Boucher Emerges as Scoring Threat

Defenseman Philippe Boucher scored only seven goals in 60 games last season, but after an off-season working on his strength, he has scored a goal in each of the last three games. It’s the first three-game, goal-scoring streak in Boucher’s six-year NHL career.

“I always thought [that I was capable] of scoring like this, and it feels good to do it now,” said Boucher, a healthy scratch in four of the first seven games. “The thing is that I’m not getting 15 shots a game, I’m only getting a couple. I’m just getting some great passes.”

Boucher’s emergence as a scorer is what the Kings had hoped for when they traded for him from Buffalo in 1995. But over the last two seasons, Boucher has struggled with injuries, including a season-ending wrist injury midway through 1994-95.

Boucher sought a personal trainer during the off-season, and he was able to add 10 pounds of muscle while also improving his skating.

“I worked hard in the off-season, and I thought that I had a good training camp,” said Boucher, one of seven defensemen on the Kings’ roster. “It helps that I don’t have the wrist problems any more. I have strength now where I don’t think about it.”

*

Most veteran Kings did not skate in Wednesday’s practice, but many of the younger players did, including Donald MacLean--who sat out Tuesday’s game because of a knee injury.

TONIGHT

vs.

Detroit

* 7:30 p.m.

* Fox Sports

West

Site--Forum.

Radio--AM 1150.

Records--Kings 3-4-3, Red Wings 7-1-2.

Record vs. Red Wings (1996-97 season)--0-2-2.

Update--With a victory over the Red Wings tonight, the Kings could accomplish a rare NHL feat by defeating last season’s Stanley Cup finalists within a week. The Kings beat Philadelphia, 5-1, on Friday. Defenseman Garry Galley has eight assists in his last seven games and his 11 points rank second on the team behind Jozef Stumpel’s 13. Luc Robitaille and Stumpel share the team lead with five goals each. The Red Wings, who haven’t lost to the Kings since 1995, defeated the Mighty Ducks, 4-1, in Anaheim on Wednesday night.