Vopat No Longer in Odd Position

After being a healthy scratch the first six games of the season, Jan Vopat was the odd defenseman out when the Kings assigned him to Utah of the International Hockey League on Oct. 14.

But since he was recalled Jan. 11, Vopat’s steady play has kept him in the lineup, paired with Garry Galley, for five consecutive games.

“He doesn’t try to do anything fancy, he moves the puck well and doesn’t really get into a lot of trouble,” Coach Larry Robinson said. “I wouldn’t say that he’s overly physical, but yet he doesn’t get pushed around. . . . He’ll be around for a little while.”

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Center Ray Ferraro has not played the last two games because of a lower-back injury but is expected to be ready for the Kings’ next game Thursday against Calgary.

Defenseman Philippe Boucher, who has played in only two of the last 11 games, has a thyroid problem that has caused him to lose weight over the last month. Robinson said Boucher is on medication and once he is at full strength, he will return to the lineup.

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King prospect Pavel Rosa, sidelined most of the season because of post-concussion symptoms, recently underwent a series of tests that showed he has a middle-ear disturbance.

Rosa, who has played in only one game with Fredericton of the American Hockey League, will be put on medication and monitored in the Los Angeles area for at least a month.

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Glen Murray is having a career season with 14 goals and 34 points in 48 games. Last season, he had 16 goals and 30 points in 77 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Kings. . . . Vladimir Tsyplakov has a career-high six-game scoring streak.