Like Old Times for Kings : Hockey: Gretzky and Kurri are sharp together, Blake scores in overtime as L.A. snaps four-game losing streak.

The primary motivation behind reuniting Jari Kurri and Wayne Gretzky on the same line actually was for King Coach Barry Melrose to take a look at Shawn McEachern at center.

Well, McEachern looked fine at center. But Gretzky and Kurri looked great and evoked memories of their vintage days as they combined for three power-play goals and six points in the Kings’ 4-3 overtime victory Friday night at Winnipeg Arena before a crowd of 13,994. And the Kings (6-5-2) won for the first time in five games, finishing their seven-game trip at 2-4-1.

Kurri won a faceoff from Mike Eagles to set up the winning goal, getting it back to Rob Blake at the right point. Blake’s shot went off Jet defenseman Stephane Quintal and past goaltender Bob Essensa.

“It’s a really big game to get us back on track,” Blake said. “A tie would have been satisfying. But with a win, we can build off this coming back home.”

Said Kurri, who had two goals and one assist: “That’s a huge win. We needed a break like that.”

Melrose joked that he had Gretzky and Kurri look at old Edmonton tapes in the afternoon to refresh their memories. He knew that Kurri would be especially motivated playing against his Finnish countryman Teemu Selanne with the game being televised back home in Finland.

“Jari’s very competitive,” Melrose said. “He came in here last year that day when we had the 17 national anthems and you know he’s going to play well in this building.”

Said Gretzky, who had two assists and one goal: “Tonight was really the first time we played together under Barry. Last year, I was hurt and they put him at center. I thought we played well.

“It’s funny. On the two passes I gave him, the first one I saw him there and on the second, I knew he’d be there. It was funny.”

On the second pass, Kurri put it into a wide-open net from the lower left circle and tied the score, 3-3, at 12:03 of the third period as the Kings rallied from a 3-1 third-period deficit.

It was their third power-play goal, and the Kings were on a five-minute man advantage after Kris King received the major for elbowing defenseman Bob Jay in the left corner. Jay went down hard and his helmet was crushed. He looked wobbly trying to get up and thought his skate blade had broken. It turned out Jay suffered a mild concussion.

King, of course, disagreed with referee Rob Shick’s call.

“The referee comes to you and tells you you’ve got a two-minute penalty,” King said. “Then as soon as he talks to Gretzky, he changes his mind.”

After Kurri’s second goal, the Kings easily could have won the game in regulation. Defenseman Alexei Zhitnik hit the post and Blake hit two more in a 20-second span. Then Kurri hit one himself.

There’s no telling what Kurri and Gretzky might be able to do if they remain together for an extended period. Gretzky is leading the scoring race with eight goals and 29 points. The Kings scoffed at the recent remarks of Pittsburgh’s Mario Lemieux, who claimed he did not know who was leading the NHL in scoring.

“That’s a joke,” Melrose said. “He must have been kidding.”

Said Blake: “Everyone knows who’s leading the scoring race.”

Gretzky shrugged and laughed, but it wasn’t a laugh of amusement. “That’s all right,” he said. “Whatever he thinks. I don’t think he’s that big a fan of mine.”

King Notes

Scratched because of injuries were defenseman Charlie Huddy (pulled groin) and forward Tomas Sandstrom (pulled hamstring). The injury-free scratches were forwards Gary Shuchuk and Jimmy Carson, who sat out for the second time on this trip.