Stevens, Laperriere Stand Out in Loss

Two bright spots for the Kings in their 7-4 loss at St. Louis on Sunday night were the goals scored by Kevin Stevens and Ian Laperriere.

For Stevens, it was his first score since Nov. 14 and for Laperriere, his first since Oct. 10.

“At least we get the pressure off by finally scoring a goal,” Laperriere said. “Hopefully, we can keep it going after Christmas.”

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St. Louis winger Brett Hull scored his 500th career goal with three against the Kings, making him and his father Bobby Hull the first father-son duo to record 500 or more in the NHL.

Bobby Hull, who scored 610, was not in attendance Sunday.

“He was with me in spirit,” Brett Hull said. “I know when I see him he’ll give me a big congratulations and a hug and a kiss.”

Brett Hull was particularly glad he got No. 500 at home.

“It means everything,” Hull said. “They’ve been so great to me over the years.”

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King goalie Stephane Fiset started Sunday for his first back-to-back starts since losing to Florida and Detroit Nov. 20 and 23. Fiset started in the Kings’ 6-2 loss at Buffalo on Friday. He was replaced by Byron Dafoe in the third period after Fiset gave up his seventh goal of the game.

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Defenseman Doug Zmolek played Sunday night for the first time in six games since injuring his right shoulder against Colorado. Zmolek was teamed with Rob Blake in the lineup as defensemen John Slaney and Steven Finn were not in uniform.

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Right wing Kai Nurminen suffered a right knee sprain early in the first period and did not return. Forward Matt Johnson, who has missed the last two games because of a right shoulder injury, will be examined again today by team doctors and is still listed day-to-day. . . . Twenty of the Kings’ first 35 games have been on the road.