Robitaille Tests Foot in Practice

Luc Robitaille rejoined the Kings on Tuesday, practicing with the team for the first time since he was sidelined Nov. 6.

“It feels good,” he said, adding that the key is whether it feels as good today. “I didn’t feel any pain.”

Robitaille, who is pointing toward playing Friday against the Mighty Ducks, said the injury does not affect his skating. “I never could start and stop anyway,” he said, laughing because he understands that he will never win a skating contest.

The key, he said, is the mind, not the foot. “I try not to think about it,” he said. “And if I start telling myself my timing is off [because of the layoff], then my timing will be off.”

*

Coach Andy Murray was not at practice until near the end.

Murray left Southern California after Saturday’s game and went to Minnesota to see his family and spend time with his children’s teachers.

He was bumped from a succession of flights that were oversold between Minneapolis and Los Angeles.

He finally got one to Ontario on Tuesday morning, then paid $140 for a cab to Iceoplex, where he arrived just as assistants Mark Hardy, Dave Tippett and Ray Bennett were finishing practice.

*

Jozef Stumpel, out since Nov. 6 because of a hernia, has resumed lifting weights and will begin light skating today. He will probably be out until at least mid-January, perhaps until February.

*

Goalie Stephane Fiset worked out and left the ice shaking his head.

He has been out since Nov. 9 because of a bruised right hand.

“It’s frustrating,” said Fiset. “It’s just not getting any better.”

The Kings are 5-3-1-1 since Fiset was injured. Jamie Storr and Marcel Cousineau have handled the goaltending chores.

*

Defenseman Garry Galley was given the day off the ice to rest a sore back.