Lacroix Suspended for Hit on Stevens

Left wing Kevin Stevens was sleepless after Tuesday’s game against Philadelphia--his neck braced to prevent further injury, along with a swollen lip, stitches inside and outside his mouth, and a blistering headache.

And Stevens was lucky.

His face was on the wrong end of a cheap shot, an elbow from Flyer left wing Daniel Lacroix in the second period. The Kings sent a tape to the NHL, and the league on Wednesday suspended Lacroix pending review.

Sam McMaster, the Kings’ general manager, said:

“The check created an injury to our player and we thought it was an illegal check. We asked the league to look into it. That’s all we did.”

“I think I’ll be able to play,” said Stevens, who clearly wants to take the ice tonight against his former team, the Boston Bruins.

King Coach Larry Robinson wasn’t so sure, saying: “He’s 50-50.”

Not returning any time soon is defenseman Jan Vopat, who is out because of a herniated disk in his lower back.

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Defenseman Steven Finn has been practicing the last three days and said he is recovered from a stress fracture of the right leg.