Berg Sits for Most of Third Period

Aki Berg spent most of the final period of the Kings’ 5-4 victory at Pittsburgh on Tuesday night as a spectator, and he might get a more distant view of their game at Detroit tonight.

Berg, who was victimized by Jaromir Jagr on Thursday night at Staples Center, saw too much of the Penguin winger Tuesday at the Civic Arena, and it’s understood if he hopes to never see Jagr again.

“He’s one of the best in the world,” Berg said.

Countered King Coach Andy Murray, who was to meet with his staff and consider moving Jaroslav Modry into the lineup tonight to replace Berg: “Aki’s got to play better.”

*

The Kings got a bit of a shock Tuesday morning when Glen Murray could not skate because of pain in his leg and was taken to a Pittsburgh hospital for X-rays.

They had gone through 13 games largely injury free, the exceptions being freakish eye injuries to Steve McKenna and Marko Tuomainen, and that is in complete contrast to a season ago.

The X-rays on Murray, who seemed fine after being hit by a shot during Monday’s practice, were negative and he was scratched Tuesday because of a bruise. His status tonight at Detroit is questionable, but he is not expected to be out long.

at Detroit, 4:30

* Site--Joe Louis Arena.

* Radio--KRLA (1110).

* Records--Kings 9-3-2, Red Wings 7-3-1.

* Record vs. Red Wings (1998-99)--2-2.

* Update--After starting the season at 7-1-1, giving up only 16 goals in the process, Detroit has lost two in a row and been scored upon nine times in doing so.