Kings Play Hooky in Loss to Rangers : Hockey: Los Angeles uses only five veterans in a 7-2 defeat at San Diego.

And now, for that New York Rangers-Phoenix Roadrunners score.

The Roadrunners, cleverly disguised in Kings’ uniforms on Thursday night, were in abundance at the San Diego Sports Arena. Players from the Kings’ top minor league affiliate dotted the lineup as only five veterans played in the Kings’ 7-2 loss to the Rangers before a crowd of 8,099.

It was an all-rookie defense for the Kings (1-1-2). There were four veteran forwards, Dave Taylor, Tony Granato, Jari Kurri and Jay Miller, who returned after his lengthy bout with an intestinal virus. Goaltender Kelly Hrudey, who faced 50 shots, made his first exhibition appearance, as the Kings have been evaluating rookies Robb Stauber and David Goverde for the backup spot.

In the indefinite absence of the injured Wayne Gretzky, King Coach Barry Melrose has been saying it’s time for the veterans to step forward.

“It’s always been Wayne Gretzky and the L.A. Kings,” Melrose said earlier this week. “Now it’s not. We’ve got to get more leadership from guys like (Tony) Granato, (Luc) Robitaille, (Marty) McSorley and (Paul) Coffey. And it’s a chance for the youngsters.”

One youngster, 23-year-old forward Jim Hiller, was one of the bright spots in a game where the Kings gave up four third-period goals in a 6:45 span.

Hiller has scored four goals and seven points in the Kings’ four exhibition games.

Thursday, he had a goal and an assist, both in the third period.

“He’s for real,” Melrose said. “He’s a player. He scores every night and he scores the same type of goal.”

Hiller was a find for the Kings. They picked him in the 10th round (207th overall) in the 1989 draft.

King Notes

The Kings can’t seem to get through a game without losing a player. Rookie defenseman Paul Holden was the latest victim when he went crashing into the glass above the boards. The glass gave way and Holden suffered a strained right shoulder. He was taken to the hospital for X-rays.