ROBITAILLE HITS 500; WINGER GETS 2 GOALS IN KINGS' VICTORY : KINGS 4, BUFFALO 2.

Byline: Roger Phillips

It was exactly the type of goal it was supposed to be - a late-game pressure situation, the Kings clinging to a lead, and Luc Robitaille driving to the net.

The pass came from rookie Pavel Rosa, and the 32-year-old Robitaille made little more than a subtle deflection, but that was all that was needed for his second goal Thursday night, his 22nd of the season, and the 500th of his 13-year National Hockey League career.

Robitaille was mobbed by his teammates, and the goal, with 1:46 to play, secured the Kings' 4-2 victory over goalie Dwayne Roloson and the Buffalo Sabres before a Forum crowd of 10,821.

``It feels good to get it out of the way,'' Robitaille said after becoming the 27th player and sixth left wing in NHL history to score 500 goals. ``But most important is the victory.''

Robitaille was happy to prove wrong those who had discounted his talents throughout a career that began when he was selected by the Kings with the 171st choice in the 1984 draft.

Kings coach Larry Robinson said: ``In Luc's case, a lot of people don't give him enough credit for how hard he's worked on his skating. You don't get 500 goals by being lucky, no pun intended.''

Rosa, 21, counted himself among the fortunate. In his 10th NHL game, Rosa came close to saying that assisting on the historic goal was on a par with scoring two goals in his first game last month.

``He was my hero growing up,'' said Rosa, a native of the Czech Republic. ``Sure, I was following Wayne Gretzky and Jaromir Jagr, but I had Luc's picture on the wall. The only thing I can say is I wish I could go as far as him. He has a lot of passion for the sport, and he's a great guy.''

As for the Kings (15-21-3), the victory was their seventh in the last eight games, and their season-high fifth in a row. Rosa and Sandy Moger scored the Kings' other goals.

Vaclav Varada and Michael Peca scored for the Sabres (21-10-5), who used Roloson in goal rather than two-time Most Valuable Player Dominik Hasek, who was given a rare night off 24 hours after recording an overtime victory against the Mighty Ducks at the Pond. It was just the fifth appearance for Roloson this season.

There was nothing Roloson could have done to prevent Robitaille's first goal, a one-timer from the right faceoff circle off a cross-ice feed from Rob Blake with the Kings enjoying a two-man advantage 2:48 into the game.

``When I got the first one, you know some nights, you're on,'' said Robitaille, who has scored 12 goals in the last 15 games and has scored 430 of his goals during two stints with the Kings. ``I felt good the whole night.''

He felt even better later, and was asked if he planned to send the puck with which he scored No. 500 to the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Robitaille held the puck aloft and said: ``I'll keep it. They'll have to come get it. I've got kids. I have to keep it.''

But Robitaille was not ready to attempt to put the historic goal into any sort of perspective. His resurgence this season - he already has scored six more goals than all of last season - has him thinking loftier thoughts, of more goals and maybe even a Stanley Cup before he retires.

SHOOTING FOR 500

The Robitaille goal count: 500

Tracking the Kings' Luc Robitaille as he reached his 500th career goal.

Thursday: 2 goals vs. Buffalo.

With the two goals, Robitaille becomes the 27th player in NHL history to score 500 goals. He is the fourth player in the exclusive club to wear a Kings uniform, joining Wayne Gretzky (891 goals), Marcel Dionne (731) and Jari Kurri (601).

CAPTION(S):

2 Photos, Box

PHOTO (1--Color) Luc Robitaille celebrates after scoring his 500th goal in the Kings' win over the Sabres on Thursday night.

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

(2) Luc Robitaille

BOX: SHOOTING FOR 500 (see text)