Smyth, Simmonds, Johnson back on ice as Kings resume practice
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Left wing Ryan Smyth was back at practice with linemates Anze Kopitar and Justin Williams on Monday for the first time since he suffered an apparent rib injury on Nov. 16, inspiring smiles all around despite a long and tough practice.
Without Smyth to draw him to the net, Kopitar had only two goals and six points in the 15 games that Smyth missed. In the 22 games they played together, Kopitar had 14 goals and 32 points.
Kopitar should have rolled out a red carpet for Smyth on Monday at El Segundo. ‘He hasn’t -- yet,’ Smyth said.
‘It felt good to be out there with the guys and know there’s a little light at the end of the tunnel, knowing that Saturday is coming right around the corner. So it’s exciting. Playing on a regular line and getting back to moving the puck again it’s just a matter of getting into a game situation.’
While Smyth’s presence was expected, seeing right wing Wayne Simmonds on the ice merely a week after surgery on his left knee was a big surprise. But Simmonds, who skated with Teddy Purcell and Brad Richardson, said that when he underwent the arthroscopic procedure less damage was found than the doctor had anticipated, so the work was minor.
‘They didn’t have to repair anything. They just cut the piece off that was torn,’ he said of his injured meniscus. ‘It doesn’t really hurt. It had been like that for a while.’
He’s possible for the Kings’ next game after an eight-day break, on Saturday at Phoenix. ‘This is a best-case situation right now,’ he said. ‘I missed four games so far and we still have a bit of a ways to go to our next game on the 2th, So hopefully I can be back. We’ll play it by ear.’
Center Jarret Stoll (groin) didn’t practice, but defenseman Jack Johnson, who missed last Thursday’s trip finale at Calgary because of a sore foot, was on the ice as usual.
More later at www.latimes.com/sports
-- Helene Elliott