Injury May Result in Audette Switching to Fourth Line

When Donald Audette walked into the arena Tuesday, he checked the lines and found his name misplaced.

Audette, who has played left wing with the second line since training camp began, skated with the fourth line. Or the “second second line,” as Coach Andy Murray said.

“If we did do that, it would give us two second lines,” said Murray of a possible switch of Audette to right wing on the fourth line, with Brad Chartrand making the reverse trip and skating with Bryan Smolinski and Glen Murray.

The idea, the coach added, is that because fourth-line left wing Steve McKenna is out with an eye swollen shut by a stick in Monday’s 3-2 victory at St. Louis, the fourth line loses its physical nature. By putting Vladimir Tsyplakov into McKenna’s spot and moving Audette back to right wing, strength is replaced by skill.

You’ll have to excuse Audette if he believes it’s more a result of his being shotless in St. Louis.

“Our line didn’t create anything out there last game,” he said. “We don’t even have good chances, so you have to change things up.”

The Kings have five goals in two games, all scored with the Luc Robitaille-Jozef Stumpel-Ziggy Palffy line on the ice. They have four of the goals, and Palffy and Robitaille assisted on Rob Blake’s goal Monday night.

The Audette-Smolinski-Murray line produced only two shots against the Blues, both by Murray.

“You win games because one line’s producing, but it’s not going to happen all year,” Audette said. “You’ve got to have at least two or three lines scoring goals.”

Or, perhaps in his case tonight at Florida, four lines scoring.

*

King President Tim Leiweke said that a contract extension for Dave Taylor, the team’s senior vice president and general manager, has been on the back burner because of the Staples Center.

Taylor is in the final year of his contract, and months ago Leiweke began talking about an extension but, to date, nothing has been signed.

“We have talked about it [again] recently,” said Leiweke, who has been busy with the Staples Center opening in less than two weeks.

“I do know that Dave has had a long career with the Kings. He began with them and I want him to end his career with them, and I hope that end is a long time coming. We like what he’s done with this team.”

at Florida, 4:30 PDT, Fox Sp. West, ESPN2.

* Site--National Car Rental Center, Sunrise, Fla.

* Radio--KRLA (1110).

* Records--Kings 2-0, Panthers 1-0.

* Record vs. Panthers (1998-99)--1-0-1.

* Update--Right wing Pavel Bure scored on the Panthers’ first shot of the season in a 4-3 victory over Washington. Stephane Fiset will be in goal for the Kings for the third consecutive game. He has a 1.00 goals-against average this season.