The Blues have lost three of four since their season opening sweep of Detroit in Sweden.

Thrashers vs. Canadiens: The Thrashers close out their five-game road trip in Montreal, looking to collect eight of a possible 10 points. Very quietly Ilya Kovalchuk has seven goals in five games for Atlanta.

Blue Jackets vs. Flames: Columbus takes its three-game winning streak into Calgary. The Blue Jackets have allowed just two goals in their past three games.