Kings Finally Give Fans Something to Appreciate

It was a fortuitous thing that the guest list for the Kings’ home finale included the San Jose Sharks.

The ultimate feel-good opponent--that is, next to Ottawa--carried out its assignment in putting a balm on an often painful season as the Kings defeated the Sharks, 6-2, on Wednesday night at the Forum.

For at least one night, the fans among the announced crowd of 12,862 had something genuine to cheer in the Kings’ first home victory since March 6.

There was one personal milestone when goaltender Kelly Hrudey recorded his sixth victory of the season and 250th of his NHL career. For Hrudey, who faced 28 shots, it might have been his final game at the Forum as a King, because he becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer. Hrudey was named the game’s No. 1 star and saluted the cheering crowd by raising his stick and mask high in the air.

“If it happens to be the last game here for me, what a way to finish,” Hrudey said. “It’s an especially nice night to go out on. These have been eight of the most pleasant years. My family and I were taken in here by the fans. Everyone can see I really enjoy playing here at home.”

Hrudey got to 250, in part, with a strong second-period effort in which the Kings scored five consecutive goals, a season high in a period, and outshot the Sharks, 23-4. Leading the way was left wing Dimitri Khristich, who scored his 24th and 25th goals and added an assist. Rookie Vitali Yachmenev had two assists, bringing his point total to 52, and rookie defenseman Jan Vopat scored his first NHL goal.

All this helped ease some bad memories of a futile season, in which the Kings (23-39-18) missed the playoffs for the third consecutive season. It isn’t the worst stretch in their history--they missed reaching the playoffs four consecutive seasons, starting from 1969-70.

The Kings averaged 13,551 this season at the Forum, the lowest since the 1987-88 season of 11,667, just before the team acquired Wayne Gretzky. In the lockout-shortened 1995 season, the Kings averaged 15,398.

In addition to Hrudey’s situation, King management will have to make decisions on two other players who will be unrestricted free agents--forwards Gary Shuchuk and Kevin Todd. King General Manager Sam McMaster said the team intends to try to re-sign Todd, and it is believed that an offer was presented to him recently.

The rebuilding effort--which included seven trades after Jan. 1-- will probably continue through the off-season, and co-owner and Colorado billionaire Philip F. Anschutz said recently that the team will be a contender next season, adding, “not in four or five years like everyone is saying.”

At least one player believes that more work is necessary.

“I think we still need to make more changes,” Khristich said. “Everybody is saying how [Coach] Larry [Robinson] never missed the playoffs in 22 years. In my short career, I had never missed the playoffs. Nobody is happy.”

King Notes

Team awards were handed out after the first period: most valuable player (Dimitri Khristich), best defenseman (Steven Finn), best newcomer (Vitali Yachmenev), best defensive player (Kevin Todd), most inspirational (Tony Granato) and unsung hero (Finn).