Grimson Wins Fight for Time

Winger Stu Grimson would prefer that Reid Simpson or any of his St. Louis teammates not come looking for retribution tonight at Staples Center.

“I don’t know if you could go around the league and any player in my role would say, ‘I like fighting,’ ” said Grimson, whose one-punch knockout of Simpson in the Kings’ 5-2 victory at St. Louis on Dec. 28 has been shown on highlight--or lowlight, depending on your point of view--videos everywhere.

“I think the guys would agree. We do it. But we would rather come out and play.”

Playing is something Grimson has done well lately.

His goal in a 3-2 victory over Buffalo on Thursday was his third of the season, matching a personal best, achieved twice. It also speaks to his expanding role in the Kings’ scheme. Grimson was signed last summer to be what Coach Andy Murray calls a “nuclear deterrent.”

He’s done that--as seen in the Simpson fight and others--but “he’s also played good hockey,” Murray said.

Grimson also is a fan of the coach.

“He’s shown confidence by playing me, and that helps my confidence in myself,” Grimson said. “He’s let me play through mistakes.”

It also has helped that Grimson’s line is being centered by rookie Eric Belanger, who has offensive tendencies besides being a hard-nosed defender. Grimson’s goal Thursday was scored when Belanger gloved a puck, dropped it and sent it toward the goal, where Grimson was hanging out for the rebound from Sabre goalie Dominik Hasek.

“Go to the net and good things happen,” Grimson said, repeating the litany that drives NHL players into the confined space around the goalie.

Grimson is enjoying playing a more complete game after spending time with the Mighty Ducks with a single role: that of fighting.

“It’s kind of fun,” he said. “[Murray] is giving us responsibility in ice time.”

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Ziggy Palffy, who had symptoms of a concussion at the second intermission of Thursday’s game, was back on the ice for practice Friday and is expected to play tonight.

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Winger Luc Robitaille has only one goal in his last 11 games, and King coaches are concerned but not exactly contemplating remedial action.

“What am I going to do, tell Luc how to score?” Murray said Friday. “It’s like the basketball player who shoots 50% and misses 20 shots in the first half. He’s asked what was he thinking about at halftime and he says, ‘That I’m going to hit the first 20 shots in the second half because I’m a 50% shooter.’

“Luc’s a goal scorer like [Dallas’] Brett Hull is a goal scorer. I expect him to get a bunch of goals in the next few games.”

TONIGHT

vs. St. Louis, 6:30

Fox Sports Net/ESPN2

* Site--Staples Center.

* Radio--KSPN (1110).

* Records--Kings 19-16-7-1, Blues 28-8-4-1.

* Record vs. Blues--1-1-1.

* Update--The Kings ended a 12-game St. Louis unbeaten streak (11-0-1) with a 5-2 win on Dec. 28. The Blues have lost four of their last six games, but remain only one point behind Colorado for the best record in the NHL. Expect rookie Brent Johnson to be in goal tonight for the Blues after Roman Turek was lit up in a 6-3 loss at San Jose on Thursday. Pierre Turgeon also is expected to play, though he missed Thursday’s game because of a concussion.

* Tickets--(888) 546-4752.