Robinson Beefs Up Team’s Power Play

To get more production from the Kings’ power play, Coach Larry Robinson added Brad Smyth to go along with Ray Ferraro, Eddie Olczyk, Aki Berg and Philippe Boucher to make up one unit Saturday night against Ottawa at the Forum.

It was a move that led to the Kings’ first goal in a 3-1 victory when Ferraro scored on a rebound at 9:51 in the first period.

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King forward Ian Laperriere is known more for his hard checks and aggressive play than his goal-scoring ability, but his two goals against Ottawa showed that he can score too.

In his three-year NHL career, Laperriere has scored only 26 goals.

But in his first season with St. Louis in 1994-95, he had 13 goals in 37 games and led the NHL in shooting percentage by making 24.5% of his shots to become the first rookie to lead the league since Warren Young of Pittsburgh in 1984-85.

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Forward Kevin Stevens, who has missed seven games because of an ankle injury, practiced on Sunday and could play tonight against Detroit at the Forum. Goaltender Stephane Fiset’s groin and stomach injury has improved and he also practiced Sunday.