Robinson Happy With Changes

Coach Larry Robinson may stick with the same lines tonight the Kings used in their 4-3 loss to Edmonton on Saturday.

One line consisted of Jozef Stumpel, Nathan LaFayette and Russ Courtnall, and another had Ray Ferraro, Luc Robitaille and Craig Johnson. The line of Yanic Perreault, Glen Murray and Vladimir Tsyplakov is expected to remain the same.

“For the most part, [the line changes] worked pretty well,” said Robinson, whose team has not scored more than three goals in six games and had done so only once in 10 games.

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Defenseman Jan Vopat, who played 33 games with the Kings last season, was recalled from Utah of the International Hockey League.

The Kings have become a little thin on defense with Doug Zmolek still recovering from a recent concussion and Philippe Boucher not at full strength because of weight loss from flu.

Against Edmonton, the Kings used winger Steve McKenna, who began his career as a defenseman, on defense.

“I thought [McKenna] did a pretty good job. He’s smart and [although] he hasn’t played there in a year and a half, he played well,” Robinson said. “He has a long reach and he plays his position well. Nobody is going to stand in the front of the net with him there.”

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The Kings have given up 37 power-play goals in 44 games this season, with 21 coming in 20 games at the Great Western Forum. The Kings gave up only 45 in 82 games last season. . . . Fewer than 1,000 tickets remain for tonight’s game.

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Right wing Vitali Yachmenev, who has played in the International Hockey League all season after holding out in training camp, has eight goals and 26 points in 29 games with the Long Beach Ice Dogs.

Tonight

vs. Ducks

* 7:30

* Fox Sports West

Site--Great Western Forum.

Radio--XTRA (690), KRLA (1110), KCKC (1350), KPLS (830).

Records--Kings 17-19-8, Mighty Ducks 14-23-8.

Series (1996-97 season)--Mighty Ducks, 3-1-1.

Update--The Kings are winless in their last three games and 1-3-2 in their last six. Vladimir Tsyplakov has scored in eight of his last 10 home games and has 11 goals and 26 points. His career high is 16 goals and 39 points set last season. Jozef Stumpel has 12 points in his last 12 games. The Kings, 6-3-2 against the Mighty Ducks at the Forum, have not been more than two games under .500 all season.