Robinson Still Set, Period

Disputing reports that Coach Larry Robinson’s job was in jeopardy, Dave Taylor, vice president and general manager, said Sunday, “I’ve got a lot of confidence in Larry.”

With the Kings having lost five games in a row and 10 of their last 11, Taylor said Saturday night that “Larry’s our coach right now.”

On Sunday, he amended that: “Larry’s our coach, period.”

“We’re trying to work together and hopefully get though this,” Taylor added.

Robinson is in the final season of a four-season, $3.2-million contract, and an open-ended extension was offered before the season.

“As far as the extension, we’ve both talked and agreed to table it,” Taylor said. “We’ve decided to work on the situation at hand. Our priority is to get us going in the right direction.”

Robinson agreed on that priority.

“The offer was made to me early on in the season, and whether I choose to do something right now or wait until later, I don’t consider it to be a huge necessity right now,” he said. “Dave and our whole management team . . . know which direction that we’re headed in. We’re trying to stick to that. We’re both team people and the most important thing right now is not whether I have an extension to my contract.”

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Center Jozef Stumpel had two assists in the second period Saturday and said his game is coming back after missing 13 games because of various injuries.

“I feel pretty good now,” he said. “I’ve just got to get in game shape. I can’t think about getting injured any more.”

As important, he needs continued game time to get his timing back. Stumpel often has the puck and a large part of his game is distributing it.

He missed 10 games because of a hip flexor, returned for four games, then missed three more because of a sprained ankle.

Stumpel has one goal and five assists in 13 games.

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Luc Robitaille had a goal and an assist Saturday and has nine multipoint games this season. . . . The Kings will not practice today.