Rookie Bednar Gets Murray’s Attention

Jaroslav Bednar, the leading goal scorer in the Finnish Elite League last season but a bust in 10 games with the Kings last fall, returned to the lineup Monday night after spending most of the season in the minors.

The rookie right wing from the Czech Republic played well enough in the Kings’ 2-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks that he’ll be back in the lineup Thursday night against the St. Louis Blues, Coach Andy Murray said Tuesday.

“I thought he played with some bite in his game,” Murray said of Bednar, who had no shots on goal but a team-high five hits in 14 minutes 45 seconds. “He had three hits in his first shift on the ice, made some good decisions with the puck.”

Bednar, 25, scored no goals and had only one assist last fall before he was demoted to the Kings’ American Hockey League team at Manchester, N.H. He had 16 goals and 21 assists in 48 games with the Monarchs before being recalled Monday when Kelly Buchberger was put on the injured list because of a sprained ankle.

“We recognized right from training camp, ‘This guy’s got the ability,’” Murray said. “But there’s a difference between having the ability and knowing how to play the game. I don’t think he knew how to play the game here, the North American game--positional-wise, and what’s demanded physically.”

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Though his won-loss percentage, goals-against average and save percentage are better than those of No. 1 goaltender Felix Potvin, Jamie Storr may have made his last start this season, Murray has hinted several times recently.

“It’s a tough time for Jamie,” the coach said of his backup goaltender, who is 8-4-3 with a 2.05 goals-against average and .917 save percentage. “He’s got every reason to come to me and say, ‘Andy, look at my numbers. Look at my save percentage. Look at my won-loss record. How come I’m not playing?’

“And I would simply tell him, ‘Jamie, I think you’re a great goalie, but we’re playing our No. 1 guy. That’s why we have a No. 1 guy--to play in these games.’”