Galley, Boucher Giving Robinson More Options

Look for defensemen Garry Galley and Philippe Boucher to share a job alongside Steve Duchesne down the stretch.

“Looking back, I probably should have platooned Bouch a little more,” Coach Larry Robinson said of Boucher, who has been scratched 28 times.

His recent play has prompted more ice time, and he responded with a goal and two assists in a 3-2 win over Edmonton on Feb. 18.

Galley also has provided a stabilizing presence when paired with Duchesne, who is an “offensive” defenseman.

The move is one of several Robinson has implemented. Others include moving winger Donald Audette to a line centered by Ian Laperriere, with Craig Johnson or Matt Johnson at the other wing, and moving Sean Pronger to a line with Jozef Stumpel and Glen Murray.

With Laperriere and either of the Johnsons, Audette, a sniper, is teamed with players who can dig the puck out of corners and offers a greater offensive presence.

Pronger offers more defense to the line with Stumpel and Murray.

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There were no pucks at practice Thursday in Chicago, because there were no Kings at practice. An on-ice workout was canceled in favor of time in a local gym with weights and cardiovascular equipment.

A no-pucks practice Tuesday in Detroit was followed by a 3-2 win over the Red Wings.

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Robinson has talked with league disciplinarian Colin Campbell and promised to curtail criticism of officiating, at least for public consumption.

Robinson had been highly critical of the work of referee Stephen Walkom in the Kings’ 2-2 tie at Calgary on Saturday night.

“There were no excuses for saying what I said, and I apologize for it,” said Robinson, who was not fined.

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King defenseman Mark Visheau underwent surgery Wednesday night for a congenital urinary obstruction and will sit out the rest of the season. . . . John Cimperman, vice president of marketing and communications for the Kings since June 1996, has been hired as a marketing executive with the Buffalo Sabres. . . . The Kings optioned winger Pavel Rosa to the Ice Dogs.

at Chicago, 5:30 PST

* Site--United Center.

* Radio--KRLA (1110).

* Records--Kings 22-32-5, Blackhawks 17-35-8.

* Record vs. Blackhawks--3-0.

* Update--Chicago is 1-0 under new Coach Lorne Molleken, having beaten St. Louis on Wednesday night. Molleken replaced Dirk Graham and immediately shook up the lines and scrapped Graham’s dump-the-puck offense, allowing the Blackhawks some freedom to create.