WEDNESDAY’S GAME : Gretzky Keeps His Assist Streak Going in Kings’ Win

When you have registered as many points as Wayne Gretzky, it is easy to lose track of records.

“Sometimes I just sneak up on them,” the NHL’s all-time scoring leader said. “It has happened a few times like that.”

Gretzky, who scored his 14th goal and his league-leading 52nd assist to spark Los Angeles to a 5-2 win over Hartford Wednesday, extended his current assist streak to 17 games to match a NHL record he shares with defenseman Paul Coffey, a former teammate. Both were set when Gretzky and Coffey played in Edmonton earlier this decade.

“I don’t recall that one but I do remember Paul’s,” Gretzky said.

Gretzky’s offensive performance, along with two goals from Bernie Nicholls and one apiece by Luc Robitaille and Steve Duchesne, enabled the Kings to continue their impressive play since Nov. 11.

“We are starting to take advantage of our overall team speed,” said Gretzky. “That has been a key to our play of late. We’re also staying away from ill-timed penalties.”

Whalers coach Rick Ley was disappointed in his club’s showing in the third period as the Kings scored on three of four shots.

“Defensively, we backed off all night and when you have doubts in hockey, normally you only do half the job and that’s about what we did tonight,” said Ley. “Let’s face it, we played against a good, good hockey team that is getting better.”

During his latest streak, Gretzky has five goals and 35 assists. Nicholls, who shares the league lead in goals with Robitalle and Brett Hull of St. Louis, stretched his own point streak to 11 games.

Steve Duchense also scored for the Kings. Los Angeles is 5-1-1 since Dec. 2 and 9-3-1 since Nov. 11.

Kelly Hrudey stopped 25 shots with only Ron Francis and Kevin Dineen scoring for Hartford, which continues to struggle at home. The Whalers are 6-11-1 at home.