The Kings are in the midst of a brutal stretch of games in which they play only once in nine contests at Staples Center. They’re also home for only four of 12 games this month, a quirk of scheduling that has so much to do with the arena’s annual hosting of the Grammy Awards in the early part of February. Here’s the fifth and final takeaway and giveaway after Monday’s 4-1 victory over the Blues in St.Louis.

After going 2-3 on their trip to Anaheim, Columbus, Nashville, Detroit and St. Louis, the Kings found themselves in 12th place in the Western Conference with a 4-5-2 record. Some of it can be traced to some seriously listless play, but some can be linked to their travels to start the season. It’s just harder to win on the road than it is at home, and the Kings have been home for only three games so far. Let’s wait and see how they do in the coming weeks, when the schedule balances out and they’re home for eight of nine starting later this month. It’s easy to write them off now, but let’s see how they fare on an extended homestand with cheers instead of jeers ringing in their ears.