Perreault Likes His New Role

A year ago, forward Yanic Perreault scored 10 points in his first seven games. This season, his scoring is down--three points in his six games--but Perreault may actually be off to a better start.

Perreault joined the NHL with a reputation as a weak defender but his defensive skills have improved to the point where Coach Larry Robinson now uses him on one of the Kings’ penalty-killing units.

“I like my role,” said Perreault, who scored two goals in a 7-4 victory over Ottawa on Sunday. “I’m playing both center and some on the wing. And, I play on the [power-kill] and [power-play] teams.

“The thing that makes me so proud is playing on the [power-kill]. . . . I’m happy to show people that I can play good defense also.”

After his quick start Perreault had a miserable 1996-97 season as injuries restricted him to only 41 games. He finished with only 11 goals and 25 points, and hopes that his injury problems are behind him.

“I’m feeling pretty good,” he said. “My timing is starting to come back. It was lost there for a while.”

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Veterans Luc Robitaille and Garry Galley were given the option to practice or rest Monday after the Kings had beaten the Ottawa Senators on Sunday. Neither took the day off. Robitaille rode the stationary bike and Galley spent the first half of practice on the ice.

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The Kings will play the second game of their six-game homestand against the Boston Bruins on Wednesday.