Kings, on Road, Face Oilers

The Kings have embarked on a three-game trip, injured and ailing but finally playing at a level that suits Coach Pat Quinn.

“We’re putting things together--we’re starting to come around,” Quinn said of his 14-17-2 team, which plays at Edmonton tonight.

The Kings are nursing a few aches, such as wing Bryan Erickson’s tender knee and defenseman Grant Ledyard’s sore shoulder. Defenseman Larry Playfair is not making the trip after straining his left knee against Pittsburgh Wednesday night.

To replace Playfair, the Kings called up Peter Dineen from New Haven. If Dineen plays tonight against Edmonton, it will be his first National Hockey League game in seven years as a pro.

Edmonton is coming around after a slow start. As if to prove it, Wayne Gretzky had four goals in the Oilers’ 5-3 win over Quebec Wednesday night and two more in their 4-2 victory over Vancouver Friday night.

The Kings, making a partial tour of the Smythe Division, will visit Calgary Monday and Vancouver Tuesday.

Edmonton is leading the division; Calgary is second; Winnipeg is third; the Kings are fourth, and Vancouver, as usual, is fifth.