Nearly All Kings’ Men Back

For all of the good it did, the Kings were almost whole when defenseman Rob Blake and winger Ziggy Palffy were declared sound enough to play against New Jersey Tuesday night.

Blake had missed two games because of a groin strain, Palffy four because of back spasms.

They were joined by goalie Stephane Fiset, who was in uniform for the first time since Nov. 9, as backup for Jamie Storr. Fiset played the final two periods after Storr surrendered three goals.

Center Jozef Stumpel, sidelined because of a hernia, is expected to return for a Dec. 22 game against San Jose.

*

Lowell Coach Bruce Boudreau was on hand for Tuesday night’s game raving about King winger Dan Bylsma, who spent a couple of games with the Kings’ AHL affiliate a week ago.

“We were down to 14 players [plus goalies] for a game against Providence, and he was great,” Boudreau said. “The guys fed off it emotionally, because he showed that if you work your butt off, hockey will have a place for you.”

TONIGHT

at New York Rangers, 4

Fox Sports Net/ESPN2

* Site--Madison Square Garden.

* Radio--KRLA (1110).

* Records--Kings 16-9-6-1, Rangers 10-14-4-1.

* Record vs. Rangers (1998-99)--0-1-0.

* Update--Alexandre Daigle has three goals and six assists since being called up from Hartford by New York, his fourth NHL team in the last three seasons. That has helped the Rangers to a 4-3-1-1 record over that time.