LaFayette Works Both Ends of Ice

Since being recalled from the minors Dec. 11, Nathan LaFayette has made his presence felt as a checking-line center who also can make plays on offense.

LaFayette has played in 123 games with the Kings, New York Rangers and Vancouver Canucks. He scored his 11th NHL goal Thursday in the Kings’ 5-2 victory over Toronto.

“Defensive specialists also have to contribute offensively from time to time,” he said. “I don’t think that anyone expects Guy Carbonneau [of the Dallas Stars] to score 70 goals but he has made a career of being a defensive player scoring when he has opportunities.”

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Coach Larry Robinson said the main reason for the Kings ending their six-game winless streak was that they stopped taking the easy way out.

“We weren’t disciplined, we weren’t aggressive, we weren’t confident and when that happens you start taking shortcuts,” he said. “We had lost our drive and physical play. It was just lack of effort.”

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Left wing Josh Green, the 30th overall pick in the 1996 draft, signed a three-year contract with the Kings on Friday. Green, who had 35 goals in 29 games for Portland in the Western Hockey League, will be assigned to Fredericton of the American Hockey League. . . . Left wing Craig Johnson has flu and did not travel to Calgary.

TONIGHT

at Calgary

* Noon

* Fox Sports

West

Site--Saddledome.

Radio--XTRA (690).

Records--Kings 13-14-6, Flames 10-19-7.

Record vs. Flames (1996-97)--1-3-1.

Update--Goaltender Stephane Fiset is 4-2 against Calgary in his career. The Kings scored two power-play goals against Toronto, ending a six-game power-play drought. Calgary’s four-game winning streak ended with a 2-1 loss to Dallas on Thursday. Theoren Fleury leads the Flames with 13 goals and 34 points.