Kings Continue to Turn Over in an Early Grave : Another Mistake Costs Them a Game as Islanders Win on Sutter’s Goal, 4-3

UNIONDALE, N.Y. —  Dave (Tiger) Williams had the puck early in the third period Saturday night, moving in front of the net on the left side. The left wing was trying to move the puck out of the King zone, a basic hockey maneuver that has been a pesky problem for the Kings.

Still in his own zone, Williams was forechecked ferociously, first by Tomas Jonsson, then by Mike Bossy of the New York Islanders. Bossy knocked Williams off the puck, and Brent Sutter slipped in to score, giving the Islanders a 4-3 lead and, eventually, a win by that score before a crowd of 13,941 at Nassau Coliseum.

Sutter’s goal, 1 minute 44 seconds into the period, epitomized what has plagued the Kings--mistakes that lead to turnovers and, inevitably, to goals.

“In the end, it was another turnover that gave them a goal for the win,” King Coach Pat Quinn said. “We seem to keep it close, but we find a way to give it away. “When we give an opportunity, it’s a beauty. Just like the one that was a winner. We weren’t bad tonight, that’s what’s frustrating me. We are struggling not to beat ourselves.”

The Kings, whose record is 3-6, have been their own worst enemies at times, especially in the first three games of this seven-game trip. It has been a case of defensemen--and others, as Williams’ turnover illustrated--making errors that either allow a goal or give the opposition more time in control of the puck.

“We’re digging ourselves a hole, that’s what we’re doing,” left wing Morris Lukowich said. “It’s not going to get any easier. Every game, our fellas learn more and more. We are going to make less and less mistakes as the season goes on.

“All we have to have is a little more discipline on defense, where we don’t make a giveaway at the center. It’s costing us.”

Lukowich seems to be picking up speed as the season progresses. He looked sharp in camp, but before Saturday had scored only one goal.

Lukowich nearly did it all for the Kings against the Islanders, scoring two goals and, with linemate Dave Taylor, helping to fit 18-year-old center Jimmy Carson into the flow.

Even if the King drought marches on, Lukowich’s emergence would be of help.

“I went cold there for a little while,” Lukowich said. “I was a little unlucky. You need a little bit of luck on your side to score.”

Both teams Saturday night were lucky in a wild first period. The difference was that the Islanders made their luck and the Kings pushed theirs.

New York (3-3-1) scored first on a 50-foot shot by defenseman Gord Dineen that was, by Quinn’s definition, “a lousy goal.” A lousy goal to give up maybe, but not bad to get.

Dineen came back and helped the Kings on their first goal. Marcel Dionne centered the puck from behind the net. It bounced off Dineen’s skate, and Sean McKenna pushed it in. Call it luck.

Bossy, playing in his first game since the Islander lost to the Kings in Los Angeles Oct. 11, scored next to give the Islanders a 2-1 lead at 8:28. Bossy has been out with a back injury but certainly didn’t show any effects from it.

“He’s got a very quick release and he’s very accurate,” was King goaltender Bob Janecyk’s assessment.

Lukowich got his first goal of the night to tie it at 2-2. Islander defenseman Denis Potvin tried to clear the puck, but Taylor got his stick on it. Goaltender Kelly Hrudey tried to poke check it out of the Islander crease, but Lukowich shot it between Hrudey’s legs.

The Islanders’ Mikko Makela scored at 18:04 after Bob Bourne intercepted an Islander pass but lost the puck. That ended the first period.

Lukowich scored the only goal of the second period. Again the hard-working Taylor set it up. He skated down the left side and backhanded a pass to Lukowich who again shot it between Hrudey’s legs at 2:50.

The third period was bleak for the Kings. After 12 minutes, they managed only three shots on goal. The Kings were outshot in the period, 12-7, and in the game, 34-25.

“Our third period has been dreadful,” Quinn said. “We just couldn’t generate anything.”

But the Islanders could. Sutter’s goal at Williams’ expense was his sixth goal in seven periods.

“I don’t want us to start accepting losses easily,” Quinn said. “I don’t think that’s happening. We’ll get there. There will be a reward for it.”

King Notes Kings Jimmy Carson and Luc Robitaille are leading the NHL rookies in scoring with 10 points each. . . . Right wing Bryan Erickson suffered a knee injury in the game against New Jersey and did not play Saturday night. He is expected to skate today, when further assessment will be made. . . . Guy Benoit, who was recalled from New Haven Friday, did not play. . . . Mike Bossy has scored 51 or more goals each year since he came into the league in 1977. If his back injury continues to hamper his play, that streak may be in jeopardy. After eight games this season, Bossy has scored one goal. . . . Denis Potvin’s assist Saturday night gave him 685. He is the NHL’s all-time assist leader among defensemen. He also has all the career scoring records for defensemen.