GAME REPORT / Blues 8, Kings 3

FIRST PERIOD

KINGS 1, BLUES 2

* Highlight Reel: Craig Johnson danced through the Blues’ defense to score the Kings’ first playoff goal since the deciding Game 5 of the Stanley Cup final against Montreal, June 9, 1993. Johnson’s moves saved the period for the Kings, who looked overwhelmed in the game’s first 20 minutes. St. Louis goaltender Grant Fuhr seemed unprepared for Johnson’s low shot to the glove side at the five-minute mark.

* What You Won’t Find in the Box Score: Defenseman Rob Blake saved the Kings from a 3-1 first-period deficit by belting Pavol Demitra and preventing him from getting off a shot when he was in point-blank range late in the period. It’s the sort of play that has made Blake a candidate for the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s top defenseman.

* Winning Number: Twelve shots is just the sort of production the Kings needed.

* Wrong Number: Two Blues’ goals in 4 minutes 42 seconds are too much too soon for the Kings.

SECOND PERIOD

KINGS 1, BLUES 6

* Highlight Reel: Pick a goal, any goal. Pierre Turgeon’s first goal was the best of the Blues’ four in the period. A terrific pass from Geoff Courtnall, at the right goal post, to Turgeon, at the left post, made it click.

* What You Won’t Find in the Box Score: Concerns that goalie Stephane Fiset wasn’t sharp going into the playoffs apparently were well founded. He gave up three goals in 13:41 as the game went south on the Kings in a hurry. Jamie Storr made his NHL playoff debut in relief of Fiset as Coach Larry Robinson’s worst nightmare unfolded.

* Winning Number: Two goals for former Mighty Duck Jim Campbell and three assists for Courtnall were highlights of the pivotal second period.

* Wrong Number: Courtnall had a goal and four assists in the game’s first 40 minutes.

FINAL

KINGS 3, BLUES 8

* Highlight Reel: Over on Channel 11, Bart and Krusty were running amok on a rerun of “The Simpsons.” . . . Oops, switched back just in time to see Brett Hull and Demitra score goals on fat rebounds to turn the game into a real laugher in the first 1:08 of the final period.

* What You Won’t Find in the Box Score: Kelly Chase of St. Louis punched out Sean O’Donnell late in the game, making it a tough night all around for the Kings. It doesn’t bode well for the Kings’ spirits Saturday in Game 2.

* Winning Number: One goal and five assists for Courtnall by game’s end. You’re a genius if you took him in your playoff pool.

* Wrong Number: The Kings were 0 for 8 on the power play by game’s end, which shouldn’t come as a shock since they were 1 for 18 against the Blues during the regular season.