HOCKEY DAILY REPORT : Veterans Hold Key in Stretch

To remain in the playoff hunt, the Kings will need veterans such as Ray Ferraro, Eddie Olczyk, Rob Blake and Kevin Stevens to help lead the way. That is what happened Monday night, when the Kings rallied from a three-goal deficit to tie the Detroit Red Wings, 3-3, at the Forum.

Ferraro scored the game-tying goal midway through the third period. Olczyk had brought the Kings within a goal with his goal late in the second. Ferraro leads the team in goals with 23 and has goals in three consecutive games and four of the last five. Olczyk is second with 21 goals, and his nine-game point streak is the longest current streak in the league.

Blake and Stevens, slowed because of injuries in the last month, did not score, though Stevens had three assists. They used their physical play to help slow the speedy Red Wings.

“When you go against a team that skates and you give them more room, the better they are going to be,” King Coach Larry Robinson said. “The only way to counteract it is to be physical.”

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Goaltender Stephane Fiset, who has sat out the last three games because of a groin/stomach injury, could be ready for Thursday’s game against St. Louis at the Forum. . . . In starting the last two games, Byron Dafoe has faced 88 shots and given up only four goals in going 1-0-1.