Buffalo’s Loss Is L.A.’s Gain

It would be easy to say that the difference between Buffalo and the Kings this season has been Garry Galley.

After 40 games last season, the Sabres were 11 points better with Galley than they are this season without him.

Meanwhile, the Kings are seven points better with Galley than they were at this point last season without him.

So is Galley’s departure the reason for the Sabres’ struggles?

“I just think the whole organization is going through a transition period,” said Galley, who has played in all but one game with the Kings this season going into tonight’s game against Buffalo at the Forum. “There’s a lot of static that not only [Buffalo Coach Lindy Ruff] has to go through but the whole team. . . How they handle all of this static is going to [determine] the success they are going to have.”

Galley said Buffalo, five points out of the final Eastern Conference playoff berth, can still make the playoffs.

“They seem to be playing much better now than they were at the beginning,” Galley said. “[Goaltender] Dominik [Hasek] is obviously the key for them winning and he has been playing awesome lately. In playing with him, I can appreciate the type of goaltender he is . . . it’s kind of like [Stephane Fiset] for us this year.”

*

Center Ian Laperriere, who sat out three games because of what doctors thought was a mild concussion, has only a right eye infection and has been cleared to play. However, Coach Larry Robinson said he does not plan to play Laperriere tonight.

TONIGHT

vs.

Buffalo

* 7:30 PST

Site--Forum.

Radio--XTRA (690).

Records--Kings 17-18-7. Sabres 15-19-7.

Record vs. Sabres--1-1.

Update--The Kings are 6-3-1 in their last 10 home games and will play seven of their next nine at the Great Western Forum. The next three King opponents will be playing the second of back-to-back games. Jozef Stumpel leads the Kings with 29 assists and 41 points.