MacLean, Not Rosa, Blooms

Before training camp, the Kings were hoping that Pavel Rosa, who led all junior players in scoring last season with 63 goals and 153 points, would step up and give the team some needed offense. Rosa suffered a concussion early, however, and did not impress the coaches enough to make the jump to the NHL.

But Rosa’s junior teammate, Donald MacLean, did, and has been a pleasant surprise with three goals and five points in the first six games.

MacLean, who had 34 goals and 81 points last season for Hull, is among the top rookie scorers in the league and his versatility has been a strength.

“After the first road trip, I’m starting to feel more comfortable with the pace of the game and more comfortable around the guys,” said MacLean, who played mostly center in training camp but lately has been playing right wing.

*

Defenseman Jan Vopat was sent to the Utah Grizzlies of the International Hockey League on Tuesday. Vopat, who played 33 games with the Kings last season, had been odd man out among the defensemen, not dressing for the first six games. Coach Larry Robinson said he wanted Vopat to get some game experience. . . . Right wing Sandy Moger will play against his former teammates tonight when the Kings host Boston at the Forum. Moger has not scored yet, but he has played well on a line with center Yanic Perreault and left wing Robitaille. In six games, he has three assists and is a plus-two.

TONIGHT

vs.

Boston

* 7:30

* Channel 9

Site--Forum.

Radio--XTRA 690.

Records--Kings 1-2-3, Bruins 3-3.

Record vs. Bruins--0-1.

Update--In the Kings’ second game of the season, the Bruins won a shootout at Boston, 6-5, on a third-period goal by Rob DiMaio. Former King goaltender Byron Dafoe made a key save on a shot by Vladimir Tsyplakov to gain the win. To avoid another defeat, the Kings will have to play as they did in the third period Sunday when they outworked Ottawa to win their first game of the season, 7-4. Former Bruin Jozef Stumpel leads the Kings with four goals and 10 points, and defenseman Garry Galley has six assists and eight points. Under new Coach Pat Burns, the Bruins are 2-2 on their current eight-game, three-week trip. On Monday, Boston goaltender Jim Carey had 27 saves in a 3-0 shutout of the Mighty Ducks in Anaheim. Ted Donato and Tim Taylor, both of whom scored against the Ducks, lead the Bruins with five points each.