Two Fine Lines Mean Sharp Play

The Kings began the season without any set line combinations, but since Coach Larry Robinson put Jozef Stumpel, Luc Robitaille and Sandy Moger on one line, and Yanic Perreault, Vladimir Tsyplakov and Glen Murray on another, the team has been on a roll.

Robinson began tinkering during the Kings’ trip to Florida in late October. He finally settled on the current combinations after Perreault scored three goals in a 5-1 victory at Detroit on Halloween and the Kings have been dominant ever since.

“When we’re playing our game and when we’re in [opponents’] faces, we know we can play with anyone,” said Robitaille, who has 11 goals and 21 points in 23 games. He is on pace to have his best scoring season since he last played for the Kings in 1993-94, when he had 44 goals and 86 points.

“I think that we’ve proven it by beating a lot of good teams playing that way.”

*

The Kings, who have not lost consecutive games this season, no longer lead the NHL in goals, but their 78 in 23 games put them on pace to score 278, which would be the most since 1994. They did not score their 78th goal last season until their 29th game.

TONIGHT

at

Dallas

* 5:30 PST

Site--Reunion Arena, Dallas.

Radio--XTRA 690.

Records--Kings 11-8-4, Stars 15-7-4.

Record vs. Stars--0-1.

Update--The Kings have lost once in their last five games, against Dallas, 5-1, at the Forum on Nov. 15. The Stars have a nine-game unbeaten streak against the Kings, who have not defeated Dallas since April 6, 1995. Vladimir Tsyplakov has two goals in two games since returning from a broken right hand. Goaltender Stephane Fiset is 8-2-1 in his last 11 starts and is 4-0-1 in his last five road games.