Robinson Wants a Strong Stumpel

In his first game back in Boston since being traded from the Bruins, King center Jozef Stumpel had a goal and an assist in the Kings’ 6-5 loss Thursday night. Coach Larry Robinson, however, feels that Stumpel is still struggling because he is not in shape.

“He can play better,” Robinson said. “I don’t think that he’s in top form yet because he has to get in better condition. He needs to be fresher because when you’re tired, you make mistakes.”

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Boston goaltender Byron Dafoe, who defeated his former King teammates, said he was impressed with the Kings’ offensive attack.

“They just seem to throw the puck more at the net,” Dafoe said. “I didn’t see too many pucks tonight, just a lot of traffic in front of me.

“Overall, they played hard. I know that we had an advantage because it was our first game and they had played the night before [the Kings tied Pittsburgh, 3-3, on Wednesday]. I’m just glad that this game is over. I was a nervous wreck.”

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In defeating the Kings, Boston extended its unbeaten streak for season openers to 11 years. The Bruins are 9-0-2; their last opening night loss was against Calgary in 1986. . . . The Kings did not activate Jan or Roman Vopat. . . . Left wing Matt Johnson also did not play because it was the final game of his four-game NHL suspension. Johnson is eligible to play against the New York Rangers on Sunday.