KINGS UPDATE: DEFENSE ALSO SHINES.

Byline: Matt McHale Staff Writer

DETROIT - With all the attention being paid to the Kings' top line, which has averaged two points per player in the last seven games, coach Andy Murray says the contribution of the club's defense should not be overlooked.

Rob Blake was named the first star of Wednesday's 4-1 victory over Chicago, the Kings' fourth straight, and continues to play at a level that makes him a contender for the Norris Trophy as the NHL's top defenseman.

But at the end of the game, Kings broadcasters Bob Miller and Jim Fox awarded top player honors to defenseman Jaroslav Modry, who was in his first game after a month of healthy scratches.

``It is that kind of depth that has helped get us back to where we are,'' Murray said. ``Modry has been scratched for a while, but it's not because he can't play at this level. I look at him like he's the sixth man on a basketball team. We brought him off the bench and he performed.''

Modry, who turns 29 next week, is in his fifth season with the organization after stops in New Jersey and Ottawa. He was in the lineup because Aki Berg was benched after poor play against Calgary on Monday.

Modry is expected to play tonight when the Kings (27-22-7) face the Detroit Red Wings, who also have won four straight. Murray knows Berg represents the future but finds an occasional day off helps his focus. Berg's best stretches this season came after two other benchings.

``I don't consider this a wake-up call,'' Murray said. ``I consider Aki a work in progress.''

Veteran defenseman Mattias Norstrom agrees.

``It's not the worst thing that can happen to you,'' Norstrom said of Berg's benching. ``Aki is still young (22) and sometimes you can learn a lot just sitting in the stands. He has made great strides since coming back this year.''

Berg played last year in his native Finland after he and the Kings could not agree on a new contract. He played just 48 games in Europe, the same number he has played this season. Murray said fatigue could be a factor in Berg's occasional inconsistency.

Modry knows all about contract disputes but not his own. He was one of the Kings' top defensemen during training camp, but when Norstrom returned from a holdout, Modry lost most of his playing time. He was a healthy scratch in the 15 games before Wednesday.

``It's great to get a game like that from someone who has worked so hard in practice,'' Blake said. ``We're going to need that down the stretch.''

KINGS vs. DETROIT

Time: 4:30 p.m., at Joe Louis Arena.

TV/Radio: Fox Sports Net; KRLA-AM (1110).

Matchup: Red Wings captain Steve Yzerman scored two goals in Wednesday's 5-2 victory against Vancouver. Like the Kings, Detroit has won four straight. Before the Canucks, the Red Wings beat St. Louis, Dallas and Phoenix on the road, three of the top teams in the West. But another big goal against Vancouver came from Brent Gilchrist, who returned Monday after missing the entire season with abdominal injuries. Overlooked because of the output of the Kings' first line, which has averaged six points the last seven games, is the second unit, which is scoring about a goal a game. Wednesday, it was Glen Murray's empty netter that capped the scoring. It was his 19th of the season and he has a chance to match his career high of 29, set two years ago. Former second-liner Donald Audette, who returned Wednesday after six weeks (left-ankle sprain), is working his way back with the third unit but also took a few shifts with his old mates. The Kings penalty-killing unit, which has been in the league's bottom third most of the year, has killed off 14 of 16 during the winning streak, including a four-minute double minor by Sean O'Donnell on Wednesday.

- Matt McHale

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Box: KINGS vs. DETROIT (see text)