Streaks Continue for the Kings, 4-1 : Hockey: Victory over Blackhawks is their ninth in a row at home, one short of a team record. Stauber remains unbeaten in seven games.

Using all the angles, deflections and a law of improbability, the Kings defeated the Chicago Blackhawks, 4-1, on Thursday night and extended two previously unthinkable streaks.

Since losing their home opener on Oct. 8 to the Detroit Red Wings, the Kings have won nine consecutive games at the Forum. The Kings (13-6-2) got two goals from left wing Luc Robitaille on Thursday to secure the victory, moving closer to their record of 10 consecutive home victories, set in the 1990-91 season.

“This was an unbelievable game,” said King Coach Barry Melrose, whose team had lost two consecutive games. “It was war out there. It was a huge win for us, the most satisfying win for the L.A. Kings this year.”

The home streak is all the more satisfying because it has been built at the expense of some quality teams, including the Calgary Flames, Boston Bruins and Vancouver Canucks. A sellout crowd of 16,005 watched the Kings subdue the Blackhawks, holding last season’s Stanley Cup finalist to one goal.

The goal was the only blemish for King rookie goaltender Robb Stauber, who faced 24 shots. Perhaps Stauber’s unbeaten string is even more impressive than the Kings’ winning streak at home.

Stauber is 6-0-1 this season with the tie coming on Oct. 24 in Minnesota. Counting exhibitions, he is 9-0-2. He has started one of every three games, allowing him to work his way into the season at a reasonable pace.

Chicago left wing Michel Goulet was the only one to solve Stauber and he needed a power play to accomplish that. With Rob Blake off on a double-minor, Jeremy Roenick started the play with a shot from the top of the slot. The shot hit Stauber and then King defenseman Darryl Sydor. Goulet, alone at the right crease, was open and put the puck past Stauber at 3:05 of the first period.

The Kings came back with four consecutive goals, highlighted by Corey Millen’s shot late in the second period, which made it 2-1. Tony Granato had tied it, 1-1, with his fifth goal of the season, at 8:06 of the second.

Then Millen provided the play of the day. He launched a 65-footer off the glass above the left boards. Taking a wild carom off the metal strut holding the glass, his shot sailed through the left circle and went unimpeded into the far right corner of the net with only 56 seconds remaining in the period.

Chicago goaltender Jimmy Waite, who had come out to his right to play the shot, was totally out of the net and totally embarrassed. He remained prone on the ice for several seconds afterward. All Millen could do was laugh at the unlikely goal.

“I never get luck like that,” Millen said. “Usually, that’s Luc Robitaille’s area. I’d like to be lucky like that, but usually I’m not.”

Robitaille’s two goals came in the third period, a bit unconventionally. The first, his 18th of the season, came 57 seconds into the third as he deflected Charlie Huddy’s shot from the blue line.

Later, Robitaille put his second goal into the net off Waite’s left shoulder with a shot from the base of the lower right circle.

King Notes

Two weeks ago, Wayne Gretzky was considering the prospect of surgery on his injured back. Now comes word he might return to the lineup by the end of the season. Gretzky, out indefinitely because of a herniated thoracic disk, on Thursday reiterated what he has been telling friends this week. “I hope I’m skating by then (March),” he said. “The way things are going it seems to be real positive. It seems to be more positive than not. There’s a strong possibility I can be skating by the end of the hockey season.”

The key to his improvement has been a reduction in the disk’s inflammation. “It’s drastically cut down in size,” he said. Earlier, six specialists were divided in opinion about whether Gretzky should have surgery or continue rehabilitation. But Gretzky’s primary doctor, Robert Watkins, opted to continue rehabilitation. If and when Gretzky returns, Watkins will design a special vest for protection during games.

Right wing Dave Taylor (concussion) will be sidelined for another seven to 10 days. Taylor, injured in the third period of last Saturday’s game against Edmonton, has been experiencing dizziness and blurred vision. Taylor was re-examined Thursday and apparently there is no further damage. There was bleeding behind his left eye, but that has cleared up. Since Taylor’s tentative return date is during a four-game trip, he probably would not return to the lineup until early December. . . . King forward Pat Conacher missed Thursday’s game because he returned home to Calgary for his father’s funeral. Patrick Conacher, died on Wednesday after a lengthy illness. . . . Tomas Sandstrom’s wife Helena gave birth on Thursday to their first child, Kevin Tomas.