On and Off Ice, He Is Striking It Rich

It figured that things couldn’t get better for King defenseman Mathieu Schneider.

“Good marriage, my son . . .� he listed Tuesday.

An extra $500,000.

Schneider skated onto Staples Center ice to play against Dallas with 13 goals and 23 assists for 36 points, four points below a bonus threshold that will add $500,000 to his $2 million salary.

After a second-period assist on Rob Blake’s power-play goal and a third-period assist on a goal by Ian Laperriere, the countdown was two.

“I used to think about points, but years ago they became secondary to me,� Schneider said. “This is the first time in a contract that I’ve had a bonus that is points-related.�

King management built bonuses into several contracts last summer in an attempt to be more performance-oriented. Putting the threshold at 40 points for Schneider seemed safe enough. He has had more than 40 in a season only three times in his 12-year career, and not since 1995-96, when he had 54 combined while playing for the New York Islanders and Toronto Maple Leafs.

Last season with the New York Rangers, Schneider had 30 points.

“I don’t think I’ve changed my game in the last couple of years,� he said. “I don’t think I’m playing any better. I’m just in a different situation, with a different team.�

So maybe things can’t get better for Schneider.

Well, maybe a half-million dollars better.