KINGS NOTEBOOK: HULL PASSES DIONNE; HOWE NEXT.

Byline: Matt McHale Staff Writer

DETROIT - No matter how many goals he scores in his NHL career, Brett Hull understands his place in hockey history.

Just moments after his goal with 3:54 in overtime Monday night gave the Detroit Red Wings a 3-2 victory over the Kings and put him past Marcel Dionne for third on the all-time list, he was greeted by someone special.

``I'm walking by and I get pinched by Gordie Howe,'' Hull said, referring to the No. 2 career goal scorer. ``How awesome is that? They have legends walking down the halls here all the time.''

Hull is one of them. Not only did he score his 732nd goal, it was a game- winner against the team with which Dionne made his mark in the 1970s and 1980s.

``I think that was very significant,'' Kings coach Andy Murray said. ``His achievements speak for themselves. But the fact that he did it against the Kings, Dionne's team, makes it even more special.''

After Detroit took a 2-0 lead early in the second period, the Kings battled back to tie the game late in the third period on a goal by newcomer Martin Straka.

Hull scored his goal on an assist from former King Mathieu Schneider. His shot sailed over the left shoulder of Kings goaltender Roman Cechmanek.

``That was so classic Brett Hull,'' said Luc Robitaille, Hull's teammate in Detroit the past two seasons. ``He has the ability to score when he has absolutely no room to operate. He is uncanny.''

For Hull, it was his 16th goal of the season. With a third of the season barely over, Hull has a good chance to blow by last season's total of 37.

Like Dionne, Hull had five consecutive 50-goal seasons early in his career. A decade ago, during one three-year stretch with St. Louis, he scored 72, 86 and 70 goals.

Hull, however, isn't sure he will reach Howe, who has 69 more career goals.

The expected battle between labor and management could shut down the sport at the beginning of next season. At 39, Hull isn't sure whether he will return if a lockout forces hockey to shut down next season.

``I'd like to catch (Howe), how amazing would that be?'' Hull said. ``But I think that is up to (commissioner Gary) Bettman and (union head) Bob Goodenow. We all hope they can get something done.''

--Murray's son makes it: Brady Murray, the son of the Kings coach, was among the final players chosen for the U.S. team that will play in the World Junior Championships.

The younger Murray, a freshman forward at North Dakota who was picked by the Kings in last year's draft, has 15 points in 11 games and ranks 12th in the nation with 1.36 points a game.

The tournament begins Dec. 26 in Finland.

--Injury update: Kip Brennan remained in Los Angeles to get treatment for a charley horse in his leg. ... Ian Laperriere and Esa Pirnes, sidelined the past two weeks with concussions, skated Monday back at the team's practice facility in El Segundo. There is no timetable for their returns.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Matt McHale, [phone]

matt.mchale(at)dailynews.com

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BRETT HULL

Detroit forward is 69 goals behind Gordie Howe for second on career list.