Still-Developing Berg Making Himself at Home

Defenseman Aki Berg has played in 152 NHL games since being the third overall pick of the 1995 draft but will not even turn 21 until July 27th.

Maybe that explains why Berg has played so well at the Great Western Forum but has struggled on the road.

In 29 away games, Berg has only two assists and an even rating. But in 31 home games, Berg has five assists and a plus-11 rating. Coach Larry Robinson says that Berg is just starting to realize his potential.

“Aki’s such a strong skater that sometimes he forgets to take the body,” Robinson said about Berg, who won a bronze medal playing for Finland in last month’s Olympic Games. “I thought that he played great [in the Kings’ 3-2 victory over Phoenix on Saturday.”

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Center Jozef Stumpel hasn’t skipped a beat since returning from a kidney injury. He has six assists in four games since he was taken off injured reserve on March 13.

“Just give him the puck and he’ll find you,” said right wing Glen Murray about Stumpel, who has a team-leading 69 points, including five assists in his last two games.

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When asked if he had been disciplined by the NHL for making an obscene gesture toward referee Bill McCreary last week in a loss to Dallas, Robinson said: “The league sent me a tape to tape up my hands.”

Robinson did have to pay a $250 team fine that will be added to a growing total to be donated to a charity at the end of the season.