Blake Opens With a Very Big Hit in Edmonton

In Edmonton, they call winger Andrei Kovalenko “The Tank,” which must make Kings’ defenseman Rob Blake “The Bazooka.”

Blake opened his season Saturday night with a crushing check of Kovalenko, whose mind was occupied with carrying the puck on open ice into the King zone until it was momentarily blanked by Blake. The clock showed only 47 seconds had elapsed in the season before Kovalenko spent the next five minutes on his back, taking stock of his surroundings.

“When you consider how fast he was going and how fast I was going, I think it’s the hardest I’ve ever hit anybody,” said Blake, who has been hitting people in the NHL for nine seasons.

“That’s one of those you-do-or-you-don’t plays. You don’t plan it, it just happens. And if you miss, he’s open [to the net].”

And if you hit, it sends a message on highlight films all over the NHL.

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Report in The Province, a Vancouver newspaper: Last summer, before Brian Burke became the Vancouver general manager, the Kings and Canucks worked out a deal in which any two of Glen Murray, Aki Berg and Olli Jokinen would be sent north for Vancouver’s Pavel Bure.

“No,” said Dave Taylor, King vice president and general manager. “Didn’t happen.”

There have been talks between the Kings and Canucks about Bure, but to no end, largely because of the insistence that King prospects--notably Jokinen--are involved.

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The Kings are expected to start backup goalie Jamie Storr today, in part because Stephane Fiset is expected to start the home opener on Friday against Boston.

TODAY

at Vancouver

2 p.m., Fox Sports West

* Site--General Motors Place

* Radio--KTLA (1110).

* Records--Kings 1-0, Canucks 0-0 (last season, 25-43-14).

* Record vs. Canucks (1997-98)--3-2-1.

* Update--Vancouver is still looking for a No. 1 goalie, and Coach Mike Keenan is getting plenty of advice in how to use what he has. A survey by a Vancouver newspaper showed Corey Hirsch as the favorite goalie of 365 respondents and probable starter Garth Snow only third on the list with 234. Second was former Canuck goalie, now assistant coach, Glen Hanlon, with 284. The Kings have won more games against Vancouver than any other opponent, 72, but are 72-73-27 in the series.