[0] KINGS MAKE MOVES ON BUSY NIGHT THEY TRADE FOR BUCHBERGER, THEN TAKE OVER FIFTH PLACE IN WEST KINGS 3, VANCOUVER 2.

Byline: Matt McHale Staff Writer

The Kings have bigger plans than just making the playoffs. They proved it Monday night by acquiring rugged right wing Kelly Buchberger from the expansion Atlanta Thrashers.

The deal was completed during the second period of the Kings' 3-2 overtime victory against the Vancouver Canucks that was played in front of 17,309 at Staples Center.

Jozef Stumpel scored his third game-winning goal on the Kings' seven- game homestand when Sean O'Donnell's shot glanced off his skate and past Canucks goaltender Felix Potvin.

The victory moved them into second place in the Pacific Division and past Phoenix into fifth place in the Western Conference. If the Kings hold that spot, they can expect a first-round playoff date with the Detroit Red Wings. Sixth probably would mean facing Colorado.

Either way, a player of Buchberger's grit and playoff experience was deemed critical by general manager Dave Taylor, who sent disgruntled Donald Audette and minor-league defenseman Frantisek Kaberle to the Thrashers.

``I spoke to Kelly and he is very excited about coming,'' Taylor said. ``He brings great plusses to our team, not just in the playoffs but down the stretch. He will be tremendous help with our leadership.''

The Kings also received winger Nelson Emerson from Atlanta. Emerson is a close friend of Kings captain Rob Blake from their college days at Bowling Green. Monday, Blake scored the Kings' first goal with just 36 seconds remaining in the first period.

It also was the Kings' first power-play goal in 20 attempts over four games.

Ziggy Palffy gave the Kings a 2-1 lead with just 74 seconds left in the second period, but Alexander Mogilny scored midway through the third period to send the game into overtime.

But in a season where each game seemed so critical, the action took a back seat to the Kings boardroom.

Taylor had been trying to unload Audette, whose scoring and attitude had dipped from last season. Emerson is expected to take his place on the Kings' second line with center Bryan Smolinski and winger Glen Murray. He also becomes the Kings' second option after Blake as point man on the power play.

But the key to the deal is Buchberger (pronounced Book-burger), who will replace winger Marko Tuomainen on the third (checking) line. Before being selected by Atlanta in last summer's expansion draft, he played 11 full seasons with the Edmonton Oilers.

Seven times, he reached the playoffs and played on three Stanley Cup championship teams (1987, 1988, 1990). Goaltender Stephane Fiset (Colorado 1996) is the only other Kings to play on a Stanley Cup champion.

Buchberger, 33, isn't much of a scorer. He has just 87 goals in 862 career games, with a career high 20 during the 1991-92 season. This year, Buchberger played 67 games for Atlanta, with five goals and 17 points.

He also was a club-high minus-32, which is not uncommon on an expansion club. Eight members of the Thrashers are a minus-20 or more.

The Kings were hoping to avoid taking on any multi-year contract but inherited two with Buchberger and Emerson.

Buchberger is earning $800,000 this season but has two more years to run on his contract. Emerson is making $1.7 million this year and has three left after this season.

Audette is earning $2.2 million this year and is eligible for unrestricted free agency after the season.

Although he scored 19 goals in 51 games in a half season after coming over from Buffalo last year, Audette was no longer a regular. He had 10 goals in the first 25 games but only two since and missed six weeks with a badly sprained left ankle.

``The salaries are pretty much a wash this year,'' Taylor said.``We take on a little more in the next few years, but we think this brings us closer to where we want to go.''

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photo, box

Photo: (color) The Kings' Jamie Storr blocks a shot by the Vancouver Canucks' Darby Hendrickson in the first period at Staples Center.

Michael Caulfield/Associated Press

Box: AT A GLANCE/KINGS 3, CANUCKS 2