Memorable Game for Robitaille

Whether Luc Robitaille knew Tuesday night’s game at St. Louis was his 1,000th in the NHL, he’s not saying. It’s apparent that it wasn’t common knowledge.

“I wasn’t aware of it, I don’t think our team was aware of it until right before the game, when somebody read the [media] notes,” Coach Andy Murray said.

That didn’t keep Murray from using it in his pregame talk. There is little Murray won’t use if he figures it could be inspirational.

“We talked about what a feat it was to play 1,000 games,” Murray said. “We talked about playing hard in recognition of what Luc has done over his career.”

What he did Tuesday night was score his 16th goal and 533rd of his career to give the Kings a 2-1 lead at 51 seconds of the third period.

“When you score a goal to put your team ahead, it’s a good feeling,” Robitaille said.

Said teammate Donald Audette: “We thought it would win the game.”

Instead, St. Louis tied it, 2-2, on a goal by Mike Eastwood.

“I just wish Luc had gotten one more,” Murray said.

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Audette was in the lineup after being scratched for two games and led the Kings in shots with five, including two in goalie Jamie McLennan’s face.

After scoring only once in his previous 11 games, Audette was told to sit by Murray, and maintains that he doesn’t agree with the position.

“But you can’t dwell on it, you have to move on,” he said.

After skating all season on a line centered by Bryan Smolinski and winger Glen Murray, Audette played on one centered by Brad Chartrand--who was called up from Long Beach earlier in the day--and winger Craig Johnson.

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Center Jozef Stumpel, who was injured Monday night at Dallas, will be examined today to determine the extent of his knee injury.

He was scratched Tuesday night.