Current Slump More Troublesome

The Kings’ current slump--0-4-1 in their last five games--is not their first nonwinning streak of the season. They were outscored, 13-3, in losing three consecutive games in late October but bounced back and went 3-0-3 over their next six games.

“The difference between the two [streaks] is that earlier in the season we were [getting scoring opportunities],” King goalie Byron Dafoe said. “We just were giving up a lot of goals. Now, our offense is having problems. We just have to get back to basics. We just have a tough schedule to try and do so.”

After tonight’s game at Buffalo, the Kings play at St. Louis on Sunday before playing Phoenix and Colorado at the Forum next week.

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In an effort to produce more offense, Coach Larry Robinson moved forward Ian Laperriere to the first power-play unit against the New York Rangers on Wednesday night. The Kings were zero for four on the power play. . . . Forward Eddie Olczyk, who has missed the last four games because of flu, and defenseman Doug Zmolek, who has been sidelined the last five games, may return at Buffalo.