Defenseman Drew Doughty played 23 minutes, 29 seconds during the Kings’ 7-2 loss Sunday to the San Jose Sharks in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series. It wasn’t enough, as far as Doughty was concerned, and he said so before Game 3 on Tuesday at Staples Center. Doughty averaged 25:42 in the regular season.

Part of the reason for Doughty’s diminished playing time was the fact that Kings coach Darryl Sutter played seven defensemen instead of the usual six and spread the minutes among Doughty, Matt Greene, Jake Muzzin, Slava Voynov, Alec Martinez, Willie Mitchell and Robyn Regehr.

“I think everyone gets out of a rhythm when you dress seven ‘D’, for sure,” Doughty said after the Kings’ morning skate. “I only played 23 minutes and I think that’s like the lowest I’ve played in who knows how long. I want to be playing 28 or 30 minutes, so I didn’t like it too much, but it’s not my decision.

“Whatever the decide as a team I just have to go along with it and accept it. If they dress seven again tonight I’m totally fine with it. I just have to play my game and make a difference out there. I’ve always wanted to play more.

“Sometimes they think they play me too much I’m tired in certain situations. I know I’m not tired. I can play 40 minutes if they really want me to and I’ll be fine. I want to play every single second out there. I know it’s not possible, so we just need everybody to step up a little bit more.”