Key play: Jeff Carter’s second-period goal tied the score and propelled the Kings to a 4-1 victory Saturday over the Florida Panthers. Carter should have been whistled for interference on the play, knocking over the Panthers’ Quinton Howden and creating open ice for a one-timed shot.

Pivotal performer: Kings center Anze Kopitar’s second-period goal was the 223rd of his career, moving him past Charlie Simmer for seventh place on the franchise’s all-time list.

Line shifts: Kings coach Darryl Sutter demoted struggling wingers Dustin Brown and Marian Gaborik to the third line from the first, teaming them with center Nick Shore. Brown played a team-low 3:53 in the first period and Gaborik played only 4:17.

Quote, unquote: “It’s definitely getting better,” Milan Lucic said of meshing with the Kings. “It’s gotten better, especially the last 10 games, after that 0-3 start, and I’m starting to figure out the system, where it’s becoming second nature and I’m not having to over-think what I’m supposed to do.”

Lineup shuffle: Kings defenseman Christian Ehrhoff was scratched for the first time this season. He had four points, all assists, and a team-worst minus-7 defensive rating in 13 games. Derek Forbort replaced him in the lineup after recorded his first NHL point with a second-period assist.

Injury update: Forbort was said to have suffered from an illness Oct. 22-27, which was why he sat out for four games.