SCHEDULE

Dallas vs. Buffalo

Game 1: Buffalo 3, Dallas 2 (OT)

Game 2: Dallas 4, Buffalo 2

Game 3: Saturday at Buffalo, 5 p.m.

Game 4: Tuesday: at Buffalo, 5 p.m.

Game 5: Thursday: at Dallas, 5 p.m.

Game 6: June 19 at Buffalo, 5 p.m.*

Game 7: June 22 at Dallas, 5 p.m.*

*-if necessary

NOTES / Van Boxmeer, Murray Make the Cut

Watching the Buffalo Sabres play for the Eastern Conference title last season made John Van Boxmeer hungry to coach an NHL team, and he has moved closer to making that happen with the Kings.

Van Boxmeer and Andy Murray survived the first cut in the Kings’ quest to replace Larry Robinson, and former Buffalo coach Ted Nolan, former Calgary coach Dave King and Detroit associate coach Dave Lewis were eliminated. General Manager Dave Taylor could not be reached for comment, but it’s believed he eliminated Lewis because of Lewis’ lack of head coaching experience.

Van Boxmeer, coach and general manager of the IHL’s Long Beach Ice Dogs, had a second talk with Taylor on Wednesday and Murray had a second session Thursday.

Van Boxmeer said Thursday he was told the Kings will make a decision within a week. He’s nervous but hopeful about his chances.

“Being in a full building with the electricity of the playoffs got me turned in the direction of coaching at that level and with that kind of pressure,” said Van Boxmeer, who spent part of his playing career in Buffalo and coached in the Sabres’ organization for 11 years. “I’m very excited about the prospect of this working out. I really enjoy Dave Taylor. He has been nothing but first-class and easy to work with.

“Certainly, going into a new building and a new practice facility, with a team that didn’t come close to fulfilling its potential last season, this team can only go up in a hurry.”

Van Boxmeer is unabashedly rooting for the Sabres against the Dallas Stars in the Stanley Cup finals. Sabre Coach Lindy Ruff was the best man at Van Boxmeer’s wedding, and Van Boxmeer, Ruff and assistant coach Mike Ramsey lived on the same street in a Buffalo suburb. Assistant coach Don Lever played for Van Boxmeer with Rochester of the American Hockey League.

“I’m glad they’re doing well. Buffalo is a wonderful city and I hope they pull this off,” Van Boxmeer said. “That city has had enough bad things, with all the Super Bowls, and Sabre fans have always been great.”

*

Patrik Stefan, the top-ranked North American prospect for the NHL entry draft, said he has not received medical clearance to resume playing after suffering his second concussion of the season in March. Tampa Bay has the first pick in the draft, which will be held June 26 at Boston.

Stefan, a 6-foot-1 1/2, 205-pound center, said he will undergo additional medical tests in the next few weeks and may see concussion specialist Dr. Jim Kelly, whose patients have included Mighty Duck winger Paul Kariya.

*

Wayne Gretzky and his family moved back to Thousand Oaks from New York, but his agent, Mike Barnett, said Gretzky hasn’t been approached by the Kings about joining the organization. When he retired in April, Gretzky said he would be interested in owning or helping to run a team.

“Wayne is going to take the summer off and spend time with his kids, but I’m sure he’ll be open to opportunities at the turn of the calendar year,” Barnett said. “He’s an athlete, and at some point I’m sure he’ll want to compete with a suit on.”