Only the Willing and Able Need Apply

If Coach Larry Robinson decides to go with a limited lineup tonight at St. Louis, he will not get many complaints from the players.

“There are nights when we do not have 20 guys ready to play,” defenseman Philippe Boucher said. “[Not playing every player] is the way it should be, since we all do not show up for every game.

“We can’t expect the guy next to you to make the play. We all have to want to be in there and be ready to play. That’s the only way.”

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With enforcer Matt Johnson sidelined indefinitely because of a shoulder injury, the Kings soon may call up Roman Vopat from Phoenix in the International Hockey League. Vopat, a 6-foot-3, 216-pound center, would give the team some toughness it has lacked during a six-game winless streak. . . . Since being called up from Phoenix, center Neal Broten is scoreless in four games. . . . Over their last 15 games, the Kings have scored only 31 goals. They have been shut out four times and had one goal three times.