[0] KINGS KEEP THE HEAT ON : KINGS 5 TAMPA BAY 2.

Byline: Matt McHale Daily News Deputy Sports Editor 

The lightening and the Lightning belonged to the Kings.

Sure, they were playing the NHL's worst team Thursday night at the Forum. But coming off their best road trip in several years, the Kings' 5-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning showed there was no letdown.

``We clicked on the road and it was important that we kept it going here,'' said Glen Murray, who scored twice for the second straight game. ``We're doing some good things and you don't want to give anything back.''

Murray scored both against goalie Corey Schwab in the second period when the Kings put away this physical and often brutal game.

The first goal came with a two-man advantage at 7:31 on a tipin off a blast from Rob Blake. The second came on a rebound after a steal by Aki Berg and a shot by Vladimir Tsyplakov.

Sandy Moger added the third goal of the period. Ian Laperriere and Yanic Perreault had the others.

Stephane Fiset stopped 34 shots for the Kings (7-6-4), who had 25 penalties for 96 minutes. Tampa Bay had 24 penalties for 99 minutes.

Earlier in the day, the Kings sent No. 1 draft choice Ollie Jokinen back to his native Finland to get more playing time. Jokinen, 18, did not score in eight games with the Kings.

But after a 3-1-1 trip against Eastern Conference teams, the Kings had more important business, like keeping their momentum.

Before Murray took over, the lowly Lightning didn't play like a team that has dropped five straight and is 0-10-1 in its last 11. The Lightning, without leading scorer Dino Ciccarelli (elbow) was physical throughout and at one point outshot the Kings 18-11.

``They were frustrated, but the game got out of hand,'' Kings coach Larry Robinson said. ``One of their guys swung his stick with two hands like he was chopping down a tree. If any of them got hurt, they got what they deserved.''

Tampa Bay (2-11-2) kept battling into the third period when Brian Bradley stuffed a power play goal past Fiset at 1:49 to make it 4-2. The Kings, however, tightened their defense, clearing pucks in front of Fiset and taking away second chances.

Midway through the third period, the Kings got back at Bradley when Philippe Boucher checked him into the right boards. Play was stopped. So was the Lightning.

Notes: General manager Dave Taylor said he is sending Jokinen back to Finland to let him mature at home. Why not let him play for the minor-league affiliate Long Beach Ice Dogs? ``He will be playing for an elite team in Finland,'' Taylor said, ``and there will be a lot of chances to play. We also have a full-time scout (Avi Vouri) over there to monitor his progress.'' Jokinen also will be able to compete in the World Junior championships, which will be held in Finland, and play for the national team at the Olympics in February. Jokinen is expected to return to the Kings after the Olympics. ``I'm not disappointed,'' he said. ``There aren't many 18-years-olds in this league. I'll be back.'' . . .

The Kings' last short-handed goal was March 22 by Nathan Lafayette against San Jose. . . . Luc Robitaille had several scoring opportunities in the second period but still is looking for goal No. 400 as a King and No. 470 overall. . . . In the first 16 games, Perreault had two penalty minutes. He had six PIM in the first 25 minutes Thursday.

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Photo: Kings' Luc Robitaille, right, appears impaled on stick of Igor Ulanov in 5-2 win over Tampa Bay. Robitaille failed to get 400th goal as a King.

Evan Yee / Daily News