Is winger Dustin Penner in Kings coach Darryl Sutter’s doghouse already?

Dustin Penner skated and skated and skated some more Monday morning at the Kings’ El Segundo practice facility. Brad Richardson and Andrew Bodnarchuk joined him for a lengthy post-morning skate workout after their teammates left the ice.

It sure looked like Penner would be scratched for the third consecutive game, but Kings coach Darryl Sutter would only say, “Be there for the song,” when asked if he would ice the same lineup Monday against the Vancouver Canucks as during Saturday’s victory over the Phoenix Coyotes.

That lineup did not include Penner, a left wing who had no goals or assists in season-opening losses to the Chicago Blackhawks and the Colorado Avalanche before finding himself scratched for an overtime loss to the Edmonton Oilers and a victory over the Coyotes.

Penner concluded his hour-plus skate by walking past reporters and saying, “Come on down, the price is right,” when someone asked if he had a minute to talk. Penner retreated to a team video session, however, and was unavailable for immediate comment.

It wouldn’t be the first time Penner has landed in a coach’s doghouse. He has won Stanley Cup championships with the Kings last season and with the Ducks in 2007, but has had difficulty convincing his coaches that he has the intestinal fortitude to do what it takes to win.

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