"Olli Jokinen had been a Ranger for a few scant hours yesterday when he spoke about how little time he and Marian Gaborik have to adjust to one another.

"It can't be long. There's six games before the Olympic break - we don't have time here to wait 20 games to get used to it," Jokinen said Tuesday. "We have to start getting used to each other tonight. That's the way it goes."

Okay, Thursday night. With Jokinen playing his first game as a Ranger after being acquired from Calgary on Monday, it was a power-play miscue between the centerman and his wing that led to the go-ahead second-period goal in the Rangers' 2-1 loss to the Kings in their road-trip finale and sixth loss in the last seven.

"It's definitely disappointing we didn't win," Jokinen said. "A few minutes left in the second period and we get a power play, you've got to capitalize on those chances. One goal is going to be enough (to beat you).... Can't let that happen."

After playing for the Flames in a 3-0 loss to the Flyers to end his short Calgary stint on Monday, Jokinen sped to L.A. Tuesday to begin a Ranger tenure that in all likelihood will be even shorter. Jokinen - who hits unrestricted free agency at season's end - debuted for his fourth team in three seasons Tuesday night, a day after Glen Sather sent castaway winger Ales Kotalik and Christopher Higgins to Calgary for Jokinen and rugged winger Brandon Prust - who certainly made an entrance with 19 minutes in penalties last night."