Kings’ Sandstrom Talks Down to Flames, 5-4 : Hockey: After meeting with Melrose following a lackluster performance, he scores in overtime to beat the Flames.

Tomas Sandstrom needed a small spark, perhaps only a simple push, to get in the right frame of mind for the season opener.

And King Coach Barry Melrose gave it to him after the right wing turned in an un-Sandstrom-like effort during an exhibition last week. Sandstrom won’t divulge details of the conversation, but the results were evident here on Tuesday night.

Sandstrom’s overtime goal with 1:20 remaining gave the Kings a 5-4 come-from-behind victory over the Flames before 19,461 at the Olympic Saddledome. It was Melrose’s NHL coaching debut.

Sandstrom beat goaltender Mike Vernon on a rebound of his own shot. Vernon made a spectacular save on the first shot, but Sandstrom followed the puck to the right side and backhanded the second effort under Vernon, shrugging off a check by Robert Reichel.

Jari Kurri set up the flurry with a pass from the lower left circle, hitting a surprised Sandstrom.

Kurri was also involved on the tying goal. Tony Granato made the score 3-3 with 39 seconds remaining in regulation on a power-play goal as he beat Vernon, converting Kurri’s rebound.

The Kings gained a six-on-four advantage when Joel Otto went off for holding Sandstrom with 59 seconds left. After a timeout, the Kings pulled goaltender Kelly Hrudey for an extra attacker.

As for the winner, Sandstrom gave Kurri all of the credit.

“Jari made the whole play,” said Sandstrom, who played in only two exhibitions because of off-season shoulder surgery.

“I just tried to score on the first shot, and the rebound came right back at me. And I took a whack at it. It was just luck that it went in. I should have scored on the first one.

“He (Kurri) is good with the puck and he really sees all the openings. On the last goal, I never thought he’d see me. He just put it right on my stick. Great players like that, him and (Wayne) Gretzky and (Paul) Coffey, those are the guys who make those kinds of plays.”

But, of course, someone had to be the finisher.

Sandstrom emerged as the candidate when he hit the ice flying on Tuesday. He looked like the Sandstrom of two seasons ago and put the puck on net, finishing with five shots on goal.

Melrose was impressed.

“Tomas has been great,” Melrose said. “I thought he was a force every time he was on the ice tonight. He just needed a talking to a little bit.

“He went to the net. We scored going to the net. That’s what you have to do to win in the NHL. Perimeter teams are done in April. Guys that go to the net play into May.

“We want to be a team that plays into May.”

May, of course, is far away, especially without Gretzky, who is sidelined indefinitely because of a back injury.

“I didn’t know what to expect,” Hrudey said. “Let’s just say I’m pleasantly surprised. But we’re not at the pinnacle of our game yet.”

For Melrose, it was a good start, however.

“This will be a night I’ll remember for a long time,” he said.

Right winger Dave Taylor the epitome of quiet class throughout his distinguished career, started his 16th NHL season in the press box even though he is healthy and ready to play.

Simply put, Taylor is a victim of the team’s new youth movement.

Melrose pulled the 36-year-old Taylor aside for a meeting before Tuesday’s morning skate and told him he would be sitting out, along with defenseman Tim Watters.

“It’s a little different,” said Taylor, who has been with the Kings his entire career. “You come up here and practice with the team and get ready for the game. Right up until this morning, I thought there was a chance I would play. Now I find out I’m not playing. It’s disappointing.

“He (Melrose) is the coach and I’m certainly not going to cause any problems here. We’re all working toward the same goal.”

King Notes

Wayne Gretzky has been cleared to begin rehabilitation. Gretzky was waiting for his pain to subside before undertaking the process. . . . Despite suffering from a lower back strain during the exhibition season, center Corey Millen was able to return to the lineup. With John McIntyre at his grandfather’s funeral, the Kings were thin at center with Jari Kurri, a converted center, Robert Lang, Millen and Pat Conacher.

FAST START: Eric Lindros of Philadelphia took only two shots on goal, but scored once in his debut. C9