If something good happens for the Kings these days, chances are Michal Handzus is somehow involved in it. Whether it’s setting a screen in front of a goalie, winning a faceoff or playing responsible defense (as a center or winger), Handzus has made a complete turnaround after his dreadful 2007-08 season. Today, for the first time in a while, I got a chance to sit down with Handzus for a few minutes and talk about his season so far…

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Question: This is shaping up to be a good season, for you personally and for the team. How good does it feel to be a big part of that now?

HANDZUS: “Well obviously that was my goal. Obviously nobody was happy about last year, but I knew I was a much better play than I was last year, and I still think I’m a better player than I have been this year. So I’m still trying to get better every day and hopefully in this stretch, in this playoff run, I can get even better and help the team even more to get to the playoffs. ”

Question: When Terry talks about you, he talks about your unselfishness and your willingness to play any role. In your mind, is that something that comes with being a veteran player?

HANDZUS: “I think I have always done that. Even when I was young, it didn’t really matter for me where I played. I just want to help the team and whatever they ask me for, I’ll do it. I can play on the left wing, I can play center, I can play any role that they need me to do. That’s what I try to do, play a two-way role and try to help the team.”

Question: How much better do you feel, physically, this year as opposed to last year?

HANDZUS: “I feel stronger. Obviously my skating is better, and I think that’s a benefit of the summer. I was healthy and I had good workouts and it helped me a lot. Obviously I feel better, and it’s all about my skating.”

Question: Last year, you always said that the knee was fine, but so many people say that the first year back after ACL surgery is very tough. In hindsight, was that season tougher than you thought it would be?

HANDZUS: “It was a lot of things. I don’t really want to go back to last year. After the season, I drew the line and it was over. Right away, the next day, I just focused on the next season. Obviously it was rough, but you always learn something from it and try to get better.”

Question: When you came to training camp this year, did you know instantly that it was better? Were you where you wanted to be?

HANDZUS: “Sure. All summer, I felt healthy and that was the key. I could do a lot of the stuff I used to be able to do before. Stuff I couldn’t do the last couple years. So that was a big thing. I was ready, for sure, and I’ve been ready to go.”

Question: You have a young team here, and you’re one of the veteran leaders. What do these young guys need to know about being in a playoff race?

HANDZUS: “For us, it’s consistency. Not even every game, but every period and every shift. You have to play at the same level. It’s all about that. In the last game, obviously we didn’t play a good first period and it cost us the game, so that’s what we have to key on. Just play every shift, every period and every game the same way. If we do that, we’re going to win a lot of games.”