Robitaille Does It All as Kings Finally Get Away From Sharks

King Coach Barry Melrose intended it as a challenge. Luc Robitaille took it as a compliment. But when the rookie coach appointed the 26-year-old Robitaille team captain before the first game this season, few knew what weight to place on the move.

Banished from the helm was the steady Dave Taylor, the longtime captain who has played all of his 15 NHL seasons as a King.

Robitaille handled that weight Tuesday night, ending his goal-scoring drought this season and getting both the Kings’ goals for a 2-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks before 14,320 at the Forum.

Asked to talk about Robitaille’s role on the team, Melrose brightened and replied: “I’d love to talk about Luc.”

The Kings (3-1) are clearly benefiting from the unique relationship Melrose has forged with the all-star left wing.

“Luc is my captain,” Melrose said. “I believe in him and he believes in me. Leadership is important. My leaders, I expect a lot of them on the ice and a lot of them in the (locker) room. Luc is the guy who jumped out at me. It’s time for him to start being a leader on this club. He’s been here long enough. He’s just never been given the opportunity.”

Robitaille created his own chances on the ice Tuesday night, scoring the winning goal while charging the goal alone.

“The first thing I thought of was putting it in the net,” Robitaille said.

And his new responsibility?

“I didn’t know we needed a new captain,” he said. “But I was going to be a leader this year, if I was captain or not.”

Robitaille’s hustle was a bright spot in an otherwise sloppy game. Melrose continued to juggle lines to compensate for injuries, especially at center. His conversion of wingers to centers continued, with the proper chemistry still not showing itself. On Tuesday night, Melrose chose to keep rookie center Robert Lang on the bench for two periods while double-shifting Jari Kurri, a convert from right wing.

Melrose explained the move by saying that the style of play was more conducive to Kurri, but it was noted that Kurri needed only one goal to reach 500, which would tie him for 17th on the NHL’s all-time goal-scoring list.

“We weren’t great,” Melrose said, “but it was nice to win.”

No doubt it was also nice to exhibit a least a hint of the consistency Melrose has been preaching.

If the Kings were unspectacular but steady, then the Sharks (1-2) were surprisingly strong. They regrouped during the second period after a first period characterized by confusion and disarray. Neither team added to the 1-1 score, but each took turns applying pressure.

During the first period, the Kings exhibited the sort of dominance that Melrose is seeking. The return of Tomas Sandstrom gave a boost to his linemates, Corey Millen and Mike Donnelly. Millen was consistently the most active King during the period, buzzing around the rink, using his speed to create havoc among the already ragged Sharks.

Millen’s skating set up a 5-on-3 for the Kings during the first period, when, on a power play, he burst alone into the Shark zone and caused San Jose center Mike Sullivan to pull him down in front of the net. The Kings were unable to capitalize on the two-man advantage, nor the rest of the power play.

It was Robitaille’s power-play goal that gave the Kings a short-lived 1-0 lead during the period. King Defenseman Alexei Zhitnik launched a hard shot from the left point, which Robitaille redirected in front of the net for his first goal of the season.

San Jose scored minutes later on Jeff Odgers’ point-blank shot past Kelly Hrudey at 9:54. Hrudey finished with 34 saves.

King Notes

Left wing Tony Granato, who had been listed as possible for Tuesday’s game, did not play. Granato, who has a strained lower back, has sat out three games. . . . Defenseman Tim Watters has been assigned to the Phoenix Roadrunners. . . . Defenseman John Mokasak, 29, was acquired from the New York Rangers for future considerations and will be assigned to Phoenix.