Rise of the Roman Empire

With right wing Sandy Moger still suffering because of a left knee sprain and listed as week-to-week, Roman Vopat could get some key minutes in the playoffs despite having played only 24 games with the Kings this season.

Vopat, acquired from St. Louis in the Wayne Gretzky trade two years ago, was recalled from Fredericton of the American Hockey League on March 27 and was a healthy scratch Thursday in the Kings’ loss to the Blues.

However, Coach Larry Robinson said Vopat’s size will be needed in the playoffs.

“It’s nice to have to Roman around,” Robinson said about Vopat, who is 6-foot-3 and 221 pounds. “We want his size and we know when he gets out there, he’ll have something to prove because he’ll be going against the team that gave him up.”

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Defenseman Aki Berg did not play against St. Louis, but his cervical strain injury that he suffered against Vancouver on Wednesday is not considered serious. Right wing Glen Murray sat out the third period after suffering a rib injury.

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King play-by-play announcer Bob Miller has been elected as Sportscaster of the Year for California by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Assn.