Kings Work Out Kinks, Face Islanders Tonight

The Kings spent their Friday morning practice going over those aspects of hockey that Coach Pat Quinn thought had not been executed well in the 4-3 loss to St. Louis Thursday night.

Considering how the Kings performed in that opening game, it’s a wonder that practice didn’t run well into the night. Quinn cited a lack of aggressive forechecking, breakdowns on defense, mishandled passes and general first-game jitters as problems for the Kings.

“We had some good things, but they don’t feel too good right now,” Quinn said Thursday night. “Our young players played well. (But) we turned the puck over too many times in our own end. You’re looking for poise and stability (from veterans). I’m not going to point the finger at anybody, but it’s the veterans who are supposed to be in control. It’s just so disappointing to play a good game and not win.”

Quinn put the Kings through skating drills in which forechecking and breakouts were stressed, and again spent time working on the power play. The Kings were 1 for 8 on power plays against St. Louis and on their first three failed to get off any shots on goal.

The penality-killing unit, a perennial headache for Quinn, will be tested tonight against the Islanders. The acquisition of penalty-killing specialist Bob Bourne, who will be facing his former team, may help.

The Islanders, under a new coach, Terry Simpson, hope to rebound from a down season. Their power play, which had been top-rated in 1984-85, was 10th last season. That was still better than the Kings’ rating.

“The Islanders are in the middle of a youth program,” Quinn said. “I really don’t know how the addition of a new coach will affect them. But from the little I saw on television last night, they will continue to be an aggressive team.”

The Islanders lost their opener to Chicago, 3-2, Thursday night. Defenseman Steve Konroyd and forward Brent Sutter each scored a goal, and Bryan Trottier had two assists. The Islanders are led on offense by Mike Bossy, who last season had 61 goals and 62 assists.

Whether Simpson will get the strong defensive game he favors is questionable, since he is rebuilding the defense.

The sure thing the Islanders have is goaltending in veteran Billy Smith and Kelly Hrudey. Since the Islanders were 17th in the league in shots allowed last season, it’s an important element.

What Quinn is really hoping for is a well-played game. Mistakes and letdowns cost the Kings Thursday night, and Quinn would like to break the team tradition of starting slowly.

“We can win if we execute,” Quinn said.