O’Donnell’s Turn to Try to Ignite Listless Power Play

Desperate times call for . . .

Well, in this case, Sean O’Donnell.

The Kings’ power-play unit has been in a season-long funk and yet another combination will be used tonight against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

O’Donnell, a defenseman who normally sits out power plays, moved up to the net, there to tip in a shot, bat in a rebound, mainly just get in the way.

“I’m not going to move the puck or anything like that,” O’Donnell said.

“I want to help score an ugly goal, a rebound goal, a screened goal, any kind of goal.”

Which is better than what the Kings usually get on the power play. They are last in the NHL in power-play effectiveness with nine goals in 102 power plays. The idea now is to get a big body close to the net.

Players unwilling to absorb punishment close to the goal has been a complaint of Coach Larry Robinson’s all season.

“We don’t have all that much talent on this team,” O’Donnell said. “We’ve got to make it up with heart and courage. Most of our goals have been tick-tack-toe goals [shot from outside]. Maybe I can help.”

*

Brandon Convery, who has played one game and been scratched for two others since being claimed on waivers from Vancouver, will center a line with Josh Green and Craig Johnson tonight. . . . Though Jamie Storr has had success playing at Toronto, Stephane Fiset will probably start in goal for the Kings, with Storr playing Thursday night at Ottawa.

TONIGHT

at Toronto

4:30 p.m., Ch. 9

(delayed to 5:30 p.m.)

* Site--Maple Leaf Gardens.

* Radio--KRLA (1110).

* Records--Kings 6-14-3, Maple Leafs 13-9-2.

* Record vs. Maple Leafs--(1997-98) 2-2.

* Update--Toronto has been the surprise of the NHL this season, riding in first placein the Northeast Division with a high-scoring offense and a porous defense that has given up 68 goals.