Yzerman Presents Another Challenge

DETROIT — As if they didn’t face a big enough obstacle in trying to climb back to .500, the Kings also prepared for Steve Yzerman, who might make his long-awaited return to the Detroit Red Wings’ lineup tonight at Joe Louis Arena.

“They need points because they’re in a battle with St. Louis to win their division,” King Coach Andy Murray said, “so I think if Steve Yzerman can play, he’ll play.”

Yzerman, who has not played since having off-season knee surgery, was typically vague when asked after Sunday’s practice if he will play tonight, telling reporters, “I’m not planning to as of right now.”

The longtime Red Wing captain, who had his right knee realigned in August, is believed to be the first pro athlete to attempt a comeback from such a procedure. He told reporters last week that he planned to play “within the next week.”

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More than two months and 31 games since Adam Deadmarsh was sidelined, only two Kings have surpassed his goal total, Bryan Smolinski scoring two Friday night to give him 14 in 50 games.

Ziggy Palffy, with 13 in his last 16 games, has scored a team-high 26 in 55 games. Deadmarsh, who hasn’t played since Dec. 15, has 13 in 20.

“We set certain standards for our team at the start of the year, how many goals we wanted out of each unit and that kind of stuff,” Murray said. “The only group that’s come close to that is our defense. I think we had them down for 30 goals and they’ve got more than 30 now.

“The other thing you look at is, Ziggy’s got more goals than about six or seven of our other forwards combined, including some guys that have played a number of minutes.”

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TONIGHT

at Detroit, 4:30 PST, Fox Sports Net

Site -- Joe Louis Arena.

Radio -- KSPN (710).

Records -- Kings 26-27-4-4, Red Wings 32-17-9-3.

Record vs. Red Wings -- 1-0-1.

Update -- Former King Luc Robitaille, a healthy scratch from a game last month for the first time in his NHL career, has scored only eight goals in his second season with the Red Wings but has netted three in his last four games.