Defense Stiffened After Blake Injury

In the Kings’ 5-2 victory over Phoenix on Thursday, Coach Larry Robinson got strong play from defensemen Doug Zmolek, John Slaney, Mattias Norstrom, Steven Finn and Philippe Boucher after captain Rob Blake was hit in the hand by a slap shot in the first period.

Blake was put on injured reserve Friday and is expected to be sidelined because of a broken right hand for at least four weeks.

“It’s unfortunate but it’s not a season-ending injury,” Robinson said. “It’s nothing that he can’t work around and get back in [the lineup].”

Defenseman Jan Vopat, who had back surgery Oct. 22, played in his first game with the Phoenix Roadrunners of the IHL on Thursday and had three assists. He is expected to play with the Roadrunners for the next 10 days before being called up to the Kings. Until then, the Kings will rely on Jaroslav Modry and Sean O’Donnell--who will not play tonight against Colorado at the Forum because of a sprained left wrist--to fill in for Blake.

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The Kings’ offense has shown signs of life over the last five games. Center Ray Ferraro has three goals and three assists and winger Vladimir Tsyplakov has two goals and four assists since Dec. 17. Brad Smyth has scored six goals in 12 games since being acquired from Florida. . . . Left wing Jeff Shevalier was called up from Phoenix and will play tonight. In 34 games with the Roadrunners, Shevalier has 12 goals and 25 points. . . . Yanic Perreault, Matt Johnson, and Vitali Yachmenev will not play tonight because of various injuries.