Perreault’s Flash Got Him Slashed

Center Yanic Perreault used to be criticized for his skating but he showed his speed Saturday afternoon when, late in the third period, he skated away from Calgary’s Theoren Fleury to score an empty-net goal in the Kings’ 4-1 win.

Fleury got so frustrated during the chase that he slashed Perreault on the calf and received a major and game misconduct penalty on the play.

“He knew that he had no chance of catching up and the game was practically over,” said Perreault, who scored with 19.3 seconds remaining and ended a personal four-game scoreless drought.

“I just told him to use [his] head.”

Perreault leads the Kings with 17 goals and needs eight more to tie his career high.

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In defeating the Flames, the Kings won for only the fifth time in 18 road games. Coach Larry Robinson, however, says the schedule will be more favorable over the next three months.

“We’re in the toughest part of the schedule now,” said Robinson, whose team will play its next eight games against Western Conference opponents. “As far as trips go, we’ve gone through the rough part. We’re finished with the East Coast until March. Most of our remaining trips will be [on the West Coast]. No more coast-to-coast trips.”

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Right wing Glen Murray’s first-period goal against Calgary was his first goal in 12 games. Murray, who has nine this season, last scored against Chicago on Nov. 20… . Left wing Luc Robitaille has not scored a goal since Nov. 29.