Kudelski’s Hat Trick a Treat as Kings Move Into First, 6-2

For Todd Elik, it was a nightmare.

For Bob Kudelski, a dream.

Unhappy with Elik’s recent performance, the Kings have scratched the second-line center from the lineup the past two games.

Given the opportunity to replace him on the line with Luc Robitaille and Dave Taylor, Kudelski responded with his first career hat trick Saturday night, leading the Kings to a 6-2 victory over the Vancouver Canucks before a sellout Forum crowd of 16,005. The victory moved the Kings into sole possession of first place in the Smythe Division, two points ahead of the Calgary Flames.

It was the Kings’ sixth consecutive victory and their seventh in eight games as their record improved to 25-14-5.

This is the latest point in the season they have been on top in their division since 1980-81, a season in which they won a club-record 43 games.

“I have had two goals quite a few times over the past few years,” Kudelski said, “and it feels really good to finally get that third one. I’ve been playing the checking line most of the year, where you score a goal here and there. So to cash in like this is really nice.”

King Coach Tom Webster would say only, “He’ll be back in there,” when asked about Elik, but General Manager Rogie Vachon was more specific.

“The coach has not been very happy with Elik’s performance,” Vachon said.

“I guess they are sending me a message,” Elik said. “I don’t know. I can’t say much the way it’s been going for me. The team’s playing well, so it’s tough to get in the lineup right now.

“Before I was hurt, I thought I was playing well. I want to get back and be a part of the winning, but that’s the way it goes.”

Elik, expected to fill the gap left by the trading of Bernie Nicholls last season, has 10 goals and 28 points in 39 games. He missed several games last week because of a deep cut around the right eye.

Kudelski’s three goals give him 18 for the season.

His second goal was a good example of how dismal an evening this was for the Canucks.

With the puck bouncing near the left post of the Vancouver goal like a high hopper to shortstop, Kudelski batted it down, sending it into the left corner.

From there, he shot at the net, vacated by goalie Kirk McLean, who had come out in the slot.

Seeing the puck heading into the net, McLean raced back to catch it.

Instead, it caromed off his stick into his own net and, out of control, McLean crashed into the net as well.

Some days, it just doesn’t pay to put on the skates.

The Canucks have had a lot of those days lately. The team is 1-8-1 over their previous 10 games and 4-13-1 over their last 18.

Once firmly entrenched in third place in the Smythe Division, the Canucks fell to 18-25-4 and slipped into fourth place as Edmonton took over sole possession of third.

Kudelski completed his hat trick with a short-handed goal.

It was the coup de grace on another fine night for the Kings’ penalty killers. The team blanked the Canucks on nine power plays, giving them 44 of 47 penalties killed over the past nine games.

The other King goals were accounted for by Wayne Gretzky (his 26th), Tomas Sandstrom (22nd and third in two games) and Scott Bjugstad (second).

Vancouver’s goals were scored by Garth Butcher (fifth) and Petr Nedved (second).

King Notes

Right wing Dave Taylor played in his 921st game as a King, tying Marcel Dionne for the club longevity mark. Rounding out the top five are Butch Goring (736), Mike Murphy (673) and Jay Wells (604). . . . King defensemen Tim Watters (sprained knee) and Rob Blake (bruised foot) were hurt Saturday. Fellow defensemen Steve Duchesne and Rod Buskas also sat out, Duchesne with a strained back, Buskas with a bruised foot.

The Canucks made two trades Saturday. Center Brian Bradley was sent to the Toronto Maple Leafs for defenseman Tom Kurvers. Bradley had 11 goals and a total of 31 points in 44 games. Kurvers had three assists and eight penalty minutes in 19 games. Vancouver also picked up defenseman Gerald Diduck from the Montreal Canadiens for a fourth-round draft pick. Diduck has a goal, three points and 39 penalty minutes in 32 games.

For Vancouver, if it’s Saturday night, it must be L.A. This game was the first of three Saturday night games at the Forum over four weeks, the only interruption being next Saturday’s All-Star Game. . . . The Kings have five consecutive road games before returning home to face the Canucks on Jan. 26. . . . Nine of the Kings’ 14 games in January are away from home.