Janecyk Returns From Suspension; Kings Play Host to Oilers Tonight

Goaltender Bob Janecyk of the Kings will return from a five-game suspension tonight, just in time to play the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Edmonton Oilers at the Forum at 7:30.

The Kings (5-15-3), will be trying to break a four-game winless streak.

Janecyk was suspended without pay by the National Hockey League last month for swinging his stick at center Peter Zezel of the Philadelphia Flyers in a game Nov. 3. He had started six of the seven games just before his suspension, posting a 2-3-1 record.

Janecyk’s last victory was a 4-3 overtime decision against the Pittsburgh Penguins Nov. 16 at the Forum. He has a 3-6-1 overall record and a 4.81 goals-against average.

Coach Pat Quinn of the Kings won’t announce his starting goalie until after the pregame skate this morning, since Janecyk doesn’t like to be told if he’s starting until game day, but it’s likely that he will start in place of Darren Eliot, who posted a 1-2-2 record while Janecyk was out.

“I’m anxious to get back playing again,” Janecyk said after Monday’s practice. “I hope it (the suspension) hasn’t set me back any. I haven’t played in almost two weeks.

“But I practiced every day that I was out. I tried to stay as much a part of the team as possible.

“I want to play and we’ve got an important six-game stretch coming up against teams in our own division.”

The Kings have given up a league-high 119 goals this season. During his suspension, Janecyk said he was able to get a different view of the Kings’ defensive problems.

“It’s obvious that we’re not working as a unit,” Janecyk said. “We’ve got to get back to being a team.”

The Kings usually play well against Edmonton. They played the Oilers tough in the first round of the playoffs last season, and although the Oilers swept the series in three games, the Kings sent two of the games into overtime.

The Oilers won the first meeting of the 1985-86 regular season, but the Kings held them to a 4-4 tie at the Forum Nov. 6.

King Notes Left wing Morris Lukowich of the Kings is doubtful for tonight’s game with a sprained left arm. He was hurt in a 5-4 overtime win against Detroit Nov. 21 and aggravated the injury in Saturday’s 4-4 tie against Chicago. . . . Defenseman Mark Hardy, who has not played this season because of a wrist injury, was hoping to return next week but said that his wrist still hurts. . . . The Kings have elected left wing Dave (Tiger) Williams as alternate captain. . . . Goaltender Glenn Healy, who was called up from the minors when Bob Janecyk was suspended, was sent back to New Haven. Healey played 51 minutes against Hartford in his NHL debut and gave up 6 goals in 35 shots in a 9-0 loss last Wednesday.