Kings’ Goal Still Not Clear : Stanley Cup playoffs: Hrudey will be starter in Game 1 against Flames. Stauber is demoted to third team behind Knickle, who has not played since March 29.

CALGARY, Canada —  The Kings’ three-ring goaltending circus managed to hit a new level of absurdity on Saturday, which happened to be the eve of their Smythe Division semifinal playoff opener against the Calgary Flames at the Olympic Saddledome.

Let us count the ways:

--The incumbent, Kelly Hrudey, is expected to start in Game 1 today at noon. Essentially, this is not much of a surprise because Robb Stauber struggled in the regular-season finale against the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday and was pulled in favor of Hrudey midway through the third period.

--Stauber is not only not starting, he won’t even be in uniform. After being in contention for the starting job in Game 1 up until Thursday, Stauber was told by Coach Barry Melrose on Saturday that he wouldn’t be Hrudey’s backup. Stauber would not comment on the matter, but a couple of his teammates confirmed the information. Stauber’s abrupt reversal of fortune stunned some of the Kings, many of whom thought he should be the starter.

--Rick Knickle, 33, has returned from goaltending oblivion to be the backup in Game 1. Knickle, he of the minor league miracle, won six games for the Kings after they signed him on Feb. 15. Lately, he has hardly been spotted, not having played in a game since March 29, when he defeated Detroit. Knickle has been so far out of the picture, he didn’t even make the Kings’ last two trips to San Jose and Vancouver. “So, what happens if Kelly gets hurt?” one King player asked. “The guy there on the bench hasn’t played in a month.”

Said Knickle, who said he wasn’t surprised by the move: “I’m not the type of person to ask why. I just take it all in stride. I’ve been the No. 1 guy in my career, and I’ve been the guy who’s been forgotten about. You have to be ready for anything.”

Melrose wouldn’t discuss his goaltending plans. “What I’ve found is that it has become a big deal,” he said. “I just don’t want the guy who is going to play have to answer a bunch of questions about it right now. He just doesn’t need those questions. It’s become a bigger deal than it should have.”

The goaltending situation has become a significant issue because Melrose threw the door wide open after Knickle was signed, saying any one of the three could become the No. 1 goaltender. And when Knickle essentially dropped out of contention, a clear-cut difference between Hrudey and Stauber didn’t really develop until Thursday.

The other meaningful news Saturday was that defenseman Rob Blake probably won’t play in Game 1 and is “doubtful,” he said, for Game 2. Blake suffered a back injury against Minnesota on April 3 and has skated only twice since. He skated 20 minutes Wednesday and 45 minutes Saturday.

“It (pain) hasn’t changed that much since Thursday,” said Blake, who is taking an anti-inflammatory medicine and a muscle relaxant. “You play all year for the playoffs and get hurt. I wish it would have happened earlier in the season.”

Blake’s absence could be felt on the power play in particular. He scored 16 goals this season, 10 on the power play. Tim Watters will take his place in the lineup and Blake’s power-play responsibilities will be divided among rookies Alexei Zhitnik and Darryl Sydor. Forward Jari Kurri will man the point on the power play.

The Kings and the Flames finished their season series 3-3-1 and the Kings outscored them, 24-22. In their last meeting, they tied, 3-3, on April 6, with the Kings going two for nine on the power play.

For now, the Flames’ lineup is virtually intact. Defenseman Al MacInnis was sidelined 34 games in the middle of the season and left wing Gary Roberts returned Thursday for the regular-season finale after sitting out 25 games because of a leg injury. Right wing Theo Fleury led the Flames with 34 goals and 100 points and center Robert Reichel emerged as a key player with 40 goals and 88 points. In goal will be veteran Mike Vernon (29-26-9), who has had a roller-coaster type season.

Of course, the Flames will have to pay close attention to King Luc Robitaille, who set two league records for left-wing scoring with 63 goals and 125 points.

Wayne Gretzky seems to be the wild card. This is his fifth season with the Kings and they have won three playoff series in that time. This season, he fought back from a career-threatening back injury and scored 16 goals and had 65 points in 45 games. At times in the last month, he has shown signs of approaching his past standard of excellence.

At 32, he knows his time is running out. He doesn’t want to be remembered for last season’s first-round playoff exit to Edmonton. Gretzky’s eyes light up when asked how it would feel to carry the Stanley Cup around the ice one more time.

“I’d kill for it,” he said, smiling. “It would mean much more for hockey if L.A. could win the Stanley Cup. The exposure. It would be unbelievable what it would do for hockey. People who have been there before, it’s easy to imagine winning it. We’re thinking about it. It’d be a dream come true.”

He was asked about the Kings’ lackluster playoff legacy.

Gretzky laughed, saying: “We haven’t won it in 26 years. The Rangers haven’t won it in 53 years. You’ve got to look on the bright side.”