Berg Living Up to Expectations

When defenseman Aki Berg, 19, was sent down to the minors after struggling earlier this season, many NHL observers quickly wrote him off as a first round draft choice bust.

But since Jan. 6, when he was recalled from Phoenix, the Kings’ International Hockey League affiliate, Berg--who has been teamed with defenseman Philippe Boucher--has displayed the ability the Kings saw when they made him their No. 1 pick of the 1995 entry draft.

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With the return of forward Yanic Perreault to the lineup against the Blues on Saturday, the Kings’ injured list is shrinking. Right wing Vitali Yachmenev, who has been out because of an ankle injury, is expected to be back this week.