Robinson Likely to Deploy Steady Three-Line Rotation

In preparing for the Kings’ stretch run, Coach Larry Robinson is likely to go more with three lines instead of a steady rotation of four. For much of the team’s 9-1-1 stretch leading up to the Olympic break, Robinson had slowly cut down the ice time of the Kings’ fourth line.

“We’ve got two lines pretty much intact,” said Robinson, who has had to make some adjustments with left wing Luc Robitaille out because of a groin pull. “We’ve got [Vladimir] Tsyplakov, [Jozef] Stumpel and Glen Murray. Then you’ve got [Dan] Bylsma, Nathan LaFayette and [Russ] Courtnall.”

Robinson says the Kings have to be aggressive in front of the net to be effective offensively.

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The Kings recalled goaltender Frederic Chabot from Houston of the International Hockey League and plan to start him Thursday night at Chicago. Chabot, 1-2-3 this season with the Kings, needs to play at least 30 minutes in three more games to gain an off-season roster spot with the team. . . . Because of injuries, Robitaille and defenseman Garry Galley (knee) did not travel for the two-game trip.

TONIGHT at Detroit

* 4:30 PST

* Fox Sports West

Site--Joe Louis Arena.

Radio--XTRA 690.

Records--Kings 26-20-9, Red Wings 31-15-12.

Season record vs. Red Wings--1-1.

Update--Yanic Perreault scored three goals to lead the Kings to a 5-1 victory over the Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena on Oct. 31, eight days after Detroit won, 4-1, at the Great Western Forum. The Red Wings, already without holdout Sergei Fedorov, received more bad news earlier this week when all-star defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom said he might return to Sweden when his contract expires after next season.