Martinez picks up where he left off

Alec Martinez returns to the lineup tonight after a 10-game absence. Coincidentally, Martinez left the lineup because of an injury in a home game against the Minnesota Wild, tonight’s opponent. Martinez went hard into the glass after a check by Minnesota’s Warren Peters — who was assigned to the AHL 10 days ago — and stayed in the game and scored a second-period goal, but has not played since that Nov. 12 game. Martinez has scoring potential — he had two goals in three games before the injury — and can contribute on the power play. Given the Kings’ general lack of scoring of late, particularly among defensemen, Martinez will have a chance to make an impact.

MARTINEZ: “That’s something that we’ve obviously been working on lately, and that’s part of my game, trying to get pucks to the net, shots from the blue line and join the rush when the opportunity is there. So I’m excited to be a part of it again. … Minnesota, when you look at the standings, they’re one of the top — if not the top — teams in the league right now. They’re a good team and we really need to capitalize on our opportunities.’’

Terry Murray is also eager to see what Martinez can bring to the lineup…

MURRAY: “Marty, he has become a pretty good hockey player. He’s got good puck skills, vision. He jumps up into plays. He’s part of the offensive part of the attack, and that’s exactly what we’ve been pushing along here, since the last time he played against Minnesota. He scored a big goal on the power play. So he has really pushed his game in the right way, and he’s a player who, I think, really adds a lot to our hockey club.’’