Kurri’s Two Goals Power Kings, 6-3 : Hockey: Stauber stops 26 shots and gets first NHL victory before 14,509, the first time L.A. has failed to sell out Forum since December of 1990.

Goaltender Robb Stauber has lived with the memory of the Winnipeg Jets for 2 1/2 years.

He saw lots of those red, white and blue uniforms swarming during that game--and red lights, too--while giving up three goals during the first four minutes in an inauspicious NHL debut for the Kings in March of 1990. Rogie Vachon, then the general manager, saw red, too, outraged at the lack of support in front of Stauber.

Stauber, fighting a variety of serious injuries since then, took the long road back and found himself facing the Jets again Saturday night. The 24-year-old came full circle and got his first NHL victory as the Kings beat the Jets, 6-3, before 14,509 at the Forum.

“It’s definitely a good start,” said Stauber, who made 26 saves. “It’s been a long four years. You keep plugging and hoping good things will happen. I felt like the guys were pulling for me and playing well in front of me.”

Stauber, the Hobey Baker winner in 1987-88 for the University of Minnesota, wasn’t as bothered about the Winnipeg game in 1990 as he was by the ramifications.

“What stuck with me is that it wasn’t a good way to start.” he said. “The guys in front of me at the time lost confidence in me. When your teammates lose confidence in you, it’s tough to play like that.”

King Coach Barry Melrose called Stauber last summer to offer support and encouragement. One phone call made a big difference, Stauber said.

“I haven’t ever seen Robb Stauber play badly,” Melrose said. “I saw him in New Haven (in 1990). He didn’t lose in four exhibition games and he won tonight. He played great.

“It’s not hard for me to be positive about Robb Stauber. (Assistant coach) Cap (Raeder) will be the first guy to tell you that Robb Stauber hasn’t been handled well by the L.A. Kings. He’s always been a great young prospect. We know he’s got talent, and we believe in him.”

Saturday was the first time the Kings (2-1) have failed to sell out at the Forum since Dec. 5, 1990, also against the Jets. Since then, the Kings had sold out 75 consecutive games. Last season, they sold out all 40 homes games and three playoff games.

Jari Kurri, the converted center who scored a hat trick in his King debut against Winnipeg last season, scored two third-period goals, his 498th and 499th in the NHL. Hampered by a slightly sprained left ankle, Kurri left the ice for several minutes during the third but returned for the last 10 minutes.

The other Kings’ goals were scored by Marty McSorley (his second), Dave Taylor (first), Pat Conacher (first) and Jim Hiller (first). It was Hiller’s first NHL goal.

“I told our team before the game that the demise of the Kings was greatly exaggerated,” Winnipeg Coach John Paddock said. “So this doesn’t really surprise me.”

King Notes

Two-thirds of center Jari Kurri’s line, left winger Tony Granato and right winger Tomas Sandstrom, remain sidelined because of injuries. Granato tested his strained lower back during the pregame warm-up, but the team decided to have him sit out for the second consecutive game. Granato suffered the injury during the season-opener on Tuesday in Calgary. Sandstrom, who suffered a mild concussion during the first period against Detroit on Thursday night and spent the night in the hospital, was held out of the lineup as a precautionary measure. Kurri started the game centering left wing Luc Robitaille and Jim Hiller.

John McIntyre, making his first appearance of the season, gave the Kings more depth at center. His line included Warren Rychel and Marty McSorley. . . . Add injury update: Defenseman Brent Thompson (hip flexor strain) has started skating again. . . . The Kings’ luncheon, sponsored by the L.A. Sports Council and Chamber of Commerce, will be held Monday at the Biltmore. Tickets are $65 per person and can be purchased by calling the Sports Council at (213) 629-0628.