Jokinen Realistic About Assignment

Olli Jokinen’s first stint with the Kings may have lasted only eight games, but the rookie forward was not discouraged before he left to join IFK Helsinki of the Finnish Elite League on Friday.

“The last few games that I played [with the Kings], I played on the third or fourth line, which is not good for me,” said Jokinen, 18, the third pick overall in last June’s draft who did not score a point this season. “I go back to Finland and get to play 30 to 45 minutes a game.”

Jokinen, who played in the Finnish Elite League last season before joining the Kings, said he was not disappointed in being sent away and that he’ll become a better player because he now knows what to expect in the NHL.

“If I stay here and I go to the minor leagues, that is not a good place for me,” Jokinen said. “No, [I’m not disappointed] because there are not too many 18-year-olds playing in this league. Maybe I will come back after the Olympics, nobody knows.”

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King goaltender Jamie Storr played well in his first rehabilitation start with the Long Beach Ice Dogs of the International Hockey League on Thursday. He made 28 saves in a 5-3 win at Houston. Storr is expected to start again Sunday when the Ice Dogs host Las Vegas at 4 p.m.

TONIGHT

vs.

Montreal

* 7:30

* Fox Sports West

Site--Forum.

Radio--XTRA (690).

Records--Kings 7-6-4, Canadiens 10-4-2.

Record vs. Canadiens (1996-97)--1-1.

Update--The Kings escaped without any serious injury in a fight-marred 5-2 victory over Tampa Bay on Thursday night at the Forum. The win improved the Kings’ home record to 4-3 and to 4-1-1 over their last six games. Yanic Perreault leads the team with nine goals and Jozef Stumpel has a team-high 19 points. Behind first-year Coach Alain Vigneault, the Canadiens have been above .500 all season and rank among the top teams in the Northeast Division. Shayne Corson leads the team with 19 points and Mark Recchi is the top goal scorer with eight.