Fiset Expected to Start Against Wild

King Coach Andy Murray was a bit evasive Friday afternoon, but it’s clear that Stephane Fiset will start tonight in goal against Minnesota.

It’s just as clear that Jamie Storr will come back Sunday night at the Arrowhead Pond against the Mighty Ducks.

Fiset, out since Sept. 22 because of a knee ligament strain suffered in an exhibition against the Ducks, turned back 25 shots Wednesday night in a 3-3 tie for Lowell against Norfolk in an American Hockey League rehabilitation assignment.

He appeared none the worse for wear Friday in a practice with the Kings.

“If he feels pretty good during the morning skate [today], he could play,” Murray said.

It’s as close as the coach will come to a commitment, because Murray always reserves the right to change his mind. But he told both goalies of the weekend plan.

“Jamie might be back in less than 24 hours,” Murray said. “We don’t know yet if Fiset is ready to play back-to-back.”

Fiset, who has long been the Kings’ No. 1 goalie, though he has shared the job with Storr because of injuries in other seasons, was 20-15-7 with a 2.75 goals-against average last season.

Storr is 10-6-5 in 22 games this season, more than any other NHL goalie except Edmonton’s Tommy Salo, who has played in 24. Storr has started 17 games in a row and his 2.80 goals-against average has crept up from 2.40.

Storr was in goal during a 6-0-2 November run in which he turned in a 1.71 goals-against average. But he is 0-2-2 in his last four games and has given up 14 goals in them.

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King defenseman Jere Karalahti was unable to skate Friday and probably won’t play tonight. . . . The Kings have brought defenseman Andreas Lilja up from Lowell and sent down goalie Travis Scott after learning that Fiset was ready to play.

TONIGHT

vs. Minnesota, 7:30

Fox Sports Net

* Site--Staples Center.

* Radio--KSPN (1110).

* Records--Kings 11-8-6-0, Wild 7-14-4-1.

* Record vs. Wild--First game.

* Update--The expansion Wild has some familiar faces, including defenseman Sean O’Donnell and wings Steve McKenna and Matt Johnson, all former Kings. Minnesota also comes in with successive losses to San Jose and Phoenix. Before that, the Wild had been on a 3-0-1 run that included a 4-2 win over Vancouver, the first team with a winning record Minnesota has beaten. The Kings are wary because of the memory of a 4-1 loss to Columbus, also an expansion team.

* Tickets--(888) 656-4752.