Murray Doesn’t Want to Single Anyone Out

Coach Andy Murray has already asked Luc Robitaille if he wants to replace Rob Blake, traded last week, as team captain.

Robitaille, 35 and clearly a team leader, has already said yes.

So what’s the delay?

In the days since Blake’s departure, Murray has seen a better way. He has seen his team go unbeaten at 3-0-1. He has seen a team effort on defense, previously a weak point, as the players try to make up for the loss of the former Norris Trophy winner.

And if it ain’t broke. . . .

“Everything before was Rob Blake and the L.A. Kings,” Murray said. “I don’t want it now to be Luc Robitaille and the L.A. Kings. I just want it to be the L.A. Kings.”

Not that Murray is minimizing Robitaille’s role.

“Luc is the closer on this team even if he doesn’t have the ‘C,’ ” his coach said. “He is perceived as the one to go to by the other players. He’s the one the other guys listen to.”

But as long as the Kings are winning, Murray doesn’t feel an urgency to formalize Robitaille’s role.

“Maybe we’ll sort it out this summer,” Murray said.

Or maybe Robitaille could get the “C” on his uniform and Murray could tell everyone it stands for closer.

*

Center Eric Belanger, sidelined two games because of back spasms, skated in practice Friday and is available tonight. Wing Scott Thomas, out one game because of a bruised thigh, also skated Friday, but remains day-to-day.

Defenseman Mathieu Schneider, out the last two games and on the injured list because of a strained groin, could have been activated for tonight, but isn’t ready.

TONIGHT

vs. Detroit, 7

Fox Sports Net, ESPN2

* Site--Staples Center.

* Radio--KSPN (1110).

* Records--Kings 28-26-9-1, Red Wings 39-16-7-4.

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

* Update--This season, the Kings tied the Red Wings, 2-2, at Staples Center and lost, 2-1, in Detroit. The Kings need to win this game to avoid losing their first season series to the Red Wings since the 1996-97 season. The Kings, who have one of the league’s worst penalty-killing units, have stopped 18 of the last 19 power plays they’ve faced.