Robinson Plays ‘What’s My Line?’

Coach Larry Robinson may shake up the team’s lines tonight against the Washington Capitals to stimulate the offense.

For most of November, the Kings’ top two lines of Jozef Stumpel-Luc Robitaille-Sandy Moger and Yanic Perreault-Vladimir Tsyplakov-Glen Murray carried the offense. In December, they have struggled.

Searching for a spark, Robinson has worked with different combinations the last two practices.

“We’ve moved certain guys off of different lines just to give us a different look,” he said. “I think other teams now are scouting our team and they know how certain lines are playing. . . . Now teams are going to have to make adjustments.”

Stumpel may center a line with Donald MacLean and Moger on the wings. Perreault may skate with Robitaille at left wing and Tsyplakov moving over to right.

The Kings then could use a speed line with Nathan LaFayette, who was recalled from Fredericton on Thursday, at center with Craig Johnson, Glen Murray or Russ Courtnall on the wings.

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The penalty-killing unit has been busy this season and the extra ice time--thanks to the team’s many penalties--has affected the offense.

“It’s tough to get the kind of momentum that we try to build in games when we’re killing so many penalties,” Dan Bylsma said. “We’re an energetic team that is supposed to forecheck and take the body. After you [kill a penalty] you then have to go back to the point where you began the game.”

TONIGHT

vs.

Washington

* 7:30

* Channel 9

Site--Forum.

Radio--XTRA (690).

Records--Kings 12-13-5, Capitals 15-12-5.

Record vs. Capitals (1996-97)--1-0-1.

Update--After going 26 games without losing two in a row, the Kings have lost their last four. During the losing streak, they have averaged 1.25 goals a game after averaging 3.2 for the first 26. The Kings have only one power-play goal in their last nine games but have given up a power-play score in six of their last seven games. Jozef Stumpel leads the Kings with 30 points, and Yanic Perreault has a team-high 16 goals. The Kings are 8-6 at home. Washington lost, 6-4, to the Mighty Ducks in Anaheim on Friday and will complete a four-game trip tonight.