Emerson Pondered Retirement

Nelson Emerson, who returned to the Kings’ lineup Saturday night for the first time since Oct. 30, said before the game against the St. Louis Blues that he briefly contemplated retirement while sitting out last month.

The veteran winger, 34, has suffered numerous concussions, the latest Sept. 29 in an exhibition game against the Colorado Avalanche. He returned for five games in October, but so did his severe headaches.

“A lot of things go through your mind,” he said Saturday. “The fact that the symptoms were hanging on longer than they had [after his previous concussions] makes you think. It’s a serious thing. I had to think about everything.

“But, I’ll tell you, sitting out and watching kind of makes you realize that I personally have some things left that I want to achieve.”

What motivates him?

“I hate to bring up last year,” he said, “but just the playoffs last year, when the games are really what it’s all about. Why we put on these skates, why the kid from Canada--or the U.S., I guess--plays this game is for times like the playoffs.”

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General Manager Dave Taylor met Saturday night with Peter Stastny, general manager of Team Slovakia, but did not change his mind about releasing Ziggy Palffy and Lubomir Visnovsky to play for Slovakia in the preliminary round of the Winter Olympics at Salt Lake City in early February.

The preliminary round coincides with NHL play and the Kings don’t want to be without two of their top players.

TONIGHT

at Chicago, 4 PST Fox Sports Net / ESPN2

Site--United Center.

Radio--KSPN (1110).

Records--Kings 8-14-4-2, Blackhawks 15-9-7-0.

Record vs. Blackhawks--0-2.

Update--The surprising Blackhawks are a league-best 11-1-3 at home and have outscored their opponents, 52-31, including a 5-1 victory over the Kings on Oct. 30. They also defeated the Kings, 3-2, at Staples Center on Nov. 1.