KINGS REPORT : Berg Returns on the Offensive

Just back from an extended stay in Finland, defenseman Aki Berg is becoming an offenseman.

Berg, who scored only twice in three seasons with the Kings before his yearlong self-exile to Europe because of a contract dispute, turned a rebound of a shot by Marko Tuomainen into the exhibition season’s first goal only 21 seconds into the Kings’ 4-0 win over some Phoenix minor leaguers before 6,531 Saturday night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Craig Johnson, Dan Bylsma and Len Barrie also scored for the Kings, and goalie Stephane Fiset handled 19 Phoenix shots in the shutout.

The work of their first line--Ziggy Palffy, Jozef Stumpel and Luc Robitaille--was frequently ragged and paled in comparison to the Kings’ so-called “stopper line.” The stoppers are supposed to tie up the opposition’s top line, which could not be identified with the Coyotes, who left most of their recognizable players home for a game tonight against Dallas. They also play Monday against the New York Rangers at Minneapolis.

Instead, the King stoppers started the offense, with Berg’s and Johnson’s goals the direct result of the so-called defensive unit. Center Ian Laperriere assisted on both.

The exhibition was the first for new King Coach Andy Murray.